We have all seen it. Either at the lake, at the Y, or just on TV. Parents sometimes teach their kids to swim by just throwing them in the water. It is not the only way one can learn how to swim, but for some kids it might be the only way they will learn. Maybe the kid keeps trying to use a wrong technique. Or maybe the child does not want to learn. So the parent throws the child in, gives them time to struggle and try to do it their own way before pulling the child out of the water for a rest and encouragement and throwing them back in the water.
The same way we as children of God may sometimes have lessons forced on us. For me, right now, patience is my swim lesson. I keep looking up at God from the bottom of the pool. Someday I will get it. Until then I guess I gotta just keep getting thrown into the water, huh? At least it is comforting knowing God has thrown me in there because He is right there ready to pull me out before any real harm comes to me (sure I may swallow some water, get frustrated or tired, but He is watching and in control). And it is comforting because He has confidence that someday I'll get it. Someday.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Priorities
The last post mentioned priorities at the end. This is just another short little comparison I think of once in awhile.
My daughter uses a Nuk (actually a Soothie, but we call it a Nuk kinda like we use Puffs but call them Kleenex, just how it is). Anyways, when this nuk is missing, her world stops spinning. (OK, maybe not that bad, but it is a dramatic episode until it is found and put in her mouth so she can nap or whatever). Or my son loves markers. I sometimes have to take the markers away from him for one reason or another. When I do this, his world ends. His very existence is threatened by the one person he trusts the most. (Again, slightly melodramatic way of stating it, but you get the point).
Sometimes as I am praying, I realize what I am saying and wonder if God is sitting somewhere laughing at me the same way I laugh at my son a little when life as he knows it ends as I take away the blue marker. Or the same way I chuckle to myself and wonder why that stupid little piece of oddly shaped plastic means SO much to my daughter.
Is having a second car really that important in the grand scheme of things? Is having a set schedule so I can socialize or have time alone that important to the wellbeing of God's kingdom? I am not saying that we should not ask for these things. I am just saying it helps sometimes to check my priorities and refocus my prayer life. I will also add that I am so comforted by the fact that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. So on days when I am throwing a temper tantrum for the marker, or when I can't communicate what exactly it is that is bothering/stressing me, He knows and asks for me. Also, it is comforting to know that Jesus walked in our shoes. He knows that while the marker is not a large factor in the well being of God's kingdom, that little things can be comforting to his children. And, I still think God chuckles a little, but He hears our prayers and loves us as his own dear children.
My daughter uses a Nuk (actually a Soothie, but we call it a Nuk kinda like we use Puffs but call them Kleenex, just how it is). Anyways, when this nuk is missing, her world stops spinning. (OK, maybe not that bad, but it is a dramatic episode until it is found and put in her mouth so she can nap or whatever). Or my son loves markers. I sometimes have to take the markers away from him for one reason or another. When I do this, his world ends. His very existence is threatened by the one person he trusts the most. (Again, slightly melodramatic way of stating it, but you get the point).
Sometimes as I am praying, I realize what I am saying and wonder if God is sitting somewhere laughing at me the same way I laugh at my son a little when life as he knows it ends as I take away the blue marker. Or the same way I chuckle to myself and wonder why that stupid little piece of oddly shaped plastic means SO much to my daughter.
Is having a second car really that important in the grand scheme of things? Is having a set schedule so I can socialize or have time alone that important to the wellbeing of God's kingdom? I am not saying that we should not ask for these things. I am just saying it helps sometimes to check my priorities and refocus my prayer life. I will also add that I am so comforted by the fact that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. So on days when I am throwing a temper tantrum for the marker, or when I can't communicate what exactly it is that is bothering/stressing me, He knows and asks for me. Also, it is comforting to know that Jesus walked in our shoes. He knows that while the marker is not a large factor in the well being of God's kingdom, that little things can be comforting to his children. And, I still think God chuckles a little, but He hears our prayers and loves us as his own dear children.
God's Plans for us
This is following my parent/child relationship with God. I will start by saying that I am someone who likes to be in control. If I am not in control, at least I want to be able to see what is going on (what the big picture is, where the finish line is, or whatever). That is something that is not always possible with life in general. I am working on trusting God, being thankful, content and to work hard no matter what the situation. It is not always easy. In fact, for a control freak who schemes way too much, it is pretty hard.
Skip to the kids... quite often we will be in our toy room at home. I let the kids play, do their own thing, watch TV, whatever. Sometimes they really get into whatever they are doing. But, right now we only have one car. So I have to interupt their play so that we can go get daddy from school. Or maybe it is that we are at a meeting at church. They finally get into playing with the random blocks, cars, toys or books at church and I tell them it is time to go. They don't want to, they are having fun. But 'we can go get daddy from school' I tell them. Or, 'we can go play outside now' I will tell them. Now that my oldest is getting better at communication and knows more words, he understands sometimes. But not long ago it seemed their world was going to end because I was taking them away from toys or the toy room or something. Even though it was for something better, they didn't see the big picture, they just saw their toys being ripped from them.
Kinda makes me think about my priorities here on earth. I need to trust that God has my best interest in mind when he takes me from the toy room I have grown to enjoy. Whether my toy room be school, work, routine, whatever. I pray that God gives me strength to leave the toy room with my head high and looking forward to the next fun thing we get to do :-)
Skip to the kids... quite often we will be in our toy room at home. I let the kids play, do their own thing, watch TV, whatever. Sometimes they really get into whatever they are doing. But, right now we only have one car. So I have to interupt their play so that we can go get daddy from school. Or maybe it is that we are at a meeting at church. They finally get into playing with the random blocks, cars, toys or books at church and I tell them it is time to go. They don't want to, they are having fun. But 'we can go get daddy from school' I tell them. Or, 'we can go play outside now' I will tell them. Now that my oldest is getting better at communication and knows more words, he understands sometimes. But not long ago it seemed their world was going to end because I was taking them away from toys or the toy room or something. Even though it was for something better, they didn't see the big picture, they just saw their toys being ripped from them.
Kinda makes me think about my priorities here on earth. I need to trust that God has my best interest in mind when he takes me from the toy room I have grown to enjoy. Whether my toy room be school, work, routine, whatever. I pray that God gives me strength to leave the toy room with my head high and looking forward to the next fun thing we get to do :-)
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