How often we forget....

and the disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in a desolate place to satisfy such a great multitude?” Matthew 15:33

Seeing this verse out of context,I am likely to assume it is the much loved and familiar story of the little boy who offers Jesus his lunch. Out of a mere five rolls and two small fish, Jesus feeds well over 5000 people. But that miracle is recorded a chapters earlier, in Matthew 14:13-21. This particular verse comes later. Jesus has been teaching and healing multitudes of people . The disciples have been on the front row as miracle after miracle have occurred.

Surely we can expect their faith to be strong. Surely, when Jesus says “I have compassion for the multitude, because they have remained with me now three days and have nothing to eat and I do not wish to send them away hungry lest they faint on the way” (Matthew 15:32), these witnesses would answer with resolute conviction “Lord, we know you will take care of everything; just tell us what you want us to do!”

Surely.

Not.

In spite of all they had seen Jesus do, over the past several days, those closest to Him responded with doubt and uncertainty.

Wow. They couldn’t even remember what He had just done in a strikingly similar situation.

Wow. How fragile their faith. How feeble their memory…how disappointingly familiar.

Even though you and I have 66 books that testify to the faithfulness of God, even though we have personally experienced His grace and generosity, we act just like those forgetful disciples, don’t we? How many times have we faced an impossible situation and wrung our hands in anxiety and fear? How many times have we slipped into despair because we couldn’t figure a way out of the conundrum we found ourselves in? How many times have we forgotten Whose we are and what He can do?

Just like those disciples.

If I were Jesus, I’d have been ticked off. At least exasperated. Wouldn’t you? I mean, seriously, not only had His divine power been on display right in front of them for days on end, but also His unparalleled compassion! How could they not “get it”?

How do we not “get it”?

I am so thankful God included this story in His Word. It brings me much encouragement that the disciples were forgetful. That they could know Jesus personally, watch Him function up close and personal, and still not respond in faith.

And the most encouraging, most comforting part is Jesus’s response. He doesn’t get ticked off. Doesn’t even sound exasperated.

He says “How many loaves do you have?” And then proceeds not to admonish them, but instead to bless them with yet another miracle. (vs. 34-39)

Wow.

What a merciful, compassionate, gracious God we serve!

Lord, help us to remember Who You are! Forgive our lack of faith. Help us to call to mind Your faithfulness, Your power, and especially Your love for us. Amen.

Tips for good service

Mark 10:45   For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve"


Good service.  We all want to get it.  Actually, we all expect it.  How good are we at giving it?

Christ set the example for us -- He, for whom and by whom all things are created, sets His priority on serving.  What can we learn from that?

1.  There is much joy in serving.  Especially when it's inconvenient.  When I meet a need for someone else, I am rewarded with a deep satisfaction, a treasured  happiness that can only come when I strive to please someone else instead of myself.  Simple things, complex acts - doesn't matter.  Serving someone else is sweet.

2.  Begin at home.  Frankly, its harder to serve here than at church or in the community.  Even though these are the folks we love the best and presumably want to serve the most!  Go figure.  But service should be at home first and best above all other places.  I think we women have an advantage over fellas when it comes to serving.  We seem to have serving programmed into our DNA but, trust me, it still is a choice.  A daily choice.  Now I firmly believe that children should do chores (yes, little urchins of mine - lots of them!!) but Mom should be the greatest servant of all.  "Great" in terms of not only quantity of service but especially quality.  Cheerful service.  Glad spirit.  Willing heart.  Doing things noticed and unnoticed. Without complaining. Wives, don't let your husband out-serve you.  Allow me a brief moment on the soapbox here.....the Church has done a great job instructing husbands in being servant-leaders.  And so they should.  But I fear that we have all too happily seated ourselves in our easy chairs while our husbands perform their "rightful" service.  Treat your hubby like a King.  OK, I'll get down now.  Gotta get cheese grits finished for my house's King :)

3.  Serve at home and then serve at church.  Most folks I know are doing a great job at this.  It hardly needs a mention.  In fact, I worry more about folks that are doing too much rather than not serving at all!!!  But just in case you are merely warming a pew, I suggest that you find a place to serve. A regular commitment.  A place where it matters if you don't show up.  And then serve your heart out!

4.  Look for the serendipitous chances to serve.  Picking up paper towels off the floor in public bathrooms is a favorite of mine. (Yes, Mom, I wash my hands after!!!)

5.  Serve others in their times of need.  Now, I gotta tell you - I think the community I am part of does a great job at this.  Taking meals.  Helping out with others' kids. Acting as personal moving service.  Providing Christmas for needy families.  Praying for each other faithfully. On and on and on.  If you need some real live examples, come check out the crowd I get to hang out with at Watkinsville First Baptist. 

I have heard folks excuse their lack of serving with "It's not my gift".  Well, my goodness, how convenient.  But how wrong.  All those spiritual gifts that we seem to want to pick and choose?  Well, Scripture actually commands us to exercise each one of them.  Yep.  Check it out.  We will have one or two that dominates our motivation but we are all exhorted to give, show mercy, teach, prophesy,  have wisdom and faith.....and to serve.  Especially to serve.  Christ is our example.


Don't expect to be applauded or even noticed for your service.  In fact, hold out hope that you won't be!  Because  your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

One last tip for good service -- if you're like most women, you are much much much more comfortable doing the serving as opposed to receiving the serving.  Probably you protest "no really I'm fine!" and decline offers to help.  Don't.  Even if it makes you uneasy, sometimes you need to let somebody else relish the joy by doing something for you. :)

What cathedrals can teach us about parenting...

repost

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind 2 Peter 1:15

This verse has long been my parenting prayer, that not only would I work hard to invest God’s Word in my children,but especially that they would remember His timeless truths long after my voice has been silent. These past couple of weeks, as I’ve watched the reports on the burning of the regal Notre Dame Cathedral, this passage keeps coming to mind.

The world continues to mourn the burning of this masterpiece. And rightly so. Even though I never saw it except in pictures (based on social media posts, I am fairly certain I am in the 1/2 of 1 % of the world who falls in this category!), I can easily appreciate its beauty, its splendor, and even more, its significance.

Its significance. What it stands for, what it represents, what it epitomizes.

Of course, the breathtaking architecture. And especially the spiritual magnitude it embodies. But there are other beautiful buildings, other majestic places of worship. Why does the loss of this ancient cathedral hit us all so hard?

I think it has something to do with its construction. All that went into getting it built. Over a century of labor, generations of workers toiling without any of the modern technological advantages. Resulting in grandeur almost beyond our imagination. A whole lot of hard work.

And the message that kept beating in my heart related to parenting. Well, of course! And I was reminded of the above passage in 2 Peter and it resonated all the more.

Let’s unpack my thoughts together……

First, what did it take to construct this marvel of history?

A whole lot of hard work over 150 years! The plans for Notre Dame, according to historical reports, were relatively simple drawings, based on “elementary mathematical ratios” . The concept for construction was passed down from one generation of workers to the next, a “collage of architectural trends and leadership rather than the culmination of one person’s vision”. (Notre Dame construction/visualartscork.com) Surely, the majority of these laborers (whose names are not preserved for posterity) knew they would never see final product! And yet, millions of people have benefited from their work; untold numbers have enjoyed and appreciated the beautiful product of their endeavors.

I was struck by the similarities to parenting….

First of all, raising kids is A LOT of hard work! And it takes place over a long period of time - as in a lifetime! Can I get an “Amen!”??? Don’t get me wrong - I absolutely know it’s worth it. For sure. But can we all just admit the truth - it’s a lot of hard work! A lot of hard work done in anonymous obscurity, too. Untold efforts that no one ever notices….just like those cathedral laborers….

And, for a lot of seasons, it can feel like a thankless job. I mean, I don’t know about you, but not a single one of mine during the toddler years thanked me for changing their diapers, much less for training them to obey authority immediately. Quite the opposite, in fact - they fought me every step of the way!

So we can identify with those cathedral-builders, can’t we? We understand what “diligence” means!

But I take a lot of comfort from the thought that these magnificent cathedrals were based on relatively simple plans. It’s quite tempting to think that not only is there some SECRET magic formula for parenting, but also that it’s so complex we could never attain to it. When in truth, that is just not the case! God’s Word holds all the principles we need for the job. Seriously. The Bible gives us wisdom and power for how to treat people - and that’s what parenting is, treating little people. It’s a lot of hard work, to be sure, but it’s not unbearably complex. And, as we learn and grow ourselves, we can adjust our application of the Truths that do not change. That’s comforting.

At the same time, however, it is beyond our ability to do it successfully, alone. Just as these grand cathedrals required massive resources, so does parenting. The primary resource, of course, is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is He and He alone who can grow these kids of ours into masterpieces, He and He alone who can transform self-centered hearts into vessels of beauty and blessing. So the first resource for cathedral-building is the Holy Spirit — His Wisdom, His guidance, His power.

Sometimes, God supplies what we need for parenting through other people. It’s all still from Him but often He gets the job done through the gifts and presence of others. That’s surely been my experience! A piano teacher, a coach, social etiquette programs, Sunday School teachers, even the parents of my kids’ friends - all have played extremely significant roles in equipping my little cathedrals for grandeur. I am way too inadequate to even think I am all they need so I gladly rely on the strengths of others to contribute to my kids’ lives. (But I am mighty picky about who is in their “child-raisin’ village”….just sayin….)

Maybe the most critical element of cathedral building - other than that it’s a lot of hard work (did I mention that already?) - is embracing the truth that the fruit of our labor will not be finished in our lifetime. To be sure, we do get to enjoy some fruit. Thank the Lord! Some results of the work will be visible before we are gone and that is indeed precious. Treasure beyond compare.

But most of who our kids will be won’t be visible in our lifetime. The lives they will bless are largely in a future we won’t visit. And, yet, we know the future — and the fruit — will come…so we keep building. We learn a little more and tweak a little here. We involve the strengths of others and praise God for His supply. Mostly we invite the work of the Holy Spirit - in their lives and ours - and we wait. Working while we wait. Praying while we work. Trusting that the construction will be beyond our ability to imagine.

And, knowing that, unlike those cathedral laborers, One Day, we will get to see the final product. Living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5). Glorious testaments to the work of our great God, “buildings” that He so graciously allows us to be part of building. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (I Corinthians 3:9) And, although we won’t see the completion of these buildings while we are in this life, we are encouraged to be diligent because God promises that our work will follow us into Eternity (Revelation 14:13)

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation …(I Corinthians 3:10)

Next time you think about the Notre Dame cathedral, remember that you’re in the same business. Only what you and I are building cannot be destroyed by fire.

Hallelujah and Amen!

From an older woman...

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled  Titus 2:3-5




I am officially an older woman.
And I take this exhortation seriously.
So I want to share my heart on how I see these principles applied in the lives of women today...

First, for us older women:


1. Reverent behavior - While there can undoubtedly be some variations in how "reverent behavior" manifests itself in different women, there is no doubt that reverence will be displayed as dignity,self-control, and respect.  Action and attitudes that are obnoxious, narcissistic, or demanding are not appropriate (for anyone but especially not one who should bear the grace of maturity)
2.  Not slanderers - Slander: malicious injury to the reputation of another.  There are lots of ways to accomplish that.  Outright false stories or subtle insinuations...all intended to tear down another person.  Isn't it interesting that Scripture prohibits "slander" with the same weight as that against "slave to much wine"?  Sadly, much damage has been done to The Church, The Body, and the cause of Christ as a result of unwise tongues.  And, let's be honest, girls, most of the time, the slanderous talking has come from our gender. 
3.  Not enslaved to much wine - pretty straightforward. 
4.  Teaching what is good.  And then those good instructions that are to be transmitted to the younger generations are explained...


Younger women:
1.  Love husband, love children.  I personally found it not merely encouraging but actually a huge relief that this trait is to be taught, ie it doesn't come naturally!  But it can be learned.  Hallelujah!  So I am not an abject failure if there are times I feel like I'm struggling in practicing love towards the folks I actually love the most!
2. Self-controlled - in our words and our ways.  Just because we feel it doesn't mean we have to say it.  And just because we think it doesn't mean we have to do it.  Self-control. A multitude of problems - for ourselves and our families and everyone around us - can be avoided if we women would practice self-control.
3  Pure - unpolluted, free from impurities.  In our dress, our speech, and our mannerisms.  What we look at, listen to, where we go, and what we do.  Not vulgarity.  Nor coarseness.  Nor indecencies.  Purity.
4.  Working at home - I don't think this prohibits women from having a paying job outside the home but with all my heart I do believe that Scripture clearly lays out for us married women that home is the #1 priority.  Taking care of our home  (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) takes precedence over work, recreation, other relationships and even ministry.  I feel this so strongly that I cannot overstate it.  If we women are so busy pursuing friendships, fun, or even faith-based activities that we neglect our homes, then we are failures. 
5.  Kind - wow.  Of all the Christlike adjectives that Scripture could've used, "kind" is the word of choice.  That's powerful.  Kindness is powerful.  It's the kindness of God that leads men to repentance. If a woman wants to wield some power, this trait is the most effective weapon.  Kindness.  Not assertiveness.  Not argumentation. Not manipulation.  Kindness.
6.  Submissive to their husbands - I know that word rattles some cages but I think it's because we don't know what it means.  It's a term that means "to place in an orderly fashion" . Scripture doesn't tell husbands that they are to require submission - instead, we wives are told to subject ourselves.  Big difference.  Submission doesn't mean unilateral rule at all.  It means I voluntarily arrange my priorities around my husband.  I employ my gifts and talents to complement his and together we form a united team. I lay down my life to serve Christ by serving my family - that's submission.  And that brings joy. 


Make no mistake about it - the powers and principalities of this world have launched an all-out assault on this type of woman.  From all points, we are lured into mirages that deceptively promise happiness and fulfillment and satisfaction.  We are brainwashed to think that such things are our "right".  But these don't deliver what they promise. And when we follow them, we become discouraged.  And exhausted.  And disillusioned. 


And God's Word is misunderstood and disparaged by those who observe our lives.  


But
when we wives and Mommies find our joy in loving our families well, when our energy and talents are prioritized into making our homes a place of refuge and happiness and security, when our lives are characterized by moral purity, integrity, and kindness....well, then the Word of God will be read accurately in living color by everyone we meet.