Moment-by-Moment Obedience Part II

A few weeks ago there was a sermon at our church about generosity. Although the pastor was mainly talking about financial generosity, it really got me thinking about being more generous in every way of my life. Of course, with our money, but more importantly (for me anyway), with my time. I immediately began recognizing all the times I missed opportunities to show God's love. Sometimes it was out of pure selfishness (i.e., "I don't feel like taking the time."), but more often it was out of procrastination and busyness. I would get so caught up in whatever I was doing, and would think, "oh, I'll do it in a little bit." But before I knew it, I would either forget or miss my opportunity.

I was convicted.

I wrote a blog not long ago about moment-by-moment obedience. Yet, here I was, not being obedient. I needed to change. This change was two-fold. First, I decided that I from here on out I was going to act (so long as it is a godly action, of course), assuming that every time I am prompted, it is a prompting by God. I think it is better to act with a heart of obedience than constantly questioning whether it is God or not, and missing the opportunity to walk in faith. Now, let me just clarify, I'm not talking about drastic actions. I'm talking about things like giving when I see a need, inviting a stranger to church, emailing someone when I think of them, reaching out to someone who may need a friend.

The second change I have made to live in moment-by-moment obedience, is to act immediately upon prompting. This means I now stop what I'm doing and send that email, or talk to that person, or write that check. Not only has this change helped me not to miss opportunities, but it has also helped me to shift my thoughts outwardly. Instead of constantly being consumed with what I have to do, I am more in tune with what God would have me do.

You would not believe what an incredible difference these two changes have made in the short time that I have been doing them. There is no doubt in my mind that I am acting in obedience. I am more in tune with the needs and people surrounding me than I have been in a long time (perhaps ever). I truly see what a blessing it is to live in obedience to Him.

Lord, thank you for opening my mind and heart to the areas where I need to change. Help me to live in moment-by-moment obedience to you, not concerned with my fleshly apprehension and selfishness, but abandoned to a walk in faith. Amen.

My Treasure

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" Luke 2:19

I have a 17 month old little boy. He is amazing. He's kind and gentle, fun and loving, smart and helpful. The list goes on and on. I love everything about him. I relish in each of his new discoveries. I remember his first smile and laugh. His first word. The first time he kissed me. When he learned to feed himself with utensils. When he learned to do a puzzle by himself. I beam with pride every time he starts dancing when his daddy plays a song. When he raises his little hand during worship. When he replies "God" when we ask him who loves him the most.

I treasure all these things in my heart.

Can you imagine what it was like to be Jesus' mother? The pride and joy she felt? When Jesus was born, and the shepherds shared all that had been revealed to them about the precious baby that was lying in the manger, Mary's response was to "[treasure] up all these things and pondered them in her heart." How amazing that must have been; to hear affirmation that the child she was blessed with is the Messiah!

Then later, when Jesus was a young boy, he went missing from his parents for three days. They eventually found him, with the teachers in the temple courts. "Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." Again, Mary couldn't help but be filled with pride and joy, and "[treasure] all these things in her heart."

I love these two passages. What I love even more, is that the Bible goes on to say "[a]nd Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

This simple sentence speaks volumes to me. It is a reminder of what an honor and responsibility raising children is. Sure Mary was irritated that it took 3 days to find Jesus, when he "should" have been with them the whole time. But she didn't dwell on it or punish him, breaking his spirit. Instead, she saw the big picture. She saw the value in what he was doing, and she treasured it. As a result, she helped enable Jesus to grow into the man he was sent here to be.

Lord, help me to see the big picture. Help me not to get caught up in the daily tasks and challenges that face me, but see eternally. Give me the strength and wisdom to raise my children in a way that enables them to grown in wisdom and stature, and in favor with You and man. Help me to teach them in your way, not just my words, but by my actions. Help me to prepare them to lead a legacy that loves and lives for you. Amen.

The Runaway Bunny

We went to the neatest local bookstore this evening. While I was browsing the children's area (because that's the only reading I do these days), I started thinking about one of the books we have on our shelf at home. It's called The Runaway Bunny. I've only read this book to my little guy a couple of times, because I didn't really like it's message. It begins:

Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away.
So he said to his mother, "I am running away."
"If you run away," said his mother, "I will run after you.
For you are my little bunny."

Then the story proceeds with the bunny thinking through all the places he would run away to, and his mother responding with how she would chase after him. Until it ends with:

"Shucks," said the bunny, "I might just as well
stay where I am and be your little bunny."

For 16 months (since my precious son was born), my thought on this book was that it planted the thought that when we're unhappy we can just run away. And although the bunny abandoned the thought at the end, I didn't like how he didn't actually have a change of heart, but rather conceded in defeat.

I still don't like how it ends, but as I stood there in the bookstore thinking about it, I realized it is actually a really neat picture of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. How many times have we tried to run away. How many times have we tried to be something we are not, to hide from what we really are. How many times have we thought there was something better out there. But every time, there was our Father, chasing after us. Giving us unconditional love. Ignoring our rejections and always opening the door for us to come back.

What a gift. As Christmas approaches, I pray we will all reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. Our Father loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for our sins, so we don't have to live apart from Him. I don't know where you are right now. I don't know if you are running, or hiding, or living in complacency. But know that our Father is chasing after you. His door is always open (Matthew 7:8). He longs for us to turn back to Him. Don't wait another moment. Live in His grace.

Moment-by-Moment Obedience

A few months ago my husband received a Facebook message from an old friend from middle school, someone he had not spoken to in over 20 years. This old friend told Brian how he remembered Brian praying with him after class one day, and that moment has never left him. I think about that message often. How amazing. Brian took a few minutes to walk in obedience to our Lord, and changed someone's life. It would have been so easy for Brian to have rushed off to his next class, or spent the few moments chatting mindlessly with his friends. But he didn't. He saw a need, and chose to meet it.

You would not believe how common this story is with my husband. I have been witness to dozens of people stopping him to tell him how he has impacted their life. Not just through leading worship, but through his prayers, the time he has spent with them, and his evident walk with Christ. Brian walks in moment-to-moment obedience.

Brian's life is a constant reminder to me of the importance of taking every opportunity to share Christ's love. Regardless of how small the act seems, I must remember that when I am walking in obedience to Him, I have no idea of the impact I may be having. All too often I find myself caught up in the day-to-day tasks of being a stay-at-home wife and mother. I shudder to think of all the opportunities I have missed. With friends, with the cashier at Braum's, with those I sit next to in church.

Lord, I pray that I am reminded daily of what is truly important in life. That I will live in moment-by-moment obedience, choosing to glorify you with all of my thoughts and actions. Lord, use me as Your vessel.

He Loves

Genesis is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Maybe it's because the first study I ever did after becoming a Christian was Beth Moore's Patriarchs. Maybe it's because it is so drama-filled that it makes today's reality shows seem boring. Whatever the reason, I love it and have read it many times over.

There is one story in particular that I think about often. This story touched my heart even before I was a mother, but my connection to it has immensely intensified since Caleb was born. Genesis 16 begins the story of Hagar and Ishmael. After living many years without being able to get pregnant, Sarah, Abraham's wife, convinced him to sleep with her slave Hagar in order to have children. Hagar did, in fact, become pregnant, and bore Abraham his first son Ishmael. Eventually the Lord blessed Sarah with a child, Isaac. Ultimately a rivalry ensued between the two boys, so Sarah had Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away, with only a little food and one skin of water. Now, this is where it really grips me. Genesis 21:14-20 goes on to say:

When the water in the skin was gone, [Hagar] put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." And as she sat there, she began to sob.

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

God was with the boy as he grew up.

Wow. What an amazing testimony. Oh how my heart breaks for Hagar. I can't even begin to imagine how she felt. The thought of seeing my child in need, dying, and not being able to do anything to help him, cripples me. My eyes are filled with tears right now. I pray I am never faced with that challenge.

There are so many lessons to learn from this passage, about God's character, faith, and obedience. But the lesson that rings loudest to me is to trust that God loves my child even more than I do. That doesn't mean that my children are not going to face hardships in life. But what it does mean is that when those hardships arise, the soverign Lord is going to be by their side. I can't think of anything more comforting as a mother. I know there are going to be times in my children's lives that I am not going to be able to protect them. That I am going to see them making decisions that I disagree with. That I will have to watch as their hearts are broken. In those times, I need to remember that they are God's children and He loves them even more than I do. He is with them; protecting them, guiding them, and comforting them, even when I cannot. What more could I want for my children?

I'm sure Hagar would have done anything to be able to make a well of water appear and take care of her sweet son. But she couldn't. The Lord was the only one who could save him. What a beautiful picture of the truth that exists today: only God can save us. We can do everything conceivable to save ourselves or our children, but at the end of the day, it is only when we truly realize that we cannot do it alone, that the Lord steps in to save us.

Lord, may I trust you always. In the best of times, in the most desperate of times. May I remember that you knit my children together in my womb and love them even more than I do. May I remember that even when I can't see the light through the darkness, you will hear our cry. May I remember that in all things You work for the good of those who love You.

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The Softest Whisper Changed Me

As I finished wiping the kitchen counter at 10:15 last night, realizing that I had been up since 5:00am and had a couple of hours of work left to do before I could go to bed, I began to feel sorry for myself. I was tired, my back ached, and I longed to slump into bed with a book and relax for a few minutes. But in that moment of self-pity, I was blessed (and challenged). With the softest whisper, the Lord asked me, "what is a wife of noble character?"

What is a wife of noble character?

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

I was humbled. What an amazing woman. What an inspiration. What an example. I'm sure there were many moments when she was exhausted and wished she could take a break. But she didn't. She was noble. She walked in obedience, even when it was hard.

In that moment I was reminded that I too am walking in obedience. I have no doubt that by caring for my husband and child, I am fulfilling God's call on my life. Sure, some days are going to be difficult, and that's okay. He warns us that, when we are following His plan for our life, we will encounter hardship. But He also assures us that He will walk beside us during those difficult times.

So, with that gentle whisper, I choose to embrace the hardship, giving thanks that He has entrusted me with this life.

Lord, give me the strength to walk in obedience. Continue to remind me that this life is not about me, but about bringing glory to You. Transform me into a wife of noble character. May I honor You in everything that I do.