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.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
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
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