Sunday Ponderings

Today instead of a sermon, the pastor at our church showed video testimonials of people who had experienced a medical miracle in the last year. It was really inspiring to hear their stories and see the faith that they had in God's power. The one that stood out in my opinion, was the young mom with cystic fibrosis who had to have a lung transplant. I can't even imagine how hard it must be for her, knowing that she will almost certainly die before her son goes to college. Lung transplants just don't last very long. And yet she seemed so strong and courageous. She wasn't bitter or emotional. She was just grateful for the time that the Lord has given her.

It probably meant so much to me because tomorrow will be Bri's first day at daycare as I head back to work. I've been focusing on how hard it will be and basically worrying myself sick. But after listening to her story I feel really blessed. I'm healthy enough to work. And I will have lots of time with my little girl every day. I really do love my job as a teacher, even though I've come to realize that the job of motherhood trumps almost everything else. When we were singing Mighty to Save this morning, I was praying that God would help me overcome the mountain of going back to work. "Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save."

Keeping it Simple

Today's sermon seemed like a breath of fresh air. Our church is in need of a youth/college minister and a young man and his wife were presented to us today in view of a call. (Basically that means we'll vote on whether or not to hire him after he leaves.) He preached on the value of simplicity. Specifically he pointed out the importance of keeping the message of the gospel simple.

And since the baby's crying ... it's hard to elaborate on simplicity right now. More to come...

Sunday Ponderings

Today was the first time that we've left our Bridoodle in the nursery at church. In the past we've toted her around everywhere we went and usually I would have to dart away to feed her in the middle of the lesson. So it was a really special and unnerving experience. It's amazing how distracting it is to have your child with you in a social setting. I was constantly sitting on the edge of my seat anxiously awaiting her next lusty cry. Because I do that everyday, it didn't really bother me. But sitting in the service today, holding Hub's hand and singing some really moving songs was like a religious experience. I mean seriously, it was like a date! Not a normal married date, either. But one of those electrical, I- can't- believe- we're- finally- alone- by- ourselves, kind of dates. Like we had when we first started dating.

In addition to the thrill of being footloose and fancy free, I found that I could concentrate on the lessons so much better. The sermon and our Sunday school message really flowed into each other so that it seemed like one continuous lesson. The subject for both was looking ahead to tomorrow. The sermon dealt with expecting amazing things from the Lord (Joshua 3:5) and the Sunday school lesson dealt with not being anxious (Matt. 6:25).

I tell ya what, both of these topics were meant for me. It's difficult to expect amazing things from the Lord. It requires faith and makes you feel foolish in front of your peers. Can you imagine how Noah and Joshua and David must have felt when they were given such amazing visions of what was to come? I bet they were scared to death! The verse in Joshua tells us to consecrate or commit ourselves to the Lord so that we can be a part of the amazing things to come. As a new parent I've really been convicted that I should be more committed to the Lord. Instead I seem to be self-reliant and very anxious. I want to do everything myself instead of waiting for the perfect timing of God. Today I was reminded to trust God with the safety of our family and to commit to serving Him in the plan He has for us knowing that He has something amazing up ahead.