Disqualified?

I've been working on writing a book based on the simple truth that God Calls His people. First He calls us to Faith and then He calls us to specific good works that He created beforehand for us in Christ, that we should walk in them.

Being a rookie book writer I'm learning how difficult this writing gig is. One of the things I'm currently in the throughs of learning is that some parts of the book write themselves, and others take profound amounts of effort on my part. The portions that come easiest for me are the areas I'm most experienced in and knowledgable about. The more difficult chapters are either completely foreign to me, or (as is more often the case) on a topic I struggle with perpetually.

The later reason is currently my challenge. Case in point: One of the the main themes of the book is that we Christians tend to buy into the lie that we can be disqualified to serve God because of our sin. Taken out of ministry because we lack love, get angry, back-slide and wallow in depression at times. We fear we've blown it one too many times to be good enough to be used by God. But our perfection is not the pre-requisite for God to use us, our redemption is. God has redeemed our fallen lives. And our redeemed lives are the means by which He continues to call people to Himself today.

God will not take me out of ministry in my home and with my children, because I've been short on patience and long on selfishness. God has qualified me based on His perfection, not mine. He graciously, daily, hour to hour and moment to moment, is working to transform me into His image as I stay His, stay surrendered, stay repentant, stay available to serving Him in our family and even to the ends of the earth.

Here is my dear husband, just another saved sinner like me, pressing on because God has qualified Him!

walking with my children

We are on Day #8 of our Summer Break. Caleb had a good year. A very good year in 1st grade. But he loves being home, playing with his brothers, not being asked to do anything or go anywhere. He loves his PJs and TV and at 60+ pounds he still delights in the kiddie pool and sprinklers too. I'm so happy for him. And it's amazing to me how dear, obedient, and helpful he is when he's not being pushed so hard.

For the last year he had fought me be at every turn. Get up, get going, get your shoes on, did you hear me ask you to brush your teeth? Where's your bag? Did you forget it by the door? Off we go to baseball, where's your glove? Caleb, it's time to practice piano..." And the motherly harping rings out incessently... But these last days as I've let him be, he's been such a joy. Even when I ask him to take out the trash cans or help Asher get ready for bed there's a softer spirit; the fight is gone. There's nothing like walking into my littlest boys room to find him cuddled up with his biggest brother, reading, "How Does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight?"

In this slowed down pace of Summer it is my desire to walk and not run with my children.

Two scriptures Spring to mind beside my current favorite, Ephesians 2:10. The first is Deuteronomy 11:19, which charges parents to "teach them (the commandments) to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." How I long to simply walk along the way with them this Summer. Not rushing or bossing, but walking and gently instructing them. And Caleb has shown me already this week how soft and subtle and receptive he can be when we walk at a gentle pace.

The second scripture is one I felt challenged to heed a year and a half ago. Acts 28:30-31 tells the story of Paul's time under house arrest. "And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered."

Paul did not think of his time confined to home as cause to stop the ministry of Jesus Christ through him, instead he preached the kingdom of God with all openness, unhindered to those who came to him. Here in my home my children are ALWAYS coming to me. There are few moments of reprieve each day when one or more of them are not coming to me. But God is asking me to have the same heart as Paul toward these little intruders, to teach them concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so I see my good works, that God has prepared beforehand for me in Jesus, as ones to walk out alongside my little ones this Summer. As the pace is slower, the sun warmer, the flowers sweeter... I will walk with them, with all openness, unhindered.