Blind to the Benefits

We are studying the Gospel of John in PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel). When we reached chapter 9 this week I was very interested by these verses:

"As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:1-3 (NIV)

I have had many posts about the "bad" things that have happened: my trash can went missing, my car wouldn't start, my son won't sleep, my daughter is sassy. I try to be positive, to look at the bright side. Yet, I still classify these things as negative. I still pat myself on the back for coming through these "tragedies" (it shows you how good my life really is, if I classify these things as tragedies!). Why do I succumb to the world's mindset, that these things are "bad", the result of some one's sin? What if I changed my perspective and said, "My car broke down so that I could see the love of my friends, the integrity of the mechanics and have an opportunity to have specific instances of answered prayer"? Doesn't that take it from something "bad" to something good?

This man probably had been pitied all his life. He couldn't see. His parents were probably plagued with guilt, "What did we do wrong? If only we had...". Perhaps even the man himself spent his time trying to be "perfect" in order to rid himself of the curse of blindness. But this wasn't there to make him or his parents question themselves. It wasn't a curse, or a personal affront. It was all part of a perfect plan. I really need to stop taking things so personally. The Lord is working in my life; if He wasn't I would be dead. :) He doesn't allow these things to happen to frustrate me, make me cry, or cause me desperation. He allows (and sometimes causes) these things to happen so that the work of God might be displayed in my life. That makes these growing things!

I challenge you to not survive the "bad" things but to grow through the unexpected things. I challenge myself, too. I have to resist the urge to classify circumstances, to categorize everything as a positive or a negative. "It's all good" would be an appropriate slogan. These testings of my faith are working to produce perseverance. "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4 (NIV) NOT LACKING ANYTHING! That is a promise I would like to claim. I still have children that don't obey, a car that no one knows what is wrong with, and a $50 fee paid for a trash can I didn't lose. But those are opportunities for growth. I hope I can be wise enough to take them. I don't want to be "blind" and lose the benefits these things have for me.

Holiday Spirit!

I recently realized that I love celebrating the little "nothing" holidays as much as I enjoy some of the big ones. I really like St.Patrick's day. I was really disappointed because I have one of those little flag posts (like the ones all the old people have!) on my front step and I couldn't find a St. Patty's flag for it. I have taken to changing my front door decoration for every holiday, too. I also bought the kids shirts for tomorrow. We don't want anyone to get pinched! I like that they are little enough to not mind wearing them. I don't really know what my fascination is; I think part of it this year is that every holiday that comes (and goes) puts us a little closer to Joel coming home! I also love that it gives me a chance to change things around in my house. I don't put out a ton of stuff but I have a few requirements: a place mat for the table, a dish for candy, a wooden sign for the front door and a flag (if I can find one). Oh and we always have static clings in our windows! Josie's job is to put those up;she loves "window stickers". I would make a good preschool teacher in that regard. It also makes me happy to change the background on my blog, I really liked the options they had for St. Patrick's day. Anyway, I will definitely make a great old lady because I will have my dorky sweatshirts and goofy yard signs for every "day" including Flag Day! So, if you want to get in the holiday spirit (whatever the occasion) you are always welcome to my house!

P.S. Just in case you didn't know the tradition of wearing green on St.Patrick's was to show that you were Catholic. Good Protestants are supposed to wear orange-hence my multi-colored clover!

Busy Land!

Jocelyn has decided that she is missing out on a major American milestone: a visit to Disneyland. She has a friend who has been multiple times (with souvenirs to show for it!) and we lunched today with a friend who will soon be going to Disneyworld. Jocelyn refers to both collectively as "Bisyland". I have been trying to explain to her: 1. that I never visited either growing up and have become a (mostly) successful adult 2. We do not (choose) to have the money to go now and (most importantly) 3. that is not even in my top 10 places to take a family vacation. I have tried all three tracks unsuccessfully. Today, when she asked again, I replied with a version of #2. She countered with, "My dad has money and I have cash!" She then proceeds to produce $3 from her pocket. Well, more "cash" than I have! I have chosen not to reveal her longing to her father because we would probably promptly schedule a trip!He has been very generous with her lately due to his longing for his best girl (Jocelyn, not me!). Unfortunately for Jocelyn, since I am very anti-establishment, the closest she will get right now is television commercials and our hectic schedule. Our calendar lately could be appropriately christened "Busy Land"! So until they are older (much older!)and we are far wealthier, the Magic Kingdom will have to wait...

Housebound!

The truck is in the shop, it has been there since Wednesday. I am definitely getting cabin fever, which is ridiculous. I have left my house both on Wednesday (to go to my friend Kim's) and on Thursday (to go to Awana) but I have not gone anywhere random just because "I feel like it". I didn't realize how dependent I am on that privelege! Don't get me wrong, I am most appreciative to all the people who have given me rides, I am sure I will need more before this is all over. But, one of the prized things about being an adult is going where you want, when you want (at least most of the time). There have been high winds here so we went outside yesterday but couldn't stay out very long and we didn't even try today. I might have gone out walking despite that, but I don't even have a stroller! You would think that I would be working hard being productive around the house but today I have just been a slug.

Jocelyn thinks she is dying because we haven't been anywhere in her mind. I am also suffering fast-food withdrawal. I looove to eat out and the last time I did that was Sunday! That was a very, very long time ago. I defy all the people who say this should make me grateful for my transportation. I have always been very thankful to have a (paid for!) vehicle. I don't even complain (that often) that it only has two doors. I know this will make me more grateful, but I wasn't ungrateful. Anyway, I suppose it is good every now and then to be dependent on the charity of others. I think if nothing else it will make me more aware of others' needs and more anxious to help them. It has also made me realize that no matter how much time I have I still will waste it! :)

All the Time

Today has been interesting, although lately that seems to be more normal than "normal"! My major frustration has been that our truck has decided not to start (again) but I have decided not to fixate on that. The Lord has used that situation to reveal something much bigger to me. I arrived home (my great friend Susan did not leave me in distress!) and was writing a quick email to Joel in hopes that he would call me. After I sent that I was flipping through my emails and not really paying any attention to them. But I have to tell you first what my email devotional was about. It was entitled "Goodness Under Pressure" and I honestly didn't think too much about it when I read it this morning. However, there was a line in it that said,

"It may be different for you. God's goodness under pressure may show up in a job offer that you weren't expecting. It may be as simple as someone buying you dinner or offering to baby-sit so you can have some time to yourself. Whatever the form, it's His goodness showering you with care in your time of distress. Acknowledging these acts of kindness, which flow from God's heart, builds our character and our faith. Before we know it, our life shines with the brilliance of a diamond that draws others to our God. And that, my friend, is a good thing."

So, because God is perfect, He reminded me of this when I went back to my email because I had gotten one I needed to reply to. My friend from LIFE group (Sunday School) had sent me an email where she said this: "Myself and other ladies in the class would like to provide babysitting services [for you]".

When I went back to reply the full impact of what she had said hit me. What are the odds? That is almost exactly what was in my devotional. And on today, when I am despairing over something that I have no control over? It can only be God. There is no other explanation in my mind, except for His pretty obvious reminder that He is in control. That He is building my faith, and hopefully, also molding my character. He knew that I needed a reminder, even in something seemingly completely unrelated, that He is in charge. I am so humbled, but grateful that He is the God of all things. God is good all the time- I just need to remember that all the time!