My list of things I want to get done just seems to get longer and longer right now. I guess it is just one of those seasons for me. This morning, I wrote down a few specific things from the longer list on a shorter list of activities I wanted to focus on getting done today. I also have a couple little lists of things I want to do with each child. We had Bible study at church this morning and then were going to join the other moms and children for lunch on the church playground before heading back home. We got everything all loaded up in the truck - when it wouldn't start...
"Okay," I thought. "This is all okay. Maybe God just wants me to stay here and get some of this other stuff done. That sure will be nice." Well, there is an exercise time tied to the Bible study we're doing right now, and since I was going to have to miss that, too, I thought the kids and I would take a walk around the neighborhood this morning. We got all loaded up with Son in the stroller and Daughter on her scooter - when it started to drizzle...
"Okay," I thought. "Maybe God really wants me to stay at home and get some other things done."
I choose to trust in God's goodness and that He is making a way for certain things to be accomplished today. I don't know what He has in store, but I choose to trust. I am praying almost constantly now for direction and wisdom about my priorities for this day.
Daughter and I played a game of LIFE and then I got to work on one of the items on my list. Son is pretending to listen to music with some earphones and an old laptop while Daughter is coloring in a coloring book. Everyone seems pretty content right now. We might try a walk again later. I know we will all want to be outside some later if the weather allows.
I'm praising God that things didn't go the way I planned today because I believe He has another plan in store. I still don't know what all He will reveal to us today, but I believe it will be good.
Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Battling a Tough Week
We recently had a tough week. It might have really been more that I had a tough week, but some of it involved my children and husband - so I think we've all come through a tough week.
It all started last Sunday (3/25/12). I received an e-mail that my dad's cousin has a brain tumor that has grown and radiation was ordered to start ASAP. Also, I'd been asked to consider taking over the lead with a ministry at church and had a meeting with a church staff member the next week. Then, there was the family wedding coming up the next weekend and some stress some other family members were having regarding the preparations, etc. I sent out my prayer requests to some friends and one e-mailed back that it looked like I was going to have a tough week and that she was praying for me. I hadn't even thought about the week being overly tough, but I determined right then that I was going to do my best not to feel overwhelmed or get down on myself during the week. I was not going to let Satan's lies get to me. He wasn't going to steal my joy this time!
Monday, the kids had an Easter egg hunt and party at church. At the end of the time, I checked my phone and found out that one of my grandfathers was in the hospital because he had a heart attack that morning. During the week, on Wednesday, the kids got sick. I think Daughter just had allergies, but Son ended up with pretty serious bronchitis - serious enough that the doctor was considering chest x-rays and a hospital stay over the weekend. Praise God that neither of those things had to happen. He and I did have to miss the family wedding, though, and we were running on poor sleep from him waking up throughout the night. Also during the week, we found about a family member of a friend and the friend of a family member, both of whom are having major complications with their pregnancies. That seemed to hit me hard as major prayer needs. With all that was going on and how tired I was, I did not feel like I was getting many things on my "to-do" list done. I tend to be a "Martha" type of person in the whole Mary-Martha way of seeing things, so this had great potential to bother me. Along with that and a messy house, my quiet times slipped away. I couldn't seem to beat Son awake early enough to do them and managed to find plenty of other things to occupy my time during the days that I didn't get to it. Add on that I was tired and needed my sleep also.
I admit that all this did get to me some, but it did not steal my joy. I managed to not get overly discouraged. Things that helped:
It all started last Sunday (3/25/12). I received an e-mail that my dad's cousin has a brain tumor that has grown and radiation was ordered to start ASAP. Also, I'd been asked to consider taking over the lead with a ministry at church and had a meeting with a church staff member the next week. Then, there was the family wedding coming up the next weekend and some stress some other family members were having regarding the preparations, etc. I sent out my prayer requests to some friends and one e-mailed back that it looked like I was going to have a tough week and that she was praying for me. I hadn't even thought about the week being overly tough, but I determined right then that I was going to do my best not to feel overwhelmed or get down on myself during the week. I was not going to let Satan's lies get to me. He wasn't going to steal my joy this time!
Monday, the kids had an Easter egg hunt and party at church. At the end of the time, I checked my phone and found out that one of my grandfathers was in the hospital because he had a heart attack that morning. During the week, on Wednesday, the kids got sick. I think Daughter just had allergies, but Son ended up with pretty serious bronchitis - serious enough that the doctor was considering chest x-rays and a hospital stay over the weekend. Praise God that neither of those things had to happen. He and I did have to miss the family wedding, though, and we were running on poor sleep from him waking up throughout the night. Also during the week, we found about a family member of a friend and the friend of a family member, both of whom are having major complications with their pregnancies. That seemed to hit me hard as major prayer needs. With all that was going on and how tired I was, I did not feel like I was getting many things on my "to-do" list done. I tend to be a "Martha" type of person in the whole Mary-Martha way of seeing things, so this had great potential to bother me. Along with that and a messy house, my quiet times slipped away. I couldn't seem to beat Son awake early enough to do them and managed to find plenty of other things to occupy my time during the days that I didn't get to it. Add on that I was tired and needed my sleep also.
I admit that all this did get to me some, but it did not steal my joy. I managed to not get overly discouraged. Things that helped:
- Remembering Philippians 2:14-15, which says "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
- Songs called to mind, like "The Joy of the Lord is My Strength" and "Give Me Jesus." (I felt like I had songs to encourage me and lead me to continue worshiping God playing through my mind all week.)
- A message from Anne Graham Lotz that my husband's mother sent to me via e-mail in April 2010. It has meant a lot to me ever since and I'm going to share it here. This is from Anne's e-mail devotionals "The Joy of My Heart" (April 30, 2010):
Jesus Revealed in Us
Those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves
to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19 NIV
If our kids always behave
and our boss is always pleased
and our home is always orderly
and our bodies always feel good
and we are patient and kind and thoughtful and happy and loving,
others shrug because they are capable of being that way too.
On the other hand,
if we have a splitting headache,
the kids are screaming,
the phone is ringing,
the supper is burning,
yet we are still patient, kind, thoughtful, happy, and loving,
the world sits up and takes notice.
The world knows that kind of behavior is not natural.
It's supernatural.
And others see Jesus revealed in us.
I sure want to be like that! There are days when I do well with it, but, of course, then there are those where I really do poorly. It's motivation for me, though.
You know, we made it through the tough week. We are physically on the mend and getting better sleep again. I am getting back into my Bible studies and verses. I've gotten to exercise again this week (another thing not happening last week). My grandfather is still doing okay. We didn't get to visit him because of our illnesses, but my father kept us updated. I don't have a current update on my dad's cousin, but that will be a longer process. The family member of a friend with pregnancy issues is doing better. The friend of a family member with pregnancy issues is supposed to be delivering her baby by c-section today. Continued prayers are needed for their family, though. My leadership for the church ministry started this week and is going well so far. We have seen prayers answered and I did not lose my joy. Praise God!
I'm praying that you find strength and perseverance when you go through a tough week! Continue to search for God's blessings and find ways to praise Him in the midst of your storms.
I just realized as I typed that last part that our Sunday School class was sharing daily blessings in our lives with each other throughout the tough week. Hmm, I don't think Satan liked that too much! :-)
Blessings to you all!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Greatest Commandments
I get stressed when my house isn't clean. I am frustrated by the piles of papers that stack up, especially in the kitchen. I'd love to have the house so that I didn't have to worry about it as much, without the clutter.
I know a clean house is not as important as all my talking and thoughts about it may make it seem sometimes, but I justify that a clean house is nicer for the people who live here in it as well as those who come to visit. I don't want my family to live in chaos. I want to have a home that exudes peace and comfort for all who come within.
So, if a clean house is not really a priority I should be as focused on, what should I be focusing on? How about loving God and loving people. Hmm, that could entail a lot, but let's just start with that.
Matthew 22:36-40 - "Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied:" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.; This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Mark 12:28-31 - One of the teachers of the law came and hear them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
As I just typed those last two verses, the next two were called to my mind.
Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Matthew 7:12 - So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Worrying about a clean house is not very helpful in loving God or loving people - at least not to the extent of some other activities. I mean peace and comfort at home for my family and all who visit here is a way to show love to them, I think, but there is even more to life, especially a life with Christ. The Bible speaks about the fruitlessness of worry in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-34.
The Bible also gives us some ideas about what is important as we work toward loving people. There are multiple verses about taking care of the poor, widows and orphans, and about the care and concern that God has for them. Here are some of the verses I found related to the commandment to love people. I pray that you will have the opportunity and motivation to take a look at them. There are so, so, so many more verses about loving people that I did not compile for this post, but would love for you to share in the comments if you have some you know.
God created us all and put His very own breath inside us. The way we treat others is a reflection of how we view God. As we do to others, we do to Jesus. (Matthew 25:25-40 [and continue on to verse 46 if you want the flip-side]).
We are called to be the hands of Christ. In John 13:15-17, we are told to follow Jesus' example. In Luke 22:24-26, we are told that the greatest should be like the least, those who rule like those who serve. We need to reach out to others and say to Jesus, "Here am I. Send me!" just as Isaiah did (Isaiah 6:8).
So, my house if far from "clean" but I choose to be at peace with it as we love and serve others. Our children are learning from what we do with them and it will affect the priorities they set, too.
Let's go forth loving God and loving people!
I know a clean house is not as important as all my talking and thoughts about it may make it seem sometimes, but I justify that a clean house is nicer for the people who live here in it as well as those who come to visit. I don't want my family to live in chaos. I want to have a home that exudes peace and comfort for all who come within.
So, if a clean house is not really a priority I should be as focused on, what should I be focusing on? How about loving God and loving people. Hmm, that could entail a lot, but let's just start with that.
Matthew 22:36-40 - "Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied:" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.; This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Mark 12:28-31 - One of the teachers of the law came and hear them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
As I just typed those last two verses, the next two were called to my mind.
Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Matthew 7:12 - So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Worrying about a clean house is not very helpful in loving God or loving people - at least not to the extent of some other activities. I mean peace and comfort at home for my family and all who visit here is a way to show love to them, I think, but there is even more to life, especially a life with Christ. The Bible speaks about the fruitlessness of worry in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-34.
The Bible also gives us some ideas about what is important as we work toward loving people. There are multiple verses about taking care of the poor, widows and orphans, and about the care and concern that God has for them. Here are some of the verses I found related to the commandment to love people. I pray that you will have the opportunity and motivation to take a look at them. There are so, so, so many more verses about loving people that I did not compile for this post, but would love for you to share in the comments if you have some you know.
- Exodus 22:21-24, Deuteronomy 10:17-19, Deuteronomy 14:29, Deuteronomy 24:17-22, Deuteronomy 27:19, Job 29:12-16, Job 31:16-22, Psalm 68:5-6, Psalm 82:3-4, Psalm 146:9, Proverbs 23:10, Proverbs 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 10:1-2, Jeremiah 5:28, Jeremiah 7:6, Jeremiah 22:3, Hosea 14:3, Zechariah 7:10, Malachi 3:5, Matthew 18:5, Hebrews 13:2, James 1:27, James 2:5, James 2:16
God created us all and put His very own breath inside us. The way we treat others is a reflection of how we view God. As we do to others, we do to Jesus. (Matthew 25:25-40 [and continue on to verse 46 if you want the flip-side]).
We are called to be the hands of Christ. In John 13:15-17, we are told to follow Jesus' example. In Luke 22:24-26, we are told that the greatest should be like the least, those who rule like those who serve. We need to reach out to others and say to Jesus, "Here am I. Send me!" just as Isaiah did (Isaiah 6:8).
So, my house if far from "clean" but I choose to be at peace with it as we love and serve others. Our children are learning from what we do with them and it will affect the priorities they set, too.
Let's go forth loving God and loving people!
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