OK - I know it's not Friday, but I haven't had access to a computer since I saw Lisa Jo Baker's post last week. This week's Five Minute Friday topic is "stay." Here's what I got:
I am at a very comfortable place in my life right now. But I know I can’t stay here. Soon God will move me to the next plateau. I have viewed life at many different levels. As a child who thought my parents could do no wrong, to a grown woman making plenty of mistakes and realizing they are human just like me. As a new believer at the age of 9, and as a rededicated Christian many years later. As a young wife and mother of one, then of two, then three, and now as a keeper of my home, seasoned with years of life and death, laughter and tears. The view from all these levels has been breathtaking. Some lush and full, others barren and dry. But one day I will reach the top of life’s mountain. The peak that reaches through the clouds and into Heaven. There to stay for eternity.
Click here to meet Lisa Jo and the rest of the Five Minute Friday community.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Right On Time
Several months ago I had the privilege of giving devotion at a ladies’ retreat. At the time I believe I did what God wanted me to do, but I have never felt completely satisfied with it. Like something was missing. Like I didn’t give the full story or get my whole point across. Well, last night as I was doing some reading, I got it. The "other half" of that devotion. It came to me plain as day, word for word, the prologue to my story:
"Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Your brain always going over and over the list of things you need to remember? The list you have written down of things you need to do today, this week, some time this month, or just whenever you can get to it, well it just gets longer and longer. As soon as you take time to clean out that closet, then you have to pack up what you’re giving away, find somewhere to store it until you can find a place to take it, load it up, haul it off. Mark one thing off, add four. That’s where I was.
I had prayed for God to show me something He wanted me to do. Get me out of my comfort zone. The next thing I know, I’m trying to build a Mary Kay business, believing God had opened that door as a way for me to witness to women I otherwise would never have a chance to talk to. I realized I loved to write, and so found myself writing my church’s article for our district's monthly publication. I also took on the job of putting out the church’s "weekly" bulletin (which I was actually only getting out once a month). I had a lot of plates spinning, and no clue how to let one fall. I prayed daily for God to help me get my priorities straight.
One particular Wednesday evening, we had moved our church services to a sister church since our pastor was helping them in revival that week. I was just a little late. This had become my normal because I seemed to be working late more and more (not so much too busy as lack of time management). By the time I got there, the place was standing room only. So I quietly scanned the room for a familiar face, and I found one in the back corner. There was one seat left on her pew, and she gladly welcomed me. I sat through the service, but I honestly couldn’t tell you what the sermon was about. All I could think about were the stops I would need to make on my way home and all that awaited me once I got there. Even while I tried to worship, again I could only ask for guidance.
I heard Him plainly tell me I needed to go to the altar and pray, not just sit in my seat. But when the time came, I put Him off. "Lord, I don’t want to prolong the service. I really need to get home. You know what all I have to do." But it was almost like He was standing at the front of the church saying, "If you want your answer, come to me." (Looking back now, it reminds me of what we do when our children are young. You tell them to "come here;" they stand there and just look at you as if to say, "Why? You can just as easily come to me, or tell me from where you are." So we go get them and bring them to where we want them to be.) So anyway, back to my story... I kept thinking, if they’d sing one more verse I’d go to the altar. They sang the chorus three extra times, and I didn’t move. Finally they stopped singing, and I thought I was off the hook. Then the preacher turns and says, "No, we need to sing one more verse." Are you kidding me! Fine, I’ll go! And I went. I cried like I hadn’t cried in a long time. All my pent-up frustration at myself and my situation just came pouring out. I knew when I got up that God would show me exactly what I needed to change, and I now had the clear vision to see it. There was light at the end of the tunnel.
As I made my way back to my seat and the service ended, my friend came to me, the first words spoken to me after I got up from the altar - "Would you like to do devotion at the ladies’ retreat this year?" "Yes! I’d love to!" But when I got to the car, I had to question God. "I asked you to show me what I could stop doing, and you give me one more thing to do? I don’t get it!"
I figured I was just supposed to be a busy person. That was my lot in life, what God wanted from me. I was to get things done. Okay then. Over the next few months things did ease up though. Priorities fell into place at home and at work - God first, Family second, Career third. My Mary Kay business settled at a level I could live with. And with an extra driver in the house, I could trust him to handle the small errands. Unfortunately, the church bulletin did get dropped, but mainly because my printer ran out of ink and my home computer crashed.
All this led to the devotion I wrote about in "My Basket of Leftovers" post back in March. I was that loaf of bread. I knew God had a purpose for me, and I was comfortable just getting to dabble in it. But when He called me to do that "big thing," he had to pull me apart to accomplish His purpose. Why all this came to me so clearly six months after I needed it, I’ll never know. Maybe that was just the beginning of something bigger He has in store for me. Maybe this will reach more people now than it would have then. One thing I do know - God's timing is always perfect.
"Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Your brain always going over and over the list of things you need to remember? The list you have written down of things you need to do today, this week, some time this month, or just whenever you can get to it, well it just gets longer and longer. As soon as you take time to clean out that closet, then you have to pack up what you’re giving away, find somewhere to store it until you can find a place to take it, load it up, haul it off. Mark one thing off, add four. That’s where I was.
I had prayed for God to show me something He wanted me to do. Get me out of my comfort zone. The next thing I know, I’m trying to build a Mary Kay business, believing God had opened that door as a way for me to witness to women I otherwise would never have a chance to talk to. I realized I loved to write, and so found myself writing my church’s article for our district's monthly publication. I also took on the job of putting out the church’s "weekly" bulletin (which I was actually only getting out once a month). I had a lot of plates spinning, and no clue how to let one fall. I prayed daily for God to help me get my priorities straight.
One particular Wednesday evening, we had moved our church services to a sister church since our pastor was helping them in revival that week. I was just a little late. This had become my normal because I seemed to be working late more and more (not so much too busy as lack of time management). By the time I got there, the place was standing room only. So I quietly scanned the room for a familiar face, and I found one in the back corner. There was one seat left on her pew, and she gladly welcomed me. I sat through the service, but I honestly couldn’t tell you what the sermon was about. All I could think about were the stops I would need to make on my way home and all that awaited me once I got there. Even while I tried to worship, again I could only ask for guidance.
I heard Him plainly tell me I needed to go to the altar and pray, not just sit in my seat. But when the time came, I put Him off. "Lord, I don’t want to prolong the service. I really need to get home. You know what all I have to do." But it was almost like He was standing at the front of the church saying, "If you want your answer, come to me." (Looking back now, it reminds me of what we do when our children are young. You tell them to "come here;" they stand there and just look at you as if to say, "Why? You can just as easily come to me, or tell me from where you are." So we go get them and bring them to where we want them to be.) So anyway, back to my story... I kept thinking, if they’d sing one more verse I’d go to the altar. They sang the chorus three extra times, and I didn’t move. Finally they stopped singing, and I thought I was off the hook. Then the preacher turns and says, "No, we need to sing one more verse." Are you kidding me! Fine, I’ll go! And I went. I cried like I hadn’t cried in a long time. All my pent-up frustration at myself and my situation just came pouring out. I knew when I got up that God would show me exactly what I needed to change, and I now had the clear vision to see it. There was light at the end of the tunnel.
As I made my way back to my seat and the service ended, my friend came to me, the first words spoken to me after I got up from the altar - "Would you like to do devotion at the ladies’ retreat this year?" "Yes! I’d love to!" But when I got to the car, I had to question God. "I asked you to show me what I could stop doing, and you give me one more thing to do? I don’t get it!"
I figured I was just supposed to be a busy person. That was my lot in life, what God wanted from me. I was to get things done. Okay then. Over the next few months things did ease up though. Priorities fell into place at home and at work - God first, Family second, Career third. My Mary Kay business settled at a level I could live with. And with an extra driver in the house, I could trust him to handle the small errands. Unfortunately, the church bulletin did get dropped, but mainly because my printer ran out of ink and my home computer crashed.
All this led to the devotion I wrote about in "My Basket of Leftovers" post back in March. I was that loaf of bread. I knew God had a purpose for me, and I was comfortable just getting to dabble in it. But when He called me to do that "big thing," he had to pull me apart to accomplish His purpose. Why all this came to me so clearly six months after I needed it, I’ll never know. Maybe that was just the beginning of something bigger He has in store for me. Maybe this will reach more people now than it would have then. One thing I do know - God's timing is always perfect.
Friday, November 9, 2012
My First Five-Minute Friday
I have been reading a blog by Lisa Jo Baker for quite some time, and she has this thing she does every Friday called "Five-Minute Friday." Once a week, bloggers from all over take five minutes and write on the same topic. This week's topic is "Quiet." Here's my attempt to write for five minutes flat, no editing, just typing:
I just got to work. The phone hasn’t started ringing yet. The boss is out of town. Looks like a quiet day ahead. I have a few minutes at my computer to check email. I find myself reading inspirational blog posts and daily devotions. I see that my friends on facebook are living their own lives today. In this quiet time, I hear all those voices. Some needing prayer, some giving praise for prayers answered. Do I hear God speaking to me? Yes, I think I do. I hope this quiet continues so that I can use my own voice to share what God says to me. Will it be profound? Will it be simple? Will it be something I’ve known for a long time but only now is confirmed? Will I need to make decisions that will affect not only me, but the lives of my family and others? As a wife and mother, my life is not quiet. I cherish these moments, when I can sit and listen. Sometimes nothing speaks quite so loudly as the silence.
And right on cue, the phone rings.
Here's a link to Lisa Jo if you want to try it out for yourself: http://lisajobaker.com/2012/11/five-minute-friday-quiet/
I just got to work. The phone hasn’t started ringing yet. The boss is out of town. Looks like a quiet day ahead. I have a few minutes at my computer to check email. I find myself reading inspirational blog posts and daily devotions. I see that my friends on facebook are living their own lives today. In this quiet time, I hear all those voices. Some needing prayer, some giving praise for prayers answered. Do I hear God speaking to me? Yes, I think I do. I hope this quiet continues so that I can use my own voice to share what God says to me. Will it be profound? Will it be simple? Will it be something I’ve known for a long time but only now is confirmed? Will I need to make decisions that will affect not only me, but the lives of my family and others? As a wife and mother, my life is not quiet. I cherish these moments, when I can sit and listen. Sometimes nothing speaks quite so loudly as the silence.
And right on cue, the phone rings.
Here's a link to Lisa Jo if you want to try it out for yourself: http://lisajobaker.com/2012/11/five-minute-friday-quiet/
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Thank You Adam
There’s a new preacher in town. He’s a member of my church. He’s a young man with a wife and two small children, a new home and a full-time job. At a time when he is learning his role as husband and daddy and provider, God threw him a curve and called him to preach His Word.
I have known this man since he was a boy. A laid back, strong, quiet type. To have him now stand in the pulpit and preach to me, to be honest, is a bit surprising. In his same quiet, peaceful manner, he manages to convict my heart through his testimonies and sermons.
He is pure emotion. He is not yet seasoned with "preacherisms" and phrases commonly used yet not fully understood. His insight into the Word of God is new and fresh. He has been a Christian a long time, but as a new preacher, he sees his life and how he lives it in a different light.
Not unlike myself, he too rushes home from work on Wednesday evening with barely enough time to eat his supper, get himself ready, and get his family to church on time. But then he has the nerve to tell me that after all that, I should still have the energy to stand and testify about how good God is to me. Just who does this kid think he is? He’s now the man of God. A man who has answered the calling on his life and is trying to lead with an example I should want to follow. After all, as he said, what’s the point of going through all that trouble to get to church if I’m not willing to stand and praise and worship the Lord when I get there. ouch.
He also brought an outside concern home for me this week. We all have principles we believe in, and we are sometimes called to defend our principles to those who have opposing views, or those who have no views at all and are just going along with what the media and the world have to say about it. While it’s not always easy, we know we are to stand against such evils "out there." But can you go home and stand up for your beliefs and convictions before your family? Before your wife/husband and your kids? What things do you allow or overlook in order to keep the peace at home, but strongly disagree with on facebook or around the water cooler? oh me.
God has used this young man and his newly acquired deeper understanding of the scripture to bring into light issues in this not-as-young wife and mother’s life. Maybe even a clearer view of just the book of Genesis. God brought form into the abyss that was my life. And over the years, through the lives and testimonies of Godly people, and countless sermons from so many different preachers, my life became full and I was able to bear spiritual fruit. Still I was left with things wandering through my mind that I could not put my finger on. I knew they were there, but I didn’t know what to call them or how to handle them. It is appropriate that God would use this man to put a name to those thoughts and convictions.
For his name....is Adam.
I have known this man since he was a boy. A laid back, strong, quiet type. To have him now stand in the pulpit and preach to me, to be honest, is a bit surprising. In his same quiet, peaceful manner, he manages to convict my heart through his testimonies and sermons.
He is pure emotion. He is not yet seasoned with "preacherisms" and phrases commonly used yet not fully understood. His insight into the Word of God is new and fresh. He has been a Christian a long time, but as a new preacher, he sees his life and how he lives it in a different light.
Not unlike myself, he too rushes home from work on Wednesday evening with barely enough time to eat his supper, get himself ready, and get his family to church on time. But then he has the nerve to tell me that after all that, I should still have the energy to stand and testify about how good God is to me. Just who does this kid think he is? He’s now the man of God. A man who has answered the calling on his life and is trying to lead with an example I should want to follow. After all, as he said, what’s the point of going through all that trouble to get to church if I’m not willing to stand and praise and worship the Lord when I get there. ouch.
He also brought an outside concern home for me this week. We all have principles we believe in, and we are sometimes called to defend our principles to those who have opposing views, or those who have no views at all and are just going along with what the media and the world have to say about it. While it’s not always easy, we know we are to stand against such evils "out there." But can you go home and stand up for your beliefs and convictions before your family? Before your wife/husband and your kids? What things do you allow or overlook in order to keep the peace at home, but strongly disagree with on facebook or around the water cooler? oh me.
God has used this young man and his newly acquired deeper understanding of the scripture to bring into light issues in this not-as-young wife and mother’s life. Maybe even a clearer view of just the book of Genesis. God brought form into the abyss that was my life. And over the years, through the lives and testimonies of Godly people, and countless sermons from so many different preachers, my life became full and I was able to bear spiritual fruit. Still I was left with things wandering through my mind that I could not put my finger on. I knew they were there, but I didn’t know what to call them or how to handle them. It is appropriate that God would use this man to put a name to those thoughts and convictions.
For his name....is Adam.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tough Love - Pro or Con?
As a mom, it’s never easy to watch my children struggle to make decisions that I can’t (or at least shouldn’t) make for them. I can offer my two cents worth, suggest possible solutions. But in the end, I can’t force them to choose the way I think is best. With one grown daughter and a 17-year-old on the verge of manhood, I have learned this lesson many times over. That doesn’t make it any easier, especially when it’s my "baby."
Some background. This is my 11-year-old son's second year in band. They are learning more difficult music and techniques, preparing them for marching band next year. A couple of weeks ago, the boys were running a little behind schedule and he asked if I would take his instrument by the bandroom since he wouldn’t have time. I did. The instructor asked me how much Dylan was practicing at home. "Honestly, not that much." He said, "It shows." He was starting to fall behind. I told the instructor I would push him to practice more.
Last week, he came to me asking if I thought he should quit band. My first thought was that somebody had made fun of him or said something bad about him. My feathers got a little ruffled. Of course when I asked him why he was thinking about quitting, all I got was shrugged shoulders and "I dunno." I really didn’t get much more information as we discussed it further, other than, "It’s too hard."
I told him he should bring his instrument home more and practice - he said his teacher didn’t let the band students leave class early enough for him to have time to go all the way to the bandroom and make it back to ride home with his brother.
I told him to just keep his instrument in his locker - he said he didn’t like to leave it in his locker because then he would have to carry some of the things that didn’t fit, and it would require him to have to go to his locker after last period before heading to the parking lot, and he didn’t want to do that.
I suggested that he talk to his sister about going to her house after school a couple days a week to practice. She was in band for several years, played the same instrument, and might be able to help him in some problem areas. But he didn’t know about that either.
I finally just had to say that if he wanted to be in the band, he would have to practice more, and he would just have to find a way to make it work. If he didn’t think he wanted it bad enough to put a little effort into it, maybe be a little inconvenienced at times, then that would be his cue to lay it down. That I could not make a decision based on details and feelings that only he knew and didn’t want to share. I did, however, tell him he would have to finish out the semester in that class either way.
I left the conversation more frustrated than angry. Frustrated that my son would only make excuses when plain, simple solutions were offered him. Frustrated that he wouldn’t just tell me what he wanted to do so I could maybe shed some light on his dilemma, and support him in whatever decision he made.
That brings us to the present situation. This morning as the boys were leaving for school, Dylan got his backpack and his binder and was heading out the door. I asked him did he not need to take his instrument. He said he wouldn’t have time to take it to the bandroom before school started. I looked at the clock and thought he should have plenty of time, but he was in a hurry and I didn’t argue. I figured I would just take it by the bandroom for him. Then I thought about it again. He made the decision to walk out and leave his instrument, knowing he would need it for class, and possibly running the risk of being in trouble with the instructor. He knew all this, and he left it anyway. Probably thinking, as I was, that I would take it for him. But I didn’t. I feel like he is old enough to handle some of the consequences of his decisions. Was I wrong? I feel so bad! Should I have bailed him out? I guess we’ll see.
Does God have this kind of parenting trouble? Dealing with me, of course he does. When I have a problem and ask vague questions, do a lot of shoulder shrugging, and sighing "I just don’t know," instead of just pouring my heart out to Him with all I’m feeling and thinking. And when He offers help and makes a way for me to clearly see the right path, I only come up with excuses of why I can’t walk it. It's that darn free will! He has given us instructions through His Word, but it’s up to us to decide whether or not to apply it to our lives and follow it.
God is always there for us (as I will be for my children any time they ask), even if "being there" means letting us fall flat on our face. As I have found the hard way, He sometimes lets us suffer the consequences of our bad decisions. I can tell my children everything I've learned through my mistakes, as my parents tried to tell me, but it never sinks in until you experience it yourself. Sometimes experience is the best teacher.
Some background. This is my 11-year-old son's second year in band. They are learning more difficult music and techniques, preparing them for marching band next year. A couple of weeks ago, the boys were running a little behind schedule and he asked if I would take his instrument by the bandroom since he wouldn’t have time. I did. The instructor asked me how much Dylan was practicing at home. "Honestly, not that much." He said, "It shows." He was starting to fall behind. I told the instructor I would push him to practice more.
Last week, he came to me asking if I thought he should quit band. My first thought was that somebody had made fun of him or said something bad about him. My feathers got a little ruffled. Of course when I asked him why he was thinking about quitting, all I got was shrugged shoulders and "I dunno." I really didn’t get much more information as we discussed it further, other than, "It’s too hard."
I told him he should bring his instrument home more and practice - he said his teacher didn’t let the band students leave class early enough for him to have time to go all the way to the bandroom and make it back to ride home with his brother.
I told him to just keep his instrument in his locker - he said he didn’t like to leave it in his locker because then he would have to carry some of the things that didn’t fit, and it would require him to have to go to his locker after last period before heading to the parking lot, and he didn’t want to do that.
I suggested that he talk to his sister about going to her house after school a couple days a week to practice. She was in band for several years, played the same instrument, and might be able to help him in some problem areas. But he didn’t know about that either.
I finally just had to say that if he wanted to be in the band, he would have to practice more, and he would just have to find a way to make it work. If he didn’t think he wanted it bad enough to put a little effort into it, maybe be a little inconvenienced at times, then that would be his cue to lay it down. That I could not make a decision based on details and feelings that only he knew and didn’t want to share. I did, however, tell him he would have to finish out the semester in that class either way.
I left the conversation more frustrated than angry. Frustrated that my son would only make excuses when plain, simple solutions were offered him. Frustrated that he wouldn’t just tell me what he wanted to do so I could maybe shed some light on his dilemma, and support him in whatever decision he made.
That brings us to the present situation. This morning as the boys were leaving for school, Dylan got his backpack and his binder and was heading out the door. I asked him did he not need to take his instrument. He said he wouldn’t have time to take it to the bandroom before school started. I looked at the clock and thought he should have plenty of time, but he was in a hurry and I didn’t argue. I figured I would just take it by the bandroom for him. Then I thought about it again. He made the decision to walk out and leave his instrument, knowing he would need it for class, and possibly running the risk of being in trouble with the instructor. He knew all this, and he left it anyway. Probably thinking, as I was, that I would take it for him. But I didn’t. I feel like he is old enough to handle some of the consequences of his decisions. Was I wrong? I feel so bad! Should I have bailed him out? I guess we’ll see.
Does God have this kind of parenting trouble? Dealing with me, of course he does. When I have a problem and ask vague questions, do a lot of shoulder shrugging, and sighing "I just don’t know," instead of just pouring my heart out to Him with all I’m feeling and thinking. And when He offers help and makes a way for me to clearly see the right path, I only come up with excuses of why I can’t walk it. It's that darn free will! He has given us instructions through His Word, but it’s up to us to decide whether or not to apply it to our lives and follow it.
God is always there for us (as I will be for my children any time they ask), even if "being there" means letting us fall flat on our face. As I have found the hard way, He sometimes lets us suffer the consequences of our bad decisions. I can tell my children everything I've learned through my mistakes, as my parents tried to tell me, but it never sinks in until you experience it yourself. Sometimes experience is the best teacher.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
I Submit! I Submit!
Well, I’m back! Not that I’ve really been anywhere. It’s just been a very busy past few weeks. Now I’m ready to get back to a routine and maybe carve out some extra writing time.
And, believe me, it’s none too soon! I’ve been feeling the Lord calling me to get my creative juices flowing again. I just wasn’t sure in what area exactly he wanted me to go. I love to write, but sometimes it’s hard to find the rights words to put the inspiration on paper. It also requires quiet time with just me and the Lord, with pen in hand. Around here, that’s not easy to find. I also dabble in cross-stitch, I like to take pictures, and I am attempting to learn to play the piano. Did I need to get back to that project I started so long ago? Did I need to push myself to learn to play a new song? Did I need to get my family together and do some family photos? Or maybe I needed to start on my thorough housecleaning again. (Neh, but I did find a nice housekeeping schedule I think I’m gonna try.)
I think I’ll just stick with what I enjoy most - sharing with you when God reveals things to me. This past weekend I have gotten so many messages, and I will share those in time. Lately, though, I have been reading a lot of Bible devotions, stories in scripture, and blogs by some wonderfully encouraging women. And I have been blessed to hear some awesome Spirit-filled messages through different preachers.
Today, as I was cleaning out my purse, I was led to go back through some notes I had taken during our summer revival. The evangelist kept asking, "Did you surrender? Or did you submit?" My first thought was that both words meant the same thing, so obviously I was missing his deeper meaning. I looked them up at dictionary.com. They both were defined as "giving oneself up to the power or authority of another." But ‘surrender’ added the words "on demand or under duress." Related words for ‘surrender’ were to give up. Synonyms for ‘submit’ were comply, bow, obey, agree.
Now my brain starts turning this over, and I apply this to my meager understanding of the two words. When I think of the word ‘surrender,’ I think of one army surrendering to another army. They do not do this willingly. The weaker army is forced into a position where they have no choice but to go with the overpowering side. In their mind, this is a temporary situation. They are doing what is necessary for the time, but already they are thinking of ways to escape. As prisoners of war, their ultimate goal is to be set free.
Moving on to ‘submit.’ That was a little harder to apply to everyday life. As a wife, I am to submit to my husband. That is not in a way of "doing what I’m told." It’s more of a way of allowing him to be the head of the home as God intended, and supporting him in that capacity. (I must admit I struggle with this one.) For those of you not experienced in the married life, let me put it another way. When you fill out an application for a job, you submit it to the employer. Or when you enter a craft or essay, etc. in a contest, you submit your entry for the judges to review. Once you hand it over to them, it’s out of your hands. Their decision is final, and you must accept it and agree with it.
So, in that sense, I guess I can see where the evangelist was coming from. If I simply surrender to what God wants me to do, I am in a temporary position, looking for ways to get out of it, and just waiting for time to pass. But, if I submit to His will for my life, it is out of my control. I must accept the calling, agree with it, and do my best to fulfill that obligation. Not just for a time...but for all time. Or at least until He tells me to do something else.
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord..." 1 Colossians 3:23
And, believe me, it’s none too soon! I’ve been feeling the Lord calling me to get my creative juices flowing again. I just wasn’t sure in what area exactly he wanted me to go. I love to write, but sometimes it’s hard to find the rights words to put the inspiration on paper. It also requires quiet time with just me and the Lord, with pen in hand. Around here, that’s not easy to find. I also dabble in cross-stitch, I like to take pictures, and I am attempting to learn to play the piano. Did I need to get back to that project I started so long ago? Did I need to push myself to learn to play a new song? Did I need to get my family together and do some family photos? Or maybe I needed to start on my thorough housecleaning again. (Neh, but I did find a nice housekeeping schedule I think I’m gonna try.)
I think I’ll just stick with what I enjoy most - sharing with you when God reveals things to me. This past weekend I have gotten so many messages, and I will share those in time. Lately, though, I have been reading a lot of Bible devotions, stories in scripture, and blogs by some wonderfully encouraging women. And I have been blessed to hear some awesome Spirit-filled messages through different preachers.
Today, as I was cleaning out my purse, I was led to go back through some notes I had taken during our summer revival. The evangelist kept asking, "Did you surrender? Or did you submit?" My first thought was that both words meant the same thing, so obviously I was missing his deeper meaning. I looked them up at dictionary.com. They both were defined as "giving oneself up to the power or authority of another." But ‘surrender’ added the words "on demand or under duress." Related words for ‘surrender’ were to give up. Synonyms for ‘submit’ were comply, bow, obey, agree.
Now my brain starts turning this over, and I apply this to my meager understanding of the two words. When I think of the word ‘surrender,’ I think of one army surrendering to another army. They do not do this willingly. The weaker army is forced into a position where they have no choice but to go with the overpowering side. In their mind, this is a temporary situation. They are doing what is necessary for the time, but already they are thinking of ways to escape. As prisoners of war, their ultimate goal is to be set free.
Moving on to ‘submit.’ That was a little harder to apply to everyday life. As a wife, I am to submit to my husband. That is not in a way of "doing what I’m told." It’s more of a way of allowing him to be the head of the home as God intended, and supporting him in that capacity. (I must admit I struggle with this one.) For those of you not experienced in the married life, let me put it another way. When you fill out an application for a job, you submit it to the employer. Or when you enter a craft or essay, etc. in a contest, you submit your entry for the judges to review. Once you hand it over to them, it’s out of your hands. Their decision is final, and you must accept it and agree with it.
So, in that sense, I guess I can see where the evangelist was coming from. If I simply surrender to what God wants me to do, I am in a temporary position, looking for ways to get out of it, and just waiting for time to pass. But, if I submit to His will for my life, it is out of my control. I must accept the calling, agree with it, and do my best to fulfill that obligation. Not just for a time...but for all time. Or at least until He tells me to do something else.
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord..." 1 Colossians 3:23
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Grocery Shopping With Jesus
I met God today. He was at the grocery store. Ok, so I can’t tell you what He looks like or anything, but I think we buy a lot of the same items. Much the same way you see the same people on every aisle - you’re going one way, they’re going the other, and by the time you’re finished shopping you feel like you’ve made a friend even though you’ve probably not said a word to each other - that’s the way I saw Him. He was on almost every aisle.
You see, this is the week the big bills are due, which leaves very little money for anything else. I had prayed earlier in the week, and I had my list made. So I head to the store with $100 to buy groceries and put some gas in my car. It occurred to me (by way of the Holy Spirit) that I should buy groceries first, just what was on my list, and put what was left in gas. My goal was to split it $70/$30.
His first appearance was in the pharmacy department. There was some over-the-counter medicine I needed. As is becoming more frequent, they were out of my usual generic brand - or so I thought. I knew I couldn’t afford the name brand, and I really didn’t want a smaller box for about the same price. A silent, "Please let there be one somewhere," and what do you think I saw?! On my tiptoes I could see one box on the very top shelf waaaaay in the back, laying on its side almost out of sight. "Thank you Jesus!" and a happy dance. (Hey, it’s Walmart, you can’t get embarrassed there.)
I make my way through my usual route, picking up my usual items. No surprises there. Then I get to the chip aisle. It was practically wiped out since it was the opening weekend of SEC football (Roll Tide). I had to look closely and make my decision carefully. I finally chose two bags, but for a slightly higher price than I had anticipated (8¢ per bag more). I was wondering how that would affect the rest of my shopping since I was on such a tight limit. What if all the other aisles were the same way?!
But I needn’t have worried. I would meet God again around the corner. I chuckled to myself. The price for the sugar I needed had actually dropped 10¢! I laughed out loud when the cooking oil, which normally costs well over $3.00, had dropped to $2.98! By the time I made it to cross the aisle to the Lunchables, I was practically in tears. They were still on sale!! Three weeks in a row - it was a miracle!!
There are other instances as I finished my shopping. A few cents here and there. I gave a "woohoo" every time, and by the time I was at the produce - I honestly have no idea how much the potatoes cost me. My grand total - $66.02. Not counting the two pennies, I was $4 under my goal ($70 for groceries, $30 for gas), and I had gotten everything on my list.
I guess God needed gas too, because He showed up at the pumps at the same time as me. I was considering only putting in the $30 and keeping the extra $4, just in case I needed something next week. Being the gentleman He is, He politely said, "No. You agreed to put whatever was left in gas. I gave you a list of everything you will need, and you’ve got those things. Trust me." I’m sure the clerk never had anybody pay for $34 in gas on pump #3, but today is special.
I have a peace as I drive home and put away my groceries. I don’t know if anybody else got sugar for $2.98 or Lunchables for $1. I’m not even going to look at my receipt to see if the cashier made a mistake. I have my own private stockboy with His own special price gun. And I can trust that He will always give me the right price.
You see, this is the week the big bills are due, which leaves very little money for anything else. I had prayed earlier in the week, and I had my list made. So I head to the store with $100 to buy groceries and put some gas in my car. It occurred to me (by way of the Holy Spirit) that I should buy groceries first, just what was on my list, and put what was left in gas. My goal was to split it $70/$30.
His first appearance was in the pharmacy department. There was some over-the-counter medicine I needed. As is becoming more frequent, they were out of my usual generic brand - or so I thought. I knew I couldn’t afford the name brand, and I really didn’t want a smaller box for about the same price. A silent, "Please let there be one somewhere," and what do you think I saw?! On my tiptoes I could see one box on the very top shelf waaaaay in the back, laying on its side almost out of sight. "Thank you Jesus!" and a happy dance. (Hey, it’s Walmart, you can’t get embarrassed there.)
I make my way through my usual route, picking up my usual items. No surprises there. Then I get to the chip aisle. It was practically wiped out since it was the opening weekend of SEC football (Roll Tide). I had to look closely and make my decision carefully. I finally chose two bags, but for a slightly higher price than I had anticipated (8¢ per bag more). I was wondering how that would affect the rest of my shopping since I was on such a tight limit. What if all the other aisles were the same way?!
But I needn’t have worried. I would meet God again around the corner. I chuckled to myself. The price for the sugar I needed had actually dropped 10¢! I laughed out loud when the cooking oil, which normally costs well over $3.00, had dropped to $2.98! By the time I made it to cross the aisle to the Lunchables, I was practically in tears. They were still on sale!! Three weeks in a row - it was a miracle!!
There are other instances as I finished my shopping. A few cents here and there. I gave a "woohoo" every time, and by the time I was at the produce - I honestly have no idea how much the potatoes cost me. My grand total - $66.02. Not counting the two pennies, I was $4 under my goal ($70 for groceries, $30 for gas), and I had gotten everything on my list.
I guess God needed gas too, because He showed up at the pumps at the same time as me. I was considering only putting in the $30 and keeping the extra $4, just in case I needed something next week. Being the gentleman He is, He politely said, "No. You agreed to put whatever was left in gas. I gave you a list of everything you will need, and you’ve got those things. Trust me." I’m sure the clerk never had anybody pay for $34 in gas on pump #3, but today is special.
I have a peace as I drive home and put away my groceries. I don’t know if anybody else got sugar for $2.98 or Lunchables for $1. I’m not even going to look at my receipt to see if the cashier made a mistake. I have my own private stockboy with His own special price gun. And I can trust that He will always give me the right price.
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