Well last week I talked about the Perfect Storm and Doomsday Preppers. Today I want to talk about Spiritual Prepping, which I think is way more important. Have you heard the saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? Well I feel there is a lot of truth in that saying. So knowing your weaknesses and your triggers and being honest with yourself about them, to me is that ounce of prevention. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour". See the Devil knows your weaknesses and what buttons to push, he knows how to temp each of us - So Being honest with ourselves is Huge.
Someone developed the acronym H-A-L-T, as warning signs of when you are weakest. (sorry don't know who to give credit to).
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
So breaking that down a little.
Hungry - Well my husband can tell you that there is a certain point of hunger that once crossed I start loosing my Rosy disposition. I have learned over the years to deal with that much better - but the point is when we are hungry it can take the focus off of where we want to be emotionally. See when we are out of fuel, we are tempted to eat food we shouldn't. It is also that way with spiritual hunger. John 6:35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty
Angry - I heard a story once, the lady talked about how sometimes we get mad, at our spouse, and boy they really have ticked us off. And we know that we should get over it and we should forgive, but we're entitled to be mad - we deserve our mad. And at the end of the day what have we really gotten - maybe a little less respect from the one we love.... See her husband joking or not had told some one that they had been married 38 years, and it was the best 4 years of his life. That really made her stop and take a look at how their life really was. It's a story I may have told before, but one that I always remember. So I may tell again. Ephesians 4:26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil
Anger can make us do and say things we regret - knowing that ahead of time and being honest with ourselves about that can help us to not go there.
Lonely - Wow I could write a book about this one - there is emotional loneliness, physical loneliness,.. People that are alone either physically or in their mind are prone to people pleasing and manipulation. And the devil is oh so happy to put manipulating people in your life that will push those buttons. Insecurities, seeking others approval, can lead you to all sorts of wrong places in your life. If this is your weakness, knowing that ahead of time can help you to stand against it. Galatians 1:10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Tired - When we are tired our defenses are down. We can be goofy, grumpy or just plain not alert at all. When we are tired that's when we are tempted to just give up, give in. But God says "Come to me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest" (paraphrased) Matthew 11:28-30.
John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
See the devil loves it if he can get us to give up. But God has made a way out for us; 1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. Give that a little test, if you pay attention next time you are tempted - there is this little path out, a hurdle, a delay, a road block.
Two of my favorite Scriptures:
John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Jeremiah 29:11 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.
So Spiritual Prepping - Where do you start? Assessing your situation. Are you lacking financially, are you struggling with your weight or do you need healing? Identify your triggers and weak spots, if you struggle with your weight, having a bible study at a donut shop may not be your best choice. I know that was a given but you get my point. Next start looking up scriptures that are specific to what you want to change. God has covered it all - I mean it ALL. There is nothing Jesus didn't cover on the cross.
Next post I'll dig a little deeper in building ourselves up in specific areas. Learning to build up our spiritual bank account. In the mean time start looking those scriptures up! :) Have a Blessed Day!
Lynn
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013
The Perfect Storm and Doomsday Preppers
What is the "Perfect Storm"? The answer to that is different to all of us and it is even different to us at different tines in our life. It totally depends on your emotional and spiritual maturity. At 4 the perfect storm that rocks your boat, is someone taking the toy you were playing with, or having to take a nap. At 14 it may be not getting asked to the dance, or getting a bad report card. At 24, 34, 44... it may be losing a job, not being accepted or acknowledged, struggling with addictions, not having a spouse, having a spouse, not having a place to stay or food to eat, or maybe a bad report from the doctor, or the loss of a loved one. And at that moment your life can come crashing down. The world as you know it whirls and stops all at the same time. And the world as you have known it, will forever be different. It may be hard to adjust, but it doesn't mean it won't be good. If fact even though it feels like the "Perfect Storm" that has forever ruined your life, God can take (and will) the rubble of your former life and create a new one that is far better than you ever imagined.
Isaiah 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Okay now you ask what does this have to do with Doomsday Preppers. Everything! I see and have watched a few of those shows about doomsday prepping. and all though I don't totally agree with what they are doing - I don't totally disagree either. In Matthew 6 God tells us to not store up riches here on this earth, that instead we are to store up our riches in heaven.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So now to explain how to store up riches in heaven and the part of the prepping I agree with. I agree that we need to prep. I just feel we need to do it differently. I'm not saying it's not a good thing to have an emergency kit ready - But I think even more than that we need to have one of God's emergency kits. So just as the preppers start collecting we need to start collecting. They collect a blanket, we collect God's Word. See God's word is our weapon. But how do we use it if we don't know it's there. That's like going to work and thinking you don't have your lunch and your spouse actually put it in your car but didn't tell you. So you go hungry because you didn't know it was there.
2 Corinthians 10 1:6 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
God gives us a way to prep for everything we need and every obstacle the devil throws at us. But we need to know Gods word and Gods solution BEFORE the storm hits. We can't wait until the bill collector comes knocking at our door to start tithing and building up our prosperity. We can't wait until we get a bad report from the doctor to start looking up scriptures on healing. We can't wait until the devil is tormenting us emotionally into anxiety and depression before we start learning that God's peace surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:7. See that's the Perfect Storm - being unprepared when the storm hits. We can be unprepared, and Gods mercy will rescue us, but it is so much better to be a Spiritual Prepper and have our weapons ready when the storm hits.
We are more than conquers through Christ who strengthens us... lets start acting like it. I would like to do a couple more posts about this with some specific areas of Spiritual Prepping. So Unless God puts it on my heart to post something else, I'll see you back here with "Spiritual Prepping 101" next week.
Have a Blessed Day!
Lynn
Isaiah 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Okay now you ask what does this have to do with Doomsday Preppers. Everything! I see and have watched a few of those shows about doomsday prepping. and all though I don't totally agree with what they are doing - I don't totally disagree either. In Matthew 6 God tells us to not store up riches here on this earth, that instead we are to store up our riches in heaven.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So now to explain how to store up riches in heaven and the part of the prepping I agree with. I agree that we need to prep. I just feel we need to do it differently. I'm not saying it's not a good thing to have an emergency kit ready - But I think even more than that we need to have one of God's emergency kits. So just as the preppers start collecting we need to start collecting. They collect a blanket, we collect God's Word. See God's word is our weapon. But how do we use it if we don't know it's there. That's like going to work and thinking you don't have your lunch and your spouse actually put it in your car but didn't tell you. So you go hungry because you didn't know it was there.
2 Corinthians 10 1:6 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
God gives us a way to prep for everything we need and every obstacle the devil throws at us. But we need to know Gods word and Gods solution BEFORE the storm hits. We can't wait until the bill collector comes knocking at our door to start tithing and building up our prosperity. We can't wait until we get a bad report from the doctor to start looking up scriptures on healing. We can't wait until the devil is tormenting us emotionally into anxiety and depression before we start learning that God's peace surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:7. See that's the Perfect Storm - being unprepared when the storm hits. We can be unprepared, and Gods mercy will rescue us, but it is so much better to be a Spiritual Prepper and have our weapons ready when the storm hits.
We are more than conquers through Christ who strengthens us... lets start acting like it. I would like to do a couple more posts about this with some specific areas of Spiritual Prepping. So Unless God puts it on my heart to post something else, I'll see you back here with "Spiritual Prepping 101" next week.
Have a Blessed Day!
Lynn
Friday, July 26, 2013
You Said
Have you ever noticed that when you talk to a child, and say “We’ll See” – I’ll think about it “ - or “Maybe” - they hear, “Done Deal” – “It’s Happening” – “You Said” – “You Promised”. In Luke 18:17 Jesus talks about having child like faith to enter into heaven.
17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all].
About a year ago I started something new in my life long journey of increasing my faith – “When you pray believe you receive”
Mark 11:24 “ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
So I started by quoting a scripture and then saying “You Said”. Or I would Start with God “You Said” – See God doesn’t say “maybe, we’ll see, I’ll think about it – He says – “It is done” So why do so many people struggle? Why are there such an increasing amount of people with anxiety and depression.
So I started by quoting a scripture and then saying “You Said”. Or I would Start with God “You Said” – See God doesn’t say “maybe, we’ll see, I’ll think about it – He says – “It is done” So why do so many people struggle? Why are there such an increasing amount of people with anxiety and depression.
In my last post I mentioned that there are 3 things God and I are working on. Another one of these things God and I are working on is to quit doing things half heartily. I’m sure that most of us have heard statements like “Half hearted attempts equal half hearted results. (maybe stated differently but you get the jest of it) So many times we have great intentions on doing things right or fully, but we get tired or lazy. I know how easy it is to get discouraged. I know it's hard to press on. We get weary. But God is so smart he even warned us about that…
Galatians 6:9 says “ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
We go around and around the same mountain and wonder why we aren’t making any permanent progress. So my husband are now double checking what we do and asking ourselves “How’s that working for you?” See God says it’s ours so if it’s ours… then why don’t we have it… Yup the ugly part – it’s us.
We go around and around the same mountain and wonder why we aren’t making any permanent progress. So my husband are now double checking what we do and asking ourselves “How’s that working for you?” See God says it’s ours so if it’s ours… then why don’t we have it… Yup the ugly part – it’s us.
Disclaimer – I know bad things happen to good people – I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about reaching out and claiming what is ours. One of our Pastors said years ago “If you want change in any area of your life you need to change something.” My husband and I have always remembered that. But here’s a little add on to that – If you want permanent change you need to make a permanent commitment to it. It’s not I’ll believe for healing now because I’ve got some aches and pain, it’s I need to eat right, exercise for life and for my life. By the stripes of Jesus I’m healed – I need to claim that because “He said” but I can’t just claim that for today because I have a cold – I need to believe it always. I don't want to work and work and then say ... oh well that's good enough. Was it really? Did I accomplish what I really set out to do? Is this the life that Jesus died so I could have. I'm saved and going to heaven but I have a horrible life now. Jesus wants me to have an abundant life.
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
So when you read that are you deceived in to thinking it's this big masked thug coming in and robbing you... No it's the little whispers that distract you from your goals. The little whispers that say screw it that's good enough.
In Solomon 2:15 is says it's the little foxes that spoil the vine. (Paraphrased) The little compromises here and little compromise there. The oh well or that rule isn't for me. I call it stepping out of the protection of God's play pen. Yes I really do have an image in my mind of a giant play pen that God gives us.
So that's what's on my heart... Stepping up, going higher, not being mediocre. Working at taking God's promises as promises and claiming them for myself. It's a life long work and I am not there "yet" - but I'm here for the rest of my life and I want to enjoy as much of it as I can.
Just Say'n - God "you said"....
Have a blessed day everyone!
Lynn
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
So when you read that are you deceived in to thinking it's this big masked thug coming in and robbing you... No it's the little whispers that distract you from your goals. The little whispers that say screw it that's good enough.
In Solomon 2:15 is says it's the little foxes that spoil the vine. (Paraphrased) The little compromises here and little compromise there. The oh well or that rule isn't for me. I call it stepping out of the protection of God's play pen. Yes I really do have an image in my mind of a giant play pen that God gives us.
So that's what's on my heart... Stepping up, going higher, not being mediocre. Working at taking God's promises as promises and claiming them for myself. It's a life long work and I am not there "yet" - but I'm here for the rest of my life and I want to enjoy as much of it as I can.
Just Say'n - God "you said"....
Have a blessed day everyone!
Lynn
Friday, July 19, 2013
Don't be a Martha!
As I work on my continual growth, because I do want to always continue to grow in God's word and His ways, I am working at being more aware of His whispers in my spirit. Lately there have been 3 things that I am focusing on changing or improving in my life. One of which is "Don't be a Martha"
See part of my character is to be a "Plan-a-lot-a-mus" (that's what one of my daughters calls me), and that is not necessarily a bad thing, but anything in excess can turn bad. See if not kept in check I can plan 27 hours of activities into a 24 hr day, creating a little self induced pressure. Even things meant for fun and pleasure can become a source of stress and pressure if not kept at a realistic level. This became evident on one of our vacations years ago. I had an agenda, and itinerary, we had places to go, things to do, people to see. Whoa, Whoa, Whoa.... wasn't this supposed to be vacation, wasn't this supposed to be fun?
One of our Granddaughters has a cute little saying - but it is so true... "Stop, take a deep breath, innnnn - ouuuuut... now don't you feel better?" It is so true, just like Jesus spoke to Martha in the scripture above "you are fussing too much" What fun is life, if all we do is rush on to the next step? When I was growing up we would go to a relatives house for dinner and before we could fully finish our plate she would be clearing dishes and asking if we wanted desert. And if we didn't want it right then, then we didn't get any. It was served, and cleared and dishes were done and we were excused to the living room. It was kind of funny then, but it's not so funny if I start doing the same thing, so I need to keep that in check. God was showing that I didn't want to be so concerned about getting things done, that I couldn't see what was around me. "Don't be a Martha" keep resonating in my spirit.
We tell our children all the time about their children, "Don't be so eager for the next phase, walking, talking, going to school, enjoy them at this stage for soon they will be all grown up.
Last night - I did something a little silly and my husband commented at the fact that I had changed and that I used to be so serious that I would never let myself do silly things. It was a bitter sweet moment. Sorry that I spent so many years too serious, but happy that I'm sensitive to God's whispers in my spirit and flexible enough to let Him mold me into a better person. Happy that I can have a silly moment, a playful moment, for no reason and with no agenda.
God made me with wonderful attributes and my planning and organizing and even hosting can be useful tools in God's kingdom and in my life. But everything has a time and a place. Some quiet time of reflecting and playing and kneeling at Jesus' feet certainly has a place too.
Enjoy .... No hear me - Enjoy your day!
Lynn
Luke 10:38-42
Mary and Martha
38-40 As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”
41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” (MSG)See part of my character is to be a "Plan-a-lot-a-mus" (that's what one of my daughters calls me), and that is not necessarily a bad thing, but anything in excess can turn bad. See if not kept in check I can plan 27 hours of activities into a 24 hr day, creating a little self induced pressure. Even things meant for fun and pleasure can become a source of stress and pressure if not kept at a realistic level. This became evident on one of our vacations years ago. I had an agenda, and itinerary, we had places to go, things to do, people to see. Whoa, Whoa, Whoa.... wasn't this supposed to be vacation, wasn't this supposed to be fun?
One of our Granddaughters has a cute little saying - but it is so true... "Stop, take a deep breath, innnnn - ouuuuut... now don't you feel better?" It is so true, just like Jesus spoke to Martha in the scripture above "you are fussing too much" What fun is life, if all we do is rush on to the next step? When I was growing up we would go to a relatives house for dinner and before we could fully finish our plate she would be clearing dishes and asking if we wanted desert. And if we didn't want it right then, then we didn't get any. It was served, and cleared and dishes were done and we were excused to the living room. It was kind of funny then, but it's not so funny if I start doing the same thing, so I need to keep that in check. God was showing that I didn't want to be so concerned about getting things done, that I couldn't see what was around me. "Don't be a Martha" keep resonating in my spirit.
We tell our children all the time about their children, "Don't be so eager for the next phase, walking, talking, going to school, enjoy them at this stage for soon they will be all grown up.
Last night - I did something a little silly and my husband commented at the fact that I had changed and that I used to be so serious that I would never let myself do silly things. It was a bitter sweet moment. Sorry that I spent so many years too serious, but happy that I'm sensitive to God's whispers in my spirit and flexible enough to let Him mold me into a better person. Happy that I can have a silly moment, a playful moment, for no reason and with no agenda.
God made me with wonderful attributes and my planning and organizing and even hosting can be useful tools in God's kingdom and in my life. But everything has a time and a place. Some quiet time of reflecting and playing and kneeling at Jesus' feet certainly has a place too.
Enjoy .... No hear me - Enjoy your day!
Lynn
Friday, May 17, 2013
Hoarding and God
Recently my Husband and I moved - Whew- It's an experience of using every emotion and muscle you can imagine.
Today I want to share some of the lessons I learned about collecting, gathering, saving and hoarding. See my husband and I are not much into clutter, in fact someone once referred to us as sterile because we did not have a lot of nic nacs. But even so we had way too much stuff to sort, give, toss, and dump. But what are the difference between these - collecting - gathering - saving and hoarding? I Personally think that each one of these has to do with your mind set about stuff. And this mindset or Stronghold that you may have has a lot to do with experiences in your life. Whether you were poor growing up and feel like you have to constantly gather so you never run out. Or have you lost someone special so you never want to get rid of anything anyone gives you. See I don't think it is bad to collect or save to a point. But at what point does gathering and collecting become hoarding? I don't know what the clinical definition for hoarding is but in my opinion, it is when you never have enough, when you can 't or won't stop collecting and gathering. When you can't possibly let any of it go.
What does all this have to do with God? A lot! God tells us in Matt 6:25-34 (click the link and read it now) He wants us to trust Him and have faith in Him that He will provide for all our needs. In Matt 6:19 (click link to read now) He tells us to not store up treasures on this earth that will rot and be stolen. So if we are gathering and collecting out of fear, we need to stop and turn to God.
What about that old saying "Waste not Want not"? So you don't want to be wasteful so you don't get rid of it. But isn't it a waste that you have something that someone less fortunate could really use and it just sits on a shelf or in a cupboard?
Now I have another question - Are you hoarding God?
You read the Word and draw it in. You hear a Sermon and draw it in. You pray and God gives you wisdom, direction and revelation knowledge. Then what? Remember my definition of hoarding? ".......... when you can't possibly let any of it go."
It is not always easy for me to share God - But I keep trying. I don't want to be a hoarder.
Have a Blessed Day!
Lynn
Today I want to share some of the lessons I learned about collecting, gathering, saving and hoarding. See my husband and I are not much into clutter, in fact someone once referred to us as sterile because we did not have a lot of nic nacs. But even so we had way too much stuff to sort, give, toss, and dump. But what are the difference between these - collecting - gathering - saving and hoarding? I Personally think that each one of these has to do with your mind set about stuff. And this mindset or Stronghold that you may have has a lot to do with experiences in your life. Whether you were poor growing up and feel like you have to constantly gather so you never run out. Or have you lost someone special so you never want to get rid of anything anyone gives you. See I don't think it is bad to collect or save to a point. But at what point does gathering and collecting become hoarding? I don't know what the clinical definition for hoarding is but in my opinion, it is when you never have enough, when you can 't or won't stop collecting and gathering. When you can't possibly let any of it go.
What does all this have to do with God? A lot! God tells us in Matt 6:25-34 (click the link and read it now) He wants us to trust Him and have faith in Him that He will provide for all our needs. In Matt 6:19 (click link to read now) He tells us to not store up treasures on this earth that will rot and be stolen. So if we are gathering and collecting out of fear, we need to stop and turn to God.
What about that old saying "Waste not Want not"? So you don't want to be wasteful so you don't get rid of it. But isn't it a waste that you have something that someone less fortunate could really use and it just sits on a shelf or in a cupboard?
Now I have another question - Are you hoarding God?
You read the Word and draw it in. You hear a Sermon and draw it in. You pray and God gives you wisdom, direction and revelation knowledge. Then what? Remember my definition of hoarding? ".......... when you can't possibly let any of it go."
It is not always easy for me to share God - But I keep trying. I don't want to be a hoarder.
Have a Blessed Day!
Lynn
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Is your blinker on?
Have you been driving along and had one of your passengers ask “Is your blinker on”? Or maybe you have been riding with someone and had to let them know “Oh your blinker is still on”. And for anyone that may not understand this use of the word “blinker”,or “Flasher” - it is slang for “Turn Signal”. But a turn signal can also mean a traffic light, and a flasher as in “are your flashers on?” can mean your hazard signals, or flasher could mean…well you get the drift. Blinker just works.
In a vehicle, a blinker, signals all around that can see you that you are going to take some sort of action, usually that you are going to turn this way or that way. But likewise don’t our actions or re-actions send out signals. And what do those signals do and create in our lives and the lives of others?
As a parent, we long to hear our child say those precious words “Mommy” and “Daddy”, but then so often when we hear Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, we respond with “Just a minute, hang on, not now, I said be quiet,…”
As a parent, we want our children to want us and need us and love on us, but then too often we respond with “I’m busy, maybe later, have you done… yet?”
As a parent, we can see someone else's child and have all the patience in the world with them and get warm fuzzy’s about how sweet they are, but not stop and see the wonders of our own child.
I know that it is very important that we train up our children right. I also know as a Grandparent it is so awesome to be able to love on the children with out the responsibility of training them up. But we can not allow the cares of training them affect the signals we send them of love and approval and acceptance.
We are created in the image of God. Our Blinkers need to be the image of what God would do. When we pray and whine and grumble and plead and cry to our Abba Father, he never says not now I’m busy. He never looks down on us with an irritated or disapproving look. This is not to say that God does not correct us or that He doesn’t think we should correct our children.
Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
I know this is mostly about parents – but each of us have a responsibility to react in a way that influences the world around us in a positive way. My husband and I make a point of looking directly at people and smiling at them when we are in a public place. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen someone scowling in a defensive posture, looking like they are ready to lash out at the world, then see me smiling and break out into a smile themselves. I see teenagers size up other teenagers with a “As if attitude” while others hang their heads down trying not to be noticed. What would a smile from one teenager to another do?
As people on the earth, our signal is a reflection of our creator. I also know that seemingly innocent signals can draw someone closer to God or drive them away.
We all have blinkers, and we all use them more than we even know we do. What does your blinker tell the world about you?
As I head into the New Year I want my blinker to shine in a more positive way. I want to signal to the world that there is love and acceptance, not with out a price, but that the price has been paid. Paid by my savior Jesus. I want my signal to show I am turning - towards God.
Happy New Year to everyone – God Bless
Lynn
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