Have you ever been asked if you could sit down and talk with someone (other then Jesus), dead or alive, who would it be? There's so many great answers but often I pick one man whose faith, testimony, and imagination have fascinated me for many years. C. S. Lewis.
A couple of years ago my parents gave me the Chronicles of Narnia on CD Since the only CD player I have is in my car it's taken me quite a long time to get through the books. As I listen to them though I find amazing gems of truth buried inside these stories.
One quote is from The Horse and His Boy. There's this beautiful scene near the end of the story where Aslan, the great lion who is a picture of Jesus, appears to the weary travelers that the story has been following. Aslan calls forward the horse, Bree, but the horse is too afraid to approach the lion. Trembling and afraid he refuses to go forward to the lion. Aslan's reply is simple but profound.
"Do not dare, not to dare."
In the moment when I heard this line it hit me. This is what God says to us about approaching His throne. We have no right to approach the throne of Christ. We are not worthy but we're still told to come. By refusing to go to the throne we're throwing the gift of God's love and Christ's sacrifice back in His face. That's not how I want to react! I want to dare to approach Christ with trembling and fear but also with thankfulness and gratitude that I'm even allowed to be on the very outskirts much less wrapped in the arms of my loving Heavenly Father.
In the Voyage of the Dawn Treader when the crew of the ship is sailing through a cave of that makes all of their worst fears come to life Lucy (who is my favorite character from any of the books) is terrified and she calls out to Aslan. A bird suddenly comes from out of nowhere and lands on the mast of the ship in that moment the bird says something amazing to Lucy.
"Courage, dear heart."
Courage. When you're in the midst of the most terrifying moment of your life take courage. Not because you yourself have the courage to get through what's going on but because you know that God is still in control. He's got this. He's got you and He will get you through whatever is happening. Have courage.
Dear heart. This is the other reason I like this quote so much. The bird, which I think might be Aslan in a different form but don't quote me on that, calls Lucy this wonderful term of endearment. Dear heart. Lucy is dear to Aslan as we are so very dear to the Lord. We begin to understand how dear we are to Him when we give our hearts to Him. Dear heart, because we are dear. That's something I often need a reminder of when I'm in the midst of a situation that requires me to have courage. I am dear to the Lord and He has not abandoned me.
A couple of times in two different books a variation of this quote appears. The time I'm thinking of is in the final book of the series, The Last Battle.
Just as the king and his faithful companions are about to ride into battle Tirian says something along the lines of this amazing quote.
"Let us go forth and take the adventure that Aslan has sent us."
Now from the title you can probably tell, they're about to head into a battle. A crazy, intense battle and they don't know if they'll live through it but they still go. Why? Because they know that Aslan has put them in this place, at this time, for this reason. They trust him so much they will ride into battle.
How often do we look at a situation and go... "Umm... I'm not so sure about this God... maybe I heard you wrong." What we should be saying is okay- this is where you put me so this is where I'm going to stay, or go, or do, whatever adventure it is you've given me.
So there it is advice from C.S. Lewis to encourage you in your faith given to you through the mouths of his characters. I hope it touches your heart like it did mine.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Saturday, June 16, 2018
It Builds Character!
All my life I heard the words, "It builds character!" Every time I complained about something I didn't want to do or something that was difficult, that was my dad's response. "It builds character!"
So when I didn't know how to make coffee and I complained I didn't want to learn, "It builds character!"
When my siblings were mean to me and I went to Dad crying, he dealt with the problem and told me that... it builds character!
Dealing with my extended family... builds character.
Having to keep going back to school when third grade was soooo hard!!!! It builds character.
Sharing a room and having to clean it... it builds character.
Learning to do my own laundry... builds character.
Doing the dishes, making your bed, going to bed on time, finishing your homework, helping Mom set the table, learning to make dinner, taking the garbage out and picking up after yourself... it builds character.
At some point I started asking when I was going to have enough character! I mean goodness, gracious, at some point this character thing has to pay off right?
These days as an adult I go to work even when I'm tired, I go to bed- not because someone told me to but because I know I have to get up when the alarm goes off. I get up when the alarm goes off because I know there are things that need done. I can make my own coffee, make my own dinner and even do the dishes. I do my own laundry and sometimes I even fold it.
I keep my mouth shut so that I can avoid putting my foot in it (most of the time). I've learned to get along with people even when they're difficult. I don't give up on people every time they irritate me. I stick it out even when things get hard.
My bills get paid on time. I can check my own oil and tire pressure on my car. And I don't miss appointments.
I know how to say I'm sorry and admit when I've made a mistake, I've learned to ask for forgiveness, and I remember to tell people they're important to me. I say 'I love you', give hugs and I've learned to celebrate the little things.
I pray and read my Bible, my faith isn't just something I say but a relationship that affects my whole life.
I probably have a long way to go, I know there's a lot more things that I'll face that will build more character but all in all Dad I'd say I've come a long way. So there you go- all those times you've told me that it would build character, well you were right. It has.
Thanks Dad, for helping build my character. Happy Father's Day.
So when I didn't know how to make coffee and I complained I didn't want to learn, "It builds character!"
When my siblings were mean to me and I went to Dad crying, he dealt with the problem and told me that... it builds character!
Dealing with my extended family... builds character.
Having to keep going back to school when third grade was soooo hard!!!! It builds character.
Sharing a room and having to clean it... it builds character.
Learning to do my own laundry... builds character.
Doing the dishes, making your bed, going to bed on time, finishing your homework, helping Mom set the table, learning to make dinner, taking the garbage out and picking up after yourself... it builds character.
At some point I started asking when I was going to have enough character! I mean goodness, gracious, at some point this character thing has to pay off right?
These days as an adult I go to work even when I'm tired, I go to bed- not because someone told me to but because I know I have to get up when the alarm goes off. I get up when the alarm goes off because I know there are things that need done. I can make my own coffee, make my own dinner and even do the dishes. I do my own laundry and sometimes I even fold it.
I keep my mouth shut so that I can avoid putting my foot in it (most of the time). I've learned to get along with people even when they're difficult. I don't give up on people every time they irritate me. I stick it out even when things get hard.
My bills get paid on time. I can check my own oil and tire pressure on my car. And I don't miss appointments.
I know how to say I'm sorry and admit when I've made a mistake, I've learned to ask for forgiveness, and I remember to tell people they're important to me. I say 'I love you', give hugs and I've learned to celebrate the little things.
I pray and read my Bible, my faith isn't just something I say but a relationship that affects my whole life.
I probably have a long way to go, I know there's a lot more things that I'll face that will build more character but all in all Dad I'd say I've come a long way. So there you go- all those times you've told me that it would build character, well you were right. It has.
Thanks Dad, for helping build my character. Happy Father's Day.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
The Secrets of the Job
You know how every job has it's secrets. Those things they don't really want to tell you until after you start and they convince you that it's a great place to work with great people, the money is good and you're really invested. Then you learn everything else. Those dirty little secrets that you had started to suspect over the probation time but hadn't been sure of yet.
Okay so I'm being dramatic and most jobs don't have that. But as some of you know I've recently gone through a job change (as far as I know my new job isn't hiding any of these dirty little secrets but... I am still in training) and during this time I've also been taking up some side jobs, house sitting, cleaning, that kind of thing.
Just for fun I took incidents from different jobs I've done and threw them together for this blog. These are the stories that you wait a good five years or so to tell because it's just embarrassing but underneath that it's also pretty funny.
There was the time that I was house sitting and the owners told me I could park in the garage. Great! I've never parked in a garage before. Literally never. So I'm excited by this prospect. So my first full day at the house I get the garage opener and put it in my car, when I get back that day I open up the garage and proceed to pull in. Unforutnately I'm paying too much attention to where the dogs are running around my car and not as much attention to where other things are.
Don't panic, I didn't hit the dogs. I did however pull forward a bit, trying to get far enough in I'm out of the way of the garage door so I can close it when I hear a crunch. Immediately I throw the car in the park and jump out of the seat. Sure enough I caught the dog's bowl under my tire and cracked it pretty badly.
That was a fun note to write to the owner's. Hey um... I kind of, sort of, 100% ran over the dog's bowl. I can pay for it if you want.
Then there was the time when some friends were staying with me at this place I was watching. My friend got there and I offered to help her unload the car. So we headed out the front door and out of habit I pulled it shut behind me and... the door was locked. My keys were inside, along with my cell phone. Thankfully she still had her keys with her so we drove to our church, just a couple minutes away, and used the directory to call the son of the people we were house sitting for. He had a spare key and worked from home so he was was able to come let us in. Thank goodness!
How about the time I was cooking chicken on a gas stove and using a plastic spatula. I got distracted and leaned it against the frying pan while I dealt with something. Now remember- gas stove means open flame. Open flame and plastic spatula means I came back to a melted spatula. Another fun note to write. Aye, aye, aye!
At a job I was using this industrial stapler to put together boxes. It's operated by foot pedal and stands on three legs. As I was putting together these boxes it shifted and I didn't realize it. I folded a box and set it up to staple when I pressed the pedal down with my right foot it came down hard on my left foot. When I was stapling the stapler had shifted so it was over my foot and I hadn't paid attention. That one left a nice bruise the next day.
One time I babysat three kids who were a bit of terrors. I was trying to make dinner and the stove wouldn't work. In the meantime the kids flooded the fish tank, opened up a window, climbed outside then when I went to get them they ran away and came back in the front door. I was trying to control that when the little girl went and locked herself in her parents room where she wasn't supposed to be. I don't remember what else happened that night but in the end I didn't babysit for them again.
Every job has it's idiosyncrasies. From weird T.V. set ups that are super confusing to run, to internet that doesn't run properly. Gates that open but then close again automatically so you when you hit the button it opens again and you don't realize it to very beautiful but loud clocks that you finally stop so you can sleep then reset before you leave. Smoke detectors that go off with the steam from the shower and accidents that happen.
It's life, no way around it. The best thing you can do is laugh, shrug your shoulders, notify whoever is in charge and move on. It's frustrating at the time but later you'll have a great story to tell,or a post for your blog! Hopefully one that gives everyone a smile and a laugh.
Okay so I'm being dramatic and most jobs don't have that. But as some of you know I've recently gone through a job change (as far as I know my new job isn't hiding any of these dirty little secrets but... I am still in training) and during this time I've also been taking up some side jobs, house sitting, cleaning, that kind of thing.
Just for fun I took incidents from different jobs I've done and threw them together for this blog. These are the stories that you wait a good five years or so to tell because it's just embarrassing but underneath that it's also pretty funny.
There was the time that I was house sitting and the owners told me I could park in the garage. Great! I've never parked in a garage before. Literally never. So I'm excited by this prospect. So my first full day at the house I get the garage opener and put it in my car, when I get back that day I open up the garage and proceed to pull in. Unforutnately I'm paying too much attention to where the dogs are running around my car and not as much attention to where other things are.
Don't panic, I didn't hit the dogs. I did however pull forward a bit, trying to get far enough in I'm out of the way of the garage door so I can close it when I hear a crunch. Immediately I throw the car in the park and jump out of the seat. Sure enough I caught the dog's bowl under my tire and cracked it pretty badly.
That was a fun note to write to the owner's. Hey um... I kind of, sort of, 100% ran over the dog's bowl. I can pay for it if you want.
Then there was the time when some friends were staying with me at this place I was watching. My friend got there and I offered to help her unload the car. So we headed out the front door and out of habit I pulled it shut behind me and... the door was locked. My keys were inside, along with my cell phone. Thankfully she still had her keys with her so we drove to our church, just a couple minutes away, and used the directory to call the son of the people we were house sitting for. He had a spare key and worked from home so he was was able to come let us in. Thank goodness!
How about the time I was cooking chicken on a gas stove and using a plastic spatula. I got distracted and leaned it against the frying pan while I dealt with something. Now remember- gas stove means open flame. Open flame and plastic spatula means I came back to a melted spatula. Another fun note to write. Aye, aye, aye!
At a job I was using this industrial stapler to put together boxes. It's operated by foot pedal and stands on three legs. As I was putting together these boxes it shifted and I didn't realize it. I folded a box and set it up to staple when I pressed the pedal down with my right foot it came down hard on my left foot. When I was stapling the stapler had shifted so it was over my foot and I hadn't paid attention. That one left a nice bruise the next day.
One time I babysat three kids who were a bit of terrors. I was trying to make dinner and the stove wouldn't work. In the meantime the kids flooded the fish tank, opened up a window, climbed outside then when I went to get them they ran away and came back in the front door. I was trying to control that when the little girl went and locked herself in her parents room where she wasn't supposed to be. I don't remember what else happened that night but in the end I didn't babysit for them again.
Every job has it's idiosyncrasies. From weird T.V. set ups that are super confusing to run, to internet that doesn't run properly. Gates that open but then close again automatically so you when you hit the button it opens again and you don't realize it to very beautiful but loud clocks that you finally stop so you can sleep then reset before you leave. Smoke detectors that go off with the steam from the shower and accidents that happen.
It's life, no way around it. The best thing you can do is laugh, shrug your shoulders, notify whoever is in charge and move on. It's frustrating at the time but later you'll have a great story to tell,or a post for your blog! Hopefully one that gives everyone a smile and a laugh.
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Memorials
Stonehenge War Memorial- Klickitat County, Washington State
A while back while on a trip with my brother and Dad we stopped at the Stonehenge War Memorial in Klickitat County, Washington State. Across the way from the Stonehenge replica is this memorial, shown in the picture. It lists those from Klickitat county who have laid down their lives in different wars. It's a sobering place to visit but also one that I felt honored to stand in front of. Standing there I was able to pray for the families of these brave warriors, and thank God for their sacrifice.
As an American there are few things that I hold more precious then our men and women in uniform who willingly go into danger to protect us and the freedom that we cherish. Memorial Day was last Monday and even though this post is a few days after I just want to take a moment to say thank you. To all laid down their lives in defense of our nation, thank you. To all who have had a loved one lay down their life in defense of our nation, thank you.
Switching gears a bit I want to talk about what memorials are. Why do we have them? What's the point? One of my favorite places in the Bible that talks about memorials is in Joshua 4. For now let's just look at verses 1-9.
"When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 'Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.'
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, 'Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, "What do these stones mean?" tell them that the flow of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.'
So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day."
So why set up this memorial? What was the point? Well it's said right there, 'In the future, when your children ask you, "What do these stones mean?" tell them that..."
These stones weren't just a random pile of rocks. They were a remembrance, a memorial, of what God had done for the people of Israel. To remind them of how He had brought them out of Egypt, out of slavery and into the promised land. So that even after those who witnessed these miracles firsthand passed away their children and their children's children, would remember what God had done.
These stones weren't just a random pile of rocks. They were a remembrance, a memorial, of what God had done for the people of Israel. To remind them of how He had brought them out of Egypt, out of slavery and into the promised land. So that even after those who witnessed these miracles firsthand passed away their children and their children's children, would remember what God had done.
I am not an authority on memorials. And there's so many directions that I could go with this post but today I want to keep it simple and leave you with just a few thoughts.
First, honor those who have gone before you. Soldiers who have given up their lives for you, families who have said goodbye to loved ones so you can enjoy your freedom. Ordinary heroes who have struggled so you can enjoy the privileges that we have today.
Second, what has God done in your own life that you want to remember? What things has He brought you through that you want to share with others, that you can point to and say 'Let me tell you about this time that God brought me through this situation'. What memorial can you set up to remind you, and remind others of God's promises and faithfulness in your own life and the lives of others.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
A Different Type of Answer
It's always funny to me when I think I understand something enough to write about it and then God decides to give me a real life example of that very thing. Last week I posted on here about prayers and how sometimes we don't realize that He's answering our prayers because it looks different then what we expected. Other times though He gives us a completely different type of answer, technically it's a "no" answer.
Let me explain. When I wrote the post last week I talked about the house I'd rented. I'd been praying about needing a place and then when the place came up I was so surprised that the answer looked different then I'd expected, I almost missed it. Right after that I had a bit of a different situation.
We decided to take our youth group on a day trip to do some hiking. We had a great time, went a few different places and other then the fact I twisted my ankle, everything went really well. Until we started home. We had the church van and suddenly the temperature spiked. Our pastor was driving and he immediately pulled over.
Blessing number 1- We were in a place we could pull over.
Blessing number 2- The day before we'd bought an entire case of water for the trip. We still had half of it left and we poured it all in the radiator.
That got us back on the road and we continued on, praying as a group that God would get us back home. It didn't work out quite that way. We made it to a private RV campground before we had to pull over again.
Blessing number 3- The people were so helpful and kind. One of the staff even looked at the van and helped Pastor determine what was wrong with it.
We were pretty disappointed when we learned that it wasn't an easy fix and we weren't going to be getting back on the road. Now we had to figure out what to do to get our whole group back home which was still about 2 1/2 hours away.
Blessing number 4- The staff member provided water, made sure we had a place to wait and had everything we needed.
Blessing number 5- We were in cell phone service.
So we started calling around. My awesome parents were somewhere that they could come to the rescue us as was the mom of one the youth kids.
Blessing number 6- We had people who could pick us up and they were only about 2 1/2 hours away.
Blessing number 7- The other mom had AAA and was able to call us a tow truck.
Blessing number 8- Because of her AAA plan we could get the van towed all the way home.
Blessing number 9- We had shade and it wasn't super hot.
Now before we go any further I just have to tell you how awesome this group was. Everyone stayed calm, they didn't complain and they found ways to keep from getting bored or complaining well we waited. I was so proud of each and every one of them! They're definitely blessing number 10.
So we're sitting there waiting and the staff member comes out again and- get this- invites us to come have dinner in their private dining room! A salmon dinner nonetheless, for free! Talk about a huge blessing! So that's blessing number 11.
Then we get in there and blessing number 12- a bunch of the people we're eating with are fellow believers of the Lord! We had some great conversations and I really enjoyed getting to chat with them.
Before we left we were even able to pray together and I got to thank God for the blessing (number 13) of these people opening up their hearts, sharing what they had and being Christlike in their interactions with us.
So this crazy day has now turned into one one full of blessings. We had thanked God for things like it not being super hot and having a place to pull over, people coming to pick us up and the fact that it was our group who broke down and not the seniors but we had no idea the rest of the blessings He had in store for us.
Our rides arrived and we all load up and head home except for Pastor who decides to ride with the tow truck. But lo and behold on the way home the tow truck breaks down! What are the odds? So where's the blessing in that? Well I didn't find out until the next morning at church but it turns out that the tow truck driver was a believer but he hadn't been in church, he had drifted away. Because of that extra 2+ hours waiting for another tow truck to come rescue them Pastor was able to spend more time talking to him and encouraging him in his walk with Christ.
So there it is, at least 15 blessings that we never saw coming because of a broken down van on a highway far away from home. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Even when we don't understand why He gives us a different type of answer.
Let me explain. When I wrote the post last week I talked about the house I'd rented. I'd been praying about needing a place and then when the place came up I was so surprised that the answer looked different then I'd expected, I almost missed it. Right after that I had a bit of a different situation.
We decided to take our youth group on a day trip to do some hiking. We had a great time, went a few different places and other then the fact I twisted my ankle, everything went really well. Until we started home. We had the church van and suddenly the temperature spiked. Our pastor was driving and he immediately pulled over.
Blessing number 1- We were in a place we could pull over.
Blessing number 2- The day before we'd bought an entire case of water for the trip. We still had half of it left and we poured it all in the radiator.
That got us back on the road and we continued on, praying as a group that God would get us back home. It didn't work out quite that way. We made it to a private RV campground before we had to pull over again.
Blessing number 3- The people were so helpful and kind. One of the staff even looked at the van and helped Pastor determine what was wrong with it.
We were pretty disappointed when we learned that it wasn't an easy fix and we weren't going to be getting back on the road. Now we had to figure out what to do to get our whole group back home which was still about 2 1/2 hours away.
Blessing number 4- The staff member provided water, made sure we had a place to wait and had everything we needed.
Blessing number 5- We were in cell phone service.
So we started calling around. My awesome parents were somewhere that they could come to the rescue us as was the mom of one the youth kids.
Blessing number 6- We had people who could pick us up and they were only about 2 1/2 hours away.
Blessing number 7- The other mom had AAA and was able to call us a tow truck.
Blessing number 8- Because of her AAA plan we could get the van towed all the way home.
Blessing number 9- We had shade and it wasn't super hot.
Now before we go any further I just have to tell you how awesome this group was. Everyone stayed calm, they didn't complain and they found ways to keep from getting bored or complaining well we waited. I was so proud of each and every one of them! They're definitely blessing number 10.
So we're sitting there waiting and the staff member comes out again and- get this- invites us to come have dinner in their private dining room! A salmon dinner nonetheless, for free! Talk about a huge blessing! So that's blessing number 11.
Then we get in there and blessing number 12- a bunch of the people we're eating with are fellow believers of the Lord! We had some great conversations and I really enjoyed getting to chat with them.
Before we left we were even able to pray together and I got to thank God for the blessing (number 13) of these people opening up their hearts, sharing what they had and being Christlike in their interactions with us.
So this crazy day has now turned into one one full of blessings. We had thanked God for things like it not being super hot and having a place to pull over, people coming to pick us up and the fact that it was our group who broke down and not the seniors but we had no idea the rest of the blessings He had in store for us.
Our rides arrived and we all load up and head home except for Pastor who decides to ride with the tow truck. But lo and behold on the way home the tow truck breaks down! What are the odds? So where's the blessing in that? Well I didn't find out until the next morning at church but it turns out that the tow truck driver was a believer but he hadn't been in church, he had drifted away. Because of that extra 2+ hours waiting for another tow truck to come rescue them Pastor was able to spend more time talking to him and encouraging him in his walk with Christ.
So there it is, at least 15 blessings that we never saw coming because of a broken down van on a highway far away from home. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Even when we don't understand why He gives us a different type of answer.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Prayers and Answers
There's this song I remember listening to as a teenager, Garth Brooks "Unanswered Prayers". I used to sing the chorus in my head.
"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers".
It's interesting isn't it that we spend so much time praying for certain things. Sometimes the answer is no and we learn eventually that His 'no' was a gift to us. But sometimes the answer is a little different.
I don't remember where I first heard this story but it's a good example for what we're talking about today.
There was a flood and a man was praying that God would send someone to save him. He sat on his roof and a lifeboat came along.
"Get in and I'll save you."
But the man waved him off, "That's okay, God will save me."
Another boat came along, "Get in and I'll save you."
But the man waved off the second boat, "That's okay, God will save me."
Then a helicopter came and they told the man to get in but he waved them off. "That's okay God will save me."
The flood waters rose and the man drowned, when he got to heaven he said, "God, why didn't you save me?"
God shook his head, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you want?"
Sometimes God answers our prayer with a yes. He gives us exactly what we're looking for but instead of being grateful and taking the gift we're too busy praying for what we want. We don't realize that God's already answered us! We've become too focused on our prayer and not Who we're praying too.
This became very clear to me recently. Some friends and I had been praying about getting a house together. We'd prayed and prayed and when the house finally came along I doubted.
'This is too fast.'
'Are we sure we can really afford it?'
'Is God going to provide the rest of what I need for this to work?'
'Are we making the right decision?'
This was what we'd prayed for and everything lined up in a way that could only have come from God but still I doubted. How fleeting our faith often is, mine included.
In the end we decided to take the leap of faith and got the house. We don't always know how things will go but when we pray we need to pay attention to the answer and be content with it, whatever it is.
"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers".
It's interesting isn't it that we spend so much time praying for certain things. Sometimes the answer is no and we learn eventually that His 'no' was a gift to us. But sometimes the answer is a little different.
I don't remember where I first heard this story but it's a good example for what we're talking about today.
There was a flood and a man was praying that God would send someone to save him. He sat on his roof and a lifeboat came along.
"Get in and I'll save you."
But the man waved him off, "That's okay, God will save me."
Another boat came along, "Get in and I'll save you."
But the man waved off the second boat, "That's okay, God will save me."
Then a helicopter came and they told the man to get in but he waved them off. "That's okay God will save me."
The flood waters rose and the man drowned, when he got to heaven he said, "God, why didn't you save me?"
God shook his head, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you want?"
Sometimes God answers our prayer with a yes. He gives us exactly what we're looking for but instead of being grateful and taking the gift we're too busy praying for what we want. We don't realize that God's already answered us! We've become too focused on our prayer and not Who we're praying too.
This became very clear to me recently. Some friends and I had been praying about getting a house together. We'd prayed and prayed and when the house finally came along I doubted.
'This is too fast.'
'Are we sure we can really afford it?'
'Is God going to provide the rest of what I need for this to work?'
'Are we making the right decision?'
This was what we'd prayed for and everything lined up in a way that could only have come from God but still I doubted. How fleeting our faith often is, mine included.
In the end we decided to take the leap of faith and got the house. We don't always know how things will go but when we pray we need to pay attention to the answer and be content with it, whatever it is.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Mother's Day
It's always hard to figure out how to post for certain holidays. Mother's Day is this week and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to write about. I don't want to do the same post each year so I try to find a unique spin. This year I picked three mothers in the Bible to talk about.
The first is Naomi- Found in the book of Ruth.
We know more about Naomi's relationship with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, then we do with her own sons. What we do know about her relationship with her boys is that she loved them. When they passed away she deeply grieved for them and for her husband.
You also see her love for both her daughter-in-laws Orpah and Ruth. Naomi told these two young women to go back to their homes so they would be taken care of. She was willing to go back to Israel alone rather then have her girls suffer. In the end Orpah did turn back but Ruth stayed with her.
In Israel Naomi likely hurt Ruth in ways when she didn't acknowledge her to her friends or introduce her but their relationship survived the slights. Naomi made sure Ruth was taken care of. She told her where to glean and found ways to help her.
At the end of the book the other women acknowledge what a blessing Ruth is to Naomi. The love between them is so clear and also a reminder to us all that it's not always the children or mothers given to you biologically but the ones who are bound to you with love that matters.
Second is Hannah- Found in 1 Samuel 1-2:11
The mother of Samuel who wanted a child more then just about anything. She prayed for a child, prayed so fervently that the priest thought she was drunk because she was mouthing the words of her silent prayer. God answered those prayers and gave her the child she had so desired.
Then Hannah made the hardest decision any mother ever makes, she gave her child up. She had promised the Lord to dedicate her child to Him and she did. She entrusted her child to the Lord. Samuel lived in the temple from the time he was weaned.
Hannah never stopped loving Samuel, she was dedicated to him as all mothers are dedicated to their children. Even though she couldn't be with him she loved him, and I'd be willing to bet she prayed for him. Just because some moms can't be with their kids doesn't mean they forget about them.
Third is a lesser known mother, Eunice- Acts 1:6 and 2 Timothy 1:5
We only have a couple of references to Eunice, the mother of Timothy but I wanted to include her for a very special reason. She was dedicated to her child, as were Naomi and Hannah. Paul, Timothy's mentor, commends Eunice and Timothy's grandmother, Lois, for raising Timothy up in the faith. He says that Timothy was raised up in the faith from before he was born.
Timothy went on to be a pastor, one who is still an amazing example for all young people. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12.
He didn't get there on his own, his mother and his grandmother raised him up that way and he followed their example. I know it doesn't always work out that way and sometimes children disappoint their parents but the role a mother, and a grandmother, play is highlighted for it's importance in Timothy's life.
So there it is, 3 different mothers from 3 different circumstances who had 3 very different children but all have important lessons to teach us. Happy Mother's Day to you and yours.
The first is Naomi- Found in the book of Ruth.
We know more about Naomi's relationship with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, then we do with her own sons. What we do know about her relationship with her boys is that she loved them. When they passed away she deeply grieved for them and for her husband.
You also see her love for both her daughter-in-laws Orpah and Ruth. Naomi told these two young women to go back to their homes so they would be taken care of. She was willing to go back to Israel alone rather then have her girls suffer. In the end Orpah did turn back but Ruth stayed with her.
In Israel Naomi likely hurt Ruth in ways when she didn't acknowledge her to her friends or introduce her but their relationship survived the slights. Naomi made sure Ruth was taken care of. She told her where to glean and found ways to help her.
At the end of the book the other women acknowledge what a blessing Ruth is to Naomi. The love between them is so clear and also a reminder to us all that it's not always the children or mothers given to you biologically but the ones who are bound to you with love that matters.
Second is Hannah- Found in 1 Samuel 1-2:11
The mother of Samuel who wanted a child more then just about anything. She prayed for a child, prayed so fervently that the priest thought she was drunk because she was mouthing the words of her silent prayer. God answered those prayers and gave her the child she had so desired.
Then Hannah made the hardest decision any mother ever makes, she gave her child up. She had promised the Lord to dedicate her child to Him and she did. She entrusted her child to the Lord. Samuel lived in the temple from the time he was weaned.
Hannah never stopped loving Samuel, she was dedicated to him as all mothers are dedicated to their children. Even though she couldn't be with him she loved him, and I'd be willing to bet she prayed for him. Just because some moms can't be with their kids doesn't mean they forget about them.
Third is a lesser known mother, Eunice- Acts 1:6 and 2 Timothy 1:5
We only have a couple of references to Eunice, the mother of Timothy but I wanted to include her for a very special reason. She was dedicated to her child, as were Naomi and Hannah. Paul, Timothy's mentor, commends Eunice and Timothy's grandmother, Lois, for raising Timothy up in the faith. He says that Timothy was raised up in the faith from before he was born.
Timothy went on to be a pastor, one who is still an amazing example for all young people. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12.
He didn't get there on his own, his mother and his grandmother raised him up that way and he followed their example. I know it doesn't always work out that way and sometimes children disappoint their parents but the role a mother, and a grandmother, play is highlighted for it's importance in Timothy's life.
So there it is, 3 different mothers from 3 different circumstances who had 3 very different children but all have important lessons to teach us. Happy Mother's Day to you and yours.
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