Wednesday, August 6, 2014

When You Don't Know Where You are Going...

Sometimes not knowing where you are going brings fear, anxiety, and doubt. Some people allow those feelings and emotions to cripple them. They never cross the threshold of new beginnings. They never swing wide the open door and walk through it. They never truly live because they are stuck.

Hebrews 11:8 says, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (ESV)

I don't know what "big" things you have stirring up. I don't know if you are viewing those "big" things as a positive or a negative. I don't know what God has made clear to you. I believe a little bit of fear is healthy but it was by faith that Abraham obeyed. He had no clue where he was going, but God promised him GREAT things. 

"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." - Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV)

I'm sure the promise God gave him was absolutely appealing but he still had to leave his country, his people, and his father's household. I'm guessing that not knowing where the final destination would be would make him he was just a little bit scared, but once again in faith he obeyed God. Your next step may not be as alluring as Abraham's promise but a next step is still required.

The end of this month will mark our one year anniversary move to San Antonio. A year ago I felt a little like Abraham. We had no jobs lined up, no place to live, and we were leaving behind lifelong friends. But deep within our hearts we knew this was our next step in our journey. I don't know what God has in store for us and I don't know what God has in store for you, but God will lead you like he's leading me just stay attuned to His voice.



Monday, August 4, 2014

Lessons from a Two Year Old

The past few days my two year old has been walking around the house with a set of Ninja Turtle trading cards I found at a thrift store and a Buzz Light Year figurine. If we head out the door he’ll proudly pack them up in his back pack so they travel with him wherever he goes. He even sleeps with all his favorite things tucked under his blanket. If little brother grabs a hold of those things a blood curdling scream is soon to follow. It’s as though he can’t live without them. The objects seem completely random to me, but to him they are priceless pieces that are dear to his little heart. Something about those objects bring him comfort. 



What brings you comfort? We may not walk around with toys in our hands but we do have things that we feel we can’t live without because without it we don’t know what to do. Maybe it’s our phone or an iPad. Dare I say a game on one of those devices? Could it be your television, a person, money or a hobby? Personally, I enjoy all of those things. After a long day I like to sit in front of the television. On a bad day I’ll seek my husband’s comfort. None of those objects or people are bad until…..until you are placing them before our loving God. When it is all we think about or can’t seem to live with out it has become a problem.

So is there something you hold on to so tight you’ll try to fight God for it? It may sound silly but as adults we do the very thing my two year old does. I have to ask myself this very question a lot. I can get swept up in too much of something and my heart and time become divided. 

So what can you learn from a two year old today?