What Matters
Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27
And what does The Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Getting sidetracked can occur so quietly, unintentionally; blindsiding us. At one point we realize, "Man, I have strayed off the path, letting minor things become major ones, causing havoc within my family."
The above verses center me, reminding me of what truly matters.
I want to emphasize the things that can distract us are not "bad" things. They can include but are not limited to character training, manners, chores, serving others, sports, hobbies, lessons, to name a few.
Thankfully, our Lord is forgiving, compassionate and merciful (Lam. 3:22). Throughout this past week he has shown me what matters by giving me glimpses into my childrens' character.
Nonchalantly, one son tells me he and his sister are home a bit later than usual from youth group because they stopped to move a lady's car out of the road; when they learned she was out of gas, they gave her five dollars.
Another son willingly drove me and his brother out forty minutes to a camp, and back, (I woke him up and he had five minutes to get ready) because I had something in my eye and was not comfortable driving. Then he asked if he could buy me coffee. While in line he said we should bring one home for his sister too.
Our neighbor's granddaughter was celebrating her ninth birthday. When my daughter learned she didn't have plans for the day, she announced she was riding with her on our tandem bike to Mc Donald's to buy her lunch.
The same girl was blessed by my son who dropped a birthday card with ten dollars in it at her front door (didn't even put his name on it)!
When we cry out to God for help, he answers. He is faithful, always. I was so frustrated that my kids were not consistent with completing their chores. On several occasions a full on meltdown occurred!
Yet, when I sought The Lord, he chose to answer by showing me what matters-would I rather have kids who do their chores regularly and not reach out to bless others, or kids who give of themselves to others and not unload the dishwasher everyday? On some days my actions and words would demonstrate I chose the former.
Our God is the God of second and third chances. Today I choose to focus on what truly matters.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Surrender
Surrender
Vulnerability is scary-writing your thoughts, emotions, beliefs on a public forum for all to see. Yikes!
Yet recently, the Lord has reaffirmed to me that he is all about relationships-first and foremost, he desires relationship with us. Second, he cares about our relationships with others. John 13:34 says, " A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Because he is wise and knows our human nature intimately, he accepts us where we are at when we say yes to his call, surrendering our lives to him. However, he does not leave us there.A few verses that pop out to me are:
1 Peter 1:15-16: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Romans 6: 18-19: You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
Hebrews 12:14: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
I love how the Lord brings us into new seasons, places burdens upon our hearts. Holiness seems to be what he is impressing upon me presently. I heard a man speak on holiness last night. One thing has remained with me-"We are set apart unto God; not only separated from sin, but also set apart so we can give him everything. God requires 100% from us because he gave 100%, his own son, for us!"
When we think of holiness, often a list of do's and don'ts come to mind. In some aspects of life, people expect and accept it. When on a sports team, one must meet requirements as well as follow the rules, the underlying thought being the athlete's and team's well-being.
When it comes to spiritual matters. however, people do not like being told what to do and what not to do. Personally, I think our flesh cringes at the idea of obedience, submission and surrender. Only when we know the character of God and the heart of his son Jesus can we surrender, knowing everything is related to his love for us. The bible is God's love story to us. He created us; he knows us; he loves us. The commands and warnings he gives us are because of his love for us. The things he warns us about are not good for us.
After his relationship with us, God cares about our relationship with others. In fact, he created the institution of the family. Thankfully, through his word and his Spirit he provides us with the tools to love each other, which includes the children he has given us.
No matter the stage of parenting, I need Jesus. I cannot lean on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). Knowing his Holy Spirit resides in me gives me assurance and hope. No matter my former ways, I can choose to put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17). I can trust that The Lord will work through me, empowering me to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control toward my children. Again, surrender is the key.
I need to trust his will for my day, giving him my schedule, lists and time.
I challenge you to surrender those areas you may be holding on to closely. I guarantee he will multiply your time, allowing you to accomplish all he has for you each day. This is easier said than done (until we remember he loves, loves, loves us). Like anything else, it takes practice. I encourage you to seek the Lord regarding your present circumstances.
He really will show you how to do the difficult with joy so you can reflect him to your children.
Vulnerability is scary-writing your thoughts, emotions, beliefs on a public forum for all to see. Yikes!
Yet recently, the Lord has reaffirmed to me that he is all about relationships-first and foremost, he desires relationship with us. Second, he cares about our relationships with others. John 13:34 says, " A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Because he is wise and knows our human nature intimately, he accepts us where we are at when we say yes to his call, surrendering our lives to him. However, he does not leave us there.A few verses that pop out to me are:
1 Peter 1:15-16: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Romans 6: 18-19: You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
Hebrews 12:14: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
I love how the Lord brings us into new seasons, places burdens upon our hearts. Holiness seems to be what he is impressing upon me presently. I heard a man speak on holiness last night. One thing has remained with me-"We are set apart unto God; not only separated from sin, but also set apart so we can give him everything. God requires 100% from us because he gave 100%, his own son, for us!"
When we think of holiness, often a list of do's and don'ts come to mind. In some aspects of life, people expect and accept it. When on a sports team, one must meet requirements as well as follow the rules, the underlying thought being the athlete's and team's well-being.
When it comes to spiritual matters. however, people do not like being told what to do and what not to do. Personally, I think our flesh cringes at the idea of obedience, submission and surrender. Only when we know the character of God and the heart of his son Jesus can we surrender, knowing everything is related to his love for us. The bible is God's love story to us. He created us; he knows us; he loves us. The commands and warnings he gives us are because of his love for us. The things he warns us about are not good for us.
After his relationship with us, God cares about our relationship with others. In fact, he created the institution of the family. Thankfully, through his word and his Spirit he provides us with the tools to love each other, which includes the children he has given us.
No matter the stage of parenting, I need Jesus. I cannot lean on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). Knowing his Holy Spirit resides in me gives me assurance and hope. No matter my former ways, I can choose to put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17). I can trust that The Lord will work through me, empowering me to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control toward my children. Again, surrender is the key.
I need to trust his will for my day, giving him my schedule, lists and time.
I challenge you to surrender those areas you may be holding on to closely. I guarantee he will multiply your time, allowing you to accomplish all he has for you each day. This is easier said than done (until we remember he loves, loves, loves us). Like anything else, it takes practice. I encourage you to seek the Lord regarding your present circumstances.
He really will show you how to do the difficult with joy so you can reflect him to your children.
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