No, We're Good!

For the second time today I had an experience where I get back in my car and think, "Why did I do that?"  Before I tell my little story, let me explain that I am an independent, Type A, "I got this" kind of woman.  I was raised in a family of very strong, independent, Type A, "I've got this" type of women.  I'll be honest, we pride ourselves on the ability to move heavy furniture across rooms, carry ALL of the groceries in on the first trip, keep up with all the chores and schedules, and, in general, do it all.  It has its advantages, but it also has very many disadvantages.  

If you read my last post, you know that we've been in a tough, overwhelming season.  Not because of any one thing, but because of all the little things that add up to make one gigantic thing.  You know?  And, I'll be honest, a lot of my struggle has been because I am (you guessed it) an independent, Type A, "I've got this" type of person. Because let's be real - I ain't got this!  I was not made to have this. I was not created to carry it all. I am not built to run myself ragged. And let's just go right out and say it, I was never asked, designed, or intended to carry and juggle all the balls without any help. In some cases, I wasn't asked to carry them at all, but I decided to pick them up without being asked!  (Anybody with me there?)

One major disadvantage to my personality, is not knowing how to accept help.  I mean, at all!  So now to my story.  I was headed out of the grocery store today with Ruth in the cart, Caleb trailing along beside me, and two giant, heavy bags of groceries.  While pushing the cart back where it goes and preparing myself to carry both big bags and a little Ruth while watching Caleb, a gentleman asked if I needed any help.  Based on what I described (and I'm sure how I looked), the answer was yes.  But what I found coming out of my mouth was, "No, I think we're good!"  Really??  Despite knowing that I could use an extra hand, even then I couldn't seem to accept help.  After getting across the parking lot, loading everybody in, and getting in myself, I realized what I had done.  Would it really have been that awful to let this man carry one of my bags 20 feet to my car? 

Two things came to mind as I kicked myself for not just letting someone help me.  First, was something my mom and grandma often say - "Don't take away my blessing!"  It's used when someone wants to help and we refuse.  We've taken away that person's opportunity to bless us.  Second, was a scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:23 where we're reminded that while something may be possible, it doesn't mean it's right.  Clearly, I could get both bags and both children to the car, but was it beneficial?  Was it necessary?  Not really.  Just because I can do it, doesn't mean I should.  

Lord, forgive me for trying to do it all.  Forgive me for thinking I ever could.  Teach me to accept help from others and from You.  Give me a humble heart, Father, that recognizes my limitations.  Let me be an example to my children that perfection is not important, to focus on the people around them, and to accept help.  Amen.

Tid Bits

As my life has changed much over the last several months I realize how fast-paced our society is.  We often claim we don't have time to sit over a devotion or quiet time for long and therefore miss out on what God is speaking.  In response to this I feel as though God has been leading me to change how I present these posts.  Rather than long stories or explanations that only a few truly have time to read I want to share the tid bits that God draws out of the Scriptures for me each morning as I get in a few minutes with Him before my days starts.

Today I was reading in Matthew 26 and God highlighted a few truths from this passage:

A woman came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on His head as e sat at the table.  But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste?" . . . But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman?  She has performed a good service for me.  ~ Matthew 26:7-8, 10

Too often we become focused on the opinions of others and it cripples our ability to serve God.  This woman did something incredible for Jesus, something He praised her for and promised that wherever the Good News would be proclaimed that her story would be told (Matt 26:13).  Praise God that her focus was upon serving Jesus and not upon the opinions of others.  For she obeyed what God called her to do regardless of what others might think.

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I betray Him to you?"  ~ Matthew 26:14

Judas' betrayal of Jesus was done out of selfishness and a self-focused perspective.  He was more concerned about what would be given to him than what would happen to Jesus because of his actions.  Lord, let our focus be upon You rather than upon ourselves.  For we know that You are the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).  There is nothing this world can offer that would be greater than what You give.  Help me, Jesus, to be more focused on You, Your Name, and Your Glory than upon my own.  Amen.

Jesus said to Judas, "Friend, do what you are here to do."  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.  ~  Matthew 26:50

Knowing what Judas has come to do and the pain Jesus will face because of that choice, Jesus calls him "friend."  What hope that gives us!  What love, that in spite of all the times we have hurt, denied, and turned our backs on Jesus, He calls us friend.

Then Peter began to curse, and he swore on oath, I do not know the man!"  At that moment the cock crowed.  Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."  And he went out and wept bitterly. ~ Matthew 26:74-75

How often I forget the truth of God's Word and need a reminder like Peter received.  God has spoken so much truth to us through Scripture - words of peace, strength, joy, power - that we quickly forget, especially when we are in difficult situations and need it most.  Lord, let us be accepting of the reminders of Your Truth.  Let our pride not get in the way of taking these words of power and wisdom to heart, letting them soak into us that they might effect change from the inside out.

Haste makes Waste

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. ~ Proverbs 19:2


We live in a fast-paced world. Would you agree? We’re constantly making quick decisions, hoping that we’ve acted correctly. Too often we look at the world, look at our options, and make what the world might consider “good” choices. We choose the most logical path, the one that appears to bring us what we desire most – whatever that may be.

When we make these decisions out of our knowledge, however, we can “miss the way.” I’ve mentioned before that as Christians we are not called to the ways of this world. God has so much more in store for us. When we become rash, hasty, and impatient, we are more prone to make decisions before seeking counsel and can trap ourselves in those decisions.

It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. ~ Proverbs 20:25

Impatience is something that I struggle with daily. I hear of a wonderful opportunity to do something and I immediately jump in to help out. I’m not just speaking of things that are “wrong” or of doing things you feel convicted about; I’m speaking also of things that we would consider “good.”

Let me get specific. I graduated from college this past Spring and, according to the world, it’s time for me to get a job. In my mind it didn’t matter that I was going to be starting graduate school in the Fall. If I was out of college, I needed to start making money to support myself. I would certainly not say this is a “wrong” thought or action. In my case, however, as I prayed and sought God’s wisdom, as I spoke with mentors, friends, and family, I felt God leading me to not get a job. It’s been a struggle for me because I feel like I’m going against what the world says I should be doing. I know, however, that I’m following God’s Will for my life and because I have followed this even when it wasn’t comfortable, He has made so many opportunities for me to help out at my church, mend relationships, and just love on people. Now, if I had made a hasty decision based on my own knowledge of what I thought I was to be doing, I would have missed out on all that He had for me!

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ~ Proverbs 15:22

The next time you need to make a decision, whether it’s something big like where to work or live or it’s small like whether or not to go see a movie with friends, seek counsel. Don’t jump into something only to discover later what you have promised to do. Some decisions will be very easy, God’s Word is very plain about certain choices and, if you are spending time in the Scriptures, you will know what choice you should make pretty quick. Other decisions will be a little harder. Take the time you need to pray, read the Word, talk to a godly counsel in your life, and wait for the Lord. He will guide you if you are taking the time to seek His Wisdom. When you seek Him you will find Him. He will not allow you to step into somewhere you do not belong if you are asking, seeking, and listening for His response.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14

The Blueprint

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:2


I was reading in Exodus the other morning (specifically Exodus 25 – 27) and was struck by how specific God’s instructions were. God tells Moses:

Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. ~ Exodus 25:9

God didn’t tell Moses to build a tabernacle and leave him in the dark on what He wanted. God was specific in describing every aspect of this building, both inside and out. He even goes so far to explain what adornments should be placed inside the tabernacle and what materials to use in building every part of it. God did the same for us. He has laid out a blueprint for our lives telling us exactly what should be inside of us, how are outsides should look and sound, and what materials we need to use to get there. This blueprint is called the Bible.

If you were going to build a house I’m sure you would want a contractor who would look at your blueprints. If they don’t look at the map for the house, how could they possibly know what goes where, which materials to use, and what the finish product is supposed to look like? They couldn’t! Well, the same goes for us. God is building us up. If we never look at the blueprint, how can we know what we are supposed to do with our lives and how we are supposed to get to that point?

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Peter 2:5

We don’t have to question what a life lived for Christ looks like. God gives us example after example in His Word. If you aren’t sure what you are supposed to be doing, take time in His Word, talk to Him about it, and allow Him to transform your mind so you can “test and approve what God’s will is.” (Romans 12:2) You were never meant to wander in the dark hoping to find your way to a life “worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1) Let Him light the path for you.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~ Psalm 119:105

All Authority

“For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ~Luke 7:8


In this recount a centurion’s servant was “sick and about to die” so he sent some elders of the Jews to ask Jesus to come heal the man. These elders told Jesus the man “deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus began to journey to this man’s home. When he was not far off, the centurion sent friends to tell Jesus that he did “not deserve” to have Jesus come into his house. He tells Jesus, “But say the word and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.” After hearing this Jesus says, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

What did this man say to get that reaction? The first time I read this, and the second and third, I couldn’t figure out why he was mentioning his authority and what that had to do with Jesus’ reaction. During worship last night I began to ask God for wisdom. I was reminded of how Jesus often explained his parables to the disciples and was asking God to do this for me. I know there are many ways to interpret this passage. Many people can get something different out of the same word that is applicable to their lives. God responded to my pleas for understanding and presented me with this picture: the centurion’s authority was limited because he was “a man under authority.” He recognized, however, that Jesus, first of all, had authority to heal his servant, but also recognized that where his authority was limited, Jesus’ authority is not. He says, “I myself am a man under authority” where Jesus is not.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” ~Matthew 28:18 God didn’t stop there. He went on to remind me that I am a co-heir with Christ!

Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ . . .” ~Romans 8:17

Being co-heirs with Christ, we have been given authority as well. As children of God, we have been given power. Power that many of us do not utilize and do not recognize we even have. Look at these verses. Don’t read them in passing just because they’re here, but recognize that these verses are speaking to YOU.

He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. ~Matthew 10:1 We are His disciples!

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. ~Mark 16:17-18

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” ~ Luke 24:49 We will be “clothed in power!”

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ~ Acts 1:8

You have been given power and authority as children of God. Don’t let the enemy tell you otherwise. Step into the fullness of what God has given you!