There are days I wonder if I'm a mom or a sherpa. Like last night, on the way to Life Group. I had in my hands/arms/back: a bag with snack, my Bible, a backpack with activities for the kids, phone lists to give to everyone, the keys to the church office where we meet and my purse. And yet I didn't have everything; the kids very vocally reminded me that I forgot their water bottles, and they would surely die of dehydration on the way. I shut the door with one finger, but had to put stuff down to open the car doors.
The irony was the lesson I had just prepared for the kids was on Hebrews 12:1-2a...
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Ugh. It's definitely a case where God uses the lesson I'm preparing for me, not the kids--we didn't even end up doing the lesson last night (though I'm using it with my kids and their friends right now). What burdens am I carrying that are impeding my progress? I'm definitely carrying around junk that I should just give to God--worrying about my Grandma and uncle's health, wondering about whether we're done with our family, guilt about working, guilt about being driven crazy by my children when I am caring for them, guilt about making an inedible supper last night and not being a good "reflective listener" to Patrick. 1 Peter 5:7 says "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you," but sometimes I think I'd rather carry them myself and focus on them rather than looking to Jesus at the finish line--my burdens seem more immediate.
But that's not what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to give them to God! So sing along with me...
I'm Trading My Sorrows by Darryl Evans
I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down
For the joy of the Lord
We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Amen
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning
I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down
For the joy of the Lord
We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Amen
4 comments:
I hear you on that one...it's definitely a fine line, walking between being sensitive to areas God is trying to change in your life and feeling guilty because you are obeying and Satan wants to cause confusion. We must always have at the ready, at the forefront of our minds, the definition of both guilt and conviction. Tuck conviction into your pocket and throw guilt in the trash. Conviction lovingly turns our attention to Jesus and what He is doing in our hearts and minds. Guilt pushes us wrecklessly into self-thinking and worry and focuses on what we are doing wrong.
It's a good reminder to cast off all that hinders (including worry)...as I sit in front of a stack of bills and a mountain of laundry:)
Ann, thank you for visiting my blog. I love it when people take the time to comment. I enjoyed yours as well. I hope you come back and visit me again.
That is one of my favorite songs!
I'm not sure the age of your children but if you have a central location for "stuff" that goes with you to school or church, you could have them place their own things there the night before or even an hour before so that when it is time to go everyone has what they need when you leave.
Mama Bear
Post a Comment