What Moves Us

What moves you? Is it music, or good drama? Is it poetry?
Are you moved by a good story? Do books inspire you?

I am inspired by all of these things. I think many people are like me in their reaction to a good song, a moving drama, a stirring poem, a good story, or a book that sweeps you into another place or makes you think.

But, what moves us into action? What turns inspiration into movement? What moves us enough to put aside our own needs, desires, schedules, pedicures, or whatever for a few days or even one day, one hour?

Well, for me, it's the voice of my children. When they call me, I am there, as any mother would be. "Mommy, can we play playdoh?" Of course, I'm going to get the playdoh down and make red spaghetti, yellow worms, green snails and whatever else we come up with. (I think Playdoh is a wonderful invention) "Mommy, can we read a book?" Sure we're going to read any book they pick, probably three times, happily! This is as it should be unless it is a bedtime stall tactic.

But, is there another voice we should respond to? Does God call us into action? When there is a need, are we there? Should we do SOMETHING, even if it is the smallest thing? This does not mean putting family second. But, I also do not feel that we can hide behind, "family first," as an excuse not to do ANYTHING to help others in need. What is it today that has brought us to the point that we use our family to excuse ourselves from service? What are we teaching our children? If my child sees me never helping, never serving, what will his or her feeling about service be? So, are we really putting family first when we never inconvenience ourselves a little bit in the name of service? God calls us to serve. That is part of our job as Christians.

In Mark chapter 3, Jesus was teaching and his mother and brothers came. There was a crowd so they could not get in. Someone said to Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside and wish to have a word with you." In verses 33-34, Jesus said, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers."

Jesus did not drop what He was doing in service to God to go to His earthly family. There has to be a balance. Jesus had this balance, and I think as Christians, we should too.

If everyone just stepped up to do SOMETHING, even something small, then the world would be radically changed for God. Our children would learn that there are people in need and that we can help by our example and not by our lip service. They would see that being a true friend and servant means setting aside what you had planned for the day and stepping up to meet the needs of others, no matter how small a contribution of time you might be able to make.

What Our Children See

Last night, at our Summer Music and Arts Camp at our church, my daughter's group learned a song entitled, "There is No One in the World Like Jesus."

The director told us that when the song was over, my daughter, Taylor said, "My daddy's like Jesus."

When I asked her later why she said her daddy was like Jesus, she said, "because he has a beard and because he's nice and 'cause he says 'I love you'."

This struck me because of how important it is that we can model Christ in our lives for our children. They can see Jesus in us, and understand that we are striving to be more like Him in our hearts and our actions. We teach our children by our actions everyday where our hearts are and who we are like. Our daughter has decided that her daddy is like Jesus.

I am so thankful that my husband models Christ-like behavior for our daughter. I am thankful to have a godly head for my family. I love him with all my heart and I thank God for him and his leadership of our family. This is priceless

Beach Day

This was a very happy day at the beach!

I can truly say that my job as a mom is a walk in the park , and a day at the beach!

Reliance

Sometimes our resources are greater than others.

I think all would agree that time, energy, and money are resources that make our lives much more comfortable. When these resources are plentiful, our tendency is to rely less on God and more on our own strength. We also tend to boast in our own abilities when these resources are up. We are comfortable in our holding pattern.

But, what happens when these resources decrease? What happens when our time is little and our responsibility is much? What happens when our energy is low and the demand on our body is much? What happens when the bank account is almost to zero, we need diapers for two kids and payday is a week away?

Is it only at these times when we rely on God? Is it only at these times when we truly lean on Him? Are we at cruising altitude when everything is in balance only to lean on Him when things get out of whack?

I know there are times in my life when my resources are plenty. I also know there are times when my resources are few. I want to rely heavily no matter the weight of my resources. My own strength is NEVER great enough!

"Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5