Yearly Archives: 2013

How ’bout now?

Posted on by

As a mother of young children, I was never a consistent disciplinarian. Having had a mom whose M.O. was to “let the kids have fun,” I didn’t know how to do it, and besides, being the bad guy was hard work. So I schlepped along, hit-and-miss, and it’s only God’s grace that brought my children through.

Jesus was never a parent, but we get glimpses of his parenting skills throughout the Gospels. I love to read how he got frustrated with his disciple-children once in a while, because all parents have those same exasperating moments.

Kids know in their hearts that parents have their best interests in mind when they set the rules, but a desire to “do their own thing” is often stronger than the will to comply. I saw a recent example of that in my granddaughter Skylar:

Pep!

This energetic, creative little girl is, at 4½, something of an expert on family relations. Last week when we were visiting, the whole family was working toward a birthday dinner for her little sister, Autumn. Company was coming at 5:00, and there was much to do. Linnea called to Skylar, asking if she’d please come into the kitchen to help her.

Caring for pets

Skylar’s reply was interesting. “Mommy, I’d love to help you a whole bunch, but I first have to deal with one of my pets who is having a birthday party tonight also.”

Her comment reminded me of the Bible story where 3 men expressed an interest in joining the ranks of disciples following Jesus. Their words said they were all-in, “a whole bunch,” but the excuses they gave as to why they couldn’t do it right-this-minute fell flat with Jesus.

These unnamed men had no concept of what they were about to give up by making excuses. They believed Jesus was their wondrous Messiah, but incredibly, after this conversation with the Son of God, they chose to go their own way.

Jesus did, too.

I shake my head and think, “They could have had one-on-one teaching from the Master! They could have watched his every move, listened to every conversation, gleaned how righteous living worked. They could have followed him all the way to the cross, to the Garden Tomb, and even to Resurrection Day! By making excuses, they forfeited it all.”

But am I any better? Hasn’t God asked me to do this or that when I’ve said, “Good idea, Lord. I’ll definitely get around to that somewhere along the way.” When I respond in that maybe-later way, do these God-structured opportunities evaporate? Does he come back later? Or does he go and ask a more obedient “child?”

What treasured opportunities have I forfeited?

Skylar didn’t get away with her bogus excuse, since Linnea and Adam are much better at disciplinary follow-through than I ever was. But as for Jesus, I have a hunch he usually leaves it up to us.

“Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” (Luke 9:61)

The Words’ Words

Posted on by

The Father, Son, and Spirit love the Word. And this Triune God has tried to let us know, in the most understandable way possible, that They personify the Word:

The Word.

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2)

Despite Their efforts to make this supernatural mystery understood by us non-supernaturals, we still have trouble getting it, getting Them. All we can do is nod our heads and in an effort to receive the truth say, “Ok, I believe you.”

But that doesn’t seem like enough. Is there any other way to join the Holy Spirit, God the Father, and His Son Jesus in honoring Them as the Word They are?

In a Bible passage familiar to many of us (Deuteronomy 6), They’ve given us some ideas of what we can do. They’ve told us to make Scripture, which is made up of Their words, part of our everyday lives, talking about it, teaching it, basing our decisions on it, lifting it up as the ultimate Authority. They’ve also suggested wearing biblical words on jewelry or clothing, whatever it will take to remind us regularly of the principles of the Word. They’ve even recommended writing them on our walls and doors.

In other words They’ve said, “Infuse every part of every day with Our Word. Make it natural to talk about Us any time and all the time, not just on special occasions. Set prompts around your homes as reminders to speak about Our importance, and if it helps, devote wall space to Scripture plaques and biblical artwork in your homes.”

The Deuteronomy verses tell us that doing these things will be evidence of wholehearted commitment to the Word, Father, Son, and Spirit, as well as an acknowledgement of our soul-love for These Three.

I saw some of this love-of-the-Word at Linnea and Adam’s house last week (wall art from Galatians 5) adorning a prominent corner in their living room.

The Word

Scripture is honored in their other rooms, too, as it is at my house, at my sister’s, and others I know. Biblical words are even carved in granite throughout our nation’s capitol, a testimony to the impact it has had (They have had) on our history.

May we jump at every chance to honor the Words’ words in what we say and do, lifting Them high every day, in every way.

“Repeat [the Word’s words] again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)

Watching

Posted on by

As Birgitta, Emerald, and I flew from Florida to Michigan on Monday, our 3 suitcases went a different route than we did. I glanced back after our curb-side check-in, just to be sure all 3 pieces of luggage made it to the conveyor belt, because we had high hopes of seeing them again at baggage claim.

They made it, and we did, too.

TSA note

Later that night when I opened my suitcase to unpack, I found a note left inside by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Apparently they’d taken the liberty of opening my bag and digging around inside for contraband, and they wanted to let me know that.

It said, “At the completion of the inspection, the contents were returned to your bag.” It’s a bit unsettling to picture a stranger pawing through my personal effects without my permission, but nobody asked.

Then again, nobody asks any of us if they can inspect us as we go through life, and many people are doing that. We’re all being watched by someone, parents by their children, teachers by their students, neighbors by other neighbors, clergy by church members, and even strangers by strangers. People are inspecting us, whether we give them permission or not.

But it goes the other way, too: each of us is watching others.

I remember as a young mom carefully observing women who were a bit ahead of me in their child rearing, watching carefully how they handled their babies. I had many questions, and seeing how they did things helped immensely. As I watched, I learned.

Jesus knew we’d have the need to watch the examples of others, so he saw to it that the Bible was written accordingly. Its pages are filled with stories of people he wants us to observe, hoping we’ll discern which ones we should emulate and which examples we should shun.

But people aren’t the only ones doing the watching. God is, too, not because he needs an example to follow but because he wants to help us. In other words, he’s watching over us much like a shepherd watches over his flock. For those of us being watched over, this is a priceless gift. He’s keeping track of us, is listening to our cries, and is surrounding us with his care. Our desire, then, ought to be wisdom-living that pleases him, which is the natural response to his loving watchfulness over us.

Suitcase content

TSA was watching me by inspecting my luggage, and thankfully they found nothing illegal inside. What they did find was a suitcase overflowing with stinky, dirty laundry: poopy baby outfits, dirty socks, spit-up-on bibs, used underwear, and the like. Maybe I should have left my own note for TSA:

“Inspect if you dare.”

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.” (1 Peter 3:12)