Songs of Rejoicing

So, for the past little while, I've been struggling...Not with anything huge or life-shattering, just struggling with some issues in my calling. Like all of us, my heart has dreams and desires that are only spoken in whispers to the heart of God. In my struggle I'm waiting. I'm waiting for His direction, His plan, His leading. And, I haven't seen it. And it's painful. 

In the midst of this struggle, I began reading about King David's desire to build God a Temple. David's desire was centered in his passion for God's glory. He wanted nothing more than to do the work of The Lord. He wanted to draw others to God through providing a place of true worship. But God said "No." Ouch...And, wow...And why? God had a plan for someone else to do the Temple Building. David's job was to prepare his son, Solomon, to equip him and to raise him up, so that he would build a glorious Temple for God. As painful as God's answer to David's godly desire may have been, he did exactly as God instructed him. And Solomon's Temple was an amazing work for the glory of the Lord. 

As I read about the Temple, I thought about God's choices. He chooses to use each and every one of us for different parts of His plan, but the purpose for each of us is the same...It's all for His glory. This reality doesn't change if we experience disappointment in the way He chooses to use us for that purpose. 

Romans 12:15 teaches us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." I thought I understood this verse. I totally get crying with people who are crying. I have experienced that many times in life and in ministry. It's the rejoicing part I only thought I understood. I looked at it like, yes, I can rejoice right alongside you as we are part of a joyful experience together. I also understood it as being truly happy for someone else's success, even if I missed out on the same opportunity. 

The deeper meaning was revealed when I took a look at the original language for the word "with" as it is used here. In the Greek, it means "amid," or in the middle of someone else's rejoicing. 

This is the lesson God is teaching me. I am to rejoice with (in the middle of) all those who are rejoicing around me...I am to minister to them by rejoicing with them. For instance, in the midst of my struggle over God's calling, I am in the middle of many people who are rejoicing over His calling in their lives. In the past few weeks, God has opened ministry doors and opportunities for precious friends living in different cities and different states. He is doing a work in and through these men and women that they never dreamed He would do. As a matter of fact, their dreams pale in comparison to all He is doing. 

As I've learned of each one, the enemy has been lurking to lead me down a well-worn path of comparison, with a little detour of condemnation, but God has done a precious work in my heart. He has given me the ministry of rejoicing with those who rejoice. I think the sweetest song He is teaching my soul is a song of rejoicing for others when I am in a time of struggling. He hasn't changed my circumstances; but He is making a way for me to bring Him glory in them. Oh, it is a sweet, sweet song. 

God truly does give "songs in the night". I'm learning that sometimes the songs He gives are to the tune of someone else's heartbeat. As I rejoice with my precious friends, my prayer is for our God to always be glorified. 

If you are struggling today, look toward (not away from) those who are rejoicing in blessings given by the hand of God. Let Him teach you how to sing a song of rejoicing, even if the tune isn't your own heartbeat, but the heartbeat of someone else. I promise it will be sweet and more catchy than you could imagine. 

Empty Memories

My children love to play the Memory Game.  I'm not talking about the one with matching picture cards.  I'm talking about the one with matching memories from the past to moments in the present.  

We'll be in the midst of a discussion or a car ride or a dinner and they'll launch into, "remember when..." Occasionally,  with the older three, it's some comparison between how "difficult" their existence was in comparison with the "carefree" lives of the younger three. 

Most of the time the memories shared are of crazy things we've done together, simple everyday routines, our homes and neighborhoods where we once lived.  The wonderful thing about all of their memories, even the exaggerated ones in which I made their lives so "difficult," is that they all have a constant theme.  All of their memories are full..Full of fun and laughter, full of joy and togetherness.  In sharing their past, they fill our home with a sense of contentment and satisfaction. 

Tonight, though, the memory game was different.  For the one child whose little feet have only been under my dinner table for the past 18 months, (my newbie) some of his memories are empty.  And sometimes, our fullness is such a contrast, it takes my breath away.  

With just my little three home for dinner tonight,  I got ahead of myself and had everything ready super early.  As my sweeties came downstairs, I told them we'd have an early dinner and maybe popcorn later.  They loved that plan, but Big Sister (of the little 3) looked at the clock, and in her best memory-game voice said, "We've never had dinner this early!"  And then, from somewhere far away, and yet a place close by in his heart, came an empty memory out of my little newbie's mouth.  He said, so quietly, only I heard, "I used to not have dinner...Or breakfast."  It wasn't exaggerated.  It wasn't for sympathy.  It was matter-of-fact, a memory that didn't match the fullness of the moment, a memory of empty.  

One of my little guy's biggest struggles is with food.  It's never a struggle to get him to eat.  It's a struggle to assure him that he's had enough.  When you've known empty for a long time, it's tough to comprehend full.  Every morning when he wakes up, I have his favorite breakfast cereal waiting in a covered bowl out on the table so when he comes down he knows there is no fear of empty this morning.  Our table is always full. When I started this for all three of the littles, my older ones (the Big 3, as they call themselves) didn't understand.  They said, "You didn't do this for us." No, thank The Lord, I didn't have to.  When I explained, they understood.  His memories don't match theirs.  They get it.  (Now, one of the Big 3 secretly pours more milk in their pre-made cups because she worries their cereal will be dry.)  

I'm praying the memories our newbie is making in our little world will always be full...full of fun, laughter, love and satisfaction.  I pray even more that when he memory-matches in the future, the memories of God's provision will fill him with the knowledge of how very much he is loved by the One Who holds his life fully in His hands. 

 

"You make known to me the path of life;  in your presence there is fullness of joy;  at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  Psalm 16:11

Equipping Them for Something Greater

This morning I read about David's desire to build a temple for God in 1 Chronicles 22. God told David the temple would be built by his son, Solomon. I love what David did next. He gathered everything Solomon would need, making preparations so that his son would be fully equipped to complete the work. Then, instead of doing the work for him, or in his name, David charged Solomon by saying, "Now set your heart and your soul to seek The Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of The Lord..." 

In this account, there is a powerful challenge to me as a mom. Do I prepare and equip my children for great spiritual work? I equip them for great educational work, buying curriculum, taking months to prepare for each upcoming school year. I search out programs and activities to add to their educational experience. I agonize over college choices and decisions, always desiring the best for them in the academic field. 

I equip them for great sports competition. I buy shoes and bikes and whatever is necessary to give them an edge in their sport. I arrange schedules, attend practices, watch games and races, cheering them on to success. I encourage them to give their best on their playing field. 

I equip them to enjoy great relationships. I create opportunities for them to invite friends over. I seek out families with children their ages and build relationships to provide time to spend together. I buy play equipment, games and toys to be shared with others. I encourage them to reach out and to get involved with other kids their age, all so they will be happy, healthy and well-adjusted in the field of friendship. 

But, the challenge to my heart this morning is not about equipping my children to be happy or healthy or even well-adjusted. The challenge to my heart this morning is about equipping my children to be holy. God told David He would use Solomon to build the Temple. I must seek God for His desire in the lives of my children. When David learned God's heart for His work, he set out to prepare everything his son would need to follow and fulfill God's desire. 

Today, my thoughts are turned to God's desire for my children. I want to know how He is leading for their future. I want to seek His face on their behalf. As He begins to reveal His will, I want to do all I can to make them ready, equipping them and preparing them for all He has planned. 

Today, I'll share His Word with them. I'll purpose to spend more time choosing a good study Bible than I do choosing the right pair of running shoes or math curriculum for them. I'll also purpose to study each child to see their special, unique spiritual gifts and find outlets for them to practice serving in those gifts. I'll pray and let God lead me in this preparation process, following through with His provision and His direction. And then, I'll watch as He takes my little ones and makes them into spiritual giants in whatever Harvest Field He places them. I know for a fact His field is better than any other field they could play on, and His work is greater than any other work they could achieve in their lifetime. His rewards will be greater than any end of the year trophy or any finish line medal they could win. They will be happy and healthy and well-adjusted when they follow Him because they will be holy. This is my prayer for my children. Oh, Lord, may it be so. 

How about you? Are you challenged to equip your little ones for something greater?