Out of the Mouth of Babes...

I've really been struggling with the whole "work life balance" thing since starting my new position. Seems there is not enough time to learn everything I need/want to learn and still maintain margin for home-life. Last night was particularly difficult as I struggled to get home before 7:00. The kids were already done eating and getting ready for bed. I walk in and though I was excited to see them, had very little energy to go along with it. Then there is Nicole, who's been with them all day and has no energy left herself and is just looking for me to give her a bit of a break and perhaps some notion that she is still important to me.

So we proceeded to finish up bath time and continue with our Bible time. The kids love this time and if for some reason we are out late and try to cut it out, they often ask for Bible Time because they love it so much. So last night we were talking about how God protects us. We used Moses in the basket as the example of how God protected Moses. Each of us shared times when we've known God's protection for us. Then I asked the kids to pray and thank God for His protection.

Owen loves to pray. He often says the best prayers and I learn so much from listening to him. He talks to God as if God is His best friend (shouldn't we all); He keeps his prayers simple and to the point. So last night while he was praying he was thanking God for protecting him during a recent fall on his bike... and went on to ask, "help us remember that nothing is too hard if you help us."

I'm not sure where this came from other than by divine inspiration from the Holy Spirit. It didn't seem to fit with the prayer, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. Nothing is too hard. And God used my son to remind me of that. Not this job, not this life, not a bike spill, not any challenge. What an awesome reminder and refreshment to my soul.

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise"

Psalm 8:2

Holiness is a journey ... not a destination

My last post was on December 23. As you can tell a month has passed since I've even taken time to record my thoughts. Busyness has taken over. I have been consumed with my new job and the chaos of learning new stuff. Leaving little margin in my life for hearing God's voice.

Lately in my study I've been studying Leviticus and becoming increasingly convicted about the holiness that God requires. In Leviticus it was of the newly established priesthood. Yet the same holds true today in the priesthood of all believers... including me.

This is where it gets dangerous. In Lev 10, we see two priests losing their life because their worship was unauthorized. So while I've been going through the motions, I'm positive that my worship has not been with the same standard of holiness that God demands and deserves.

I usually jump into things expecting perfection immediately... I must continue to remind myself that holiness is a journey... and God will use all things in my life - including a new job - to bring about holiness in my life. I cannot expect it to be a destination. Please dear Jesus, don't give up on me yet...I'm still trying.