Wow it has been quite some time since I posted. My husband and I are starting a sort of devotion/Bible reading blog between the two of us. So, I thought I would start writing on this blog a bit more at the same time. So, here goes :)
Tonight as I was putting the kiddos to bed, the 4 year old was having a meltdown. He was upset because we did not watch the 'Jasmine Movie' (Aladdin). I decided that because it was a 40degree plus sunny day mid February in Wisconsin that we would take advantage of the beautiful weather and go to the park. This meant quiet time (youngest one's nap) in the car. Thus, we did not watch the movie. As a mom, I know that he got a good deal out of the day. He got to go to a park and he got tons of play time with toys, and both of those are better mentally and physically for him than the movie. Yet, when he stopped and thought about what he missed during the day rather than what he got during the day, he was distraught.
How often don't I do the same thing to my Heavenly Father?
I have three beautiful children all healthy and already wonderful little Christians. Yet how often don't I complain about the laundry, dishes, lack of sleep and all the other things that come with the blessing of Children.
I have a wonderful husband who is supportive, forgiving, an amazing father, and strong Christian leader. Yet how often don't I take him for granted, complain that he is gone too much working to provide for our family and bring others God's saving gospel. All too often I am hard on him, let my stress and frustrations out to or at him, and fail to support him in his roles as a husband, father and (soon-to-be) pastor
The list could go on and on, too much laundry to wash, too many dishes to wash, too many veggies to prep, etc..
But, just like, no even better than me with my son, God our Heavenly Father patiently listens to our frustrations and forgives us. He should see us the same way I often see my son about 20 minutes into bedtime or any other tantrum: annoying, foolish, and ungrateful. Yet, through the veil of Christ's blood, God sees us as his Holy and beloved children. Daily He forgives our shortsightedness, ungratefulness and just over all horrible sinfulness. His mercies are new EVERY morning.
I pray that God forgives me for my meltdowns and tantrums. I pray he grants me the patience and wisdom to see the trips to the park rather than the missed movies. I pray that God gives me the patience and love to deal with my children the way He continuously showers love and blessings upon me. And that He continue to keep and direct me on my path towards Heaven.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Swim Lessons
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.
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.
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 :-)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Offerings
Last one quick, then we are off to the zoo. It is also the Monday of Holy Week today which means I probably won't do any more posts for a week or so (lots of family visits, traveling, cleaning, enjoying the spring weather and recovering from all of that) in the next week or so.
Yesterday after church Logon got a mini chocolate chip cookie. He is a slow and picky eater so he was still eating it in the car on the way home. At one point, he said 'here mommy'. I turned around to look at him, he looked very proud and that 'I love you' look on his face as he handed me a chocolate chip. Anyone who has seen my son eat a cookie will know how much of an honor it was to be handed a chocolate chip. The same way most kids will dig through their bowl of Lucky Charms to find all the marshmallows, then be done with breakfast once they are gone, Logon will eat the chocolate chips from a cookie then ask for another one or be done.
It made me think about our offerings to God. I had allowed Logon to have that cookie. (I would say I gave it to him, but he found the table with the cookies and picked it out himself). I could have had (maybe I did) a whole brownie if I wanted it. I didn't need the chocolate chip. But when he handed to me out of love, I appreciated that chocolate chip more than a whole brownie. Kinda like the widow's mites - small and meaningless to most people. But to know who the gift is coming from, and how much they are giving and out of love, it makes it so much more wonderful. God gives us all the cookies we need and then some - the least we can do is give him back a chocolate chip or two :-)
Yesterday after church Logon got a mini chocolate chip cookie. He is a slow and picky eater so he was still eating it in the car on the way home. At one point, he said 'here mommy'. I turned around to look at him, he looked very proud and that 'I love you' look on his face as he handed me a chocolate chip. Anyone who has seen my son eat a cookie will know how much of an honor it was to be handed a chocolate chip. The same way most kids will dig through their bowl of Lucky Charms to find all the marshmallows, then be done with breakfast once they are gone, Logon will eat the chocolate chips from a cookie then ask for another one or be done.
It made me think about our offerings to God. I had allowed Logon to have that cookie. (I would say I gave it to him, but he found the table with the cookies and picked it out himself). I could have had (maybe I did) a whole brownie if I wanted it. I didn't need the chocolate chip. But when he handed to me out of love, I appreciated that chocolate chip more than a whole brownie. Kinda like the widow's mites - small and meaningless to most people. But to know who the gift is coming from, and how much they are giving and out of love, it makes it so much more wonderful. God gives us all the cookies we need and then some - the least we can do is give him back a chocolate chip or two :-)
Good Works
Ok, I realize it is feast or famine with the posts. I am new to blogging, and horrible with time management (I will blame it on having 3 kids, but really I have always been bad at it).
So, before I tell you the next enlightening moment, let me give you a little background to that week. My husband is studying to be a pastor (I realize that Amy you already know this, and are probably the only one who will ever read this blog, but just in case, I will pretend that others will read it, and write as if the blog will become wildly popular :-))
Anyways, he was writing a paper on Ephesians 2:8-10 which says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
His paper disected the original language, and looked at a lot of books and papers written by scholars...I can understand why they disect this verse. There is a lot of good stuff in there. Justification by grace alone is the biggest. But, without jumping on his soap box, to go back to the lessons kids teach me... read on...
I was at the zoo with the kids when it hit me. Our good works are like pushing the button. If you have ever taken a toddler to the zoo, or watched little kids at the zoo, you will know what I am talking about. They love to push the button that opens the door. Toddlers love to help. And, honestly, I love that with the push of a button a door opens so I can get the three kids and myself through the door in one shot. But, it would be so much more efficient for me to push the button. The kids love it, and it is a way for them to feel proud and like they helped. So I line the stroller up just right, and wait until they push the button just right to open the door. God doesn't really need us to do His work. He lets us. He puts us in positions where we can do his work to show our love for him. We don't have to do it. We have a free will and can choose not to push the button. And if we aren't faithful (don't push the button), God will still get done what needs to get done (He can open the door without us pushing the button). But he puts us in those positions so we can show our love by "helping". And I imagine that like a parent, he is happy and proud of us when we do push the button for him :-)
So, before I tell you the next enlightening moment, let me give you a little background to that week. My husband is studying to be a pastor (I realize that Amy you already know this, and are probably the only one who will ever read this blog, but just in case, I will pretend that others will read it, and write as if the blog will become wildly popular :-))
Anyways, he was writing a paper on Ephesians 2:8-10 which says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
His paper disected the original language, and looked at a lot of books and papers written by scholars...I can understand why they disect this verse. There is a lot of good stuff in there. Justification by grace alone is the biggest. But, without jumping on his soap box, to go back to the lessons kids teach me... read on...
I was at the zoo with the kids when it hit me. Our good works are like pushing the button. If you have ever taken a toddler to the zoo, or watched little kids at the zoo, you will know what I am talking about. They love to push the button that opens the door. Toddlers love to help. And, honestly, I love that with the push of a button a door opens so I can get the three kids and myself through the door in one shot. But, it would be so much more efficient for me to push the button. The kids love it, and it is a way for them to feel proud and like they helped. So I line the stroller up just right, and wait until they push the button just right to open the door. God doesn't really need us to do His work. He lets us. He puts us in positions where we can do his work to show our love for him. We don't have to do it. We have a free will and can choose not to push the button. And if we aren't faithful (don't push the button), God will still get done what needs to get done (He can open the door without us pushing the button). But he puts us in those positions so we can show our love by "helping". And I imagine that like a parent, he is happy and proud of us when we do push the button for him :-)
Children are a blessing
So these last few weeks have been crazy and busy. We had a nasty cold and flu virus work through our family complete with a double ear infection in the oldest, and an ear infection in the youngest. I admit there were a few times when I longed to be able to just go to sleep, to go out without having to dress and tote three little people... But then they smile or do or say something sweet and I would just melt and be good (for a little while at least).
Being a parent has also been a blessing in that it has made me see my (our) relationship with God in a whole new light. That is what the next few posts will be about...
I will start with the one that got me thinking about this in the first place. I was reading my Bible. (Ya know, for the read through my Bible in a year...that kinda got put on hold, but before it got put on hold, I got as far as Noah and the flood). After the flood Noah built an altar and thanked God. Then "the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart:"Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from chiledhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done."" I know it is not a perfect analogy, but it got me thinking. I get so mad at the kids sometimes, then Logon will say 'sorry mommy', or Xaris will give me a big hug. I melt, appreciate the show of affection or apology, and vow to myself to be more patient with the kids.
Even though a simple sorry or hug can not take away the frustration that I have to scrub the crayon off the walls, fish the toy out of the toilet, or whatever the case may be. And, I know they will be naughty again. But I really appreciate the apology or hug or whatever it is. God is the same way- except a lot better on his part than I am on my part with the kids. He will always forgive us because of our Savior. When he looks at us he sees the perfect life, death and resurrection of Christ. We are perfect in his eyes. We should continue to try out of love to not sin, to apologize and repent when we do. But also to be so thankful that he has and will forgive us and love us like a father loves his children.
Being a parent has also been a blessing in that it has made me see my (our) relationship with God in a whole new light. That is what the next few posts will be about...
I will start with the one that got me thinking about this in the first place. I was reading my Bible. (Ya know, for the read through my Bible in a year...that kinda got put on hold, but before it got put on hold, I got as far as Noah and the flood). After the flood Noah built an altar and thanked God. Then "the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart:"Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from chiledhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done."" I know it is not a perfect analogy, but it got me thinking. I get so mad at the kids sometimes, then Logon will say 'sorry mommy', or Xaris will give me a big hug. I melt, appreciate the show of affection or apology, and vow to myself to be more patient with the kids.
Even though a simple sorry or hug can not take away the frustration that I have to scrub the crayon off the walls, fish the toy out of the toilet, or whatever the case may be. And, I know they will be naughty again. But I really appreciate the apology or hug or whatever it is. God is the same way- except a lot better on his part than I am on my part with the kids. He will always forgive us because of our Savior. When he looks at us he sees the perfect life, death and resurrection of Christ. We are perfect in his eyes. We should continue to try out of love to not sin, to apologize and repent when we do. But also to be so thankful that he has and will forgive us and love us like a father loves his children.
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