Yesterday was a day of contemplation for many. "What are you/should I be giving up for lent?" was a popular question on Facebook. Coke, bread, sweets, (seems most answers revolved around food)...Facebook.
I was raised in a traditional Southern Baptist home with little understanding of Lent. I thought it was just a Catholic thing. We celebrated Easter. One of my really close Catholic friends came to school on Ash Wednesday with a smudge on her forehead but I was more shocked that she'd actually been to church before school than curious as to what the ash represented.
My heart has been yearning for a little more focus on what matters most or as Dr. Young calls it "kingdom business." In the chaos of life, I have to be as intentional with my time focused on God as I do my daily calendar. You see, I want God's agenda to be my agenda. But if I cannot get enough still and quiet time to listen to Him, I will drown Him out with my own plans.
So thank you, Melissa, for giving up Facebook for lent. You've inspired me to do so as well. In it's place, I plan to spend the next 40 days following Biblegateway.com Lent Reading Plan. I'll be focusing on the life of Christ by reading the gospels to put the celebration of Easter into proper context - a God that came to earth as a baby, lived a spotless and blameless life of sacrificial love, took on all sin, died as atonement for that sin, and THEN rose from the grave on the third day.
I would love for you to join me in reading the gospels or for you to share what you are doing this Easter or Lent season to focus on the greatness of Jesus.
Psalms 51:16-17 says, "16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise".
Andrew had is first soccer game last Saturday and he loves it! We were not sold on starting him in team sports at 4. The church where he goes to preschool began hosting Upwards soccer. It seemed like it would be a great time for him to begin in a familiar setting with lots of familiar faces. Andrew is on a team of 5 (with one of his best buds). They play 3 on 3. Some kids are kicking in the sand while others are scoring goals left and right. Andrew is definitely bent towards playing defense -- he's fairly aggressive, goes after the ball, and above all else wants to protect his goal. He ran ahead of one of his opponents, posted up as goalie, and blocked her shot. He won the defense star for the game then learned at this week's practice that he cannot play goalie in this league. We are looking forward to a fun season.
Now that Andrew and Lila are done with naps and love to go, go, go, we decided to start them in non competitive gymnastics. This class is about getting them moving and having fun. The kids are in a large class together once a week. That class is broken into groups of 4 or 5 as they work on different skills. Sometimes the kids are together and sometimes they are in different groups. They begin with stretching, then move to beams, floor work, trampoline, bars, or pommel horse. It's been fun watching their little personalities from across the gym. I've been surprised to see Andrew volunteer to go first and have loved seeing the thrill on both of their faces. Neither one seems to be taking themselves too seriously. And I love that they are having fun.
I've got to admit. As I alluded to in one of my last post, I had a rough November, December and early January. Really dreary days. I tried to let go of the pressures but many days they got the best of me. Thankfully, I am surrounded by an encouraging group of ladies in my Community Bible Study leadership team who are all more experienced in life than I am. One of those ladies just kept encouraging me to press into the Lord. Seek Him. Don't give in to the fiery darts. Put on the armor of God daily...even when your heart doesn't feel like it. So I did. I read alot from Streams in the Dessert and continued our study of 1 Peter. There haven't been many times where I can pinpoint major change in my heart. My faith and relationship with Jesus have just matured slowly over the years. But I definitely experienced an answer to prayers a few weekends ago.
I travelled to San Antonio to meet my sweet sister while she attended a ultrasound seminar. We had a great time on Saturday afternoon...window shopping, talking, taking in a movie that pulled at my heart (Country Strong gave me an overwhelming sense of compassion for addiction and living with guilt), had dinner with my aunt and uncle. Sunday was a different good. Angel had class all day with the exception of meal time. I woke up and spent the morning in God's word. I read and prayed and reflected -- uninterrupted (moms of preschoolers, you know this is in itself is priceless). I read 1 Peter; I read Psalms. I just took in every minute of silence that was allotted me. God met me and refreshed me. He is faithful to His word and my prayer:
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
I am encouraged that God created me to be His unique child, with a purpose so much greater than the stuff of this world. Although I am in constant need to recall the scripture "Do everything without complaining..."(Phil 4:12) or "Your (God's) grace is sufficient..."(2 Cor 12:9), God longs for what is best for me and wants what is best from me. Music always helps me to reflect on my heart, my own life. This song is so uplifting. My God thinks I'm beautiful.
Here's some things He loves about me (or at least covers with His grace).
I love to dance and sing at the top of my lungs to to 80's & 90's country hits....the ones I listened to growing up in my parents' cabinet shop and riding down the road in my dad's Ford trucks.
I cannot keep my closet organized. Just can't put the laundry away or fold the clothes that I take off that aren't dirty. 31, just don't see that changing anytime soon.
I get so excited when I'm studying the Bible and make a connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament or learn some Greek meaning of a word that I had only understood from a 21st century American perspective.
I love to lift heavy stuff and get pumped when I finish a workout that had me terrified before I began.
I'm learning to learn from failing...especially in the kitchen. I don't have to stick with everything that is FOR SURE going to turn out just the way I planned.
Ok, that one goes for more than just the kitchen.
I have a passion for leading women in learning God's word and what it can reveal to them personally.
I can give up on trying to be perfect. I can just be the me He created.
I love hugs and kisses from my babies and I love to read with them and watch them play together.
I want my marriage and our home and everything Drew & I touch to glorify God.
I can get bogged down by the little things. But He is faithful to give me perspective and remind me not to sweat the small stuff...my purpose is so much more.
Whatever it is, He loves me. I don't have to prove myself to Him. He knows my heart. And He will be the one to judge it.
Giving my life to the only One who makes the moon reflect the sun...all those starry nights, those were His design ~ Chris August
I am married to my best friend, Drew. I am Mom, Mama or Mommy to Andrew (May '06) and Lila (November '07). I love Jesus. I like to Crossfit, read, travel, watch House Hunters, sit on the patio at dusk, and eat guacamole. I am most fulfilled when I spend time daily with my Protector, my God.
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