Crossing the Line

“But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

 

When I first wanted to start coming to church it wasn’t because I had some huge desire to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Goodness, I didn’t even know what that meant. I thought it was what good people did. The “good” people took their families to church on Sundays and had their children in Sunday school classes. When we started coming, as sporadic as that was, I had no clue what the pastor guy was talking about but I liked the music. It was Easter, and I was 23, that day I realized that all these people weren’t talking about bunnies but instead talking about Jesus dying. I knew He had died but didn’t know all that other stuff. And, therein, lays the beginning of my faith walk.

 

I was excited for my new found faith, I was full of zest, and I was probably really annoying. But you know when you love something and get all excited it’s hard not to talk about it. Then, being the nerd that I was and am, I started soaking. I soaked in the Bible, I took classes when I could (the kids were really small), I read articles, did research, read studies and books, I made friends and tried to make huge lifestyle changes. I slipped a lot. I was wrong a lot. I was arrogant at times and proud at others. God had to break me several times through life’s circumstance to bring to where I am today. Unfortunately, I am sure the work isn’t done yet!

 

I can remember the very moment I crossed the line from a person seeking to a person filled with faith. However, this life isn’t always easy. Good things don’t just blossom in my front yard because Jesus is my friend. I struggle the same as anyone else. I have really great days and I have really crappy days. There are things that happen that I don’t understand and there are things about this world that make me so angry. There are things I love about my life and things that I can’t explain about the beauty of this world. The biggest difference between me then and me now, besides eternal salvation, is hope. I don’t see the circumstances of today as an end or a cause but the beginning and a gateway. I crossed that invisible line of faith and I found hope, what did you find?

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiahs 29:11)

Superstar

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)

 

Today my thoughts are heavy on my daughter. She had auditioned for a children’s musical a couple months ago and ever since then we have been shuttling her to her four practices every week. She has always filled our house with music but this fall it has been constant. I have been tired for weeks but by the end of last week she was tired too. Last night we received our relief from all her hard work, and my driving, as the cast took the stage for opening night. The entire musical is amazing, and you can see the wonderful talent of every child, but I will admit having trouble watching anyone but my little girl.

 

Have you discovered a gift or talent God has given you? Some days I feel I have and some days I am not so sure. As long as I can remember our daughter has been singing and dancing everywhere she went. In fact, on a trip with my parents my dad came back saying that she sang the whole time and he didn’t feel right telling her to stop because she was singing about God. So, seeing her on the stage, dancing and singing, was a joy to my heart because she shines up there. I can see her smile, her confidence, and her loving heart and I am so blessed that God made my daughter to be exactly who she is….although we can tell her stop singing if we want to.

 

God gives everyone special talents and desires of the heart. You could probably guarantee I won’t be in front of people anytime soon but I love to play with my calculator and look through financial reports. You wouldn’t find my husband operating on someone’s heart but he could change your breaks or oil on your car if you needed him to.  You are talented. There is something you do that makes God smile and fill up with pride and joy like I did last night watching the musical. God has created you and loves you just the way you are with the gifts you have. If you let Him, he will give you the opportunity to bask in those gifts and use them to bring glory to Him and build up the Kingdom.

 

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Too Early for Christmas

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)

 

You will never probably hear a bigger complainer of store decorating for Christmas before Halloween or Thanksgiving than me. Christmas colors just come earlier and earlier each year. To avoid early snows we usually have our Christmas lights up on the house (when we do them) by mid to late October. However, I make my husband suffer by not letting him turn the lights on until after Thanksgiving. So, I am kind of a stickler and when I was moved to listen to some Christmas music last week I was shocked.

 

I have been somewhat preoccupied in my mind, busy in my body, and pulled in every direction here and there. With another busy weekend looming over my mind and hours of homework I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I got out my headphones, getting ready to cram in as much homework as possible, and started the music. Nothing was really appealing to me. I usually like it pretty loud and hard but that wasn’t working. My slower, more prayerful, music wasn’t cutting it either. Not country, alternative, rock, or the oldies. The only option left to try was Christmas. I actually argued with myself a bit because it is way too early in the year for Christmas music….but I pushed play anyway.  I was finally calm. My anxieties slowed down and I felt like I could breathe for the first time in a week. I was ready.

 

How could simple Christmas music do so much? Well, within my collection are a few songs that help me take the focus off of me and put it right where it belongs: on Jesus. They are not classics but they are beautiful. It’s humbling to know that a baby saved me. We look at babies and they are these delicate, soft, cushy, smelly, little people. But one baby was born to save us and changed our world forever. As I am gently reminded of this through the music everything seems to melt away from me and I am no longer all crammed up in myself.

 

What will it take for you to unwind? God is waiting for us to come to Him and loves us enough to wait. If you are struggling, as I have been, He may already be trying to bring you closer to Him but your mind and heart are just not there yet.  I pray that you experience the calm that I did and that you don’t let it go….like I did. Now, I have to start all over again! Already I have God’s Word, Relient K, Big Daddy Weave, and Kate Hurely bringing me into this day with ease and I listen to a little more of this Christmas stuff.  I just have to remember to keep Jesus in my sight and focus. It’s when I forget to focus on Him that the world seems to drift away and fall apart.

 

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matthew 6:27)