Help Me Savor and Love with Grace

(This was a post I started a while back and forgot to finish.)  It was a sweet moment, so I thought I’d share it anyway.) 

This morning I heard Ben crying and laid in bed to see what might happen (hoping he’d go back to sleep-it was early). Then, I heard he and Abe conversing so I thought they might come into our room together which is normal protocol if they wake up at the same time.  Then Abe and Ben walk into our room, big guy leading.  This is also normal.  Abe helps Ben up into our bed (I think) and then says that he’s still tired and is going back to bed.

It was so sweet the way Abey took care of Ben.  He was really concerned for his little brother and knew he would want to be walked to our room.  So, he did that even though he was tired.  It was a sweet moment and I’m thankful for Abe’s care for his brother.

I need to remember the sweet, caring things my kids do.  I tend (lean aggressively) towards legalism with myself and family.  It is so helpful and refreshing to think on the tender moments we have together, when I just enjoy them all.  When I let go a little and love them for their unique personalities and silliness it’s a lot more pleasant for everyone.  It’s so ironic to me, that although I’ve been saved by grace I’m so quick to pull out the law for my little ones.  Yes, they need to obey and the law helps them see their need for Christ.  Yet, I feel like at times I’m SO much law, without any grace.  I’ve been forgiven much and should be patient and slow to anger.  Lord help me to love them better, like you do.  Help me to enjoy them and these fleeting moments we have together.

The Good Doctor

Hi there.  Sorry for being non-existent the past couple weeks.  Life is busy, and I haven’t been feeling like I have anything interesting to say.  But, I found someone who does!  About 7 or 8 years ago I read The Cross, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones.  This book was like a breath of fresh air; a stream in the desert if you will.  I picked it up again yesterday and have been encouraged already.  So, I thought I’d leave you a quote.

“The first thing of which he (Paul) reminds them is that life in this world is a very serious and a very solemn matter.  Life when truly understood is not the sort of thing that the world would teach you to think of, it is not something flippant and light, through which you waltz having a good time.  Not at all.  It is a tremedously serious matter.  For this reason: ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting’. (pg.17)”

Another quote from Dr. Jones:

“Superficial views of the work of Christ produce superficial human lives.”

Oh Lord, don’t let us be satisfied with superficial views of your work.  All too often I am content with where I am.  Please Lord don’t let me stay that way!