What have I done? I have committed to go on a working mission trip to some middle of no-where Baptist church & camp ground in New York that ministers mostly to people from a group home. Sorry for my political incorrectness... but I should fit in well with the tards. It was the love of my children that made me temporarily insane enough to say yes to this. I will go for 8 days and do some things I believe strongly in. I will do some things I am apathetic about. I will do some things I am fundamentally opposed to. All because I know my children need this. I need this. These things are fundamental building blocks of our Christian faith. Good, bad & ugly. I do not regret the decision. I am just gonna need to blog alot to get through it.
What have I done? I have never done anything so great as to deserve the children I have been given. I'm telling you... they are PRIME examples of grace abundant. We were going on vacation this weekend. We were gonna go see some AWESOME friends & go to a kangaroo reserve & a music festival with their favorite band playing. They saw the mission trip in the bulletin. They decided to forfeit this incredibly fun vacation to use their own money to pay for a mission trip. What kids do that? Sure, I encourage them to be good kids, but that is ALL God right there. I had to laugh tonight when the leader was explaining the devotional time & asking my kids to volunteer to lead one. Morgan asked, "What is a devotional?" OMG! No hiding my lack of training in that area. And later on Noah came in my bedroom & asked, "Do you have any extra Bibles?" I said, "No. Why baby?" He said, "Because me & Morgan need one for the trip." OMG! They don't have Bibles. But God's grace is right there... taking up my slack. I am so thankful that I cannot express it.
What have I done? My parents did so much more right than I have. They were so consistent. So faithful. So genuine. They've been married almost 47 years. But you know, thinking back I realize we never had "devotionals" either. Not much. We tried occasionally, which I have done too. But I always had a Bible. Gosh. Going tomorrow. I always had a quarter to give to the offering. I tithe so faithfully to this day that it must have stuck. It was their example. Their life. Their love. That is where I saw Christ. I hope my kids see that in me too, even though my life is much more "affected" by sin than their was.
Whatever did I do to be such a blessed woman in the middle of this crazy world? Work slammed me today. Life man-handled me. I was almost in tears when we came home from the missions meeting realizing we were leaving in three days and I still had at least an hour of work to do before bed. My kids were so excited about everything that they decided to pack all their clothes for the trip tonight & then wash, dry & fold all of the laundry to help me out. When I finished working I even soaked in my great big jacuzzi tub for the first time since we moved in. I cannot complain about how tiring, busy & overwhelming my life is when I am so blessed.
I never did anything to deserve this life. It's just God.
That's all I can say.
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Alicia, it is GOd's grace.....in your life and theirs. You know you lived with Miss Jan and them a while....and their paternal grands are very very deeply mission hearted....not just mission minded......They have been an influence. Also, you were going to be a missionary when you were single, remember.....Don't you remember wanting to go on the foreign mission field while working at Potter's House???? It is in your heart and Missions is in your heart as well.........They have seen that service lived out in both grandparents on both sides......and they see the desire in your heart....and hear your desire for God in your voice when you sing. YOu have always sang with a heart for God.......not for yourself. I will give you that!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd, you did work for an adoption agency for years............What do you call that??? That is missions...........God is just taking you back to your first love. :)