Intentional Love

I was recently reminded of a time two dear friends, Paul and Tammy, and I made our way to a little Greek restaurant in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego.  Paul and I were students at Horizon School of Evangelism and sweet Tammy had been raised in the Lord and literally "oozed" His love on everyone she met.  We choose the restaurant because the owner, a fascinating and highly intelligent man, was also a guest speaker at our school. He shared (in a contentious but memorable way) how the Lord wrote the Gospel story in the constellations.

All of us zealous for the Lord, ordered our food and immediately began talking about the scriptures.
Within a few minutes, a complete stranger who over heard our conversation invited himself to sit with us at our table.  It turns out that he, a devout atheist, was one of the plaintiffs suing the city of San Diego for having a cross on Mt. Soledad.  He began needling and challenging and trying to cast doubt in our conversation.  Covered in that "first-love grace," we were completely unscathed and quite determined to help him know the truth.  The conversation went back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth 90 minutes after the restaurant was closed!  The owner, who was well aware of the atheist's agenda, watched from the kitchen somewhat amused.  It seems we were not the first to fall into this man's trap!

At one point in the conversation, my sweet friend Tammy welled up with tears.  Moved by the Holy Spirit, she pressed right into the man's space and cried out,  "I just feel so sad for you!  My heart is broken for you! You really don't know how much Jesus loves you!"

Silence... palpable vulnerability... confusion ... softening... then the wall went back up.

This man was rocked!... at least for a minute... by genuine love.  He was awkward, squirmy and confused when he came in close contact with the thought someone truly cared about him.

I'd like to say this heady man got on his knees and asked Jesus to be his Savior right then and there.
That's not what happened. He did, for a minute though, consider at a heart level the idea of LOVE. There was a definite chink in the armor!

This is such a powerful reminder to me that it is "His kindness that leads us to repentance" and that "of the gifts, the greatest is LOVE."  Love is a powerful offensive weapon and I daresay underused.  Let's make 2015 the year we use LOVE intentionally and valiantly, taking ground for the King!

Moment by Moment

Many are the plans in a man’s heart. Proverbs 19:21

This is the verse that we had for our devotions this morning.  The story in our new devotional went like this:  Alex let a stray cat into the house because he felt sorry for it meowing outside.  Daddy had to get it out and shoo it away.  Daddy taught Alex that he should not do that again as they wouldn’t know what that cat would have done in the home.  “We should ask God what to do as He will be glad to show us the right way to act.”

I need to ask God how to act on a moment by moment basis!  “God, please show me how to act in this moment.”  Sometimes my frustration with something the kids do leads me to yell at them.  I don’t want to be a momma who yells, who loses my self-control because my three-year old dropped yogurt on the kitchen table (and on her clothes, and all over her mouth…).  I would rather instruct with love and kindness.  That will happen when I’m in God’s word seeking His help.

Let’s do it while we teach our kids the same.  God gives us the opportunity to make the right choice, let’s keep each other in prayer today to do so!  Hide God’s word in your heart, momma and use them as a shield, as your help to get through the crazy stuff that pops up.  I’ve already had PLENTY while writing this! 

Carpooling Kindness

I couldn’t be more grateful.  What seemed an innocent agreement to carpool has turned into an answer to prayer.  This week we began carpooling with two sisters.  I didn’t know what to expect on our first day at pick up. 

Whatever my expectations, I would have never expected a thank you note and handmade gift on the first morning.  I have been more than pleasantly surprised.  These girls are such a joy.  They are kind to each other and anyone who is in the car.  They carry conversation easily.  They talk positive about the school, classmates, the church and their home.  They are appreciative.   They are just sweet. 

I thought it an appropriate challenge this week to ask our children to write a thank you note and give a creative gift to someone in their lives.  You wouldn't think such a small gift would mean so much.  

I celebrate their kindness to our daughter and to me.  Their kindness challenges me to do the same.

Colossians 3: 12

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Be Kind and Stop

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to New York City with our oldest daughter, her friend and my friend.  In preparation for the trip we all expressed what we most wanted to do. We submitted our favorite tourist options like, the Statue of Liberty; a show on Broadway; going to Ground Zero; Grand Central Station and a variety of other things.  My choice was to be in the crowd at Good Morning America.

Specifically, I wanted to see Good Morning America and maybe even my favorite anchor, Robin Roberts.  The girls graciously put Good Morning America on our list of possible activities.

At seven in the morning we arrived at the ABC station to watch the crew and anchors begin giving the days news, stories and weather. I was certainly like a kid at Christmas, getting to watch Sam, Josh, George, Lara and Robin begin their work on live TV. 

As we stood and waved for the rolling cameras, the outdoor crew let us know that the anchors would come to the street before the shows end.  I wondered if I would have the opportunity to meet any of them, specifically Robin.

In the last half hour of the show, the anchors began coming into the street to do some outdoor filming.  We had the chance to meet the anchors and take pictures.  Robin still had not come out.

Finally the beautiful, graceful and elegant Robin Roberts walked out of the building with an entourage of co-workers briefing her on what the next piece would be.  She also had security guards watching the crowd with fox like maneuvers.

As Robin walked out with a swarm of attendants, her eyes seem to lock with mine and she walked away from all those assistants and walked straight to me.  After exchanging pleasantries, I began telling her I had been raised on Good Morning America.  Robin was so very kind and personable.  We took some pictures and she was back to the set.

Why do I tell you Mommy’s about this experience?

As we read scripture we see Jesus moving quickly from one location to another.  He is constantly being asked to explain, feed, heal, and speak with the crowds.  Yet so many times, in the midst of being “pulled” to the next urgent situation Jesus recognizes someone outside of His constituents.

John records Jesus seeing the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, and healing the man born blind.  Jesus found them.  He stopped the direction he was taking to show kindness.

So as a mom, do I stop to speak to my children? Do I stop to listen to my children?  Do I stop to help my children as they do tasks that could lead to frustration? Am I kind?

I can become so busy with “my things” that I miss our children.  One more call, another load of laundry, working in the yard, making a meal, cleaning up after a meal, and having conversations at church, can all get in the way of what our children need.

I can’t tell you how special Robin Roberts made me feel that morning.  But in that moment all of her life stopped for me.

Christ looks at me.  He stops for me.  

He is waiting on me to stop and look at Him.

Mark 10: 14 "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Challenge:  In the next coming days find two occasions where you stop what you are doing to look your child in the eyes, listen and be kind.  Not because they need correction or even direction, just so they recognize you are making them feel like a priority. Look for opportunities to be kind to your children, for no other reason than to let them know they are a priority. Let’s stop for our children.