Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
The mother in me showed up this week as I watched my athletic son's basketball games. You see in my heart, I know my son can do a good job and play just as well as the others. During the first game of the week, a week with four games in it, I was discouraged that my son only played a short amount of time while five other players stayed in most of the game.
It was clear to me that these five needed a break and least for a couple of minutes. It also became apparent to my husband, and we wondered out loud why wasn't the coach subbing. We went away discouraged. My husband wanted to voice his opinion to the coach. Luckily, he had to take our nephew home.
I felt bad that I didn't keep my mouth as calm as I'd like, and voice my opinions in my head. I should have prayed then, but I didn't. Anyway, I decided the best way to handle this situation was to take it up with the Lord. After all He would understand my plea. We prayed all day, and trusted that this game would be different. It was my son got to play a lot more. I went away happy.
Then the Lord sent a test, the next game our son didn't play at all. I tried harder to keep my tongue in check which I did a lot better at least for the most part. My husband though got upset again, he was ready to talk with the coach once again. This time I stopped him and reminded him of the agreement we signed, stating that we trust the coach to make the right decisions. It was not a pleasant ride home.
Again, I took my concerns to the Lord. Helped my disappointed son, and we prayed once again. The last game of the week brought about a lot of playing time for him.
So, duh, I guess the answer lies in the Lord. It's certainly tough when it's my kid that seems to be the one that gets looked over because I know how that feels. He was overlooked in the last sport he played too. Now I know there are some players that are better then him, some he plays equally well with, and some he's better than. All I want is what's best for him and what will help him grow into a fine man of God. I need to stay out of the way, and seek God first.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Judging Comes Back
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged" Matthew 7:1
A couple of weeks back, I was waiting at a traffic light. The green arrow came and there we sat, no one went. We just sat there, so of course I began to get upset. Then finally we begin to go, but I didn't make the light.
I was now first in line, so I thought "I'll make the next light no problem."
I sat there with a van full of kids awaiting my turn. This was during the time when I was fighting a cold, and my nose was running. I noticed the cars crossing the intersection in the other direction begin to turn left. I figured I have time to wipe my nose, so I proceeded to do just that.
My daughter was now preoccupied with one of the children in the back who was trying to make an escape. After I was done and my hands cleaned, I looked up to see the light for me to go just turn red! "Now how did that happen?", I wondered.
There were two of us and neither of us saw the light change. The cars behind me didn't honk until it was to late and then one of them pulled beside me attempting to give me a dirty look and probably some other gestures, and how could we all have to sit through an entire light cycle again.
At this moment I realized I was just taught a lesson, the car that didn't go probably had a very good reason for not going. I had no right to judge the driver, things obviously happen and it wasn't done with a mean intent. Just as the other driver had no right to judge me, even though he made his anger known once the light turned green again. He sped up just so he could cut me off while he made a right hand turn in front of me.
We are all just human, we aren't perfect. Thankfully, there is one who is perfect and paid the price of his life so when we do make a mistake we can be forgiven. He's there to put us back on track when we mess up. I am glad I serve a risen Savior!
A couple of weeks back, I was waiting at a traffic light. The green arrow came and there we sat, no one went. We just sat there, so of course I began to get upset. Then finally we begin to go, but I didn't make the light.
I was now first in line, so I thought "I'll make the next light no problem."
I sat there with a van full of kids awaiting my turn. This was during the time when I was fighting a cold, and my nose was running. I noticed the cars crossing the intersection in the other direction begin to turn left. I figured I have time to wipe my nose, so I proceeded to do just that.
My daughter was now preoccupied with one of the children in the back who was trying to make an escape. After I was done and my hands cleaned, I looked up to see the light for me to go just turn red! "Now how did that happen?", I wondered.
There were two of us and neither of us saw the light change. The cars behind me didn't honk until it was to late and then one of them pulled beside me attempting to give me a dirty look and probably some other gestures, and how could we all have to sit through an entire light cycle again.
At this moment I realized I was just taught a lesson, the car that didn't go probably had a very good reason for not going. I had no right to judge the driver, things obviously happen and it wasn't done with a mean intent. Just as the other driver had no right to judge me, even though he made his anger known once the light turned green again. He sped up just so he could cut me off while he made a right hand turn in front of me.
We are all just human, we aren't perfect. Thankfully, there is one who is perfect and paid the price of his life so when we do make a mistake we can be forgiven. He's there to put us back on track when we mess up. I am glad I serve a risen Savior!
Monday, January 16, 2012
20,000 Gathered in the Light
"The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:5 NIV
"Hey, what's going on? Why are all these people here?", a woman who was driving by the Forum asked.
"It's a rock concert," someone in line answered her.
"A rock concert, who?" she replied.
"It's ten bands, Christian bands." came the answer.
She didn't know how to answer, but I believe she was impressed. After all 20,000 plus people stood around the forum just waiting to be let in. How can you bet the price $10 for 10 bands? It was awesome to be there with all ages of people who all came for some reason.
For us it was to be able to hear the different groups we have come to enjoy. Others it was a way to get out of the house for the evening. Some had no idea why they came, just sounded like a good deal.
A friend of ours decided to join us, and came a little later. We saved her a seat. She called to let us know that they stopped letting people in. She didn't know what to do, but God did. Someone walked by and she told him we were saving her a seat. He asked her if it was just her, she said yes. The next thing she knows she's escorted past the 1,000s of others who were waiting to get in and she entered the forum. God knew she needed to be there.
The evening was filled with music and the sharing of God's word to some who have never heard it. There was even crazy stunts done which even had a message. We are chained by our sin and weighed down, some even drowning in the mistakes they made. Christ he came, freed us from all of it-just trust in him and he will remove the chains and pull us up out of the pit.
Darkness can come into each of our lives at any time. God is there shining in the darkness, waiting to escort us out. He is my light and with Him I'm able to accomplish so much more.
"Hey, what's going on? Why are all these people here?", a woman who was driving by the Forum asked.
"It's a rock concert," someone in line answered her.
"A rock concert, who?" she replied.
"It's ten bands, Christian bands." came the answer.
She didn't know how to answer, but I believe she was impressed. After all 20,000 plus people stood around the forum just waiting to be let in. How can you bet the price $10 for 10 bands? It was awesome to be there with all ages of people who all came for some reason.
For us it was to be able to hear the different groups we have come to enjoy. Others it was a way to get out of the house for the evening. Some had no idea why they came, just sounded like a good deal.
A friend of ours decided to join us, and came a little later. We saved her a seat. She called to let us know that they stopped letting people in. She didn't know what to do, but God did. Someone walked by and she told him we were saving her a seat. He asked her if it was just her, she said yes. The next thing she knows she's escorted past the 1,000s of others who were waiting to get in and she entered the forum. God knew she needed to be there.
The evening was filled with music and the sharing of God's word to some who have never heard it. There was even crazy stunts done which even had a message. We are chained by our sin and weighed down, some even drowning in the mistakes they made. Christ he came, freed us from all of it-just trust in him and he will remove the chains and pull us up out of the pit.
Darkness can come into each of our lives at any time. God is there shining in the darkness, waiting to escort us out. He is my light and with Him I'm able to accomplish so much more.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Grateful, but Tired
I needed clothes an you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:36 NIV
"I can't breathe," gasp "out my nose," I shared with my family on the ride home from church on Sunday, I found myself congested. It all began on Friday with a sore throat which turned into a full blown cold. Sunday and Monday I was chasing my nose, or at least running for the tissues. I barely had any energy, and yet I am grateful.
I am so grateful to have an occasional cold or stomach bug. It's better than having a disease I could have to deal with on a daily basis. I have heard of so many this past year who have had to deal with cancer. I pray for them and try to find out if there is something I can do for them.
Also, there is someone in my family who has dealt with a disease that the doctors can't seem to cure. I feel so bad for her as she has been in and out of the hospital. She pretty much has to stay home when she's not in the hospital. I wish she lived closer so I could help her out some how. Since I can't be there I pray for her and try to get others too as well. Hopefully one day soon she will be healed.
So yes, I am grateful that for the most part I'm healthy and able to do the things God has planned for me. I'm grateful that I can serve others in their time of need. I'm grateful for a God who loves me.
"I can't breathe," gasp "out my nose," I shared with my family on the ride home from church on Sunday, I found myself congested. It all began on Friday with a sore throat which turned into a full blown cold. Sunday and Monday I was chasing my nose, or at least running for the tissues. I barely had any energy, and yet I am grateful.
I am so grateful to have an occasional cold or stomach bug. It's better than having a disease I could have to deal with on a daily basis. I have heard of so many this past year who have had to deal with cancer. I pray for them and try to find out if there is something I can do for them.
Also, there is someone in my family who has dealt with a disease that the doctors can't seem to cure. I feel so bad for her as she has been in and out of the hospital. She pretty much has to stay home when she's not in the hospital. I wish she lived closer so I could help her out some how. Since I can't be there I pray for her and try to get others too as well. Hopefully one day soon she will be healed.
So yes, I am grateful that for the most part I'm healthy and able to do the things God has planned for me. I'm grateful that I can serve others in their time of need. I'm grateful for a God who loves me.
Monday, January 2, 2012
A Little Behind, But Hadn't Forgotten
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:4 NIV
Oh, the joy to escape. That's what we did the last few days of the year-escape.
We took our annual journey to Highlands Hammock. It is so nice to go there and just enjoy nature without the street lights and buildings. This year we even enjoyed a journey into the park we don't usually visit because it's restricted. The ranger took us through the back of the park and taught us different things.
Our December ends up being so busy with finishing Christmas presents or shopping for Christmas presents. Then comes the wrapping and the decorating. Also, being involved in God's work takes its toll with extra services and all. Sometimes it's as though every free moment I usually have is filled with a project that needs to be done. This is why it's nice to take a break as a family and relax. Even though since we've been home I've been busy, busy, busy.
With all of this, it can become hard to keep my focus on what's important-GOD. Luckily, though I have a constant conversation with him. Not like the monks who are in constant prayer recitation every waking moment. My conversations are quick and not recited "Lord, help me finish.", "Lord, help me plan my schedule so I can get it all done and not stay up to late."
Another thing that helps me keep my focus on him, is playing Christian music whether it's Christmas music or my favorite Christian songs. There is always a song going through my head.
So even though the last month has been crazy and at times challenging, I tried to keep my eye on the reason for the season. Now I'm looking forward to the blessings He has in store for me in 2012.
2 Peter 1:4 NIV
Oh, the joy to escape. That's what we did the last few days of the year-escape.
We took our annual journey to Highlands Hammock. It is so nice to go there and just enjoy nature without the street lights and buildings. This year we even enjoyed a journey into the park we don't usually visit because it's restricted. The ranger took us through the back of the park and taught us different things.
Our December ends up being so busy with finishing Christmas presents or shopping for Christmas presents. Then comes the wrapping and the decorating. Also, being involved in God's work takes its toll with extra services and all. Sometimes it's as though every free moment I usually have is filled with a project that needs to be done. This is why it's nice to take a break as a family and relax. Even though since we've been home I've been busy, busy, busy.
With all of this, it can become hard to keep my focus on what's important-GOD. Luckily, though I have a constant conversation with him. Not like the monks who are in constant prayer recitation every waking moment. My conversations are quick and not recited "Lord, help me finish.", "Lord, help me plan my schedule so I can get it all done and not stay up to late."
Another thing that helps me keep my focus on him, is playing Christian music whether it's Christmas music or my favorite Christian songs. There is always a song going through my head.
So even though the last month has been crazy and at times challenging, I tried to keep my eye on the reason for the season. Now I'm looking forward to the blessings He has in store for me in 2012.
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