First let me say, "Happy Thanksgiving" from our family to yours.
Today, I learned a lesson in the most unique way and I'd like to share it with you. My mom lives about 20 minutes away from us. We went to her house for Thanksgiving today.
With my mom and stepdad lives my sister, age 20, and her son, Bryant, who is 7 months old. It is a constant saying heard in the house from my sister, "I need a break." Well, don't we all. Each time she says this, I'll be honest my blood pressure boils and I think to myself, "So what, don't all moms need a break? Why should she be so lucky to have one on a consistent basis?"
Well, on my drive home tonight God spoke to my heart and I heard, "What if I took a break?" WHOA, hold on. My first reaction was God can't take a break, He is God. Then I heard it again, "What if I took a break? Just think about it."
So I did and what a powerful thought if God got so tired that He just wanted a break for 24 hours. Could you imagine what would happen? If God is in control and decided one day He wanted a break. I cannot begin to fathom how the world would operate without God in control. Would things be worse with the economy? How would it affect Christians?
Would God actually ignore us for 24 hours?
My first response is my heart aches. I began to have tears build up because I could not imagine God not being there. I do not want to imagine a world without God. In some of my circumstances, He has truly been the sole reason why I've held on.
Now, before I go on, please let me make it clear.....as a mom I am in no way saying we should not have a break. In general, we need a break. For even God rested on the 7th day as stated in Genesis.
This thought provoked deeper thinking within me and reminded me of all the times I just needed some time. Of course, I want a lot more than 24 hours of rest. By the time I arrived at my home, I felt so humbled and thankful that God loves me enough to not take a break. He LOVES me enough to say I am with you every year, every month, every day, every hour, every minute, every second.
No breaks. No timeouts. Just with you.
That is truly powerful. As a human, I cannot honestly say that I have not been there for each person in my life 24/7 whether a family member or friend. I have taken time off and/or separated myself from them. So within my heart something stirred and I felt a little more empathetic towards my sister.
God helped me to realize that in that moment maybe my sister asking for a break is her way of asking for help. A single parent with wonderful family support but maybe not enough. Maybe this break allows her to rest up and recooperate to continue on her journey as a mom.
Should I question that help or her motive?
The answer is no. I should not take a break on her. I should listen with a heart like God to that request and be there not to criticize or belittle her but to say okay, what can I do to help? Regardless if I get the break or not.
I am still in awe of this lesson and humbled that God allowed my heart to be open and receive something from Him.
Per the words of Brandon Heath, let this be our prayer to God today......
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
May God open your heart and speak to you.
Melissa
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Heart of Thanks
You know you hear this at this particular time of the year and all that comes to my mind is blah, blah, blah, blah. However, I've discovered a new book series recommended by my mom, Yada Yada Group and finished the first one this weekend.
In this book, a group of 12 women from every kind of background are brought together in a prayer group at a women's conference. Without giving away the story (because I'm hoping you'll read it), it talks about thanking God when we pray. We should always take the time give God thanks.
Amazingly enough, this past Sunday, I visited a new church with my family and the message talked a little about thanks. It talked about thanking God for everything regardless of our circumstance.
I'll be quite honest this past week or actually the last few have been quite tough on our family. Rick has been working a lot of hours at work due to being short-staffed. Grey is all boy, 2.5 years old and his behavior is reflecting those characteristics. I'm working 12 - 15 hour days to help us on our DR plan and dealing with Grey. Of course, Rick and I talk throughout the day and at the end of my day to discuss what is going on. Rick tries to step in as much as possible but it is difficult when you work from 9 am to midnight.
On top of this, a week ago today, we had to put one of our companions down. Monet was the youngest of four. She was the talker in our family, Grey's favorite, and the most animated dog I have ever met. Rick happened to be off last week and boy, was I thankful. We made the decision together and were there during her final moments.
So this past week, as I continue to grieve, had to explain to a 2.5 year old that one of our dogs was gone, questionable behavior and Rick informing me that he has to work 7 days this week. Well, it is definitely quite easy to say, God this is not fair and why? Why? Why? Woe is me.
Instead what I found myself doing is being more thankful when I'm in the car and with Rick. I've let him know by saying thank you that he has gotten up to go to work. I don't say these things for credit because it is not about that. It is about being thankful for what God has truly blessed us with not just at Thanksgiving but all year.
God provided us extra money this month and we thought we would spend it on Christmas gifts. Instead we took care of Monet and did a very humantiarian gesture in her final moments. Rick had time off and had other plans. Instead he was needed here at home.
God blessed us to be able to pay our delinquent childcare bill this month and we enter December with a credit. The first time since Grey has been at daycare we have a credit and we are current since I lost my job this past March.
God has provided me with a family who is helping out with Grey and preparing a Thanksgiving meal. He has allowed us to have and keep our necessities during this difficult economic turmoil our country is facing.
The list is endless.
My challenge to you is that you thank God. Regardless of circumstance and I truly mean regardless, thank God first from your heart and your perspective on how to deal with things will be changed. Things do not seem as stressful and there is truly light at the end of the tunnel.
So, have you truly thanked God lately?
In this book, a group of 12 women from every kind of background are brought together in a prayer group at a women's conference. Without giving away the story (because I'm hoping you'll read it), it talks about thanking God when we pray. We should always take the time give God thanks.
Amazingly enough, this past Sunday, I visited a new church with my family and the message talked a little about thanks. It talked about thanking God for everything regardless of our circumstance.
I'll be quite honest this past week or actually the last few have been quite tough on our family. Rick has been working a lot of hours at work due to being short-staffed. Grey is all boy, 2.5 years old and his behavior is reflecting those characteristics. I'm working 12 - 15 hour days to help us on our DR plan and dealing with Grey. Of course, Rick and I talk throughout the day and at the end of my day to discuss what is going on. Rick tries to step in as much as possible but it is difficult when you work from 9 am to midnight.
On top of this, a week ago today, we had to put one of our companions down. Monet was the youngest of four. She was the talker in our family, Grey's favorite, and the most animated dog I have ever met. Rick happened to be off last week and boy, was I thankful. We made the decision together and were there during her final moments.
So this past week, as I continue to grieve, had to explain to a 2.5 year old that one of our dogs was gone, questionable behavior and Rick informing me that he has to work 7 days this week. Well, it is definitely quite easy to say, God this is not fair and why? Why? Why? Woe is me.
Instead what I found myself doing is being more thankful when I'm in the car and with Rick. I've let him know by saying thank you that he has gotten up to go to work. I don't say these things for credit because it is not about that. It is about being thankful for what God has truly blessed us with not just at Thanksgiving but all year.
God provided us extra money this month and we thought we would spend it on Christmas gifts. Instead we took care of Monet and did a very humantiarian gesture in her final moments. Rick had time off and had other plans. Instead he was needed here at home.
God blessed us to be able to pay our delinquent childcare bill this month and we enter December with a credit. The first time since Grey has been at daycare we have a credit and we are current since I lost my job this past March.
God has provided me with a family who is helping out with Grey and preparing a Thanksgiving meal. He has allowed us to have and keep our necessities during this difficult economic turmoil our country is facing.
The list is endless.
My challenge to you is that you thank God. Regardless of circumstance and I truly mean regardless, thank God first from your heart and your perspective on how to deal with things will be changed. Things do not seem as stressful and there is truly light at the end of the tunnel.
So, have you truly thanked God lately?
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