On my last visit with my little buddies, God revealed several lessons to me--as He always does through the children in my life! This one is especially poignant, I think.
Last year - either for Christmas or for a birthday, I gave the boys two DVD's. One was of trucks-neither of them is spectacular, I don't think, but I bought them on-line and they like them - well one of the twins LOVES them! He's a truck fanatic--loves anything truck-related. Another thing the twins love is watching videos with Mary:-) Part of our new routine when I babysit is to watch all the videos we used to watch every day when I was their nanny.
Now that I only see the children every few weeks, our times together are especially precious - to them and to me. It had been at least 6 weeks since my last visit and in that time mom and dad got a new remote control because they changed cable service. Those who know me well already know where this is going. You see, while I can figure out quite a bit about blogging, HTML code, and on-line "anything" I am like a complete idiot when it comes to all things electronic. If you can't just push the "on" button and have everything work as it's supposed to, I'm lost.
Well, after dinner was eaten, hands and faces washed and puzzles worked on the floor together, the children decided they wanted to watch some movies. Of course the "truck twin" immediately announced he wanted to watch the truck movie. We got it out and placed it in the DVD player and then . . . yikes . . . I don't even know what button to push next . . . this new remote is similar to the other one, but even pushing the buttons labeled like those on the old remote, in what I thought was the same order, I could not for the life of me get the thing to play on the television.
After about 10 minutes, big sister offered, "Here, just give it to me and I'll push all the buttons." No thank you, sister! I can mess up the remote and/or electronics all by myself! LOL! Both boys "worked on" the DVD player. One brother pressed open/close and the other brother took out the DVD, replaced it in to the player and pressed the button again. Then they tried the "play" button several times. (I was quite impressed with their teamwork, but had visions of what that might look like when their 12 and want to do something they're not supposed to do:-) All the while, I'm suggesting they stop pushing buttons so I could try to see if any of the combinations I'm using to unlock the secret code to play the DVD is working.
After about 10 more minutes, I gave up and announced that the remote was "broken" and that I would figure out how to work it so we would have to watch the movie next time. But truck-twin was not to be deterred. He took out the DVD and brought it to me, "see Mary, it's this one," and "It works, I put it in." This went on for about 30 minutes - and I counted how many times a little boy, determined to watch a truck DVD with Mary can actually press the open/close button, take out the disk and put it back in - I told his mom, I was pretty sure it was about 75-80 times!
You know, I didn't get upset with my little buddy though, and I let him continue to push those buttons and work on the problem. He didn't want to hear that something so important to him was just not going to happen this time. He didn't understand that it wasn't about what he wanted -- or even what I wanted. It was about the circumstances in which we found ourselves.
I thought about how much like my little truck-loving twin I am when I take my requests to God sometimes. Even after it is abundantly clear to me that a plan I had made or a path I had chosen is not going to work out, I just keep at it. Sometimes, as sister suggested, I just "push all the buttons" in a last ditch effort to get my way. Sometimes, like my little buddy, I don't get mad or even rail at God--I just keep . . . doing . . . what . . . I . . . was . . . doing . . .
In the end my buddy resolved himself to not being able to watch the movie and we found an acceptable alternative program on television (thank goodness for cable television!) But the lesson of that night is not lost on me. Since that night, I've been praying a lot about some things that aren't really working the way I would like them to. I'm asking God to show me whether I am to persevere and keep at it, or whether I need to turn these situations over to him and allow Him to show me a better way.
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long" (Psalm 25:4-5 NIV).
Showing posts with label God's will. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's will. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Don't Eat That Cookie. You'll Ruin Your Dinner
God's word is sometimes hard to hear. His instructions are challenging. Though we may fully believe God wants only what is good for us--what is best for us--spiritually, emotionally and physically, we don't always do as He commands.
Like parents telling a child not to eat a cookie 30 minutes before lunch, God tells us how to live and act in accordance with His plans for us. Of course, disobeying a parent, snictching a cookie and gobbling it down in spite of our parent's instructions has a far less significant consequence than does our defiance of God's instructions!
Because I realize I have spent a great deal of time being disobedient to God's instructions, I generally demonstrate a tremendous amount of patience with toddlers who are testing limits and trying hard to find out how far "too far" really is! God gives us a great deal of latitude, I think. Because He is all knowing and all powerful, He often manages to get us to His desired place for us in spite of our own actions. He invented time and space itself, so His purpose and plan are never undone.
Like parents telling a child not to eat a cookie 30 minutes before lunch, God tells us how to live and act in accordance with His plans for us. Of course, disobeying a parent, snictching a cookie and gobbling it down in spite of our parent's instructions has a far less significant consequence than does our defiance of God's instructions!That is how we learn though. First we learn that eating that cookie will, indeed, ruin our dinner. Then we learn that leaving our toys in the driveway could result in their being run over and broken. Not picking up our toys will result in their being taken away or getting lost.
Not doing what God tells us to do often results in our feeling disappointed in ourselves, guilty for our disobedience, and leads to our remembering (hopefully!) the next time we decide to defy God's word how badly we felt the last time! Just as we give children leeway and allow them to make choices, God gives us free will. Sometimes that results in pain, discomfort, sorrow. But it always leads to a deeper understanding that God's will is what we should strive for.
Not doing what God tells us to do often results in our feeling disappointed in ourselves, guilty for our disobedience, and leads to our remembering (hopefully!) the next time we decide to defy God's word how badly we felt the last time! Just as we give children leeway and allow them to make choices, God gives us free will. Sometimes that results in pain, discomfort, sorrow. But it always leads to a deeper understanding that God's will is what we should strive for.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success" (Joshua 1:8 RSV).
Friday, April 17, 2009
God's Ready, Set, Go! Part 2 - Set
Click to read Part 1 of God's Ready, Set, Go!As a quick review, I compared the process the twins run through as they prepare to race their trucks down the hall with how we prepare to do what God has called us to do. After we have completed the "Ready" steps, we need to get "set."
1) Once we have determined what it is God desires us to do we need to refine our determination. Does the original revelation still make sense? Have we been accurate in our understanding?
2) After we have received training or spent time learning about a particular ministry or ministry area, we need to determine if we have received enough training or had enough experience to do the work we believe God is calling us to. Is this the way we are carry out the work? Is this the vehicle or should we create or start our own group, team or mission opportunity?
3) Evaluate the advice and feedback you have received from others in light of what you have discovered through answering the questions posed in (1) and (2) above. Does their advice still apply? If not, is it because God has revealed a new/better path than your original plan? Do you need to revisit your new understanding of God's plan for you with those you trust?
4) Continue to call out to God that you are ready to do His will. Confirm to Him that you are willing to wait on His timing and His plan. Ask God to reveal His plan with greater clarity and understanding while you wait and prepare to "Go!"
1) Once we have determined what it is God desires us to do we need to refine our determination. Does the original revelation still make sense? Have we been accurate in our understanding?
2) After we have received training or spent time learning about a particular ministry or ministry area, we need to determine if we have received enough training or had enough experience to do the work we believe God is calling us to. Is this the way we are carry out the work? Is this the vehicle or should we create or start our own group, team or mission opportunity?
3) Evaluate the advice and feedback you have received from others in light of what you have discovered through answering the questions posed in (1) and (2) above. Does their advice still apply? If not, is it because God has revealed a new/better path than your original plan? Do you need to revisit your new understanding of God's plan for you with those you trust?
4) Continue to call out to God that you are ready to do His will. Confirm to Him that you are willing to wait on His timing and His plan. Ask God to reveal His plan with greater clarity and understanding while you wait and prepare to "Go!"
I shared in my fist post, "The twins will, indeed wait for me. They will not move an inch until I tell them to go. Oh that I would have that kind of self-discipline and endurance in the race of life!"
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24 NIV)
[ God Disciplines His Sons ] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
God's Ready, Set, Go!
This is the first in a three-part series I've entitled God's Ready, Set, Go!
The twins love to play with their cars and trucks! Not too long ago we were all watching a program where the characters were racing and we heard the term "Ready, Set, Go!" several times (as a reinforcement to teach the concept, I'm sure.) The boys picked up on it pretty quickly and ever since, they call to me, "Ready, Mary!" when they are lined up to race (either by themselves or to race against each other).
The
twins have 2 Little Tykes trucks that stand about 12 inches tall, have very sturdy (hard plastic) wheels and make a crashing sound when the front "bumper" hits against a wall or a babysitter/nanny:-) These particular trucks were obviously built for heavy use and for exactly the capacity of a two-year old boy as he leans/pushes it.
When the boys decide they want to push their truck back and forth on the "racetrack/front entryway" or the long hall that runs from the back of the house through the family room, they go through a routine:
1) Locate desired vehicle.
2) Push or carry vehicle to the start point.
3) Position body over vehicle and prepare to push off.
4) Call out, "Ready, Mary!"
If I don't respond with the announcement in a timely enough manner, they will repeat themselves until I tell them I am ready to tell them 'ready, set, go.'
God works in our lives in much the same way. He gives us a gift or ability, a skill or a deep desire to achieve a goal. He expects us to ready ourselves to accomplish His will by refining the gift, training and learning to enhance our skill or ability. He nurtures our deep desire to achieve His work by placing us in situations, presenting opportunities and introducing people into our lives.
So how does God's ready, set, go correlate to our preparing to accomplish God's work in the world?
1) (Locate the desired vehicle) Determine the desired work
2) (Get into position) - join a group, take a course or class, receive training or start a campaign to begin the journey toward the goal God has placed in your heart.
3) (Position body over vehicle and prepare to push off.) Pray and reflect upon the path you are on. Talk about your plans to others whose opinions and wisdom you trust and respect. Ask God to affirm and confirm your plan.
4) (Call out, "Ready, Mary!") Let God know you're prepared to receive the training, go through the life experiences, pray for His guidance and prepare yourself to do what He has put in your heart.
It can be an excruciating process for someone like me who tends to have some false starts along the way. I have the "ready" part down pretty well. It's the "Get Set" part that I still to work on! We must be fully prepared, but we must also wait on God's timing. If we decide we're ready to go before we have received all we need to do well, we cannot be truly ready to do God's will.
The twins will, indeed wait for me. They will not move an inch until I tell them to go. Oh that I would have that kind of self-discipline and endurance in the race of life!
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. (Galatians 2:2 NIV)
Click to read Part 2 of God's Ready, Set, Go!
The twins love to play with their cars and trucks! Not too long ago we were all watching a program where the characters were racing and we heard the term "Ready, Set, Go!" several times (as a reinforcement to teach the concept, I'm sure.) The boys picked up on it pretty quickly and ever since, they call to me, "Ready, Mary!" when they are lined up to race (either by themselves or to race against each other).
The
twins have 2 Little Tykes trucks that stand about 12 inches tall, have very sturdy (hard plastic) wheels and make a crashing sound when the front "bumper" hits against a wall or a babysitter/nanny:-) These particular trucks were obviously built for heavy use and for exactly the capacity of a two-year old boy as he leans/pushes it.When the boys decide they want to push their truck back and forth on the "racetrack/front entryway" or the long hall that runs from the back of the house through the family room, they go through a routine:
1) Locate desired vehicle.
2) Push or carry vehicle to the start point.
3) Position body over vehicle and prepare to push off.
4) Call out, "Ready, Mary!"
If I don't respond with the announcement in a timely enough manner, they will repeat themselves until I tell them I am ready to tell them 'ready, set, go.'
God works in our lives in much the same way. He gives us a gift or ability, a skill or a deep desire to achieve a goal. He expects us to ready ourselves to accomplish His will by refining the gift, training and learning to enhance our skill or ability. He nurtures our deep desire to achieve His work by placing us in situations, presenting opportunities and introducing people into our lives.
So how does God's ready, set, go correlate to our preparing to accomplish God's work in the world?
1) (Locate the desired vehicle) Determine the desired work
2) (Get into position) - join a group, take a course or class, receive training or start a campaign to begin the journey toward the goal God has placed in your heart.
3) (Position body over vehicle and prepare to push off.) Pray and reflect upon the path you are on. Talk about your plans to others whose opinions and wisdom you trust and respect. Ask God to affirm and confirm your plan.
4) (Call out, "Ready, Mary!") Let God know you're prepared to receive the training, go through the life experiences, pray for His guidance and prepare yourself to do what He has put in your heart.
It can be an excruciating process for someone like me who tends to have some false starts along the way. I have the "ready" part down pretty well. It's the "Get Set" part that I still to work on! We must be fully prepared, but we must also wait on God's timing. If we decide we're ready to go before we have received all we need to do well, we cannot be truly ready to do God's will.
The twins will, indeed wait for me. They will not move an inch until I tell them to go. Oh that I would have that kind of self-discipline and endurance in the race of life!
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. (Galatians 2:2 NIV)
Click to read Part 2 of God's Ready, Set, Go!
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