Currently viewing the tag: "New Testament"
When the kids were young, and I was up to my eyeballs in diapers and sippy cups, I nearly punched a woman in the face.
Andy and I were having dinner with several couples we didn’t know. We introduced ourselves to one another, and to a young, newly-engaged woman, I said that I was stay-at-home mom. With a nod toward her fiancé, she replied assuredly, “Yeah, when we have kids, I won’t stay home. I’m not really the kind of woman who likes to cook and clean all day.”
And I very nearly punched her, square in the nose.
Instead, I blurted out a comeback that made Andy laugh for weeks. “Well, I don’t do it because I like it!”
I love being a mom, of course, but there are certain aspects of the job that I don’t always like. What I meant to say…what I should’ve said to the poor girl…was something more like, “I don’t like to cook and clean all day. In fact, I don’t cook and clean all day. But I stay home with my kids because I think it’s what God wants me to do.”
And for the record, my mom-friends who work outside their homes do so because they’re confident that God has called them there, too. I also know moms who love to cook all day, and even a few women who love to clean…because God has simply wired them that way.
Every mom—stay-at-home moms and career moms alike—does some things that she doesn’t like. That’s part of being an adult, really. Maturity is the ability to delay gratification…to put what’s required ahead of what’s just desired. Moms make sacrifices out of love, whether or not they like it.
Moms understand Paul’s call to humble service in his letter to the Philippians. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:3-5)
Paul goes on to explain the servant heart of Jesus. He left his throne, humbled himself, and obeyed even to the point of death by crucifixion. Why? He didn’t do it because He liked it. Christ endured the cross because He loved us. He made the ultimate sacrifice because He knew it’s what God wanted Him to do.
And what was the result? Paul says, the sacrifices were worth it. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
For moms, duty calls. Duty to children, yes, but more importantly, duty to the Lord. We don’t do it because we like it. We make sacrifices because we love our children—and our God.
Lord, the sacrifices I make as a mom pale in comparison to the sacrifice You made for me. And yet, on the days when I’m overwhelmed by it all, will You remind me that it’s worth it? Remind me to have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus. Thank You that Your Spirit empowers me to accomplish everything You call me to do…whether or not I like it. Amen.
A few days ago, Anne and Molly played with water guns. They squirted and squealed and skipped around, like two little girls who have no idea how to fire guns, but just want to get wet. Which is exactly what they are.
“Hey!” Molly laughed after taking a squirt to the face, “Watch the eyes!”
Anne confidently called back, “Well, I don’t aim! I just fire!”
I don’t aim. I just fire. How many things in my life could be described that way? My physical health: I don’t aim to exercise regularly. I just eat whatever I please. With writing…the books I dream of writing won’t get written unless I aim to write more than I facebook. In my undisciplined speech, my selfish attitude, and even at times when it comes to my parenting, I’m reactive rather than proactive and intentional.
I don’t aim. I just fire.
So what is my aim? The aim in every friendship? My aim for my marriage, my kids, my life? The apostle Paul knew just where to aim.
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)
To know Christ—that’s the aim. That’s the goal toward which we “press on”. Knowing Christ and becoming like Him, representing Jesus and pointing others to Him. The aim, in a word, is Christ.
Sunday afternoon, I typed an entire list of “security scriptures”—several verses about insecurity and fear.
Any guesses on how my week had gone?
My old friends, Fear and Doubt, had come back for a visit. Actually, they seemed rather determined to take up residence. And so, I printed off my list, read it over and over, and kindly asked my unwelcome guests to leave.
When fears press in, I often remember the story of Thomas, Jesus’ friend and disciple who is most famous for his doubts. Not convinced of Christ’s resurrection, Thomas said in essence, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
So, the Lord, who was, in fact, very much alive, graciously showed himself to his friend.
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Stop doubting and believe.
Stop. Doubting. And. Believe.
Stop doubting, Amy. See my hands, faithfully at work? I provide for you every single day. Reach out your hand and experience my goodness. Your children, your loving husband, your faithful friends are all examples of my good gifts to you.
Stop doubting and believe.
Believe I am enough. Believe I am good. Believe I work for your good. Believe that I love you.
Stop doubting and believe.
I love Thomas’ reaction to the resurrected Lord—to the Christ, who, by conquering death, made it possible for him to stop doubting and believe. Thomas the Doubter became Thomas the Worshiper as he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”
God, help me to trust You. You haven’t given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) How, then, am I insecure?! Why, in light of the cross, do I possibly doubt? Indeed, in light of Your resurrection, let me stop doubting and believe. Let me live in boldness and freedom and awe, my Lord and my God! Amen.
If you can relate, download a copy of my verses list, or add your own Security Scripture in the comments! Security Scriptures
Today Andy showed me Eugene Peterson’s translation of Matthew 6:9-13, and we both loved it. The Lord’s prayer is so familiar that we sometimes miss it, but The Message made it fresh to me. Hope it does for you, too.
With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Re-posted from 2008.
“Oh, I COMPLETELY forgot,” I emailed a friend a few days ago, after failing to do a favor he’d asked. “I am SO SORRY!”
“No worries,” came his reply. “No need for all caps emotions. Be at peace.”
I’ve chuckled about his answer all week. Apparently he has experienced my “all caps emotions” before, or at least he’s familiar enough with my personality to know I could use some peace.
His phrase “all caps emotions” made sense to me, because I see words in my head. Anger, fear, sadness, regret—whatever the emotion, I tend to capitalize it. Like yesterday, when we took all three kids to their dentist appointments, only to be told by an ungracious, unapologetic receptionist that there was no dentist there—“Sorry.” I had such all caps anger that my jaw hurt from clenching my teeth. (Which, ironically, means I should see a dentist.)
I observed all caps emotions this morning when my daughter—the all caps emotions poster child—stomped to her bedroom with loud, dramatic sobs. I experience fear and worry—all caps—on a regular basis, and when Satan whispers his doubts and shame and temptation in my ear, he uses all caps, too.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) In other words, “I’m with you, Amy, so enjoy my peace. Delete, take off the caps lock, use lowercase.”
What “capitalizes” your emotions? Hear Jesus say, “No worries. No need for all caps emotions. Be at peace.”
Amy’s ambitions aren’t appropriate. Awful, actually. Always after attention, Amy adores approval and aims at acknowledgment.
“Applaud Amy!” “Accept Amy!” “Admire Amy!”
(Awkward.)
And, Amy’s attempts at admiration always achieve anxiety and anger. Abundance and assurance are achingly absent.
Although Amy’s aims are amiss, appropriate ambition (as an apostle announced) appreciates an Almighty. Accurate aspirations are after GOD’s approval.
An apostle’s appeal: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
Amy, advance another ambition! Aspire after GOD’s approval, and GOD’s alone.
(Re-posted from 2009.)
“You’re listening to lies again,” Andy told me last night. I’d been rehearsing a few fears and doubts, and he lovingly called me on it. He said I’d given the enemy free reign in my mind, instead of “taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
He was right, as usual. I woke up this morning resolved to regain the ground I’d lost in the battlefield of my mind. It comes down to this: what do I know? Not what do I feel, and definitely not what do I assume. Those things rise and fall with my changing circumstances and fluctuating hormones. But what is true? What do I know?
I know whom I have believed…
I know You are faithful, God. I know You’re loving, and I know that You have my best in mind. I know You’ll meet every need. I know Your Spirit will empower me to do whatever You ask.
and am convinced…
Honestly, I haven’t been convinced lately. But today I’m fairly certain, anyway. Why does trust come so easily for others, but not for me? Convince me, God. Help me in my unbelief.
that He is able…
More than able. He who holds galaxies in orbit can certainly handle my problems. The Ancient of Days is more than qualified for my today and tomorrow.
to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
Lord, I give You my two most precious possessions: my marriage and my kids. Protect Andy and me, God! How the enemy would love to destroy us, but too much is riding on this one. Let us only ever be thrilled by one another. And give Nathan, Anne and Molly hearts to love You and minds that believe. Let them obey and honor You always. Such treasures! I entrust them to You. Keep them for Your glory. Guard them.
I love You, God. I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that You are able to guard what I have entrusted to You for that day. Amen.
I love a new year…blank calendar, new start, “…always fresh, with no mistakes in it,” as Anne of Green Gables would say. I love to set goals and make plans and dream dreams.
Lately I’ve been praying Kate Miner’s “Dream Before You”. It’s not a new song, but it comes back to my mind often. What a great prayer for 2011–for my kids, my husband, my church. After all, he is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Let’s dream before Him!
Dream Before You
by Kate Miner
I hear You calling me
To give You all my desires
I feel You drawing me
Into a place that’s higher
And I believe.
I come to dream before You
And give You the hope of all of my days
I lay my dreams before You
Let them be a sacrifice of praise
What could limit You?
For You are God and not man
And what could keep You
From doing what You’ve got planned?
I believe.
I come to dream before You
And give You the hope of all of my days
I lay my dreams before You
Let them be a sacrifice of praise
Move me and guide me
As I press in
And stand there beside me
In this place I’ve never been
We come to dream before You
And give You the hope of all of our days
We lay our dreams before You
Let them be a sacrifice of praise
One of my favorite parts from the story of Christ’s birth is Luke 2:19 – “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Every mother understands. We all have moments when we ache with love or joy for our children. Times when we think, “I will never forget this moment. This one’s a treasure.”
I made a few treasured memories this Christmas, and I hope you did, too. I loved hearing Anne sing carols at 6:15 AM Christmas morning. We’d told her not to come into our room until 7:00, and she obeyed…but joy doesn’t follow the clock, I suppose. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” has never sounded so sweet.
Another treasure was my gift from Nathan—a handwritten story about a mom of three kids. Treasure. And as we ate Christmas dinner (complete with a pre-cooked ham and store-bought rolls), the whole family did their best to convince me that they like lumpy mashed potatoes.
“Really, Mama! They’re fine!”
“I don’t like it when you just swallow ‘em, Mom. I like it when you have to crunch ‘em. Like these.”
Oh, what treasures! What blessings from the fullness of His grace (John 1:16). I’d love to hear your Christmas highlights. What say you? What does your heart treasure this season?
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Sundays, not surprisingly, are crazy in our home. Well, they’re crazy for Andy. The rest of us just wave to him as he goes by.
A few weeks ago, while Anne was sick with a fever, Andy had an especially busy Sunday. After being at the church building for literally 13 hours, Andy rushed home to get a few things before heading to his next meeting. He didn’t have time to talk—just told us he loved us from the doorway before heading out again.
When the garage door closed behind him, I heard a little sniff coming from the direction of the couch. Anne was crying.
“Anne, are you sad?”
She nodded.
“Are you missing Daddy?”
Tears poured down her face as she wailed, “I don’t even know what he’s wearing!”
Who knew Andy’s clothes were so important? But it wasn’t really his attire that bothered her. Tender Anne felt disconnected from the person she loves most: her father. Anne was saying, in essence, “He was gone before I woke up, and I couldn’t say good morning. He’ll be gone when I go to bed, so I can’t say good night. I miss him so much…and I don’t even know what he’s wearing!”
As I write this, I’m locked in Andy’s office, away from kids and home. It’s been too long since I’ve taken a whole day to connect with my Father. To not just “log pages” on some daily Bible reading plan, but to truly hear Him speak in His Word. To converse with Him in prayer. To be still before Him, and remain in Him, and enjoy His presence.
It has been too long, Lord. Keep me connected to You! I don’t even know what You’re wearing.–Let me see You today. Amen.
