Since I fired the old blog back up I've stayed pretty light and airy. I still have lots of "deep" thoughts but haven't put "pen to paper" and gotten them out. Today's sermon, however, is making it impossible for me to just "tuck away" my deep thoughts for another time.
Our home church has been without a staff pastor for several months and we've had a couple of long term guest pastors from the local-ish Bible college come up on Sundays and fill in for us. We've been blessed with their fresh perspectives and we are currently enjoying a study through the book of Philippians with Cody, our long term guest preacher.
We've studied through the first chapter & the beginning of the second chapter of Philippians over the last 2-3 weeks and today's message was referencing the scripture of
Philippians 2:12-18.
12 Therefore,
my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but
now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with
fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Oh this scripture! I've studied through Philippians before - in a group setting and alone - but never have I had this portion of scripture presented in such a way that literally brought tears (perhaps a bit hormonal but still) to my eyes.
Cody began by asking the congregation to name people who were role models to us in the church. Names floated around (that might not mean much to some of my blog readers) like Payton Smyser, Lois Harris, Robert & Maureen Watkins, and Betty Beeler (Betty being Mike's grandma). When asked why these people were role models reasons were given like, "they love God and they love people, they lift helping hands, they find positive to say about others instead of negative, etc." I was inspired. I agreed. I loved this time of Q&A.
We delved into scripture and Cody focused in on this portion of verse 12 and verse 13, "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." He pointed out to us that salvation isn't a one time deal - it's a continual act. Duh...I knew that...didn't I? Sigh. Thanks, pastor.
We continued and Cody spoke to the children as well as us "grown ups" (wait, when did I become part of the grown up crowd??) regarding verse 14. Today and likely forever-more it will become a key verse in the Beeler household. The children are at "sponge" ages where it is quite easy for them to soak up and memorize new verses and information and I can't think of a better verse than Philippians 2:14 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing..." We'll memorize verse 15 soon so they have a reason for this command but for now verse 14 brings a lot home to us. We've seen an increase in "awwws," and "buuuuts," and even some "I don't want to's" when we've asked the children to do something or when it's time to leave a fun place. I've struggled, though I've been firm, with not wanting to just explode over my complaining little people. However, I realize sometimes I don't always show an attitude of joy over my tasks either. Touche, my friends. Though no excuse for disobedient whining, my children need led by my example. Sure thing. Thanks, pastor.
As we continued through to verse 18 we talked about living lives of joy - being Jesus' light in this world and shining it to all we meet. I've heard this before...I'm on board...I'm riding the train...
and then God used Cody to speak to my heart as a parent....
And he said {paraphrasing}, "no, not just for the people 'out there' {pointing to the doors} but for this child and that child and those children I see over there..." and he starts pointing to the children sitting in the congregation. I was struck. Of course I know my children and their upbringing is the responsibility of their dad and I but never in my 5 years as "mom" had anyone ever said it quite like that.
And then Cody said {tears are rolling down my face again as I type}, "in 20 or more years, when your children are in your seat in the pew, and the preacher says, 'name someone who has been a mentor and inspired you' whose name do you want them to call out?"
{Sniffle, sniffle}. Mine of course. I want them to say all those things about me. "My mom - was/is a light. She never has bad to say about others. She lifts helping hands. She loves God and turns that love into loving His people." Gee, thanks pastor.
So, friends...whether you work away from home or you stay at home - here is your inspiration and your challenge to put Christ first and let His light shine. Not only for the people "out there" but for the little ones right in front of our faces. A beginning of the school year question proved to Mike and I that our children (with no prompting) want to be just like us. That both honors us and humbles us to the very core. Who/what do we want them to be like?
{I changed the spelling of kindergarten on her paper after I took this picture - call it an overwhelmed mommy/daycare lady brain moment.}
When we act impatient, they learn impatience. When we ignore the needs of others, they learn to be blinded.
Likewise, when we love God and love His people, they learn to love His people. When we turn negative comments into positive ones, they learn to find the good in others. When we lift helping hands, they learn to be the hands and feet of Christ for others. {Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.} What else can we give them? If I taught them no reading, writing or math, but taught them these things I'd consider my job well done.
As I prayed at closing for Christ to show me the way to live this type of life, he saw it fitting to send Natalee into a gripe or a fit every time we asked her to do something for the rest of the day. Thanks, Jesus. As we meditated with her on Philippians 2:14 and as I strove to keep a firm but calm and loving tone I thanked Him for the opportunities to mold her. Tonight when I kissed her goodnight and spoke with her about how daddy and I were disappointed with her disrespect today, she got tears in her eyes and apologized - from the heart - and told me tomorrow she'd try harder. I forgave her and then I assured her I'd be right there - lifting her up, cheering her on, helping her win, and reminding her about Jesus' words. And then I asked her to help me, too. After all, just because it sounds good doesn't make it easy...
Ecc 4:9: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow."
James 5:19-20: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone
brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his
wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of
sins."
Here's to you, weary mommies and daddies...may you find your source of strength and may it stem from Jesus to the point that He overflows over you and your children. My prayer for our home, and yours, so that we might find our joy to be in Him...
