Watching the Joyful Noise movie did help me remember something. I remembered the way I used to feel and I feel like I should try and begin to explain the way I feel so differently now.
I've always had this feeling that I had to do the right thing to be a good example to other people. At least, I had that feeling up until I had my own kids and then I seemed to have lost it. Lost it when it was the most important. I bought into the 'you don't have to go to church' craze. The problem with that is that it hurt my children. They didn't grow up knowing the Bible, they didn't grow up knowing Jesus loved them. Instead I spent my time working two or three jobs and playing around with my boyfriend and friends while they were growing up. I couldn't be bothered to walk into a church because I didn't like crowds - didn't like people. But the thing is the church was the only family I might have had. The kids and I were alone during their childhood. Their dad's family would pop in every now and again. My family was fine with us stopping by anytime but no one really wanted to have anything to do with a woman and two small children. I didn't mind. Like I said, I didn't like crowds. Another problem though. My kids grew up thinking it is normal to be alone and it is normal to do things on your own. They see their cousins and how strong their family life is and that is just not something they have. So being selfish and self-centered . . . isn't a good thing.
I would definitely change those two things. Take your children (and yourself) to church. Teach them about God. After all, God is the only one who will never leave you. He will always love you. Tonight I heard this song on the radio. Two Houses by Matthew West. He sings, "I heard about a love that never leaves. So I'm asking you to show me." That's what parents do - tell of a love that is even greater than theirs. Oh, and I would have demanded that family took a much bigger role in the kids lives. I was so afraid they would consider us the 'poor cousins' that I didn't push to have them involved in the kids lives. I was wrong.
So now, I am a different woman. I see things differently. That's what amazes me. So when I saw the movie Joyful Noise and I saw how they were portraying Christians as people who do the exact same things everyone else in the United States does. They sleep with people and they cuss and they quarrel and . . . it just isn't true.
If Christ is the center of your world then you don't want to have random sex with someone. You don't want to quarrel. You just don't feel the need. Cussing, gotta admit, that one still gets me every now and again - especially when I'm driving. But ask anyone and they will tell you that I used to cuss way too much. Now it really isn't even rattling around in my mind. I love it! My taste in music and what I read and what I watch has changed.
Here's another reference to a song, "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns. This song starts out, "Be careful little eyes what you see. Its the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the string. Be careful little feet. Its the little feet behind you that are sure to follow. It's a slow fade . . . when black and white turn to gray . . . people never crumble in a day."
We need to fill our minds with praise and with knowledge of His word. Nothing on earth is important. It really isn't. Everything here is temporary.
We need to be learning about the next stage of our lives, at least Christians do.
Because from the moment we accepted Christ as our Savior, and we repented and turned away from the world, He sent the Holy Spirit to fill us, and transform us.
It isn't anything that I am doing - this change in me. I can't explain it. I'm going to keep trying to explain this change within this blog. I know I have changed even in this last year so very much.
What is cool is that people can see it. I was at McDonalds, and a man asked me, out of the blue, about what he should do. He felt like he was dying. He wanted to go back to church but he didn't know how. What came out of my mouth was that he needed the living water - he needed to drink of the water and the man smiled. He knew what I was saying and he agreed. I was surprised by what I said. Of course, I didn't say that on my own. I have never said anything like that before. The Holy Spirit knew what the man needed to hear and He had me say that. The man and I talked some more while his child played and my grandsons played. I knew he felt better. It wasn't me. It was the Spirit leading us both. Enriching us both there in the McDonald playroom.
Faith is the greatest gift. I mean, of course God's grace is the greatest gift. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift. But what I mean is that I have such comfort because of my faith. It tears me apart that my children don't have that comfort.
Our choices have ramifications far beyond ourselves.
I pray constantly that God will give my children, my family, the gift of Faith and wisdom and discernment and love for God. That they will worship God, praise Him and raise their family loving Him. The Holy Spirit will center them and fill them and transform them as He has me and anyone else who asks.
Eternal life starts the moment we repent, turn away from the world and turn towards Christ who redeems us.
Sometimes, at work, one of the people from the stories of the Bible will wander across my mind, and I'll think to myself that one day I'll be able to talk with that person. I'll be able to ask them questions and hug them, maybe have lunch with them. I want to be able to say that about my family too.
No comments:
Post a Comment