Never did I think there would be a time that I would feel ‘muffled’ in my ability to share what is going on in my life. Never say never. I’ve often anticipated with a curious excitement the moments that a phone call, email or chance run in could change the course of my path, even if it was meant to bring sorrow and sadness rather than the much longed for joy and exhilaration. God has taught me over the years that it is in these moments I can catch the purest glimpses of Him at work which is why they’ve become anticipated.
This particular ‘moment’ in my life is no different. Even though there is more confusion and the uncertainty that comes from the complete unknown than any sort of sorrow or joy I still feel the peace in my heart that only God can provide.
Last week this ‘moment’ occurred and instantly I’ve seen God’s hand in the situation and I praise Him for He has set me up well to handle it with all the right people in place. Once I have a few more ‘to do’s’ accomplished in this particular situation I will then feel free to write about the absolutely crazy situation. I use that word deliberately here to define what’s going on – C R A Z Y.
Until then I find that the virtues I’ve chosen for today go well with the message God desires of me so hopefully it will speak to you in whatever situation you might be in as well.
Courage – (a private virtue – in relationship with God)
“Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice.” Isaiah 40:10
Life demands courage. But courage is not a blissful denial of reality. Courage is the conviction that no matter what life brings to us, we can rise above our fears. We can trust God to be our light and our salvation, the stronghold of our lives.
We take on courage every day. I recently spoke to a relative that is facing ’empty nest’ syndrome. This relative is recognizing that life is not over once the kids are gone…in fact, there is still an entire lifetime ahead. There is courage to be found in taking that step to seek out our desires and recognize the talents God has given us and then taking the steps to move forward and become who He created us to be. In fact, we grow in the virtue of courage daily as we come across the minor (and major) bumps in the road that try to hold us back. Sometimes courage is simply waking up each day and choosing to get out of bed, put a smile on for the kids, to make that meal or do that load of laundry or face another day at work. If you have the courage to do the small things then God steps in to give you the confidence to conquer the bigger tasks.
Today, for me, courage is trusting that the steps I am about to take are directed by God and that even though it seems it will cause everything that has been built up for the past five years to fall apart, I hear God say “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice.”
Dedication – (private virtue – in relationship with others)
“That all people’s of the earth may know the Lord is God and there is no other, you must be wholly devoted to the Lord, our God, observing his statutes and keeping his commandments.” 1 Kings 8:60-61
It’s easy, sometimes, for us as Christians to proclaim our dedication to the larger work of God – to the salvation of nations, to evangelistic outreach in far-off places. But real dedication to the Lord’s purposes of ten means getting “dirty in the ditches” of our own homes. It’s not a glamorous call, this dedication to the everyday. It’s just hard work. It’s emotional and spiritual bricklaying. Building up the kingdom, one home at a time.
This goes along with the courage to recognize the work we each are doing within our own homes. For me personally, being involved specifically in ministry, I have to take a step back daily and ask myself “Am I doing enough ministry within my marriage? With my kids? Am I giving them the same compassion, the same amount of empathy and understanding?” I’m pretty ‘real’ in my ministry so I’d like to think I’m not showing two different sides in any situation whether it be at home or ‘in the field’ but there are moments that catch me off guard.
For instance, last night we went out for ice cream as a Valentine’s treat. Neal was driving, the kids were in the back of the car and we were driving through the parking lot to get to the ice cream shop when we were blocked by two cars. In one car was a young man most likely in his early 20’s and he was talking to another young man that was standing outside. The other car’s driver’s door was wide open and parked in the middle of the lane that we were trying to drive down. We literally sat there for a minute. To be honest I was shocked Neal wasn’t rolling down his window and saying something to get them to move. Finally the young man got into his car and pulled away but at the very same time the other car pulled out and blocked us from going. Neal and I both were looking at him and he gave us a dirty look and through up his hands saying things I won’t repeat. I was so put off by his disrespect and the audacity of his actions when he was clearly in the wrong! I reached across Neal and started to say something in a knee-jerk reaction when thankfully Neal caught me and said, “Hey!” He laughed and the boys were laughing because I’m sure the look on my face was comical but I just couldn’t believe the nerve of that guy. Then one of the boys said, “Mom, was that you seeing God in that guy?” and laughed. 🙁 Um, no. I suppose not. I immediately apologized for my reaction and we went into the ice cream shop kind of laughing about it because they all thought it was funny. Neal made sure to point out there behavior was wrong but the boys got the bigger kick at laughing at me. When we were being served there was only one young woman behind the counter and I asked her where the other person was. She informed us, with a smile on her face I need to add, that she had been working all day by herself from 9am till then and would close on her own as well. She hadn’t had a break and she hadn’t eaten all day. I asked her how old she was because she looked awfully young to be managing the store let alone working there all day alone and she was only 18. I decided to give her a pretty hefty tip in hopes to lighten up her Valentine’s Day. When we walked to the car Seth said, “Well, that’s nice mom. You made up for how you treated that other guy by helping her out.” I can’t say that is really what I wanted as a teachable moment, honestly I’d say I received an ‘F’ in parenting last night but it sure did bring home the lesson that I need to be consistently dedicated in building up the kingdom of God in my home.
Blessings
Shannon