It’s 2:30 a.m. – so why am I sitting at a computer, instead of dreamily sleeping in my bed?
I’m scared…well, not so much any more. I had a nightmare - the kind with big purple monsters who stick their heads out of the closet and scream, “Boo!” Actually, my dream was a little more graphic than that, but for the sake of the younger readers and my own unwillingness to “go there” again, purple monsters will work perfectly!
It’s no wonder I had a bad dream. I accidentally fell asleep between my 4 year old and my 10 year old…on a twin bed. Now, I don’t know how long it’s been since you have slept between two people on a twin bed, but let me assure you, it’s not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Needless to say, I woke up with my heart racing, my mind reeling, and my eyes trying to adjust to the light to make sure the purple monsters were just a figment of my imagination. Thankfully, I was right. It was just a dream, but the reality of the dream left me fearful.
I got up, tried to “shake it off,” and headed to the bathroom to wash my face. It was there that an old familiar “Friend” came to calm my nerves. When I am afraid, I will trust in You (Psalm 56:3). I memorized that Scripture several years ago, and it has brought me great comfort many times, especially in the wee hours of the morning.
As I quoted that verse to myself, the overwhelming feelings of my impending doom, stopped. My heartbeat returned to normal. My mind drifted back to reality, and my eyes stopped darting to and fro in search of purple monsters.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Interestingly enough, the Bible doesn’t say that we will never be afraid. Fear, in its purest form, is a good emotion. God put it within us to keep us safe – to keep us from leaping off three-story buildings, just because we are sporting a new Superman cape. We need to pay attention to our fear. It was designed to be a healthy thing. However, when that fear begins to consume us and affect our lives in a negative way, something that God has put in us for our own safety, actually becomes a threat to our well-being.
If it were up to me, I would bubble-wrap my kids, so I'd never have to worry about them falling off a swing or wrecking their bicycle. I'd buy my husband an armored vehicle, so I'd never have to be concerned about him being involved in an accident. I would systematically put padlocks and security devices all over my home, so I wouldn't have to think about unwanted invaders. But regardless of how much I tried to control the outcome of every area of my life, it just wouldn't work. I would never be able to control it all.
That's where a lot of our fear stems from. We know we can't control it all. We know bad things happen. The question is, as a Believer, how do we handle them when they do? What do we do when we find ourselves smack in the middle of an incredibly fearful situation and have no control over the outcome? What do we do with the purple monsters in the closet?
We trust.
We make a decision of our will that God is worthy of our complete allegiance, even when we’re fearful. We trust that God is able to deliver us, if He chooses to do so in a way other than what we'd like. We trust His love for us and His heart towards us. We trust that He knows what’s best…that He sees the entire picture, even when the purple monsters are so big they're bulging through the closet doors.
Tonight before writing this, I chose to trust my God. I chose to trust His love for me. I chose to trust His knowledge of the right paths for us to take together. I chose to trust His willingness to hold my hand, as I walk those paths…even though my heart is pounding and my palms are sweaty. I chose to trust He knows where He’s taking me and why. I chose to trust He has His glory and my best interest at heart, even if I can’t see it at the time. I chose to trust my God…for He is my Great Shepherd…and I am His sheep.
With that said – or written, as it is the case – good night, my friends. It's way passed my bedtime!
Dearest Father, help us not succumb to our fear, but conquer it through Your Word and our trust in You. Show us Your presence as we walk through difficult times…as we wonder why we’re on the path that You have placed before us. And help us to remember that You and You alone know what’s best for us…even in the scary stuff. We trust You, Father. We trust You.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
What's Love Got to do with Ice Skates and a Faux-Hawk?
Yes, it's the "Love Month," but that didn't do it. Valentine's Day didn't do it. My husband's birthday didn't do it. Nope. My deep thoughts on love this month stemmed from - if you can believe it - some snide remarks a child made about my son at the ice skating rink. This older, obviously more experienced skater, was wearing hockey skates. He took one look at my child wearing ice skates and smarted off, "Hey, you've got the wrong skates." Obviously, Alex's skates weren't "manly" enough for him.
Then, as if to add insult to injury, he made a comment that my son's new hairstyle made him look like a bird - in front of his friends. Alex had been thrilled about his "faux-hawk" earlier that morning, but came off the ice covering his head with his hood and trying everything he could to flatten out his "crown."
I'll bet you're wondering how in the world that made me think about love. Well, in all honesty, the child's statements didn't make me think too much about love at all. What I really thought about was how to get out on the ice and tell that boy a few things about his skates and his hair, which was by the way, too short for a faux-hawk!
I digress.
Instead, my deep, intense ponderings began during a family devotion, the day after this happened. We were discussing God's love for us and how we could truly love others in that way. Still thinking about the day before, Steve asked, "Well, Alex, how could you have shown him love?" There was silence. Being the Momma Bear that I am, I suppressed the feelings of anger rising within me and sat quietly waiting to hear what my little one said - all the while thinking, "Well, it probably would be best just to tell this young man that my son liked his hair the way it was and walk away." Yes, that would have been fine, but that wasn't the right answer.
A few seconds later, my husband said something that still rings in my ears and resonates with my heart on every level. He said, "What you could have done is say,'Well, I like my hair this way. By the way, you're hair is pretty cool, too.'"
I got hit right between the eyes with that one. You see, too many times I think that I am loving someone...that I am exhibiting Christ-like behavior, just because I DON'T respond when they "push my buttons." And I am...in a way. But if we're really talking about loving others the way Christ loved us, I think we have to take it further than just "not responding." Christ DEMONSTRATED His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God put His love for us into action. He made a decision of His will to "act out" His love...regardless of the present circumstances or the eventual outcome.
You know, I can't predict what will happen the next time Alex meets this young man. I can, however, predict what will happen when I do. I will love him. I will choose to encourage him, despite his potential to discourage my son, yet again. I will choose to fight how I feel, and bless, instead of curse. I will choose to pray for him and do good unto him, regardless. I will choose to love him, as Jesus has loved me.
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You that you love me fully and unconditionally. Teach me to love the way You do...regardless of the situation. Teach me to be intentional about my responses to those around me. Glorify Yourself through Your love of others, through my life. Praise You, Father...Praise You.
Then, as if to add insult to injury, he made a comment that my son's new hairstyle made him look like a bird - in front of his friends. Alex had been thrilled about his "faux-hawk" earlier that morning, but came off the ice covering his head with his hood and trying everything he could to flatten out his "crown."
I'll bet you're wondering how in the world that made me think about love. Well, in all honesty, the child's statements didn't make me think too much about love at all. What I really thought about was how to get out on the ice and tell that boy a few things about his skates and his hair, which was by the way, too short for a faux-hawk!
I digress.
Instead, my deep, intense ponderings began during a family devotion, the day after this happened. We were discussing God's love for us and how we could truly love others in that way. Still thinking about the day before, Steve asked, "Well, Alex, how could you have shown him love?" There was silence. Being the Momma Bear that I am, I suppressed the feelings of anger rising within me and sat quietly waiting to hear what my little one said - all the while thinking, "Well, it probably would be best just to tell this young man that my son liked his hair the way it was and walk away." Yes, that would have been fine, but that wasn't the right answer.
A few seconds later, my husband said something that still rings in my ears and resonates with my heart on every level. He said, "What you could have done is say,'Well, I like my hair this way. By the way, you're hair is pretty cool, too.'"
I got hit right between the eyes with that one. You see, too many times I think that I am loving someone...that I am exhibiting Christ-like behavior, just because I DON'T respond when they "push my buttons." And I am...in a way. But if we're really talking about loving others the way Christ loved us, I think we have to take it further than just "not responding." Christ DEMONSTRATED His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God put His love for us into action. He made a decision of His will to "act out" His love...regardless of the present circumstances or the eventual outcome.
You know, I can't predict what will happen the next time Alex meets this young man. I can, however, predict what will happen when I do. I will love him. I will choose to encourage him, despite his potential to discourage my son, yet again. I will choose to fight how I feel, and bless, instead of curse. I will choose to pray for him and do good unto him, regardless. I will choose to love him, as Jesus has loved me.
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You that you love me fully and unconditionally. Teach me to love the way You do...regardless of the situation. Teach me to be intentional about my responses to those around me. Glorify Yourself through Your love of others, through my life. Praise You, Father...Praise You.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Life Lessons from Little Ones
This happened several years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.
The weather was awful. It was storming outside - so much so, that I would not have been surprised to see Dorothy and Toto floating by my kitchen window, accompanied by a lion, a scarecrow and a shiny tin-man.
We were supposed to be going to a friend's house that day, but because of the weather, I decided to postpone our trip. I was disappointed, but not half as much as my daughter. She had been waiting for DAYS to go to Raleigh to see her friend, and the thought of not going was not an option. So, KK went right to the Source and simply asked God to make the rain stop.
Not wanting her to be upset when the rain didn't magically cease, I started a "spiritually-mature" conversation with her about how God may choose NOT to answer her prayer in the way she desired. Can I just tell you how embarrassed and ashamed I felt a few moments later, when the rain stopped and the sun burst forth from behind the clouds as if to scream, "I'm Back!" KK ran in the room and said, "Mommy, I prayed that God would make the rain stop, and He did. Now we can go to Andrew's!"
The sad thing is...I didn't expect it to happen. I didn't expect God to stop the rain. But KK did. She fully expected the storms to stop, just because she asked...even when all she could see was wind and rain.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Somewhere along the line as an adult, I forgot that. Oh, I believe Him. I believe that God is. It's the part about Him being a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him that I seem to have trouble remembering.
Young children don't have that problem. They trust God will be a Rewarder. They don't need to see the answer in front of them, before they believe something to be true. They have a keen sense in knowing that God delights in honoring their requests, no matter how simple or insignificant they seem to us, as adults. Oh, to be more like them in our faith.
Today, Father, we seek You and believe that You desire to be our Rewarder. Thank You for the lessons You teach us through Your precious ones. Help us to pay closer attention to their simplicity of faith. May we please You with our faith today, as we diligently seek You and as we wait anxiously to see You answer.
The weather was awful. It was storming outside - so much so, that I would not have been surprised to see Dorothy and Toto floating by my kitchen window, accompanied by a lion, a scarecrow and a shiny tin-man.
We were supposed to be going to a friend's house that day, but because of the weather, I decided to postpone our trip. I was disappointed, but not half as much as my daughter. She had been waiting for DAYS to go to Raleigh to see her friend, and the thought of not going was not an option. So, KK went right to the Source and simply asked God to make the rain stop.
Not wanting her to be upset when the rain didn't magically cease, I started a "spiritually-mature" conversation with her about how God may choose NOT to answer her prayer in the way she desired. Can I just tell you how embarrassed and ashamed I felt a few moments later, when the rain stopped and the sun burst forth from behind the clouds as if to scream, "I'm Back!" KK ran in the room and said, "Mommy, I prayed that God would make the rain stop, and He did. Now we can go to Andrew's!"
The sad thing is...I didn't expect it to happen. I didn't expect God to stop the rain. But KK did. She fully expected the storms to stop, just because she asked...even when all she could see was wind and rain.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Somewhere along the line as an adult, I forgot that. Oh, I believe Him. I believe that God is. It's the part about Him being a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him that I seem to have trouble remembering.
Young children don't have that problem. They trust God will be a Rewarder. They don't need to see the answer in front of them, before they believe something to be true. They have a keen sense in knowing that God delights in honoring their requests, no matter how simple or insignificant they seem to us, as adults. Oh, to be more like them in our faith.
Today, Father, we seek You and believe that You desire to be our Rewarder. Thank You for the lessons You teach us through Your precious ones. Help us to pay closer attention to their simplicity of faith. May we please You with our faith today, as we diligently seek You and as we wait anxiously to see You answer.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord...
Why? Is God who He claims to be? Is He able to be trusted? Is He capable of handling our lives? If your soul screamed "YES!" to these questions, as mine did, then let's trust Him. Let's believe Him. Let's know that He will not fail us.
...with all your heart...
He wants everything we are. He wants the whole heart - the damaged pieces, the hiding places, the insecurities. He wants it "all."
...And lean not on your own understanding.
Our flesh fights this. We want to lean on what we know. We want to hold fast to what we can see, on what we understand to be real. BUT God says we are NEVER to put our trust in what our frail little minds can comprehend. There's no way we can understand fully YET. One day we will know fully, just as we are fully known (I Cor. 13:12), but for now, we're told to not trust in our thoughts or emotions or circumstances. Instead, we're to put our trust in Him and what He says in His Word.
Acknowledge Him...
It's our duty and our privilege to bow and "bend the knee" when God the Father comes into our presence. He is our King...our Ruler...our Lord. His presence is not to be ignored, but honored - and we do so, by acknowledging not only His presence in our lives, but His leadership.
...in all your ways...
It's all or nothing. He desires our total attention - our total allegience to His authority in our lives - our complete and unconditional surrender.
...and He will direct your paths.
What a promise from the God of the universe in Whom there is no deceit - He will direct our paths.
Lord, I trust in You will all my heart. I choose not to lean on what I think to be truth or feel to be right, but instead acknowledge You as my God and my King. I surrender to what You have planned for me, and I "bend the knee" to You. Thank You, Father, that as I do this in every area of my life on a daily, minute by minute basis, You promise that You will direct me. I don't have to worry about where I'm going in life, for You're leading me and guiding me. Thank You for Your promise, Jesus. Amen.
Why? Is God who He claims to be? Is He able to be trusted? Is He capable of handling our lives? If your soul screamed "YES!" to these questions, as mine did, then let's trust Him. Let's believe Him. Let's know that He will not fail us.
...with all your heart...
He wants everything we are. He wants the whole heart - the damaged pieces, the hiding places, the insecurities. He wants it "all."
...And lean not on your own understanding.
Our flesh fights this. We want to lean on what we know. We want to hold fast to what we can see, on what we understand to be real. BUT God says we are NEVER to put our trust in what our frail little minds can comprehend. There's no way we can understand fully YET. One day we will know fully, just as we are fully known (I Cor. 13:12), but for now, we're told to not trust in our thoughts or emotions or circumstances. Instead, we're to put our trust in Him and what He says in His Word.
Acknowledge Him...
It's our duty and our privilege to bow and "bend the knee" when God the Father comes into our presence. He is our King...our Ruler...our Lord. His presence is not to be ignored, but honored - and we do so, by acknowledging not only His presence in our lives, but His leadership.
...in all your ways...
It's all or nothing. He desires our total attention - our total allegience to His authority in our lives - our complete and unconditional surrender.
...and He will direct your paths.
What a promise from the God of the universe in Whom there is no deceit - He will direct our paths.
Lord, I trust in You will all my heart. I choose not to lean on what I think to be truth or feel to be right, but instead acknowledge You as my God and my King. I surrender to what You have planned for me, and I "bend the knee" to You. Thank You, Father, that as I do this in every area of my life on a daily, minute by minute basis, You promise that You will direct me. I don't have to worry about where I'm going in life, for You're leading me and guiding me. Thank You for Your promise, Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
My thought for the day...I AM CHOSEN.
This makes me think back at all the times I stood in line and waited to be picked for a team. If I was good at the sport, I would get chosen pretty quickly. Other times, I was picked out of mercy, simply because my friends didn't want to see me hurt. And then there were those times when no amount of mercy or pouting on my part could convince anyone...not even my friends to forfeit their chance at beating the opposing team.
Not being chosen was never a great feeling, and it still isn't. That's one reason I am thrilled I don't have to worry about NOT being chosen any more. You see,
Ephesians 1:4-6 says He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons (and daughters) by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (NKJV)
Before the foundation of the world, God looked deep into the future and handpicked me to be His little girl. It's not because of anything I have ever done or anything I will ever do. It's just because it pleased Him to do so...because picking me was according to the good pleasure of His will. He CHOSE to pick me out and change my filthy rags to righteous white robes. He chose to take the sins of this country girl...and there were many...and cast them as far as the east is from the west. Then, He promised to do it again and again, even after I became His. He chose me to be His daughter, to represent Him among people.
Despite everything I can come up with...despite every sin that comes to my mind...despite all of my failures, insecurities, and inabilities...HE STILL CHOSE ME. He chose my life to be praise to the glory of His grace.
Oh, how I pray you can catch a glimpse of this with me. If you are His daughter, He has chosen you, too...not because of something that you have done or how "good" you are or even what you can do for Him. It's merely because of His great grace, and His great love for us.
This makes me think back at all the times I stood in line and waited to be picked for a team. If I was good at the sport, I would get chosen pretty quickly. Other times, I was picked out of mercy, simply because my friends didn't want to see me hurt. And then there were those times when no amount of mercy or pouting on my part could convince anyone...not even my friends to forfeit their chance at beating the opposing team.
Not being chosen was never a great feeling, and it still isn't. That's one reason I am thrilled I don't have to worry about NOT being chosen any more. You see,
Ephesians 1:4-6 says He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons (and daughters) by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (NKJV)
Before the foundation of the world, God looked deep into the future and handpicked me to be His little girl. It's not because of anything I have ever done or anything I will ever do. It's just because it pleased Him to do so...because picking me was according to the good pleasure of His will. He CHOSE to pick me out and change my filthy rags to righteous white robes. He chose to take the sins of this country girl...and there were many...and cast them as far as the east is from the west. Then, He promised to do it again and again, even after I became His. He chose me to be His daughter, to represent Him among people.
Despite everything I can come up with...despite every sin that comes to my mind...despite all of my failures, insecurities, and inabilities...HE STILL CHOSE ME. He chose my life to be praise to the glory of His grace.
Oh, how I pray you can catch a glimpse of this with me. If you are His daughter, He has chosen you, too...not because of something that you have done or how "good" you are or even what you can do for Him. It's merely because of His great grace, and His great love for us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)