Green clovers,
Green beer,
Green t-shirts,
Green river,
Green Kiss-Me-I'm-Irish sticker,
Green bow-tie,
Green, green, green.
All this green has got me thinking about another green: green with envy. It doesn't take St. Patty's day to bring out the green in me. Living here in the Land of Plenty, I find myself struck with the green disease way too frequently.
"My friends' houses are so much bigger than mine."
"Her wardrobe is amazing…and surely so expensive."
"They can afford so many extra curricular's for their kids."
"Wow, they are going on another vacation?"
…and all of these statements followed by feelings of, "I wish our family could have what their's has…"
I don't think I'm going out on a limb to say I'm probably not the only one who thinks like this from time to time. I tend to compare my most meager possessions to others' largest ones. I know that is not fair, and it isn't pleasing to God.
So this St. Patrick's Day, I am going to focus on less green and more thankfulness. Maybe I can make this holiday good for something that really matters: a look at all my blessings. I know I don't have my wonderful gifts from God because of mere LUCK. I have everything because of His love for me. He knows what I need, when I need it.
So maybe we don't have a huge house...but I have three amazing children to cuddle in our little home.
So maybe I don't have those designer shoes...but I have children who are clothed in God's love.
So maybe we don't enroll in 10 different programs for our kids...but we have a church family that loves us unconditionally.
So maybe we can't go on that expensive vacation...but we have everlasting life waiting for us someday in Heaven.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
On Being Young…A Letter to My Children
Dear amazing, special, and unique children of mine,
Jesus once told a parable about a vineyard owner who hired workers to work in his field. Some were hired at sunrise, others at nine, then noon, then three and some even as late in the day as five o'clock. In the evening, when the work day was over, the vineyard owner came to give everyone their pay: one denarius. Yes, one denarius for every worker, even those that only worked for a few hours! Even one denarius for the workers who had worked fourteen or more hours!! Is that fair?
You know, I am almost 40 years old. I have spent most of my 39+ years loving God and serving Him. You, my children, are only 8, 10 and 11 years old!! God can't possibly love you as much as He loves me, right? I mean, He MUST hand out more blessings to me because I have loved Him and praised Him and served Him for so long! Your measly little years are nothing compared to mine!
NO WAY! God just doesn't work like that!
He is like the vineyard owner in the parable. Each of those workers were equally valuable and special to the owner, so he paid them all the same.
Just because you have only been His child for eleven years doesn't mean He loves you less! In fact:
Jesus once told a parable about a vineyard owner who hired workers to work in his field. Some were hired at sunrise, others at nine, then noon, then three and some even as late in the day as five o'clock. In the evening, when the work day was over, the vineyard owner came to give everyone their pay: one denarius. Yes, one denarius for every worker, even those that only worked for a few hours! Even one denarius for the workers who had worked fourteen or more hours!! Is that fair?
You know, I am almost 40 years old. I have spent most of my 39+ years loving God and serving Him. You, my children, are only 8, 10 and 11 years old!! God can't possibly love you as much as He loves me, right? I mean, He MUST hand out more blessings to me because I have loved Him and praised Him and served Him for so long! Your measly little years are nothing compared to mine!
NO WAY! God just doesn't work like that!
He is like the vineyard owner in the parable. Each of those workers were equally valuable and special to the owner, so he paid them all the same.
Just because you have only been His child for eleven years doesn't mean He loves you less! In fact:
His love for you is overflowing,
His forgiveness is never-ending,
His grace is ALL YOU NEED,
His blessings are abundant,
His patience is endless,
and He will always guide you home to Him.
Celebrate what you are this very day...young! Every stage of your life was designed by God, and His designs are prefect! With each year, you will find the new treasures He has planned for you. But for today, you are exactly where God wants you to be, my amazing kiddos. What a perfect love He has for you!
Love,
Mom
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