Saved One Summer

Summer is coming. That means many things in my house. It means no school for the girls. No work for me. And, it means Vacation Bible School (VBS).

I wrote last year about O's first experience with VBS at our church. It was challenging, tear-filled and took all of my energy to get through the week. 

Yet, sitting with O last year, at the end of the week, as he sang about God's love and Jesus' power, it felt like all the struggles had been for a purpose. As I think about this year, I wonder if I will feel the same.

As a result, I have been reflecting about my own VBS experiences. I remember one year in particular. The one when I first felt the overwhelming desire for God's love and asked Jesus to reside inside of me.

ME - AGE 7

I was seven. I can still see myself, sitting in a large group, yet alone. In a park. Throughout that week, I had sung about various animals, like penguins and Galapagos turtles, having no idea how God would speak to me on that final day.

I can't remember the exact words the speaker used, but the invitation was presented. If you want to have the Holy Spirit dwell within you, pray this simple prayer. I didn't have to say it aloud, just to myself and God. So, I did it. That day, I became a Christian.

While I am continuing to be refined, the gift that I accepted that summer, saved me. In that instant, my sin - past, present and future - was forgotten.

Over the years I have re-committed myself as a follower of Jesus. Redemption, salvation, rescue, restoration...it's all a process. The summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school, I made the decision to be baptized, to make a public statement about my faith. 

I am grateful to have been raised in a family that valued a relationship with God, that made attending church and praying at bedtime and mealtimes a priority. But, ultimately the decision to become a Christian and to continue along that path was mine. Not my family's. 

In the same way, I can't control that decision in anyone...not my relatives, not my children, and not you. It's a personal decision that each individual must choose on their own.

I can only share. I can share my story. The story of following a God that is all-knowing and all-powerful, yet loves me more than I can even imagine. The story of a God who is awe inspiring, yet deeply personal. 

It is that God gave His son as a sacrifice for me, and for you. 

Incredible.

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:17 (NLT)  

What the Kids Say

Today, for the last May is for Moms link-up post, I interviewed my children. They had to answer five questions about me and my relationship with them. 

E - age 8  //  A - age 10  //  O - age 5

I think their answers accurately reflect their age and stage in life, personalities and areas of interest perfectly. Tell me what you think?
What is your favorite thing that you and I do together? A - Shopping E - Getting our nails done O - Play trains
What is something important I have taught you that you will always remember? A - Puberty isn't a big deal E - Don't disobey O - I don't know
What is your most special memory about me? A - You like to have dance-offs with me [on the Wii] E - You're my mom O - I don't have any memories
What is something nice I always say to you? A - You look nice E - I love you O - I love you
How are you and I the same? How are we different? A - We are both tall. Our hair and eye color. E - We both have blue eyes. You're older than me. O - We have the same arms. We have different size necks.

P.S. In case you missed it, my May group giveaway runs until Friday, May 24th.

LINKING UP WITH

Overloaded

That's how I've been feeling lately. Overloaded. I've been content, but not overjoyed. Not really stressed or frazzled. More like a washing machine that has been filled beyond it's capacity. Sluggish and working inefficiently. 

If I could only get more organized. Write a list of things I need as they run out, instead of relying on my failing memory once I get to the store. 

If only I could look at my calendar at least a week in advance, instead of checking each day as it comes.

M ordered me my favorite flowers for Mother's Day. Tulips. They arrived in a box. I had never received flowers in a box before.

There were at least two dozen purple tulips that had been denied sunlight or water for as long as it took them to be shipped from their original destination. They were not dead, but they had not yet reached their full potential. Still beautiful. Still loved. But, a little sad and droopy.

This has been me. I'm here. I'm functioning. I'm staying connected to God, to my family, and this blog. I'm still writing. Yet, I have put myself in a box. The box is filled with stuff. But, is there anything there that is providing me light, nourishment or strength?

Most days, I'm not sure I even know what it is that I need. The only thing I am certain of is that it is constantly changing. Maybe I need...more time in the Bible, more exercise, more meaningful conversation with my family, more cuddles with my kiddos. Or maybe I need to be...making lunches in the evenings, following a budget, giving myself a manicure, planning and cooking meals. 

I want to be filled with life. Not beyond my capacity, but to my and it's fullest potential. I know that I can't be everything to everyone every day. Maybe I just need to be something to some one every day. Some days that someone may be me. 

Several months ago, I started a study on prayer. One of the main principles that I took from that study was this:  "we get what we ask for, when we ask according to God's will." In other words, before you start rambling off your requests to God, ask Him to reveal what He wants for you. 

This same theme has come through in the emails I have been receiving from Ashley as part of the 40-day challenge. She reminds us, almost daily, to seek the Lord's wisdom, His love and His desires for our lives, above and before all else.

My goal is to start doing this daily, multiple times. To ask God what He desires for me for that day, that moment. 

How can I be filled today, Lord? What is it that will nourish and sustain me, without making me feel overloaded?

AFTER LESS THAN 24 HOURS EXPOSED TO LIGHT AND WATER, MY TULIPS LOOKED MUCH DIFFERENT.
THEY WERE EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL. THEY HAD BEEN TRANSFORMED.

***

I wrote this post on Sunday afternoon, but didn't have time to add the pictures, edit and post it. 

I woke up Monday morning and decided to try doing Monday a little different. I started the day by asking God what He had planned for me. I asked him to tell me, show me, reveal to me His plan for the day.

I felt so much lighter. The weight of the day was no longer on me. I didn't have to decide what to do or when and how to do it. It was revealed to me throughout the day. Motivation returned. Tasks were accomplished. I was filled, but not over-full.

Now, the challenge...continue seeking God's plan for each day, within the big and the small.

Seek God's will in all you do and He will show you the path to take. 

Proverbs 3:6