I choose to Remain

John 15:4

"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

Matthew 11:28 (The Message)

^28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

I was reading this morning before the day really started, grasping for some sanity on a day I know will be busy. As I was sitting there reading, I was struck with how much He desires to be part of our daily lives. The first thing that came to my mind as I was reading, was when we have company - especially pizza night. When we have friends over for a pizza night, it is a night filled with tons of laughter, kids running and playing, and adults just sitting and enjoying time for conversation amid the cloud of flour rising from the kitchen. Friends know that when they are at my house for pizza, they grab an apron and get in there, helping to make pizzas, create and customize for each person the pizza they want. It's fun! This is what God wants from me. He doesn't want me to sit him in the living room while I go on with my life, He wants to be in the "kitchen" with me, creating, encouraging, guiding and helping me to grow. If I put Him in the living room, I won't get to visit with him and live with Him. Rather, he would be a Guest not a friend. I just have to remember to not put him in the corner in a stuffy chair, rather let Him into the Kitchen of my life and share in the "fun."

Love Dare

This morning as I was reading in The Love Dare, I was struck by the thought about how much this not only applies to my husband, but to my children as well.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

It states that love is built on two pillars, patience and kindness, that best define it. I know that I'm an impatient person and it probably shows daily with the ones I should show love to the most - my children. The Love Dare states: The irony of anger toward a wrongful action is that it spawns new wrongs of its own... It usually generates additional problems. But patience stops problems in their tracks. Anger is usually caused when the strong desire for something is mixed with disappointment or grief. It is often an emotional reaction that flows out of our own selfishness, foolishness, or evil motives. As I was reading this morning, I knew I was in for it! I'm not sure if Satan is testing me today or what, but I'm biting my lip a lot and I'm particularly guilty when it comes to my children and the student that I am teaching. I'm impatient when I have to repeat things a couple of times, when they don't mind or do what they know they should (aka: chores, helping out around the house, or even stuff that we do every day). I struggle with this daily, sometimes hourly. I'm struggling with this word Patient as I type and teach. So this makes me wonder what is my problem? It goes on to say that Patience makes us wise, and that we listen to what the other person is saying. That we wait to see the whole picture before passing judgment. Today I'm not really feeling wise, but I'm feeling anxious. I'm so thankful that God is full of Grace because I really need His grace and love today. I don't so much struggle with this toward Honey, but he may struggle with this in regards to me! I think there should be a Love Dare for Parents towards their children... I would be one of the first to buy a copy and start working on it. I'm definitely going to do some more praying at lunch than I did at breakfast!

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another" 1Thessalonians 5:15

Oh God, Please give me an extra measure of grace this day and this week as I continue to struggle with giving up myself and learn to love others more.