Bedtime Lessons
I had the amazing gift of getting to watch Mercy and Imogen tonight and help put them to bed. It was during the process of getting them to sleep, that I found an amazing sense of gratitude and peace again. All the cares and stress I am experiencing right now literally fell away.
Looking at Imogen's face while she was drinking her bottle and fighting sleep made me realize what this life is all about. My job, the paychecks, clothes, food, health issues I face - none of it matters in the end y'all. This life isn't about any of those temporal things! It's all about serving and glorifying the One who created us - who brought us all into life and formed us each so uniquely. The God who created Imogen so perfectly in the womb - who put together such intimate details, things that in no way can happen spontaneously - that God is the same one who loves and cares for us.
That just blows my mind. It puts everything into perspective for me again. Worldly cares have started to creep back into my life over these past three weeks. I started making excuses as to why it's better to just stay here - to live this comfortable life I have forever. A nice paycheck, spending time with my family, clothing and food options, new cars, etc. - all that is possible here. It's all so easy to justify never taking a risk for the gospel and God's kingdom advancement when you have such a comfortable life without having to make real sacrifices!
Mercy prayed before bed, and that just always makes me smile. Half of what she says doesn't make sense, but then she says these things that just put it all into perspective. She said, "Most importantly, thank you for saving Mommy and Daddy and me." That little (almost) three year old gets it. It's that simple yall! The most important thing we have as Christians is the fact that God has rescued us and saved us from His wrath. He loves us and gives us these amazing blessings and glimpses of heaven here on Earth. Knowing all of that, why do we make excuses to not serve Him with our whole lives? Why are we so hesitant to sacrifice all that we have, all that we are, in order to be a light for those who don't know who He is?
I know some people consider it a huge risk to give up this "American Dream" - to work hard, move up in the business world, make money, live comfortably, and have a great retirement account set up. But is it really a risk? If it's for the glory of God and He is on your side, are you really risking anything? God will be with us, He will be by my side, supporting, encouraging, providing for His children at each and every step. Although it isn't how I might have it all planned, how can I question or think that He is going to mess up? Or that He doesn't know what He is doing - that I somehow know what is best and "safe" for me. Looking at Mercy and Imogen, God showed me His power. He showed me that He takes care of every single detail, things we could never imagine or discover on our own!
Thinking ahead to what I feel God is calling me to, my biggest prayer is that I don't let the cares of this world become mine. I pray that my mind and heart are set on the kingdom of God - I want to store my riches there, where they will never, ever fade or expire or go bad. They are eternal. These earthly things that provide comfort for a while will all dimish and fade away. I don't want to put my hope in those things - I want it all to be on the Lord and advancing His kingdom on Earth. That is our purpose in life, and all the doubts and fears and worldly cares just fade away when we grab a hold of that truth.
Looking at Imogen's face while she was drinking her bottle and fighting sleep made me realize what this life is all about. My job, the paychecks, clothes, food, health issues I face - none of it matters in the end y'all. This life isn't about any of those temporal things! It's all about serving and glorifying the One who created us - who brought us all into life and formed us each so uniquely. The God who created Imogen so perfectly in the womb - who put together such intimate details, things that in no way can happen spontaneously - that God is the same one who loves and cares for us.
That just blows my mind. It puts everything into perspective for me again. Worldly cares have started to creep back into my life over these past three weeks. I started making excuses as to why it's better to just stay here - to live this comfortable life I have forever. A nice paycheck, spending time with my family, clothing and food options, new cars, etc. - all that is possible here. It's all so easy to justify never taking a risk for the gospel and God's kingdom advancement when you have such a comfortable life without having to make real sacrifices!
Mercy prayed before bed, and that just always makes me smile. Half of what she says doesn't make sense, but then she says these things that just put it all into perspective. She said, "Most importantly, thank you for saving Mommy and Daddy and me." That little (almost) three year old gets it. It's that simple yall! The most important thing we have as Christians is the fact that God has rescued us and saved us from His wrath. He loves us and gives us these amazing blessings and glimpses of heaven here on Earth. Knowing all of that, why do we make excuses to not serve Him with our whole lives? Why are we so hesitant to sacrifice all that we have, all that we are, in order to be a light for those who don't know who He is?
I know some people consider it a huge risk to give up this "American Dream" - to work hard, move up in the business world, make money, live comfortably, and have a great retirement account set up. But is it really a risk? If it's for the glory of God and He is on your side, are you really risking anything? God will be with us, He will be by my side, supporting, encouraging, providing for His children at each and every step. Although it isn't how I might have it all planned, how can I question or think that He is going to mess up? Or that He doesn't know what He is doing - that I somehow know what is best and "safe" for me. Looking at Mercy and Imogen, God showed me His power. He showed me that He takes care of every single detail, things we could never imagine or discover on our own!
Everything I’ve ever known
I lay it down before you lord
This world has nothing I desire
I believe there’s more then this
I’m trusting in every word you say
It’s the hope that keeps us moving
I want to choose you in the morning
I want to choose you in the day
I want to choose you when I lay my head down
I lay it down before you lord
This world has nothing I desire
I believe there’s more then this
I’m trusting in every word you say
It’s the hope that keeps us moving
I want to choose you in the morning
I want to choose you in the day
I want to choose you when I lay my head down
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