OK, who else is having the craziest month ever? As we strive to get closer to God and put things in order, it seems that is when we are hit with all types of strange events and difficulties. For example, let me tell you my Saturday, Lazy Day story:
On Saturday, I did not wake up until 9am. Wonderful, huh? I got up, made pancakes, and shared with my family. I then enjoyed a morning of downloading and organizing pictures after my husband told our family that today was declared "Lazy Day."
The first sign that my day was not going to be that lazy was when my husband decided to organize his closet. I was somewhat inspired, so I began to go through the stacks of paper that had grown. Upon picking up a stack that I had laid on the floor next to my computer, I discovered dampness and even mold! I knew that stack had not been there long, and we started to look for the source of water.
We discovered water leaking on our brand new bookcase downstairs. As Michael investigated the leak, I began frantically trying to move the bookcase away from the water. It broke apart and books were all over the floor; I was now in tears and sporting a black and blue arm. After a few hours, we finally discovered that our refrigerator had a leak in the water tubing, and we found lots of water and lots that needed immediate cleaning. I toughed it out and got to bed totally worn out and discouraged.
Waking up on Sunday morning, I was overwhelmed by the weight of what seems to be just another thing to sidetrack me from my goals and my purposes.
Do you feel this way? Have you ever felt this emotion? I was reminded that I needed to encourage myself in the Lord. How thankful I am that I started picking up papers on that Lazy Day! Think of what it would have looked like on Sunday! Was it He that inspired my husband to clean? Yep, that is for sure!
If you need encouragement as you walk through a difficult time, consider God's promise to the righteous in Isaiah 43: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
I Have A Dream
As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and his famous "I Have A Dream" speech, I want to ask you a question. Do you have a dream? If so, what is it and have you written it down?
Why is it important to write it down? Well, the first reason is that we often forget. As a mom, I know, and have even been made aware of scientific information that support my theory, that I lost brain cells during my pregnancies. Those missing brain cells mean that I have less room to hold information in my human computer. But, even without pregnancies, we are often only using a limited amount of our memory capability anyway.
Another reason that our dreams need to be written is in order to prevent us from getting distracted. Just like a business office uses an appointment schedule, we need to have a dream "schedule". We need to know how the things around us are working toward the fulfillment of our dream. When we know these things, it is easier to say "no" to the things that will take us off track. For example, I have a dream to educate my children in a worldview based on God's presence, so I have dedicated the first half of each day to focusing only on this education. I do not answer phone calls, and I try to stay away from personal work. This can be difficult sometimes, but I am determined to work toward the fulfillment of that dream which will not happen if I allow myself to be distracted or occupied by other things.
God also reminds us to write things down - His words, His work in our life, and His inspiration. Maybe there are some of you who do not feel like you have a dream. I must remind you that God is the source of inspiration and dreams (even to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). Ask Him to show you and reveal His purposes for your life, then start looking around you! Remember that God does not always speak to us audibly, but He often "speaks" to us through circumstances, people, and the Bible. And, if you need a biblical basis for writing it down, just look at the Concordance at the back of your Bible for the verses that refer to "write", "writing" and "written." I think you will quickly see that He knows we need to write it down to remember and keep us on track.
Look at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He wrote it down, shared it and lived it---and, he changed the world. What could your dream do if you did the same?
Why is it important to write it down? Well, the first reason is that we often forget. As a mom, I know, and have even been made aware of scientific information that support my theory, that I lost brain cells during my pregnancies. Those missing brain cells mean that I have less room to hold information in my human computer. But, even without pregnancies, we are often only using a limited amount of our memory capability anyway.
Another reason that our dreams need to be written is in order to prevent us from getting distracted. Just like a business office uses an appointment schedule, we need to have a dream "schedule". We need to know how the things around us are working toward the fulfillment of our dream. When we know these things, it is easier to say "no" to the things that will take us off track. For example, I have a dream to educate my children in a worldview based on God's presence, so I have dedicated the first half of each day to focusing only on this education. I do not answer phone calls, and I try to stay away from personal work. This can be difficult sometimes, but I am determined to work toward the fulfillment of that dream which will not happen if I allow myself to be distracted or occupied by other things.
God also reminds us to write things down - His words, His work in our life, and His inspiration. Maybe there are some of you who do not feel like you have a dream. I must remind you that God is the source of inspiration and dreams (even to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). Ask Him to show you and reveal His purposes for your life, then start looking around you! Remember that God does not always speak to us audibly, but He often "speaks" to us through circumstances, people, and the Bible. And, if you need a biblical basis for writing it down, just look at the Concordance at the back of your Bible for the verses that refer to "write", "writing" and "written." I think you will quickly see that He knows we need to write it down to remember and keep us on track.
Look at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He wrote it down, shared it and lived it---and, he changed the world. What could your dream do if you did the same?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)