Obedience
Today was one of those days that my kiddos really tested me. It seemed as if they they woke up and ate a bowl full of disobedience. Over and over and over again, I had to repeat myself. Still they disobeyed. I had a good heart to heart and explained how much I love them. How I don’t say things to keep them from having fun or to hurt them. In fact, the things I tell them are because I love them and want the very best for them. In the times when I say no, it’s not because I don’t want you to have but usually because I have something better planned than what you’re asking for.
That’s when God whispered, this is how I feel when you’re disobedient. I tell you to do things and you wait. You take your time. You say “I’ll get to it later” But when I say “move” I don’t mean later, tomorrow, next week, when you feel like it, when it’s convenient, when YOU have all you think you need, or when you’re not afraid.
When I say move and you don’t, no matter the reason, you are being disobedient.
After I composed myself from my embarrassment, I repented and made a list of all the things I’m supposed to be doing.
I am so grateful to serve a God who forgives.
Now, excuse me while I get back to work.
Don’t Go to Bed With Dirty Dishes in the Sink
How many times have you let a sink full of dirty dishes sit overnight? You wake the next day only to find food caked on so hard you have to scrub and scrub and scrub.
“Why didn’t I just wash them last night?” I can get to it now and throw off my whole morning or I can just leave the dishes for another time.
Similarly, in life and relationships if we don’t deal with our problems, anger, offense, etc the situations tend to get worse. When you argued last night and decided to just leave it til morning, you left room for things to fester. Now there’s room/time for you to consider all the other ways you’ve been wronged. Just like the hardened food on those dirty dishes, your heart has become hardened towards the offender - spouse, child, parent, sibling, co-worker...
Of course, it’s ok to take a moment to cool off when necessary, just don’t allow to much time to go by without resolving things. When you take too much time you give yourself the opportunity to make inaccurate assumptions and pile on extras that have nothing to do with the original disagreement.
It may be tough but it’s worth having the tough conversations to maintain successful relationships.
“And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,”
Ephesians 4:26 NLT
Boxes
Tom and I were talking about moving and how in our townhouse we had way too much stuff. Most of which was boxed up in our garage. Stuff we hadn’t used, needed or seen in a couple years. A lot of junk. We both said the next time we move, we aren’t taking the junk with us.
God revealed to me that this is how I should view my life. When it’s time for God to move me to a new place, first I need to get rid of the junk. The boxes filled with regret, shame, guilt, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, anger, loneliness, etc.
What happens when you bring the junk with you to the new place, you don’t have enough room for the new things God wants for you.
I believe that this is the year for us to move into new places, and in order for God to be able to fully give us all He has for us, we must get rid of the junk.
My prayer is that God would fill our boxes with joy, peace, and love. I pray that we would walk courageously and boldly in our purpose. I pray we choose faith over fear.