3.29.2012

The Condition of Life

March 29, 2012

Life- the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolismreproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally.

Scene I:
Coming home from dance class, my daughter is telling me about her struggles and feelings of disappointment. She's frustrated because she felt like she had accomplished a goal, and then something happened that caused her to lose it.
Lesson: Anything worth having is worth working {hard} for!



Scene II:
Pregnant woman. Morning sickness. Human worry. The aches and pains of a separate human life growing inside your abdomen. Waiting impatiently on someone else's timing.
Lesson: Sometimes the road is difficult, long and beyond our control. But, what waits for us at the end is beyond anything we could have ever imagined on our own.



Scene III:
Breaking the hard ground after a brutal winter. Fracturing each individual clump of soil into workable form. Hoeing the dirt into mounds. Hours of physical labor leaving behind sore muscles and hot skin as a reminder of the day's agenda. And then, placing tiny seeds of hope into the ground. Carefully watering, and willing life to spring forth. 
Lesson: God will provide abundantly when we put in the time and effort. We cannot out-give the Giver!


In life, we are all growing and changing. Some more deliberately than others. It's not going to be without struggles or disappointments along the way. We will all have our setbacks. But, we must carry on. Push through the pain, as in childbirth. Put in the hours of preparing, watering, and even weeding before we can see the harvest. But, our God is faithful. He is Mercy. He is Grace. He will honor the faithful with more than enough.

So, when you face what seems to be a roadblock, don't stop. Look for the detour and keep on going! There is always a blessing ahead.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive." Jeremiah 29:13-14

"The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

3.27.2012

Maintenance Minder

March 27, 2012

My phone rings not long after Freddie leaves for work.
I knew without looking that it was him by the ring tone.
I rush to answer it because the opportunities to talk to him during the day are few and far between.

Me: Hello
Him: Hey. I ran out of gas. I got distracted on the phone and passed up the gas station. There's a gas can on the utility trailer.
Me: I'll come and bring it to you. Do I need to fill it with gas?
Him: No. There's enough gas in there for me to make it to the gas station. Please hurry. I'm going to be late for an appointment.

Now. I am the official Gas Light Queen. I have earned that title fair and square! Very often, when you get in my van the gas light is ON! But, I cannot tell you the last time I ran out of gas. It probably only has happened once. And that was back in the day way before cars had gas lights.



Empty.
No fuel.
Stuck on the side of the road.
Until Help comes.

How's your spiritual tank?
Have you remembered to fuel up?

I cannot tell you how many times in my life I have let myself become distracted with life and passed up the gas station church. I didn't realize how low my tank was; how much I needed the Fuel of fellowship and worship! I neglected to carry a gas can Reserve {the Word of God}. There were so many good excuses. I fooled myself into believing that there were enough fumes to get me far enough {wherever that may have been}.

I am more careful now not to let my tank run dry. I have been left stranded on the side of the road waiting for rescue for the last time. That's not a place I want to be anymore. I love the feeling of having my "cup runneth over".



Life is far easier when we remember to take care of the vehicle. It's important to keep all the maintenance up to date. We can't pile up the inside with junk. Even the smallest details like what we play on the radio should be carefully considered. It all makes a difference.

What maintenance have you been neglecting? Make an appointment today to take your car in to the Shop and get her tuned-up, ready for the road.



"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25


"that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full." 1John 1:3-4

3.21.2012

A Wild Ride

March 21, 2012

Parenting.
Such a wild ride.
Filled with so many unexpected twists and turns.
My emotions can be all over the place in any given day.

Sometimes I look at my children and I am overcome with the purest form of human love.
Sometimes I become overwhelmed and frustrated.
Other times I am disappointed.
I have my moments of fear and feelings of inadequacy.

I don't have all the answers.
Although, before I had kids, I thought that I had the course mapped out. 
Nothing like reality to wake you up from your daydreams!
But, I am growing in experience and confidence.

I have to remember to keep my eyes focused on my goals for my children.
Otherwise, discipline would be way too hard for me.
I must remember who God has called them to be.
Christ followers.

My job is to weave certain character traits into the fabric of their lives.
I must remember that when I require certain things of them, 
I am helping them to realize their God-given potential.
I am also being obedient to my Father.

It is important to me to teach them to care about others, even before themselves.
I want them to be respectful of the priceless wisdom embedded in gray hair and wrinkles.
I want them to realize the value of their words and the important of honesty.
I want them to know that sometimes "you don't have to want to, you just have to do it".

They may not understand everything that I am trying to accomplish 
when I have them do the dishes or take out the trash.
And that's okay. For now.
But, I must stay the course, no matter how rough the waters get.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6


"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4


"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:9


"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 11:19

3.05.2012

Lift Me Up

March 5, 2012

There are going to be times when we are disappointed.
Times when people will let us down.
Our expectations will go unmet.
Again.

I was struggling with this very thing. 
I felt like throwing in the proverbial towel.
Quitting.
I was angry.
I was hurt. 
I felt like a fool.
I wanted to retreat into the safety of my little shell.
Keeping everyone out with the exception of a handful of people. 

I knew that I wasn't responding in a very Christ like manner.
But it was so hard!
I was discouraged and was overcome with despair.
I forced myself to open my Bible and search. 
I was secretly hoping to find an out
I was looking for a hidden escape clause.
Suffice it to say, there is no such animal.
But, I did find enough to get me through the night. 

Then what?
Well, morning came.
The struggle returned.
And I whispered a plea to my Father.
"Come for me. I need You to come for me again."
And He did.
He told me not to forget "How He Loves".
He reminded me that He "Forever Reigns".
He challenged me to "Only Imagine" what it will be like in Glory.
And I felt inspired. 

I felt cared for.
I remembered that He wants me.
I knew He was going to help me through the pain.
I was not alone.


But He didn't stop there. 
He doesn't do anything just a little bit.
He filled my cup to overflowing.
In grand fashion, He also gave me this:

"Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1Peter 2:18-21

He honored the desire of my heart.
Though it would have been easier to give in to my self, 
I still wanted to follow Christ.
When we honestly and purposely seek after God, 
He will not let the call go unanswered.
He will come for us time after time.
He is faithful to lift us up!

3.03.2012

This One is For Me

March 3, 2012

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14


"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32


"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;" Hebrews 12:14-15


"Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward." 2John 1:8


"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you," Matthew 5:44


"Then Peter came to him, and said, 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?' Jesus saith unto him, 'I say not unto thee, Until seven times:  but, Until seventy times seven.'" Matthew 18:21-22


Sometimes, the road is narrow.

3.02.2012