I wanted to share something I read this week.  This is really written to mom's however I think it can speak to anyone.  This comes from momlifenow.com.

Naked Love

She woke up crying. I ran in to find her nose spilling blood everywhere. The couch cushion, the carpet, her dress. Quickly sweeping her into my arms I ran to the bathroom where we waited for it to end.

Just the two of us, her stripped down to princess underwear, feet dipped in the sink as we quietly waited for the bleeding to stop. I took a warm washcloth to gently clean her naked body, the sound of only the faucet in our ears. She smiled at me.

And then another sound. Ringing so loudly in my ears I could not help but weep.

“I was naked, and you clothed me.” 

I heard it so loud. So clear. And in that moment I realized more than ever before the utter importance of just being mom.

Because every time I mopped another spill, broke up another fight, wiped a millionth tear… each trip to the doctor, the play ground, the grocery store. The cleaning and cooking and laundry and laundry and laundry… Silly dances and late night cuddles. Calming fears and comforting pains. Praise. Pride. Celebrations over putting on underwear the right way.

The tasks that often seem so trivial, the moments so mundane no one else would even care to know.

Each and every time. Each and every moment. It is just as though I was serving Him. The Savior Himself… That’s how He sees it anyways.

“I was naked, and you clothed me.” 

How often does this motherhood thing tend to grab our souls and make us question yet again if we are enough? If our life is worth enough. “Just a mom,” we so often respond. Like we are somehow less deserving.

But God, He sees us as doing something of unmatched importance. Our babies depend us for everything, from the food in their belly to the clothes on their backs. And although most days we may smell like grilled cheese and old milk, He only sees beauty.

Who cares if society tells you your contribution is not enough; your life a little less worthy of praise? Does society see you at 3AM, with the sick child who does not care about your successes or awards? How much money you have made or positions you have taken. The child who cries only for momma–whose touch alone will bring the comfort and peace she needs.

“I was naked, and you clothed me.”

I held my daughter for a long time after the bleeding stopped. Knowing that these are the moments that are shaping both our souls. And as I held her I knew He was right there with us. Holding us both in ways I never could.

He’s there each day, each moment. He sees. And He smiles at my everyday world. Because He knows that with each new load of laundry I am serving Him. And I am serving a much bigger purpose than I will ever truly see.

“Then the King will say… I was hungry and you gave Me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave Me water to drink. I was a stranger and you gave Me a room. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you cared for Me. I was in prison and you came to see Me.’

“Then they will say, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? When did we see You thirsty and give You a drink? When did we see You a stranger and give You a room? When did we see You naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and we came to You?’ Then the King will say, ‘For sure, I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of My brothers, you have done it to Me.’

 ~Matthew 25

Thurs Devo: Deadly Water

Most of you are well aware of the water crisis in Flint, MI. What if a third of all the rivers and springs were contaminated everywhere? That’s what will happen when the end to this earth is near.

Revelation 8:10-13    ¹⁰ The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— ¹¹ the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. ¹² The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

¹³ As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”

The “plagues” from chapters 6-9 are warning signs to the inhabitants of the earth to wake up and realize who created them and everything around them. God won’t unleash all of His wrath impulsively at once. He will patiently and slowly release part of His wrath, giving opportunity for people to respond and repent.

When we see and experience the results of sin around us, like in the Flint water crisis, how do we respond? Do we question God? Do we try and find who to blame? Or, do we repent of our sin that contributes to the fallen state of the world around us? We can then turn to God for hope, remembering His eternal promises beyond the limitations of this life!

Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, we are all born sinful and live in a sin cursed world that will continue to decay and not improve. However, God has promised to destroy this sinful earth and create a new one where sin will be forever removed! In the New Heaven and New Earth there won’t be deadly water, but only streams of living water!       

Alice

The Power of One

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.  Ephesians 4:1-6

I want to deviate a bit from my series to share something I experienced this weekend.  I was in Charleston, SC visiting family, and had an opportunity to go Emanuel AME Church or as they refer to it there, 'Mother Emanuel.'  In case you have not made the connection, this is the church where nine people were shot and killed during bible study one early summer evening in June.  Even before I sat in the pew and listened to the sermon, I felt the Holy Spirit move within me.  It was stirring deep within connecting with fellow congregants of the church and then seemingly within the church itself.  I know the church building is but a mere assembly of brick and mortar, but to describe it as just that is to be naïve.  It’s one thing to see the church from the outside or the service from afar. However once inside, you knew this was truly a house of God.  From the people to the architecture, I could not help but feel God’s presence in that very place.  I am very happy with my church home and pastor, but as my mother appropriately stated, it felt like home.  My spirit was renewed, and my faith was strengthened.  From the songs of the hymnal praising God from whom all blessings flow to the sermon telling of how to remain faithful even when it is midnight in your journey of faith, I gained greater confidence in God and His plan for my life.  It reaffirmed within me that no matter where we are and what church we call home, we all share the same love for an awesome God.  No matter what country we live in or what color or culture we claim, there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

We are united as one church under God.  The words of Paul here are meant to encourage and build up one’s faith.  Much like a great coach, Paul rallied the Ephesians reminding them of their one universal cause: unity with God.  We often get worn down and tired fighting worldly battles, and many times it feels overwhelming.  But God is always there, and the church is where you will find strength!  That is where you huddle with the rest of the team, and gain clarity and instruction to go out into the world and fight the battles as God’s personal advocate.  You are a part of His team with the rest of us, and if you feel a bit distant from God, remember as a preacher once told me.  Don’t lose sight of right and settle for the ‘right now.’  Trust in Him, and remain faithful.

If you are in a place of comfort, perhaps now is the time God needs you to be courageous.  Yes, it is good to rest and enjoy what God has provided, but God does not provide for us to just sit and relax.  He wants bold and active participants in His church.  As I restate a famous quote, “You can choose courage or comfort, but you cannot have both.”  The church needs faithful servants to become active participants in the building of His Kingdom!

No matter where you are or where you need to be, God and His people are with you.  This week reinforced for me that the church is still the hope of the world.  My hope is today’s devotion brings each of you both hope and encouragement for your journey of faith.  You are that light in God’s church!  If there can be an infinite level of Godly love and connection where there once was pain, despair and tragedy, it can be found anywhere.  What is God calling you to do for His church right now?  How will you ‘jump start’ your spirit?  My prayer is that we always remember the words of Paul building our church homes and taking it to the power of one!  Amen.

Tues Devo: Others

Luke 6:27-36 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (NASB)

Hello,

Yes – I am sure most of you have heard this portion of scripture before. It feels relatively simple on the surface – and we can gloss over it quickly if we are not careful. I think sometimes we get tripped up on “treat others the same way you want to be treated” because we have a distorted view of ourselves and others. We see someone else, and cannot picture ourselves in their position/situation etc – so we discount the above verses and rationalize that since we “aren’t like that” in some way shape or form we can change how we treat them. But that is not what that section says! It doesn’t say to compare yourself to the other, and then treat them accordingly. It simply says to treat others the way you want someone to treat you. This is not about how good we think we are, or what we feel we would deserve – it is boiled down to a more basic level of treatment independent of circumstance.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill