Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.
Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778
I’ve been contemplating something I heard last night. I was in the car waiting for Scott to join me and I heard the radio preacher talking about symptoms. He used phrases like “I’ve got a drug problem ~ no, you have a drug symptom” “I’ve got a alcohol problem ~ no, it’s a symptom” “I’ve got a depression problem” And so on . . .I was hooked enough to turn up the radio.
According to this biblical scholar, these things are only symptoms of our actual problem: the decisions and choices we make to justify and convince ourselves to do those choices. I completely agreed with him. I cannot tell you why even. He went on to explain himself further, but by then everyone else was in the car and life took over.
Let’s take one of my many “problems” as a case study. I have a laziness problem; I am a procrastinator. Even as I type this, I feel slightly hypocritical. I understand that it’s my choice to “put off ‘til tomorrow what could easily be done today”. It’s truly a heart attitude. Astonishingly, everything comes back to this principle ”It’s what’s inside that counts”. I wish it were as easy to throw this heart into the wash as it is my favorite blouse – even then, the blouse isn’t as white as it was when I bought it. However, God washes me and makes me whiter then snow.
I realize there is no real point or conclusion to this post – I am still contemplating what I heard. Trying to hear what the Holy Spirit wants to do in my heart. I will, however, wrap it up with this verse from James “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (4:8)
Citizens of Chagrin Falls! In case you weren’t aware, two well-known superheroes have taken residence at our house. On any given day you may just spot these caped crusaders (and no, I don’t mean batman) running through the lawn putting bad guys in their places and keeping the yard safe from evil.
Truth, Justice and the American Way!
This summer I have run into so much pettiness. It is truly unbelievable how nit-picky we all can be. I suppose this has become a soapbox of mine which could very well be why I am noticing it continually. Everything from bosses finding fault in completed work to spouses complaining about their better half incessantly. Where does the pettiness come from? Why do people feel so entitled to carry this grudge against other people?
I think a better question is how can I keep from being petty! How can I guard my own heart against this basest of ugly qualities? I think when I allow my feelings to be hurt too easily or keep looking at a situation through my own eyes I will become petty. Who can really take a situation and honestly try to see it through another’s eyes? Honestly, we can really only see things from our own perspective and life-experience. Keeping that in mind, it makes it much harder to judge someone else.
How much better to love my neighbor as myself. Oh if I could only do that and so fulfill the law of Christ! Love is not self-seeking nor is it easily angered. Love always protects and always perseveres.
Oh Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, my rock and my Redeemer.
As a young girl I often heard my dad say this to my sisters and I. “give up my rights”? Shocking, isn’t it! What are you talking about? We have inalienable rights that are God-given! I am an American for goodness sake. I think my dad does go for the shock value. Let me explain what I’ve come to learn from that little principle.
A typical scenario would go something like this: One of my sisters takes something of mine – that makes me angry! Here comes the yelling and fighting. Or when we go to the restaurant she picked over my choice – hey! that bothers me! Here comes the pouting! I ask you, do I have a right to be upset? sure. Could I call a family meeting to discuss how I’ve been wronged? absolutely. But how much better to give up that right to anger and instead respond in love. Does it really matter where we eat? Give it up, Becky. and so on . . .
Present day. Recently our family has gone through a trial that was completely unfair and downright wrong. We didn’t ask for it. We didn’t cause it. In fact, we were doing all we could to prevent this sort of trial. Then out of the blue, BAM! we were socked! Scott said it best when he said it feels like we were hit by a Mack truck, sat up only to get run over by a bus.
Now comes the reaction. We have every right to be angry and spiteful (yelling and fighting, maybe even a little pouting). This is unfair! That person needs to pay! These are true statements. But I’ve watched my husband exercise grace and personify integrity. What good does anger do? I recall that verse in Ephesians that talks about putting away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander and malice. I discovered that we could also read it like this: Let all smoldering resentment, bursts of anger, a choice response to be angry, crying out with a loud voice (yelling), and maligning someone’s character be put away from you, along with all ill-will. Wow! Give up my right to seek retribution; give up that desire to make sure all the lies are revealed; give up the urge to fight back. Instead, the next verse says to be kind to one another; be tender-hearted; be forgiving of each other.
Please don’t misunderstand. God wants us to do justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with Him. So just how does one “do” justice in an unfair situation? By allowing God to be his rear guard. Let’s face it, Moses is referred to as a meek man. You can’t lead a nation of people through the wilderness if meekness truly has the connotation we give it today. The same God who parted the Red Sea while blinding the Egyptian army with a cloud is the One Who guides us now. We trust in the name of the Lord our God. He has seen this – He knew even before we did what was about to happen. He has given Scott great wisdom and self-control. He has protected us from financial ruin. He is providing a future for us.
We took our son to the ENT yesterday. He has had speech and language delay / he is prone to ear infections / he has been failing the tymponogram tests. I was putting so much hope and expectation on this one visit to find a solution to his problems.
Both girls ended up coming with us. Buzz Lightyear was a gem of a kid; the baby needed a little attention; Nancy Drew had her nose stuck in a book. The doctor came in. He was very nice. Checked his ears; prescribed nasonex and to “come back in 6 weeks.”
Wait! that’s it??? I’m not satisfied. My questions are still unanswered and I’m not certain you’ve assessed the situation properly. My son is not fixed! I felt so unsettled leaving the office.
Isn’t that how it is with the Lord sometimes? He gives us a plan of action, but we aren’t ready to act on it. We want more. Fix it now without the trouble. “Have You looked at it from my angle, Lord? Maybe you’ll see it differently” The Bible says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The truth is we don’t know yet if the doctor’s prescription will work or not. He may or may not have assessed the situation properly (although he was extremely patient with me, and he did try help me understand). But he knows a whole bunch more than I do about ears and how they work – he’s the head of the department for crying out loud!
But God is always right on! He always assesses the situation properly. His ways are higher than our ways. He knows a whole bunch more about it than I do – He’s the Creator of the Universe for crying out loud!
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today
I know that He is living whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy
I hear His voice of cheer
and just the time I need Him, He’s always near
He lives
He lives
Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me
and talks with me
along life’s narrow way
He lives
He lives
Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives
He lives within my heart
We are trying our hand at living with one car. Poor Scott ~ he was stuck at home while the kids and I went up north for the week. He managed; but since we’ve been back, he’s hardly been home at all. Flitting here; running errands there; driving anywhere!
I’ve been wondering if he’ll be able to stay in the game. I just think the planning and sacrifice and cooperation can only be good for us. I may be a little naive . . .it just stands to reason that the forced interaction will bring about a deeper understanding of each others needs and how each of us operate. Isn’t life interesting???
Unfortunately, the “check engine” light came on again in our only working vehicle. We may be closer to that Buick LaCrosse yet . . .
What to do with a toddler who wants what she wants when she wants it?? I’ve taken to calling her “Little Miss”. She pretends like she is listening to me, but truth be told, she usually has little intention to do it. There is a sweetness in her. She has an active imagination and likes to cuddle in a lap. On the other hand, she can be mean to her sister and brother. She has a complete meltdown when she does not get her way. I was thinking of how often we treat our heavenly Father this way. He tries to give us instruction, we pretend to listen – but we don’t really intend to change, much less give up what looks like so much fun. What we want is to do things “our” way. Oh our Father is so patient with us. Oh He loves us so much. Oh for open ears and heart to hear and obey what God is asking me to do!
Last summer our son fell on the railroad tie in the driveway and cracked his head open on an acorn. He opens the front door whimpering, and there was blood all over his head, hair and body. The mom in me springs into action ~ I rush him into the kitchen and start flushing the area with water to try to assess exactly how bad it is. I realize the wound is terribly close to the temple and whisper a word of praise that he had not been injured worse. I sit him down with a cold compress and tell him to hold it. Where’s the baby? Get her in the car. Where’s Scott? Up by the road trimming the lawn. “SCOTT” I scream. No response. I run back into the house for the dazed and still bleeding little boy. I carry him to the car “SCOTT” I scream again ~ twice this time. No response from him.
However, my screams had not elicited a complete lack of response from the neighborhood. Our neighbors from across the street came running lickety-split; cell phones in hand to dial 911. Still Scott is working away on the lawn. Little did I know another of our neighbors who is a state patrolman was headed to the house to “save me from whoever was attacking me”. I did not realize the lungs I have on me! I still feel embarrassed when I think about how much trouble I caused because I was in such a panic. But I am more grateful for the kindness and selflessness of our friends and neighbors who live around us.
Poor kid couldn’t have stitches because the acorn had made a little puncture wound, but in the end all is well. It’s the little ways God shows His hand of protection. You just never know what a day will bring!
About a month ago we realized that the Buick wasn’t going to make it much longer. Scott would be diving along, and with no warning whatsoever it would shut itself off. This is a dangerous thing – this could cause an accident easily. We made the decision this week to become a one car family. Can we do this in the 21st century? Can a family only own one car?? We are about to find out.
I’ve been thinking about planning ahead and sharing a vehicle. I’ve been thinking about being subject to someone else’s schedule and getting the children to and from school. I noticed something ~ There are people, our friends, who are accommodating their schedules, who are planning ahead and sharing their vehicles, who are going out of their way to get our children to and from school and my husband to and from work. Jesus said “greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” This is exactly what my family is experiencing right now! These friends who sacrifice themselves for us. I can only praise our Lord for making a way for us.
