Romans 2:3-5
"Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? " vs 4
It had been one of "those" days. The children had pretty much ignored me the entire day, fought constantly and turned their volume up way too high. It was 8:30pm and I was so done! I asked them to follow me downstairs so we could have our Advent devotional. After sitting and waiting for them to appear for five minutes, I went back upstairs, ordered them to bed, prayed the shortest prayer possible, barely kissed their check and stormed out the door. I plopped in my recliner frustrated over how I was treated and hoped that my disregard for them would bring about the repentance I wanted over their disregard of me!
Then ever so quietly I heard whispered in my mind, "the kindness of God leads you to repentance." I knew immediately that I had handled that all wrong. My flesh wanted them to pay for their disobedience. I removed myself as punishment. And... I was not acting at all like our Savior!
Agh! I slowly stood up and walked back to their room and I sat them each on a knee. I explained that I am not always a good listener to Jesus. That I too mess up and make mistakes. However, God never removes himself as punishment. He convicts me of my sin and draws me back to Him. I told them that I wanted to parent them like God parented me. I gave them each a hug and a kiss, explained that we were going to start fresh in the morning and laid out the expectations for the next day. I was able to go back to my chair refreshed and glorifying God for His abundant grace and kindness in our lives.
My kids are FAR from perfect. I am FAR from perfect. Yet we serve a kind Savior whose mercies are new every morning. I praise Him for not allowing my selfishness and sin to put a wall up in my relationship with my children. May we always hide a God's words in our heart so that me might not sin against Him. (Ps 119:11).
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Do You Know His Voice?
John 10:1-5
I am sitting in a hotel room nine stories high reading my Bible as my little buddy naps. However, in the din of noises outside I heard the voice of my husband and daughter playing what sounded like a very fun game. I went to the balcony and laughed alongside my daughter and husband as I could finally understand their excitement. Their game did look like fun!
As I was watching them play, I was amazed that out of all the people in that pool, and all of those voices, I heard their voices plainly. The Holy Spirit brought John 10:1-5 to mind, especially verse 4-5, "When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
I know my husband Joe. I have lived with and loved this man for almost nine years. I have studied him and it is my delight to spend time with him, listening to what he tells me. I also love my girl. I have spent almost six years listening out for this voice call out for me. I recognize their voices because they are important to me, I spend time with them, and I have trained my ears to listen.
The question I must ask myself is do I know my Lord Jesus's voice? Do I spend time with him? Do I delight in listening to Him? Have I trained my ears to hear His voice? Do I know enough of His Word to recognize His perspective and teaching?
In this fast paced world that we live in, there are so many noises clamoring for our attention. There are so many voices trying to convince us that they speak truth. So many of today's teachings sound so right, but contain just enough falsehood that we might easily be deceived if we are not carefully examining everything through the lens of Scripture. More than ever, it is so important that we KNOW our Father's voice!
I cannot help but smile as their laughter and sweet words rise above the clamor of other voices to reach me nine stories high. May my ears be as attuned to the precious voice of my Heavenly Father who desires to speak with me everyday as well.
I am sitting in a hotel room nine stories high reading my Bible as my little buddy naps. However, in the din of noises outside I heard the voice of my husband and daughter playing what sounded like a very fun game. I went to the balcony and laughed alongside my daughter and husband as I could finally understand their excitement. Their game did look like fun!
As I was watching them play, I was amazed that out of all the people in that pool, and all of those voices, I heard their voices plainly. The Holy Spirit brought John 10:1-5 to mind, especially verse 4-5, "When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
I know my husband Joe. I have lived with and loved this man for almost nine years. I have studied him and it is my delight to spend time with him, listening to what he tells me. I also love my girl. I have spent almost six years listening out for this voice call out for me. I recognize their voices because they are important to me, I spend time with them, and I have trained my ears to listen.
The question I must ask myself is do I know my Lord Jesus's voice? Do I spend time with him? Do I delight in listening to Him? Have I trained my ears to hear His voice? Do I know enough of His Word to recognize His perspective and teaching?
In this fast paced world that we live in, there are so many noises clamoring for our attention. There are so many voices trying to convince us that they speak truth. So many of today's teachings sound so right, but contain just enough falsehood that we might easily be deceived if we are not carefully examining everything through the lens of Scripture. More than ever, it is so important that we KNOW our Father's voice!
I cannot help but smile as their laughter and sweet words rise above the clamor of other voices to reach me nine stories high. May my ears be as attuned to the precious voice of my Heavenly Father who desires to speak with me everyday as well.
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