Perspective

It's been a rough week and a half.  We had the flu run through our Brood which thankfully baby and I did NOT get. . . . FYI - prayers work!  Then recovering the house, mess, routine has been a sort of slow go.  Then still, add in issues with toddler discipline - which is starting to become all too consuming - and sleep deprivation from Nattie Bear deciding to wake in the middle of the night and not fall back asleep for a couple of hours at a time.  I'm exhausted and at the end of my rope.  I'd like to say that I prayed, trusted God and all is made right.  But it isn't.  I pray but relief doesn't come this time.  Trusting God?  I'm trying but even that is hard lately. 

Ephesians 4:1 (NLT) says "Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God."  

My calling?  I thought my calling was to be here, home with my kids to help them and myself grow in our faith, love for each other and others around us, start a new and healthy family legacy.  But feeling tired, frustrated and overwhelmed (the negative mom trinity) are surely the antithesis to this calling.  The negative mom trinity is quick to steal joy and covert in discouraging.  But I need to get back on track.  Instead of being pushed away, I need to come closer - to the Father and those that seem to cause me distress.  It's not that simple.  Sin and brokeness being a factor distorts that. 

Really, it's all about perspective.  My calling is here at home with my family - whether I'm 'feeling it' or not.  I can't lose sight of that!  However, I don't want to sugarcoat things and give a Christian bubble gum pop answer that it will all be ok.  It may not.  I may keep dealing with some of these struggles and it may get worse before it gets better.  Only God knows the outcome on the other side of the tapestry. . . I just have to refine my patience, be more humble and wait for His results. ♥

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT): "Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."

This is a great video from Francis Chan which shows how small we really are in the grand scheme of God's creation.  It's humbling and at the same time truly awe inspiring to see that God is still so invested in us and loves us desite our flaws and despite our 'smallness'.  Great way to help me keep some Spiritual Perspective today. 

Can I Love Like This??

I've been participating in a bible study on facebook that delves into the book of Ephesians.  It's associated with Good Morning Girls if you'd like to check out the website.  :)

One of the sections for reading this week comes from chapt. 2, verses 4-5 which I have shared below:

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." 

I am by no means a bible scholar and couldn't tell you what anything means in Greek, Hebrew, etc. but I love reading verses like this.  They give us a glimpse into the great inner workings of the Father and for me, they propose a challenge.  It may seem pretty straight forward. . . . God loves us, has mercy on us and saved us through Christ.  Cool.  Done & off to the next verse, right?  But what about this love??  When you read the bible, at some point it should sink in that God's love for us is different than what we view as love. 

Dictionary.com defined love as this below (only took the first 4 definitions) and initially lists it as a noun:

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

3. sexual passion or desire.

4. a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.

 
To many of us in this society, that's exactly how love is.  It's just a noun that describes a 'feeling' of passion, affection, attachment, or desire for someone.  But 'feelings' aren't sustaining.  How many marriages/relationships fail because the people involved 'fell' out of love or just don't 'feel' love towards the other person??  This description of love can fade and change over time.  That can't possibly be how the Father feels for us?  There has to be a deeper dynamic that we are missing. 

When I read the bible, especially the Gospels and see Jesus at work, I tend to view love as more of an action; a verb.  Love does something, makes us alive, gives something, heals us, sacrifices something, submits to authority and saves us.  All actions; not nouns.  Plus it is an unconditional love.  God does for us and gave the gift of salvation through Christ not because we deserved it, not because we are 'good' enough, not even because we are entitled to it.  But because of his grace and mercy, he loves us unconditionally and wants to redeem us back to him - how awesome!!

But the challenge in this verse for me is. . . . . can I love like that?  Can I embody this type of love to others that the Father has for me?  That his Son had for me when he died on the cross? 

How about showing this type of love during the trite annoyances in my day - like when my husband offends me, my kids disobey me, the cashier is rude to me?  Sure, those things are not too hard to deal with and we pick our battles right?  We love our spouses, kids and can be forgiving of a stranger who may be having a bad day.  Problem solved! 

But what about the more difficult trials in life that we may face.  Can I love a friend that has abandoned me?  What about someone who I know has used me/taken from me?  Or one of my current struggles. . . . Can I love those family members that have forsaken me and continue to lie/gossip about me in an effort to cover their own misdoings? 

See, now it's not so cut and dry is it?  That's why it's a challenge.  And to be honest, I don't have this love in me most days.  Not when the pain is too deep.  Not when the hurt is fresh.  But without this type of love, there can be no set action meant to change the course of our own sin and destruction.  For those who are hurt, there can be no action towards forgiveness and healing.  Without action there can be no progress.  Without progress, we are simply left in our own transgressions.  Separated from God.

Can I love like this; like the Father has loved us?  No I can't. . . . . at least not on my own.  But I can love like this with prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit to guide me and change my heart.  :)

**This post linked to:   The Straightened Path blog

The S-Money$ Pic of the Month!

See, I don't have it all together and my blunders are many but aside from being made right by Christ, I also have a loving and supportive husband who helps me along the way. We strive to make our marriage one with a biblical foundation.  Which means, that he is to lead the family spiritually, financially, etc. and I am to be his helper, be supportive of him and submit where necessary.

SIDE NOTE - I think he surely has the hardest job out of the two of us since I'm not always the easiest to submit - *insert sheepish grin*


So for us, this idea makes some of our duties/division of labor look 'different' - meaning some may view our break-down as 'old-fashioned' - "you mean you don't plan on working out of the home?!" - add shock/dismay of some upon hearing I like staying home w/my kids, lol!

Though we have some divide in how we conquer our household (i.e. I've never mowed our lawn!), our 'roles' are best suited to our gifts/strengths as well as flexible.  I have no problem helping to move heavy items, carry a load of materials, do some hardcore yard work.  And S-Money$ has no problem changing a dirty diaper, taking our Spillz out shopping (shopping w/teenage girls takes a certain kind of parental temperament. . . trust me!), doing dishes/other chores, helping me bake. 

Ephesians 5:25

And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her.

We serve out of love and a majority of the time when I need him, S-Money$ is more than willing to 'give up his life' and put aside his interests in an effort to meet mine, or the kids.  That takes a level of love, commitment and maturity from someone.  Which is why I want to begin dedicating a monthly post for my dear hubby capturing him in action as he conquers the chaos of The Brood, the shenanigans in our house and models what a loving, biblical husband may look like! 

So, without further ado. . . . here is the S-Money$ Pic of the Month for January!

I was afraid we'd find something growing in here but S-Money$ braved the duty of cleaning the B-Fam Party Van!