“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. . . 9the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.” II Peter 2: 1, 9 (NASB) A Prayer Over Our ChildrenOh Lord, protect my daughter from heresies and false teachings. I pray that You will keep her faithful to Your truths and grant her discernment. Oh God, have mercy upon her and spare her, condemning her not, but protecting and rescuing her from trials. Shield her from corrupt and blaspheming men, dear Lord, that she may be kept from sinful desires of the flesh. I plead that You will guard her against the seduction of the world and that You will keep her on the straight and narrow path. Open her eyes, oh God, so that she may not be enticed by the lustful desires of men. Instead, make man’s depravity and corrupted ways detestable to her. How I pray that she will never turn her back against You or Your sacred commandments. Rather, may You strengthen her to flee temptation and to walk the path of righteousness, oh God, so that she will never stray and follow You all the days of her life. ... It is overcast and the sunshine does not permeate the sky. My heart struggled with feeling down, inadequate and ineffective with this work that He is calling me to do. Doubts assail and accusations beat me raw. You are wasting your time, it began, you’re not using your time wisely. Look at you, what have you even accomplished over these past few hours? You need to be more like… I slumped on my love seat, my fingers listless on the keyboard and my mind weighed down. My heart felt heavy and discouraged. What am I doing? I asked myself, Have I done anything over these past few hours? No words on the page, nothing to show for my time. God must have heard my internal dialogue because just then a resolution to a problem with which I had earlier struggled, popped into my mind. Relief poured like summer rains on the parched recesses of my brain. Immediately, the weight on my heart lightened. Finally, my fingers felt free to clickety-clack over the keyboard. A peaceful calm settled over my heart as creativity flooded my brain. How I love to write, craft, and shape words on a page. But, in the back of my mind, feelings of ineffective inadequacy nibbled. It’s been 2 months since you last posted, came the words of the Accuser, do you really think your words make a difference? Don’t you know that you are just posting in a nebulous void? Once more, my heart deflated, thinking of a recent project where I felt my writing inept and uninspired. Instances of where this week I chose to focus on forming feedback for a friend rather than engage in my own writing even falsely accused me of unfaithful stewardship. You’re never going to change any lives, you might as well give it up. Disheartened, I ceased writing. Discouragement filtered through my veins. I’ll check email, I thought, at least I can do that. My fingers once more flew over the keys, this time without inspiration or creative unction. What met me on the screen became balm to my soul. There, an email waited for me, timely in its receipt. The words from a dear friend lifted my heart and encouraged my spirit. Earlier, I had taken time to jot quick notes of encouragement to my friend. The tidings I typed had not been creatively spun or fluently written. Yet, the words were heartfelt despite their ungrammatical and sporadic nature. Here, as I listened to the computer, an epiphany materialized before me. I realized what mattered most was not the perfectly crafted sentence structure or their vivid use of imagery, but the heart and the spirit contained within the pages. For it was not my sterling use of the English language which touched and encourage my fellow sojourner but the heart, affirmation, and love which spoke through my words. Another brilliant flash illuminated my mind. Where so often I feel I fall short of using social media or technological means for communicating God’s message, I had failed to recognize the everyday power that an encouraging word, a loving gesture, or a kind act can do to impact lives for Christ. Even using soft tones to diffuse a simmering situation rather than an angry response, can be just as powerful as an inspired speech over the airwaves. God uses the everyday, the simple things, that are girded beneath by love, kindness, gentleness, patience, goodness, faith, and joy to touch hearts. I realized in this moment that sometimes I can be so blinded to the little things. These little things frequently are what matters most. So often times, we raise ourselves to lofty expectations when we need reminded that what matters most are the people in front of us, the lives which we touch in our everyday, the very chores which we labor with love to complete for our family. We can forget to focus on the ones who are right there in front of us, asking, needing, and sometimes begging for our attention. Whether these are the people we pass at church or sit beside in the pews, the co-workers we rub shoulders with at work, or the very family members housed within our own walls, we need to be reminded that our ministry first and foremost begins with those with whom we live life. Moreover, our calling is first and foremost God, our spouses, and our children rather than the world at large. Changing our baby’s diapers is as powerful a ministry to our little loved one as proclaiming the Word of God over a simulcast. Wiping noses, packing lunches, and folding laundry holds just as much power to touch and change lives as witnessing on the international stage. We need to be reminded that our homes, our family’s lives, and those with whom we rub shoulders are our own personal mission field and calling. So many times, I think we can romanticize what our calling is that we overlook what is right in front of our noses. Please do not misunderstand me. Yes, God has also called some of us to different mission fields outside of our homes. But, for many of us, our primary mission field is our homes and we need not discount the great work and impact we have in our family’s lives. Sometimes we also believe we need to use big means and grand measures to reach the world for Christ. Yet, like me today, remember that sometimes our words of encouragement, our acts of love, and kindness speak more powerfully and touch more lives than the most expensive marketing measures. Being called to do God’s work does not need to be complicated. We just need to first start with looking to our homes, our families, friends, and spheres of influence where we can impact lives for Christ through loving, kind, and encouraging connections. We also need to be reminded that our words need not be grand or illustrious to touch or change lives. Instead, our words need to be real, honest, heartfelt, and true. After all, it is not our words that change the hearts of men but the Holy Spirit, Himself. Satan likes to paralyze us into inaction. That serpent of old likes to deceive us into thinking we cannot measure up. Or, he tries to overwhelm us that we might be blinded to the small, little steps that we can take. To be used by God, we do not need to be superheroes, renowned authors, or famous speakers. We just need to be faithful to God and where He is calling us to serve. Why? Because it is Jesus Christ who is the ‘rock star’ and not us. For it is the power through the Holy Spirit and not power in our own strength which God uses to lead men and women, boys and girls to salvation. All we need to do is be faithful. Are you being faithful? A Parent’s PrayerOh Lord, help me be faithful in the calling which You have placed before me. Please help me to be present with each person and each situation that I not miss an opportunity to be used by You. Help me to labor in love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, and faithfulness. Lord, let it not be in my own strength that I labor but, in the power, and might of Your Holy Spirit. Guard me, oh God, and shield me from the lies of Satan that I may not be overwhelmed or discouraged. Use me, oh God, with all my weaknesses and shortcomings. Help me to be faithful. Amen.
4 Comments
Laura Blank
12/11/2019 07:19:20
Thank you for writing this, Marjie. So often I find myself not measuring up and feeling so down trodden that I believe the lie that I can't make a difference, that I'm not good enough to make a difference. Then you go and remind me that it's not about us and our inadequacies. It's about Jesus and his glory. His glory. not mine. His fame. Not mine. Because in the end, only he is worthy of such adoration and praise. How this frees me to obey his calling without the fear of not being good enough. It doesn't matter if i'm good enough, because not only is he good enough, he is more than enough. Thank you for sharing something that I so desperately needed to hear.
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12/11/2019 20:48:34
Laura, I believe we all go through this slump and attack from the Enemy. It's all so true that we take one step forward, and whoosh, the flood of negative attacks try to take us back and disable our intentions. You have a gift to write, and I want to encourage you to believe it, and act upon it.
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Mom
12/11/2019 10:18:11
Thanks for the reminder, Marie. I especially liked what you wrote about "romanticizing God's calling. People miss the value and importance of everyday service. Good post! Much love, see you soon. Love, Mom
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12/11/2019 20:51:04
Though I heard this at Writer's Group, it is still impacting as we each try to take steps in obedience to the Lord. Your kindness to become creatively involved in His Gift means so much to me, and indeed, I do also feel more attached to you than ever! LOL. Attached in a spiritual bond, emotional friendship, and shared love of Jesus Christ. You are a true blessing, and I am honored to call you my friend and sister in the Lord. Love, Joan
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AuthorMarried to my best friend for over 20 years, my husband and I are the proud (and often exhausted!) parents of a vivacious kindergatener. As a vision-impaired mom, prayer and trust in the Lord play a vital and moment-to-moment role in my life. Read more ... Follow me:
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