Stones & Snakes?

 "You parents - if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!" (NLT Matthew 7:9-10)

When our kids were younger they'd asked for some pretty crazy things! Things that their dad and I would have been crazy to say yes to! I'm pretty sure they knew the answer would be no - but they asked anyway . . . just in case :)

This could also describe how I sometimes approach God with my requests. I've asked for some pretty bizarre things in my day, and if I'm honest, I've asked knowing it's probably not in my best interest, or it's terribly selfish - but I ask anyway . . . just in case!

"Sometimes God knows we are praying for 'snakes' and does not give us what we ask for, even though we persist in our prayers." The NLT commentary also says that God won't give us 'stones' instead of what we need.

The "no" answer never came as an easy answer for my kiddos. (and I don't really like to hear it either!)

Usually there would be "conversation" trying to convince us that what they were asking for was a good idea. (yep, I've done this with God too!)

Or they'd make promises that would sweeten the deal if only we'd say yes! (okay - I've done this too!)

The Scripture goes on to say:

"If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." (Matthew 7:11)

As a parent I always want to protect my kids. (even now and they are grown!) I've always wanted to give them the best of everything. Many times my heart wanted to say yes, but my head knew it wasn't the best answer. I knew my job wasn't to make my children 'happy' all the time, but to love, care for and protect them. It's funny that I can recognize this as my role as a mom, but when I swap roles, and I'm the child making a request to my "Daddy God" - I can easily fall into the whining little girl who wants my way!

Sometimes I'd say to my kids, I know you think that's what you want, but it's not what you need. How often has God said that to me?! How many times have I tried to convince God, that yes it is!?! As I've grown in my faith and relationship with God I've learned, and been reminded over and over again, that our heavenly Father, is loving and kind, He is caring and comforting, He is gentle and gracious, faithful, and oh so patience with me! And because if this, He sometimes says "No".

Thank you God for giving me what I need, instead of just what I want.

Thank you God for teaching me the difference.

Thank you God for sometimes saying "No"!

Birds, Lilies & Wildflowers

One of my favorite sections from the Sermon on the Mount is when Jesus teaches about worry. He painted a vivid picture using very common things! He speaks about the birds, the lilies of the field, and the wildflowers. I can actually see them all in my mind's eye! All these beautiful creations that never worry about anything. They don't worry about when or what to eat, where to bloom or how long to bloom. They just simply live. They do what they were created to do.

Oh how I long to be like the birds, lilies and wildflowers!

In my younger years, I think I lived more of a "wildflower" kind of life than I do now in my seasoned years. I think the change came several years ago when I found myself stuck in the corner of a small elevator with several of my students crammed in there with me! They, of course, thought seeing how many they could get in the elevator was funny - I, on the other hand, did not! At that moment I felt like I had the power of the Incredible Hulk and if they didn't let me out I would physically move them!!! Was it my tone, my face . . . I'm not sure what happened, but they moved! Since then I've had a unhealthy sense of anxiety/fear about enclosed spaces, which unfortunately has created other insecurities and anxieties in life.

People who've never experienced anxiety often have "answers" to "help". They mean well. I appreciate that they want to help, and a lot of what they say is true. Not to be ungrateful but, I already know "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phil 4:13), and I know God tells me, in several verses, that He will never leave me or forsake me, and that He'll never give me more than I can handle. A well meaning friend or family member can tell me this over and over again - but I am the one who has to put it into practice. I have to believe it in my heart and head, which will lead my hands and feet to follow!

So - why don't I? What's holding me back? The Thief.

He comes to steal, kill and destroy . . . and he can be very convincing!

I'm learning that worry, (fear and anxiety) immobilizes me, it causes me to freeze in fear. It keeps me from doing what I know I need to do, it even keeps me from things I want to do! I need to find where fear lives in my life and evict it!!!

I'm also learning the difference in worry and genuine concern. When I have a genuine concern about something - it moves me into action. It opens my eyes to the possibility of getting past the fear instead of hiding from it. I'm not there yet, but reading God's Word, giving praise to Him and singing the name of Jesus gets me one step closer every day!

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else . . . "

Matthew 6:33, says it well. And when I do this - when I keep my focus on God and my eternal home, I let go of all the "what ifs", the "I can't", the self doubt, and it leads me to see all that God can do and will do when I open up and let the Holy Spirit move in my life!

If you are a person who deals with anxiety, worry and fear - you're not alone. I can't say I know how you feel, because even though we might have similar circumstances and situations - we are unique. But, I will say that I know where my help comes from - and even though my faith and trust aren't all that it should be, all the time, it's so much better than it was!

I know God to be great listener. I know I am encourage when I talk to Him. And, I know when I seek His will and ways, He shows them to me.

Question of the Day

 I was recently confronted, and maybe even convicted by this question . . .

"Do you want to do things differently, or do different things?"

Yes?

No?

Maybe?

What does that even mean?

In two months I will turn 60.

I guess it's due time to reflect again on where I've been, where I am and where I'm going!

"Do Hard Things"*, a book I used for a Bible study when I taught the youth group at a former church. The nutshell point of the book is that students, (people) are capable of doing and being so much more than they are . . . but when it gets hard, we settle. It seems we listen to the world saying we can't and less to God saying we can because through Him ALL things are possible!

Deciding to do things differently or to do different things might be hard - it might be uncomfortable, but if God leads me to it - I can do it!

I have some work to do and a lot of "knee-time" ahead!

*Do Hard Things by: David Kopp; Alex & Brett Harris