I have to admit, I don't feel like writing today.
My morning started hectic and stressed, as my oldest decided to test my every nerve on her way out the door to catch the school bus.
And then there were emails to answer, mail to sort, and phone calls to make.
Then the baby needed to be fed, bathed, changed, fed, and changed again for the hundredth time it seemed.
Laundry was on the list today too, and then the ever present need to tidy, and make dinner.
Report cards also came home today, and I'll just say that one daughter made good choices, and one daughter did not...
My day was full of a million tiny things that in the grand scheme of life don't add up to much, but nevertheless have left me tired, scattered, and a little bit cranky.
.
Andrew is always telling me that life is all about choices. We choose to love, choose to obey, choose to sin, choose to be happy, choose to be sad, choose to let life take us over. That's just like him, to rationalize things, to take the emotion and whiny attitude out, and tell me to just make a choice. Thank you, hunny.
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In the craziness of life, don't we all make poor choices? In our daily walk with Christ, we get lazy, we get bogged down with life, and we just don't feel like doing what God wants us to do.
We put our human feelings on Heavenly work, and we say "no" to God.
"I can't go to church today, God, it's been too long of a week, I need to rest."
"I can't talk to my coworker about you, God, she might laugh at me!"
"I can't pray for that person, they're mean to me, and I won't do it!"
"I can't give to the needy, they made the bad choices, they don't deserve my hard-earned money!"
"I'll start living for you tomorrow, God, right now, I'm just too busy."
We all make excuses to tell God why we can't do something, and most of the time, we dodge the blame:
Its because we're tired, because we're busy, because we're young, because we're old, because we're poor, because we don't have the time, because there's someone else to do it...
No, those are just excuses. What we're really doing is making a choice to disobey.
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"So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s
mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice
that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly
service." - Romans 12:1
Our 'appropriate priestly service'?
Let's break this down in another translation:
"I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and
beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive
dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as
a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to
God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship."
That's pretty strong language, not leaving much room for debate. It sounds to me, like even on the hard days, even when we are busy and scattered, cranky and tired, we are told to present ourselves as living sacrifices, ready to do whatever God wants us to do.
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If you failed at this today, take heart, tomorrow is a new day!
As we settle in for sleep tonight, may we ask God to help us see what we're being called to do, and help us tomorrow to live out His plan for our lives.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
The Sin of Worrying
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6 & 7
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I have this verse written out on a chalkboard in my kitchen. I have it positioned on a certain wall so it is the first thing I see when I walk into my home from the front, and the first thing I see as I enter the kitchen. It's also hung next to the back door, and the chalkboard holds our keys, so my life revolves around this chalkboard. I'd say that's a good thing.
When Andrew & I first found the antique frame, turned modern chalk board, we fell in love with the piece, but honestly I didn't know what to do with it. What would I write on the massive chalkboard? After hanging it, we decided on weekly scripture verses. Andrew picked the first week, and wrote out his verse, and when the week was up I erased it and put up Philippians 4:6 & 7, my verse.
That was in September.
.
I have a tendency to worry about things. Which is why I picked this verse in the first place. I was in my 6th month of pregnancy, and believe me, I had a lot on my mind, and a lot of things to worry about.
Since then, it never seemed right to take the verse down, because I still had things on my mind, things I was still choosing to worry over.
.
On a day to day basis, I function just fine. But if I'm honest with myself, and honest before God, there are moments in my life when I allow fear to creep into my heart, for lies to take over truth, worry to take over my peace, and anxiety to steal my joy. This is a struggle that I've had for as long as I can remember, I imagine I'm inclined to it, based on some of my personality traits, i.e.: perfectionist, controller, planner, micro-manager.
And when I let these moments happen, they aren't pretty. I get all worked up, and I hurt people I love, by allowing whatever worry it is at the time, to take me over. I become someone else. Someone I'm not proud of, someone I don't like.
.
"Do not be anxious about anything!"
Original Greek translation of this phrase is: "Have no cares", another is: "Be careful about nothing", and finally: "Do not be over-anxious."
This isn't a suggestion, this isn't something nice to maybe try out. It's a command. Do not.
Do NOT!
.
Who knew that when I started this blog, vulnerability would feel this vulnerable, and transparency would leave me this exposed?
But maybe this devotional blog is as much about helping myself as it is helping someone else.
My heart is laid out here before the world, before God.
I struggle with the sin of worrying.
.
God doesn't give us commandments to hurt us, He doesn't give us commandments to frame us in and control us, He gives us commandments to FREE us from the pain of sin.
When I worry, I am not living in His truth, I am not living in His peace, I am not holding onto His promises, I am not trusting, I am not dying to self.
I am, however, living in bondage. I am living in pain, living in anxiety, living in doubt. I am allowing myself to become a slave.
When Christ died to set me free.
.
.
I have this verse written out on a chalkboard in my kitchen. I have it positioned on a certain wall so it is the first thing I see when I walk into my home from the front, and the first thing I see as I enter the kitchen. It's also hung next to the back door, and the chalkboard holds our keys, so my life revolves around this chalkboard. I'd say that's a good thing.
When Andrew & I first found the antique frame, turned modern chalk board, we fell in love with the piece, but honestly I didn't know what to do with it. What would I write on the massive chalkboard? After hanging it, we decided on weekly scripture verses. Andrew picked the first week, and wrote out his verse, and when the week was up I erased it and put up Philippians 4:6 & 7, my verse.
That was in September.
.
I have a tendency to worry about things. Which is why I picked this verse in the first place. I was in my 6th month of pregnancy, and believe me, I had a lot on my mind, and a lot of things to worry about.
Since then, it never seemed right to take the verse down, because I still had things on my mind, things I was still choosing to worry over.
.
On a day to day basis, I function just fine. But if I'm honest with myself, and honest before God, there are moments in my life when I allow fear to creep into my heart, for lies to take over truth, worry to take over my peace, and anxiety to steal my joy. This is a struggle that I've had for as long as I can remember, I imagine I'm inclined to it, based on some of my personality traits, i.e.: perfectionist, controller, planner, micro-manager.
And when I let these moments happen, they aren't pretty. I get all worked up, and I hurt people I love, by allowing whatever worry it is at the time, to take me over. I become someone else. Someone I'm not proud of, someone I don't like.
.
"Do not be anxious about anything!"
Original Greek translation of this phrase is: "Have no cares", another is: "Be careful about nothing", and finally: "Do not be over-anxious."
This isn't a suggestion, this isn't something nice to maybe try out. It's a command. Do not.
Do NOT!
.
Who knew that when I started this blog, vulnerability would feel this vulnerable, and transparency would leave me this exposed?
But maybe this devotional blog is as much about helping myself as it is helping someone else.
My heart is laid out here before the world, before God.
I struggle with the sin of worrying.
.
God doesn't give us commandments to hurt us, He doesn't give us commandments to frame us in and control us, He gives us commandments to FREE us from the pain of sin.
When I worry, I am not living in His truth, I am not living in His peace, I am not holding onto His promises, I am not trusting, I am not dying to self.
I am, however, living in bondage. I am living in pain, living in anxiety, living in doubt. I am allowing myself to become a slave.
When Christ died to set me free.
.
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." Luke 12:25-27
All because I try to control, try to plan, try to prevent, try to fix.
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Forgive me, God. Let today be a new day for me. Let this sin be removed. Let my bondage be set free. May I lay it all down, and never turn to pick it back up. Let Your peace guard my heart, and guard my mind, and allow me to rest in You.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
The God Who Sees To It
"So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14
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God has many attributes , and one way to understand the character of God and fully know about Him, is to know the many names of God. One of the names of God is Yahweh-Jireh, or Jehovah-Jireh as some have learned it. We know that this name given to God means "The LORD Who provides", but as I was studying the original Hebrew meaning, a more literal translation was brought to my attention: "The LORD Who will see to it".
Jehovah- Jireh is only mentioned once in scripture, in Genesis 22:14. The Bible tells us that God was testing Abraham's devotion, and told him to go to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son Isaac. Just as Abraham was about to kill his son in obedience to God, an Angel of The LORD spoke and told Abraham not to harm his son, and it was then that Abraham saw a ram tangled in a bush, and was able to offer the ram as a burnt offering to God, instead of his son. It was here that Abraham gave God the name Yahweh-Jireh, because God had provided the ram.
.
Though this Name of God is only shown once, it's such an important name! And personally, for me, the translation of "The LORD Who sees to it" struck a real cord in my heart. I grew up singing "Jehovah-Jireh" a song about God's provision, and I grew up knowing that my God was One who would always provide for my needs. But somehow the translation of "seeing to it" is so much more urgent and concrete. It doesn't sound like God will eventually get around to answering my need, He is actively and purposefully working to get it done!
"See to it" is such a stronger phrase than "provider", because it gives the tone of an active, immediate response. This new translation of an already learned name of God, gave me a fresher understanding of God as my provider. He is not only listening to my prayers, and promising to provide, but He is urgently working to "see to it!" Isn't that so comforting?
Isn't it so comforting to know that in our daily prayer life, we can lay our requests, our needs, the needs of those around us, indeed our entire lives at the feet of Jesus, and know that He is immediately working?
His love for us is that deep, each and every one of us. He doesn't put my prayer on a shelf until He takes care of Sally's prayer, He doesn't put your prayer on a shelf until He takes care of Joe's prayer. He has made it top-priority to "see to" your need today.
.
One other thing to note here, is that God provided for Abraham after he had proven his love and devotion to God, by obeying His command. Though God's request must have broken Abraham's heart, he was willing to do it, because He loved God and desired to obey Him. It was in the action of obeying that God was able to bless Abraham, and provide for him.
Sometimes we don't like what God asks of us, and sometimes the things God requires of us may even hurt. But are we willing to walk through those painful times, in order to see God's blessing? Are we trusting that in those hard times, God will come through for us, and "see to" delivering us from our current problem?
.
The same God who provided for Abraham on Mount Moriah is the same God who wants to provide for you today. Trust Him where you are today, trust that He is working, and will reveal His solution in His time. He may need to see you take a step of faith, He may need to know you're completely devoted to Him.
.
God has many attributes , and one way to understand the character of God and fully know about Him, is to know the many names of God. One of the names of God is Yahweh-Jireh, or Jehovah-Jireh as some have learned it. We know that this name given to God means "The LORD Who provides", but as I was studying the original Hebrew meaning, a more literal translation was brought to my attention: "The LORD Who will see to it".
Jehovah- Jireh is only mentioned once in scripture, in Genesis 22:14. The Bible tells us that God was testing Abraham's devotion, and told him to go to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son Isaac. Just as Abraham was about to kill his son in obedience to God, an Angel of The LORD spoke and told Abraham not to harm his son, and it was then that Abraham saw a ram tangled in a bush, and was able to offer the ram as a burnt offering to God, instead of his son. It was here that Abraham gave God the name Yahweh-Jireh, because God had provided the ram.
.
Though this Name of God is only shown once, it's such an important name! And personally, for me, the translation of "The LORD Who sees to it" struck a real cord in my heart. I grew up singing "Jehovah-Jireh" a song about God's provision, and I grew up knowing that my God was One who would always provide for my needs. But somehow the translation of "seeing to it" is so much more urgent and concrete. It doesn't sound like God will eventually get around to answering my need, He is actively and purposefully working to get it done!
"See to it" is such a stronger phrase than "provider", because it gives the tone of an active, immediate response. This new translation of an already learned name of God, gave me a fresher understanding of God as my provider. He is not only listening to my prayers, and promising to provide, but He is urgently working to "see to it!" Isn't that so comforting?
Isn't it so comforting to know that in our daily prayer life, we can lay our requests, our needs, the needs of those around us, indeed our entire lives at the feet of Jesus, and know that He is immediately working?
His love for us is that deep, each and every one of us. He doesn't put my prayer on a shelf until He takes care of Sally's prayer, He doesn't put your prayer on a shelf until He takes care of Joe's prayer. He has made it top-priority to "see to" your need today.
.
One other thing to note here, is that God provided for Abraham after he had proven his love and devotion to God, by obeying His command. Though God's request must have broken Abraham's heart, he was willing to do it, because He loved God and desired to obey Him. It was in the action of obeying that God was able to bless Abraham, and provide for him.
Sometimes we don't like what God asks of us, and sometimes the things God requires of us may even hurt. But are we willing to walk through those painful times, in order to see God's blessing? Are we trusting that in those hard times, God will come through for us, and "see to" delivering us from our current problem?
.
The same God who provided for Abraham on Mount Moriah is the same God who wants to provide for you today. Trust Him where you are today, trust that He is working, and will reveal His solution in His time. He may need to see you take a step of faith, He may need to know you're completely devoted to Him.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
The Thing About Pride
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2
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When Andrew got called to be the Pastor at West Eaton Baptist Church, we dove into a home search head on and full force. We knew what we needed for our family, what our personal desires for a home were, we also needed it to be close enough to the church, but close to family as well. We gave our realtor pretty specific instructions, and together, we said "no" to quite a few houses before finding this one.
When we first learned this house was on the market, I made Andrew drive me over & all the way up to the front door, where I got out and did my own inspection. We were so excited by what we saw: the potential, the history, the style, the charm. I fell in love right away, and just knew it would be ours. I kept saying: "Just picture it at Christmas!" with it's tall staircase in the foyer, fireplace mantel and pillared porch. I saw the beauty that our home would be, and that was all it took.
We spent the first few weeks after purchasing, checking off a very long to-do list, before we were finally able to move the family in. The work was mostly cosmetic, and came together pretty quickly. We are 95% done with the inside, but still have so many "big" projects to do outside: Redo the porch, paint the house, add rails to the front steps, landscape...the list goes on and on.
Now that we're in the home, however, and we find ourselves in the dead of winter, we are realizing that we did things a little backwards. I was so consumed with finishing the inside, making everything look pretty, that I forgot what living in an 1800's home in the winter would mean. I forgot about attic blankets, and insulating the basement, storm windows, and sealing up cracks that appear out of nowhere when the wind starts whipping. That was poor planning on our part, it was our own fault. It was my fault for being so prideful in the appearance of our home, instead of in it's function for our family. I admit that I pushed Andrew to make things look "just so", telling myself that beauty was the important thing.
We are learning the hard way that allowing pride to be your driving force, will ultimately be your downfall.
.
We all have things in our life that we hold onto, things that we are proud of. And sometimes those things can be ok, but are you allowing pride to blind you today? Is there a situation in your own life, like mine, that you wish you could go back and redo? Are you so consumed with selfish things, that you are unable to see the bigger picture?
.
God, help us today, to turn from our prideful attitudes, and see our lives through eyes of wisdom and discernment. Forgive us for the "things" in life we've been holding onto, and help us to lay them at Your feet, knowing that You will always take care of us. Thank You for Your forgiveness, patience, and grace, You are such a good God.
.
When Andrew got called to be the Pastor at West Eaton Baptist Church, we dove into a home search head on and full force. We knew what we needed for our family, what our personal desires for a home were, we also needed it to be close enough to the church, but close to family as well. We gave our realtor pretty specific instructions, and together, we said "no" to quite a few houses before finding this one.
When we first learned this house was on the market, I made Andrew drive me over & all the way up to the front door, where I got out and did my own inspection. We were so excited by what we saw: the potential, the history, the style, the charm. I fell in love right away, and just knew it would be ours. I kept saying: "Just picture it at Christmas!" with it's tall staircase in the foyer, fireplace mantel and pillared porch. I saw the beauty that our home would be, and that was all it took.
We spent the first few weeks after purchasing, checking off a very long to-do list, before we were finally able to move the family in. The work was mostly cosmetic, and came together pretty quickly. We are 95% done with the inside, but still have so many "big" projects to do outside: Redo the porch, paint the house, add rails to the front steps, landscape...the list goes on and on.
Now that we're in the home, however, and we find ourselves in the dead of winter, we are realizing that we did things a little backwards. I was so consumed with finishing the inside, making everything look pretty, that I forgot what living in an 1800's home in the winter would mean. I forgot about attic blankets, and insulating the basement, storm windows, and sealing up cracks that appear out of nowhere when the wind starts whipping. That was poor planning on our part, it was our own fault. It was my fault for being so prideful in the appearance of our home, instead of in it's function for our family. I admit that I pushed Andrew to make things look "just so", telling myself that beauty was the important thing.
We are learning the hard way that allowing pride to be your driving force, will ultimately be your downfall.
.
We all have things in our life that we hold onto, things that we are proud of. And sometimes those things can be ok, but are you allowing pride to blind you today? Is there a situation in your own life, like mine, that you wish you could go back and redo? Are you so consumed with selfish things, that you are unable to see the bigger picture?
.
God, help us today, to turn from our prideful attitudes, and see our lives through eyes of wisdom and discernment. Forgive us for the "things" in life we've been holding onto, and help us to lay them at Your feet, knowing that You will always take care of us. Thank You for Your forgiveness, patience, and grace, You are such a good God.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Joy in His Presence
"...You will fill me with joy in Your presence…" Psalm 16:11
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My mind is scattered this afternoon, with the chatter of children, the frustration of quieting arguments and hushing whiny voices that seem to pour out of our pre-teen daughters as of late. School was cancelled today, due to heating issues at the school, and all I can say to that is: Thank you, Madison School District. The weather is too cold for anyone to play safely outside, so today is a hibernation day for our family, and after an already long weekend, this added day of isolation means that cabin fever has just taken me over.
Have you ever had days when you just needed to breathe, and allow Jesus to just speak softly to you in a world that's loud, and noisy, and busy, and cold?
It doesn't matter if you're a Mom or not, we all have frustrations in our lives. We all have voices filling our heads, and chatter seeming to take our minds over. We all need peace, we all need quiet.
.
David knew about needing peace. He spent 4 years running from Saul. 4 years hiding, running for his life, crying out to God for strength. It's safe to say David lived those years in a spirit of unrest. We know from his prayer songs that every day brought new challenges to David, and the Psalms reveal so much about David's struggle, and even more about his heart.
For years I used to think that David had a mood disorder, because from reading the Psalms, one day David is really high and the next he's really low. But isn't that just how life is sometimes? When we are under pressure from our families, our jobs, our finances…can't life just get overwhelming?
But David is a good model for us here, not because he shared in our busy lives, but because he sets the example of what we're to do in the midst of our current uproar.
When David was overwhelmed with life, he cried out to his God. Every time. He poured his heart out to his God. His desires, his needs, his fears, his praises, his triumphs, his joys. Whatever was happening in David's heart, it was given to God.
Our peace today, is knowing that The God who was with David, is The same God who is with us today. Surely He will meet us today, in the middle of our chaos, and bring our hearts peace.
Surely, if we quiet our hearts before Him, we will find joy in His presence.
.
My mind is scattered this afternoon, with the chatter of children, the frustration of quieting arguments and hushing whiny voices that seem to pour out of our pre-teen daughters as of late. School was cancelled today, due to heating issues at the school, and all I can say to that is: Thank you, Madison School District. The weather is too cold for anyone to play safely outside, so today is a hibernation day for our family, and after an already long weekend, this added day of isolation means that cabin fever has just taken me over.
Have you ever had days when you just needed to breathe, and allow Jesus to just speak softly to you in a world that's loud, and noisy, and busy, and cold?
It doesn't matter if you're a Mom or not, we all have frustrations in our lives. We all have voices filling our heads, and chatter seeming to take our minds over. We all need peace, we all need quiet.
.
David knew about needing peace. He spent 4 years running from Saul. 4 years hiding, running for his life, crying out to God for strength. It's safe to say David lived those years in a spirit of unrest. We know from his prayer songs that every day brought new challenges to David, and the Psalms reveal so much about David's struggle, and even more about his heart.
For years I used to think that David had a mood disorder, because from reading the Psalms, one day David is really high and the next he's really low. But isn't that just how life is sometimes? When we are under pressure from our families, our jobs, our finances…can't life just get overwhelming?
But David is a good model for us here, not because he shared in our busy lives, but because he sets the example of what we're to do in the midst of our current uproar.
When David was overwhelmed with life, he cried out to his God. Every time. He poured his heart out to his God. His desires, his needs, his fears, his praises, his triumphs, his joys. Whatever was happening in David's heart, it was given to God.
Our peace today, is knowing that The God who was with David, is The same God who is with us today. Surely He will meet us today, in the middle of our chaos, and bring our hearts peace.
Surely, if we quiet our hearts before Him, we will find joy in His presence.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
I Will Praise You
"...I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." - Psalm 139:14
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This verse is in the middle of one of the most popular Psalms that David ever wrote. This is the Psalm that people use when they talk about the wonder of God creating us, knitting us together in our mother's womb. This is the Psalm we go to when we refer to God knowing us completely: knowing when we sleep and when we rise; where we go when we need reassurance that no matter how dark things get, that there is no where we can go to flee from God's presence. This Psalm is jam packed with "good stuff", it's a good one to memorize and carry with us, because it speaks so much to the nature and heart of God:
He is Creator
He is personal
He is all-knowing
He is everywhere we go
He is constant
He is present
He is involved
He is devoted
He is loving
He is purposeful
He is good
He is loving
He is purposeful
He is good
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This Psalm is one of the first I ever memorized as a girl, loving the words written about my God who made me, embracing the words that told me God loved me as I was.
As a young girl, and into my adolescent years, I really struggled with low self-esteem. Though I knew I was made in the God's image, (Genesis 1:27) I struggled with not looking like everyone else. I struggled with my frizzy wavy hair that never fit the current styles, I struggled with my thick thighs that weighed me down in gym class, I struggled with my strength that made the boys want to arm wrestle me, I struggled with my general "largeness" in comparison to all the pretty girls in my class. I wanted to be tall and lanky, blond and blue-eyed, I wanted my curves to be in all the right places, but no matter what I did, that never happened.
One of the things I remember most about my adolescence, were the many diets I put myself on. I tried everything: diet pills, diet drink mixes, exercise routines, personal trainers, pretty much anything I could think to do that my parents would agree to. Looking back, I thank God that He protected me, and gave me the parents He did, because ultimately it was their love that prevented me from going down a darker path in my struggles with weight. From my Freshman year in high school to my college graduation, my weight fluctuated so much and so often that I had a steady full wardrobe in a range of 3 sizes, so whatever size I was that month, I would have something to wear.
It was somewhere in college, that my issues with low self-esteem began to lessen. I had submerged myself in things I was good at. I was studying fine art, and in my art classes, I seemed to flourish. People looked to me for help, inspiration even. I received great feedback from my professors, and to my amazement, I began to make friends who hadn't grown up with me, yet, accepted me for who I was. It was a transition time for me. When I began to embrace who I was, and who God had made me to be.
It was in those transition years, that I went back to this Psalm, and was struck by verse 14: "...I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." I had been a solid, dedicated Christian my whole life, I had praised God for so many things throughout my life, knowing that He was an amazing God. I was in love with Jesus, my Savior, had given my life to Him...and yet, I was struck by this verse.
Can you imagine what hit me?
I had never, in my 20 something years of being saved, praised God for making ME the way He had. Not once.
Sure, I had told God all the bad ways I was made. I complained about my looks, I made sure He knew about all the things I hated about myself, the things He should have changed, the things He had given me that He shouldn't have. I had begged Him to change me, to let me fit in, to let me be beautiful.
I had cried, and suffered, and ached to be anyone but me. But I promise you, I never once praised Him all those years, for making me the way He did.
I remember realizing this, and feeling completely convicted over it, broken before my Creator God, ashamed for my youth, and the heart within me that was so ungrateful for the blessings God had filled my life with. I had put so much of my worth on my looks, that in all those years, I was never able to see myself the way God did because I was so consumed with hating my reflection in the mirror.
How much I must have broken God's heart. How much I must have hurt Him.
.
Though I still look in the mirror from time to time and analyze my grey hairs, my thick hips, and still broad shoulders, I also see a person standing there that God took the time to make, just the way He wanted me. I'm able to see now that everything about me, all of my physical parts, are precious to God, and that I am precious to God.
I am able to stand before my Holy God, and praise Him, with my whole heart, because He made me, me.
That's the biggest freedom I've ever known.
.
Maybe there are things in your life that you're not able to thank God for. Maybe there are things you've suffered with for years. I encourage you to give them to God, and let Him love you, just the way He made you. I encourage you to reveal your honest heart to Him, and wait for Him to take the burden from you.
I encourage you to praise Him, and see how it changes your life.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Being Pruned
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
John 15: 1 & 2
. . .
I have never been good with plants. But when I moved into Andrew's home last year, I brought with me a whole box of potted plants from Mom's overabundant garden. I knew that the rich greenery would bring cheer and life to our home, and was equally convinced that even though previous attempts had proven to fail, I was now going to be a master gardener and tend to my plants.
I am happy to report that almost a year later, [almost] every plant has survived, and there are even a few yellowish-green leaves on a few of the stalks. Though the plants are still living, it is obvious to anyone that the plants are not thriving.
How did this happen? I transplanted the strong plants into pretty little pots with fresh soil. I placed them in sunny windows on top of quaint doilies, and they had every opportunity to grow and grow to their hearts content.
But see, there was one teeny little problem. Plants don't just need pretty pots to grow in, or sun to thrive, they need water too. And unfortunately, I failed as the master gardener in that department. As it turns out, watering house plants every other month is not enough, and over time, even the healthiest plant will die if not watered and cared for.
I also learned the concept of "snipping", or, plucking from the plant the dead head so that a new bloom can blossom. I always assumed that after the old bloom died, it would just fall off allowing for a new one to grow. But that's not how plants work, they need to be plucked, sometimes even cut back, for new growth to form. Who knew?
I guess master gardeners know, that's who. But come to find out, it takes more than a pot and a will for one to become a master. It also takes know-how, tested knowledge, and a whole lot of dedication. More dedication that I was willing to give, I know that.
. . .
I was reading this scripture passage today, and it hit me in a new way that God is our Master Gardener. Specifically what stuck out at me, is that God 'prunes' us, shapes us, cuts ugly parts away in us, and tends to us so that we can grow into the intended fruit, fit for God's Kingdom.
In this scripture illustration, we, God's people, are plants. We see here a picture of God, walking through His garden, stooping to examine each plant, or each life, and in His infinite wisdom, pruning us for better growth. He snips off the ugly parts, the parts that are dead, He cuts back the stems that need adjusting or reworking, knowing that by doing so, He is better preparing that plant for future beauty. See God is all-knowing, and though current circumstances may look bleak, God can see the finished result, He can see what He's creating, and He says it's "good". (Genesis 1:31)
Webster's defines pruning as: "to cut away what is unwanted". When applied to this illustration, those words seem pretty harsh, and the cutting away and disposing of our unwanted parts hurts. There's really no better way to say it: pruning hurts. "Unwanted"?, really? There are parts of me that God doesn't want? Yes, the sin parts. It's hard for us to hear, and even harder to take when we start to feel the inner tug on our hearts as the work begins, cutting us to the core and exposing parts of us that are ugly. Being exposed and left snipped can be vulnerable and emotionally tough to take, but don't forget the rest of the verse: "He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
By trusting our Gardener, we know that in the pruning, or in the pain, God is still good, and so we know He is also providing love and tenderness, and most importantly, hope. God is doing the work in us because He can see the beauty at the end, and He would never do harm to us, His children, because He loves us, and wants what's best for us.
For we know as Christians, that God is working all things out for those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and that He will continue the work in us until we are beautiful and complete (Philippians 1:6). Here is our hope then: though the pruning may hurt, it will only last for a time (Psalm 30:5), and then in the end, we will stand complete before God, not lacking anything (James 1:4).
. . .
I may not be a good gardener, but I'm so thankful my God is! I'm so thankful that He is dedicated to me, and tends to my needs so that I can grow to reflect Him more.
As I turn another year older, I can easily look back on last year and see the pruning that has been done in my own life. At times, it was hard for me to accept that I needed the work done, knowing that my thinking and attitudes needed adjusting. Pruning can be hard on our pride, but all the more reason that we need it.
Though at times I may hurt, I can trust that God's not done working, and that He promises to see me through to completion. And when I'm finally done growing and dying to self, He will be glorified through me. Is there anything better we can desire? Doesn't His glory make our momentary pain worth it?
Looking ahead to a new year, May it be so.
John 15: 1 & 2
. . .
I have never been good with plants. But when I moved into Andrew's home last year, I brought with me a whole box of potted plants from Mom's overabundant garden. I knew that the rich greenery would bring cheer and life to our home, and was equally convinced that even though previous attempts had proven to fail, I was now going to be a master gardener and tend to my plants.
I am happy to report that almost a year later, [almost] every plant has survived, and there are even a few yellowish-green leaves on a few of the stalks. Though the plants are still living, it is obvious to anyone that the plants are not thriving.
How did this happen? I transplanted the strong plants into pretty little pots with fresh soil. I placed them in sunny windows on top of quaint doilies, and they had every opportunity to grow and grow to their hearts content.
But see, there was one teeny little problem. Plants don't just need pretty pots to grow in, or sun to thrive, they need water too. And unfortunately, I failed as the master gardener in that department. As it turns out, watering house plants every other month is not enough, and over time, even the healthiest plant will die if not watered and cared for.
I also learned the concept of "snipping", or, plucking from the plant the dead head so that a new bloom can blossom. I always assumed that after the old bloom died, it would just fall off allowing for a new one to grow. But that's not how plants work, they need to be plucked, sometimes even cut back, for new growth to form. Who knew?
I guess master gardeners know, that's who. But come to find out, it takes more than a pot and a will for one to become a master. It also takes know-how, tested knowledge, and a whole lot of dedication. More dedication that I was willing to give, I know that.
. . .
I was reading this scripture passage today, and it hit me in a new way that God is our Master Gardener. Specifically what stuck out at me, is that God 'prunes' us, shapes us, cuts ugly parts away in us, and tends to us so that we can grow into the intended fruit, fit for God's Kingdom.
In this scripture illustration, we, God's people, are plants. We see here a picture of God, walking through His garden, stooping to examine each plant, or each life, and in His infinite wisdom, pruning us for better growth. He snips off the ugly parts, the parts that are dead, He cuts back the stems that need adjusting or reworking, knowing that by doing so, He is better preparing that plant for future beauty. See God is all-knowing, and though current circumstances may look bleak, God can see the finished result, He can see what He's creating, and He says it's "good". (Genesis 1:31)
Webster's defines pruning as: "to cut away what is unwanted". When applied to this illustration, those words seem pretty harsh, and the cutting away and disposing of our unwanted parts hurts. There's really no better way to say it: pruning hurts. "Unwanted"?, really? There are parts of me that God doesn't want? Yes, the sin parts. It's hard for us to hear, and even harder to take when we start to feel the inner tug on our hearts as the work begins, cutting us to the core and exposing parts of us that are ugly. Being exposed and left snipped can be vulnerable and emotionally tough to take, but don't forget the rest of the verse: "He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
By trusting our Gardener, we know that in the pruning, or in the pain, God is still good, and so we know He is also providing love and tenderness, and most importantly, hope. God is doing the work in us because He can see the beauty at the end, and He would never do harm to us, His children, because He loves us, and wants what's best for us.
For we know as Christians, that God is working all things out for those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and that He will continue the work in us until we are beautiful and complete (Philippians 1:6). Here is our hope then: though the pruning may hurt, it will only last for a time (Psalm 30:5), and then in the end, we will stand complete before God, not lacking anything (James 1:4).
. . .
I may not be a good gardener, but I'm so thankful my God is! I'm so thankful that He is dedicated to me, and tends to my needs so that I can grow to reflect Him more.
As I turn another year older, I can easily look back on last year and see the pruning that has been done in my own life. At times, it was hard for me to accept that I needed the work done, knowing that my thinking and attitudes needed adjusting. Pruning can be hard on our pride, but all the more reason that we need it.
Though at times I may hurt, I can trust that God's not done working, and that He promises to see me through to completion. And when I'm finally done growing and dying to self, He will be glorified through me. Is there anything better we can desire? Doesn't His glory make our momentary pain worth it?
Looking ahead to a new year, May it be so.
Letting My Shepherd Lead
"He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young."
- Isaiah 40:11
. . .
I've come to the end of my rope. I'm emotional. I'm stressed. I'm tired. The situations of daily life have taken their toll, and my energy is depleted.
Ever been there?
It should come as no surprise that I'm tired. The last 2 months has been hard on me and my family: selling our old home 2 hrs away, traveling down every week at least once to get the house ready for the new buyers, packing dozens of boxes, sorting through "stuff" that accumulates with normal life and children, renting trucks and storage units, shuffling finances to make it all work, asking family for help that never seems to end, moving to a temporary rental home, unpacking sections of your life- enough to get by, but not everything you use on a daily basis, having the kids home for summer vacation, needing to entertain them all day long, and trying to find my balance of being a full time Mom, which I've never been because when Andrew & I got married, the girls were already in school, being pregnant and facing the challenges of this changing body and emotions, having Andrew start 2 new jobs, one of which he gets up for at 3am, taking on the responsibilities of a new church congregation, learning people's names and needs, finding a new home, home inspections, having to fire a realtor I didn't trust, and finally having the bank accept our offer, and the stresses of owning a new house and facing the work that needs to be done in order to make it a home.
Our lives have been in transition- not in uproar- but not quite at rest either.
This morning I didn't want to get out of bed, I didn't want to face more work, or another day of refereeing the girls. I was so tired that my eyes didn't want to open, and my body rebelled as I straightened.
But I knew I HAD to get up, I knew the work waiting for me, and it couldn't wait. So as I sat down at my desk to edit an engagement session and get my camera gear ready for the wedding I'm shooting this weekend, I knew I needed to fix what was going on in my heart before any work would get done. I'd already banished the girls from my office, warning them today was not the day to cross Mommy, and I pulled up BibleGateway.com.
Though reading scripture online isn't, dare I say, as "romantic", as reading from a worn, trusted book, the words are the same. The words are still alive, able to transform us if we allow. I knew Isaiah would understand my plight, so I turned there. Isaiah's beautiful writing style has always resonated with me, and today was no different. As I followed God's faithfulness through the chapters, I came to today's verse:
"He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young."
- Isaiah 40:11
This image of God carrying us like sheep has never been lost to me. I've been a dumb sheep for as long as I can remember, making mistakes, needing to be taken care of, needing to be led. And the beauty of my God here, picturing Him stooping up to carry me in His arms, holding me close to Him, is an image I will never tire of. We all need that security, we all need that comfort, we need the safety of our Shepherd to lead us to a quiet place, a place of refuge.
I've been so overwhelmed by life lately, not because it's been bad, or because we've had trial after trial to face, in fact, we've been surrounded by answered prayers! No, I've been overwhelmed by all the busyness of life, the daily ins and outs, the parenting, the decision making, the planning. Plain and simple, I'm just tired.
But here, we are reminded of God's promise to lead us, to take care of us through all the things life throws our way.
(I'm not a theologian by any means, and I may be reading this verse all wrong and making it apply to my life as I see it, but today it comforted me, so I'm going to roll with it): Did anyone else notice the last line?: "He gently leads those that have young." Does that mean God understands how hard it is to raise children? Does that mean He knows how tired I am, and how most days I wonder if I can do it right? Does this mean He knows how overwhelming children can be, and how sometimes as parents we just need a break? Does this mean He'll take over and lead me as I try to lead them? Yes. That's exactly what it means.
"My yoke is easy, and my burden light" - Matthew 11:30
"Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest" - Matthew 11:28
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made great through weakness" - 2 Corinthians 12:9
"I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my mighty right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
Does anyone else see a pattern here?
God is promising to take our burden, over and over again, if we just give it to Him.
To be truthful, and Andrew will attest to this, sometimes I'd rather hold onto the burden myself. Sometimes I like control a little too much, sometimes I let my emotions take over, and sometimes my pride tells me to hang on to my resentment, bitterness, or plight. I have moments of "woe is me", and I'm not proud of it, but it's true.
But this morning, I am reminded that I need to let my Shepherd lead me. I need to LET Him take my heavy burden and in turn, receive from Him something light that I can carry. I need to let Him help me, and I need to find my refuge in Him.
On days when I'm tired, and I don't feel like doing what needs to be done, I need to turn to my Father and trust that He will make it all okay. He promises to do just that over and over throughout scripture, but I need to let Him.
I need to let go.
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young."
- Isaiah 40:11
. . .
I've come to the end of my rope. I'm emotional. I'm stressed. I'm tired. The situations of daily life have taken their toll, and my energy is depleted.
Ever been there?
It should come as no surprise that I'm tired. The last 2 months has been hard on me and my family: selling our old home 2 hrs away, traveling down every week at least once to get the house ready for the new buyers, packing dozens of boxes, sorting through "stuff" that accumulates with normal life and children, renting trucks and storage units, shuffling finances to make it all work, asking family for help that never seems to end, moving to a temporary rental home, unpacking sections of your life- enough to get by, but not everything you use on a daily basis, having the kids home for summer vacation, needing to entertain them all day long, and trying to find my balance of being a full time Mom, which I've never been because when Andrew & I got married, the girls were already in school, being pregnant and facing the challenges of this changing body and emotions, having Andrew start 2 new jobs, one of which he gets up for at 3am, taking on the responsibilities of a new church congregation, learning people's names and needs, finding a new home, home inspections, having to fire a realtor I didn't trust, and finally having the bank accept our offer, and the stresses of owning a new house and facing the work that needs to be done in order to make it a home.
Our lives have been in transition- not in uproar- but not quite at rest either.
This morning I didn't want to get out of bed, I didn't want to face more work, or another day of refereeing the girls. I was so tired that my eyes didn't want to open, and my body rebelled as I straightened.
But I knew I HAD to get up, I knew the work waiting for me, and it couldn't wait. So as I sat down at my desk to edit an engagement session and get my camera gear ready for the wedding I'm shooting this weekend, I knew I needed to fix what was going on in my heart before any work would get done. I'd already banished the girls from my office, warning them today was not the day to cross Mommy, and I pulled up BibleGateway.com.
Though reading scripture online isn't, dare I say, as "romantic", as reading from a worn, trusted book, the words are the same. The words are still alive, able to transform us if we allow. I knew Isaiah would understand my plight, so I turned there. Isaiah's beautiful writing style has always resonated with me, and today was no different. As I followed God's faithfulness through the chapters, I came to today's verse:
"He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young."
- Isaiah 40:11
This image of God carrying us like sheep has never been lost to me. I've been a dumb sheep for as long as I can remember, making mistakes, needing to be taken care of, needing to be led. And the beauty of my God here, picturing Him stooping up to carry me in His arms, holding me close to Him, is an image I will never tire of. We all need that security, we all need that comfort, we need the safety of our Shepherd to lead us to a quiet place, a place of refuge.
I've been so overwhelmed by life lately, not because it's been bad, or because we've had trial after trial to face, in fact, we've been surrounded by answered prayers! No, I've been overwhelmed by all the busyness of life, the daily ins and outs, the parenting, the decision making, the planning. Plain and simple, I'm just tired.
But here, we are reminded of God's promise to lead us, to take care of us through all the things life throws our way.
(I'm not a theologian by any means, and I may be reading this verse all wrong and making it apply to my life as I see it, but today it comforted me, so I'm going to roll with it): Did anyone else notice the last line?: "He gently leads those that have young." Does that mean God understands how hard it is to raise children? Does that mean He knows how tired I am, and how most days I wonder if I can do it right? Does this mean He knows how overwhelming children can be, and how sometimes as parents we just need a break? Does this mean He'll take over and lead me as I try to lead them? Yes. That's exactly what it means.
"My yoke is easy, and my burden light" - Matthew 11:30
"Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest" - Matthew 11:28
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made great through weakness" - 2 Corinthians 12:9
"I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my mighty right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
Does anyone else see a pattern here?
God is promising to take our burden, over and over again, if we just give it to Him.
To be truthful, and Andrew will attest to this, sometimes I'd rather hold onto the burden myself. Sometimes I like control a little too much, sometimes I let my emotions take over, and sometimes my pride tells me to hang on to my resentment, bitterness, or plight. I have moments of "woe is me", and I'm not proud of it, but it's true.
But this morning, I am reminded that I need to let my Shepherd lead me. I need to LET Him take my heavy burden and in turn, receive from Him something light that I can carry. I need to let Him help me, and I need to find my refuge in Him.
On days when I'm tired, and I don't feel like doing what needs to be done, I need to turn to my Father and trust that He will make it all okay. He promises to do just that over and over throughout scripture, but I need to let Him.
I need to let go.
When God Answers Our Prayers With: "No"
I remember learning in Junior Church many many years ago, God answers
prayers with: "yes", "no", or "wait." I remember thinking, even as a
child, that these limited answers weren't fair. There were times in my
young life that I wanted answers right away, and of course, I wanted
those answers to be what I wanted. The idea of a loving God, answering
"no", just seemed wrong to me, and in my child-like faith, I remember
telling myself that God would never do that to me, that He would always
hear me, and always answer "yes" to whatever I was asking for. We are
told to pray with faith, after all, believing that God will answer us,
and that was the best I could do as a child to believe.
Growing up a pastor's kid, I often saw a lot of disappointment. I was privy to problems going on within the congregation, personal needs of those I loved, prayers seeming to go unanswered, and very resounding "no"s coming down from Heaven. I went to a lot of funerals as a young girl, saw a lot of grief,
and sometimes it was hard to wrap my mind around the "why" of life. I remember my Dad making it simple for me, by saying: "We serve a GOOD God, and He doesn't do BAD things." I was taught that it wasn't in God's character to do bad things, and if I always believed Him to be good, He could never be bad.
I've taken a few paths since those Junior Church sessions at Stockton Springs Community Church. And though my heart still believes that my loving God hears my prayers, I've often struggled with the understanding that He doesn't always answer "yes" to my heartfelt requests. Life brings pain, loss, confusion, grief, dark days that stretch into months, and sometimes as Christians we wonder what God is doing, and how this is all turning out for our benefit.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!" - Psalm 30:5
"To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair." - Isaiah 61:3
These are all promises laid out for us through scripture, promises that flow down from a Good God, Who doesn't do bad things. So the question presented to us then, is what do we do with the "no" answers…what do we do with the pain…what do we do when everything within us is crying out for relief, and we're answered with silence…
What has happened to our Good God in those dark times? Has He left us?
No. Jesus tells us: "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) He hasn't gone anywhere, and He's still good…so what then?
This is the hard part for most Christians. Because this is where the rubber meets the road, as it were. This is where our faith is put into action. This is when life gets hard, and our earth is shaken, and we're broken down to our knees…and we must respond.
This is when all the promises you've ever held onto, must become the very air you breathe, because anything else would mean death itself. God has answered "no", but how you respond to that no will determine how you survive.
See, as a child, I told myself that God was good, and He would never tell me no. But I was wrong. My mind was so simple and incapable of reasoning and understanding that sometimes…indeed, many times, God tells us no for our own good.
God IS working all things out for good for those that love Him…He IS with us everywhere we go…He DOES carry us through the valley, and He DOES set our feet on solid ground…
But sometimes He allows those valleys, He allows those pains and hurts to come into our lives so that we can better understand Him, and His infinite love for us. It's in those dark times that God's light is revealed, and as His children, we must respond with faith…
We must take His hand and follow Him, knowing that the path He is taking us on is the best one, knowing that He will never leave us in a place of sorrow…
Knowing that He doesn't do bad things.
Growing up a pastor's kid, I often saw a lot of disappointment. I was privy to problems going on within the congregation, personal needs of those I loved, prayers seeming to go unanswered, and very resounding "no"s coming down from Heaven. I went to a lot of funerals as a young girl, saw a lot of grief,
and sometimes it was hard to wrap my mind around the "why" of life. I remember my Dad making it simple for me, by saying: "We serve a GOOD God, and He doesn't do BAD things." I was taught that it wasn't in God's character to do bad things, and if I always believed Him to be good, He could never be bad.
I've taken a few paths since those Junior Church sessions at Stockton Springs Community Church. And though my heart still believes that my loving God hears my prayers, I've often struggled with the understanding that He doesn't always answer "yes" to my heartfelt requests. Life brings pain, loss, confusion, grief, dark days that stretch into months, and sometimes as Christians we wonder what God is doing, and how this is all turning out for our benefit.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!" - Psalm 30:5
"To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair." - Isaiah 61:3
These are all promises laid out for us through scripture, promises that flow down from a Good God, Who doesn't do bad things. So the question presented to us then, is what do we do with the "no" answers…what do we do with the pain…what do we do when everything within us is crying out for relief, and we're answered with silence…
What has happened to our Good God in those dark times? Has He left us?
No. Jesus tells us: "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) He hasn't gone anywhere, and He's still good…so what then?
This is the hard part for most Christians. Because this is where the rubber meets the road, as it were. This is where our faith is put into action. This is when life gets hard, and our earth is shaken, and we're broken down to our knees…and we must respond.
This is when all the promises you've ever held onto, must become the very air you breathe, because anything else would mean death itself. God has answered "no", but how you respond to that no will determine how you survive.
See, as a child, I told myself that God was good, and He would never tell me no. But I was wrong. My mind was so simple and incapable of reasoning and understanding that sometimes…indeed, many times, God tells us no for our own good.
God IS working all things out for good for those that love Him…He IS with us everywhere we go…He DOES carry us through the valley, and He DOES set our feet on solid ground…
But sometimes He allows those valleys, He allows those pains and hurts to come into our lives so that we can better understand Him, and His infinite love for us. It's in those dark times that God's light is revealed, and as His children, we must respond with faith…
We must take His hand and follow Him, knowing that the path He is taking us on is the best one, knowing that He will never leave us in a place of sorrow…
Knowing that He doesn't do bad things.
Loving the Unlovable
My (almost) 8 week old daughter is looking up at me with the most beautiful dark blue eyes, a chubby smile, and she's softly cooing to herself, assuring me that all is right in her world. If I were to pick her up right now, I know she'd bury her face into my chest, pull her little legs up, and snuggle into me for a nice nap. She is a snuggle bug for sure, and I love being her Momma. Why wouldn't I love her? She's so easy to love!
Easy to love...
This is a topic I've been thinking a lot about the last couple of days, and I'm now convinced God is convicting me of it, so I best pay attention.
There are a lot of things in life that are easy for me to love. I love my husband, he is gentle and sweet and funny. He is good for my heart, he is easy to love. I also love our daughters, and crazily enough, even the antics they bring to my life. With all of the joy, laughter, silliness, and sweetness, they are easy to love. And then there are my friends, of course. We have so much in common with each other, priceless years together, of course they're easy to love, I wouldn't trade them for the world!
But what about the people in our lives who are not easy to love? What about that co-worker who lied to the boss about you, or the neighbor who does all he can to make noise late into the night? What about the Mother-in-law who thinks you aren't good enough, or the lady at the bank who is always a grouch? What about that women who you see yourself in competition with, or that man who seems to have it all? Are these people easy to love?
As Christians, we are called to love one another, but what about those people who seem so unlovable? How do we love them?
"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil." Luke 6:35
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
I get it God. You want me to love.
I confessed my unlove to my girlfriend yesterday. I said: "B, I've never struggled with anything like this before. All the things God has told me to do in the past, I was ok doing. I didn't have any trouble with not murdering someone, not getting drunk, not sleeping around, not stealing from others...but this loving the unlovable? I just don't have that kind of grace!" I cried on her shoulder, ashamed of myself, disappointed in my failure to God.
But then I heard a whisper in my heart: "My power is made perfect in weakness." Right there in my failure, God met me, and reminded me of this verse:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
In my weakness, I was met by my powerful Savior, and in my failure, I was reminded that it's only by His strength that I'm able to do anything at all.
It's amazing, isn't it, to think that WE, ugly, lost, prideful sinners, are loved by a beautiful, forgiving, gracious God? He came to earth, humbled Himself, and died for us, the ugly unlovable. Will He not help us then, to love those around us? Is His love not sufficient then, to sink into the coldest of hearts?
.
May we learn today to rest in God's strength, whatever our struggle may be. And may we look to the "unlovables" around us, and extend them love today.
Easy to love...
This is a topic I've been thinking a lot about the last couple of days, and I'm now convinced God is convicting me of it, so I best pay attention.
There are a lot of things in life that are easy for me to love. I love my husband, he is gentle and sweet and funny. He is good for my heart, he is easy to love. I also love our daughters, and crazily enough, even the antics they bring to my life. With all of the joy, laughter, silliness, and sweetness, they are easy to love. And then there are my friends, of course. We have so much in common with each other, priceless years together, of course they're easy to love, I wouldn't trade them for the world!
But what about the people in our lives who are not easy to love? What about that co-worker who lied to the boss about you, or the neighbor who does all he can to make noise late into the night? What about the Mother-in-law who thinks you aren't good enough, or the lady at the bank who is always a grouch? What about that women who you see yourself in competition with, or that man who seems to have it all? Are these people easy to love?
As Christians, we are called to love one another, but what about those people who seem so unlovable? How do we love them?
"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil." Luke 6:35
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
I get it God. You want me to love.
I confessed my unlove to my girlfriend yesterday. I said: "B, I've never struggled with anything like this before. All the things God has told me to do in the past, I was ok doing. I didn't have any trouble with not murdering someone, not getting drunk, not sleeping around, not stealing from others...but this loving the unlovable? I just don't have that kind of grace!" I cried on her shoulder, ashamed of myself, disappointed in my failure to God.
But then I heard a whisper in my heart: "My power is made perfect in weakness." Right there in my failure, God met me, and reminded me of this verse:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
In my weakness, I was met by my powerful Savior, and in my failure, I was reminded that it's only by His strength that I'm able to do anything at all.
It's amazing, isn't it, to think that WE, ugly, lost, prideful sinners, are loved by a beautiful, forgiving, gracious God? He came to earth, humbled Himself, and died for us, the ugly unlovable. Will He not help us then, to love those around us? Is His love not sufficient then, to sink into the coldest of hearts?
.
May we learn today to rest in God's strength, whatever our struggle may be. And may we look to the "unlovables" around us, and extend them love today.
The Tablet of Your Heart: A New Blog is Born!
People have been asking me to write a book for years. I've given it a lot of thought and prayer lately, and in response, I've felt led to start this blog.
My hope is that as I write about my faith, what God is teaching me, life, daily struggles, and honest reflection, that God will use my experiences and words, and hearts will be touched.
I've always believed in vulnerability being the key to building true community, and because of that, I've always written about real, honest stuff. I think it's through this honesty that we're able to relate with one another, and building fellowship among Christians is all about relating.
My plan is to use this blog as a daily devotional, a place you can stop by every day to find encouragement, inspiration, and maybe even a lighthearted laugh. I hope you will reach out, and start conversation, and that together we can share our faith and lives.
Here's to a new journey, I look forward to what God will do along the way…
My hope is that as I write about my faith, what God is teaching me, life, daily struggles, and honest reflection, that God will use my experiences and words, and hearts will be touched.
I've always believed in vulnerability being the key to building true community, and because of that, I've always written about real, honest stuff. I think it's through this honesty that we're able to relate with one another, and building fellowship among Christians is all about relating.
My plan is to use this blog as a daily devotional, a place you can stop by every day to find encouragement, inspiration, and maybe even a lighthearted laugh. I hope you will reach out, and start conversation, and that together we can share our faith and lives.
Here's to a new journey, I look forward to what God will do along the way…
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