Character

What this adds up to, then, is this; no more lies,
no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth.
In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all.
When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Ephesians 4:25

So before I get started, I really need you to feel sorry for me. It is about 10:15 on New Year’s Eve, and I am blogging. It gets worse…my husband is at the fire station already sleeping and my child is asleep. I will welcome the New Year in sad and alone. Aren’t you supposed to be with the person you are with on New Year’s for the rest of the year? Maybe that’s not so bad. I could use a little more time to myself!

Anyway, on to character. I have been taught about character all my life. I think people get a little jaded when it comes to the word. Role models are known for their character. Commercials are made about character. Books are written about character. And we are always reminded that Character Counts! No wonder it goes in one ear and out the other. But the above verse focuses more on being honest, which is revealing character through actions and words. In Ephesians Paul is saying that we need to stop trying to be more glamorous than we really are. Who cares what you posses and how great your life is, especially if you are lying about it.

I mean, honestly, there will be no movies made about my time on earth, no tv shows about my fabulous lifestyle, and no books about my wisdom and charm. I will never be as cool as I want to be, never have the perfect house, clothes, etc. But my character can do so much more than those superficial things. I can teach my child how fabulous a life with Christ can be. I can show my husband how glamorous a wife who shines with God’s inner peace and joy can be. I can teach my 4 year old Sunday School class how wise a person who follows Jesus’ example can be.

As the author alludes to, don’t let the television, People magazine, or the internet teach your child about character. You must demonstrate and verbally teach honesty and integrity. Yes, your actions speak louder than words, but have a conversation about doing the right thing when a tough situation arises. If the cashier forgets to ring up something and you catch it, tell your child that Jesus taught us to tell the truth…don’t just hope they were paying attention.

Happy New Year and I pray God will bless each one of your families with amazing love, grace, and character, too!

Busyness

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. - Proverbs 31:15

Ironically, I finally sat down to read my reflection (which I was supposed to post last week) and learned that it was about "busyness." I didn't get to my post last week during the holiday week because I was just too busy... I'm sure that we were all saying that last week. It's amazing how quickly the holidays come and go. It's actually amazing how quickly each day comes and goes, which is why it's so important to stop and reflect on how we spend our busy days.

What keeps you busy each day? Work, kids, volunteer commitments, making dinner, household chores, prayer, church, talking with your husband... the list goes on. This week's reflection made me think about how I do spend my days. My husband and I make an effort to focus on Owen only for his last hour before bed and Owen loves it! Since doing this, I found that I don't blog as much, hardly update my photos online, have no idea what my friends are saying on facebook, and take weeks to return emails sometimes but I'm spending my time in, what I consider is the most important way, loving my son.

The reflection asks us to read Luke 10:38-42 where we see that Martha is so busy preparing for Jesus' visit that she needs a reminder from Him to be more like Mary... to sit at His feet and listen to Him. How often do we find ourselves so distracted in preparing for and entertaining visitors that we forget to enjoy them. The same is true with Christmas. How often we become distracted by the preparations for Jesus' birth that we forget to celebrate Him. We have a tradition in my parents home, to first wish baby Jesus' a Happy Birthday before opening any presents. What a treat it was this year to stop the busyness and hear my son say "Happy Birthday Jesus." Take a minute this week to evaluate what keeps you so busy and be sure that it focuses on honoring God and your family.

Beliefs

The gullible believe anything they’re told;
the prudent sift and weigh every word.
Proverbs 14:15

I believe this is the most important week we have read in the devotional. The quote is so true that beliefs are the foundation for your life. What you believe shapes who you are and how people see you. They are the difference between Heaven and Hell, for you and your family. No pressure, right? Exactly! I am finally beginning to learn that the future of my friends and family does not depend on me and my beliefs. Thank goodness! I am not good at explaining God’s plan for our lives or how to accept Him as your Savior. I am a sinful human, but I have the Holy Spirit in me to guide my words to my brothers, guide my actions in front of Parker, and help me to be an example to each person I come into contact with.

We are in charge of no one’s eternity but our own. But as the passage tells us, we can certainly help our kids understand our beliefs and teach them to listen for God’s voice. Even as small as Parker is (he just turned 17 months) we read Bible stories, pray together, and talk about Jesus all the time. I am helping build his foundation. I am a Christian today because my Big Mama always made sure I was at Vacation Bible School and set a good example for me.

I am currently in a Bible study that is reading the book Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp. The first few chapters went slow, but I am beginning to learn a lot about how to raise Parker with Biblical goals in mind. They talk about how the goal should not be for your child to be saved, but to teach your child the ways of God. This will shape their attitudes, their responses to tough situations, their important decisions, everything.

So start teaching your child about Jesus, google the words to those old songs you sang as a kid, and let your child know that there is only one person who loves him more than you do…God.

Inner Beauty

What matters is not your outer appearance – the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes – but your inner disposition. – 1 Peter 3:4

My last reflection focused on outer beauty while this week’s reflection focuses on inner beauty. One Southern phrase that I remember from my college days that is appropriate for this reflection is “don’t be ugly.” I always thought this referred to don’t be mean, rude, or hurtful – my Southern friends please correct me if I’m wrong. Thinking further about this phrase… being mean, rude, or hurtful actually makes you look “ugly” – giving this phrase two meanings, both of which dull your inner beauty.

Thinking further about inner beauty, and drawing on feelings of “giving” during the holiday season, I think giving the gift of love or time really demonstrates inner beauty. The thoughtful gifts -- the ones that time to create or require your loving touch -- are really most meaningful and allow your inner beauty to shine through.

How do we strengthen our inner beauty and allow it to shine for God? The following was a suggestion from this week’s reading: how much time do you commit to your outer beauty each day (i.e. hair, makeup, nails, etc)? Commit to spending the same amount of time cultivating your inner beauty. Consider prayer, meditation, giving… allow your inner beauty to shine because that light is the one that reflects God’s goodness.

Attitude

Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.
1Peter 4:1-2

I used to be a major complainer. I hated high school, then I hated my job as an ER Tech then an OR Tech, then I hated PT school. I complained about people in my classes, people in my sorority/campus organizations, people I worked with. No one understood what I was going through, and no one had it as bad as me.

I truly believe my attitude has improved since I have begun a closer walk with Jesus. I can’t pinpoint any other changes in my life except that I am now doing what I feel He is leading me to do. I am also doing it because He wants me to. It makes a huge difference to perform a task because you care about the one who asked you to do it. I loved the part of the reading where the author pointed out specific mom tasks that Jesus has taken care of with no complaints. He does understand and he has had it as bad as me. But Jesus was doing what His Father asked Him to do. Jesus has been through everything we have and much more. His love for God and obedience to God allowed Him to fulfill prophecy and be a sacrifice for us all. How else could we explain voluntarily being beaten and crucified?

Next time you are ill from standing in line too long (especially here at Christmas time), think of who you are buying the gift for. Think of how your attitude could help the person in line next to you. Think of how God has commissioned you to be His light. People who don’t know Christ don’t understand a positive attitude in a negative situation. You may not even be able to explain it…just be an example. That’s a start.

At home your husband will appreciate a positive attitude and hopefully catch on as well. You can both be an example of how to deal with tough times, even when money is tight and bills are due or the baby has been crying for an hour straight. Share your worries with each other so you can present a unified and positive front to your kids. And quit complaining, instead find God’s purpose in everything you do.