Heavenly Perspective

Hebrews 12:2 

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

We moved to Tennessee about 7 months ago which put us here right in the middle of winter.  Needless to say this took a bit of adjusting to for our Florida family.  As the weather has warmed it has allowed us to do lots of familiar fun summer activities again.  

I’m sure you can list a number of outings your family has experienced and maybe even a few you have planned and yet to do.  The other night as I was praying with my children I was feeling overwhelmingly blessed by all that we’ve been a part of: swim team, cabins, play dates, fellowship with new mammas, friends visiting, family visiting, etc. While all of this I cherish and wouldn’t change, my prayer took a turn I didn’t see coming.     

My prayer went something like this.  Lord, I thank you for all that our family has been able to do this summer, we are truly grateful, but Lord, I pray that none of it compare to the feeling we get from serving and spending time with You.  Lord please help us not to get caught up in this world and all that it offers but instead be satisfied and excited by You and You alone.  Lord please allow us to be mindful of serving others in the midst of our fun and to remember You Lord can be seen and revealed in all of our situations.  

Have you reminded your children lately that in the midst of their fun, there God is.  Have you taken a break from your summer fun and made a special day devoted to serving others?  Have you been able to keep a heavenly perspective this summer and taken it a step further to share what this looks like with your children?  I know I needed to get back on track with this, maybe it's time for you too? 

Psalm 63:1-5

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.  My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast.  I will praise you with songs of joy.

Sleepovers and Summer

         After a week out of school it was time to “christen” the official beginning of summer.  Hopie’s idea of welcoming summer was to invite a friend over last night and have her spend the day with us today.  Just before bedtime they decided to “bake something.”   They went on the web and found these great sounding recipes for cupcakes.  Their only parameter was they had to use only the ingredients we had…I wouldn’t be making a Publix run and they had to clean and put away everything they used.

At almost 12:30 they were pulling the cupcakes out of the oven. There attempt to make the cupcakes was quite successful.  They made beautiful looking cupcakes.

Google Image

 I thought I would soon hear them “Awe” over their yummy creations.  However, as soon as they cooled down, the girls put the cupcakes in the refrigerator.  They cleaned their mixing bowls, hand mixer, the counter tops, brushed their teeth and went to bed?!?

I thought this illustration is exactly what the Psalmist was trying to communicate in Psalm 34: 8.  David said, “Taste and See that the Lord is good.”  David wanted us to not only hear about the Lord’s goodness, but to experience His goodness. God’s goodness needs to be experienced.  It needs to be tried. 

Psalm 33: 5 The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.  The challenge is not to be like my daughter and her friend who made the beautiful cupcakes but didn’t eat them. Taste and See that the Lord is Good. Express your gratitude for His goodness. NEVER FORGET, GOD’S PREDISPOSITION TOWARD US IS GOODNESS!