Last night was the annual Riverside Elementary School talent show. My middle school child Mackenzie started participating in 3rd grade and so did my youngest, Taylor Grace. So this would be my 5th talent show to watch. I have to say it is thoroughly entertaining. I love the variety. I love the creativity. I love seeing the kids come up one or two at a time to show what they can do.
They are always a few that make you smile because they are so enjoying themselves. It may be singing, it might be dancing, and it’s not always that the talent level is immense, but you see that they are giving 100% and you find yourself smiling right along with them. There is also the few that look absolutely scared to death, or so small that you’re not sure if this was really their idea, but again you find yourself wanting to clap and encourage them for their bravery. There are always the mishaps of a missed note or words, the nervous giggles, and a few acts that perhaps are a little ahead of their time. And then there are the children that amaze us. It will probably sound a bit racist, but I need to become friends with a Korean mom just to figure out how they manage to have such consistently high achievers. But I have probably missed the curve already, and variety is the spice of life- we can’t all be overachievers.
I remember Mackenzie’s 5th grade year she played a piano piece. She had been taking piano for a year, and she played her piece perfectly. Immediately following was the tiniest 1st grade boy. He was precious. Dressed in a tux, Paul Wang was about the same height as the piano. He sat down and played this beautiful sonata that blew everyone away. He is now in Taylor Grace’s class and played beautifully again last night.
Taylor Grace and her friend Savannah choreographed and performed their own dance to Mylie Cyrus’ “Party in the USA”. As her mother, you know I am completely unbiased when I tell you it was incredible ☺. Which made me think about all the other moms and dads celebrating these gifts and talents that these children have. It made me so proud to see the kids expressing themselves and avoiding that adult tendency to over criticize or compare. You could just see the uniqueness in each child whether they sang, danced, or played an instrument.
It makes me wonder what it would be like if we all were less critical of ourselves. If we were all brave enough to share our talents, to give what we’ve got. If we set aside time to enjoy each other’s abilities and didn’t expect perfection but instead encouraged the courage to try. I wonder why we don’t do that more often? It was better than any TV show. It was cool also to see the community coming together to do something fun and wholesome. So thank you to you PTA moms that made it happen. You encouraged the arts and touched my heart.
There is a parable about talents in the bible which is representative of money in the scripture. But I imagine it holds true for our abilities as well. Don't hide or bury them, get out and use them!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Toilets
Since I had to look on the Internet for toilets yesterday, I am still thinking about the $3000 toilets. When I googled toilets I expected a range, but I did not expect to go from $89 to almost $4000. I am still somewhat puzzled as to what need it fulfills to pay more for a toilet. The functions appear to mostly be the same. Differences include colors, one piece or two-piece, water usage, and some even had a bidet (which I would think would be a bit more costly). But for the most part they looked pretty similar to me.
After having this roam around in my head, I couldn’t help but think of what would be really useful in a toilet. I have a neighbor with 2 little boys and 1 big boy. She was recently explaining to me that she regretted putting hardwood floors in her bathroom. As the finish is deteriorating, she would have chosen tile instead, if she had factored in having 3 boys. It seems urine must be quite corrosive if it is continually sprinkled on a surface. I only have 1 big boy in the house but I understand. There is no aiming required for us girls. We simply sit. This whole process of aiming is not as accurate. So my idea to really improve the function of a toilet is to have an aiming mechanism that extends up when needed and then disappears when it is not. I imagine men are cringing at the thought and women that have continually cleaned the potty are saying- “Of Course!”. In addition there should be a self-cleaning button. We have self-cleaning for our ovens- why not the toilet? I picture a Wallace and Grommet type of invention with mechanical hands appearing from the wall to scrub and clean at the push of a button.
Until then I think I will settle for the $89 toilet. As an aside, I found a used toilet for sale in what looked like pristine condition for $50. I plan on looking at it today. When I mentioned it to my husband, he was quite indignant at the thought of a used toilet, so was Mackenzie, until I pointed out that none of our derrieres have ever sat on a ‘new’ toilet. He grew up in apartments and both of our homes were lived in before we bought them. We’ve used public restrooms in gas stations, hotels, stores, and stadiums, even port a potties. So I think used might be a little irrelevant.
Anyway, I hope you have a new appreciation for your throne room today. That little contraption is underappreciated and probably one of the hardest working items in your home. And if any of you want to buy the rights to my ideas- let me know ☺.
After having this roam around in my head, I couldn’t help but think of what would be really useful in a toilet. I have a neighbor with 2 little boys and 1 big boy. She was recently explaining to me that she regretted putting hardwood floors in her bathroom. As the finish is deteriorating, she would have chosen tile instead, if she had factored in having 3 boys. It seems urine must be quite corrosive if it is continually sprinkled on a surface. I only have 1 big boy in the house but I understand. There is no aiming required for us girls. We simply sit. This whole process of aiming is not as accurate. So my idea to really improve the function of a toilet is to have an aiming mechanism that extends up when needed and then disappears when it is not. I imagine men are cringing at the thought and women that have continually cleaned the potty are saying- “Of Course!”. In addition there should be a self-cleaning button. We have self-cleaning for our ovens- why not the toilet? I picture a Wallace and Grommet type of invention with mechanical hands appearing from the wall to scrub and clean at the push of a button.
Until then I think I will settle for the $89 toilet. As an aside, I found a used toilet for sale in what looked like pristine condition for $50. I plan on looking at it today. When I mentioned it to my husband, he was quite indignant at the thought of a used toilet, so was Mackenzie, until I pointed out that none of our derrieres have ever sat on a ‘new’ toilet. He grew up in apartments and both of our homes were lived in before we bought them. We’ve used public restrooms in gas stations, hotels, stores, and stadiums, even port a potties. So I think used might be a little irrelevant.
Anyway, I hope you have a new appreciation for your throne room today. That little contraption is underappreciated and probably one of the hardest working items in your home. And if any of you want to buy the rights to my ideas- let me know ☺.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Money, money, money, money
Timothy 6:10-12 (New International Version)
10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1Timothy keeps popping up and distracting me. How do I not love money? Do I know anyone that doesn’t love money? I think of the rich young ruler and his disappointment when Jesus asked him to sell all he had. I don’t want to sell all I have. I mean I know in my head that it all belongs to God. I know in my head that I am just a steward of what he has allowed me to use. In a sense I am borrowing all because it is not truly mine. BUT, I also tend to take ownership. I DO start to think of things as mine. I know in my head that things don’t make you happy. But I DO like certain things that are temporarily borrowed and mostly considered mine through God’s benevolence. I like my house, I like my car, I like my clothes and shoes. I like to have food in my pantry and freezer, I like to take my kids to activities, I like having heat in the winter and A/C in the summer, I like having water freely flowing through my pipes. I like furniture and kitchen appliances. I like lots of things that require money.
Even beyond that I like to have some set aside for days like today when I am looking for a toilet, because I have a hairline fracture in the tank. Being so industrious as to replace the deteriorated rubber washers and bolts myself I must have tightened the bolts too tightly. Who knew a petite lady could tighten the bolts so tightly as to make a fracture in the tank? And as an aside- looking for toilets- did you know there are toilets that cost upwards of $1000 dollars? I mean, you know what they are for. Who needs a thousand dollar toilet for excrement? I also have been comparing the cost to repair my oven and the cost to replace it. Trying to figure out which is the better strategy is like trying to predict the future. So I like having some money set aside to replace those broken things. I also look around and realize that the sofa is getting threadbare and will eventually need a cover or a replacement as well.
So how do I not love money?
In the 18 years that I have been married, we have never been, in our culture, considered rich (although I think almost every American I know is rich- we just have a skewed perception with so much wealth all around us- but that’s a whole new essay). We have had many tight months, especially when we first had kids and adapted to a one-income lifestyle. But I would occasionally remind myself that even if we literally lost everything, we would still be blessed because we had each other. I think that if we had to start over in another little apartment or duplex without savings, it would be hard and yucky, but we would be okay (not thrilled or necessarily happy- but okay). Now I would like to throw in for the sake of reality that that is easier said than done, and that I do not want to start over at zero, but it is my optimistic thought that we would work it out and keep moving forward. I like to think that I know there are more important things than things.
But, do I still love money?- yes. Is a continuous draw that I have to fight against?- yes. Do I think it will get easier at some point?- maybe, hopefully, not so sure. But I think the second part of Paul’s charge to Timothy helps us start to find a balance- “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness”.
Lately I have been trying to pursue a job. I have been trying to pursue some security through finding a paycheck. Even though God is good to me and has always been good to me. Even though God is providing for me and has always provided for me. I forget. Like the ruler, I have become used to a certain way of living and I am not sure I can let go of that. I forget that it is not mine anyway. I forget that as Bono sang- “My God isn’t short of cash mister”. I still love money but I am taking the first step. Hi- I am Joy and I love money. I am a recovering money lover today. But one day at a time right?
10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1Timothy keeps popping up and distracting me. How do I not love money? Do I know anyone that doesn’t love money? I think of the rich young ruler and his disappointment when Jesus asked him to sell all he had. I don’t want to sell all I have. I mean I know in my head that it all belongs to God. I know in my head that I am just a steward of what he has allowed me to use. In a sense I am borrowing all because it is not truly mine. BUT, I also tend to take ownership. I DO start to think of things as mine. I know in my head that things don’t make you happy. But I DO like certain things that are temporarily borrowed and mostly considered mine through God’s benevolence. I like my house, I like my car, I like my clothes and shoes. I like to have food in my pantry and freezer, I like to take my kids to activities, I like having heat in the winter and A/C in the summer, I like having water freely flowing through my pipes. I like furniture and kitchen appliances. I like lots of things that require money.
Even beyond that I like to have some set aside for days like today when I am looking for a toilet, because I have a hairline fracture in the tank. Being so industrious as to replace the deteriorated rubber washers and bolts myself I must have tightened the bolts too tightly. Who knew a petite lady could tighten the bolts so tightly as to make a fracture in the tank? And as an aside- looking for toilets- did you know there are toilets that cost upwards of $1000 dollars? I mean, you know what they are for. Who needs a thousand dollar toilet for excrement? I also have been comparing the cost to repair my oven and the cost to replace it. Trying to figure out which is the better strategy is like trying to predict the future. So I like having some money set aside to replace those broken things. I also look around and realize that the sofa is getting threadbare and will eventually need a cover or a replacement as well.
So how do I not love money?
In the 18 years that I have been married, we have never been, in our culture, considered rich (although I think almost every American I know is rich- we just have a skewed perception with so much wealth all around us- but that’s a whole new essay). We have had many tight months, especially when we first had kids and adapted to a one-income lifestyle. But I would occasionally remind myself that even if we literally lost everything, we would still be blessed because we had each other. I think that if we had to start over in another little apartment or duplex without savings, it would be hard and yucky, but we would be okay (not thrilled or necessarily happy- but okay). Now I would like to throw in for the sake of reality that that is easier said than done, and that I do not want to start over at zero, but it is my optimistic thought that we would work it out and keep moving forward. I like to think that I know there are more important things than things.
But, do I still love money?- yes. Is a continuous draw that I have to fight against?- yes. Do I think it will get easier at some point?- maybe, hopefully, not so sure. But I think the second part of Paul’s charge to Timothy helps us start to find a balance- “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness”.
Lately I have been trying to pursue a job. I have been trying to pursue some security through finding a paycheck. Even though God is good to me and has always been good to me. Even though God is providing for me and has always provided for me. I forget. Like the ruler, I have become used to a certain way of living and I am not sure I can let go of that. I forget that it is not mine anyway. I forget that as Bono sang- “My God isn’t short of cash mister”. I still love money but I am taking the first step. Hi- I am Joy and I love money. I am a recovering money lover today. But one day at a time right?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Israel, here I come!
Israel, here I come!
My husband is an anticipator. He has been excited about my trip to Israel for months now. I however tend to be more in the moment, so it is just now sinking in that I will be leaving in 2 weeks. Wow!
I realized I needed to record how this transpired so that I would not forget. You see I tend to forget the details over time, and can displace the significance of an event, or even downplay God’s role in it. So while I will still probably downplay God’s role in it, because He is after all in everything, I want to put in writing the cool way this has happened.
Last year, I was taking a bible study called “Experiencing God”. It really challenged me in a couple of ways: instead of doing what I thought and then asking God to bless it, I should look for what God was doing and then get involved where He directed. The study also challenged me to listen to God and step out in faith. I sensed that God was leading me to quit my job as Group Fitness Coordinator, but I wasn’t sure what the next step was. Around this same time, my husband felt strongly that I should go on a study tour of Israel. Looking at those two separate ideas you can see that they don’t really add up. I would be decreasing our family income around $1200 or so each month, and adding an additional expense of around $3700. At the same time we were committed to sending our 2 middle school girls on mission trips with the youth, which was also an additional $1200. Hmmm.
We began the discussions of what we could cut back on. We even decided to put our house on the market. With so many foreclosures we thought that perhaps by selling our house, we could lower our mortgage some. I tend to enjoy doing minor home repair and remodeling. We had fixed up our first home and made quite a profit, so we reasoned that perhaps we could do that again, but we also prayed that God would reveal his desire to us. At the end of our 3-month contract we reconsidered and decided it was best if we stayed put. I was relieved that I would no longer have to have my home ‘ready to show’, but still unsure where that left our plans. We thought about refinancing, thinking if all else fails, we could use some of our equity to pay for the trip (is my husband supportive or what), but because we had our house on the market, we could not refinance for 3 months, which would cause us to miss the payment deadlines for the trip. I think God was removing our options of self-reliance.
So, without knowing what the source would be, we took our step of faith and put down my $400 deposit. We decided that either God would provide or we would lose $400 (and that was a serious commitment for us). Two weeks later it was Christmas. When we got together with my family, my Dad gave each of the kids and the grandkids envelopes as usual. But the contents for us kids, was a bit unusual. Unbeknownst to us, my parents had cashed in an annuity and decided to split it among the 3 of us (I have 2 brothers). My envelope that normally had $50 instead had $2000. Grady smiled and said, “There’s part of your Israel trip”. We were astonished and grateful.
About 1 week later, I got a call from Julie Polachek. She said, “I have an anonymous donation for your Israel trip.” Someone had donated $2000. I was downright giddy for days. I remember thinking that on the one hand I would love to be able to say thank you to the donor, but on the other hand, not knowing made it seem like it came directly from God. We were able to pay off my trip and a significant portion of our daughters mission trips as well. I remembered Blackaby saying, “Confirmation comes after commitment”. What a beautiful confirmation!
It’s funny because I still am not sure why God wanted me to resign. But I suppose that if it were for no other reason than to ‘show off’ His amazing provision, I guess that’s good enough. I came across Romans 12:2 today, “It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone’s life is in His power.” I have not done exactly what I expected since resigning. I expected to write everyday, to be inspired and have some big revelation about my calling. What I have done instead is spend more time working in and around my house, spending more time in conversations with my daughters, spending more time cooking homemade meals, spending more time reading, and more time praying. I have felt more relaxed (most days), been more creative in how to spend money and time, and more aware of my dependence on God.
I expected to scrape and save and struggle to find a way to pay for Israel. I expected when I resigned to have a lightening bolt moment from God explaining my purpose. I am so glad God is better than my expectations. He wants me to talk to Him everyday, to step out in faith when He calls me, and to rely more on Him and less on me. “Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” I Cor. 1:16b. Ps. 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Prov. 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
I hope I am slowly learning that it is less about what I plan and expect and more about what God is doing.
Lord thank you for the glimpses again of your abundance, for the confirmation of your provision. Thank you that your plan is so much better when I remember to listen for what You have for me.
My husband is an anticipator. He has been excited about my trip to Israel for months now. I however tend to be more in the moment, so it is just now sinking in that I will be leaving in 2 weeks. Wow!
I realized I needed to record how this transpired so that I would not forget. You see I tend to forget the details over time, and can displace the significance of an event, or even downplay God’s role in it. So while I will still probably downplay God’s role in it, because He is after all in everything, I want to put in writing the cool way this has happened.
Last year, I was taking a bible study called “Experiencing God”. It really challenged me in a couple of ways: instead of doing what I thought and then asking God to bless it, I should look for what God was doing and then get involved where He directed. The study also challenged me to listen to God and step out in faith. I sensed that God was leading me to quit my job as Group Fitness Coordinator, but I wasn’t sure what the next step was. Around this same time, my husband felt strongly that I should go on a study tour of Israel. Looking at those two separate ideas you can see that they don’t really add up. I would be decreasing our family income around $1200 or so each month, and adding an additional expense of around $3700. At the same time we were committed to sending our 2 middle school girls on mission trips with the youth, which was also an additional $1200. Hmmm.
We began the discussions of what we could cut back on. We even decided to put our house on the market. With so many foreclosures we thought that perhaps by selling our house, we could lower our mortgage some. I tend to enjoy doing minor home repair and remodeling. We had fixed up our first home and made quite a profit, so we reasoned that perhaps we could do that again, but we also prayed that God would reveal his desire to us. At the end of our 3-month contract we reconsidered and decided it was best if we stayed put. I was relieved that I would no longer have to have my home ‘ready to show’, but still unsure where that left our plans. We thought about refinancing, thinking if all else fails, we could use some of our equity to pay for the trip (is my husband supportive or what), but because we had our house on the market, we could not refinance for 3 months, which would cause us to miss the payment deadlines for the trip. I think God was removing our options of self-reliance.
So, without knowing what the source would be, we took our step of faith and put down my $400 deposit. We decided that either God would provide or we would lose $400 (and that was a serious commitment for us). Two weeks later it was Christmas. When we got together with my family, my Dad gave each of the kids and the grandkids envelopes as usual. But the contents for us kids, was a bit unusual. Unbeknownst to us, my parents had cashed in an annuity and decided to split it among the 3 of us (I have 2 brothers). My envelope that normally had $50 instead had $2000. Grady smiled and said, “There’s part of your Israel trip”. We were astonished and grateful.
About 1 week later, I got a call from Julie Polachek. She said, “I have an anonymous donation for your Israel trip.” Someone had donated $2000. I was downright giddy for days. I remember thinking that on the one hand I would love to be able to say thank you to the donor, but on the other hand, not knowing made it seem like it came directly from God. We were able to pay off my trip and a significant portion of our daughters mission trips as well. I remembered Blackaby saying, “Confirmation comes after commitment”. What a beautiful confirmation!
It’s funny because I still am not sure why God wanted me to resign. But I suppose that if it were for no other reason than to ‘show off’ His amazing provision, I guess that’s good enough. I came across Romans 12:2 today, “It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone’s life is in His power.” I have not done exactly what I expected since resigning. I expected to write everyday, to be inspired and have some big revelation about my calling. What I have done instead is spend more time working in and around my house, spending more time in conversations with my daughters, spending more time cooking homemade meals, spending more time reading, and more time praying. I have felt more relaxed (most days), been more creative in how to spend money and time, and more aware of my dependence on God.
I expected to scrape and save and struggle to find a way to pay for Israel. I expected when I resigned to have a lightening bolt moment from God explaining my purpose. I am so glad God is better than my expectations. He wants me to talk to Him everyday, to step out in faith when He calls me, and to rely more on Him and less on me. “Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” I Cor. 1:16b. Ps. 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Prov. 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
I hope I am slowly learning that it is less about what I plan and expect and more about what God is doing.
Lord thank you for the glimpses again of your abundance, for the confirmation of your provision. Thank you that your plan is so much better when I remember to listen for what You have for me.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Revelation (as in the book)
I am wrapping up the end of a study on Revelation. Can I just say that I didn’t like it? I found all the plagues and references to blood and trials distressing. Not knowing what is symbolic and what is literal is daunting. I’m not sure if it is a discomfort with the idea of hell and damnation or just the sense that our culture is reflective of many of the signs foretold, but it was foreboding and difficult to work through. There was also the sense of this is crazy. I’m used to the story of Jesus, the New Testament parables, the Old Testament stories of people, the wisdom of proverbs, the beauty and emotion of the psalms. Prophecy is a completely different category. Seven heads with seven eyes, references to angels and numbers that may have literal or figurative meanings, dragons and false prophets, the uniting of men only to be fractured again. It makes me feel insignificant, and lacking in control (okay so maybe that is accurate anyway). It makes me aware again of the gaping chasm between God and me. I don’t understand. I don’t get it.
What I did get is that there are parallels between what has been and what will be. Just as those who were around for the coming of Jesus Christ didn’t always get it, yet there were those who still believed. We have our own limited perspective based on our time in this world, based on our cultural perspective. When Jesus was teaching in the Jewish communities, they expected their messiah to rule as a king, to lead their country to overcome the Romans. They expected a physical deliverance as had been done when they were captive to Egypt. Yet Jesus came with a spiritual deliverance. And those closest to the ‘prophecies’ sometimes had the greatest difficulties surrendering their preconceived notions of what this messiah should be.
After looking through the eschatology (briefly and in no way completely) I suppose I do have some better perceptions of what it might be like. I might have more understanding of what I think will happen, but I want to learn the lesson provided by the original chosen people. It might not be exactly what I am expecting, but it will be what is needed and so much more than what I can imagine. And I suppose in the words of Bill Murray, “I got that going for me.”
What I did get is that there are parallels between what has been and what will be. Just as those who were around for the coming of Jesus Christ didn’t always get it, yet there were those who still believed. We have our own limited perspective based on our time in this world, based on our cultural perspective. When Jesus was teaching in the Jewish communities, they expected their messiah to rule as a king, to lead their country to overcome the Romans. They expected a physical deliverance as had been done when they were captive to Egypt. Yet Jesus came with a spiritual deliverance. And those closest to the ‘prophecies’ sometimes had the greatest difficulties surrendering their preconceived notions of what this messiah should be.
After looking through the eschatology (briefly and in no way completely) I suppose I do have some better perceptions of what it might be like. I might have more understanding of what I think will happen, but I want to learn the lesson provided by the original chosen people. It might not be exactly what I am expecting, but it will be what is needed and so much more than what I can imagine. And I suppose in the words of Bill Murray, “I got that going for me.”
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The ant or the lily...
Matthew 6 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Lately I have been thinking that maybe the old children’s classic “The Ant and the Grasshopper” ought to be “The Ant or the Lily”. I am really struggling with finding the balance of waiting on the Lord, listening, and taking action- doing something. I mean in the epitome of human wisdom there are some pretty commanding ideas. “If you want something done, do it yourself.” “There’s no time like the present.” “You reap what you sow.” “Perspiration is the foundation for inspiration.” We respect hard work. We admire go-getters that get it done. We like to ‘do’ something. So how do lilies and birds fit in here?
As a woman, I know if forced to pick between being an ant or a lily, well, not working and being beautiful is a pretty good combination (and I never did learn how to make my own clothes). Ants do seem to always be scurrying about, working, searching for this or that, carrying it back home, only to repeat the cycle again. That does sound like most of the lives I know. Matter of fact, I’m not sure I know any lilies; just relaxing, soaking in the sun, being all glorious. Birds in my perspective fit somewhere in between. They at least look graceful flying around and stop long enough to sing now and then.
I guess God knew we would be compelled to do something, so He did give us an objective: Something to ‘do’. (verse 33) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously. What do I tend to seek on my own whims? I seek money. I seek friendship. I seek control. I seek security. I seek comfort. I seek to buy low and sell high. I seek to look glorious. I seek intelligence. I seek wisdom. I seek happiness. I seek love. I seek joy. I seek beauty. A mixed bag- some being of higher importance than others, and some seeming more attainable than others. But the truly important ones when I really think about it do come from God. So why do I seek for myself wisdom, beauty, love, provision and joy? Why not directly petition the source?
Live righteously. Now that one is a no-brainer. Who’s mama ever told them- “Do wrong and you will be better off for it.”? We know that doing right is better. It’s just that doing right is sometimes self-sacrificing. It’s sometimes inconvenient. It’s sometimes just downright difficult to do right. If you have any family or daily relationships, you should know this- they just don’t always do right, and neither do we…
So we are forced once again to realize the impossibility of the standards set by our loving savior Jesus Christ. Which hopefully will once again help us turn back to him and say “help.”
Lord, Have mercy on me a sinner. Help me seek You first when I am tempted to seek other sources. Help me do right. Help me soak in Your ‘son’ and radiate a little of Your glory today so others can remember to seek You as well. Help me remember as I scurry, work, and search for this or that, that this is just a temporary home, not meant to be my security or my source. Bring out the lily in me today.
Lately I have been thinking that maybe the old children’s classic “The Ant and the Grasshopper” ought to be “The Ant or the Lily”. I am really struggling with finding the balance of waiting on the Lord, listening, and taking action- doing something. I mean in the epitome of human wisdom there are some pretty commanding ideas. “If you want something done, do it yourself.” “There’s no time like the present.” “You reap what you sow.” “Perspiration is the foundation for inspiration.” We respect hard work. We admire go-getters that get it done. We like to ‘do’ something. So how do lilies and birds fit in here?
As a woman, I know if forced to pick between being an ant or a lily, well, not working and being beautiful is a pretty good combination (and I never did learn how to make my own clothes). Ants do seem to always be scurrying about, working, searching for this or that, carrying it back home, only to repeat the cycle again. That does sound like most of the lives I know. Matter of fact, I’m not sure I know any lilies; just relaxing, soaking in the sun, being all glorious. Birds in my perspective fit somewhere in between. They at least look graceful flying around and stop long enough to sing now and then.
I guess God knew we would be compelled to do something, so He did give us an objective: Something to ‘do’. (verse 33) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously. What do I tend to seek on my own whims? I seek money. I seek friendship. I seek control. I seek security. I seek comfort. I seek to buy low and sell high. I seek to look glorious. I seek intelligence. I seek wisdom. I seek happiness. I seek love. I seek joy. I seek beauty. A mixed bag- some being of higher importance than others, and some seeming more attainable than others. But the truly important ones when I really think about it do come from God. So why do I seek for myself wisdom, beauty, love, provision and joy? Why not directly petition the source?
Live righteously. Now that one is a no-brainer. Who’s mama ever told them- “Do wrong and you will be better off for it.”? We know that doing right is better. It’s just that doing right is sometimes self-sacrificing. It’s sometimes inconvenient. It’s sometimes just downright difficult to do right. If you have any family or daily relationships, you should know this- they just don’t always do right, and neither do we…
So we are forced once again to realize the impossibility of the standards set by our loving savior Jesus Christ. Which hopefully will once again help us turn back to him and say “help.”
Lord, Have mercy on me a sinner. Help me seek You first when I am tempted to seek other sources. Help me do right. Help me soak in Your ‘son’ and radiate a little of Your glory today so others can remember to seek You as well. Help me remember as I scurry, work, and search for this or that, that this is just a temporary home, not meant to be my security or my source. Bring out the lily in me today.
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