Enemies of Another Kind

I sigh and roll my eyes again - another psalm about people coming to kill me. Well, there couldn’t possibly be anything for me in here, on to the next one. About a year ago, this was a frequent thought when reading through King David’s writings. Then one day I stopped, because God whispered something to me that changed my view completely. “You know, not all enemies are physical.” Well, there’s a different perspective! So, I went back to the one I had begun reading in the first place and read it with a different mindset, one that saw enemies as some of the things I discussed in the last post. And, as we discussed earlier, those are enemies that can kill your heart. Sometimes, because they have killed your heart they can affect you physically, but that’s another subject.

The best part though, was yet to come. In most of these types of psalms, the writer sets the scene first. He describes the horrible things that are happening to him at the hands of those trying to kill him. Our unseen enemies do the same thing. But, then the writer leaves the subject of his enemies overwhelming him, and turns to praising God for the victory he wins over all that are pursuing him! These psalms are usually finished with praise to God who has delivered him.

What does this mean for us as we wrestle with those enemies? God will defeat those unseen enemies too! Get into His Word, claim the promises about the defeat of your enemies, draw close to Him, and watch what He will do. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we sit back and relax. God still expects us to do our part. There are times when our part is hard work. David had to fight His physical enemies at times, and we also have to fight against our enemies of doubt, bitterness, and the like. However, we are not alone. When we feel that we are losing the battle, that there just isn’t anything else we can do, God takes us further and wins the victory.

So, whatever your enemy, or maybe you struggle with several, do what you know you can do, stay close to God by seeking Him in His Word, and give the rest to Him. You’ll find yourself doing as David did, ending that battle praising God for the victory He one.

What are some of your favorite scriptures when you are facing an enemy of your heart? Which ones grow your faith the most?

Psalm 18:3 – I will call on the Lord, who is worthy if praise, for He saves me from my enemies.

Small Visitors Can Cause Big Problems

So, now we know that we need to guard our hearts and give that task the attention it deserves, in much the same way that we “child proof” our homes. But like “child proofing”, it can be an overwhelming undertaking to know exactly what we need to secure our hearts against. I know there is a multitude of threats that endanger our hearts and I’m sure you’ve already thought of many of them. I’m not going to do an exhaustive list of the more obvious, but instead I will give just a few examples of the ones that many times will go overlooked.

No matter how much research and careful attention we pay to what needs to be out of reach of tiny hands, there’s always something that we just don’t think about until we see the child with it or crawling into it. It is very similar with the heart. Our guard is up in all the other places, but we let our biggest foes sneak through in ways we just didn’t expect. These foes are the unnoticeable ones, that is, until they get rooted and grow. Then they are the ones that do the most damage and are the most difficult to get rid of. I’m referring to things like bitterness, resentment, and worry.

They can make their way in through words and actions. Someone wrongs you or maybe one too many bad things have happened to you. Unknowingly, we feed and water these little weeds. Something triggers a bitter thought which is followed by another which leads to another. The next thing you know, you’re in a foul mood with nothing but bitter thoughts filling your mind. The day, full of blessings, has been stolen and is now a gray haze of anger. Where did it all start? It’s hard to remember. It usually starts with just the smallest of unresolved issues. We didn’t know when it moved in, we don’t remember it saying “Hello” and wiping its feet before it made its home in our heart. But we can certainly see the results of its residence.

In the book, The Sacred Romance written by Brent Curtis and John Eldridge, these little invaders are called “arrows.” Not only do the wounds left by them cause bitterness, resentment, and others, but they also keep us from experiencing the Great Romance (not the type felt between a man and woman) that God wrote into the universe. We don’t experience all that God has for us, because what has grown out of those wounds tells us the lie that the One calling to us isn’t good or loving.

My little danger is worry. I wrestle with it constantly. I evict it only to have it ring the doorbell again. It whispers to me that God isn’t watching and caring for me or those that I love. My problems are too big and beyond my God’s reach. What can we do against this assault? Is there anything we can do to rip up the roots of our little dangers? I firmly believe there is and that it is available to us. Find out what it is in the next post! I think you’ll agree that it is truly an encouraging thought!

Maximum Security

In the months leading up to my son’s birth, I did research – oh, so much research. I looked at the best products, health practices, labor and delivery options, and lots more. My Consumer Reports Manual on Baby Products was second only to my Bible. Okay, I admit it; it probably took my Bible’s place, which I know it shouldn’t have been allowed to do. I wanted the best and safest for my little guy. When he became mobile everything turned to “baby proofing.” I wanted everything locked away and out of reach from curious little fingers. We were quick to set boundaries for our little explorer and we do our best to enforce them regularly. All of this for his security and protection.

As parents we are dedicated to the protection of the little lives that have been entrusted to us. I for one, take pride in this task and seeing it accomplished. However, how much pride do I take in ensuring the protection of the one thing that affects everything I do? The one thing from which flows my desires and energies as a woman, wife, and mother. When I long for something this one thing is where I long for it from. Yet, do I do everything I can do to ensure its safety? During this month, especially for the next week, we will bombarded by hearts. Little hands will craft them for us, our loves will speak from them, and they will be hanging throughout the stores we visit.

With the exception of this month, how much thought do we give to our heart? I know I don’t give it much thought. Sure, physically, I try to make sure that it’s in top shape. But emotionally and spiritually, it doesn’t get much attention. I feel that God wants me to change this because, as a mom especially, I am a big fan of the heart. There is a verse in particular that has not left my mind since I saw the little pink and red decorations going up at my local grocery store, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do (Prov. 4:23). Wow! How important is this little muscle inside of us? I love how God works in object lessons. Physically, if our heart is done, so is our body. That muscle affects everything in our body and so it is with the core of our selves. Whatever our core self is, the rest of our actions, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs follows suit.

Throughout the next week, and maybe beyond, I will be discussing what we some things that we can guard our hearts against and more of why keeping our hearts safe is so important. It’s going to be good stuff, so stay tuned!

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.” Proverbs 27:19

Potty Training…the good, the bad, and…the good again

 “Go potty, go potty!”  I hear the little words come out of his mouth with urgency.  I think, “Yes, finally!  We’ve made real progress this time.”  Then, I look at his damp pants and frustration sets in.  Yet again, I have to rinse out underwear, pants, and perhaps a shirt.  What is it three times just today?  Doesn’t he know that I need to do other stuff today?  We’ve done everything we know to do:  starting early to just get him used to the idea, regular schedule (well…semi-regular), and have recently graduated to cloth training underwear instead of disposal ones.  Ugh!   

But then…as I put his fourth pair of pants for the day on him, he leans over, wraps his sweet little arms around me, and lets out a big “mmmmm” as he pats me on the on the back.  Oh, I melt.  All of the aggravation falls away and is replaced by that joy that can only come to a mom.  I am reminded that being interrupted from my other tasks in order to do a “potty run” can be used as just another opportunity for a sweet moment with my son.   

We get so caught up in all the tasks that fill our days.  We’ve got laundry, dinner, paperwork, and general cleaning that needs to be done.  Who has the time to sit down with our kids and get to know them?  But if we really look, opportunities can present themselves all the time for all sorts of things we can do with your kids.  Grocery stores can turn into a math lesson, the chore of cooking can be a time to get your hands gooey together, and bath time can turn into a splish-splashy playtime.  Isn’t spending time with them, knowing them, watching and helping them grow the reason we started staying at home in the first place?   

I am bad about getting too involved in the needs of the household while putting the needs of my son off until I get the next task done.  Just let me get the floors done…sound familiar?  But why does one have to suffer because of the other?  I have begun to try to do both at the same time.  For example, he puts the spoons away while I empty the rest of the dishwasher.  It is also a good time to do some counting.  We don’t have a long time with these angels that have been entrusted to us, each moment is precious, and maybe we need to make the most of them.   

I know there are plenty of you thinking “Wow, this is just now hitting you?  I realized this ages ago!” I’m glad that you’ve got a good head start.  I’m still trying to perfect my juggling act.  Leave a comment and share with us what works for you.  Perhaps it will give the rest of us some ideas for our daily schedules and some encouragement that it is actually possible.       

Large Armor

“I can’t go in these!”  This was David’s reaction when King Saul tried to put his own armor on David before the battle with Goliath (the story from the last post – 1 Samuel 17).  King Saul was just trying to help.  He saw a small kid standing in front him, who insisted he was the one to defeat the giant Goliath.  I can just hear what he was saying to himself, “Well, if this kid really wants to do this, I’m going to do what I can to make him come back in one piece…that is, if he comes back.”  Saul’s heart was in the right place, but David knew it just wasn’t he needed for the battle.  It would not help, but hinder.

How many times do we do this to ourselves as moms?  Or maybe we have someone in our lives that does it for us.  We think, “This is what I need to succeed at this” or “if only I could do this, I’d be a better mom.”  Me?  I do it to myself.  No, I don’t need any help in this department.  My weakness is seeing more tangible talents in others.  Don’t get me wrong, I know I have strengths, but they aren’t as tangible as others.  Sometimes, I find myself dreaming of sewing, knitting, creating, inventing.  Yes, creativity is my “large armor.”  Of course, it’s okay for me to pursue these things, but it isn’t what comes naturally.  I have to work hard at anything remotely creative, and even then it usually isn’t what I’ve envisioned.  However, organization, structure, planning is what comes naturally to me.  Staples is as close to heaven on earth as it gets for me. Sounds great right?  Most of the time, the answer to this is, yes.  But there are times when I think, a truly good wife and mother would do it ALL.  She would organize and create with the best of them.  I should be creating the world’s best filing system with one hand, keeping up with my toddler with the other, and with my feet be working on a craft that would make even Martha Stewart green with envy.

How silly this sounds on paper!  David knew better than to buy into this kind of thinking.  He knew that he had been equipped with what he needed, even though that armor looked like what was missing, it just didn’t fit him.  Natural creativity doesn’t necessarily fit me and isn’t what is vital to who I am as a wife, mother, person.  God has given me all the gifts and talents I need for what he has called me to.  Some of these I know of already and others He is growing in me and others are waiting on me to grow.  I can still stretch myself beyond what I feel comes naturally.  That is a good thing to do.  Don’t shrug off opportunities to grow yourself and your abilities.  The important thing is to be satisfied with what God has equipped you with already and to recognized when something just doesn’t fit and would be more of a hindrance than a help in what He has for you.

Do you struggle with this?  What is your “large armor?”  What has God equipped you with that fits just perfectly?

Simple Objects

In preparing my recent post about the simple gifts that we can find in the craziness of life, I tripped upon another facet of simplicity that I really wanted to share.  Simple objects in our lives are often overlooked and not taken for the potentially powerful thing that it is.  Sometimes we as mothers ask ourselves, “What is it that I possess, physically or spiritually that is actually significant?”  Is all that we do change diapers and wipe snotty noses? 

I was reminded of two stories that will shed light on these and other questions.  The first is the story of David and Goliath.  In this story, found in 1 Samuel 17, David uses simple objects to defeat a foe that was causing the whole nation of Israel to quiver.  David had the task of watching sheep, a shepherd.  He was equipped with a shepherd’s simple weapon, a sling, and five stones that he had picked up.  David had been obedient in serving as a shepherd and God used what David had in that role to claim victory for the Israelites.  

Another story is that of Gideon.  Currently, I can only picture a cucumber in a marching band outfit with a tuba around him.  I know there is a serious story in the Bible, but I was reminded of this because my son loves Veggie Tales and that is what comes to mind.  Besides, the Veggie Tale story is cuter!  Gideon was called to deliver Israel from the Midianites.  He started out with an army that God later reduced to a surprisingly low number.  A small army, pitchers, lamps, and trumpets won the victory over this large strong army.  Gideon was obedient with small and simple and through that God did amazing things.

There are many other examples of this concept that I would love to share.  However, I know that I need to have at least one shorter blog post every once in a while.  Check out the story of Bessie Paget, a woman that offered what she could give, a meal and a place to stay for travelers in England.  Through those simple objects, orphans were given a place to stay, two continents heard the gospel, and so much more.

I know that many times we feel that we are only equipped with a spatula and a tub full of baby wipes.  What we see as simple, God can make mighty.  You have hands ready to heal, arms ready to hold, a heart ready to love.  Give what you have to God and watch what he can do!

Judges 6:14 – “Then the Lord turned to him (Gideon) and said, ‘Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midinanites.  I am sending you!”

Something Worth Sharing

Yesterday, during my local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting we were presented with a selection from a blog.  It seems many of the moms from the group follow this blog and were touched by a recent post entitled "Twirl."  I must say that I was quite struck by it.  The words and thoughts seemed to resound throughout my whole being.  It was apparent that I was not the only one truly warmed by this mother's insight.  Now, I would like to share it with you.  I encourage you to read it, then as we did yesterday, close your eyes and picture yourself twirling before your Heavenly Father as He rejoices over you.

Learn to Twirl

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I'd also like to thank the author of this post, Emily, for sharing such a wonderful piece of encouragement with us.