I Am Not Underwear

Some days I feel like all I hear from my boys is, "I want, I want, I want".  I hear myself sounding like my mom saying "your wants won't hurt you".  She always said that to my sister and me when we were growing up and we were constantly wanting things. 
 There is a big difference between a want and a need- we all know that.  Remember when you were young and you were so excited about getting a present and you opened it up and it was socks or underwear?  As children, we open those gifts and shoot a forced fake smile to the one whose name is written next to "From:" on the gift tag and say "thank you". Then we ever so politiely say "next", hoping the next gift is a toy or at least something shiny.  We think of those things (clothes, underwear) as needs and we would rather move on to one of those wrapped up wants. 
As adults, we open up new socks or underwear and we are so excited that we can throw an old holy pair away and still have 2 pair! I can remember never wanting to get something as a gift to use to work until I discovered power tools!!!   Yes, as we get older we learn to appreciate that we have the things we need.  But, admit it- It's still nice to get those things we want.  When I think about this, I can't help but think about the fact that God doesn't need me.  Sometimes we think we have to serve because God needs us.  The truth is, God has everything He needs to do anything He wants, and He does not need us.  But the amazing thing is, He wants us!  It makes me feel special to know that the maker of the universe wants me!  He wants to have a relationship with me!  There is a difference between a want and a need.  We all especially enjoy getting things we want. I have to believe that God enjoys us coming to Him because He desires to be with us.  He WANTS us!
Everyone likes to feel needed.  But, to feel wanted is a whole different experience. 
My friend, I hate to burst your bubble, but you and I are not needed by our creator.  GOD DOES NOT NEED YOU!  The good news is, He wants you!!!  In God's eyes, you and I are not underwear!!!  We are His prize that He wanted!!!  Another reason to praise Him with our lives!!!

Spiritual Wisdom from Madea

There are 2 kinds of people reading this right now.  Some of you are already judging me because I put the words “Madea” and “Spiritual” in the same title.  The rest of you are only reading this because the name “Madea” is in the title.  No matter the group into which you fall, I hope you’ll allow me to explain myself!  There are several things Madea says that I think are worth repeating (and then there are several things I think you should get your mouth washed out with soap for repeating). 

One thing she says, and it took me many years to figure this out and I am still learning, is “Ain’t you a Christian?  That means you redeemed, right? Well, the Bible says let the redeemed of the Lord say so.  So when somebody is talking about you and trying to make you look like you less than you are, you say “so”!” Okay, so it’s not word for word (sorry, loyal Madea fans), but you get the point.  And yes, I know it’s totally taken out of context, but it actually makes a lot of sense! Sometimes I let things bother me so much that  I allow negativity to steal my joy.  I allow things that are not worth worrying about bring me down.  I have had to learn to decide whether or not the situation is really gonna make a difference when I get to heaven.  If it’s not, then I just have to say “so”!  If I let every little thing eat away at my joy, then there will be none left.  And Jesus did not give me this joy to let trivial things take it away.  Satan didn’t put it here, and I am not gonna let him take it away.  There are just some things that aren’t worth arguing about!  If it has no eternal significance, as Madea would say, “you just got to Let-it-go”. 

Another piece of wisdom we can gain from Madea is when she says, “It ain’t about what people call you.  It’s about what you answer to.”  Wow!  This is so true.  People are going to talk.  They just are. And being a minister’s wife, I know this all too well.  And I actually do pretty well when people talk about me. I guess being a school teacher, I sort of get used to it and I can ignore it!  However, I kinda go Madea when somebody talks about my husband or my children, especially when I know that what they are saying is completely inaccurate.  But I’m working on it!  I know God will reveal truth in His time, and He doesn’t need my assistance.

As long as I know the truth, and I know who I am in Christ, then let people talk.  I will answer to what God has called me to be.  He calls me His.  And that, my friend, is what I will answer to. So, my question for all of us is this, what do we answer to?  May we find our identity in Christ and answer to that name.  May we always remember whose child we are and who we represent with our words, our actions, and our lives.  May we one day hear those precious words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”.

In the End

Dear Friends,
Do not worry, Do not fear!  I have read the Book and I know what happens in the end.  Ten thousand years and then forevermore!

Taught by a Turkey

God has used my boys to teach me many things through the years.  We started our "Thanksgiving Tree" on the first day of November.  I painted a tree on a piece of wood, and each day of the month, the boys write what they are thankful for on a little leaf and we hang it on the tree.  I am not sure what I expected, but so far, every day Luke has said he is thankful for someONE, not someTHING  (Rhett said Jesus the first day, but then said he didn't want to do it anymore- I guess it's not that cool for a 13 year old to write what he's thankful for on a leaf and hang it on a tree).  I think I expected Luke to say his tractor or microphone or the Ipad, but each day he has said he is thankful for a person.  It blesses my heart to know that the things he appreciates most are relationships with real people.  Children can be little turkeys at times, but I understand why Jesus was so tender towards children and loved them so much.  They are genuine.
At what point in our lives do priorities change?  When do we decide that it's more important to spend every minute "working on" or "doing" something?  I am speaking to myself when I ask this question.  How many times have I been so busy "doing" that I failed to take time for someone?
I think back to the season of my life when I had the privilege of being a hospice nurse.  The precious people I had the opportunity to serve were aware that doctors had projected their course of time on this earth to be nearing an end.  As I think about the conversations I had with my patients, there are two things that always dominated the conversations.  First, they talked about their relationship with God.  They knew that this was the most important thing in their lives, and He is the only reason we have hope and can look forward to what lies ahead for us.  Second, without fail, they talked about their families and friends.  Whether or not they had always had their priorities in order, when their time was drawing to an end, they were able to determine what the important things in life are- God and people.
We can learn some valuable lessons from our little "turkeys", and I learned a lot from my patients who  weren't caught up in the distractions that tend to capture our focus.  The two most important things in life are #1- what have we done with Jesus?, and #2- Other people.
I need to get my priorities straight!  First, I want to love Jesus more every day and get closer to him with every step I take.  Next, I want to love people more. The next time I am working on shirt orders or clinical schedules and a student comes up needing to talk, I hope I will put away the paperwork and focus on that student.  The next time I am at church and I see someone who looks like things are difficult, I hope I will ask him or her "How are You?" and take time to listen to the answer.  The next time someone asks me to pray for him or her, I hope I will stop what I am doing and pray with that person right then, rather than just saying "sure I will".  There are so many opportunities I have missed to help others because I have been too busy or distracted, and I am determined to work on changing that. I want to make a difference with the time God has given me and stop spending so much time on things that really have no real significance.

As we think about the things we are thankful for this month, let us not forget to give thanks for our only Hope and the people He has given us the opportunity to love.  I am thankful for all of you who are reading this blog.  Thank you for your prayers and your encouragement.  I love you!!!