We Need Jesus

I've been receiving a Lent devotional from Redeemer Church in NYC. It's been nice to read it (almost) daily.

I grew up in southern baptist churches, so Lent was never something we celebrated. I also never grew up celebrating Advent at Christmastime, but we really appreciate it as a family. So, this year, I'm trying to focus my heart a little more on the impending celebration of Easter. We really ought to celebrate it with as much passion and enthusiasm as we celebrate Christmas, I think. After all, it's the pinnacle of what Christmas is all about. Christ's coming was for his death, burial and resurrection.

So, today's devotional hit a spot with me.

It seems lately that the Lord has been teaching me a lot about His amazing grace. Now, I know that it's common to hear people talk about His grace. What I mean is that He has been teaching me about His grace on a much deeper level than I've ever learned before.

In particular, He's been teaching me about it as I parent. A book was recommended to me by our librarian and it is fantastic. Since the check-out period is only two weeks and I was going slowly through it so as not to miss anything, I only got halfway through before I had to return it for the person on hold to borrow it. But, it is fantastic. I need to find a copy for myself. The book is called "Give Them Grace" by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson. It's not that she writes things that are so "revolutionary" per se, but really they are--for my heart!

I still wholeheartedly endorse Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. In fact, another couple and we are reading back through it and discussing it (well, we've met once....and hope to again soon). But, this book that focuses on grace is something God seems to be wanting to teach me.

You see, I started reading it just as teaching at church hit upon the Pharisees. We're going through the book of Matthew and came to some spots where Jesus directly dealt with the Pharisees. They kept the Law so well, but they missed the point.

I am a great Pharisee.

I keep laws and rules really well. I was a rule follower. Well...to most people I was a rule follower. I really ought to write another post or two on just how good I was at living at a double life.

But, I digress. So, this whole topic of "outward obedience" has been really good for me. God wants our heart. He wants to show us our desperate need for Him.

Today's devotional for Lent:

Jeremiah 33:14-18 (ESV) “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

“For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.”

I've done a study on the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. There were so many rules! It was beautiful because the people had a place to meet with God and the symbolism is so rich and amazing. But, the bottom line is that NONE OF IT BRINGS US TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE!

We need Jesus!

He is my intercessor. He is my friend. He is my Savior who sacrificed His life so that mine would be eternally saved. All glory to Jesus, for He alone is worthy of all honor and praise and glory.

It's Ongoing

I easily get overwhelmed with the thought of writing a new post for my blog. There are way too many things swirling in my brain.

So, I'll just share something from today (and to make up for the fact that it's been a very long time since I posted anything):

At the park today one of my children had a slightly grumpy meltdown. They were upset that another child was going to a friend's house and they were not. This child decided to outright cry. They are far too old for crying over such things. This child also spent the night with a friend last night. It's not like they were being left out of fun.

What struck me during this moment was the irony.

You see, I said yes to the other child going with a friend for the afternoon. And, I had [in my head] decided I would take the remaining children by a fast food joint for an ice cream cone. It was hot outside and they would enjoy a treat. But, this child threw a fit. I corrected their behavior, telling them that crying was unacceptable. [I also pointed out that they were not invited!]

Then, I watched as this child went ahead of me to the parking lot, got their bag from their friend's car, and continued the grump. In fact, they threw their bag on the ground, crossed their arms, and let out a very audible grump. {insert laughter that I tried to keep quiet}

The child was told to get in the van with their siblings. Then, I had to tell the child that they would not only not be going to the friend's house but now they would have to not get ice cream.

I spent a few minutes explaining that when I say no, it's usually because I have something else in mind. Sometimes it's because I know things they don't know. Sometimes I say no to a request because I know there are safety issues. Sometimes I say no because we have other plans. In this instance, I said no because they were not invited, but then I also planned something fun for them anyway [the ice cream].

As I tried to be patient through the process [and failed at a point or two--evidenced by my stern voice, for which I apologized], I was reminded that these parenting moments have so much deep truth.

God often tells me no to something I really, really want. It's not because He is mean or selfish. He has my best interests at heart. And, He wants to bless me. He cannot bless me when I throw a fit. Sometimes, because He is an incredibly gracious God, He blesses me anyway. After all, He's all about grace. My entire life is one big gift of grace from Him.

Parenting is hard work. Parenting with the goal of honoring God is pretty much impossible. Thank God for His grace! I'm so glad I'm not parenting for just temporary pleasures or good behavior.

Relief

Thank you for praying for our family while Joel was gone to Nashville for the broadcasters conference. We talked regularly while he was away and he's had a great trip. This conference allows him to meet face-to-face with many of the vendors we work with throughout the year. We partner with other ministries to share about the lost in Asia and offer our free book, Revolution in World Missions.

God was incredibly faithful to help me pray more during this trip. I felt like I was more focused on the battle than the years prior. Of course, we were very blessed this year to have healthy children (almost) the entire time Joel was gone.

Joel had to leave at 4:30 Friday morning. Rylee came into our room at 2:30 with a fever. She had complained about her ears popping at school on Thursday, but seemed fine otherwise. She stayed home with me and Jett on Friday, which was nice. She was fine until carpool time when she began crying and complaining about her ear. Since it was a Friday afternoon and I didn't want to spend Saturday hunting down an urgent care, I took her to the CVS Minute Clinic. She had an ear infection. After some antibiotics and a good night's sleep, she was fine on Saturday.

We've enjoyed some relaxing times, as well as some hard work (Rylee helped me scrub the kitchen floor by hand and the twins helped me clean the sides of the oven when I pulled it out for a deep clean). We had a few bouts of short tempers, quarreling, and crying.

All in all, however, we have done well. Joel is an amazing husband and daddy. He doesn't walk in the door and do his own thing. He plays with the kids, helps with homework, helps with dinner, gives baths, reads stories, and a million other things. He also takes the big kids to school each morning. I know there are single moms out there who do it all alone all the time. My mom was one of them. It's times like this that I develop a more grateful heart--for what I had and for what I have.

Thanks for praying us through this week!