April 27, 2013

Busyness: An Idol in My Life?

"How are you today?" she asked me.  "Oh, just crazy busy," I respond.  It's expected in our society, almost seen as the only way to live life.  If you're not busy, you're seen by many as not productive and sometimes even lazy.  I've been thinking a great deal about busyness lately, digging deep into God's Word to see what He says about the topic.  And I have come to realize that busyness might just be an enemy of God. 

This hasn't been an easy realization, though.  You see, I have lived my life around frenzied activity, moving from one task to the next so quickly that I can barely breathe.  I viewed downtime as wasted time, rather than as a way to re-boot and re-charge.  This has been my way of life since I was a child; always on the move and getting things accomplished.  But for many, including myself at times, a life of busyness leads to an accumulation of skills for personal achievement, but neglects the cultivation of godly character and a personal relationship with God.

I don't know about you, but the last thing I need or want is for anything to get in the way of my relationship with my Savior and Friend!  But as I reflect on how I have been living my life, in a frenzied non-stop way, I realize that busyness has indeed become an idol for me and I believe the same is true for many of you reading this.

How has it become an idol for me, you ask?  An idol is anything that absorbs your heart more than God or anything that you seek to fulfill you.  In my life, I have filled my days with busyness mainly because I hate being alone and I'm seeking fulfillment somehow from my tasks and deeds, rather than from God's goodness.  My heart is more absorbed by my to-do list than developing a Godly character and building a relationship with him.

In Luke 10, Jesus corrected Martha when her busyness got in the way of spending time with Christ.  While Mary sat at Jesus' feet, soaking in his wisdom, Martha was busy making preparations for the day.  Martha approached Jesus and asked him if he cared that her sister had left her to do all the work by herself and requested that he ask Mary to assist her.  "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many tings, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)

I don't know about you, but when I get busy, my priorities are thrown out the window.  I'm too tired in the morning to get out of bed in order to sit down with my Bible open and spend quality time with God.  My evenings are filled with meetings and computer work, so time with my husband and son becomes slim.  I don't have time to spend with my best friend/accountability partner, and we start drifting.  We need to first order our priorities and then slow down enough to remember them, so that we give our best time and effort to what matters most in life.

Psalm 39:6 says: Man is a mere phantom, as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. 

As mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and friends, we often find it hard to say no.  We know in our hearts that we're too busy already, but when asked to sit on a church committee, community board, or volunteer at our kids' classroom event, we say yes because we know it will make a positive difference in our community.  It's important for us, as Christians to make a positive difference, but even the most 'holy' of activities can quickly turn into burdens when they take away from our quiet time with God.  Serving in ministry to others, encouraging the sick and elderly, being productive at your job, and many other tasks on our agendas all have merit. But none of these should be done at the expense of our relationship with Christ.  We need to guard our precious alone time with God. 

Even Jesus himself knew how important quiet time with God is.  In Luke 5:16, we are told that "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."  We need to follow Christ's example and spend time in prayer and devotion with God.

I am slowly learning how to fill my hours with God, rather than on worldly tasks; putting Christ in His rightful place in my life.  Will you join with me as I develop in this way?

April 21, 2013

Parenting Realization

Lucas is an absolute joy; he has such a fun, crazy personality and is full of energy.  He's so curious and ready to learn.  He's such a blessing in my life and I am so proud to be his mom.  But sometimes, Lucas is difficult.  And as he's getting into his second year, I am definitely understanding the "terrible twos."  He's so independent and wants to do everything his way and on his terms.  Sometimes, it's hard to not view him as a hassle, instead of the blessing he really is.  And my attitude toward him can quickly turn to just pointing out all the "nos" rather than engaging him and guiding him and really helping him blossom.

I have been thinking and praying a great deal about our parenting, as Lucas enters this new stage in his life.  And I have come to the realization that I need to start viewing Lucas as a flower; a flower doesn't develop and bloom by being yelled at or by its' owner being impatient.  Flowers bloom when you purposely and patiently nurture it.  So, I'm going to focus more on how I respond to Lucas, in a more purposeful and patient way.  I need to work on me and the way I respond to him first, and hopefully he will therefore learn how to better handle his frustrations as a toddler.


I have also discovered that he needs more quality time with his mama.  His love language is most certainly quality time and in the past, I have not focused on providing him with enough quality time.  Even on nights and days when we are together, I'm not all that purposeful about getting down to play with him and be on his level.  I'm always getting work done or working around the house or busy some other way, not being intentional in spending time with him.  So, I am going to focus more on providing him with this time he so craves.

Travis and I have made a decision to start being WAY more purposeful in what we say to him and do with Lucas.  Please pray for us as we learn to be more effective parents for Lucas.  


God is teaching me to slow down and savor my time.  Savor my time with Him... Savior my time with Travis... Savior my time with Lucas....  Thank you God!  

April 13, 2013

Tell How Much God Has Done For You

Luke 8:39 says, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. 

I am the only one who can tell my story.  No one else is equipped to adequately describe the wonderful things that have changed in my life since I surrendered my life to Christ.  Christ has done great things in my life, and I now have the privilege of sharing that good news with all that I come into contact with! 

God spoke to me, "Alicia, go back" in my hospital room that day not long ago.  I will continue to spread all over how much Jesus has done for me, just like the man in Luke 8! 

Will you also be like the man in Luke 8?  I challenge you to join with me, as we share our stories of how Jesus has changed our lives! 

April 12, 2013

Stronger

Lyrics to "Stronger" by Mandisa
Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

April 1, 2013

Strong Enough

"Strong Enough"  lyrics by Matthew West
You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through

Well, forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be
everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of us

Well, maybe
Maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up

Cause when I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up
And reaching out

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Cause I'm broken
Down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God
and you are strong
When I am weak

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough