Reflections

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

There are many ways we express love to one another. We share these words with our spouse and our children daily if not more often. We send little texts or emails to our spouses each day sharing with them that we are thinking about them or that we are thinking of them.
In the book of 1 John, John reminds us as children of God that we are to do more than love just with our words but with our actions.

As mothers we have the important role as one of the first caregivers of our children. As an expectant mother I could never have fathomed the amount of love that developed for my children as I carried them within me. Yet each doctor's visit, each little flitter, the sound of their beating hearts all added to the great love developing within my heart and in my soul for these amazing beings.
We yearned for the day they would be born to be able to hold them, kiss them and care for them. To count their tiny toes and teeny fingers.
As I matured in my faith life the one thing that has spoken to me, hit me right in the heart, is that just as we as mothers desired to have in our relationship with our children is a direct reflection as God's creation.
God, our heavenly Father, wants desperately to have that same type of relationship with us as we do to our own children. He put his words of love into action by sending his Son Jesus to be His walking, talking, teaching, nurturing, correcting and rebuking representation in this physical world. Just as we are loved completely by God we are to show that same complete type of love not only to our children, spouse or family members but to the entire world around us. Wow, thank goodness that we have the perfect example to follow.
Christ loved the people of the day that were considered outcasts, he shared meals with the people in the community that others avoided. He was there in word and in action to all of those in need.
Each day as I grab my bags, my lunch, gather my two boys and head out to start the day I stop to tell my husband that I love them and give him a hug and a kiss. Just as I take a moment to stop and share with my husband that I love him, I need to be reminded to stop and take a moment to share with others to reflect God's love.
Let's face it, as parents it is often challenging to love the attitude, the fighting, the pushing the envelope and the increasing hormonal changes that growing up brings. I am reminded daily that it is these challenges in which our actions of love are most needed. Thank goodness God loved us through all of our most challenging times.

Dear God, Thank you for loving us so completely. As we go about our day today as a mother sacrificing sleep, time, and energy may we be reminded that each interaction, each sacrifice, each hug, kiss, kind word and minute spent patiently waiting are all ways that we share your love to the world. Amen.

Use Me

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.  Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

I have mentioned in other posts that we recently moved into a new house… that my husband built… with his own hands… over the course of 2 ½ years.  J  And while the time of building was very stressful and difficult on our marriage, I also spent a lot of time wondering why I was so blessed to have a new house… the role of a stay-at-home mom… and a healthy family.  We have had our ups and downs, but let’s face it: I’m one lucky girl.  And I feel guilty about that. 

What am I to do?  I’ve prayed about this a lot.  My guilt is not nearly as strong now as it was.  God has shown me that sitting around feeling guilty is not his will for me.  Obviously he put me in this spot, with these children and this family, my needs met – for a reason.  And I have to figure it out.

It’s not a game.  God isn’t playing CLUE with me.  But I’m human and I like making things harder than they need to be.  How ‘bout I just look it up?

Joshua 24:14 – Now, therefore fear the Lord (respect Him), and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.  Put away other gods…and serve the Lord.  Choose this day whom you will serve.

Who are you going to serve?  I ask myself.  My checkbook?  My children?  My indulgences? 

Count the number of sentences in this passage and the number of times a form of the word “serve” is used.  That’s a clue.  It’s an important concept. 

I have, in this time of excess, seen that God wants me to SERVE others with the blessings he has showered upon me.  He wants me to love, and listen, and be compassionate, and offer hope, and prayer, and open up my new home as a place where people can come together to serve and be uplifted. 

It’s so important that we feel like we have a purpose.  What in the world has God put me here for?  What will I be when I am done raising small children?  How can I be of use to others? 

As a writer I love the idea that moms should have a mission statement.  As a believer, I love the idea that we would seek out God’s role for us in the big picture.  Choose today whom you will serve.

God’s Blessings.

Lord, show us in our daily, regular lives, how we can serve you.  Help us to recognize the purpose you have for us and empower us to fulfill this purpose.  Make it clear that your strength and power are what enable us, Lord.  Help us to teach our children to serve you.  Amen.

Rise Up and Go, Free from Bondage

And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"- he then said to the paralytic- "Rise, pick up your bed and go home." When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Matthew 9:1-8

Imagine a basketball player who loses the use of his knee. With his career at stake, he seeks out physical therapy in hopes of getting back out on the courts. Depending on the tear, this healing and strengthening process could take months or years. The therapy begins with a thick bandage to protect the wounded area from worsening. He is prescribed sequential exercises to gradually build up his strength. Baby steps. Progressive baby steps until hopefully he can once again put his weight on it. Now, let's imagine that he is indeed fortunate enough to regain the necessary strength. He's back out on the court in a practice session with his team, and his game is sloppy, his balance is off, and his shift is slow. Now begins the practice of rewiring his muscle memory, so that the neurological transmitters of the brain can efficiently send signals to all of the right muscles in a coordinated fashion that makes this player move with smooth confidence. Now, imagine a paralytic who has no memory of using certain muscles. The intensity of this patient's therapy would increase astronomically. Patience and determination would have to be at the core of the treatment, as the baby steps may be so minute that they are undetectable.

Now, turn your focus to the healing of the paralytic in Matthew, chapter 9. Jesus says, "Rise, pick up your bed and go home." All use of the parlytic's faculties are immediately in tact. The neurological system required for such movement is suddenly in operation. The muscles go from a deep sleep to a coordinated movement. In fact, in all of Jesus' healings recorded in the Bible, there is a complete newness, and the brokenness of the past remains in the past.

In Matthew 9, Jesus commands the attention of the scribes. All of their focus was on the man's ailment, but what are Jesus' first words? "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." Jesus knew it was important that the people understood His authority over sin and our need for that healing forgiveness because that is how we are made alive in Him for eternity. In both Biblical times and modern times, there are numerous accounts of miraculous healings. To God be the glory for all of these miracles. Some have witnessed such miracles personally; others have not. Well, guess what, my friends in Christ? We have all received a miraculous healing. Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved"

How many times have I held on to the guilt or shame or pain of a sin? Only to be bogged down in life and in my dealings with God's people? We too, should rise up and go forth in our God-given lives, free from the bondage of sin. The sins of the past have been absolved. We are made new with Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen.

They Need a Healthy Mom

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Rest sounds delightful right now. It’s finally the end of the school week, but between the early rising two year old, the laundry, and the 8:30 basketball games tomorrow morning, rest feels like just a figment of my imagination. I would love a good two hour nap.

Physical rest is not exactly what Matthew speaks of here though. His rest is an all encompassing; throw every worry, every doubt, every piece of sin laden guilt out the window, kind of rest.

The devotion this morning is a plea from me to you. I sometimes think that the line, “She is always taking care of everyone else; she never takes time for herself,” can seem a bit cliché. This may be a reality for you though. As a mom, wife, and teacher, there are days when I am so out of patience and energy that self-destructive behaviors are not only easier, but preferred. But I do still see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I know that is not the case for many moms.

For those of you who don’t see the light and have burdens that are overwhelming you, I beg you to begin the healing process today. Your children need a healthy mom.

*Seek Godly counseling if you need it. If you’re unsure, seek it anyway.

*Talk frankly with your spouse or a trusted friend. Find someone who you can be completely honest with and who will lift you up in prayer.

*Be intentional about setting aside time each week for rest, or for time away, or for healing.

Don’t believe the lies that you are alone. "For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me." Psalm 31:3

Don’t believe the lies that you can’t forgive and be forgiven. "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from EVERYTHING from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38-39

Don’t believe the lies that you aren’t loved. "God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10

Luther says this in his Morning Prayer (My prayer for you is specifically the last line.)

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Hard Learning

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:2-4

This past week I have found myself to be a bit emotional. I’m a mom of small children. I’m a 30-something woman. It’s part of the job description.

So I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when I ended up in tears by the end of church on Sunday. Pastor’s sermon was painfully honest with me. About how even Paul recognized his inability to do what he ‘wants’ to do – Romans 7:15 “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” We are miserable sinners. Ouch. And I sat there and thought about other people who seem to think they CAN DO good and how they need to hear this. Then I realized what I was doing and took a painful look in the mirror. And Pastor talked about how the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ are within us, constantly struggling for control. While I knew everything he was saying was true and right, I found myself really having a hard time trying to figure out how I can live the life God wants me to live.

It was hard.

Then at the end of the service my oldest baby -already 7! – got up to perform in public for the first time ever. She and her piano teacher were to do a duet during the postlude. Normally this would be background music, but today some special guests were to present after the service… and so please direct your attention to our short piano piece first! My heart tightened. I was so nervous for her. She does not like everyone looking at her!!

She started out strong. It sounded great. Then something happened and the two of them were trying to figure out who was doing what… and my girl tried really hard to salvage things.. and then they finished. She quickly walked back, careful to avoid any eye-contact, and started playing with her little brother as if she had been sitting with us the whole while.

I smiled at her and told her how proud I was. She wouldn’t look at me, just kept smiling and talking to her brother. A wave of emotions swept over me - especially the tsunami of insecurity, fear, and can-we-just-pretend-that-didn’t-happen. But they weren’t my own. They were the feelings I could see in my daughter’s face.

It was hard.

Moments later I couldn’t handle it anymore. I made it into the stall before the flood of tears came – my own insecurity, self-disgust, and fears bubbling to the surface as I desperately prayed to be a good mom. "I know I say the wrong thing frequently, Lord..” I pleaded. “But give me the right words today for my baby. I want her to know she did a great job and I don’t want her to hear any criticism in my voice…” It’s an area I am very familiar with. I was taught it well and so criticism comes easier. Much easier than pure, fabulous approval.

It’s hard to learn.

And it’s hard to watch our babies learn. I want to take it away – all the painful moments, all the insecurities, the confusion about self - the suffering! But I know I can’t. I know that God is molding my babies into incredible children of Christ – heirs to the greatest gift. I know that it is thru these moments that my children learn the most about themselves and the grace of God and the love of people and their Maker. What would I do without these Truths? How could I be a mother in this moment without them? I don’t even want to think about that. I’d rather hold on to the Hope of Christ.

Lord God, Father of all – lift me up as a parent. Help me to understand the truths about myself, so that I can better teach my children. Help me to understand the Truths about You, so that I can better teach my children. Hold on to me when the suffering sweeps past and threatens to knock me down. Fill me up with your spirit and make me the mother you have asked me to be. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1


Today in our churches we observe Ash Wednesday. This day marks the beginning of the season of Lent, which is a time of penitence, as we focus on the journey to the cross that our Savior walked for each of us.

As we leave our worship services today, many of us will do so with a cross made out of black ashes on our foreheads. The pastor will remind us, as these ashes are imposed on our foreheads, that “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19. God has created us from the dust of the ground, provides our food and nourishment from the dust of the ground, and one day our bodies will die and once again become dust of the ground.

We are sinful, mortal human beings. God is our Redeemer, who through temptation, suffering, pain, heartache, death, and then His victorious resurrection, won an eternity for all believers in heaven that reaches beyond our earthly bodies that will one day return to dust.

As we enter this season of Lent, it can be difficult as a parent to know just how to share with our children the trials that Jesus suffered on our behalf. It is through prayer, patience, and God’s Word that we can be open with our children, helping them to understand our Lord’s passion. Through that understanding, we pray for them, and for us, that faith is increased. Our hearts are heavy with the burden of our sin and yet Christ takes that burden for us.

We also have the privilege of sharing with our children the joy that is to come on Easter morning which, praise be to God, we still celebrate every Sunday morning in our worship services, even as we spend this time of reflection and repentance during Lent.

May God bless each of you and your children this Lenten season as you focus on our repentance, our need for a Savior, and the joy of knowing that our Savior Jesus has washed away our iniquity and cleansed us from our sin.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to you today with hearts of repentance asking your forgiveness for our sinful lives. Lord we thank you that you sent your only Son Jesus to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins and that through faith in Him and what He has done for us, we are made whole and have been redeemed. We praise and thank you today for that amazing gift. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Sharing our Lives

***Today's devotion is written by Pastor Benjamin Meyer, husband to contributor, Christine***
 
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
(1 Thessalonians 2:8)

As Christine and I were planning our wedding, we were considering what hymns and Scripture readings we would like to include in the service (a Christian wedding after all is a worship service).  We read through many passages and talked about music that we liked.  I was the pre-seminary student, but she is the one who brought up this verse from 1 Thessalonians.

At the time, the idea of sharing our lives with others meant, at least in my mind, that we were glad to have the opportunity in our wedding to have the Gospel of Jesus shared and to share our lives with those who came.

Little did I know how true this verse would be for us and our marriage.

In the years since we've been married we have been sharing our lives with others constantly.  At seminary, we shared our lives with my brother and his family as well as others who were also going through seminary at the time.  On vicarage, we began to learn what it was to share our lives, perhaps most directly through the birth of our first child.  When Timmy was born, we chose to have him baptized on a Wednesday night (since we had services every Wednesday) rather than on Sunday (when there were three separate services) so that we could share this wonderful event with the entire congregation.

Since I became a pastor, Christine and I have continued to learn the truth of these words.  As a pastor and pastor's family, there is little choice but to share our lives with those whom God has given us to serve.  You cannot be detached, rather your lives become integrated with the lives of those around you.  I share the Gospel with my congregation, but we also share our lives; the hurts, the joys, the hard times, and the good times.

St. Paul shared his life with those whom he served, I seek to do the same, but this is something that is for all Christians.  We are called by God to share our lives with each other; we are given to care for each other, to support each other, to hold each other accountable, to be there for each other.  This really isn't an optional thing that we can choose to be a part of or not the be a part of.  Rather, this is the reality of the church, the reality of the "life together" that God has given to us.

As Christ gave His life in service to us, as Paul was pleased to share his life in addition to the Gospel, so we too are called to share the Gospel and our lives with one another.  For in Christ there isn't separation and isolation, but unity and community.