Leaving Their Mark

Before Mike and I were blessed with our 3 children, we used to sit in our perfectly clean home together and say things like, "I just wish there were toys EVERYWHERE" or "if God would just give us children, we would never complain about the mess...it would be such a blessing."

Well, eight years later...three incredible children later...I got my mess...everywhere! And, I realize that it is so temporary. It won't last forever. It can be cleaned. We clean up the toys everyday...then, they play and play some more. They love each other. They are so creative. They don't just make messes...they love to play. And, I love to play with them and watch them play together...learning how to love one another, share, interact, work out disagreements, improve their social skills, develop their talents...it's so fun.

One day, I'll miss this terribly...I know that for sure!

It is not unusual to find little "pods"of toys lying around that have been played with and are now "taking a rest."

During this recent snow storm, the boys (and Abby too!) have re-discovered their Lightening McQueen toys. I love when they re-find toys they haven't played with in a long time and start playing with them like they are brand new again. (Jonah keeps his Pluto he bought at Disney World recently close by all the time, too.)

Isaac draws ALL the time! Everyday...he draws! He loves art!

First things this morning, Abby said, "Mommy, you be the mommy horse and I'll be the baby horse!" Yesterday, we played fairies, princesses and lots more. She sleeps with the pound puppy that is behind her right arm every night. (and yes...she dressed herself in this gorgous pajama ensemble-hehe).

Bigger Words

About three months ago, I was sitting in my Sunday School class and noticed - much to my own shock - that I was having difficulty seeing my small print Bible. I had NO TROUBLE at all seeing my neighbor's Bible at the same table that was Large PRINT beside me though. What had changed? Had my eyes changed quickly or had it been gradual? Why was I squinting to see - why was everything more blurred than usual? Not sure really. I even found myself holding my Bible really close to my eyes to read and have had more trouble seeing distance as well lately. Interestingly, the next weekend, we found ourselves at a LifeWay Christian Bookstore and I located a Large Print NIV Bible and purchased it for myself. Aaaahhh...so much less strain on the almost 38 year old eyes. And, yes...for those of you who may wonder, I am planning on making an appointment with the eye doctor.

However, this little event has caused me to think alot about how I "see" God's Word. Do I -do we - ever see it as some little words on a little page...written to be read when it's convenient, written to be drawn close to when I want to - to read what only we want to see at the time?

No - the Words are much bigger than that! They are life. They are to be obeyed - lived out, studied, examined, memorized, discussed, taught...they are Bigger Words than we most often allow them to be. We must not obey them when it is convenient - choosing only to read the ones that make us feel good. We must read them ALL; see them ALL; obey them ALL;

Therefore, my life will not make sense to the world. I will do things that are contrary to the flow - swim against the current - sometimes even do things that don't "feel" right to me. But, I will do them none-the-less...it's called obedience! Maybe the feelings will follow - maybe they won't - doesn't matter, really. I choose to live by the Bigger Words. His Words.

Expanding

I often think of a component of Christian growth and maturity as our ability to see God's Word in an ever-expanding context. As a young Christian years ago, I would read God's Word and often not understand...but I could keep reading and eventually find something, somewhere that I could comprehend and relate to. It might have just been phrase or a small verse...and I would hang on to it...memorize it. And, with the Holy Spirit's guidance and wisdom, as time passes, I am excited to learn more and more about the context that I am reading, how it is relevant, and how I can apply it to MY life!

Now to share one example from today...I've been reading and studying I Thessalonians...Paul, Silas and Timothy's letter to the church in Thessalonica. Just reading the ending chapter (chapter 5), I gain so much instruction about how to live - sort of like "logisitics" of the Christian life. But, by expanding my thought processes and looking at the contexts of Paul's life, his history of persecuting Christians, his journeys, his own sufferings for the cause of Christ...and SO MUCH MORE...it just brings this passage to LIFE!

And, at this particular time in my own life...it's relevance just overwhelms me!!! And, this is what I love about digging into God's Word...loving the Word of God. As you allow it to work in you, it speaks right to the heart of your personal life and circumstances.

-I Thessalonians 5: 14-26
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with Christian love.

Tough calls sometimes...for me...maybe for you. I am a work in progress. I am working on being all Christ would have me be. I am going to do my best to live by His Word - I hope others will join me. It's all for the sake of the call! We can do it for Christ's sake...not our own.
May HE, and HE alone, be glorified!

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