Thursday, March 28, 2013

Focus!

What are we doing? There is one topic on everyone's mind.  One issue on everyone's lips.  One polarizing profile picture circling social media.  Debates are raging. Hateful, condescending words are flying.  Everyone is tense and on edge.  Everyone is on the defense thinking that somehow by a status or comment suddenly the entire world will wake up and smell the roses.  Some people honestly have good intentions. Some people obviously do not.

Christians! Wake up! Do you remember what the Savior, whom you claim to serve, was doing on your behalf and on behalf of so many of the people you are fighting?  Do you remember what this weekend is about?  What this weekend means for you? What is your status proving?  What is your anger showing?  Are your comments telling the truth about this weekend?  About Christ? Are you seeing this weekend as what it really means to you?  This weekend means everything!  This weekend is the culmination and great climax of everything that you believe in!  This weekend is about love.  

Your stance on this debate doesn't change anything.  Whatever is decided in the Supreme Court is not going to change the authority of God. No matter which side of the coin you fall on our job as Christians is to build relationships and to love and to show the Gospel (aka: this weekend)  No matter what is decided in courts our job is still the same.  Love. Invest in others.  Serve.  Minister.  This is not a last resort when our words and debates fail.  It is our first order of business.  Because of this weekend we have the strength and ability to do just that.  Because of what Christ was willing and preparing to do at this time you can lay down your picket signs, your status and your profile pictures.  Don't let Satan get his way this weekend of all weekends!  Focus on Christ.  Focus on his life and his death and resurrection.  

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Confessions of a Grumbler

It is hard to believe that I am writing this blog from my the couch in the home that my husband and I own.  I mean seriously? Who saw that coming?!  I have lived in Chattanooga for year and a half and this is my life?! It feels like I have been here way longer thinking about everything that has been fit into my life in the last 18 months.

In the months since I last posted...yes months! I feel terrible about that by the way! We have been doing a lot.  First off we had to move.  Packing and packing and more packing.  My husband was a great help and encouragement throughout the process. Especially when I would be the most frustrated with moving.  Because let's be honest moving 8 times in 4 years can get a little old.  So while I should have been thankful for God's faithful provision I have to admit I was considerably less thankful and great bit more grumbly.  It wasn't in my plans.  It wasn't on my agenda.  My husband and I had it settled.  We had our idea of what the next year or so would look like.  We had worked together on and it made sense. It seemed wise.  I feel like a broken record, always having my apple cart upset and not being able to handle it.  I get so attached to my  own plan.  Even when God shows me time and time again that his plan is better.  His plan is simpler.  He is trustworthy.  My old heart still fights.  Thankfully I am the daughter of a patient and pursuing God who doesn't throw up his hands when I grumble.  He doesn't lash out when I whine one to many times. He loves. He teaches. He pursues.  This is the God that deserves my trust.  He proves himself time and time again and the extent of his faithfulness is not dependent on mine.  When people ask me why my faith matters, that is why.  How can I do any else.  And when I come to something that seems to big or to much.  My faithful God will show me just how much strength he has to get me through and bring me to the other side where I can praise him for what he continues to give me.  For the big things like moving to a completely different state or the small frustrations like being woken from a deep sleep by a puppy who just wants to make sure I am still there.  My life is so blessed I have nothing to complain about.  Pray that I remember that in the midst of my minor inconveniences.

More will be coming.  Lord willing I won't take this much time off again. I have a lot of things I want to write about so get ready y'all.  The Chatty Wife is back to her chatty self :)

TTFN
R