New Clothes

Look at me, Daddy! Look at me! Jesse runs from the room to show her father her new dress. Or her new shoes. Or her new hairdo. Her longing for his approval seems to come naturally, having never been encouraged that I can recall. Beautiful, he exclaims! Beautiful! And a satisfied smile crosses her face. I clothe myself in the righteousness of Christ, and I run to my Father in Heaven. Look at me, Daddy! Look at me! My longing for His approval was fulfilled through Christ's blood on the cross. Beautiful, he exclaims! Beautiful! And a thankful smile crosses my face. So thankful.

Personalized Plates

I've never been an advocate for spending money on specialty license plates and then adding to the cost by getting them personalized. Just think of all the things that we could buy with that cash that we really need. John's the same way, so we've never had one since we've been married. Well, until recently. When I first saw the bright yellow "Choose Life" plates that came out in Virginia, my eye was drawn to the first car flying by that had one. The next thing I knew I was making up messages in my mind that I could put on one. And now, my car is adorned with "Choose Life," and my personalized message below it is IN JC. So, I reasoned with John, "If I can't see that it's reaching anyone, then I won't keep them." Yesterday, a man that was visiting a neighboring house, came and knocked on our door. "I don't mean to be presumptuous he said, but I noticed your license plate and just wondered if it meant, "Choose life in Jesus Christ?" Why, yes it does! We had met a brother and made a friend. And after he left, I turned to John with a smile and said, "I'm keeping those plates."

Overlooking Gems

We've been bringing two young girls to church with us for over a year now, yet there's no indication that they've become Christians. Curiously, they continue to come, getting themselves up and ready in time all on their own. It is so easy to overlook these children in the sea of faces that fill up our facility. In the worldly way, they have nothing to offer us. There are no parents with time and talent for the edification of the saints and no tithe to contribute to the construction of the new building. No house to offer for hospitality, no knowledge to offer for leadership. Why, they're just like me before Jesus! Nothing at all to offer. But, my empty hands didn't stop my Lord from stooping down and picking me up in His arms. Oh, I pray to be like Him, seeking out the small and the weak that have nothing to offer and showering them with love.

Surrender All

One moment she was quietly playing, and the next, she was suddenly asserting, "I am God." I looked at John, and he looked at me. Where did that come from? I think we were wondering. But we didn't wonder for long. Hadn't our two-year-old hit at the reality of all of our hearts? Hadn't she said what we all struggle not to say with the way we live our lives? Oh, Lord, the battle for control begins so early. From the very beginning. By your grace, may we fully surrender and not deceive ourselves with the dangerous dream that we are God.

March Madness

We've been watching basketball. Big men with big dreams for a big win. I have no allegiance to any of these schools, so you would think that I could watch without any concern for who comes out on top. But every single time, I sense a sadness for whichever team loses. I watch the sullen faces of the players as they slowly walk back to the locker room, sometimes even sinking to their knees in tears. I think a friend pinpointed my problem when she remarked that she prays for these young athletes, that they will find a greater passion than a passion for points. Yes, that's it. My sorrow comes from seeing such misplaced emotion. Would it not be wonderful if the players of a losing team could rejoice with those who have won, knowing that their hope is not in the outcome of a game, but in a Great God who satisfies way beyond the buzzer?

God's Pursuits

I hadn't been to this particular park in quite a while. Maybe a year ago? And even though it's within walking distance, I decided to drive so as to avoid continually having to reel in the two walking wanderers. The girls and I were sitting in the sandbox playing when we saw a young man coming along the path with his two dogs and, yes, a cat. He greeted us with a friendly "hello," and a conversation began. "Oh, you bought the house at the top of the hill? Have you found a church yet? We go to a wonderful church right near here on Coalfield Road called Grace Bible Church." "No, we haven't found a church, but I think a man I met with recently also recommended that church to me." Now, in my mind, I'm doubting it's the same church, but then he asked, "Do you know Jack Dove?" Well, Jack is an elder at our church, so my next statement just jumped right out of me: "God is working on you!" He didn't seem surprised or offended by my assertion, but rather, curious. After all, what are the odds that he'd have two invitations to the same church in one week's time? Unlikely. Unless you know the way the Hound of Heaven works. Keep working on him, Lord. Keep working.

Song Child

Have I mentioned my melancholy side? Doing battle against discouragement is a daily endeavor. My main mode of defense is wielding the Word, but lately the Lord has been giving me an added weapon in this war: the sound of a two-year-old singing His praises. Upon waking, I often hear "My God is so big, so great and so mighty, there's nothing my God can not do." And, just before going to bed at night, I'm encouraged by rigorous renditions of "This Little Light of Mine" and "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands." Every day her storehouse of songs continues to grow, and as it does, spontaneous bursts of beautiful melody spring from her tongue. Maybe, it's not so spontaneous, but comes at the prompting of the Lord who knows that every True Word spoken, in whatever method He may choose, builds us up in our most holy faith.