Category Archives: Purpose

May1

Invisible Work

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Nolan pushing Micah on swing

Growing up as a babysitter, working as a camp counselor, being a Sunday school teacher, and a 3rd grade school teacher, I’ve always been fascinated by child development and excited about the incredible window of opportunity that childhood offers!

Kids have always been important to me.  But now that I know two little boys who call me “Mommy”, I have a new capacity for love AND a greater amount of pressure to nurture these kids than ever before!

To see the brightest grin and wiggly arms and legs when I walk into the room,
To hear the “I wuv you”’s and unexpected tackles,
To receive slobbery, toothless bites on my chin and gentle forehead nuzzels,
To be the chosen audience for any little thing, “Mommy, watch this!”, “Mommy, look at this!”
All these things and infinite more just make my pores ooze with gratefulness to be somebody’s “Mommy”!

But let’s be real.  Although I’ve worked with kids for a long time, they’ve never brought me to the level of exhaustion, frustration, and disgust over bodily fluids that I’ve experienced  in the last few years of being a “Mommy”.  Just as I felt an incredible responsibility as a babysitter and teacher to make the most of every opportunity, I carry that much more sense of urgency in the lives of my own children!

Childhood is a time that can seem to take forever on an especially rough day, yet weeks and months can fly by in the blink of an eye.
Childhood is a time when little people collect experiences and create habits that will most likely shape who they are as adults.
It’s a time when their world views are being formed and hearts are being fashioned.

Being “Mommy” means stepping into the most influential role in the childhood of these two special people!
It’s a role that I feel unworthy to take on.
It’s a burden that can become unbearable, especially when one is screaming and the other is whining.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to lead these little men into developing admirable character when there’s poop in the Buzz Lightyear underwear and vomit in my hair!  It’s exciting and pleasant to talk about raising children who love others, act peacefully, and stand strong for the values that we believe in.  Yet it’s truly the nitty-gritty work to live it out each day, being aware of the learning opportunities, and modeling love and peace in the moments of each day.

Thankfully, it’s not up to me to develop my children into who they are called to be.  That’s the Lord’s job!  And I can only trust Him and obey Him in the ways that He’s called me to nurture these boys!

I’m learning that teaching my children is actually requiring more self-discipline from myself than I ever expected!

Because the real work is invisible.

It would be easier to find ways to make them do kind actions, but the real work is in guiding their hearts into kindness.
It would be easier to manipulate them to say the “right things”, but the real work would be raising kids who know the Truth deep in their hearts.
It would be easier to bribe them to obey, especially when people are watching, but the real work is in teaching the value of obedience.

I don’t really care if my children say the “right things” and do the “right things” if their hearts are not pure.
Nice manners and kind actions mean nothing to me if their hearts are filled with anger and resentment.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
I know that the nurturing of their hearts is far more important than manners, learning numbers or abc’s, or even potty training.

As I value the hearts of my children, I hope that they will know that they are loved, cherished, and heard.
As I value the hearts of my children, I hope that they will develop love and compassion.
As I value the hearts of my children, I hope that I will take greater care to nurture my own heart, too.

Like a camera zooming in to focus on the most important piece of a picture, I need to let my perspective focus in on their hearts, seeing them more and more clearly.  And less important things- like signing them up for lots of “activities”, waiting for the next developmental milestone, or even just cleaning the house- would fade out of focus.

Because as I value their hearts more than what they can do, I can have more patience, and I’ll be more capable of showing them God’s unconditional love.  As I value their hearts, maybe I can realize a little more each day, that God also values my heart, more than what I can do!

These children, the Lord has entrusted to my husband and me are priceless treasures that are going to change the world!  Each day and each moment, is an opportunity for them to grow into the godly men that the Lord has planned for them to be!  If it were up to me to shape them into these world-changing men, I would be crippled with fear and weighed down with such a daunting burden.  And to be quite honest, I don’t know exactly what the Lord has planned for them anyway!

Instead, I can embrace freedom in the knowledge that God alone can mold them into the individuals that He created them to be!  And I can trust that He’ll continue forming me, into the person He’s created me to be, too!

Oct10

In Need of a “Good Samaritan”

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In the gospel according to Luke, Jesus addresses the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” and answers the question, “Who is my neighbor?” with a parable.

A man was left on a road,
robbed,
beaten,
stripped,
and half-dead.
Although a couple, supposedly virtuous men saw him, they
“passed by on the other side of the road.”

Then a Samaritan entered the story.  A person who would’ve been despicable to the audience.
“He went to him
and bandaged his wounds,
pouring on oil and wine.
Then he put the man on his own donkey,
took him to an inn and took care of him.”

The beaten man laid helplessly on the ground.
He had nothing to repay the Samaritan.
Yet this unexpected savior poured his costly oil and wine for him!

Just as the beaten man could never have been expected to repay his savior,
I know that I will never be able to repay mine.
Without Jesus in my life, I would be empty-handed.
Still He opens His generosity to me freely!

This generous traveler made it personal.  He put the injured on his own donkey.

I’m so thankful that Jesus is in my life!  Everyday.  Personally.
He cares about my thoughts.  My questions.  My frustrations.  And my joys.
He offers to take my burdens daily!

Although the Samaritan must have had an important reason to make the 6 and a half hour walk,
it became more important to take the helpless to an inn and care for him.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10, NIV
How humbling it is to realize that Jesus, the Son of God, made it his priority to come down to us
to give life!

It didn’t stop there!
He told the innkeeper, “Look after him, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.“

“He has given us the Holy Spirit as a down payment.  The Spirit makes us sure of what is still to come.” 2 Corinthians 5:5, NIrV

This parable shows us how to be a neighbor.
But I also believe that it shows us the way to inherit eternal life: to realize how desperately we need Jesus!

joy:  Since Christ has been so generous to me, it’s my joy to be available to help others!  I pray that the Lord will give me the courage to put myself physically near those in need, just as the Samaritan did.  And I pray that I’ll have an open heart to hear how He would prompt me to help!

Jun4

June is for Slowing Down

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The past several months had become pretty busy for me.

Teaching preschool.
Tutoring.
Babysitting.
Training a puppy (and a toddler).
Cleaning the house (almost) daily to have it ready for showings.
Selling our house.
Buying our house.
MOVING!
And then last month, I traveled every weekend.  And out of state a couple times.

Now it’s June.
School is out.
We’re in our new home.
I don’t have any trips planned at all.
Did I mention, our baby’s due date is in exactly one month from today?!

So my June calendar is looking a bit uncharacteristic of how it normally does.
BLANK!
Of course, each week, I end up having daily plans to get settled in our home a little more, get ready for the baby a little more, spend time with friends, and attempt to make it a fun summer for our Little Man.

But I’m also realizing that moving into this new phase of life- having our 2nd baby and relinquishing many of my former commitments,
that I’ll once again have to force myself to SLOW DOWN.

It actually takes more effort from myself to not plan an entire day from beginning to end.

Moving into this new phase of life, being Mommy to 2 little boys, I’m sure that busy days will come and go.
But as much as it’s in my control, my plan is to give these young guys slow, fun days at home or with friends, where they can just be kids.
Where they can explore, and take pleasure in the little things.
Where they can talk to Mommy, and know that they are heard.
Where they can be still and think, or run wild and sing.
Where they can learn to share and consider others.

I need a mental transition, starting this summer.
From planning each day to be as productive and as efficient as possible,
to realizing that a slow day with my boys could be the most purposeful and important accomplishment of all!

joy: June is for special, quality time with Little Man, before he becomes a big brother.

Jan15

My Series on Afterbelly.com

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I’m excited to share with you an encouraging blog, Afterbelly.  You can always find open and honest, encouraging words, especially for moms of little ones.  Nathalie eloquently reminds us of God’s grace through the trenches of temper tantrums and the highs of cozy cuddly moments.  She also features personal stories of moms from all over in her Monday’s Mom section.  (By the way, if you’re a mom, you should consider sharing your story here!)

I had an opportunity to share a series, The Gift of Thanks, at the end of last year on Afterbelly.  Actually, I wrote the series at the end of last summer, and the idea behind it gave me the motivation to start this blog and the idea for the theme, counting joys.

The whole series is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;  for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2:  Receiving

Part 3:  Give Thanks

Parts 4 & 5:  Prayer & Rejoicing

joy: Rereading something that the Lord put on my heart months ago, that I definitely need to be reminded of.

Oct20

Conquering Resentment

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We’ve all been offended.
We’ve all been let down by someone else.

Maybe it was just a matter of misunderstanding.
Or maybe there was complete understanding
yet differing opinions became grudges.

Maybe lack of communication festered unwarranted assumptions.

It’s always easier (and self-indulging)
to find blame in anyone (or perhaps everyone)
outside of self.

Yet God calls us to love like He loves.
Despite offenses, no matter how legit they are.
Despite misunderstandings, miscommunication, and grudges.
We are called to love.

We’re not called to prove that we’re right.
Not called to showcase how someone has hurt us.
We are called to love.

Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness;
he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
1 John 2:10-11

This is another one of those passages that seem extreme to me.
(But it is the Word of God, and it is true.)
I wouldn’t say that I hate someone else.
But maybe I feel less than love from time to time,
when my pride gets the better of me.

And this verse makes it sound like God sees either love or hate in our hearts for others.
So I’m convicted about the less than love times.

I want to be in the light, not the darkness!

So how do we tackle the less than love moments?
I’d love to hear your ideas!

Here are a couple of mine:

  • I believe that each word we speak with our mouths, dictates to our hearts on what to focus on.  The more that we talk about the offense and about the offender negatively, the more the hurt will grow in our hearts and become the focus of our minds.  So limiting how often we talk about it, being picky about whom we confide in, and approaching the topic with a humble heart will help to overcome the hurt.
  • Pray for the person.  As we ask for God’s favor in that person’s life, we begin to actually want it for them, and begin to forget why we were upset.
This is my command:  Love each other.
John 15:17
joy:  While holding onto grudges and hurt feelings can be crippling, we can overcome with God’s love and have renewed joy!
Oct19

And There Was Light

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One of my favorite names of God is Creator.
Especially in times when I struggle with trusting Him,
or when I need help to obey a prompting that He puts on my heart,
I remind myself that He is THE Creator.
He IS powerful.

I don’t need to be so concerned with completely understanding how everything will come together
or even making sense of something in the past that He allowed to happen.

However I do need to be in the business of trusting Him more!

After all, my Lord created all of this world, simply with words!

Genesis 1 (paraphrase)

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep……

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light……

And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water”….
And it was so.

And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear”……
And it was so.

Then God said, ”Let the land produce vegetation”…..
And it was so.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky”……
And it was so.

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky”……
So God created the great creatures of the sea…and every winged bird….

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures….
And it was so.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness….
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. 

Is the Lord calling you to something that you’re nervous about doing?
He can be trusted.

Are you having trouble believing that He will answer your prayers?
He is able.

When you feel overwhelmed by your situation,
remember that God has your best interest in mind.
He loves you.
And He’s not just anybody,
He is the Creator of the universe!
He IS powerful.

joy:  I have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe!!!

Oct18

Creative or Analytical?

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Do you consider yourself more creative or more analytical?

Do you see possibilities or strategies?

I’m sure that all of us have a bit of both.  And perhaps they’re not that different from each other.

Personally, I consider myself more analytical.
I want to know the why’s and how’s of everything.
I enjoy finding the most efficient and effective strategies to accomplish goals.
From organizing our home to running errands to spending time with friends to selling our house and finding a new one.
I want to understand everything, and if I don’t, it’s a little frustrating.
Okay, a lot frustrating.

This character trait actually gets me in trouble many times, but I’m working on it.
Instead of asking so many questions, I could just roll with it a little more.
Instead of being so fixed on spelling out all the steps of an entire process before even beginning, I could just take the first step and let it come together.
I’m learning to trust more.

This month in children’s church, our memory verse is Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
We’re talking about how God is our amazing Creator and He has actually imparted creativity into each of us that we can use for His glory!

He really has imparted His creativity into each of us for His glory.

There aren’t uncreative people.

Even analytical planning and strategizing can become a creative offering to the Lord!
As long as our trust in Him is greater than our desire to understand everything.

joy:  All of our character traits can be used for His glory.  After all, He put them in us!

Sep13

Is “Christian Hedonism” an Oxymoron?

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I came across the phrase “Christian hedonism” in the book Desiring God by John Piper.  It’s such an odd phrase!  I’m sure that it would make the wheels turn in the minds of anyone who is familiar with Christianity.  Honestly, it sounds like an oxymoron.

It seems that following Jesus Christ would mean denying oneself of personal pleasures.
But then wouldn’t your personal pleasures transform into the passions of Christ himself?
But then would pursuing your own passions put yourself in the center of worship?

Are the wheels turning in your head?  What do you think about the phrase “Christian hedonism”?  It helps me to look in the dictionary:

Christian |ˈkrisCHən|
(adjective) professing belief in Jesus as Christ.  Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
(noun) one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ.  One who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.

hedonism |ˈhēdnˌizəm|
(noun) the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence.• the ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life.

When we consider that Christianity involves following Jesus Christ, it seems that our personal pleasures should be the LAST thing that we’re seeking.  When I think about the word, “Christianity”, I picture myself, among other people literally following Jesus, like the disciples.
He’s my Savior.
He’s my Friend.
He’s my Counselor.
And He’s the example that I follow.

Jesus lived a life on earth of service.  After the Last Supper, before He died on the cross and was resurrected, He very clearly showed His friends the attitude, the posture, that He wanted them to carry on.
Washing feet.
Within that home, he assumed the lowest position by washing their feet.  Although He is the Most High King and Son of God, even He humbled Himself to that action.  He was setting that example for me, too.  Surely I can humble myself to service, too.

When I reflect upon my decision to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, not just when I feel like it, and not even just most of the time, I really know that it’s a full-time thing.
It’s a whole-life thing.
Every day.
Every area of my life.
It’s an all or nothing thing.
Jesus gave his life for me.  And I want to give my life to Him.

want |wänt, wônt|
(verb) have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for:
(noun) a desire for something:

In the Bible, God gives many commands.
Jesus summarized them into this:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’.
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

This includes giving generously.  And when I do that, the grip of greed on my heart releases.

This includes really listening to others.  And when I do that, the heavy blanket of pride that covers my mind diminishes.

It includes approaching each day with an eternal perspective, putting God first.  This releases me from the bondage of worry.

I know that when I obey God, the natural consequence is JOY!

I want to have joy.
The kind of joy that is only found in Jesus Christ.
I want Jesus Christ in my life!

If that means that I’m seeking my own pleasure, so be it.
God draws me to Himself, knowing that I can only be completely satisfied when I’m in Him!
Only when my heart is putting Him first.
Only when I’m worshipping Him.
In song.
In thought.
In action.
In everything!

The only appropriate response when coming into the holy presence of Almighty God is WORSHIP.
And God is everywhere!

When I acknowledge God’s presence,
and worship Him with all that I am,
JOY is unavoidable!

I want to worship.

It’s my desire.

It’s my pleasure.

I WILL pursue my pleasure of putting God first in my life!

joy: “God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him.” -Piper

Sep3

My Ecclesiastes

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Recently, I came across this quote from C.S. Lewis:
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself,
because it is not there.  There is no such thing.”

Exactly!  While I’m trying to count the joys around me throughout the day,
whether it’s colorful toe nails, getting the mail, sipping coffee,
sinking into the couch, hearing a familiar song,
or even closing my eyes and smiling just because,
I know that those things aren’t actually significant in themselves.

So what- if there’s a bright color on my toenails.
So what- if I walk down the driveway to get the mail.
What difference do these little things really make?

The world will keep turning.
Time will continue ticking.
The days will keep coming.

Sure, some things will make me happier than other things.
But what does my happiness really matter?
I suppose it just makes the time that I’m here on earth more pleasant.
Yet if I’m truly honest, I don’t care about happiness,
if it’s not invested in something real.
I don’t care about pleasant feelings if it’s just a means to an end in itself.

I want to be a part of something bigger than myself,
more significant than my wavering emotions.

Maybe I already am.
And when I realize what that is, the joy might be uncontainable!

I believe in God the Father, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s son, who died for my sins,
making it possible for me to be in relationship with God,
then was raised from the dead and continues to be my Lord and Savior.
I believe in the Holy Spirit who brings God’s presence right here, right now.

When I let my eyes see from a heavenly perspective, in realization that God is in control and He loves me,
worries begin to dissipate and
joy increases.

If God created us to be in relationship with Him,
then He must want us to delight in Him.
He must want us to delight in each day that He gives us,
each gift that’s given.

Where are the gifts?
I believe they are everywhere that we’re ready to receive
with thankful hearts.

In every glance, there is something to be thankful for.
In every breath, step, blink, sound, relationship, experience.
We are learning, growing, developing, and experiencing creation that God himself has made!
When we become aware of the presence of God in each moment, joy is unavoidable!

I have two healthy legs, and I can walk to the mailbox, breathing in fresh air, feeling the ground under my feet!
Thank you, Lord for senses, for my health, my ability to walk, and for the United States Postal Service!
And look at those toes, what a fun color!

Letting the counting begin!

joy:  C.S. Lewis quotes are priceless!

(If you’re on Facebook, you can share your “joys” on the Counting Joys page!)

Sep1

Promises

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I have never been one to make promises easily.
It’s not that I don’t value a commitment or an important contribution.
It’s just that I take promises seriously.
VERY seriously.
I REALLY don’t want to break a promise that I make.
And most of the time, something that might be linked with a promise is also linked with many, many outside factors.
Things beyond my control that could very easily prevent me from keeping my promise exactly.

I can’t promise that I’ll be there on time.  Who knows what traffic will be like!  But I’ll definitely try!
I can’t promise that I’ll  have the medical release forms completed by Tuesday.  That depends on the doctor’s office.  But I’ll be ready to pick it up when it’s ready!
I can’t promise that I’ll have supper ready when everyone is home.  Little Man might need a little extra one on one time.  But we’ll still eat!

Maybe I’m too cautious.  (Believe it or not, I have been accused of it before.)  But I’m okay with that as long as it doesn’t transform into worry.
I’m just aware of my surroundings.  Aware of the circumstances.  And aware of possibilities.

A few months ago, teaching Sunday school, I was reminded of my caution about promises.
Almost every week that I taught, the children consistently reminded me that they wanted to watch the video.
One particular Sunday, they were super eager about that video, and I was just trying to finish telling the Bible story.
So I, the one who very rarely uses the word “promise”, promised that we would see the video in just a minute.
Hoping that it would keep them from interrupting me more.
Alas, it turned out that there wasn’t a video ready that Sunday.
I wasn’t bothered about the video being unavailable.
But I was very bothered that I carelessly made a promise.

I want my promise, my word, to give itself it’s own validity.
No one should ever have to swear upon something to give it significance.
Can’t a person’s word and their dependability validate itself?
Actually, if someone feels the need to “swear on a mother’s grave” to show that a promise is trustworthy, I would be more likely to question their reliability.

“It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it” Ecclesiastes 5:5.
“Above all, my brothers, do not swear- not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.  Let your ‘Yes’ be yes, and your ‘No,’ no, or you will be condemned” James 5:12.  (Wow, I didn’t realize how extreme that verse in James was until now!)

I may not make promises often, but there is one that I will keep.
And I will repeat it as often as I can!

Mr. Solomon, I love you forever and always!  I promise!

joy: He promises to love me forever and always, too!  And I believe him!