Good Gifts

I turned off the shower one morning and heard Jacob yelling at me:

“Mommy, I fixed your bed!”

My first thought was panic. Our new bedroom furniture had just been delivered the day before. There were new, light blue sheets on the bed and a new bright, white bedspread. I was so fearful of what he “fixed”.

I quickly put in my contacts and held my breath as I slowly peaked my head out of the bathroom. What I saw surprised me; it wasn’t at all what I had imagined…Jacob had made the bed! It was as beautifully made as a 3-year-old could do. He was so proud. He told me that it was “all messed up and I fixed it!” Here he was doing something so sweet and here I was assuming he had done something bad.

How many times do I have the same experience with God? I ask for something and don’t expect it. In fact, sometimes I expect the opposite. I know in my head that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants what is best for me and yet I still expect bad. Sometimes I live my life wondering what bad thing is just around the corner instead of enjoying and being grateful for the abundant blessings I have today.

How our father treated us tends to shape how we view God’s love towards us. Maybe your dad had conditions on everything and so you think you have to do everything just right (even pray just right) for God to do anything for you. Maybe your father gave you everything and so when God doesn’t answer your prayers with a “yes”, you think that He doesn’t love you.

As I get older, I see how my life experiences shape my view of my God instead of God’s Word shaping my view of Him. I love it when God uses seemly silly experiences to help set me straight. I’m reminded of Matthew 7:11, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

I’m going to go look at my “made” bed and enjoy the loving gesture of a 3-year-old and an important lesson from My God!

Real Life: God is Always

A Jacob story...possibly the best yet:

We went to Maters and Taters (a local produce stand) to get some peaches today. Pumpkins where everywhere and prompted many questions...

Why are the pumpkins out?
Because it is almost fall.
When is fall?
Soon.
The pumpkins are out because it is almost fall?
Yes.
When it is fall, I'm going to going trick or treating.
No.
But it is almost fall...

I wasn't ready to have this discussion in public. First, I felt like the worst mother in that my son knew all about trick or treating (and that it took place in the fall), halloween, ghost, monsters...oh my!

Once in the car, I tried to explain to him that we don't go trick or treating or celebrate halloween because it doesn't honor God. We don't believe in ghosts and monsters are just pretend.

I asked Jacob to repeat back to me why we don't celebrate halloween...he instead asked if we could go trick or treating. I told him again that we don't do those things because it doesn't honor God.

Nothing could have prepared me for what came out of his mouth next...

"Mommy, when God is not here and Jesus is not here, then can we go halloween-ing? When is God going to go back in my Bible?"

I was at a loss for words. His logic was impressive. His ability to reason is amazing. I have to step up my game. My son understands so much. He is so smart. I need to teach him more about his God (and protect him more from learning things that aren't the Truth).

After I gathered my thoughts, we had a wonderful conversation about how God is always, He never leaves us, He gave us the Bible to learn about Him, He takes care of us, He created us...why?, Jacob asked. Because He loves us.

And so, I had another funny and heart warming conversation with my son. I'm sure many more will follow!

A lesson in faith: Is prayer practical?

This is what happens when you take a class on faith . . .

I was praying last night as I was trying to fall asleep. Well, I wasn't praying as much as I was fussing at God about what seems like an impossible situation.

He said "pray."

I fussed some more.

He said "pray."

It wasn't something He hadn't told me before. I fussed some more.

He said "pray."

I finally replied, "but that's not practical!"

Yikes! My response startled me.

I'm practical. I like the practical. I don't like things like "press in deeper into worship." How? I want step-by-step. How do you press in deeper into worship? You focus on the words; you choose to physically engage yourself (raise your hands); you close your eyes to remove distractions...I could go on and on. I'm a practical girl.

Last night I was frustrated at not knowing what steps to do and yet God has made it very clear that my step is prayer. I responded out of desperation and felt like that that wasn't enough. I didn't even know what to pray, what to say as it really seems like an impossible situation.

My feeling last night lead me down a startling road. God said pray...that is my practical step. I must pray.

Is prayer practical? When I look at my life and what prayer has done (all I have to do is think about my miracle Jacob who came 10-weeks early!), it makes me want to scream YES, but in the middle of something all I can muster is a somber, quiet yes.

My lack of faith, especially after a class on faith just a few hours before, was saddening. Who am I to question God, Who sees and knows EVERYTHING, on what He has asked me to do. I asked for steps and He gave them to me...pray!

I fell asleep still startled at my outburst. I woke up this morning humbled that in spite of my lack of faith, God still pours out His grace to me.

His answer this morning was still the same "pray." So I pray and wait and pray and wait. I look back on what He has done in my life and know in my deepest parts that it is He Who works all things according to His purpose and plan...it is He Who has a hope and a future for me...it is He Whom has proven Himself trustworthy.

I know I need more faith...I asked for more faith...I had an opportunity to look my lack of faith square in the eyes...I ask for more faith and I move forward. I have my marching orders...pray and so I pray.

Is prayer practical? What a silly question! Of course it is!!!

What Makes God Smile

When Jacob was just 20-months, I was driving home from running some errands. We had had a good time out, and one of my favorite worship songs came on, Revelation Song. I turned the radio up and was just singing and driving.

After several minutes, I noticed that Jacob was clapping. I turned around and smiled and then raised my hand and waved it back and forth in worship. I looked back again and Jacob had his hand raised. He was doing what I was modeling!

Tears came to my eyes (driving and crying is not recommended!). Here is my son, doing what I'm doing. Joy filled my heart.

I wonder if tears come to God's eyes when we do what He wants us to do? If I find delight in my child worshiping, how much more delight does God find in us when we worship?

I love it when my Jacob helps me understand my relationship with my God on another level. It is kind of fun to be taught things about God by a 20-month-old!

(I know the picture is not of Jacob worshipping, but I couldn't drive and play photographer!)

Tuesday Tidbits

Helping my Jacob understand life . . .

Jacob (3-years old) was in the bathroom all distraught. He said "mommy, I don't want my pee-pee to come out when I poop!"

I tried to explain to him that that is how God created our body to work...it didn't help him feel better.

If only my major crisis's in life were that simple!