Individual Responsibility

Her words poured from her heart, seemingly and unusually incessant, leaving the essence of passion in the air. I watched and listened. Her eyes welled with tears not willing to escape down her cheek, real but unwelcomed by my Angel. She spoke of our great country, individualism, and responsibility.

These are not new concepts. We have taught them for years. Yet, today, as she worked though her college history paper, these thoughts imbedded in Biblical principles solidified.

Jobs are necessary, but now she wondered why others do not know the God-given gift of work and the joy that comes with a job well-done and pride of ownership. Help is often needed in dire straits, but now she wondered why so many depend on the help of others and settle for the minimum, striving for nothing. Our country proves to be the best in the world, but now Angel wondered why so many Christians have relinquished their personal responsibility to take care of others and surrendered it to the government.

God is working in Angel’s heart. Where, when, and how that will be revealed will be exciting to watch. She asks good questions. She wonders how the church should act to make a lasting difference in our community. She wonders how a family, our family, can do more to teach what God has proven to work.

She values what God has established in our country and acknowledges that He ultimately is in control, yet she understands that man’s decisions have far reaching consequences affecting many in their wake. As of today, God is leading Angel into mechanical engineering. She wants to be able to make a difference in the real world. It may mean sitting at a desk and working diligently in an office most likely for a few years after graduation, but she sees God doing something even bigger. She wants to be an individual used by God to help others.

Her emotion was unexpected, but refreshing. Her words blessed my heart as I viewed the slide show in my memories of years of training. She is approaching her college years even more ready to solidify her ideas. I thank God that these ideas are not mine or hers per se, but they are God’s. I pray that He continues to prick her heart.

Our conversation centered on history, government, and individuals today. Tomorrow will bring different challenges, additional thoughts, and more questions. Thank you, God, that your Word is always true and applicable for today. Thank you for times to share real life with my children. Thank you for moments of grace to be reminded that you are faithful in my kids’ lives.

Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

I challenged my kids this afternoon. School books were closed, but their Bibles were open. We focused on the many aspects of giving thanks as presented in God’s Word: who, what, where, when, why, and how. I gave them some time to dig on their own and then we sat together sharing what we found in relative quiet as the babies slept dreamily.

We began our discussion with the what of giving thanks. We all know that it is important and commanded, but what really is it? We talked about how it involves others. It often centers on what we have. The more we talked, the more I knew how important it was to dive into God’s Word.

My little one and I searched some of the who’s in Scripture who gave thanks. We came up with a few. Anna and Simeon gave thanks that God allowed them the gift of seeing the Christ child. They had waited many years faithfully serving God. When God fulfilled his promise their immediate response was thanks. Moses exemplified thanks after God miraculously opened the Red Sea and then crashed it again on the enemies of the Israelites. In the New Testament, Luke tells the story of one lone leper among ten who thanked God for gracious healing. Finally, we saw that Paul was thankful for others who made the effort to make a difference in his life.

Angel researched the where of thanksgiving. She discovered many examples in the Old Testament two of which were the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. These were significant as they evidenced God’s work in Israel.

When are we to give thanks? My little man answered that one. Everywhere and in all things. You can’t get simpler than that. Paul’s life portrays one specific example of thanksgiving that wowed my little man. Paul chose to give thanks while in prison and in chains. We all know that story, but as we focus on how it relates to now, it makes our thanksgiving significant as we are nowhere near prison or captivity.

Princess found some great verses on the how of thanksgiving. She found that thanksgiving is not a private thing. It is often loud and done with music. It focuses on others, and involves verbally speaking thanks. It was a good reminder to all of us that we need to be conscious of speaking our thanks.

The why of thanksgiving brought us to a climax in our discussion. We found many verses that presented the love, faithfulness, and mercy of God that demands thanks. When we consider who God is, it should be an automatic response to give thanks. It may be for what he has done or given, but it also involves who he is.

My little one had a tough time grasping the concept of God demanding praise and thanks. Princess helped out by sharing the analogy of trying to fit a major league baseball stadium into our living room. You just can’t do it. God is so big. Our minds are so small. There is just no way to understand all of who God is. Our job is to be thankful in every little (and big) think that we watch him do in our life.

Thanksgiving is centered on our heavenly father the giver of all good things. Our thankful heart, however, should overflow to pour into the lives of all who are in our life.

Who is God to you today? What can you thank him for? Why is it possible to thank him? Where can you thank him this afternoon? When is a good time to express your thankful heart? How are you going to show your thanks to God? How is all of this going to show visibly to others?

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving came quickly. Didn’t we just start the school year, or was that soccer? No, we just finished soccer. I am so confused. I was told that the older you get, the faster time flies. I do not know how that works, but it does.

I f you spent even a fraction of time in the store or watched any form of media, you would think that tomorrow is Christmas. Every year, it seems that celebrating Thanksgiving is an afterthought. I spend a great deal of time on my own blog writing things I am thankful for. Why is the holiday skipped by so many? Of course, the turkey and fixings are never left out. Nor are the endless hours of football. Gluttony and laziness. That’s it. That is what it is all about. I digress.

How should I approach this special time in our country’s history to remember specifically how God has blessed, protected, guided, and comforted over the past year? I want to keep it exciting because it is. I want to keep it holy because it is. I want to keep it real because it is.

I take my role as mom very seriously, though I fail daily, often. Much of what I do now is a result of trial and error. Many errors. Yet, still I see that taking the time to be grateful makes a difference in my children. Learning how to say thank you at an early age instills a pattern that is lifelong. I choose to look for ways to thank my kids for doing not only the extra but also the routine.

When we enter Thanksgiving week, we try, despite our crazy schedules and the wide age span of our kids, to sit and recall specifically what God has done in the last year. A younger child’s list may reflect their simple faith. As the children grow, so does their faith and understanding of God’s work in their life. How exciting is that?

This year, our home will entertain 18 for dinner. Some of them are little people, but people none the less. I found a fun way for all of us to share our hearts and decorate the centerpieces at the same time. Princess and my Little Man set out this afternoon in search of three perfect branches that will be our Thanksgiving trees. Later they will “plant” them in clay pots which will be placed on our tables. By each centerpiece will be brightly colored leaves, a marker, and string. As we move throughout Thanksgiving Day, each family member will be able to share what they are thankful for by writing it on a leaf and placing it on the trees. I hope my vision of the end product becomes reality. I don’t think we should have any problem.

What are some ways that you have approached Thanksgiving with a thankful heart? I would enjoy hearing about your creativity. How have your children taken part with you?

God bless as you enter this special season of gratefulness.

Gratitude

Friday came slowly, relieving the insanity of beleaguered days. The evening finally quieted from the din of whines, cries, and occasional bellows.

Those above the age of seven are settling in with books, computers, games, and a snack. Music is playing. Coffee and tea are brewing.

I am thankful –

• For fresh apple walnut bread
• For a hot frothy latte
• Quiet bedtimes
• Good friendships for my children
• Clean sheets
• Beautiful art
• Bright yellow leaves dripping off branches
• Brisk walks
• Chubby fingers and drooling smiles
• Old books, new books, e-books, kids’ books

I look forward to the weekend: soccer games, sunshine, a hot dog roast, and coffee with friends. Thank you, Lord, for a new perspective.

Attitude

Why is it that when I manage to squeeze in a few uninterrupted hours of sleep, wake up at a reasonable time, purpose to bump up the praise music with my kids and pray over each of them by name, that everything falls apart, my patience is thinner than paper, my words escape that should have been locked away, and I feel defeated before lunch?

I love to make excuses. There are none to be made. Rather, I beg forgiveness. The Holy Spirit’s power does not vanish during the years of motherhood. He is still indwelling me, but I have put my own self pitifully on the throne. The Holy Spirit should be evident and without question or excuse: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, thankfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Lord, wake me with a heart centered on you. When I teeter off center, please unplug my ears to the truth of your Spirit. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight.”