Come to the table

Isaiah 55:1-3

“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
² Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
³ Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.

I came across the above scripture in Bible study last week, and it has stuck with me ever since. Why do I labor for that which does not satisfy? Why do I pursue trivial things? Why do I run after so many foolish things, instead of running to Jesus? I want comfort and peace. I try to find it in my own strength, instead of remembering that peace is a Person, and that person is Jesus. I want appreciation, but I need to remember that El Roi sees me, and that is enough. I need to stop all of my chasing after meaningless things, and seek Him whole-heartedly. I need to remember that in Him and Him alone, I will find rest. I am so thankful that He bids me to come as I am. I don’t have to be all cleaned up. I don’t have to have it all together. He is waiting for me to come to the table.

Five Minute Friday Simplify

This is one of the occasions that I picked the song for this post, before I even really thought about what I wanted to write. As soon as I read that the word was simplify, I thought of the below song by the Newsboys. I have to admit that I am not great at simplifying. Even as a teen my Dad would joke with me about my knack for making things far more complicated than they needed to be. I tend to wander down rabbit trails, and put way too much thought into “what-if” scenarios. Here is the kind of “what-if” that could be helpful for 2018. What if I stopped worrying so much? What if I stopped overthinking things? What if I had the courage to simply love God and love others, and to live out that love. Maybe I would be more at peace and more joyful throughout 2018. This sounds like a good way to simplify to me.

 

 

Five Minute Friday Different

Oh, how I wish I could be different, that my life would be different, that my circumstances were different. I often feel like that I have to learn the same lessons over and over. I guess I didn’t learn what I needed to the first time. So, here I go again.  There are so many flaws that I had that I just wish that I didn’t. I wish I was stronger in this area, more organized, less frantic. I wish that I was a better wife and mother. I think that part of the problem is that I forget that I am a child of God. He loves me imperfections and all. He is not waiting for me to get my act together. I actually think that He is waiting for me to remember that I belong to Him. I am His. Only when I am submit and surrender to Him, can He work in me, and I can see growth and change in the areas that I so desperately need growth and change. Instead of spinning my wheels, trying to be different in my own strength, I need to remember that God needs me to give Him my heart.

 

 

Five Minute Friday Familiar

The smell of bacon, eggs, and potatoes being fried up on a Saturday morning. A smoke alarm that buzzes every time the oven is opened that also served as a signal that it was time to get up and eat breakfast. These are memories from my childhood. A warm mug of hot cocoa, a well-loved book- these are all memories that come to mind as I think of the word familiar. My children’s favorite nursery rhymes and songs, the sound of them pretending to be cats or dogs as they frolic in their imaginative play. The weight of their sleeping bodies on my lap; the sound of their laughter- these are the sights and sounds of my ordinary life. A favorite Bible verse, a familiar hymn, asking God’s blessing through prayer before meals and at bed time. These are moments that are familiar to me, and I pray that they will be fond memories that my children have as adults.

 

Five Minute Friday Silence

Ecclesiastes 3:7

a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

I am not always good at keeping silent. Silence can sometimes feel awkward and I want to fill that awkwardness with words, even if the words aren’t necessary. Silence can sometimes make me feel nervous. “Should I say something? Is anyone else going to say something?” But when I embrace the awkwardness of silence, I sometimes learn things that I would not have known if I had been quick to fill the silence . It may mean giving my daughter time and space to talk, without injecting my two cents worth right away. If I do this, I may learn more about her heart and her hopes and dreams. It may mean listening even when I really want to speak to show others I truly value what they are saying and want to share. Sometimes, even awkward silences are good. Living life addicted to noise can leave me feeling empty. I need to take the time to enjoy the beauty of silence.

 

 

Five Minute Friday Need

If you ask me on any given day, there are many things that I may tell you that I “need.” As a homeschooling mom of three kids eight and under, I may tell you that I need more time to get everything done, or I may tell you that I need a few minutes peace and quiet to clear my head. On some days, I might think I need to another cup of coffee or a piece of chocolate, but what do I really truly need? I need Jesus, and I need to recognize that I need Him more than any other thing that I might desire. I love the line in the Jars of Clay song I Need You “Do I need the shelter from the rain, the rain to wash me away?” Most days I do not know whether I need shelter from the storm or if I need to stretch my arms to Heaven and embrace God’s healing rain. The good news is that, God does know what I need. I can trust that He will meet my needs, and that His plans are for my good and His glory.

 

31 Days of surrendering to God Day 31 Rest

As a mom of three children, I find it hard to rest. There is always more work to do, and if I do somehow find myself caught up with my to-do list, my children’s request can always help me fill that list right back up again. I am tempted to think that I cannot rest until everything is done. I then get discouraged because I don’t know if there will ever be a point when everything is done. Most nights I go to bed with my to-do list for tomorrow already pretty full. I think I need to start putting rest on my to-do list. After all Jesus rested. He took time to get away from the crowds either alone or with the disciples and He prayed. I am so thankful for the example that Jesus set for us. I need to rest, and be still and know that God is God. (Psalm 46:10) I know that rest is a critical step for being the wife and mom that God has called me to be. What are some ways that you find rest in the midst of busy seasons of life?

 

 

Day 30 of Surrendering to God Being Open to the Refining Process

John 16:33

³³ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Jesus did not say in the above verse that we might have trouble. He said that we would have tribulation in this world. It is a part of living in a fallen world. Then, why I am so surprised, and discouraged when I find myself or those that I love in seasons of trials? I need to remember the below words from 1 Peter.

1 Peter 4:12

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

I have been studying Ephesians 6, and learning about the shield of faith. I told the other ladies in the Bible study that I sometimes think I panic drop my shield of faith, and cover my head with my hands, instead of taking up the shield of faith. I need to constantly remind myself of what is true, and keep pressing on in faith in what God has called me to do. I need to not fear the refining, but remember that God is with me every step of the way. I need to call out to Him and lean on Him.

 

 

Day 29 I will follow You

This is my oldest daughter’s favorite song. I hope that it is still one of her favorites when she is old enough to understand the message. I have mentioned before that my church is studying Priscilla Shirers  Armor of God Bible study. One of the things that I have learned through this study is that trusting in God, believing in His goodness and faithfulness has to happen before truly following Jesus. I need to know deep down in my gut that He is a good, good, Father before I take a step out in Faith. The more that I see His goodness, the great my trust and faith in Him will grow. I want to have the kind of faith described in this song. I want to have the kind of faith that the disciples had dropping everything and following Him.

 

31 days of Surrendering to God Day 28 Connection

I think to be living a life truly surrender to God, I have to stay connected to God, and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. My connection with God is critical. It is my lifeline. I need to stay connected to Him by reading the Bible, and by praying through out the day. I also like to listen to worship music, and read books and devotionals that remind me of His word. I also think that staying connected to my brothers and sisters in Christ is very important. I was having a conversation with my oldest daughter yesterday, that the body of Christ is supposed to be like one big family. This is how I feel about my church family, and it is reflected in our church’s mission statement that we are a gospel-centered family. I find that if I am not connected to my brothers and sisters in Christ, I feel very isolated and lonely. I need my sisters in Christ, and I am thankful for the connections that I have made through church, blogging, and other means. I am blessed to have wonderful women in my life.