Through the eyes of a child

I have two small boys, Abram, 3 and Ethan, who turns 2 on New Years Eve. If you are a parent, you probably know the difficulties of trying to get your kids to share. Abram and Ethan have a lot of animal toys. Abram brought ALL of them downstairs and he played with them for the greater portion of the morning. When he got done, Ethan grabbed one toy and Abram was so upset! Abram was surrounded by at least 10 animals, but he wanted the one that Ethan had. I tried to explain to him that he had so many toys and Ethan only had one.

This "parable" has so many lessons that apply to me and may apply to you as well. The first lesson was to be thankful for what I have. I was trying to show Abram that he has so many toys and to be thankful for the ones that he does have. I think it is natural to want to strive to become better or the desire to have more. As a mother, I want the best for my children, for my self and my husband. The challenge for me is to strive to become better, but to remain thankful and content. Life is a journey....we don't "arrive" until we die! I can point out so many things I do not have, but I can look around and see what I do have. I have two healthy boys, a nice home, a husband who is faithful and loves me and God, Christian parents who would do ANYTHING for me and the list goes on. On this journey I will continue to strive to become better, but this time, I will check my attitude before it checks me. I will give God the praise and thank him along the way. "Psalms 34:1 I will bless the Lord at ALL times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth"

The other lesson I got out of this morning's episode was to share. What a simple lesson we teach our kids. As I looked at Abe who was surrounded by animals and Ethan who had the tiniest animal in his hand, I had to think of myself. Abe was so upset about the one little animal that he forgot other ones. I tried to get Abram to focus on the the 10 toys that he had. I tried to explain to Abram, that if he shares, Ethan can play with him. ALL ABOUT ME!! The nature of a child! Abram being three years old, couldn't fully understand and if he did he didn't care! As adults, we do the same. We or maybe I should say I, sometimes don't want to share...regardless what it is....spotlight, resources, money, information. As a child it is natural to not understand sharing. Through my children I was convicted of childish behavior. 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

This little light of mine....

Matt 5:1 4-16You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.

When I read this passage of scripture, it reminds me of a song that I would sing in church. "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine...Everywhere I go, I am going to let it shine." I also think of a lighthouse when I read this passage. I think about ships and boats traveling on a dark and stormy night. The crew is filled with fear and uncertainty. Suddenly, from a distance they see a light. Alas, a lighthouse! As the boats and ships get closer to the lighthouse, they can see the rocky shore and dangers that lie ahead. Life can be stormy, rocky and uncertain for the people who are in darkness, but as they are drawn to the light, things become clearer. It seems to me that in this time, the moral lines are blurred. Things that are clearly morally wrong now seem right and morals that are right now seem wrong. As Christians we are supposed to be different because of the Light that is within us. What or who is the source of Light? Jesus!! John 8:12"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." You and I will never be perfect, but we are to strive for perfection like Jesus. Some people's light shine more brightly than others, but nevertheless, it should still shine. I ask this of myself, can anyone tell a difference in me. Sometimes the desire to fit in is so strong, but God intended for you and I to stand out. My dad always told me, "the greatest testimony is not the one that you talk about, but it is the one you live."

Purpose Driven Life?

Jeremiah 1: 4-10 Then the word of the Lord came to me [Jeremiah], saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am only a youth. But the Lord said to me, Say not, I am only a youth; for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid of them [their faces], for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.

As a child I was often asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Until recently, I was asking myself that very same question. Now my question is, "God, what is your will for my life. What is my purpose? What can I do your Kingdom?" God has a purpose for every one's life. Jeremiah 1:4, is says that God knew Jeremiah before he was even formed in his mother's womb. God knew you before you were conceived. He put us on this earth for a purpose. A good friend of mine is starting a tutoring company. She is a very intelligent women who is of an entrepreneurial spirit. She has been involved with other companies in the past, but she was constantly called to the tutoring field. She recently decided to go full force in launching her business. This will be her purpose and her witness. She will witness to others through her Christian based tutoring business. God places people in many different fields...science, health, education, it does not matter. What does matter is that when He does call you, that you be ready. What does God have for you? Diligently seek Him and be ready.

Meditation Monday

Meditation Update!!! Last week, my scripture was Psalms 34:1 " I will bless the Lord at ALL times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth." I was led to that scripture because lately I have been very ungrateful. Earlier this year God has helped Jason and I through a rough patch. During that time, or the storm as I like to call it, I grew closer to God. I got up early and prayed and God was my complete focus. Now that my family is doing better, I have not being praying or seeking God like I was earlier and I have been complaining a lot. This scripture has changed my attitude. For an example, when I want to complain about cleaning the house, I now say, " Thank you God for blessing me with a house to clean," or if I want to complain about Jason working all the time, I will say," Thank-you God for providing Jason with a job." I am not completely where I want to be, but I know this will help me.

The scripture I am going to meditate on this week is, "Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."

BTW: I love how God works! He is so AWESOME!! Earlier in this week, I received literature from Insight for Living about a new program that helps with scripture memorization. The program is called, Scripture for Practical Christian Living: 40 Verses for Spiritual Growth—Insight’s Scripture Memory Program. It includes a CD and memory cards. Here is the link to their website: http://www.insight.org/