12.07.09
My New Prayer
This past Sunday my pastor talked about how Western Christianity is so comfortable. A phrase I like is one that I heard a Christian talk radio personality use – he said that as Americans we’re “addicted to comfort.” I think that they’re both so right on and I’m the biggest offender.
I have a very comfortable life. I have the best friends that I’ve ever had in my life. Women that will drop everything to help me in moments notice. I have a friend that takes Baby #1 to school everyday, my dear neighbor that is willing to take my 3 kids in addition to her 4 kids so that I can run errands in peace.
I have a wonderful church family. A church family that threw me not one, not two, but three baby showers! I church family that brought me meals for when all of my kids were born and when my dad died. A church family that I love and even though the faces have changed through the years the core of my church is still love and I feel like they’re a part of my extended family.
Let’s not forget to mention the material things that we have – nice house, plenty of clothes, 2 cars, an abundance of food.
But what’s the point of having all of that stuff if there are people who I’m not reaching because I’m not praying that God would have me where He wants me. What’s the point of people are going to burn in hell because I was safely cocooned in my little life and too “comfortable” to reach out to them.
My new prayer is that God would have me exactly where He wants me to be to make the most impact for His Kingdom. Honestly I hope that He’ll keep us here and open my eyes to people who need His touch, but if not I’m want my heart to be willing to go where He wants us to go to show His love.
11.10.07
Update on Shane Brue
I posted this post several weeks back and I just checked the latest journal entry and found that that Shane passed away this morning. Please keep this precious family in your prayers. She has 5 kids and if I remember correctly her oldest is 10! Shane’s wife is Jill and I’m sure that they could just use your prayers right now. Thank you.
10.26.07
A Little Perspective
On days that I think that I have it bad- 6 loads of laundry, a dirty house, whiny kids, or car issues I think about the Brue family. The Brue family is a family that my dear friend A has introduced me to through emails that Jill sends out concerning her husband Shane and his battle with cancer. I’ve never met them and only “know” them through the emails. Shane has colon cancer and it’s been getting worse. Cancer is such an ugly thing, but it seems especially ugly when it hits a family like the Brues. Shane and Jill have 5 children and if I remember correctly the oldest is 10. He pastors the Methodist church in the small town that they live in. I actually feel a little of a connection to the Brue family because my grandparents were raised and my dad was born in their town. I’m sure that I have some distant cousins that probably even go to Shane’s church. I felt compelled to share their story with you because I know that it’s so easy to get caught up in our lives and not realize how good we really have it- or maybe it’s just me. I totally take the fact that Hubs and I – and the kids are all healthy. That is something I should be praising God for EVERYDAY. If you’d like to see pic- or read more about the Brue family they have an online journal set up here.
08.23.07
Mama Time-Out
Today I had to put myself in time-out. Baby #1 and Baby #2 have been fighting all week. Baby #2 has had about 20 boo-boos over the last 2 days. I am done. The last straw was when I was over at Georgia Mom’s blog checking out the pics of her nice house and Baby #2 pushed the power button on my computer. I swatted her hand and told her that that was a big no no and told Baby #1 and Baby #2 that they needed to stay downstairs and play nicely because I needed a time out to go upstairs and pray. So I went up stairs, got in bed, and pulled the covers over my head (yes- my bed STILL isn’t made). I laid there and cried and asked the Holy Spirit to intercede for me because I couldn’t put a coherent thought together. That’s when I heard my precious Baby #1 yell from downstairs, “Mama- can I pray with you??” I asked him to come upstairs and he prayed that I would feel better, that he and Baby #2 would not fight, some stuff I couldn’t understand, and that we’d have a better day today. If for nothing else- just hearing my sweet son pray for me worth all of the turmoil this week.
