Would You Rather be a Window or a Door?

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

Recently I was reading "Would You Rather be a Bullfrog?" to the preschoolers in my child care. In the book it gives you several different choices about what you want to be. One of the questions asked was "Would you rather be a window or a door?"

This question got me thinking-"which would I rather be?" A door-hum, well it's usually shut. It's there to protect us. It can be locked. It keeps predators out.

The front door on our house is usually only closed at night. A long time ago it was closed all day. The way our house is designed there is no window in the living room. Our living room was dark and it made it hard to see what was going on. When the weather was nice I'd open it and put a gate across it's opening, but that didn't protect us very well. So we invested in a storm door, now the front door is open and the light can come in.

Now a window-a window is used to let light shine in the room. It can be opened and let a breeze come through the house. It can be used for an escape in case the door is blocked. A window is very useful.

Our windows have been placed in good locations, if it's a nice day out then a breeze can easily pass through our house. Someone shared with me that we're lucky because we can get a breeze going through, his home he doesn't have that option.

During the day we have the blinds open and that allows for natural light to come in. Even at night when the moon is shining bright it's light will peek through the blinds.

For me a door seems to block out the light, so it doesn't shine. I would much rather be a window, so my light can shine. Even on days when there doesn't seem to be much light what's there can shine through.

So would you rather be a window

or a door?

In The Dark

"...as to a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19 b

I plugged the night light back in, but it didn't seem to be working. It was time for a new bulb, this one had burned out. There isn't a night light bulb to be found in the house though, so it'll have to stay out until we stop by the store again.

The bathroom is now dark, much like my feelings the last couple of days. Right after my birthday I got on the scale, I try to monitor my weight and measurements on a weekly basis. Much to my surprise I gained 5 pounds which can be expected after a weekend away. So I increased my exercise routine and even started walking, which the Lord was encouraging me to do.

Every week I recheck my progress, weight stayed measurements though decreased some. This past Saturday I get on the scale again, I'd gained 5 more pounds. That's 10 pounds in 6 weeks! I truly do not understand why. I'm exercising more, and eating about the same. I try to make wise choices, but hey I do enjoy food. I try to limit myself to one helping, I try to snack on things that are lower in fat. So why the weight gain?

I admit I'm not a skinny minnie and probably won't be, but I do think I'm fit. I follow a work out video followed by 264 stomach crunches, 264 gluteal squeezes, 264 leg lifts both sides. Now most nights I'm walking at least 20 minutes. So I admit this gaining of weight has me feeling in the dark.

One day the light will replace the dark, I know the Lord has a plan as to why so I'll just wait for him to tell me. I will not give up the light will soon dawn.

As Simple As a Gift

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God... Ephesians 2:8

One Christmas quite a few years ago, I really wanted a bread machine. To be able to make home made bread and fresh pizza dough sounded exciting.

My want was answered, not only did I receive one bread machine--I got two. I kept one and returned the other. At first I made bread a lot, at least once a week. Sometimes more. I found different recipes, ones that didn't even come with the book. English muffins, bagels, soft pretzels...it was all very yummy.

Soon though I got busy, I would think about making a fresh loaf of bread, but then it would be to close to dinner. Later the bread machine even got moved to another place to store. Then it would become a real bother to get it out, it would take planning and thought. Still on occasion it gets pulled out and used, the fresh bread is well worth the effort.

Our life with God can become like my bread machine. At first when we receive him we're excited. We desire to pray and really get to know him better. We meet with him on a daily basis. We find different ways to know more about him.

Soon though life gets busy. We get easily sidetracked. Our devotion time gets in the way of our social time or other free time. We soon move our Bible into another location because it's in the way. On occasion we might look up a verse and we might pray. We wonder though is it worth the effort.

This past weekend served as a reminder that it is. A relationship with God is a gift, a gift we've each been given. So as I smell the fresh bread baking, I plan to meet with my Abba Father. The effort is worth it.

Looking For More

If you seek him, he will be found by you...1 Chronicles 28:9b

Funny how we don't notice something until we get it or want it. My athletic son recently wanted a pick up truck, he located one and was able to purchase it. Now when I drive around I see lots of pick up trucks like his. Before I never really paid much attention to this particular pick up, but now I'm aware of them.

Our Sunday school lesson this week asked us a question, "What do you see when you look at a forest?" Most of the kids answered trees, which is what most of us would answer, right? That's usually the first thought that pops into our heads.

The next question though was, "What would a bird watcher see?" Yep, you guessed it "Birds!" A bird watcher is looking for something different when they look at a forest.

So how many of us look for God? He is omnipresent so He's everywhere, but do we really see him. The Israelites had it pretty easy for awhile when he was in a pillar of cloud guided them. Our job of finding Him can be a little more challenging or is it?

"Take a look, he's here in plain view," a line from a song. God is in the every day...the breeze we feel to cool us down, the rainbow after the storm, in a baby's smile, in a sunset.

God is here question is are you going to look for him? Chances are if you look for him, you will find him.

Sometimes It Just Takes Faith

He said to her, "Daughter your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." Mark 5:34 NIV

"Sometimes you just have to have faith and not question." A friend recently shared. She's so right.

There are times when we hear something from the Bible and we struggle to understand what it means. The Bible can be confusing in some spots and sometimes it's down right boring. No offense.

The Bible though is a guide on how we are to live our lives. There are stories in there to encourage us. Such as the woman who was healed after bleeding for twelve years. 

She didn't want to be a bother to Jesus. She had been to several doctors and none of them could help. She wasn't allowed to be near her family because she was considered unclean. She was alone.

She was desperate. She had heard stories about Jesus, and knew he was coming. She figured she wouldn't draw attention to herself or him because if she touched him then he would be considered unclean.

The crowd was large she squeezed her way in and managed to touch the fringe of his coat. Just the fringe, immediately she felt different. She knew she'd been cured!

Jesus felt it too, he knew someone needed him. He stopped to find out who. At first she didn't want to speak, she didn't want him to know. I imagine though he was looking right at her, because he knew. She admitted it was her and he let her know her faith had healed her.

It didn't take much just a belief. Sometimes a belief is all we have left. A belief that things will get better. A belief that one day I will be healed. A belief that God will work things out for good.

Stop doubting my friend and believe no matter what other's may think. It just takes faith.