I hope the title made you read this because that was my intent : ) A friend of mine sent me an article (wish I still had the link) a while ago in the hopes I would write a blog about it but my life is kinda crazy and I just don't have the time to blog as much. I am making some time today!
The article he sent was about parents drugging children in certain situations and what was our opinion. For instance, would we give our kids a medicine that made them sleepy so they would be good on a trip. This is one I would think alot of parents might do, especially if they are flying. A pro for inducing sleep would be that the child would sleep most of the trip and the parent would be less stressed. A con is that you are giving a child medicine that is not really doing what it is supposed to just so your life can be easier. There may be a unique situation where this would be the only option, but I don't think this is appropriate for most of the time. I would consider that an act of "lazy parenting". "This makes my life easier so I am going to do it even if it has a negative effect on my child" I personally have never intentionally given my children a medicine so they would sleep when I wanted them to. We travel alot and my kids are used to it so they are pretty good travelers.
I found the article, you can look at it here: http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/10/7321836-medicating-your-kids-for-peace-and-quiet-is-it-ever-ok
Another reason for medicating a child is so they will sleep through the night and the parent can have peace and quiet. When we sign up for parenting, we sign away peace and quiet. If we stick to our guns when they are babies, most of the time, kids learn to sleep through the night anyways. There are always exceptions to this but most healthy babies will sleep through the night by 6 months. So basically, if you are drugging your child at 3, 4, 5, whatever, you are teaching your child they need medication to sleep instead of a good habit you should have trained into them when they were little. If you need peace and quiet, check out one of my previous blog about having some me time. Otherwise, suck it up and teach your child how to sleep through the night the healthy way. I have a friend who recently did this with her 5 year old because she had always just slept in the parent's bed. It only took a few days of training and being strict and disciplined and now she is in her room in her bed. The parents can just be husband and wife now in their marriage bed.
One last reason I will put out there is still controversial and will remain controversial for some time. Yes folks, I'm talking about ADD/ADHD meds. Before I start getting hate mail, let me say that I am not against medicating for ADD/ADHD but BUT I do think kids today are overmedicated and not just for this condition. Ok, I said it now I can continue my post. I am addressing this part to parents that are quick to put their kid on a medicine because they want that child's behavior to improve. They want a diagnosis so that their life and their child's life can be easier. I think that there are alot of kids out there that just were not trained to obey and to be respectful and are put on meds as an easy way out. These medications can have serious side effects and will not help a child unless they have a condition. Putting a little guy on medicine because he is wiggly or a mover is not going to help you in the future. I have a couple kids with attention issues and with wiggly issues but teaching them techniques was way more helpful than medication. One of my kids needed to be holding something when she did school so I let her, as long as it didn't interfere with her work. Another kid needed a focus item, something she could look at it and remember to keep at her work instead of daydream. There are alternatives to medication! To those of you who really have a child with that condition and medication has worked, then good! I know medication can't always be avoided and can sometimes be a necessity.
I will end with a story. When my (wiggly) son was 4 the Sunday school teacher pulled me aside one week. "LaShelle, I need to talk to you about your son." I am expecting the worst, did he hit someone, jump out of his chair, etc. "Yes? What did he do?" teacher: "He wouldn't sit still during story time" me: (after a long silence) "Is that it?" teacher: "Well, yes! He should sit still" me: "I don't expect my 4 year old son to sit still during story time. He's 4 and he is in this room for almost 2 hours"
Maybe our expectations for our children are not accurate. No 4 year old, boy or girl, is going to sit still during story time, especially if it happens to be a boring story. Boys especially have trouble sitting still even into their teen years. Kids are going to have rough nights and rough trips but if we can look at it from the right perspective, then we should all grow from something like that, not resort to medication. Now again, I am addressing healthy parents with healthy children. I know that there are exceptions to this and some kids need sleep meds and some parents are sick or whatever the situation may be.
What do you think? Should kids be drugged for trips? For sleeping through the night? To have them behave a certain way?
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A Parent's Responsibility
Long time no see my friends! Whew, what a crazy start to the school year!! I really shouldn't even be writing this, I have a paper due but what the heck! Everyone needs a little release now and then.
A couple things have happened to me or around me recently and it got me thinking, what are our responsibilities as parents? I don't mean the big things like discipline, teaching them about our Savior, or education. I'm talking about the little day to day things or things our society tells us are our or aren't our responsibilities (is that too many letter i(s) in that word? dang). Anyway, I know some of my friends read this and I am going to share your stories without asking. Please don't give yourself away in the comments and we'll be alright. Also, I have no problem with your lives or these situations, I'm just using them as examples.
The first one is about me. My parents never gave me a "real" copy of my birth certificate. I didn't realize this as it was old and folded up and looked authentic. It wasn't until my spouse and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas that I realized it was a copy of my birth ceritficate. The port authority almost didn't let me go but I pulled out the "I'm so innocent and I had no idea look" and they let me get on with a warning to get a passport. In my parent's defense, they also didn't know it was a copy. The real one is floating around somewhere, we just don't know where. Anyway, my parents are visiting my birth state soon and I asked them to drop by vital records and get me a real birth certificate. The response I got was, "That's not my responsibility but I will try" (responsibility has too many i's) Initially, I was offended and shocked at the response. Of course it is their responsibility to give me a copy of my birth certificate! When I told my husband, he strongly disagreed. He said I'm grown and I should go get my own. So I ask you people, is it a parent's responsibility to furnish their child with a copy of their original birth certificate? I say yes! I have one ready for each of my kids and when they move out, they get to take it and all their crap with them.
The next issue I have is with laundry. As soon as my kids are old enough and tall enough to reach the buttons, they are taught to do laundry. By age 11 or so, the kids are responsible for their own dirty stuff and also for folding and putting away their clean stuff. Now, before someone calls CPS, I do help them from time to time. I help switch it and I help fold if I am not too busy. I'm also a great reminder. "Hey! Kid! Go switch your laundry!" But I have a friend who is the laundry goddess of her home. No kid is allowed to touch the machines or even enter her laundry room without permission. (ok, I'm exaggerating but ya'll get my drift) She runs a tight laundry ship but kids aren't really allowed to help. I am concerned about this and have told her so but she likes her system. So, what do ya'll think? Is it a parent's responsibility to do their child's laundry til they move out or should we have them doing their own? Obviously, I am on the "do their own" side. I don't mind sharing the laundry machines.
The third one I have is about alarm clocks. At what age do we parents stop waking our kids up and start letting them be responsible (can we rewrite that word with fewer "i"s?) for getting themselves up? Middle school? High School? College? Mid-30's? At our house, it's middle school. As soon as our kids start 6th grade, they are given an alarm clock and told to get up by themselves. We are on our 4th kid with this system and it works pretty well. But I know parents who are still waking up their college kids and obviously they are ok with that system. What do you think? What is your policy?
What else? We could talk about teaching kids their social security numbers, letting them drink out of glasses instead of cups, doing outside chores like mowing, etc. Let me hear your stories, your opinions. What is a responsibility you don't think we should have or you think we are not being responsible enough with. Oh my gosh, my "i" finger is tired!!
A couple things have happened to me or around me recently and it got me thinking, what are our responsibilities as parents? I don't mean the big things like discipline, teaching them about our Savior, or education. I'm talking about the little day to day things or things our society tells us are our or aren't our responsibilities (is that too many letter i(s) in that word? dang). Anyway, I know some of my friends read this and I am going to share your stories without asking. Please don't give yourself away in the comments and we'll be alright. Also, I have no problem with your lives or these situations, I'm just using them as examples.
The first one is about me. My parents never gave me a "real" copy of my birth certificate. I didn't realize this as it was old and folded up and looked authentic. It wasn't until my spouse and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas that I realized it was a copy of my birth ceritficate. The port authority almost didn't let me go but I pulled out the "I'm so innocent and I had no idea look" and they let me get on with a warning to get a passport. In my parent's defense, they also didn't know it was a copy. The real one is floating around somewhere, we just don't know where. Anyway, my parents are visiting my birth state soon and I asked them to drop by vital records and get me a real birth certificate. The response I got was, "That's not my responsibility but I will try" (responsibility has too many i's) Initially, I was offended and shocked at the response. Of course it is their responsibility to give me a copy of my birth certificate! When I told my husband, he strongly disagreed. He said I'm grown and I should go get my own. So I ask you people, is it a parent's responsibility to furnish their child with a copy of their original birth certificate? I say yes! I have one ready for each of my kids and when they move out, they get to take it and all their crap with them.
The next issue I have is with laundry. As soon as my kids are old enough and tall enough to reach the buttons, they are taught to do laundry. By age 11 or so, the kids are responsible for their own dirty stuff and also for folding and putting away their clean stuff. Now, before someone calls CPS, I do help them from time to time. I help switch it and I help fold if I am not too busy. I'm also a great reminder. "Hey! Kid! Go switch your laundry!" But I have a friend who is the laundry goddess of her home. No kid is allowed to touch the machines or even enter her laundry room without permission. (ok, I'm exaggerating but ya'll get my drift) She runs a tight laundry ship but kids aren't really allowed to help. I am concerned about this and have told her so but she likes her system. So, what do ya'll think? Is it a parent's responsibility to do their child's laundry til they move out or should we have them doing their own? Obviously, I am on the "do their own" side. I don't mind sharing the laundry machines.
The third one I have is about alarm clocks. At what age do we parents stop waking our kids up and start letting them be responsible (can we rewrite that word with fewer "i"s?) for getting themselves up? Middle school? High School? College? Mid-30's? At our house, it's middle school. As soon as our kids start 6th grade, they are given an alarm clock and told to get up by themselves. We are on our 4th kid with this system and it works pretty well. But I know parents who are still waking up their college kids and obviously they are ok with that system. What do you think? What is your policy?
What else? We could talk about teaching kids their social security numbers, letting them drink out of glasses instead of cups, doing outside chores like mowing, etc. Let me hear your stories, your opinions. What is a responsibility you don't think we should have or you think we are not being responsible enough with. Oh my gosh, my "i" finger is tired!!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
I Remember
This morning as I was drinking my coffee and preparing my heart and mind for worship, I was trying to think of some way to honor the victims and families of 9-11 on Facebook. I wrote a small FB status and I wanted to expound on it. Today this blog will be sad, a little unusual for me.
"I remember where I was on 9/11, I remember the horror and devastation, I remember the fear, I remember the heroes, I remember the stories of heroism, I remember the families, I remember the patriotism this act produced, I am witnessing the rebirth, and I hope that our children and our children's children will Remember."
All week I have had the phrase "I Remember" in my head. I think someone should mass produce bumper stickers and pass them out. Everyone should remember 9-11-01. Everyone. I will never say that I am happy that horrible act of violence and terrorism but I think that my generation needed something like this so we can empathize with others when something bad happens. When the tsunami in Thailand happened, the earthquake in Haiti, the hurricane in Louisiana; my mind immediately went to what I was feeling when the planes flew into the towers.
I remember I was hanging out with my kids at home. My oldest was in public school at the time and I was pregnant with my fifth. My mother-in-law called me and told me to turn the tv on, did I even know what was going on. I turned the tv on and my whole body went numb. I hung up with her and she was the last person I talked to all day, the phone lines were jammed the rest of the day and for days afterward. I fell to the floor, sobbing, watching the tower smoke. The reporters didn't know what was going on, everyone was confused. My small children were looking at me like I was nuts, mommy never watches tv during the day, mommy never cries. I just sat there and cried. My neighbor came by and asked me if I wanted her to get my oldest from school, she was going to get her children. I said yes, I wanted all my children close to me. I went back to watching the tv and then another plane flew into another tower. Then there were reports of a plane crashing in PA. Then the Pentagon. I didn't know how much I could take. They showed people on the streets of NYC crying and covered in white dust. Firefighters and Policemen everywhere. Then the tower crashed down. It was unthinkable. Then the other one. How many Lord? How many were still in there? How many were now dead? Then the flags. All the American flags. They lined the streets, hung on every house, on overpasses, businesses, cars. They were everywhere. What terrorists tried to defeat only made us stronger and more ready to fight back.
I Remember. I will always remember what happened that day. I don't think I will be able to think about that day without tearing up. I can't listen to the memory songs, I can't watch the documentaries, it's too hard. And I didn't even lose anyone that day. Imagine those who did. Maybe you did. If I feel that strongly about something that didn't directly affect me, it must be quadruply hard for those who were there. For those who lost a spouse, child, parent, friend.
Don't forget. Take this tragedy and grow from it. Remember so you can empathize with those going through something similiar. Remember so you will know how it feels and you will have more mercy on your enemies. Tell your children so they can Remember and tell their children.
Do you remember where you were?
"I remember where I was on 9/11, I remember the horror and devastation, I remember the fear, I remember the heroes, I remember the stories of heroism, I remember the families, I remember the patriotism this act produced, I am witnessing the rebirth, and I hope that our children and our children's children will Remember."
All week I have had the phrase "I Remember" in my head. I think someone should mass produce bumper stickers and pass them out. Everyone should remember 9-11-01. Everyone. I will never say that I am happy that horrible act of violence and terrorism but I think that my generation needed something like this so we can empathize with others when something bad happens. When the tsunami in Thailand happened, the earthquake in Haiti, the hurricane in Louisiana; my mind immediately went to what I was feeling when the planes flew into the towers.
I remember I was hanging out with my kids at home. My oldest was in public school at the time and I was pregnant with my fifth. My mother-in-law called me and told me to turn the tv on, did I even know what was going on. I turned the tv on and my whole body went numb. I hung up with her and she was the last person I talked to all day, the phone lines were jammed the rest of the day and for days afterward. I fell to the floor, sobbing, watching the tower smoke. The reporters didn't know what was going on, everyone was confused. My small children were looking at me like I was nuts, mommy never watches tv during the day, mommy never cries. I just sat there and cried. My neighbor came by and asked me if I wanted her to get my oldest from school, she was going to get her children. I said yes, I wanted all my children close to me. I went back to watching the tv and then another plane flew into another tower. Then there were reports of a plane crashing in PA. Then the Pentagon. I didn't know how much I could take. They showed people on the streets of NYC crying and covered in white dust. Firefighters and Policemen everywhere. Then the tower crashed down. It was unthinkable. Then the other one. How many Lord? How many were still in there? How many were now dead? Then the flags. All the American flags. They lined the streets, hung on every house, on overpasses, businesses, cars. They were everywhere. What terrorists tried to defeat only made us stronger and more ready to fight back.
I Remember. I will always remember what happened that day. I don't think I will be able to think about that day without tearing up. I can't listen to the memory songs, I can't watch the documentaries, it's too hard. And I didn't even lose anyone that day. Imagine those who did. Maybe you did. If I feel that strongly about something that didn't directly affect me, it must be quadruply hard for those who were there. For those who lost a spouse, child, parent, friend.
Don't forget. Take this tragedy and grow from it. Remember so you can empathize with those going through something similiar. Remember so you will know how it feels and you will have more mercy on your enemies. Tell your children so they can Remember and tell their children.
Do you remember where you were?
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Family of Flavors
Family of Flavors
by LaShelle
Chocolate cake, warm, delicious, makes you feel good and cozy.
Vanilla Wafers, firm yet sweet, goes well with about anything.
Cinnamon, making the house smell good, adding spice and flavor to everything it touches.
Peanut Butter, smooth and sometimes nutty, leaves a lasting flavor.
Honey, sweetness added to anything, oozing into everything, making it better.
Walnuts, chestnuts, pecans, hard shell on the outside, soft on the inside.
Tea, steeped dark in the summer or hot with milk in the winter, making life happier.
Coffee with cream, fills you with joy and energy.
by LaShelle
Chocolate cake, warm, delicious, makes you feel good and cozy.
Vanilla Wafers, firm yet sweet, goes well with about anything.
Cinnamon, making the house smell good, adding spice and flavor to everything it touches.
Peanut Butter, smooth and sometimes nutty, leaves a lasting flavor.
Honey, sweetness added to anything, oozing into everything, making it better.
Walnuts, chestnuts, pecans, hard shell on the outside, soft on the inside.
Tea, steeped dark in the summer or hot with milk in the winter, making life happier.
Coffee with cream, fills you with joy and energy.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Old and alone
I had a moment today as I was working on a project and I am going to let my mind vent. Let me preface this post with this thought: This thought is totally my own, it is not a passive-aggressive blast at anyone, just my own mind working things out.
I want to live my life in such a way so when I am older, I will have people who love me. I want people to love me enough to hang out with me and spend time with me. Even when I am old and breaking down, I want to have lived a kind of life and raised the type of children that can't wait to come visit me. That want me to spend time with their kids and their kids' kids. I want to show love and concern now and throughout the next few decades so that when I get to the old and breaking down point, I will have surrounded myself with people who truly love me.
Is there a magic formula for growing old with grace and surrounded by loving family? I don't know, I'm only in my 30's. I know that any kind of peaceful life needs to start with Christ. I also know that I need to be a good listener and a good friend to have good friends who will listen to my nonsense. I know that I need to be the best parent to my children and a good grandparent to my future grandkids. I need to make myself available to my family and make efforts to keep in touch with those who are important to me.
What about you? Do you know an older person who is alone alot? How do you nurture your special relationships? Do you want to be alone when you are old or surrounded by family?
I want to live my life in such a way so when I am older, I will have people who love me. I want people to love me enough to hang out with me and spend time with me. Even when I am old and breaking down, I want to have lived a kind of life and raised the type of children that can't wait to come visit me. That want me to spend time with their kids and their kids' kids. I want to show love and concern now and throughout the next few decades so that when I get to the old and breaking down point, I will have surrounded myself with people who truly love me.
Is there a magic formula for growing old with grace and surrounded by loving family? I don't know, I'm only in my 30's. I know that any kind of peaceful life needs to start with Christ. I also know that I need to be a good listener and a good friend to have good friends who will listen to my nonsense. I know that I need to be the best parent to my children and a good grandparent to my future grandkids. I need to make myself available to my family and make efforts to keep in touch with those who are important to me.
What about you? Do you know an older person who is alone alot? How do you nurture your special relationships? Do you want to be alone when you are old or surrounded by family?
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Should children be banned from certain restaurants?
A restaurant in Pennsylvania has banned children under 6 from their restaurant because of noise complaints. I am curious to hear your thoughts. A FB friend of mine put this as her status and a very interesting debate has occured. There seem to be 2 families of thought:
It is discrimination
It is age discrimination for a restaurant to ban anybody because of their age. Everybody should be able to go everywhere all the time. If we allow this ban then it will only escalate to banning all kinds of people.
It is justified
A private restaurant has the right to decide to serve only people ages 7 + because of the type of people it wishes to serve. If people aren't coming to their restaurant because of screaming children, it is hurting business and they have the right to preserve it the way they see fit.
Personally, I could care less if a business chooses not to allow young children. If I have my kids, we just won't be going there for dinner. But if I want a nice romantic night with my spouse, that restaurant would rank quite higher on my list. It is one of those "If you don't like it - don't go there" kind of things.
Recently, we took our whole family to Applebee's for dinner. We sat in a corner booth for big parties and everybody behaved well. Unfortunately, a family of 3 was sitting at the table next to us, 2 parents and a 3 year old little girl. The girl kept twisting the rod to the blinds (that I was facing) so they would shoot open blasting me with sunlight and then shutting, putting us in darkness. After this happened 3 or 4 times, I was ready to complain to either the parents or our waiter. I was facing that window and the sun was shining directly in and it was very uncomfortable for me. My husband, calm and patient (darn him) told me I couldn't complain and just to let it go. Had the parents just gently admonished the child, we could have all eaten in peace. Instead, their dinner was ruined because she wouldn't sit down and be quiet and we were being strobe lighted. In this instance, a ban on children under a certain age would have been quite welcome : )
I think businesses have the right to cater to a certain crowd of people as long as it doesn't become discrimination. We as people also have the right to not eat somewhere if we don't agree with their practices. Being in an interracial marriage, there are some establishments my husband and I don't go to because we don't want to be in an uncomfortable situation. As a woman, there are places I am not going to go to eat like the Gentleman's Gold Club. I am not going to take my kids to Hooters because I don't feel like dealing with boobs. I realize those businesses haven't banned certain ages or people but they have set up their businesses to cater to a certain crowd and it keeps most other crowds out. This restaurant in PA has set up their restaurant to cater to a more upscale group of people and screaming children are not welcome.
What do you think? Do you think it is discrimination? Or do you feel it is a justified ban? Please voice your thoughts but keep it friendly.
It is discrimination
It is age discrimination for a restaurant to ban anybody because of their age. Everybody should be able to go everywhere all the time. If we allow this ban then it will only escalate to banning all kinds of people.
It is justified
A private restaurant has the right to decide to serve only people ages 7 + because of the type of people it wishes to serve. If people aren't coming to their restaurant because of screaming children, it is hurting business and they have the right to preserve it the way they see fit.
Personally, I could care less if a business chooses not to allow young children. If I have my kids, we just won't be going there for dinner. But if I want a nice romantic night with my spouse, that restaurant would rank quite higher on my list. It is one of those "If you don't like it - don't go there" kind of things.
Recently, we took our whole family to Applebee's for dinner. We sat in a corner booth for big parties and everybody behaved well. Unfortunately, a family of 3 was sitting at the table next to us, 2 parents and a 3 year old little girl. The girl kept twisting the rod to the blinds (that I was facing) so they would shoot open blasting me with sunlight and then shutting, putting us in darkness. After this happened 3 or 4 times, I was ready to complain to either the parents or our waiter. I was facing that window and the sun was shining directly in and it was very uncomfortable for me. My husband, calm and patient (darn him) told me I couldn't complain and just to let it go. Had the parents just gently admonished the child, we could have all eaten in peace. Instead, their dinner was ruined because she wouldn't sit down and be quiet and we were being strobe lighted. In this instance, a ban on children under a certain age would have been quite welcome : )
I think businesses have the right to cater to a certain crowd of people as long as it doesn't become discrimination. We as people also have the right to not eat somewhere if we don't agree with their practices. Being in an interracial marriage, there are some establishments my husband and I don't go to because we don't want to be in an uncomfortable situation. As a woman, there are places I am not going to go to eat like the Gentleman's Gold Club. I am not going to take my kids to Hooters because I don't feel like dealing with boobs. I realize those businesses haven't banned certain ages or people but they have set up their businesses to cater to a certain crowd and it keeps most other crowds out. This restaurant in PA has set up their restaurant to cater to a more upscale group of people and screaming children are not welcome.
What do you think? Do you think it is discrimination? Or do you feel it is a justified ban? Please voice your thoughts but keep it friendly.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Who's with me?
So, a friend of mine called me the other day and told me about all the trials her family is currently suffering. It is unbelievable the amount of things that are going wrong! Her marriage, finances, car, are all under fire and some things I can't even mention. We got to talking about faith and she said something that made me think. She told me that her and her husband decided years ago to start this ministry and they feel very led to continue it even though it is time and money demanding and they really don't have either. She said that when you step out in faith to follow the Lord's leading (and have a ministry) you put yourself in a position for Satan to try and stop you. I think what she meant was that when you follow the Lord, you put yourself right in Satan's missile path. She is being attacked from all sides because her family is obeying what they feel is the Lord's will for their life. It got me thinking. (oh no! here it comes!)...
If you are not struggling with something hard, are you really stepping out and following the Lord? or Do we have to be struggling with awesome life problems to be following God? It made me think about my own current present life. I am not currently struggling with anything big. I always have small things but nothing major that would cause me to be on my knees begging God to intervene. Am I doing what He needs me to do? Or is this just a resting period before the storm? I don't know. I am not struggling with anything big but I have to be honest, I am not doing anything big for God right now either. I am laying low, taking a summer off of everything. I am not ministering to anybody, witnessing to anybody, taking any churchy classes, nothing. I am taking a walk everyday, hanging out with my kids, cleaning, and watching alot of BBC movies. I am not inviting people over to share Jesus with them. I am not going on mission trips (although I did support our church trip and I prayed for them). I am not doing anything that would cause me to be uncomfortable or feel tingly or anything!
Now, before I get emails from people setting me straight, I am not saying that trials mean we are following God. Nor am I saying that if we are following God, we have to also be struggling with something. But it did make me think about my own life. I want to serve God with my whole being. I also want God to refine me into something He can use for His glory. But nothing is going to happen if I sit on my butt and don't go out there and talk to people! Or if I am only hanging out with my saved friends and not attempting to reach out to people. I know God can work through my laziness but is that what I want to be shown when I stand before Him? No! We had a guest pastor at our church this past Sunday and he said something like this: "Do we want to leave buttprints on our couches or do we want to leave kneeprints on the floor and teardrops on the couch because we were praying? Do we want to leave empty bank accounts because we supported ministries and ragged clothes because we were working so hard for the Kingdom?"
I want to work hard for the Kingdom. I do. But I need to cast aside my laziness and my fear and get out there and do! Who's with me?? Who's ready to cast off the lethargy of summer and reach people for God? Who's ready to be put in Satan's missile path because we are considered lethal threats? (puts on super cool sunglasses) Let's do this.
If you are not struggling with something hard, are you really stepping out and following the Lord? or Do we have to be struggling with awesome life problems to be following God? It made me think about my own current present life. I am not currently struggling with anything big. I always have small things but nothing major that would cause me to be on my knees begging God to intervene. Am I doing what He needs me to do? Or is this just a resting period before the storm? I don't know. I am not struggling with anything big but I have to be honest, I am not doing anything big for God right now either. I am laying low, taking a summer off of everything. I am not ministering to anybody, witnessing to anybody, taking any churchy classes, nothing. I am taking a walk everyday, hanging out with my kids, cleaning, and watching alot of BBC movies. I am not inviting people over to share Jesus with them. I am not going on mission trips (although I did support our church trip and I prayed for them). I am not doing anything that would cause me to be uncomfortable or feel tingly or anything!
Now, before I get emails from people setting me straight, I am not saying that trials mean we are following God. Nor am I saying that if we are following God, we have to also be struggling with something. But it did make me think about my own life. I want to serve God with my whole being. I also want God to refine me into something He can use for His glory. But nothing is going to happen if I sit on my butt and don't go out there and talk to people! Or if I am only hanging out with my saved friends and not attempting to reach out to people. I know God can work through my laziness but is that what I want to be shown when I stand before Him? No! We had a guest pastor at our church this past Sunday and he said something like this: "Do we want to leave buttprints on our couches or do we want to leave kneeprints on the floor and teardrops on the couch because we were praying? Do we want to leave empty bank accounts because we supported ministries and ragged clothes because we were working so hard for the Kingdom?"
I want to work hard for the Kingdom. I do. But I need to cast aside my laziness and my fear and get out there and do! Who's with me?? Who's ready to cast off the lethargy of summer and reach people for God? Who's ready to be put in Satan's missile path because we are considered lethal threats? (puts on super cool sunglasses) Let's do this.
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