Listen, Obey & Do the Right Thing

When my kids were young I used to tell them to listen, obey & do what is right. Did they always respond how I hoped? Frankly, no they didn't.  Did I give up and throw in the towel? Frankly, sometimes I wondered if I was  getting through. Did I ever question my focus? Frankly, yes, as parents we do go through times of wondering  if our strategies  are sufficient or effective. Yet I knew that God's patience with me was what I had to have with them. I knew that in God's desire to grow and strengthen me that he has to keep me focused and true so I persisted. I wanted to use God's strategy for his children as a template to raise my kids. They say hindsight is 20/20, so do I regret my persistence in telling them to listen, obey & do what is right? Frankly, no I don't.  My kids are in their 20's now and they are incredible adults who I am very proud of. Are they perfect? Frankly, no nor am I, yet God continues to journey & be patient with us in all things.

BALANCING LIFE

Listening ... Hearing .... Learning ...  Action. We studied the short passage about two sisters, Mary & Martha from Luke 10:38-42.  We dialogued about how we can/could/should live a balanced life in the hurry & scurry of it all. At the end of the study we all agreed to write out the following prayer from our study book and tape it somewhere that we will read it daily...

 

 "Lord in the midst of life's many tasks, teach me to listen to your Word before I act upon it, and show me that your Word is the essential wellspring of all my service."