This week has been a crazy week! Emotions have been running high...both on Facebook and in our home! The reasons aren't the same but it occurred to me this morning that the outcome is...chaos.
This week Phil Robertson answered a question during an interview and overnight, Facebook became a battleground. First, let me say, I support Phil and believe that what he said is from the Bible and therefore true. I don't believe he said any of it maliciously or with hatred in his heart, but nonetheless he spoke the truth and sometimes the truth hurts. What has amazed me, however, is the reaction of Christians. Before you tune me out, let me say this...I do believe that we must stand up for what we believe. We must always stand up for the cause of Christ and never waver on that. That being said, I believe there are many of us who have acted this week "in the flesh" and not "by His spirit". I've read comments this week that proclaimed hatred instead of love. Some have championed the cause of "Free Speech" with such venom that they have in fact silenced their testimony to lost world that is watching the way Christians react.
Yesterday, Jeff had a chemo treatment. While we were there, a couple came in and sat beside me. I was reading at the time so I did not see their faces, just noticed that they had sat down right next to me. Soon after, one of the other patients got up to leave and as she left, she wished everyone in the room a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Several said, "Merry Christmas" back as she walked out the door. This couple next to me, however, had a different reaction. For the next several minutes, I listened as the lady "ranted" to the man about how rude it was for people to say Merry Christmas...just assuming everyone in the room was Christian. She went on to state that she didn't understand why it made people mad when she said Happy Holidays...that was her right, after all. A few minutes passed and another patient finished their treatment and rose to leave...again, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. This time the lady, very snippily responded, "Happy Holidays".
My first reaction was, "she needs to chill"...but then I believe the Holy Spirit allowed me to see her through God's eyes. I don't know why she doesn't believe...but I know that regardless of whether she does or doesn't, He still loves her. Her remark offended me, but it didn't offend Him. See He loves us in our sin...whether we like it or not. I know this is weird but I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to just smile at her as we left. Not to wish her or anyone else in the room anything. Just smile. My flesh wanted to say Merry Christmas and tell her all about Jesus. But my spirit said I should just shut up and smile. That wasn't nearly as instantly gratifying as a Merry Christmas would have been, but who do I put my trust in? Me or God? He was doing this long before I came on the scene so I think I'll trust Him. So as we left, I just looked at her and smiled. And she smiled back...sorta. That's it...I don't know where her story goes from there, only God does. Perhaps He'll use that smile to start something.
Starting something...that's what some of us are aiming for. But we need to pause and ask ourselves a question. What are we trying to start. A fight? A conversation? Or an opportunity to share the love of Christ? Perhaps, if we will take a moment, just a moment, to pray before we speak, what we have to say might actually be heard. Perhaps, if we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit, He will pave the way.
I believe that Phil's remarks in His interview were Spirit led...let's be careful to make sure that our reactions are as well. Ok...enough on that...
I told you its been a crazy week...it has. On Monday one of my dearest friends found out that she has a tumor on her kidney and other masses present in the lymph nodes as well. She is facing surgery and possibly chemo/radiation. Hearing this news brought back a flood of emotions as I hurt for her and her family...knowing the fear and concern all too well. Then later this week I heard from a friend who already had learned that her cancer had returned. A follow-up visit to the doctor resulted in more bad news...a very risky surgery and more chemo/radiation are in her future. On Wednesday a friend's dad had a stroke, however thankfully by the end of the day was being deemed a miracle by his doctors. As I write this, yet another friend is facing a screening for cancer since a routine test came back abnormal. Chaos!! That's what it feels like!
This morning was the culmination of an out of control week as I found myself attempting to clean a house that has been neglected due to a crazy schedule. I was nearly to the point of hyperventilation when once again I felt the spirit nudge me to take a breath and be careful about the way I was responding to my family. Sadly, I had already snapped but quickly He brought me back into line and reminded me that a heartfelt apology goes a long way. The house is quiet now and clean...er. Still not exactly what I wanted but people are more important. The way I treat them and speak to them is important. I don't like chaos...I don't respond well to it. Jesus speaks peace to my chaos. No matter where the chaos is coming from, He always seems to be able to speak peace to my storm. He calms the winds that rage...whether it is do to an injustice or an illness or just a life that feels out of conrol...He always speaks peace. I'm glad I know the Peace Speaker.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Our Journey #35
"Learning to lean, learning to lean, I'm learning to lean on Jesus..." The words of an old song resonate in my heart this morning. Leaning isn't something that we are taught...in fact, I remember being taught the opposite, "if you have time to lean...". But leaning is a key factor in my walk with Christ and He wants me to learn to do it.
Leaning, in today's society, has a negative connotation attached to it. It implies weakness or even laziness in our fast paced, self-sufficient world. We are taught that we must learn to stand on our own, show no weakness. We are taught that to lean or rest is a waste of precious time and resources. I have found, however, that if we don't learn to lean, we will evenually crumble.
The last year and a half has been a season of leaning for us. We have had to learn to lean on friends, learn to lean on doctors, learn to NOT lean on our own understanding but more importantly, learn to lean on Jesus. God has been faithful, in every instance that He has required that we "lean" on something we don't understand, He has exceeded our expectations and met our needs in ways that better than we could have done on our own.
One of those times of leaning came over the Summer when someone that we knew casually approached me on Facebook and told me how God had laid it on her heart to bless us with a weekend getaway. Immediately, though I was touched, I had to swallow my pride. I enjoy being on the giving end, but being on the recieving end would require me to "learn to lean" and that wasn't something I was particularly interested in at the moment. Over the next few weeks, the trip was planned. I learned during the course of the planning that our friend was really having to trust God for the money to pay for the trip. God provided every penny, yet it was so hard for us to accept the gift, knowing that this family didn't have great resources. I had to learn to lean on God's better judgement...He knew where the resources would come from. I had to learn to lean on friend who had heard from God. Still, I found the whole ordeal to be a stretching of my faith and if I'm honest...very uncomfortable.
The weekend came and we spent some quality time with our kids, being able to unplug for a couple of days. We had learned shortly before the weekend that Jeff's cancer had returned so this was a time for us to just enjoy each other's company. I thought that was the end of it...but this week, God has shown me that He had an even greater purpose in that particular time of leaning.
The precious lady who provided the weekend for us, had shared with me that she was a cancer survivor and all that God had miraculously provided for her. It built my faith and helped me get through a very scary time. This week I recieved an email from her and God brought our story full circle. You see, after years of being cancer-free, she found out this week that she once again has cancer. It's not in the same place and at this point, they don't really have a good grip on the prognosis, but nevertheless, it's back. She will have to undergo chemo and most likely radiation again.
It was in this email that she said to me that she feels like God has prepared her for this battle by reading my blog and watching us fight our own battle. Wow. That blew me away. You mean because I voiced my fears and wrote about God's faithfulness, she now feels like she can face this battle? But sometimes I've just been ranting! I was leaning the whole time...but He used it to give someone else strength.
The next part of that song says, "finding more power (strength) than I'd ever dreamed..." and that is exactly where I am this morning. Rejoicing, because God has used the silly and sometimes senseless rantings of this scared and helpless servant to bring assurance and peace to someone who is on the edge of the fight of their life. Not because of my words, because they were nothing, but because His faithfulness shines in the midst of our struggle. As I have learned to lean, I am finding more power...power to help others through their struggles, power to face my own struggle, power to give pride a black eye and learn to lean even more. Oh Lord, help me get this deep inside...help me learn to lean on You.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
Leaning, in today's society, has a negative connotation attached to it. It implies weakness or even laziness in our fast paced, self-sufficient world. We are taught that we must learn to stand on our own, show no weakness. We are taught that to lean or rest is a waste of precious time and resources. I have found, however, that if we don't learn to lean, we will evenually crumble.
The last year and a half has been a season of leaning for us. We have had to learn to lean on friends, learn to lean on doctors, learn to NOT lean on our own understanding but more importantly, learn to lean on Jesus. God has been faithful, in every instance that He has required that we "lean" on something we don't understand, He has exceeded our expectations and met our needs in ways that better than we could have done on our own.
One of those times of leaning came over the Summer when someone that we knew casually approached me on Facebook and told me how God had laid it on her heart to bless us with a weekend getaway. Immediately, though I was touched, I had to swallow my pride. I enjoy being on the giving end, but being on the recieving end would require me to "learn to lean" and that wasn't something I was particularly interested in at the moment. Over the next few weeks, the trip was planned. I learned during the course of the planning that our friend was really having to trust God for the money to pay for the trip. God provided every penny, yet it was so hard for us to accept the gift, knowing that this family didn't have great resources. I had to learn to lean on God's better judgement...He knew where the resources would come from. I had to learn to lean on friend who had heard from God. Still, I found the whole ordeal to be a stretching of my faith and if I'm honest...very uncomfortable.
The weekend came and we spent some quality time with our kids, being able to unplug for a couple of days. We had learned shortly before the weekend that Jeff's cancer had returned so this was a time for us to just enjoy each other's company. I thought that was the end of it...but this week, God has shown me that He had an even greater purpose in that particular time of leaning.
The precious lady who provided the weekend for us, had shared with me that she was a cancer survivor and all that God had miraculously provided for her. It built my faith and helped me get through a very scary time. This week I recieved an email from her and God brought our story full circle. You see, after years of being cancer-free, she found out this week that she once again has cancer. It's not in the same place and at this point, they don't really have a good grip on the prognosis, but nevertheless, it's back. She will have to undergo chemo and most likely radiation again.
It was in this email that she said to me that she feels like God has prepared her for this battle by reading my blog and watching us fight our own battle. Wow. That blew me away. You mean because I voiced my fears and wrote about God's faithfulness, she now feels like she can face this battle? But sometimes I've just been ranting! I was leaning the whole time...but He used it to give someone else strength.
The next part of that song says, "finding more power (strength) than I'd ever dreamed..." and that is exactly where I am this morning. Rejoicing, because God has used the silly and sometimes senseless rantings of this scared and helpless servant to bring assurance and peace to someone who is on the edge of the fight of their life. Not because of my words, because they were nothing, but because His faithfulness shines in the midst of our struggle. As I have learned to lean, I am finding more power...power to help others through their struggles, power to face my own struggle, power to give pride a black eye and learn to lean even more. Oh Lord, help me get this deep inside...help me learn to lean on You.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
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