Hello, long lost readers. Oh, wait - I am the long lost writer. Where have I been? Oh, you know the answer to that ... it's an answer we all know how to give - "I've been busy."
The odd thing, though, is that I have thought about this blog and have had things to share. Many times I wanted to sit down to write, but couldn't figure out which words to use. Truthfully, the post I wanted to write but never began was to be titled "A New Normal." I had the title, but not the words. Or, should I say I had the words inside me but couldn't come to put them on the virtual paper. Why was that? Because my last written post was about my dad. And about 5 weeks after writing that post, my dad entered into the presence of his Savior. Then, the new normal began.
But I didn't know how to get the words out. Life goes on, it's not like normal before my dad passed. But it's normal ... a new normal. I don't really like the new normal. The reason is simple - I miss my dad, and that is part of the new normal. Yet, at the same time I love living this life with which God has blessed me. But, how can I enjoy things without my dad here? It's an odd paradox. Happiness in the midst of sorrow. Pleasure mingled with pain. Joy punctuated with sadness. So, I avoided writing most days because I didn't know how to put those feelings into words. It seems now, though, that I just did.
What is different about today, I wonder? I can't pin point it for sure, although I have some idea. All I know is I've been meditating for many months on God's sovereignty. Do I "like" His sovereign plan? No, not always. But does my like or dislike change Him or His plan? No, never. And who is God? He is I AM. The only one in this universe who can be named and described with no boundary of time or space. So rightfully, sovereignty belongs to Him.
There is a song by Meredith Andrews titled "Not for a Moment (After All)". I've heard this song on the radio for a while now. However, a couple of months ago I heard it afresh while working in the house my husband and I have been remodeling (okay, really he's been remodeling it and I've had the chance to help every now and then). As the song played on the radio the lyrics struck me differently. I guess it's because I had been studying and meditating on God's sovereignty for quite some time. The chorus goes like this: "After all, You are constant. After all, You are only good. After all, You are sovereign. Not for a moment will You forsake me." I sang out loud with the radio, meaning those words in a way I never had understood before. The past year's experiences and the lessons God had been teaching me poured out of me like water being squeezed from soaked sponge. I sang those words fervently and fully to my Constant, only Good, Sovereign God who never has and never will forsake me, even when His ways hurt for a time here on this earth. I planned to sing them in my church as well the next opportunity I had to do so.
Fast forward just a bit to this present week. Shocking, saddening news met me at my classroom door on Wednesday as one of my principals delivered news to me that our Children's Pastor at Faith Church had suffered an apparent massive heart attack. My heart broke for his wife and three children. He was so young. He had so much more life to live and work to do ... at least, in our plans he did. But in God's plan ... His constant, only good, sovereign plan, Randy Gray's work was complete here.
Not for a moment will You forsake me. After all, You are sovereign.
The words from the song I had planned to sing in just another couple of weeks rang out over and over in my head. The Gray family will have a new normal. They will feel the paradox of emotions that losing a loved one brings, especially when we are believers who know our loved one is a believer now home in the arms of Jesus. They will need each other and the rest of us as they wrestle with God's sovereign plan. They will not like it, but God will not change. He is constant and He is only good. And He will not forsake them. He did not forsake me and will never do so. Randy Gray, like my father, now understands that in full. Here on earth we continue to walk day by day, trusting in His plan until our day comes, when we, too, will see face to face our Savior and Lord. Do you know that peace? Do not wait another day to make certain. Remember that your plan is most likely not God's plan, but His way is perfect. After all, He is sovereign.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Monday, June 17, 2013
The BEST Dad
A year goes by fast, doesn't it? One year ago I was looking to celebrate my first anniversary with my husband; now I find myself saying "it's been almost 2 years!" One year ago I was hoping to soon be pregnant; now today my baby's due date is only 4 days away. One year ago I was blogging all the time, with so much to say I had to pace myself on what to write and share; now I find myself, still with plenty to say, but realizing that life, work, kids, responsibilities, and pregnancy took up a lot of my time!
And one year ago I was processing the news that my father may have cancer ... tests soon after confirmed it; now, a year later, I find myself still processing all the implications of the diagnosis.
Yesterday, June 16 2013, was Father's Day. I always reflect on my parents and how blessed I am to have them on these types of days, but yesterday was different. Just this past week we heard more news that the cancer continues to spread. The effects of the disease and the chemo that treats it are really starting to wear on my dad. And on Father's Day, a day when most children give token gifts of some sort, the only thing I wanted to give my dad was relief from pain and a good night's sleep - two things that I do not have the ability to give. Anything else I could have gifted to him felt silly.
Yesterday was not a typical Father's Day. Oh, usual things happened, of course ... we celebrated the night before with dinner and just being together, my favorite family activity of all ... we went to church and worshipped ... I gave hugs and "Happy Father's Day" wishes liberally ... I read all the Facebook posts in honor of dads and made my own ... but my heart was heavy with burden for my dad's health.
As I found myself reflecting and praying throughout the day, the Lord revealed several things to me. I want to share a couple of them with you and trust that God will use them in your life in the way that only He knows.
As I read through the hundreds of posts on Facebook I noticed how many people said something to the effect of "Happy Father's Day to the BEST dad ever!" Now, I love words and love to analyze and weigh them, and I found myself thinking a lot about the word 'best'.
'Best' is a superlative, the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the greatest possible degree of that adjective or adverb. Also, the article typically used with the noun being describe by a superlative is the definite article. For all you out there who do not spend your days at work teaching grammar, let me show you what I'm talking about ... A good dad ... A better dad ... THE best dad. See the difference? "A" is an indefinite article ... could be talking about any dad. But "THE" is a definite article ... there is only one in mind. And each person who used that word "best" to describe their dad had just one in mind - their own - and he's undoubtedly the BEST - none other can reach a greater degree.
(I apologize now for leading you in to the scary part of my brain without warning and will unashamadly admit to you that yes, this is what I do on a regular basis ... you probably don't want to have access to any more of my thought bubbles, lest you be whisked back into the nightmarish portions of your high school grammar class.)
Back to business ... the BEST dad. I think I have him. You think you have him. How can this be? People, the word BEST is it - there is none greater! We must settle this now! Who has THE BEST DAD???
Perhaps you are reading this and thinking, 'I would never use that word to describe my father ... I would use a different superlative, WORST.' Which leads me to show you how God solved the issue at hand.
Our dads are human, each and every one of them. In my opinion, my dad is the best. He is the most generous, kind, loving, supportive, encouraging man I could ever ask for as a father ... yet he is human. And the Bible tells us that "there is none who does good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12) and that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). So as great as we may think our dads are, they are all human, do nothing good by the sinful human nature, and fall short of glory.
However, the one thing Terry Hines did throughout my life that, in my mind, sets him apart from so many others is lead me to the one true God. This one God, the great I AM, who is always good, in whom there is no shadow of turning, who saved me out of my sin through ultimate sacrifice, grafted me into his royal family and became my Heavenly Father. And let me tell you, HE IS THE BEST DAD EVER.
So, to my earthly father I say, "the greatest thing you ever did for me was care about me enough to introduce me to the BEST father, my Heavenly one." I hope all of you reading this know the Father I am talking about. He is Creator, Lord, Sustainer, Redeemer, Alpha and Omega, Everlasting. I wish we all had earthly fathers who led us to the BEST father, but I know that is not the case. But I pray, no matter what your situation with your dad may be, that your heart be softened and you let the BEST dad love you. He is "a father of the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5) and will not leave you orphans (John 14:18).
As I continued reflecting throughout the day about how blessed I am to have a father who led me to the BEST dad, the Lord revealed to me that the best gift I could give my dad was within my reach. It's nothing tangible. I did not have to wrap it, present it, and watch my dad open it. I still couldn't give pain relief or sleep as a gift, but I trust that God can and I continue to pray for it. But, the one gift I can give my dad that will honor him the most, is living each day of my life to serve the Lord he loves.
You see, my dad has placed his life in the hands of his Creator and Savior. I know this. And more special to him than any tie, gift card, tool, gadget or gizmo I could find on a shelf to present to him, choosing to follow Christ in my daily walk is of utmost importance. So, dad, to honor you every day, not just on Father's Day, and because you played a crucial part in my spiritual upbringing, I have placed my life in God's hands and I live only because of Him and for Him. May this be my gift of unending thanks.
Do you know the BEST dad? If so, are you choosing to follow him daily, even if the path leads you to the wilderness? I pray you can answer yes to both of these questions and trust that the comfort and peace surpassing all understanding comes your way every day.
And one year ago I was processing the news that my father may have cancer ... tests soon after confirmed it; now, a year later, I find myself still processing all the implications of the diagnosis.
Yesterday, June 16 2013, was Father's Day. I always reflect on my parents and how blessed I am to have them on these types of days, but yesterday was different. Just this past week we heard more news that the cancer continues to spread. The effects of the disease and the chemo that treats it are really starting to wear on my dad. And on Father's Day, a day when most children give token gifts of some sort, the only thing I wanted to give my dad was relief from pain and a good night's sleep - two things that I do not have the ability to give. Anything else I could have gifted to him felt silly.
Yesterday was not a typical Father's Day. Oh, usual things happened, of course ... we celebrated the night before with dinner and just being together, my favorite family activity of all ... we went to church and worshipped ... I gave hugs and "Happy Father's Day" wishes liberally ... I read all the Facebook posts in honor of dads and made my own ... but my heart was heavy with burden for my dad's health.
As I found myself reflecting and praying throughout the day, the Lord revealed several things to me. I want to share a couple of them with you and trust that God will use them in your life in the way that only He knows.
As I read through the hundreds of posts on Facebook I noticed how many people said something to the effect of "Happy Father's Day to the BEST dad ever!" Now, I love words and love to analyze and weigh them, and I found myself thinking a lot about the word 'best'.
'Best' is a superlative, the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the greatest possible degree of that adjective or adverb. Also, the article typically used with the noun being describe by a superlative is the definite article. For all you out there who do not spend your days at work teaching grammar, let me show you what I'm talking about ... A good dad ... A better dad ... THE best dad. See the difference? "A" is an indefinite article ... could be talking about any dad. But "THE" is a definite article ... there is only one in mind. And each person who used that word "best" to describe their dad had just one in mind - their own - and he's undoubtedly the BEST - none other can reach a greater degree.
(I apologize now for leading you in to the scary part of my brain without warning and will unashamadly admit to you that yes, this is what I do on a regular basis ... you probably don't want to have access to any more of my thought bubbles, lest you be whisked back into the nightmarish portions of your high school grammar class.)
Back to business ... the BEST dad. I think I have him. You think you have him. How can this be? People, the word BEST is it - there is none greater! We must settle this now! Who has THE BEST DAD???
Perhaps you are reading this and thinking, 'I would never use that word to describe my father ... I would use a different superlative, WORST.' Which leads me to show you how God solved the issue at hand.
Our dads are human, each and every one of them. In my opinion, my dad is the best. He is the most generous, kind, loving, supportive, encouraging man I could ever ask for as a father ... yet he is human. And the Bible tells us that "there is none who does good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12) and that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). So as great as we may think our dads are, they are all human, do nothing good by the sinful human nature, and fall short of glory.
However, the one thing Terry Hines did throughout my life that, in my mind, sets him apart from so many others is lead me to the one true God. This one God, the great I AM, who is always good, in whom there is no shadow of turning, who saved me out of my sin through ultimate sacrifice, grafted me into his royal family and became my Heavenly Father. And let me tell you, HE IS THE BEST DAD EVER.
So, to my earthly father I say, "the greatest thing you ever did for me was care about me enough to introduce me to the BEST father, my Heavenly one." I hope all of you reading this know the Father I am talking about. He is Creator, Lord, Sustainer, Redeemer, Alpha and Omega, Everlasting. I wish we all had earthly fathers who led us to the BEST father, but I know that is not the case. But I pray, no matter what your situation with your dad may be, that your heart be softened and you let the BEST dad love you. He is "a father of the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5) and will not leave you orphans (John 14:18).
As I continued reflecting throughout the day about how blessed I am to have a father who led me to the BEST dad, the Lord revealed to me that the best gift I could give my dad was within my reach. It's nothing tangible. I did not have to wrap it, present it, and watch my dad open it. I still couldn't give pain relief or sleep as a gift, but I trust that God can and I continue to pray for it. But, the one gift I can give my dad that will honor him the most, is living each day of my life to serve the Lord he loves.
You see, my dad has placed his life in the hands of his Creator and Savior. I know this. And more special to him than any tie, gift card, tool, gadget or gizmo I could find on a shelf to present to him, choosing to follow Christ in my daily walk is of utmost importance. So, dad, to honor you every day, not just on Father's Day, and because you played a crucial part in my spiritual upbringing, I have placed my life in God's hands and I live only because of Him and for Him. May this be my gift of unending thanks.
Do you know the BEST dad? If so, are you choosing to follow him daily, even if the path leads you to the wilderness? I pray you can answer yes to both of these questions and trust that the comfort and peace surpassing all understanding comes your way every day.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
ALERT! I'm missing!
Well, hello there. Have you wondered where I've been???
I have.
Where did I go in the last month?
Let's just say - school began. Period.
Those of you who are teachers know exactly what I mean. August rolls around ... the hallowed halls of the grand institutions of learning bustle once again ... and teachers disappear into the black hole that is "work." Their friends wonder where they have gone ... families ask why there are piles of paper everywhere but mom is no where to be found ... oh wait, did that pile of paper move???
Yep. That's how I feel. Like I've disappeared. My school year has been incredibly busy thus far. New standards, new books, curriculum changes, higher expectations, more requirements. It seems as though I am a first year teacher again when in reality this is my ninth year. I thought it would get easier ... I thought I would feel like a pro by now! Well, okay, maybe on my way to being a semi-pro ... but let's just face it -- no matter how many years you've been teaching or doing whatever it is you may do, there is always room for improvement, advancement, sharpening of skills, learning new skills, and tweaking what may seem to work adequately.
But as I pondered how much time I've had to put into my school life in the last month, I've realized that I've failed to put a sufficient amount of effort in my spiritual life. I've gone missing.
Now don't get me wrong ... I still attend church every Sunday and Wednesday, I still pray, I still read my Bible. But has some of that, especially my study of the Word, slipped into the back seat because I've let my work (and resulting "busy-ness") take over lately? Yes, it has. Is it okay? No, it's not.
I'm tired, mentally and physically. I'm fighting off a cold. I feel overwhelmed with all I need to do. I get frustrated more and quite easily at times.
Are these symptoms of a crazy month at work? I venture to answer with a resounding "NO."
These are symptoms of trying to go it alone. Hear me out -- God is always with me. He walks with me each step of my day. He knows I have a lot on my shoulders. He knows I can't do it all alone. So why doesn't he just help me out with some of this? Because I keep telling Him, not out loud but in my actions and attitudes, that I can handle it.
When I fail to start my day in His Word ... when I think "I'm just too tired to get on my knees and pray, I'll pray while I'm laying down to sleep" ... when I hear Him speak to me and then I say "I'll have to explore that later, there is something else I must do now" ... all of those thoughts and attitudes are me trying to do it all alone. Now here's the amazing thing -- I KNOW BETTER! How so?
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Jesus didn't say, "Go get all your work done, then come to me and I will give you rest." No. He said "Come." Are you tired? Weak? Weary? Heavy laden? Burdened? Overwhelmed? Frustrated? Sick? Then just go to Jesus, for He says "come" with all those troubles, and He "will give you rest." Not He might give you or He may try to give you ... He WILL give you rest.
How will He do that? Well, you have to follow the directions: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) Read His word. Soak it in. Meditate on it. Don't give up the daily absorption of spiritual food. Put on the yoke of Christ and learn from Him. Follow Him. Study His teachings and realize that He doesn't add more burden --He lightens your load, giving your soul rest!
It doesn't get much deeper than the soul. And Jesus promises rest ... for my soul. I may still be physically tired at the end of the day, but when my SOUL is at rest, all is well. When I am sharing in the yoke of Christ my burdens are carried by the One who is able. I find gentleness in Him. I learn how to be more like Him in my daily life. I discover how a humble attitude, like His, is strength for my spirit. And I just happen to believe when we give God the first fruits of our day, just like with our tithe, He multiplies our time and we will have the chance for physical rest too. I praise Him now for providing that to me already this week as a work commitment I had was cancelled and I was freed to go home and rest. Thank you Lord!
Have you gone missing? Do you need to find yourself under the yoke of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and out from under the yoke of a job? If so, I pray that you, like me, will find yourself and take your tired bones immediately to the feet of the One who is waiting on you to just "come" and "find rest."
I have.
Where did I go in the last month?
Let's just say - school began. Period.
Those of you who are teachers know exactly what I mean. August rolls around ... the hallowed halls of the grand institutions of learning bustle once again ... and teachers disappear into the black hole that is "work." Their friends wonder where they have gone ... families ask why there are piles of paper everywhere but mom is no where to be found ... oh wait, did that pile of paper move???
Yep. That's how I feel. Like I've disappeared. My school year has been incredibly busy thus far. New standards, new books, curriculum changes, higher expectations, more requirements. It seems as though I am a first year teacher again when in reality this is my ninth year. I thought it would get easier ... I thought I would feel like a pro by now! Well, okay, maybe on my way to being a semi-pro ... but let's just face it -- no matter how many years you've been teaching or doing whatever it is you may do, there is always room for improvement, advancement, sharpening of skills, learning new skills, and tweaking what may seem to work adequately.
But as I pondered how much time I've had to put into my school life in the last month, I've realized that I've failed to put a sufficient amount of effort in my spiritual life. I've gone missing.
Now don't get me wrong ... I still attend church every Sunday and Wednesday, I still pray, I still read my Bible. But has some of that, especially my study of the Word, slipped into the back seat because I've let my work (and resulting "busy-ness") take over lately? Yes, it has. Is it okay? No, it's not.
I'm tired, mentally and physically. I'm fighting off a cold. I feel overwhelmed with all I need to do. I get frustrated more and quite easily at times.
Are these symptoms of a crazy month at work? I venture to answer with a resounding "NO."
These are symptoms of trying to go it alone. Hear me out -- God is always with me. He walks with me each step of my day. He knows I have a lot on my shoulders. He knows I can't do it all alone. So why doesn't he just help me out with some of this? Because I keep telling Him, not out loud but in my actions and attitudes, that I can handle it.
When I fail to start my day in His Word ... when I think "I'm just too tired to get on my knees and pray, I'll pray while I'm laying down to sleep" ... when I hear Him speak to me and then I say "I'll have to explore that later, there is something else I must do now" ... all of those thoughts and attitudes are me trying to do it all alone. Now here's the amazing thing -- I KNOW BETTER! How so?
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Jesus didn't say, "Go get all your work done, then come to me and I will give you rest." No. He said "Come." Are you tired? Weak? Weary? Heavy laden? Burdened? Overwhelmed? Frustrated? Sick? Then just go to Jesus, for He says "come" with all those troubles, and He "will give you rest." Not He might give you or He may try to give you ... He WILL give you rest.
How will He do that? Well, you have to follow the directions: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) Read His word. Soak it in. Meditate on it. Don't give up the daily absorption of spiritual food. Put on the yoke of Christ and learn from Him. Follow Him. Study His teachings and realize that He doesn't add more burden --He lightens your load, giving your soul rest!
It doesn't get much deeper than the soul. And Jesus promises rest ... for my soul. I may still be physically tired at the end of the day, but when my SOUL is at rest, all is well. When I am sharing in the yoke of Christ my burdens are carried by the One who is able. I find gentleness in Him. I learn how to be more like Him in my daily life. I discover how a humble attitude, like His, is strength for my spirit. And I just happen to believe when we give God the first fruits of our day, just like with our tithe, He multiplies our time and we will have the chance for physical rest too. I praise Him now for providing that to me already this week as a work commitment I had was cancelled and I was freed to go home and rest. Thank you Lord!
Have you gone missing? Do you need to find yourself under the yoke of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and out from under the yoke of a job? If so, I pray that you, like me, will find yourself and take your tired bones immediately to the feet of the One who is waiting on you to just "come" and "find rest."
Friday, August 17, 2012
Christmas in August ... What???
I want to say now that some parts of this particular post may surprise you. You may not agree with it, and that is okay. It may have the potential to upset some, however that is not my aim. Neither do I write to push any particular agenda. I only write to share my thoughts on life in light of grace, mercy and love. Now, that said ...
It's August. Time for the back to school rituals of shopping for clothing and supplies, attending open houses and orientations, setting alarms to rise and shine early, lamenting the inevitable fact of following a school bus for what seems like endless miles ... so why is my mind on Christmas? Allow me give you some background.
In the last year, my family has undergone a transformation in some of the ways we celebrate Christmas. It all started when my husband, Landon, and I discussed the fact that Brody and Aubrey would be with their dad on Christmas morning. As a result, "Santa" would have already made his magical appearance in that home. Would he also show up in our home, even though the kids would not be there Christmas morning?
Thus it began. Santa had always visited my home in the past. Can you change something that's always been a "tradition"? The question had much deeper implications for us as we prayed and searched for an answer.
While Christmas has many of its roots in pagan rituals that were "christianized" by the roman catholic church, we evangelical Christians nonetheless celebrate the day. We remember Christ's birth and purpose in being born as man, which was to die for our sins and impute His righteousness to us when we are born again. So of course we teach our children that we celebrate Christmas to remember Jesus' birth. It's not all about the presents under the tree and it's definitely not all about Santa.
Last Christmas, we focused even more on Jesus and why He was even born. We did not promote Santa, did not encourage our kids to "be good because Santa is making his list", and Santa did not visit our home.
As expected Santa came to visit my kids at their dad's house. And when the kids arrived home on Christmas day at our house, they had plenty of gifts, blessed far beyond the majority of the world's children. But when asked who the gifts were from we truthfully told them that they were from Mommy and Papi (the kids' name for Landon). They asked about Santa's gifts and we explained that Santa had already visited them, but more importantly that in our home, Jesus will be the focus, not Santa. They accepted it and enjoyed their day with the family.
Then came the day this past spring, sometime near Easter, when Brody says to me, "Mommy, (so and so) said at school that Santa's not real." (I'm thinking this young kindergarten conversation may have stemmed from a discussion of the easter bunny, which, in my mind, is an even crazier thing to expect children to believe.) I asked Brody, "Well honey, what do you think about that?" He began to talk his way through some rationalizations that Santa couldn't go to every home in one night, that he couldn't carry that many gifts in his sleigh, that he was too big to fit down a chimney, and he couldn't really be real ... then he asked me, "Mommy, is he real? Is Santa real?"
My moment was here. Landon and I had worked tirelessly at Christmas time to make sure that the kids knew the reason we celebrate Christmas. We had lifted the name of Jesus to the best of our ability. Now, the question I expected had come sooner than expected. Would I tell them what most parents say, "Well you just have to believe!" That seemed silly to me now ... we teach them belief in Jesus, who is real, by telling them to have faith in someone they cannot physically see and touch. To ask them to likewise believe in Santa, who is not real, seemed absurd.
One day they will know the truth - Santa is not real. Will they then ask, "What about Jesus? Is He real?" Will I then say, "Oh yes, Jesus is real. I know you can't see Him working in your life (just like you couldn't see Santa bring your gifts), but you must believe me, Jesus is real. I know I told you to believe in Santa, and now you know I wasn't truthful about that one, but I'm serious about Jesus, He IS real." Poof. Just like that, my credibility with my children in matters of faith would have its chance to go up in flames.
So, I took a deep breath and asked my son, "Brody, do you want mommy to tell you the truth?" Brody said "yes mommy, the truth." I answered, "You are correct, son, there is no way Santa can be real. He is not. Jesus is, and that's all you need to trust in." Exhale. Job done. Or so I thought.
Just this week I received a phone call from a parent. My daughter, age 4 and a half now, out of the blue decides to tell another child, age 9, that her mommy told her Santa is not real. This parent was upset with me for telling my children this. I explained the same background that I just shared with you, and then I proceeded to share the gospel the best I could, that as Christians we say Christmas is about Jesus, who was born only to die for us, and that Satan just loves to use things like Santa to draw our focus away from our Lord and coming King. Ironically, this individual was upset with me for speaking truth. This parent did not share my view of being truthful about Santa, and that is okay. I did not set out to condemn or expect to change the way children are raised. However, I was not willing to compromise my stance on Christ as most important.
I know that the majority of Christian parents will not agree with me. They may say it's just a tradition ... it's the fun of Christmas ... it's the magic of the season ... it's what the kids look forward to ... you can celebrate Jesus' birth and still have Santa.
I am not the final authority on these matters. I am only a redeemed sinner, saved by the grace of God through the perfect sacrifice of His perfect Son. And because of that, I am called to be set apart. In our household, we felt that allowing Santa to have any claim, however small, was asking God to share His glory with a myth.
You may join with others and call me crazy ... a Christian freak ... a woman obsessed with Jesus. But isn't that what I want to be? I should be glad that I look different from the world. It can be messy and doesn't make for being popular, but is that important? I have a long way to go to look more like Christ, but I believe when I seem weird to others because of Him, I'm stepping in the right direction.
My final thought for you centers around this verse: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)
This post may not have pleased you. I humbly pray that in my own weak effort, strengthened by Christ, it pleases God, and I trust that He will use it for His glory.
It's August. Time for the back to school rituals of shopping for clothing and supplies, attending open houses and orientations, setting alarms to rise and shine early, lamenting the inevitable fact of following a school bus for what seems like endless miles ... so why is my mind on Christmas? Allow me give you some background.
In the last year, my family has undergone a transformation in some of the ways we celebrate Christmas. It all started when my husband, Landon, and I discussed the fact that Brody and Aubrey would be with their dad on Christmas morning. As a result, "Santa" would have already made his magical appearance in that home. Would he also show up in our home, even though the kids would not be there Christmas morning?
Thus it began. Santa had always visited my home in the past. Can you change something that's always been a "tradition"? The question had much deeper implications for us as we prayed and searched for an answer.
While Christmas has many of its roots in pagan rituals that were "christianized" by the roman catholic church, we evangelical Christians nonetheless celebrate the day. We remember Christ's birth and purpose in being born as man, which was to die for our sins and impute His righteousness to us when we are born again. So of course we teach our children that we celebrate Christmas to remember Jesus' birth. It's not all about the presents under the tree and it's definitely not all about Santa.
Last Christmas, we focused even more on Jesus and why He was even born. We did not promote Santa, did not encourage our kids to "be good because Santa is making his list", and Santa did not visit our home.
As expected Santa came to visit my kids at their dad's house. And when the kids arrived home on Christmas day at our house, they had plenty of gifts, blessed far beyond the majority of the world's children. But when asked who the gifts were from we truthfully told them that they were from Mommy and Papi (the kids' name for Landon). They asked about Santa's gifts and we explained that Santa had already visited them, but more importantly that in our home, Jesus will be the focus, not Santa. They accepted it and enjoyed their day with the family.
Then came the day this past spring, sometime near Easter, when Brody says to me, "Mommy, (so and so) said at school that Santa's not real." (I'm thinking this young kindergarten conversation may have stemmed from a discussion of the easter bunny, which, in my mind, is an even crazier thing to expect children to believe.) I asked Brody, "Well honey, what do you think about that?" He began to talk his way through some rationalizations that Santa couldn't go to every home in one night, that he couldn't carry that many gifts in his sleigh, that he was too big to fit down a chimney, and he couldn't really be real ... then he asked me, "Mommy, is he real? Is Santa real?"
My moment was here. Landon and I had worked tirelessly at Christmas time to make sure that the kids knew the reason we celebrate Christmas. We had lifted the name of Jesus to the best of our ability. Now, the question I expected had come sooner than expected. Would I tell them what most parents say, "Well you just have to believe!" That seemed silly to me now ... we teach them belief in Jesus, who is real, by telling them to have faith in someone they cannot physically see and touch. To ask them to likewise believe in Santa, who is not real, seemed absurd.
One day they will know the truth - Santa is not real. Will they then ask, "What about Jesus? Is He real?" Will I then say, "Oh yes, Jesus is real. I know you can't see Him working in your life (just like you couldn't see Santa bring your gifts), but you must believe me, Jesus is real. I know I told you to believe in Santa, and now you know I wasn't truthful about that one, but I'm serious about Jesus, He IS real." Poof. Just like that, my credibility with my children in matters of faith would have its chance to go up in flames.
So, I took a deep breath and asked my son, "Brody, do you want mommy to tell you the truth?" Brody said "yes mommy, the truth." I answered, "You are correct, son, there is no way Santa can be real. He is not. Jesus is, and that's all you need to trust in." Exhale. Job done. Or so I thought.
Just this week I received a phone call from a parent. My daughter, age 4 and a half now, out of the blue decides to tell another child, age 9, that her mommy told her Santa is not real. This parent was upset with me for telling my children this. I explained the same background that I just shared with you, and then I proceeded to share the gospel the best I could, that as Christians we say Christmas is about Jesus, who was born only to die for us, and that Satan just loves to use things like Santa to draw our focus away from our Lord and coming King. Ironically, this individual was upset with me for speaking truth. This parent did not share my view of being truthful about Santa, and that is okay. I did not set out to condemn or expect to change the way children are raised. However, I was not willing to compromise my stance on Christ as most important.
I know that the majority of Christian parents will not agree with me. They may say it's just a tradition ... it's the fun of Christmas ... it's the magic of the season ... it's what the kids look forward to ... you can celebrate Jesus' birth and still have Santa.
I am not the final authority on these matters. I am only a redeemed sinner, saved by the grace of God through the perfect sacrifice of His perfect Son. And because of that, I am called to be set apart. In our household, we felt that allowing Santa to have any claim, however small, was asking God to share His glory with a myth.
You may join with others and call me crazy ... a Christian freak ... a woman obsessed with Jesus. But isn't that what I want to be? I should be glad that I look different from the world. It can be messy and doesn't make for being popular, but is that important? I have a long way to go to look more like Christ, but I believe when I seem weird to others because of Him, I'm stepping in the right direction.
My final thought for you centers around this verse: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)
This post may not have pleased you. I humbly pray that in my own weak effort, strengthened by Christ, it pleases God, and I trust that He will use it for His glory.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Just Listen!
Why is it so hard? I mean, really. Is it truly all that difficult for children to listen to their mother?
I ask myself that question almost every day. I can't tell you how many times I say to Brody or Aubrey, "Listen to me!" The worst is when they are asked to or not to do something and they do the exact opposite of what I asked! Some days it upsets me to no end. Other times I have a little more patience and use what has happened as a teachable moment. But no matter how I feel in the moment of their failure to listen, when I think about it later I am disappointed and saddened by how easy it is for them to ignore what I say.
All they have to do is just listen and we enjoy each other so much more!
Last Friday, however, proved to be a lesson-filled day about listening...for me, not my kids.
As we were preparing for our last day of Vacation Bible School, God spoke to my heart and told me to do something ... told me to take something with me to church. I pondered. I thought. I rationalized. I came up with an excuse.
Then He spoke again, saying the same thing. I considered listening a little more this time. But I still did not do what He told me to do.
I walked out the door, intending to go on with my day and not obey. I knew what God had said. I had no trouble recognizing His voice. But I thought my ideas and ways were better, and I made the choice to not listen to Him.
As I got in the car I realized I had forgotten something, so I walked back inside for that item. The thing God wanted me to take to VBS was still sitting there on the counter as I stepped into the kitchen. I looked at it, heard God's nudging again, this time a little more insistent.
Can you believe I started to exit once again without taking with me what God wanted me to??? But then, God spoke to my heart again, forcefully, and I said out loud the words I heard, "JUST LISTEN!" I grabbed the item from the bar, closed the door behind me and got in the car.
Why won't my children just listen to me?
Does God ask Himself that question? Maybe so. As the omniscient God of all creation I have a pretty strong feeling He already knows the answer.
You see, when someone speaks,"listening" usually involves more than just hearing and recognizing the source of the sound. The one who is to listen typically has a response to make. Perhaps they need to do something, or not do something. Maybe they are to say something in response, a "yes ma'am/yes sir" type answer. I believe the same principle is at work when God speaks - He wants us to listen and respond to what He has said.
He wants us to obey.
The Bible is full of God telling His beloved ones to listen. Jesus often began His teachings with the word "Listen!" Why is that? God knows that even while we have His spirit dwelling inside, we still have a sinful nature that wars with our hearts and minds on a daily basis. We must submit every minute to Him. I believe that is why Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (see Romans 12). It does not come natural for us to listen and obey. What is natural is disobedience. Not listening. Doing our own thing. Thinking we know better. Ignoring God.
But oh the joy, the peace, the comfort, the blessings we find when we just listen ... when we choose to submit to our Lord in the little things, the big things, and everything in between! "Now therefore, listen to me, my children. For blessed are those who keep my ways." (Proverbs 8:32)
I am glad I listened. I am sorry it took God speaking to me several times before I listened. I was already bothered by my intent to disobey, yet had God not given me that last "just listen" command I may have continued in my own way. I would have saddened and disappointed Him. Thankfully, my heavenly Father is patient with me.
The rest of that day proved to be a day of listening. God spoke to me twice more that same day and asked me to do some things I had never done before that made me a little nervous. But I am happy to say it was easier to listen and joyfully obey each time He spoke.
I know He was teaching this mother, who just wants her children to listen, a lesson of her own in obedience. Just as it seems easy for the kids to not listen to me, I saw how simple it is for me, an adult, to ignore my heavenly Father.
Has God spoken to you lately? Asked you to do something for Him? Asked you to refrain from something for the sake of holiness? And how well do you listen when you hear and recognize His voice? Remember ... He wants us to "just listen" to Him.
I ask myself that question almost every day. I can't tell you how many times I say to Brody or Aubrey, "Listen to me!" The worst is when they are asked to or not to do something and they do the exact opposite of what I asked! Some days it upsets me to no end. Other times I have a little more patience and use what has happened as a teachable moment. But no matter how I feel in the moment of their failure to listen, when I think about it later I am disappointed and saddened by how easy it is for them to ignore what I say.
All they have to do is just listen and we enjoy each other so much more!
Last Friday, however, proved to be a lesson-filled day about listening...for me, not my kids.
As we were preparing for our last day of Vacation Bible School, God spoke to my heart and told me to do something ... told me to take something with me to church. I pondered. I thought. I rationalized. I came up with an excuse.
Then He spoke again, saying the same thing. I considered listening a little more this time. But I still did not do what He told me to do.
I walked out the door, intending to go on with my day and not obey. I knew what God had said. I had no trouble recognizing His voice. But I thought my ideas and ways were better, and I made the choice to not listen to Him.
As I got in the car I realized I had forgotten something, so I walked back inside for that item. The thing God wanted me to take to VBS was still sitting there on the counter as I stepped into the kitchen. I looked at it, heard God's nudging again, this time a little more insistent.
Can you believe I started to exit once again without taking with me what God wanted me to??? But then, God spoke to my heart again, forcefully, and I said out loud the words I heard, "JUST LISTEN!" I grabbed the item from the bar, closed the door behind me and got in the car.
Why won't my children just listen to me?
Does God ask Himself that question? Maybe so. As the omniscient God of all creation I have a pretty strong feeling He already knows the answer.
You see, when someone speaks,"listening" usually involves more than just hearing and recognizing the source of the sound. The one who is to listen typically has a response to make. Perhaps they need to do something, or not do something. Maybe they are to say something in response, a "yes ma'am/yes sir" type answer. I believe the same principle is at work when God speaks - He wants us to listen and respond to what He has said.
He wants us to obey.
The Bible is full of God telling His beloved ones to listen. Jesus often began His teachings with the word "Listen!" Why is that? God knows that even while we have His spirit dwelling inside, we still have a sinful nature that wars with our hearts and minds on a daily basis. We must submit every minute to Him. I believe that is why Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (see Romans 12). It does not come natural for us to listen and obey. What is natural is disobedience. Not listening. Doing our own thing. Thinking we know better. Ignoring God.
But oh the joy, the peace, the comfort, the blessings we find when we just listen ... when we choose to submit to our Lord in the little things, the big things, and everything in between! "Now therefore, listen to me, my children. For blessed are those who keep my ways." (Proverbs 8:32)
I am glad I listened. I am sorry it took God speaking to me several times before I listened. I was already bothered by my intent to disobey, yet had God not given me that last "just listen" command I may have continued in my own way. I would have saddened and disappointed Him. Thankfully, my heavenly Father is patient with me.
The rest of that day proved to be a day of listening. God spoke to me twice more that same day and asked me to do some things I had never done before that made me a little nervous. But I am happy to say it was easier to listen and joyfully obey each time He spoke.
I know He was teaching this mother, who just wants her children to listen, a lesson of her own in obedience. Just as it seems easy for the kids to not listen to me, I saw how simple it is for me, an adult, to ignore my heavenly Father.
Has God spoken to you lately? Asked you to do something for Him? Asked you to refrain from something for the sake of holiness? And how well do you listen when you hear and recognize His voice? Remember ... He wants us to "just listen" to Him.
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