Faith

Journey Together

/ bluebonnettexan / 2 Comments

Life Groups. Community Groups. Grow Groups.  Lots of names but the same premise.  Here’s what I’ve figured out.  Keep looking until you find the fit.  Also, know that a fit today may not be a fit in 18 months.  Hold it loosely.  Give it a life expectancy.  (That in itself will keep a lot of feelings from being hurt.)

Live life together, pray for each other, eat together (break bread/Acts 2:46), study the Word.  We found a fit.  It’s our safe haven.

You should come away challenged, not feeling it’s a competition.

Serve more.  Love more.  Then, you will grow.

James 4:14

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“You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”  Boy, have I been feeling that the last couple of months!

I am  not discouraged.  My days are full of the stuff of life.

This year we will formally conclude the home education of our son.  (Isn’t there MORE he should know?)  I don’t think we’ll ever finish imparting wisdom and learning to our children.

I create menus, shop, and feed my family and others in need.  I work my home-based business and share the healing gift of nutrition.  I garden, growing food for my family through my Tower Garden and potted herbs, vegetables, and fruits.

I call my elderly mother.  My job, as I see it, is to lift her spirits.  I only do this once or twice a week now.  I used to call her daily.  Her short term memory is non-existent and the long term stuff is getting to be a problem.  Witty repartee is a thing of the past.  I sing old hymns and songs with her, recount crazy happenings around here, and think of things she might remember.  She feels bad that she can’t contribute to our conversations much but it’s wonderful to still hear her voice and make her laugh.

I manage our family finances, with my husband’s blessing.  Most months balancing all accounts to the penny.  (I’m to the age that if I’ve recalculated three times with any disparity, I take the bank’s word for it.  I sleep better.)

I care for our myriad of pets.  They live too long.  A testament to their excellent care! Finally, I love on everyone around me, that will let me.

There is probably more, but that’s a reasonable account.

It’s squeezing every moment from life while it is here.  It’s what I was created to do.

‘Glorious Intruder’

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Isn’t that a compelling title?  It’s the title to one of my morning devotions by Joni Eareckson Tada. God “broke in” this morning.

Today’s reading contained this Scripture from II Corinthians 5:14 (KJV), “For the love of Christ constraineth us …”  A pastor was likening ‘constrained’ to a river that had its banks reinforced which, in turn, caused the flow of water to be ‘constrained’ and pushed forward.  [Transparency.  I’ve climbed those banks. I’ve built bridges.  Internally, I’ve said, ‘I can’t go that way!’  ‘I don’t know what will happen.’ ‘I’m fine right here.’ ‘I’m unsure, so I just won’t move.’]

The pastor went on to say that ‘Sometimes God in His love brings about circumstances which seem to press in on every side — walled situations or high hedges where we feel closed in. [He’s been closing in the last couple of weeks.] Yet God allows these crushing pressures to ultimately push us forward and make us more effective, more productive.  Though we may not like it, the trials press us and push us in a better direction — a direction God wants us to head.”  [Oh, man. This gives me the feeling of standing in line for a ride at an amusement park.  Half terror and half elation.]

The reading concluded with, “Your circumstances — even the pushing, squeezing, distressing ones — are part of His plan.  It’s a plan to make your life more productive than you ever dreamed possible.  That’s divine engineering at its best.”

Frankly, I’m tired of constraining myself.  What, exactly, have I been holding myself back from? Or, more importantly, why?

God spoke the word ‘grow’ to me as my word for 2017.  [Knew there was more to that innocent little four letter word.]  I’ve decided to stop being afraid.  No more riding in the third row [scrutinize the photo below]. No more allowing distractions to side track me [see fourth row].  I want to throw off anything that is hindering what God has in mind for me (Hebrews 12:1).

So, that is going to be me, in the front row.  Fully engaged, no more holding back; having the time of my life. How’s God going to use me?  What doors is He preparing to open? That’s His business. I’ve purchased my ticket.  I’m getting on that ride.

ladies-on-roller-coaster

Priorities

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Every morning, while my son works on his schoolwork, I read my devotions.  I consider this time WELL spent.  My thoughts turn away from my own little bubble and focus on others.  So, I had this thought…I need to prioritize my devotions reflecting who takes precedence.  I realized that my relationship with the Lord should come in the first position.  No matter who else is in my life, at any stage of my life, it’s my relationship with the Lord that centers me; listening for and hearing that still small voice. 20170131_092930_burst01

Next, my husband.  God mysteriously brought this man into my life, to walk my days with, to raise a family with.  Finally, my ‘littles’.  These children are indeed a blessing from the Lord.  Just because they are such a blessing, does not mean that they can usurp the place of their father or THE Father.  We’ve all experienced times of illness or discontent where you can feel the scales tipping out of balance.  Make one little change. Keep your priorities in their proper order.  It’s amazing how much peace you will feel when you do.