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A Cheap Substitute

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“For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me-The fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”

Jeremiah 2:13 NLT

file1361301586907Everything seemed overwhelming. The idea of packing another lunchbox made me want to run screaming. Sure, it is a bit dramatic, but that’s where I was. Running on empty, in every sense of the word, I was struggling to keep my head above water, and desperately needed to feel in control of something.

While emotions can be indicators of something brewing in my heart, they are terrible bosses and shouldn’t be trusted. So what’s a gal to do when she finds herself wanting to curl herself in the fetal position when she thinks about packing a lunchbox? Pinterest, of course.

More organization was going to solve all of my problems. I needed to know how to keep my house clean in under 15 minutes each day, how to stock my freezer full of nutritious meals, how to organize my toiletries, and chore charts for the kids…and reward jars for their good behavior. Oh my goodness, how had I survived so long without them? Certainly, that would be the magic bullet for all of my parenting woes…and my life woes come to think of it. If I could just get everything under control I could put the cuckoo back in the clock, breathe normally, and pack lunches with a smile.

This may seem a bit melodramatic because it is, but don’t we have a tendency to get that way when our emotions go unchecked? We find ourselves overwhelmed when the demands of life exceed our limited supply of time and energy and our days leave us feeling empty and discontent.

Sure, I was running on empty and my soul was parched, but what I needed was not a board full of pins on Pinterest. What I needed was more time with the Lord. Sadly, I had taken matters into my own hands, entrusting my sense of peace to the idol of control instead of allowing Him and His word to refresh me and fill me. The fountain of Living Water was right there, waiting to quench my thirst and refresh my soul, yet I had settled for what the world could offer: nothing more than a dirty pit that collects rain water-a broken cistern.

Savoring the Living Water,

Traci

Sidestepping Death

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“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”

Luke 10:33, NIV

Mom-2“Have a nice day!” the woman in front of me said to the cashier as she made her way toward the door. Reaching for my wallet, I stepped up to the cash register to pay ― then heard an ominous thud.

Moments earlier, the vibrant woman had imparted words of cheer. Now she lay motionless. Several employees rushed to her side while the visibly shaken cashier proceeded to ring up my purchase. Then, grocery bag in hand, I stepped around the commotion and walked to my car.

I felt horrible leaving the scene. I was morbidly struck by the ease with which my life carried on while it came to a screeching halt for another. Shouldn’t I do something?

That day’s dilemma may appear uncommon, but we step around those who are dying every day. Our problem, in general, is not that we deliberately cross the road to avoid the man in the ditch. Our problem is we never see him lying there. We engage in conversations with people continents away as we fail to make eye contact with the person directly in front of us.

The widespread malady of sin infiltrates our culture, and with stealth like accuracy snuffs out thousands of lives a day. It’s a shadowy, silent killer. Am I a silent witness ― or am I a witness at all?

The Samaritan man stopped to help his Jewish neighbor in distress. Racial barriers were no contest for his sweeping heart of mercy. He disinfected and bandaged the man’s wounds, brought him to an inn, footed the bill, and took care of him. He spared no expense, willing to give of his time and his resources so a stranger’s life could be restored.

Our day-to-day encounters with those who are hurting call for measures far less extreme, and yet we often fail to be the hands and feet of Christ. We underestimate the impact a random act of kindness, heartfelt greeting or friendly smile may have on someone’s day.

The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals the heart of Christ for those who are wounded, lost and dying. I must ask: What does it reveal about mine? Do I choose to sidestep death, or do I step into the gap to restore the life of another?

The Samaritan chose wisely. The Master’s words exhort us to “Go and do the same.”

Blessings,

Starr

I Really Miss My Mama

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Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

 

OLD_FAMILY_PHOTOS_002Can I just say it out loud? I really miss my mama today.

Sometimes when the stress in my life is off the charts, when nothing seems to be going right, when I feel alone or targeted, I just want my mama.

Like today. Sitting here with my desk piled high, stress to the gills, feeling overwhelmed; I want to tell her all about what’s going on. I want her to wrap her arms around me, pat me on the shoulder, kiss my cheek, and tell me it’s going to be all right. And may even feel a little sorry for me. I must have been born this way because this picture clearly indicates a three-year-old under the influence of stress!

And I want to listen to what my mama says.

As I’m sitting here wondering what she’d say on this particular day of stress, I broke out in laughter. I know exactly what she’d say. “You’re doing too much” That’s what she always said.

THE_LOOK_#1

Tilting her head, while giving me “the look”, she’d say, “Brenda, you’re trying to do too much!”

Well, duh.

“But mama, it’s required! I have a lot to do. Jesus has assigned me to this ministry and …”

“What does the Lord require of you?,” she’d interrupt.  Deuteronomy 10:12 (NLT) says;

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.”

OLD_FAMILY_PHOTOS_006She is with Jesus now, so I get the feeling mama would continue her “you’re doing too much” lecture by reminding what Jesus himself said…

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Ok, let’s take a deep breath together…

“Oh, Lord, why do I have to be reminded over and over that your burden is light, that what you expect of me isn’t the same thing that people expect of me. Thank you for the reminder Lord. Now, would you tell my mama that I love her. And I miss her so much? And when you’re through with me here, I’ll see her heaven.”

Until next time,

Your Traveling Partner,

Brenda