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

Paradox

I find it amazingly freeing as life goes on that things in my behavior I would have justified to myself a few months ago I now see my depravity in and feeled grieved about.

One would think it would feel oppresive to feel depraved in your sin, but it is quite liberating to see your depravity in light of God's holiness. It removes all doubt about the rightness or wrongness of what you are doing or thinking. For anyone who is now thinking, "What in the world are you talking about?", let me give you an example.

Tuesday night, we had our last softball game of the season. I thought the other team cheated by skipping one of their worst batters when there were two outs on the board, the bases were loaded and one of their heavy hitters were up to bat after the batter they skipped. The heavy hitter nailed one to the fence, giving our opponents a four run lead. This allowed the other team momentum that we just never recovered from.

How did this make me depraved? I stayed to watch the team that beat us play the next play-off game for the title against the number one team. I proceeded to have a negative attitude about both teams. I could not be happy for either one of them. I did not want either team to win and could not feel good about a victory for either team because I did not feel either team deserved it. The thing that is so sad about my behavior here is that I don't know for sure that the other team skipped that batter on purpose. I just wanted to win so badly that I wanted them to have cheated so I could feel better about losing. So, I can go on justifying my lack of support for either of those teams, or I can say that I should have genuinely supported one of them or both of them in Christian love. I mean, even if they did cheat, that is not for me to sort out. I am only responsible for my reaction to it.

The thing that is liberating in all of this is that the next time this happens, I will be one step closer. I will be able to recognize it for what it is. The bible teaches where pure thoughts come from and how to recognize them. James 3:14-But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, or the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17-But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

So, being able to recognize when my thoughts are depraved is very liberating, indeed, especially having been given such a perfect plan for redemption.

A humbling Experience

Just back from a trip to New York City to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time and saw and did many awesome things. That city is really electric. I can see why they call it, "the city that never sleeps."

I would highly recommend getting away for a weekend with your hubby even if it's just overnight at a hotel in town. It is really good for the soul.

One thing that struck me while I was in the city was the sheer number of people that were in that small amount of space. I have known for a long time that there are billions of people in the world, but it never really hit me how many people that really is until I saw so many people in one place.

It is really humbling to think about how small I am to the world, but how important I am to God. I am amazed by that everyday and I am even more amazed by it now.

The other thing that was really cool was to look and take in the creativity with which God creates us. No two alike! In six billion people. I'm not even counting those who have gone before. I am just awed by that.

Anyway, I guess in this rambling I am trying to say, embrace what you are, love who you are. The most creative of artists sculpted you. The only changes or creative licenses any of us should make are the ones that transform us more into the likeness of the masterpiece Himself, Jesus.

That's Not Fair

As a mom, I hear the phrase, "that's not fair," quite a bit. I expect it from my children. They are, in fact, children. A six year old, a three year old and a 16 month old can be excused for uttering this phrase on a regular basis.

It is when that phrase comes out of my mouth that I start to get a little concerned...(Believe me, it comes out of my mouth more than I would like to admit!)

I love the wisdom that God gave Solomon on this subject though!

The book of Ecclesiastes is where I have been hanging my hat lately. There are some jewels in there. One such jewel that hit me this morning was in Ecclesiastes 8. This passage is so relevant!

The Wicked and the Righteous

9 I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other. 10 I have seen wicked people buried with honor. Yet they were the very ones who frequented the Temple and are now praised[a] in the same city where they committed their crimes! This, too, is meaningless. 11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. 12 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13 The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.

14 And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!

15 So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

All you have to do is look in the newspaper to see this passage happening everyday. Bad things are happening to good people while bad people seem to prosper all around us.

But I love what Solomon says here. Notice it, he says this is meaningless. It is meaningless. I think he is saying to stop worrying about all this, and just enjoy what God has given you. Stop worrying about whether or not He is punishing others or not. God is just! Live your life, do what you should. Enjoy your family! Love what you do. And, whatever, you do, do it all with gusto!

We are all really bad people if you think about it. None of us really deserve the good things that happen to us. None of us deserves the grace that has been extended to us. We are all just bad people who have been redeemed. New life is a gift that has been given all bad people who ask for it!

Anyway, just a thought!

Grace and peace from one redeemed bad girl who has decided that life is more than fair!