Things I Want My Tribe To Know- #3

Things I want my tribe to know…

3.  Don’t just believe IN God, BELIEVE God!

We serve a mighty God.  A God who created this magnificent universe.  A God who sent His only Son to die on the cross then raised Him from the dead.  A God who knows every single detail about each and every one of us down to the number of hairs on our head (which I find especially amazing because we are losing strands of hair constantly, yet at every second He knows).

A lot of people believe there is a God.  In other words, they believe IN God.  I do not know what the latest statistic is.  Sadly, it is probably lowering all the time, but I would venture to guess it is still a significant number.

But, how many people actually BELIEVE God?  Believing that there is a greater Being that created everything and is convenient to pray to every now and then is not as big a commitment as actually believing God.

I do not mean to say this is in a mean way towards these people.  I feel sad for them.  It’s like they are half way there but don’t truly get the full magnitude of God and how much He loves us and wants a relationship with us.

For a lot of people, it is not a matter of not wanting to; it is a matter of not knowing how.  Faith is a funny thing.  The very definition of faith is believing in something you cannot see or prove.  This is so hard in a society that is so in your face all the time with real tangible stuff.  It is hard in this fast paced world where the moment you are made to wait, you start to doubt.  Last week, I wrote about not always getting our way.  We live in a time that tells us not getting your way should be out of the question because we deserve or are entitled to all.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  That is HARD!

There are so many promises in the bible from God.  He promises a plan for our life to make us prosper and not be harmed.  He promises good works for us to do that He has established ahead of time.  He promises us strength and wisdom and fruits of the spirit and a place at the table and a spirit of power and love and sound judgment.  He promises He is always faithful.  He promises all this and so much more.

He also promises that all things work together for those who love the Lord.  This one is one I think we possibly have the hardest time with.  In those hard moments, He whispers to our hearts, “Trust me.”  Sometimes it is really, really hard.  But He would not say to do it if it was not possible.

Maybe the problem is not fully with believing God, but the question I have struggled with for a while now is, will He?  I constantly say I believe God can do anything, but will He?  Recently, I have come to determine that that question is planted by the Enemy as a way to make me doubt God.  Or at least doubt His judgment and timing.  I am trying to take it out of my heart and out of my vocabulary.  I determine to believe Him.  Period.  End of story.  No matter what.  And I pray that my life and actions reflect that.

Believing in God is the easy part.  Believing God takes day after day, moment after moment, of intentional living.  But the outcome is so worth it!  It is beautiful.  It is surrender.  It is a lifetime of I am not in charge but I serve and glorify the One who is.  All is good because He is good.  I believe.

Things I Want My Tribe To Know- #2

Things I want my tribe to know…

2.  Life is not fair, and that is okay!

Over the years, there has been a shift.  I have seen it in my lifetime.  It has always been there, I’m sure, but it has become more prevalent.  I have even seen it rear its ugly head more and more over the last 7 years of teaching school.  It is the idea of entitlement and making sure that everything is fair.  Even good people have been affected by this epidemic.  I have been affected by this epidemic.

You have probably heard it said that we live in a microwave society.  Everybody wants everything fast.  And easy.  May I also propose that everyone also expects to fairly get their way?  All. The. Time.  It is what we are teaching when we give every player on the team a trophy.  It is what we are reinforcing when give parents their way in school because it is easier to give in then to stand up for what is right.  We cater to the masses out of one side of our mouth while grumbling about fairness out of the other side.

I know people that make sure every single thing that concerns their children is fair.  I am not sure that is helpful or even really possible.  Life is just not fair.  When did we start expecting it to be?  Have we been taugh,t and are we teaching ourselves that it is supposed to be? 

Here is a question to ponder…is God’s definition of fair different than ours?  The bible states over and over that He is a fair and just God, and I truly believe He is.  The truth is fair does NOT mean equal.  And too often we equate the two.  We are not entitled to being treated equally.  That statement may not be popular, and there may even be some of you reading that ask how can I say that? 

Think about it.  Here is a small example of fair but not equal.  Two siblings have different bedtimes.  One child is 15 and goes to bed at 10:00.  The sibling is 8, and goes to bed at 8:00.  Is this fair?  Is this equal?

God treats us fairly according to what HE deems to be fair.  He does not always treat us equally, at least not when it comes to life’s details.  And the details are what we complain about.

This world does not revolve around you.  To make a point, I ask my fourth graders when teaching them recorders, “Does your mom ever tell you, ‘This world does not revolve around you?”  Then I say, “In music class, it revolves around me!”  I am trying to get them to see the importance of watching me for every little direction. 

I also tell them that when I direct during a performance, I will not talk like I do in class.  Yet, I still communicate.  Sometimes, we feel like God is not speaking to us.  He is always communicating.  When we make our world revolve around Him and seek His face, we better understand His will and can follow where He is guiding.

When we stop worrying so much about whether we are being treated fairly or equally, we take the focus off ourself and are better able to focus on others and even more so, on God.  We put our eyes on Him and keep them there.  If we can do this, we’ll be less likely to even realize when we have not been treated the way that we think we should have been.

Here is an exercise to try when feeling overwhelmed and like life is not going the way you would have it go (with you at the center of everything!).  Take a few minutes to take some deep breaths in.  As you breathe in recite the words (out loud or to yourself) “More of You.” As you exhale, whisper “Less of Me.”  Try this a few times and see if it doesn’t shift your focus back to where God would have it.

Also, pray about it.  Praying to not get your way is a dangerous prayer.  Denying ourselves on purpose sounds dreadful, but when we realize that life is not really about us and what can get and achieve and accomplish, it is truly freeing.  We stop expecting things to go our way.  We look for ways to go Gods’ way, and we look for ways to share His glory.

Life is not fair and it is not about you being the center of it.  That is okay!

I am participating in a writing challenge that explores the things I want my kids to know before I die.  Even though I have numbered these posts, they are not in any particular order.  I would love your thoughts and comments here on what I have written and also, what are the things you want your tribe to know.  The following writers are also participating in this challenge.  Please visit them and show some love:

Renee
Terri
Stephanie
Jessi
Rachel

Things I Want My Tribe To Know- #1

I have not written on my blog in a few years, but I feel God is calling me back to some writing.  As I look back on my past posts, it amazes me how faithful God is and how He allows our faith to grow and evolve.  I would love your comments and feedback on my posts.  Let's learn and grow together and explore these faith and spiritual and LIFE matters authentically (hence my title...Just Keepin' It Real).  Thank you for reading!

Things I want my tribe to know…

1.  People will disappoint you, but God will NEVER let you down.

God did not intend for other people to be your Savior.  He did not intend for you to rely on people to make you happy.  He intended for you to fully rely on Him and for you to find your joy in Him.  The joy of the Lord is your strength.  Easier said than done, right?

How many times have you been let down by someone you thought was your person?  Maybe your best friend?  Maybe a relative?  Maybe someone you have shared your deepest secrets with?

It’s so hard when that moment happens.  When they say or do something that cuts you to the core and makes you question the relationship.  Do they not know me as well as I thought they did?  Don’t they know how I feel about that?  Why don’t they care enough to…? Perhaps these thoughts have gone through your head as you rethink this person’s place in your life.

I must confess.  I have had these things happen more often than I care to admit.  But you know what I have come to realize?  It is not them.  It is me.  I place too much pressure on that person, and the moment they hurt my feelings, I am ready to jet.  Ask my husband…it has happened time and time again.

When we put too much stock into people, we lose sight of what is truly important.  We take our eyes off God, and we place the target on someone else to make us happy or, even worse, to fulfill us.  And when the arrow does not hit the bull’s eye, we grab our arrows and go home in a huff because frankly, we are making life all about our self.

And here is the biggest secret of all…most of the time that person did not even mean to hurt your feelings. So, as a side note, why not give people the benefit of the doubt more?  Before being ready to throw the towel in on a relationship, step back and examine what has happened.  Pray about it.  If it seems right, talk to the person about it.  I wish all those times I got my feelings hurt, I had been brave enough to just have a conversation with the person about what I was feeling and then comparing that to what the person actually meant.  I really believe it would have saved a lot of heartaches and some relationships.

God never meant for us to find our value in people.  Our value is in Him and Him alone.  He wants us to constantly seek His face.  To find our worth in Him.  To share our deepest, darkest secrets with Him.  To seek His advice, His wisdom, His will.  With Him, we cannot go wrong.  With Him, if our feelings get hurt or our hopes get let down, we can rest assure that it is because He knows all and sees all and is working out things bigger than we can ask or imagine.

Romans 8:31 says, “..If God is for us, who is against us?”  God is so for us.  He is so for you!  He is faithful.  He works all things together for your good.  People will disappoint.  There may be times when it seems like God is disappointing you or letting you down.  Rest assured in this.  God knows all.  He sees all.  He has His reasons for allowing things to happen.  He does not let you down.  He sent His Son to die a cruel death on the cross.  A death He did not deserve.  Do you think Jesus was disappointed with God?  No, He said, “Into thy hands, I commit my spirit!”  May we be people who fully trust in God and with great confidence shout, “Into thy hands, I commit my spirit!”

Enjoy your earthly relationships.  There is truly something special about heart ties here on earth.  Just be careful that you do not invest more into them then you do into your relationship with your Heavenly Father.  People will disappoint, whether on purpose or unknowingly, but God will NEVER let you down.

I am participating in a writing challenge put on by my friend, Renee.  She has titled it "Things I Need My Kids to Know Before I Die."  The following links are others who are participating in this challenge.

Renee

Magdalena

Stephanie

Sarah

Join us each week as we explore this topic.  Hopefully, it will get you thinking and maybe writing?  We all have a voice!!

Hold

"I wanna hold you!"

From the time a child can put it into words, she expresses her need to be held.  My own children both used this expression, which I thought was just precious.  Now they are 9 and 11, but when I hear other children say it, it takes me back to when they were little bitty.

Children aren't afraid to ask for what the want, are they?

Especially when it comes to meeting needs.  Often times they are so persistent.  As adults, I think many of us aren't afraid to ask for things either, but are they the things we truly want or need?

I think of how much I love for my husband to hold me.  When he just puts his arms around me and I feel close to him, it makes me feel safe and protected.

How many of us need to feel that love and protection?  How many don't have that special person that can fulfill that need?

We all have One who can do that for us.

One time, I heard a lady describing how she felt when she prayed.  She said she envisioned herself drawing close to the Savior as He put His arms around her and listened to her heart.

Being held is very much a physical act, but I believe it can be a feeling as well.

How many of us are being held by loved ones?  How many of us ask for it when we need it?  I ask my husband to hold me, but sometimes I need others to hold me in prayer or thoughts, but they won't know that if I don't ask.

We all have the One who can hold us.  And a lot of us have somebody in our life who can "hold" us.  Most of the time, all we have to do is ask.


I'm linking up!

What is going on?

I'm having a hard time dealing with all that is going on in our broken, screwed up world now.  Dave feels like we are really just on the brink, and I am terrified that he is right.

I don't understand all that is going on.  I don't understand how we have a president who can speak one minute about the journalist who was beheaded and the next minute go play golf and yuk it up with his buddies.  

I don't understand how one man's murder can cause such an uproar in our nation while other unjustified murders happen daily without any mention.  I'm trying so hard to understand this race issue.  Last night I stayed up late reading all different posts on the internet trying to gain insight and wisdom and I just came away more confused than ever.  Who is right?  I really, really don't know.  I do know God views everybody as equal in His eyes.  I do know he values every person's life.

I don't understand how everybody in this country seems to be more obsessed with pouring ice water over their heads than thinking about what's going on in Iraq and how people are being BEHEADED!!!!  Does the violence and injustice not scare anybody but me?  How are we so oblivious?

And why are we not talking about all of these issues and praying about them at church???

Satan is having a hey day with our nation (really with the world) right now.  And it's so easy to just want to crawl in bed and throw the covers over my head and try to ignore it all.

I can't ignore.  Instead I worry.  And wonder what I can do.

I know God is in control.  I know He has a plan.  I just wish he would send Jesus back and end it all.  The not knowing what is going to happen and the worrying about the even more horrible things that could possibly happen is excruciating.

And what breaks my heart more than anything is that we all, every single one of us have access to this awesome God who loves us more than anything and wants us to love him and turn to Him so he can show His abundant love to us.  And it seems like the majority of people have no use for that.  How have we become so self-involved and self-reliant that we don't see a need for a Savior?

I just don't understand.

So, I'm praying every second I can today.  Praying for peace.  Praying for understanding.  Praying for the right things to do and say.

I do know how the story ends.  Thank God for that!  Now if I can just keep reminding myself.

Sacred Scared

I love the Momastary blog.  I don't always agree with everything she has to say, but I so admire her courage, her honesty and her vulnerability.  She is currently doing a series she has entitled "Sacred Scared" and she has had various well-known bloggers share their biggest fear.

So, I got to thinking about my biggest fear.

I've had a hard time figuring out how to put it into words, but here goes...

My biggest fear is that I won't accomplish what God has put me on this earth to do.

Ever since I can remember, I have felt like I had a huge purpose in my life.  I've searched for it.  I've sought it out in places that were so clearly not it.

I love my life.  I adore my husband and kids (though, we have our days...trust me).  I work at a job that I still walk in the building and thank God for everyday because I love it so much and feel so blessed to be paid to do it.  I have awesome friends.  I do fun stuff.  My church is great.

Yet, I still feel a void.  Like I'm supposed to be doing something more.  Am I supposed to champion a cause?  Am I supposed to be a writer?  A speaker?  Am I supposed to start a non-profit?  Am I supposed to quietly lead my life and encourage in everyday ordinary ways?

Here's the thing...I do not want to be ordinary.  But I struggle with a little thing called my ego.  I like being told, "Good job."  So, when I aim to do something I really pray to not make it about myself.

I believe there is something out there waiting for me to grab hold of and be passionate about.  Something that will help other people and bring glory to my Lord.

So, what exactly is it that God has put me here to do?  Am I already doing it or is there more?  Frankly, I believe there is more.  I just pray that I don't miss it.

Just keepin' it real.

Lessons from my Kitty

After not having any pets for several years, we decided to get a kitten this week.  She's a little over three months old, and she is the cutest thing!  See?  Her name is Lexi. Lexington White to be exact.

So, we've had her for 5 days, and please bear with me as I parallel some behaviors I've seen from her and experienced on my part with our relationship with God and His to us.

First of all, we have spent a portion of our day everyday looking for her.  Our house is relatively large and she is pretty small.  She's shy as it is, so she does not make it easy to find her.  Looking for her over and over (and often times in the same places) made me think of the verse that says,

 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10

As frustrating as it is to constantly be looking for Lexi, I won't stop doing it until I find her.  God constantly seeks after my heart.  He wants to save me.  And He wants to save you.  Why?

Well, that leads me to my next point...

As frustrated as I get with looking for Lexi and longing to make sure she is okay, I will not stop loving her.   Each time I find her, my anxiety and frustrations dissolve as I hug her and love on her.

Jeremiah 31:3 says,

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

After I find her and love on her, I put her down and play with her.  She has this one toy she loves chasing after and jumping up for.  It makes me laugh to watch her.  Can you imagine how God must smile when he sees us doing what we're supposed to do?

the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Psalm 147:11

Notice that verse mentions his unfailing love, also?

I could probably go on and on with what some might consider cheesy analogies to our relationship with God, but I'll stop here.  I just think it is so cool to catch glimpses of God in something as ordinary as a new kitty cat.

Thank you, God, for sweet pets.

Just keepin' it real.