Post Category → scripture

in gentleness

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2.2)

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I know you won’t believe this, but sometimes those adorable little cherubs up there drive me right over the edge of sanity.

Well, actually, that’s not true. They may create the pressure, but the Bible explains so clearly that the desire to sin is in me. But that’s another topic for another day.

I find myself blowing my lid more often than I’d like. Sometimes I kick myself: “Danica, they’re kids. Be patient.” And sometimes I think, How else do I communicate that you may not attack your brother???

But here’s the thing: I don’t want to communicate anything to these little disciples but what God wants communicated. I’m just His representative, after all. When I ask a boy to deliver a message from Mama to the siblings, I’m not pleased when I hear him yelling at them with words and tone that I did not send. I expect him to begin with “Mama said…” and to continue with the kindness I first communicated. The strength of the command is in those little words, “Mama said.” If they don’t respond to that, we have a problem. But big brothers (or sassy little sister) yelling at them isn’t going to help the situation.

And so God “sends” me. This mothering thing is His assignment for me. I didn’t come up with it. I didn’t even dream of it. It’s just what He called me to one day, and I am thrilled to serve Him in this. I have become an evangelist, a shepherdess, a discipler, a teacher — in short, the mouth and hands of God to these precious lives.

If I am His mouth, then I need to simply echo what He’s asked me to say.

Sometimes I scoff at His ideas. I think, I’ll improve the message a bit. I’m sure that if I raise my voice a few notches, bark a little, grit my teeth — I think that’ll help get results we’re looking for.

He must cringe. Like I do when I hear the messenger yelling at my beloved children.

This morning, I read 2 Timothy 2:2 for the umpteenth time. Gentleness. The correcting is required; tolerating sin, turning a blind eye, making an excuse for them isn’t what I’ve been asked to do. But the correction is to be firm, consistent, and gentle.

I don’t always know what that looks like. But that doesn’t give me permission to throw out the Bible and say, “I’m gonna do it my way.” All it means is I better learn. And God will show me. He will tell me and teach me, but most of all, He shows me.

We have a gentle Shepherd, after all.

frustration, fear, and faith

If you’ve ever felt like life is hard, like you’re up against something bigger than you — you’re right.

There is a devil, and this is a war, and you’re his target.

This is a reminder I need all the time. Because things get tough, and I immediately start to fix and blame and “wrestle against flesh and blood.”

A few months ago, the Lord dropped three little words into my heart:

Frustration, Fear, and Faith.

This enemy of mine, he’s got me in his sites, and he knows my weak spots:

I work really hard, and then I get frustrated. Probably I don’t have to elaborate on why I would get frustrated, wondering why this isn’t working. That’s during the day.

Then I go to bed, and lay in the dark, thinking about my children that I love so much and all I want for them, and another shadow creeps into my soul: fear. What if something happens to them? What if they don’t get it? How can I watch them every second of their lives just to be sure they’re okay? [Resist the urge to get up and check them for the umpteenth time.]

It would be easy to fight these enemies by reading an article on How To Take A Deep Breath, or Count To Ten and Think Happy Thoughts, or They’re Just Kids So Chill Out. Finish the day with triple-checking every lock on every door and installing night-lights everywhere throughout the house. Ta-da.

Except that doesn’t really work, does it?

No.

Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, and there is only one victory that overcomes the world and the Prince of it:

Faith in Jesus.

Faith changes everything. Faith most certainly changes the power of frustration and fear.

Frustration lurks, but when I am working by faith, when I am sowing by faith, I can speak to those feelings. I can speak with authority. I can know that God is at work in my children’s lives. That a tantrum at the grocery store and a bedroom that looks like a nuclear bomb went off and not listening in church isn’t the end. Nope. Sheree Phillips states so well how faith renders ineffective the frustrations we encounter:

Mostly, however, it [parenting] requires faith. Faith when we become discouraged at their lack of progress. Faith during seasons when they slip back into old habits. Faith when we realize we have started to allow arguing and bickering and anger back into our homes and we have to regroup. Faith when well-meaning friends say our standards are unrealistically hight. Faith when we’re tired and think it was easier when we didn’t have to do so much disciplining and encouraging and reminding.

As for fear? The shadows of fear and its paralyzing whispers are abolished by the declaration of God’s love and grace and power — and knowing that He is pursuing my kids. Every worst case scenario can go ahead and stop tormenting me, because nothing can separate us from the love of God through Christ our Lord. The gnawing doubts about them not “getting it” are shut down when I acknowledge that I can’t save them, but as I exalt and lift up Jesus in our home, He will draw their little hearts! Just like He did mine!

I’m sowing in faith. I’m loving in faith. I’m praying in faith. And the hope on which my faith is built? Rock solid.

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The second stanza of an old hymn, hidden in my heart:

How sweet to hold
A newborn baby
And feel the pride
And joy he gives
But greater still
The calm assurance
This child can face
Uncertain days
Just because He lives

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

fear and dismay: conquered

I began with an old favorite that needed to be brought back to the forefront of my mind:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

–Joshua 1.8-9, typed out from memory. How did I do?

Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.

Dismayed: horrified, shocked.

Dismay: the feeling that has accosted my soul regularly in the last 5 years.

Emmanuel: God with us.

Emmanuel: the antidote for fear of what may be and dismay over what is.

He is my strength and my courage.

This is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. (1 John 5.4)

a year for memory

My New Year’s Resolutions look strangely similar every January: know Jesus… That pretty much sums it up! That’s the only goal I feel bound to, and it’s a freeing kind of goal.

But there are so many ways that happens, and a fresh start is a good time to reflect on how I can walk by the Spirit in the coming months, where the Lord is leading me to grow or take ground, how He wants me to steward my life in a way that will bring more communion with Him.

The last few weeks, I’ve been increasingly aware of my glaring need for repolishing and resharpening my sword. The hundreds of scriptures that have been hidden in my heart are growing dusty and hard to find at just the right moment. (And as we are in a war, there are lots of moments that call for a sword!) So this year, no grand Bible reading plan. Just a list of about 52 verses that I can memorize/review and meditate on each week.

Yes, meditate. That will be the tricky part, since I’ve gotten very good at memorizing with the kids in the morning and not giving it another thought the rest of the day. (Thus the rusty and dusty issues.) I am so excited about revisiting practices that were second nature to me ten years ago. Time for 3x5s and back pockets! (So, no more yoga pants, I guess.)

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My list, for those who may be interested. I’ll choose some of these to be “family” verses, and some just for my own memorization.

Psalm 34.1-10
Ephesians 6.10-13
Philippians 4.6-8
Isaiah 40.28-31
1 Corinthians 15.58
2 Corinthians 9.6-8
Romans 12.1-2
1 Peter 3.8-9
2 Corinthians 12.9
2 Corinthians 4.16-18
Romans 3.23
Romans 6.23
John 14.6
Romans 8.28
Joshua 1.8-9
Romans 10.9-10
1 John 3.16
Matthew 11.28-30
Galatians 5.16
Philippians 2.3-7;14-15

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Here are some passages we learned this past year (which I need to meditate on!), many of which I learned when I was a girl and loved. Passing them along for any moms out there wanting to make their own list!

Ephesians 2.8-10
Psalm 23
Psalm 100
1 Peter 1.2-8
Colossians 3.12-17
Proverbs 6.6-9
1 Thessalonians 4.16-18
Mark 12.30
Galatians 5.22-23
Romans 12.10

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What are some of your favorite, life-giving verses? Pondering that question the last few days has been so invigorating for me — suddenly I’m overwhelmed by how alive scripture has been and is in my life. I am so thankful for the Word of God. (Makes me want to memorize Psalm 19! Maybe next year. :-))

numbering

Sometimes, in the middle of all the work of life, I inwardly stop. I notice the speed at which life is moving, almost hear the seconds ticking away, the hours slipping past. It makes me so deeply thankful for the little gifts of each day — things that are really not so “little”, after all. (A husband I love and admire? Three children who are healthy and precious? Not so “little”.)

It also makes my heart hurt. Makes me want to clench my fist a bit tighter, in the hopes that the sands of time might get trapped for just a minute more.

But the inevitable passing of time isn’t meant to make us get stingier, more close-fisted, screeching on the brakes, resentful of each ticking second. No, learning to number our days is a wake up call: Turn your heart to wisdom. Keep eternity ever before you.

For me, right now? It means: Every day with this child is precious — and not just because childhood is fleeting, but because eternity is a reality they must be prepared to face.

Teach us to number our days — not so we can revel a bit more in the warm fuzzies, so we can take more pictures (although being thankful is so often aided by those pauses). Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

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Moments I’m cherishing:

waking up to two little bed partners, the sun kissing chubby cheeks and rosy lips

my pudgy-armed baby girl

brothers who live almost every single minute in togetherness

first independent trip down the slide

an oldest brother who gets his siblings situated in front of Curious George, so Mama can rest

a little girl who always says yes when asked, “Do you want a hug?”

and a repost from this past January — a photo that left a lump in my throat when I saw it last night. Two boys, proudly showing me their first independently built snowman. This day in their little lives will never be repeated, but how thankful I am to have been there to cheer and applaud them. They are so precious.

hide it in your heart

I have always tried, with varying levels of diligence and success, to make Bible memory — and meditation, discussion, and application — part of our regular routine. How I decide on which passage to memorize varies, too — sometimes a theme that is particularly applicable to a current challenge, sometimes a simple gospel-in-a-nutshell verse, sometimes a passage I especially loved as a young girl. I want my boys to have truth deep in their hearts, woven into the very makings of who they are — and learning scripture as a child can have that profound, life-shaping effect. (It did for me! Thanks, Dad and Mom!)

Recently, I’ve also been stirred to choose passages that will lay a foundation for unwavering trust in God — His character, His ability, and His love toward them. (Yes, that’s a broad spectrum!) When my siblings were younger, they were involved in a children’s program that largely consisted of earning badges. One badge was called the Bible Smuggler badge, and in order to earn it, a child had to memorize a book of the Bible. The idea behind it is that someday, if they are traveling into a closed country where Bibles are forbidden, they will still be able to smuggle scripture in: it’s in their hearts.

Perhaps that scenario is in my children’s future. But also, looking ahead, I have to really wonder: will this be that country someday? Someday soon? Is it possible that my children will live in a world where every trace of Truth has been, according to man’s best effort, eradicated?

One thing we can count on is change. Also, sin. Also, a prowling enemy. I need to be diligent to teach them as much Truth as I can — and do it with a sense of purpose and priority. (When they encounter change, sin, and an enemy, I want their hearts to rise up with this: But God!)

This week, we’ve started Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…”

Can anything take you by surprise when that truth is in your heart, alive, giving hope, speaking of love and faithfulness?

(And speaking of faithfulness, my favorite song to sing at bedtime (for them and for me!) is Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Hymns are chock full of truth, too, and with melodies that help it stick!)

What are some of your favorite scripture verses to hide in your heart?

(boys, on their way to being men.)