Traditions

So, the other day I carved pumpkins with my family.  Our tradition has been for each of the kids to have their own pumpkin.  They get to design the look, scrape out the insides of those pumpkins, and help with the carving of that design.  It’s a nice little thing that we all get to do together every year.

One thing about traditions like that is that they bring families together.  They give the kids something to look forward to that they can rely on every year .  Our kids know that they’ll get some special family time every year at this time, and at many other times throughout the year.  Although we are very busy almost year round we still make our family a priority. 

You see, in order for a family to be strong you have to make time for one another.  You have to be there in the good and bad times.  You have to not only spend time together, but WANT to spend time together.  And that doesn't mean just in front of the TV all the time.  That can mean something as simple as playing a game together to doing a family campout   But whatever you do, make sure that your family is important to you and that God in the central focus of that family.

Overwhelming

I have to be completely honest with you all, life has been a bit overwhelming for me lately.  At home we’re involved in the normal busyness that you have when both parents have multiple jobs, and all three kids are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities.  At work we’ve had a lot of changes and extra work that has really put me behind at my normal day-to-day tasks.

Now I’m not here to complain about all that I have going on.  In fact  I want to do the total opposite of complain.  Instead I’m going to thank God for all the blessings that I do have.  I have a family that I love and that loves me.  My wife Traci is willing to have a hectic schedule in order to allow everyone to do all the things they do and still work two jobs to help us get out of the bondage of debt.  My kids are all gifted in many ways and want to continually develop their talents.  I’m also thankful to have a job when so many do not or are underemployed in this day and age.

You see, I could easily complain about all the stuff that is going on in my life.  Instead I’m going to embrace all of the blessings that God has given me and continue on.  I think that when we focus on God it can easily change that perspective.  If I were focused on the world then I’d complain all the time about everything and let it all keep me down.  Thanks to having God as my focus, I will still complain from time to time but instead will be thankful for the life that I live. 

I’d encourage you as well to examine your perspective on life today. Although I’m sure the sum of the parts can often be overwhelming for you as well as I, I’m also sure that if God is continually the focus, you can easily get through the day-to-day part of your life.  Allow God to work on your days and thank Him for all the blessings He has given you as well.

Keep the Focus

I will be the first to admit that the last few weeks at work have been rough.  We've been reorganizing personnel due to one of the doctors leaving.  In the midst of that we had a staff member with a family emergency and another turn in their two weeks’ notice.  As the manager of the office, the majority of the pressure to fix these issues has all been on me, making it extremely difficult to keep up.  So, in the back of my mind even when I am at home (or anywhere else really) I’m thinking about work.  I’m trying to sort out all of the changes and work through the process that is needed in order to get everything back to “normal”. 

As I’m going through this time I have had another thought cross my mind: If I didn’t have God walking with me through all of this could I handle it as well as I am?  Honestly, at the end of every day I’m exhausted, but would I go completely crazy without Him here with me?  Would all of this effect my mood more than it has.

You see, when a person’s ultimate focus is on God and everything else is a far-off second place then problems like these won’t take that person down.  God knows what I’m going through right now at work and knows that I am going to make it through this tough time.  He sees the light at the end of the tunnel even when I don’t and He is directing me there.  God knows that I’m going to be victorious in all of this so that He can revel in that victory.  It’s those realizations that allow me to get through.

This is just an example of what He is reminding me of lately, and I hope it’ll help you through whatever you are going through as well:

1 Peter 5:7-10

[7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

[8] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

[10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

The Size of the Problem Doesn't Matter

Nothing is too great and nothing is too small to commit into the hands of the Lord.  - A.W. Pink 

I have no idea who the person who wrote this is.  Yet, this has been my philosophy in regards to prayer and so I wanted to share this with you. 

I often feel that Christians don’t pray about things because they feel that it’s not important enough.  They think that God just doesn’t have the time for such a small problem.

I’m here to remind you today that God wants to hear from you on every aspect of your life.  He is ready to help you tackle the large things in your life and the small things just the same.  Just because it’s small to you that doesn’t mean that it’s small to God. 

Pray daily on all aspects of your life.  Allow God to work in all areas not just what you think are the things for Him while you hold others back.  God wants to help you, so let Him!

Be Somebody

When we were kids we all had an idea of who we wanted to be when we grew up.  We had a thought as to what job we’d have, what kind of house we’d live in, how many kids we’d have, etc.  Yet, as we’ve grown up, many of us haven’t quite hit those lofty goals that we set for ourselves.  How many of us thought we’d be exactly where we are now?

I was thinking about this the other day while listening to the latest single from Thousand Foot Krutch called “Be Somebody.”  It's not regret for any of the decisions that I've made getting to where I am today, but instead the realization that God has me exactly where He wanted me from the start.  It’s remembering that His plan for my life was always going to be realized and that I am here for His glory.  I am here to do things in the world that He has always known I would do.  He never doubted where I’d be and has never been disappointed in the fact that this is where I am today.  

When you start to look at your life the way God does, as I have just done, how does that make you feel?  It’s not a mistake that each and every person is where he or she is in life because God knew you’d be there from the first second He thought of creating you.  You are here because He wants you where you are right this minute.  Be proud of the relationship that you have with Him and all that you are doing for His kingdom.  Keep striving to do more, as He knows you can do more.  Keep striving to strengthen the bond you have with God and continue to grow in your walk.  Just because He wants you here now doesn’t mean that He doesn’t want you to keep progressing to be the somebody He can use in new ways in the future.