Never means NEVER

Just last night on the way home from school/basketball one of my kids brought up the story about the rich man that Jesus talked to about surrendering his life to God.  The kids were puzzled by the statement He made to His disciples,

"I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” Matthew 19:24

And what I just noticed is that Jesus said it twice!  In verse 23 He said, 

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

We talked about what that meant.  In our own family we have walked through numerous times of need, and rather a few times of plenty, monetarily speaking.  We all had to agree that in the times when we have "plenty" our focus all too quickly can turn to our money, our fun, and our own abilities.  How quickly we can lose our desperate need for God and His provision in all areas of life.

Yet in the the many times we have lived on so little, our talks with Jesus are open, constant, and real.  We know that every penny we have is His, that our needs must be met by Him alone, not a paycheck.  It flows over into all areas, not just money.

This morning I had an opportunity to claim another verse related to money. (Thanks, hubby dear, for this reminder):

 ^"Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.  For God has said,

'I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.' ”   ~Hebrews 13:5                                         

As I went to start the van this morning I saw red transmission fluid leaking out all over the carport.  I had no time to deal with this as I was taking all three kiddos to school, and Jake, especially had to be there on time as his team is leaving for a 3 day tournament in Artesia, NM.  

I backed out, and was mad. 

I.was.so.mad...

"God, this van is 15 yrs. old, has nearly 248,000 miles on it, and we've pleaded for years...YEARS, for You to provide a newer vehicle.  We have waited, prayed, looked, waited and prayed some more!! WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LISTEN AND ANSWER?!?!"

He was so patient with my ranting and raving.  

That old purple van got all three kids to school and me back to the house.  

Along the way as I talked to Jarrod (in Santa Fe for the week), among many things he reminded me,"Melissa, remember what God says to us?.. 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you.' "  

Stop.  Stop right there.  

That is true, therefore my anger needs to stop, my fears need to stop.

I told Jarrod that sometimes I get so mad at having 2 old cars that I just want to trade them in and who CARES if we have car payments??  I just want better cars!  Yet...

Yet, we've asked GOD to provide this need.  He knows what we need before we even ask (Matthew 6:8).  

Several years ago we committed to not having car payments, knowing full well that it means waiting on HIS timing to provide the cash or the vehicle itself.

So, if I were to go out, trade in this old clunker and get a spiffy newer car complete with monthly payments and God didn't tell me to...He will not bless that decision, and we will regret not waiting on Him.

It's the age-old truth:  Obedience brings Blessing, Disobedience brings Conflict.

I want His blessing.  I want to obey Him because He's in charge-not me.

Lesson for today:

I have all that I need right now.  He will provide for us when it is time.  
I need to thank Him for always taking good care of us and never leaving us abandoned. 

Never means NEVER.

Take Time to Get Into Their Lives

Last night Jarrod and I took time to deal with a couple of issues with our youngest. 

It had to do with this "in-between" stage of one minute being a kid, the next minute being a teen, emotions, etc.

We had not even seen a glimpse of the trouble in his little heart. 

He's such a fun-loving, care-free kid.

We sat him down and gently asked some questions.  

As tears were welling up in his eyes I could see the hurt feelings, and the complete confusion about life and how to handle it.

He doesn't know why he's feeling this way, acting this way, or why kids have to be so cruel.

He didn't shy away from us, and was honest when he couldn't explain his actions or feelings.

We realized that he needed us to sit him down and just CARE.  

It isn't that we don't; not at all!  

But when you have older children and busy schedules, sometimes the youngest gets lost in the shuffle.

After our talk, the difference in his countenance was amazing.  

In fact, the rest of the night he wouldn't leave us alone.

We sat with another child for a few minutes to "get into their life", and the same result: this one kept following us, too!

They plopped on our bed and just wanted to talk...about nothing big.

In fact, most of what they said was just goofy.  

But they felt safe with us.

They knew we loved them and cared.

Eventually, we had to make them "scram" so we could have our bed back. 

Have you sat down one on one with your kids lately and just asked them how they're doing with friends, the boy/girl thing, school work?

They are in a world we know so little about. 

Do it!!

There is so little time, and even your teenagers are dying to know that you CARE.

It won't be long before you're kicking them off your bed, too!