Becoming Who I Am: March 2009

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Confident Kids!

Well, I am glad I'm raising kids with a good self-esteem and confidence in their abilities...

One of my boys came to me the other day and said, "Wow, Mommy. I can hardly believe my head is this small. How can it fit my huge brain inside of it?"

Yesterday, I heard one of my boys telling the other one, "I always had a goal to be a genius by the age of 7. I'm right on target!"

I thank God that He, indeed, has given me bright boys. It was my dream come true when I went looking for them after I got off the treadmill and discovered that my 7 year old was reading from a science encyclopedia about the geology of Canada to my 6 year old, and they were enthralled with it! I know that being smart doesn't make a person wise, so it is my prayer everyday that as they get 'smarter', they also gain godly wisdom!

Thursday, March 05, 2009

2 Corinthians 1:10

2 Corinthians 1:10 says, "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us."

I can say personally that God has, indeed, delivered me from deadly peril in the past. More than once, in fact. Sometimes it seems that when particular "perils" run through my mind, I need to be delivered from them again. But because He has brought me this far, I can hold onto hope that he will continue the work that He has begun. 2 Corinthians 2:10 is my theme these days, and I have personalized it: He has delivered me from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver me. On him I have set my hope that he will continue to deliver me.

There is an old song that goes,

He didn't bring us this far... to leave us

He didn't teach us to swim... to let us drown

He didn't build His home in us... to move away

He didn't lift us up... to let us down

We are never without hope. He holds us in His hands.

Where else would I go?

John 6:66 - 69 says "From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God."

Some time ago someone asked me, "What has God done for you? What good is your faith? Isn't it supposed to help?" Good question. I must admit, my faith isn't always very strong... but God's faithfulness, mercy, grace and overwhelming compassion have carried me through seemingly insurmountable hard times. So... What has God done for me? Well, let me tell you. Christianity isn't just a faith. Jesus is a living person who has carried me when I couldn't stand up myself. I have seen Him. To deny His faithfulness and presence would be like denying that the earth is round or claiming we don't need air to stay alive. It is factual reality of a genuine, involved and compassionate God and Father, not a random faith in a religion that has preserved me and continues to move me forward. His presence is undeniably real and His love is so apparent. I actually know Him. He visits me. He speaks to me. Literally. And I know He loves me and that He is good. As His disciples asked in John 6, I reiterate - Where else would I go? Every time I take an introspective and purposeful look into my journey thus far I see His faithfulness and work which provides the propulsion I need to move ahead.