Merry-Go-Rounds and The Effects of Sin

Took the family to the park and had an incident where my 2 year old granddaughter Sharai got sick from spinning on the merry-go-round.

At first she didn't really notice the motion because it was new and fascinating to her. It didn't seem to affect her as she laughed and giggled and wanted more. After a few more spins, she started to look a little discomforted so Chantaé stopped the merry-go-round to let her get off. But she didn't want to get off. She didn't realize the danger that lie ahead if she continued on the ride.

After a few more spins though, her head started swaying, her face started to look contorted and I knew she was feeling ill. I made them stop to get her off. I had hoped that we had stopped in time for her stomach to calm down and feel better. That was not the case. She hurled all over Chantaé and herself.

Needless to say, it took everything Chantaé had in her not to hurl, herself. And when I got close enough and tried to help, I nearly lost my stomach too.

We immediately left the park and drove home to get them cleaned up. After having a bath and everything Sharai still whined and whimpered the rest of the night. I'm sure she was still feeling the effects of her ordeal because she vomited again in my bed later. And yes, I really nearly hurled then.

How does that relate to the effects of sin in our lives? Well, I'm glad you asked. ;)

I think when we first get on the ride of (fill in the particulars) "merry-go-sin", we don't see the potential dangers or repercussions. We simply see potential for fun. And at first it may very well be fun because we aren't aware of the impending danger. But as we keep riding and spinning we begin to slightly feel the ramifications. At first we aren't sure whether or not we should stop and get off the ride, or stay on.

Sometimes we have others come along and warn us what will happen if we stay on. Perhaps they too once rode on that ride. They try to help us get off but we insist on staying where we are.

It's not until we begin to feel the effects of our choices that we start to desire to want to get off. Often times by this point, we have set things in motion that we will feel the lasting consequences of long afterward. When we finally step off the ride we can begin to see not only how harmful that particular thing is to us, but how harmful it is to others around us as well. And how we affect them.

May we always be mindful of the choices we make and how they will impact us and those closest to us. And may we always desire to make choices that won't make us or others hurl after we make them.

~Ms Atti~

Signs of Personal Growth

Having spent some time thinking about the events of my last blog...I came to the realization last night that I have come a very long way in regards to my ex.

In the past, as I've shared, our relationship was very abusive. He was very emotionally and physically abusive. I'm not proud of it, nor my portion in it. But I was a very different woman back then. I was very hurtful with my words. When someone hurt me intentionally, I cut them down to nothing with my tongue.

The biblical author James speaks to this issue.

James 3:7-10 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Taming the tongue is a very, very difficult thing to do. But with God, all things are possible.

If nothing else, I learned that one good thing that came from that conversation my ex and I had recently, it's this....that I have come a very long way from where I used to be. In my past I would have cut him down with my tongue in retaliation for his intended hurtful words to me. However the reality is that I was not offended by his opinions of me. I did not respond in anger or with ill intent. I shared the truth in love and was not easily offended.

I thank God for the work He's been doing in my life and for teaching me how to be longsuffering, loving, forgiving and all the other ways I see the Fruit of the Spirit exhibited in my life.

~MsTude~

Be careful what you ask for...

You know I've always heard that phrase and have taken it quite seriously. I sometimes wonder if others do though. Matter of fact I have to think that sometimes people just simply don't want the answers.

Case in point:

My ex called me the other night out of the blue for advice...from me. From me? He has never done that, ever. We have not been on good terms ...well, ever really. I don't hold any ill will toward him. I've forgiven him. I feel little more than indifference to him, truth be told. I have tried my best to be kind and civil to him over the 14 years we've been apart. I've been a Christian for the last 7 & 1/2 of those. So I do know that loving him has far greater restorative power than the indifference that my flesh caters to.

It came as a complete shock that he would call me and ask for my insight and honest opinion about "why his life is so messed up." He pressed me for answers after I warned him that he was not going to like my response. Not because I would be rude or disrespectful but because I was going to be honest. And that, I was. I attempted to answer his questions with honesty and love because I do believe in the importance of sharing the truth in love. Nevertheless, he was not at all eager to hear the answers I gave him. He got very upset, angry, defensive and verbally abusive (our relationship was one of abuse both emotional and violently physical) so I ended the call abruptly by hanging up. Perhaps not the greatest ending to the call but I was so caught off guard that I didn't know what else to do.

So, I was contemplating our conversation last night going over it again and again in my mind. And I was feeling a bit down. Truthfully, because I had the notion in my mind that an opportunity for good to happen had been wasted. I shared my situation with a friend and they gave me a new perspective to consider....that just maybe the seed was planted that could start to have a positive affect.

I don't know if that's the case. I may never. But I know that I'm not going to think the worst about the situation because love never fails. Sometimes, it hurts. Sometimes, it isn't what we want to hear. Sometimes, it looks a bit harsh. But when we have the right motivation (in this case, one of redemption) of heart, I think that good can come of it, even if we can't see it with our physical eyes. I trust that God will use something I said to reach into James' heart and speak to him there.

And I pray that He would help me to learn to love better, even those that don't deserve my love, just as I have not deserved His. And may it always be the desire of my heart to work toward redemption in every situation I find myself in. May that be made evident in the words I speak and the actions I take so that God would be glorified.

~attimeister~

Youtube, Toddlers and Desperately Seeking God

You might wonder what any of these things have in common, enough to name a blog title after them. May I satisfy your curiosity. :)

I'm babysitting my granddaughter and she hasn't had a nap today yet. So needless to say, she was overdue for some quiet time. As I often do, I went to Youtube to listen to some worship songs (admittedly I don't know many) that I am familiar with.

Sharai climbed into my lap and started imitating me as I sang along with this song that I recently came to hear for the first time and fell in love with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xliBTZfnRq8

Here are the lyrics:

You are the Source, of life
I can't be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of You
I need You, Jesus!
I need You, Jesus!

My heart is Yours, for life
I need Your hand, in mine
No one else will do
Lord, I put my trust in you!

I need you Jesus to come to my rescue!
Where else can I go?
There's no other name by which I am saved
Capture me with grace.
I will follow you. I will follow you.

This world has nothing for me
This world has nothing for me
This world has nothing for me
I will follow you
This world has nothing for me!

*Chorus*
...

She was still pretty hyper sitting in my lap but after a minute or two she snuggled up into my arms and was fast asleep.

As I sat here with my beautiful granddaughter in my lap, listening to the words of this song, I was reminded of the fact that in my many ways, I'm her safe place to go in this world second to her mommy. Her place to go for comfort, provision, protection, and love. She needs me.

I then began to reflect on how much I need and rely on Him. How He rescued me when I first cried out to Him in desperation in 1996...and even more than that. How much He's always been there for me...rescuing me, protecting me, guiding me and helping me in this obstacle course called life. I'm that little one who sits in His lap looking for comfort, love and guidance.

He has not only captured me with grace, He has captivated me with it. I hunger for living a life that emanates grace. I stumble, I fall. I make mistakes big and small. But one thing I know is that my desire is to follow Him...whatever that looks like. Even when that includes being a loving, providing, protecting, comforting grandmother in the midst of the most trying and difficult moments life can press upon us. Because in the grand scheme of things the moments I have had with my beautiful granddaughter make the difficulties of life, worth it.

He never fails. Love never fails.

~Mindful of the fact that I'm rescued by God's grace, daily~

Touching Stories of Love

Just yesterday I began reading a blog by a former pastor at one of our church campuses who was called to go to NY and plant a church there.

I know I'm a crier but I didn't expect to cry in response to every one of his blogs that I've read (I haven't read them all). So much for that though. I have been reading and crying because the tenderness, love and openness this guy shares is so inspiring.

When I read stories like his, I can't help but feel moved. Much of what he has shared has made my own feeble attempts at loving God and loving others, seem pathetic.

I struggle with keeping peace in my own home when others are making a huge impact on the world around them. That is my desire too. I just know that at the moment in my life, I'm being told and shown by God that taking care of home is first priority.

God please give me the strength, power, conviction, love, mercy and grace to have an impact here in my home. And if it be possible please allow me opportunities and the ability to do so wherever I am and with whomever I meet. Amen.

~Linda~