Get Out of My Way!

What do you mean get out of the way!!...Who's in my way?.. nobody is in My way, but I do have a tendency to get in God's Way. How can you get in God's way... let me give you a real life example...

Our church is experiencing growth like never before and I am sure that the Devil is un-nerved by the whole situation. The Devil stoops to all levels of deception, mistrust, confusion, chaos etc.. you get the idea.A close friend and I had a difference in theology or opinion of scripture Interpretation. And that difference of opinion from the other party was expressed explicitly to my children without my fore-knowledge. The Devil used my friend to get to me through my children. The maternal instincts kick in and the mama bear becomes overly protective and the whole event led to hurt feelings.

This difference of opinion is not going to send you to heaven or hell which ever way you interpret the scripture, however debating the interpretation can hurt your witness discouraging others from taking steps towards salvation or even hurt other Christians who look to you for leadership and guidance in how you handle conflict.

The Devil has us so caught up in the petty things that our focus shifts from our priorities. Take a step back and observe how your actions or reactions affect the lives of others. Stop and think before you react to an action that is puppeteered by the Devil Himself.Your action and reaction can have dire consequences or they can be uplifting and encouraging... it is your choice.

I choose to be uplifting, encouraging and undefeated!!I choose to let go of the pettiness, regain my focus and be a blessing to others. I choose to get out of God's way and not to engage in the cause of confusion. I choose to let God Work

FORGIVEN!

HISTORY:  I have always said if you want to see me act "unchristianlike" just ride with me.  I find it very hard not to say something derogatory when people pass on a double yellow line, pull out in front of you only to turn 100 yds down the road, people use a turning lane as a merging lane, when turn signals become optional, etc...  you get the idea.  Everone's license should be revoked when I'm driving so I can get my errands done!!!  Don't judge me, I'm sure I'm not the only one with pet peeves, but has God ever spoken to you during this time of pet-peeveness...?  He did me... here is my story.

MY STORY:  It is Friday afternoon and instead of going in the general direction of home, I am headed into the opposite direction in which black clouds loom above in a distance patiently waiting for my arrival before they unleash the flood of water destined to fall.  My daughter and I had an errand to run, to find the perfect white dress.  Do you know how hard it is to find the perfect white dress?  Plain white dress?  It ain't easy.  Needless to say we visited every clothing store and accessory shop to find the perfect dress and savvy accessories to complete the look.  Why so many stores?  My daughter is a teenager.. (need I say more).  

Anywho....   After many rain showers later, that seemed to start as we were exiting the car and seemed to stop when we got back to the car,  we were headed out of downtown and toward the general vicinity of home, when out of nowhere a car pulled out in front of me from a side street.  My daughter turned to look at me to see what I was going to say (i never curse) and I proceeded to speak the following;

- I can't believe he just pulled out in front of me

- Did he even look to see if anyone was coming?

- He doesn't need a driver's license

- He doesn't know who he pulled out in front of.

Before I could say anything else, I looked at his license plate and it read FRGIVEN.  My daughter turned to look at me and said, "Mom, I think God has heard enough!"

So a new page has been turned and now when someone doesn't drive according to my standards the license plate FRGIVEN flashes across my mind.  Not to forgive the one who pulled out in front of me, but as a reminder that God forgave me for passing judgement.

Daddy is Like Jesus

I'm not sure about you, but I have a time trying to get my kids to do their chores.  They seem to wait until the last minute to get started. I do believe they don't start work until they hear my car turn in the driveway.  I on the other hand do my work first thing in the morning so I have time to relax and enjoy stress free afternoons.  But teenagers are teenagers and they have yet to learn the value of time. 


Work takes my husband out of town on extended stays and sometimes we don't know when he will come through the back door day or night.  He is also a firm believer in getting chores done on a timely manner and there are certain responsibilities that our children (teenagers) have on a daily basis.  If they aren't done when he gets home, there is a lot of explaining to do and the last thing our kids want is a talking too by their dad.  So now we have coined the phrase that Daddy is like Jesus.  You don't know when he is coming so you had better be prepared and ready.

A Firm Hand

My brother and his 3 year old daughter, Sara Faith, came to mom's house for a visit.  It was a beautiful spring day, not too hot and not too cold.  Sara had been playing with the children next door and was not a happy camper because play time was over.  In a rebellious act Sara Faith went to the door and proceeded to open it in an attempt to go back outside.  Her dad told her, that if she went out the door he would spank her.  She stood at the door and contemplated this ultimatum given to her by her father. After a couple of minutes of standing at the door and hoping that her father had forgot all about the promise she sneaked out the door.  Her father was watching her the whole time and immediately left his seat to follow through on his promise.

Sara realizing her mistake tried to run, but was not fast enough.  Her father caught her and popped her bottom and brought her back in the house where she lay in the middle of the floor and threw a temper-tantrum.  Within minutes she straightened up and even offered her father a cookie her Grandma had given her.  The whole episode was a bit humorous but made me think about how we test our spiritual Father.

How many times have we given in to temptation knowing there would be consequences?  Whether it be gossip, drinking, adultery, watching an inappropriate movie or listening to an inappropriate song.  How many times do we sneak away and sin thinking no one is watching and if no one is watching, no one will know.  Sara Faith knew if she disobeyed her father there would be consequences and her father followed through with his promise out of love.

There have been consequences for sin right from the beginning starting with Adam and Eve.  They disobeyed God and were kicked out of the Garden of Eden.  Not only did this sin affect Adam and Eve, but it is still affecting us today.  God loves us and wants us to be obedient out of love and respect for Him.  One day Sara Faith will appreciate her father's firm hand just as we will appreciate the firm hand of our Spiritual Father.

Morning Coffee

I honestly cannot function without morning coffee....  go figure... for the last 30 some years I have always had a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.  Instant coffee with one teaspoon of maxwell house  coffee grounds, (anything else is just imitation) three teaspoons of sugar (pure cane sugar - dixie to be exact.. not equal or any of that fake stuff) and a little bit of milk, (whole milk - no creamer).  Any alterations to this recipe and the whole day seems ....off.  


I think the company has a lot to do with it tooo...  I always have a cup of coffee with mom.  For the last 15 years I get up in the morning get my shower, dress for work and then walk next door to catch up on the day before.  We talk about weather (this is a safe subject until we wake up with caffeine and have the ability to speak logically) then it is on to discussions on children, daddy, family, friends, current events and church.


God can be like that daily cup of coffee if you let Him.  Get into the habit of talking to God first thing in the morning, while you are getting ready to start your day.  Have that general conversation of weather, family and church and tell Him what is on your mind.  Talk with God everyday, even if it is about nothing at all just to let Him know that you are thinking of Him and want to include Him in your life and the choices you make.  We as parents want to be included in our children's life, even after they have moved away.  We can hardly wait to hear from them, to find out how they are doing and what is happening in their life.  God wants to here from us just as parents want to hear from their children.  


After a while that early morning conversation God will be like that cup of coffee.... if you miss it, your whole day just seems....off