the Slow Kid

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how God allows us to partner with Him in ministry. Just going through the credentialing process itself has been extremely humbling and eye opening. I've been reveling in the joyous truth that God invites us into this process of 'going and telling'. I mean, He's God, surely He could evangelize the world more efficiently without us. Consider Saul and his Damascus Road experience. God doesn't need our help in evangelism. He allows us to participate in this great miracle.

This morning, during my quiet time, I felt like I received a better understanding of this concept. See, it's kind of like when you are in middle school and the teacher divides you up into groups to work on a project. God is the smart kid with all the answers. He doesn't need any help with the problems, in fact He had a solid understanding of the problem and the solution long before He came to class that day. But He partners with us, the slow kids in class, for our benefit. It's opportunity for us to grow and learn.

So this morning, I am grateful to be in God's small group. I am praying to be a humble and quick learner, and to make Him proud with my efforts. To hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant." is my goal. I will always be His student. I'm hoping to graduate with honors one day. ;)

ct|woman contribution August/September 2011

Help! My teenager won’t listen to me!

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this statement from a frazzled parent of one of my students. I completely understand the frustration of feeling like your child is simply not hearing, or caring what you say. How do you cope with a teenager who doesn’t listen? Here are a few guidelines.

Pray before you say anything. We have a tendency to react in the heat of the moment. And often times that first reaction may not be our best reaction. We also have a tendency to lean heavily on human reasoning, rather than our relationship with the creator of the universe (who happened to design your teenager as well). Before you decide what to say, especially on the critical issues, consult the Counselor. Make sure your words are lining up with His heart for your teenager.

Whatever you say, say it in love. You may have the best intentions, and even say the right things, but your tone or body language can instantly undo everything your words are communicating. Studies have shown that up to 93% of communication happens through tone of voice, facial expression and body language. Remember from consulting the Counselor, that His motivation is always love. Ours should be as well. 1 Corinthians 13: 6-7 paints a picture of what real love is and isn’t. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” We should speak truth to teenagers, but always with love. Make sure all of your person is engaging this conversation with love as the highest aim.

Say it often. When you, have decided what to say, and learn to say it in love, remember to say it often. You may begin to feel like a parrot in a pet store, but that’s ok. In youth ministry, we repeat a point over and over, for weeks, sometimes even months or years. How many times? Until they start to repeat it back to you. Until you see them start to live it in their own life. Then you know that they’ve caught the message.

Stay strong, be vigilant. It may help you to remember one of my favorite proverbs, Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” I repeat this verse often as a personal mantra over my own children, and I encourage you to hang on to it as well. We serve a mighty God and it is His desire that not one should perish. We can trust that He is working in our teenagers lives with every bit the fervor that we are. The best part is, that He has a much stronger success rate that we do. Go ahead and lean on His strength.

Photo 365 01.07.11

A photo of dear hubby in his office at work. :)

Heart Treasure

(images from the book, 'the Other Side')

I found the coolest book at the library on Saturday. It's called "the Other Side" and features pairs of drawings throughout, each featuring one side of a two sided story. I was fascinated instantly, and had to check it out and bring it home. Rob and I both have studied the book. It's such a cool concept. One example is a girl looking out the window, studying the world. You flip the page and see the world looking at the window, studying the girl.

This book got me really thinking. About how life is all about perspective.

In worship, on Sunday morning, we were singing about heaven and I started thinking about this book again. I pictured us, our church, worshipping the Lord, reaching towards heaven in faith that God is up there soaking it up. For a moment, I felt like I got a glimpse of the other side of the story, all of heaven, reaching down towards us, ministering to us. (shudders) How cool is that?

Went home after church, picked up the book again and started talking to Rob about what a great illustration it would make to teach our students a bit more about worship. Then I started thinking about life in general and how here, in this world, we are stuck on just one side of the page. There's a whole other side that we can't even flip! Do you know what I mean? We can't even see the rest of our story! It makes so much sense. Of course we struggle when things don't go our way, when heartache comes or disease or even death. We can't see why we wrestle with problems or addictions or rough relationships. But the reality is, we can't see that other page, and I trust that it will make a lot more sense when God reveals it. For sure I've seen enough 'hindsight' in my own life to see God's hand of protection all over it. I can't even imagine how much moreso it will be when He can clearly paint the entire picture for me. What a glorious day that will be!

Honestly, I personally feel a little like the book right now...

So much going on in my heart and my life again. And ironically, I'm not in much of a position to share it. I laugh at that, because years ago, when I started this blog, it was supposed to be my place to vent. (oh, and I did, it's not pretty!) If you were to go back to the beginning, you would read my rants and raves about trivial nonsense every day stuff. Lots of posts about lack of space and lack of money and all that I was not happy about in my life at the time. I've grown a lot since then. (five years ago already) One of the biggest changes has been in becoming a pastor's wife. I've learned that I can't just vomit my feelings all over the world wide web for every one and their brother to read. I do leave those first few months public though, because I believe it's a testament to God's grace and His ability to grow us.

It's a little strange to me, how often as a pastor's wife I'm required to hide things away in my heart; information, hurt feelings, injustices, etc. In my youthful niavety, I thought that being a pastor's wife would mean being completely transparent and utterly honest. Please note, I am not condoning lying in any way, shape or form... I have, however, learned a lot about discretion. And wisdom. (I have a long ways to go in both those departments) I am always surprised at how many things I just have to hide in my heart, and store away until I can work it out with God, or until He chooses to reveal it. I often think of Mary, in Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." I can relate to her, knowing some of God's great secrets, His treasures, and not being at liberty to share it all with the world. There is a secret joy in sharing your heart only with the Lord. Another verse that has taught me a lot lately is Proverbs 25:11 "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." I have always struggled with holding my tongue. Not very lady like and certainly not very godly. I'm excited that God has been working on me in this area of my life.

It certainly is journey. And I am always grateful that He hasn't given up on me just yet. :) You either, in case you are wondering.

blessings.

Photo 365, Photo #27

Youth Life Group Super Bowl Party. We had a lot of food and a lot of fun! Love my kids.