- You should think twice when you're in your car, in the front seat, rolling your rear windows up with the power window locks. You might roll up your five-year-old's hands with the windows so they're smushed.
- Not advisable to scream at your three-year-old and shake her. She then shuts down during arguments with you for the rest of her life.
- When your two-year-old wakes up early on a Saturday morning and you were up late playing Magic with your friends, turning on Sesame Street week in and week out seems like a viable option until she's 14 and watching the Kardashians for entertainment.
- Not outlining dating rules ahead of time and then yelling at your seventeen-year-old because she didn't understand the rules will probably be something you will regret later.
- Missing every single field trip during elementary school for absolutely no reason...dumb, dumb, dumb.
- Avoiding the birds-and-the-bees conversation with your daughter because she says "gross" might be something you worry about later when she says her friends make fun of her for knowing nothing about "that."
- Leaving your twelve-year-old at home all summer and letting her learn computer/HTML skills by surfing the internet and "designing Xanga pages" is a disaster waiting to happen.
- Teaching your daughters to cook by letting them learn on their own can prove to be tragic when they put metal in the microwave or plastic on the stove.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Things you shouldn't do when you are a parent
I have a decent number of people lauding my parenting skills. Here's the real scoop.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Hearts Like Children
I was looking at some verses from Mark 10 today:
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Look at verse 15. "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Jesus' words.
I read some commentaries on these verses. Some talked about the enormous gift that is the kingdom of God. How do the attitudes of children vary when they receive a gift? Excitement. Joy. There is almost a naivete that comes along with receiving a gift like a child.
We lose this naivete as we enter our teen years. We become cynical. Relationships make us this way. We might experience abuse. We become embittered. Maybe we don't get into the school we wanted, or the job we wanted. We get tired. Day in, day out of work, making sure bills are paid, children are raised. Making sure our parents are cared for. Worrying, worrying, endless worry.
These are the life events that sanctify us. They are the same life events that make us grown-ups and not like children.
Is it possible that sanctification from these life events makes us holy, but it also makes us more like children? Awed? Amazed? Grateful? And for those without the Holy Spirit, does it make them more sarcastic? Cynical? Exhausted? How does this work, anyway? Doesn't it seem like it's the opposite of what *should* happen, the ultimate paradox? This is how God works. He performs wonders untold.
Think about embracing the things you loved as a child this week. Whether it was ballet class, coloring, creating model cars, reading Anne of Green Gables, flying paper airplanes, making mudpies, or even just giggling. And embrace the kingdom of God as you do it.
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Look at verse 15. "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Jesus' words.
I read some commentaries on these verses. Some talked about the enormous gift that is the kingdom of God. How do the attitudes of children vary when they receive a gift? Excitement. Joy. There is almost a naivete that comes along with receiving a gift like a child.
We lose this naivete as we enter our teen years. We become cynical. Relationships make us this way. We might experience abuse. We become embittered. Maybe we don't get into the school we wanted, or the job we wanted. We get tired. Day in, day out of work, making sure bills are paid, children are raised. Making sure our parents are cared for. Worrying, worrying, endless worry.
These are the life events that sanctify us. They are the same life events that make us grown-ups and not like children.
Is it possible that sanctification from these life events makes us holy, but it also makes us more like children? Awed? Amazed? Grateful? And for those without the Holy Spirit, does it make them more sarcastic? Cynical? Exhausted? How does this work, anyway? Doesn't it seem like it's the opposite of what *should* happen, the ultimate paradox? This is how God works. He performs wonders untold.
Think about embracing the things you loved as a child this week. Whether it was ballet class, coloring, creating model cars, reading Anne of Green Gables, flying paper airplanes, making mudpies, or even just giggling. And embrace the kingdom of God as you do it.
Friday, April 26, 2013
What is this darkness
I'm supposed to be working right now. I will fully admit that.
Sometimes, not too often, I have a sense of darkness that comes over me. I have to admit I don't know if it's hormones or spiritual warfare. But in case it's the latter, I pray for protection. I pray for the knowledge that my God is in control of the darkness and will deliver me when it's appropriate. I pray for the armor that Paul talks about in Ephesians.
I am having one of those mornings. It's heavy. And I'm trying to work, I don't want to talk, I have to put a good face on it, I would rather go back to bed, but I know if I was in bed I would just be a lump. I can't even explain the seriousness, it seems so silly to my other happy-and-at-peace self that eventually comes back (usually the next day). I feel on edge, ready to weep at a moment's notice. I skimmed the paper this morning and read of a factory in Bangladesh that collapsed with 250+ dead and I just cried for a minute. At my desk. What?!
I'm hoping that it goes away this afternoon because I want to go to a party and enjoy friends who are moving to Germany, along with laughter, fun, beer/wine. We shall see. What is this darkness, anyway? I can't call it depression because it's not long-lasting or even consistent, like a vulture waiting on my shoulder, ready to take advantage.
It is time to read some benedictions.
Sometimes, not too often, I have a sense of darkness that comes over me. I have to admit I don't know if it's hormones or spiritual warfare. But in case it's the latter, I pray for protection. I pray for the knowledge that my God is in control of the darkness and will deliver me when it's appropriate. I pray for the armor that Paul talks about in Ephesians.
I am having one of those mornings. It's heavy. And I'm trying to work, I don't want to talk, I have to put a good face on it, I would rather go back to bed, but I know if I was in bed I would just be a lump. I can't even explain the seriousness, it seems so silly to my other happy-and-at-peace self that eventually comes back (usually the next day). I feel on edge, ready to weep at a moment's notice. I skimmed the paper this morning and read of a factory in Bangladesh that collapsed with 250+ dead and I just cried for a minute. At my desk. What?!
I'm hoping that it goes away this afternoon because I want to go to a party and enjoy friends who are moving to Germany, along with laughter, fun, beer/wine. We shall see. What is this darkness, anyway? I can't call it depression because it's not long-lasting or even consistent, like a vulture waiting on my shoulder, ready to take advantage.
It is time to read some benedictions.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
So, here's the thing: I'm no longer dating.
I'm not a serial dater. This relationship that I'm now recovering from was the first time since my divorce that I've dated. That was, ahem, 11 years ago.
While this is not the same sort of break up as getting divorced, there have been similar feelings afterward. You can't be in love with someone and have a break up be clean and painless. What I was reflecting on today is my desire to really find healing through the ways of the world. I feel drawn to:
Okay, maybe the last one is not for every man. Just most men.
But you know what is really, really awesome? After the last eleven years, my weekly training ground of hearing the gospel at my church actually does make a difference. Hearing about what we can't do in and of ourselves, week in and week out, and knowing that it's the Holy Spirit that really does the work to change us: this actually is in my heart. I still hurt. I still grieve. But I am comforted nonetheless in the arms of the One who comforted David, who comforted Leah, who comforted the apostles. How does that happen? Not in and of ourselves, is my only answer. I didn't grow up in the church, I didn't learn catechism, I haven't read the Bible over 365 days, I am poor at memorizing scripture...but this weekly visit to my church teaches me how to live.
Having said that, if you catch me criticizing the idiocy of men, or defacing my own value, call me out on it.
I'm not a serial dater. This relationship that I'm now recovering from was the first time since my divorce that I've dated. That was, ahem, 11 years ago.
While this is not the same sort of break up as getting divorced, there have been similar feelings afterward. You can't be in love with someone and have a break up be clean and painless. What I was reflecting on today is my desire to really find healing through the ways of the world. I feel drawn to:
- Drinking and really over-doing it and drowning my sorrows in red wine
- Partying it up with friends as much as possible
- Being as busy as possible to avoid hurting, like running 5Ks and feeling accomplished from that
- Reading self-help articles to find the "inner winner"
- Convincing myself that I'm still worthy based on physical, intellectual, or other attributes
- Looking for ways to criticize every man on the face of the earth
Okay, maybe the last one is not for every man. Just most men.
But you know what is really, really awesome? After the last eleven years, my weekly training ground of hearing the gospel at my church actually does make a difference. Hearing about what we can't do in and of ourselves, week in and week out, and knowing that it's the Holy Spirit that really does the work to change us: this actually is in my heart. I still hurt. I still grieve. But I am comforted nonetheless in the arms of the One who comforted David, who comforted Leah, who comforted the apostles. How does that happen? Not in and of ourselves, is my only answer. I didn't grow up in the church, I didn't learn catechism, I haven't read the Bible over 365 days, I am poor at memorizing scripture...but this weekly visit to my church teaches me how to live.
Having said that, if you catch me criticizing the idiocy of men, or defacing my own value, call me out on it.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Just Keep Swimming
Last week my daughters and I were talking about motivation.
M said that what motivates her in life is her relationships. I totally get that. God made women to care for others, to be helpers. We enjoy the process of getting to know someone, of sharing with others, of loving others. My mom is like that too; she loves talking and getting to know people.
K said what motivates her in life is work. In a different way, I get that too. Her dad and granddad are workers. Her grandmother managed a store and continued to work until just recently to make sure they had insurance. Her great-grandfather and great-grandmother worked their butts off in Kentucky raising seven children and owning a grocery store. Her dad's side just has this trait in their blood and she inherited this quality; I saw it in her even as a small child.
What motivates me? Is it relationships? Or work? Or something else? As a teenager, I struggled with hard questions. What was the point of it all when you have a freaked out Nazi that could put Jews in concentration camps? What was the point of it all when you had oppression in Soviet Bloc countries? When you had huge boats that would run into an iceberg and capsize? When you had small children being abducted from no good reason? I read, and I read, and I read, and tried to make sense of it all, crying all the while. Yes, I spent hours in my room reading about the Holocaust, the Titanic, and communism. I have always had a serious streak even though I am a little wild occasionally. Thankfully (by His grace), I learned what the point was.
But, I realized this weekend that what motivates me is learning. I love learning about life, about people, and trying to see what makes them tick. If I'm not learning, I can't teach. If I'm not learning, I'm not challenged. If I'm not learning, I am bored.
This is what keeps my days from falling down flat right now. And I'm grateful.
M said that what motivates her in life is her relationships. I totally get that. God made women to care for others, to be helpers. We enjoy the process of getting to know someone, of sharing with others, of loving others. My mom is like that too; she loves talking and getting to know people.
K said what motivates her in life is work. In a different way, I get that too. Her dad and granddad are workers. Her grandmother managed a store and continued to work until just recently to make sure they had insurance. Her great-grandfather and great-grandmother worked their butts off in Kentucky raising seven children and owning a grocery store. Her dad's side just has this trait in their blood and she inherited this quality; I saw it in her even as a small child.
What motivates me? Is it relationships? Or work? Or something else? As a teenager, I struggled with hard questions. What was the point of it all when you have a freaked out Nazi that could put Jews in concentration camps? What was the point of it all when you had oppression in Soviet Bloc countries? When you had huge boats that would run into an iceberg and capsize? When you had small children being abducted from no good reason? I read, and I read, and I read, and tried to make sense of it all, crying all the while. Yes, I spent hours in my room reading about the Holocaust, the Titanic, and communism. I have always had a serious streak even though I am a little wild occasionally. Thankfully (by His grace), I learned what the point was.
But, I realized this weekend that what motivates me is learning. I love learning about life, about people, and trying to see what makes them tick. If I'm not learning, I can't teach. If I'm not learning, I'm not challenged. If I'm not learning, I am bored.
This is what keeps my days from falling down flat right now. And I'm grateful.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
A Juxtaposition of Spirits
It's dark, dark, empty, and I can't see
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
I'm asking, questioning, "why?"
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Anger and frustration appeal to my senses, ready to justify and defend
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Take this weight, take this sadness, and let me go
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Teach me, heal me, cleanse me, help me know your presence; make me righteous, for your glory.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
I'm asking, questioning, "why?"
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Anger and frustration appeal to my senses, ready to justify and defend
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Take this weight, take this sadness, and let me go
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Teach me, heal me, cleanse me, help me know your presence; make me righteous, for your glory.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
The "Church"
K and I were having conversations recently about church and how hard it is to like certain aspects of it sometimes. However, I have to be honest, since I've only been a member of one church, and have visited a handful of others, I may not be the best person to decry or proclaim the validity of church. But I'm going to anyway. Because this is something I feel passionately about.
I read this blog recently about the church being Christ's bride. Yes, I was completely drawn to the words "baby mama" and "church" being used synonomously. It is a well-written article, though, and espouses some of the ideas that have been rolling around in my brain for the past few years about why I go to Riverwood, why I stay at Riverwood, why I love Riverwood. There are lots of people that I love there, sure, that's a given. Some of those people walked me through some really hard times. There are some people that I get along with. There are also people there that I have a really hard time with. It's all sort of like school, right? There are the cool kids, there are the ones you do projects with, and there are also ones that you really try to avoid. So what's the difference between how you feel about school and church?
Well, for starters, it's that the church is Christ's bride. It's all over Ephesians 5, which I've quoted in reference to marriage...
The church is the body. We are members of his body. My small amount of skills somehow makes a difference in the place I am worshipping. We each provide a use and it complements the skills and talents of others. You should see it on days where the women have an event: there are the organizers, the crafty/creative types, and the worker bees. It's wonderful how we sometimes get annoyed with each other, how we all help each other, and that makes an event that God works out where we can enjoy fellowship.
But what about Sunday mornings? What's the point of going there and sitting in pews, singing some songs and listening to the pastor? There is a large group of people that believe you can still have church if you are at home and reading the Bible and worshipping (I haven't read The Shack, but I hear that this is a good example). Well, read Paul's letters to the church at Corinthians. He advises the believers how to worship...
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “The church is the presence of God in the world.” Join a church and commit, people. Church is not there to do something for us. It's there for Christ. So don't treat the church like your baby mama. And stay there.
I read this blog recently about the church being Christ's bride. Yes, I was completely drawn to the words "baby mama" and "church" being used synonomously. It is a well-written article, though, and espouses some of the ideas that have been rolling around in my brain for the past few years about why I go to Riverwood, why I stay at Riverwood, why I love Riverwood. There are lots of people that I love there, sure, that's a given. Some of those people walked me through some really hard times. There are some people that I get along with. There are also people there that I have a really hard time with. It's all sort of like school, right? There are the cool kids, there are the ones you do projects with, and there are also ones that you really try to avoid. So what's the difference between how you feel about school and church?
Well, for starters, it's that the church is Christ's bride. It's all over Ephesians 5, which I've quoted in reference to marriage...
- "25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,"
- 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body.
- "...and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church."
The church is the body. We are members of his body. My small amount of skills somehow makes a difference in the place I am worshipping. We each provide a use and it complements the skills and talents of others. You should see it on days where the women have an event: there are the organizers, the crafty/creative types, and the worker bees. It's wonderful how we sometimes get annoyed with each other, how we all help each other, and that makes an event that God works out where we can enjoy fellowship.
But what about Sunday mornings? What's the point of going there and sitting in pews, singing some songs and listening to the pastor? There is a large group of people that believe you can still have church if you are at home and reading the Bible and worshipping (I haven't read The Shack, but I hear that this is a good example). Well, read Paul's letters to the church at Corinthians. He advises the believers how to worship...
- He starts off talking about his role, preaching the gospel in the first chapter: "17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."
- He discusses their infancy in Christ in chapter 3: "1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?"
- He discusses how they take the Lord's Supper in chapter 11: "20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!"
- Chapter 14: Spiritual gifts in the church, in talking about speaking in tongues: "12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “The church is the presence of God in the world.” Join a church and commit, people. Church is not there to do something for us. It's there for Christ. So don't treat the church like your baby mama. And stay there.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Solved Mysteries
One of my favorite guilty pleasures is reading a good mystery. It started when I was young and a nerd and went to the library every week. First, I started with Encyclopedia Brown. This kid was the smartest guy I'd ever heard of and solved neighborhood crimes. Somehow the excitement of a 10-year-old kid being able to figure out a puzzle just appealed to me. What's not to love?
Next, I read a Nancy Drew novel in middle school. I finished it fast and then read the whole series, admiring her flawless detective skills, jealous of her friendship with her sidekicks Bess and George. She had it all together, and she was also solving much more serious crimes, like exposing jewel thieves and finding kidnapping victims.
I moved on to Trixie Belden. She was the cutest teenager with a family full of loving people along with a great group of friends, and somehow they always found themselves in a hotbed of crime. They had this cool club and loads of fun while still solving important cases.
Finally, in high school, I started reading the big momma of mystery: Agatha Christie. She had the most well-crafted plots and unique characters: Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. If you've never read one, at least read "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd." Seriously good. Or watch "Murder on the Orient Express." I have re-read most of her books at least twice. Half the time I can't remember who the killer was so it all works well for me with my sketchy memory.
Since then, I have branched out, but I still love Christie the best. I've read many mystery series (Goldy Schulz and Jessica Fletcher stand out here), some individual mysteries (The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo, John Grisham), and even a few Christian mysteries (Dee Henderson, but these are romances sort of masquerading as mysteries, and I get tired of that).
I think the reason I love a mystery is that you sit, you read, and 200+ pages later you get a resolution. How often in life do we get that? Resolution, a fix, and a satisfying one at that (most of the time). When we trudge through our day-to-day and we don't understand the why, or what to do in the future, we can cozy up to a good book (or a mystery on TV) and feel some comfort knowing that Miss Marple will find that killer. Knitting needles and all.
Next, I read a Nancy Drew novel in middle school. I finished it fast and then read the whole series, admiring her flawless detective skills, jealous of her friendship with her sidekicks Bess and George. She had it all together, and she was also solving much more serious crimes, like exposing jewel thieves and finding kidnapping victims.
I moved on to Trixie Belden. She was the cutest teenager with a family full of loving people along with a great group of friends, and somehow they always found themselves in a hotbed of crime. They had this cool club and loads of fun while still solving important cases.
Finally, in high school, I started reading the big momma of mystery: Agatha Christie. She had the most well-crafted plots and unique characters: Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. If you've never read one, at least read "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd." Seriously good. Or watch "Murder on the Orient Express." I have re-read most of her books at least twice. Half the time I can't remember who the killer was so it all works well for me with my sketchy memory.
Since then, I have branched out, but I still love Christie the best. I've read many mystery series (Goldy Schulz and Jessica Fletcher stand out here), some individual mysteries (The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo, John Grisham), and even a few Christian mysteries (Dee Henderson, but these are romances sort of masquerading as mysteries, and I get tired of that).
I think the reason I love a mystery is that you sit, you read, and 200+ pages later you get a resolution. How often in life do we get that? Resolution, a fix, and a satisfying one at that (most of the time). When we trudge through our day-to-day and we don't understand the why, or what to do in the future, we can cozy up to a good book (or a mystery on TV) and feel some comfort knowing that Miss Marple will find that killer. Knitting needles and all.
Monday, April 8, 2013
The hope that always endures
"Hope is one of the theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were those who thought most of the next." -- CS Lewis
"Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. Something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come." -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:18-27
My daughters, when we are feeling jealous of others and not understanding our place in God's eyes; or when we are feeling constant pressure for not being like our friends and wondering if we fall short as women; or when we are heartbroken and rejected for reasons we don't understand...we must remember that our hope, our very identity, comes from the One who saved us and suffered for us. Who adopted us and made us part of His family. Who knew our sufferings, and took our sin on Himself. Look up, dear children! For He looks at us with love, seeing the face of Jesus and meeting us.
Let us fight the good fight with the armor of God, for knowing this and living this truth requires diligent prayer, an understanding of His word, and fellowship with other believers that hold us accountable. It is not a "quick flip of the switch" application, but rather a lifelong process to know that we are...His.
"Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. Something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come." -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:18-27
My daughters, when we are feeling jealous of others and not understanding our place in God's eyes; or when we are feeling constant pressure for not being like our friends and wondering if we fall short as women; or when we are heartbroken and rejected for reasons we don't understand...we must remember that our hope, our very identity, comes from the One who saved us and suffered for us. Who adopted us and made us part of His family. Who knew our sufferings, and took our sin on Himself. Look up, dear children! For He looks at us with love, seeing the face of Jesus and meeting us.
Let us fight the good fight with the armor of God, for knowing this and living this truth requires diligent prayer, an understanding of His word, and fellowship with other believers that hold us accountable. It is not a "quick flip of the switch" application, but rather a lifelong process to know that we are...His.
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