I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
Max Lucado
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
God working in the midst of adversity
As i lay down to fall asleep, i was pondering about the positive things that i've seen happen, seemingly in the shadows of the adversities of this past weekend.
I had to rush ds to the ER with abdominal pain friday nite while we were at bible study. i hate seeing Tigeroo suffer. I got to see the love of my sister in Christ in action, as she dropped everything, took my keys, and drove me to the ER, waiting with me till dh could join me. she kept dd for the night.
DS was in the ER all day saturday, running multiple tests, and i had to watch him in discomfort. He kept saying "i wish i were YOU mommy", and I kept saying "I wish I were You tigeroo, so that I could have that pain for you" I was blessed to have the reminder that Jesus DID put himself in my place, he bore my griefs, carried my sorrows, was wounded for my transgressions, and was crushed for my iniquities.
Hubby and I were both sick that night, and the following day after we got back from the hospital. We laid on the couch commiserating with each other. I'm so glad that we had that time to have compassion on each other. usually when i am well, it's difficult to empathize with my hubby when he is sick and vice versa. I saw dh put my needs before his as he stayed home from work and shopped for me and drove me to Tigeroo's dr. appt. and was grateful for the inner knowledge that Christ's love is still at work in our marriage.
I spent the previous week frustrated with my son's high energy, and focused on his weaknesses and areas that I felt were lacking and developmentally behind. I've spent this week with new perspective, grateful that my son is still with me, that i have yet another day to treasure him and love this little guy. I've been reminded of the gentle spirit that i don't always take time to see.
And then God reminded me of Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." The trials we went thru this past weekend weren't good in and of themselves. But I'm so grateful for the way God has worked good things in my heart in the midst of the difficulties. And I'm wanting those adversities to become mere shadows, in the light of Jesus himself.
Earth is not my final destination. Should i truly expect my time here on earth to be free of trials? What is my purpose here on earth? Am I living it for my purposes, or am I living my life in response to the one who created me? If i had no adversity here on earth, would i see how i fall short, and how much i need God's grace? would i long to be united with Christ one day? Would i be inspired to share the hope that i have in Christ? Would i experience that everything is rubbish compared to the worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord?
These are my ponderings as I head to bed.
I had to rush ds to the ER with abdominal pain friday nite while we were at bible study. i hate seeing Tigeroo suffer. I got to see the love of my sister in Christ in action, as she dropped everything, took my keys, and drove me to the ER, waiting with me till dh could join me. she kept dd for the night.
DS was in the ER all day saturday, running multiple tests, and i had to watch him in discomfort. He kept saying "i wish i were YOU mommy", and I kept saying "I wish I were You tigeroo, so that I could have that pain for you" I was blessed to have the reminder that Jesus DID put himself in my place, he bore my griefs, carried my sorrows, was wounded for my transgressions, and was crushed for my iniquities.
Hubby and I were both sick that night, and the following day after we got back from the hospital. We laid on the couch commiserating with each other. I'm so glad that we had that time to have compassion on each other. usually when i am well, it's difficult to empathize with my hubby when he is sick and vice versa. I saw dh put my needs before his as he stayed home from work and shopped for me and drove me to Tigeroo's dr. appt. and was grateful for the inner knowledge that Christ's love is still at work in our marriage.
I spent the previous week frustrated with my son's high energy, and focused on his weaknesses and areas that I felt were lacking and developmentally behind. I've spent this week with new perspective, grateful that my son is still with me, that i have yet another day to treasure him and love this little guy. I've been reminded of the gentle spirit that i don't always take time to see.
And then God reminded me of Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." The trials we went thru this past weekend weren't good in and of themselves. But I'm so grateful for the way God has worked good things in my heart in the midst of the difficulties. And I'm wanting those adversities to become mere shadows, in the light of Jesus himself.
Earth is not my final destination. Should i truly expect my time here on earth to be free of trials? What is my purpose here on earth? Am I living it for my purposes, or am I living my life in response to the one who created me? If i had no adversity here on earth, would i see how i fall short, and how much i need God's grace? would i long to be united with Christ one day? Would i be inspired to share the hope that i have in Christ? Would i experience that everything is rubbish compared to the worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord?
These are my ponderings as I head to bed.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
A mother's prayer
O Lord,
I need your help today.
I want to care
for those you've sent into my life,
to help them develop the special gifts
you've given them.
But I also want to free them
to follow their own paths
and to bring their loving wisdom
to the world.
Help me
to embrace them without clutching,
to support them without suffocating,
to correct them without crushing.
And help me
to live joyfully and playfully, myself,
so they can see your life in me
and find their way to you.
Amen.
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/mother.html
I need your help today.
I want to care
for those you've sent into my life,
to help them develop the special gifts
you've given them.
But I also want to free them
to follow their own paths
and to bring their loving wisdom
to the world.
Help me
to embrace them without clutching,
to support them without suffocating,
to correct them without crushing.
And help me
to live joyfully and playfully, myself,
so they can see your life in me
and find their way to you.
Amen.
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/mother.html
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