Smol tok nomo |
Smol tok nomo |
During a recent run to Wal-Mart in our home town of Carthage I was struck by a sign while walking in the door (no not struck like it hit me in the head struck like it gave me an idea). The sign said “Pardon our Mess, we are currently remodeling to make our store better for you”. The only problem was the item I had came for was in the freezer section that they had roped off to work on the floor and was basically inaccessible for the night. I went ahead and found a substitute item in another section and all was well. The thoughts about that sign didn’t quite leave me though. I found myself wishing it could be as simple as putting a sign around my neck that said “Pardon my mess I am under construction."
Since starting full time itineration in March, our family seemingly spends more time on display for others than in the privacy of our own home. Every lesson I teach my kids (which is a lot of lessons when you have a two year old and a ten month old) is generally before an audience rather in a church nursery, bathroom, or eating with Pastors in a restaurant or in their home. The great thing is as a “newish” Mom all those lessons I am learning like what works and what doesn’t are also on display for all to see. Just like Wal-mart could not improve without others seeing the messy side of things unless it shut down all together, I find my family and particularly my journey of Motherhood out there for all to see. While people are ever so gracious and understanding as they too, for the most part, have experienced raising a two year old at one point in their lives, I cannot help but be humbled every day as my “messiness” is on display. It is human nature to want to put our best foot forward. I feel even more pressure when I think of us trying to raise support for the schools in Vanuatu. I am often bombarded with negative thoughts like “what if they choose not to support this cause because I can’t keep January from constantly looking over the pew and making faces at those around her?” These are the times I remind myself I am not doing missions work because of my outstanding qualifications, my “write a book” worthy mothering skills, or my mess free perfect lifestyle. The reality is I am here because God called me. God called me the Mom who is trying to instill character in her children balanced with love. The Mom who sees her two year old trapped in a car for hours at a time often throwing up two or three times before we get to a service. The Mom who knows her kids just want to run around some and be a kid. Lets face it, after sitting in the car, sitting through church, and sitting through a meal with adults talking about “adult" stuff most grown ups get antsy. So here we are the Thomas family. Teaching our kids to be respectful the best we know how. Trying to put our best foot forward but also human in all our efforts. So “Pardon our mess” I have my children under construction and God has me under construction. Praying daily for wisdom. We go humbly from church to church, house to house showing once again that us missionaries are just normal people whom God has called.
7 Comments
It is one of nature's greatest lessons. Any documentary you may watch you will see it, the animal that leaves the pack gets eaten. The animal that is on the edge, lagging behind or sometimes too far ahead they are the ones that get eaten. Somehow this thinking has seeped over into the human philosophy and lifestyle. We look at that one that is stepping out of the pack and we shake our heads thinking "what makes them think they are so special?" or "that fool is going to get eaten!" . The laws of nature are sure and lets face it sometimes those very thoughts are proven right.
So to those particular critics I would like to challenge your philosophy. There is but one thing that trumps the laws of nature and that is the laws of God. We see a vivid picture in the story of Peter. When Christ calls him to "step out" onto the water. This defied the very law of nature. People don't just walk on water it is impossible! However, when Christ said step out and walk Peter obeyed and through obedience defied the laws of nature and physics. The problem is often those within a pack don't understand those who are stepping out. The one stepping out is not always thinking they are "oh so special" but are feeling insecure. They are often thinking "God why do I have to step out?" or "why can't I be normal?" This is the very reason many never obey and step out or some like in the story of Jonah (see the book of Jonah in the Bible) wait until they are are pressed by God and finally surrender sometimes years after they originally feel the call. No doubt many Christians today if they were placed in the boat as Peter stepped out, they would scoff and whisper amongst themselves. Of course there are those who sometimes take it upon themselves to "step out" and except God offers grace they metaphorically get eaten. Often we as Christians put ourselves in the place of God in that we say we don't "feel" this person is qualified to step out. We look at that strong and fast Christian and we say "if anyone has a chance to make it outside the pack its that one!" We then look at one that may in our eyes seem a little slow maybe even underfed and we say "oh no! he is nothing but lunch for the lion." However God often calls the weak so he can be glorified in their success. Other times He sees the heart of that strong one and knows they may be lifted up in pride. Bottom line is God is the ONLY one worthy of placing the call and qualifying the called. So to the critic I must say to you it may make so much more sense to stay in the pack because God has not called you to leave. However, His ways are not our ways and I would never want to discourage anyone from trying to follow the call of God on their lives. Truth is ever ministry great or small started with someone "stepping out" often leaving the pack. Truth is no minister is perfect, faultless or all talented and many of these strong and mighty men of God got where they are through stepping out and allowing God to mold them. So to the critic be careful. You will give account for ever idle word. It was the Pharisees or religious leaders of Christ day that ultimately crucified Him. Don't be guilty of crucifying what Jesus is trying to do in someone else because it doesn't make sense to you. Now to those Peters out there don't allow the critics or the pack to keep you from following what you know God is calling you to do. If you know God's voice and you hear Him calling you GO! GO! GO! Don't slow down long enough for others to explain to you why you are not good enough. Don't be afraid of being singled out on display instead of blending comfortably in the pack. Don't even fear your own shortcomings! Why do I say this? There is but one thing I must emphasis and it is truth for every Christian. I believe our whole Christian experience can be summed up in this one truth, KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS. Another place in the Bible says to "set your face like a flint" Purposefully and fully focus on Christ. When Peter began to focus on the waves around him, or the laws of nature, what happened? He began to sink!!! So it is when we focus on what others are going to think. This is a form of pride and until we get completely out of the way God can NEVER use us. Often when we focus on our critics, bitterness can sink in or we become unkind and we tie Gods hands so that He can't use us fully. So in all, and above all, keep your eyes focused on Christ and your ears open with a heart that will say "yes" regardless of the cost. In conclusion, I heard a story once and I am not sure if it is true or where it came from but I believe the principle it teaches is true. There was once a missionary that gave his life to a people and he only had one young boy as a convert. In the missionaries latter years he had begun to feel he had not accomplished anything by obeying God and going. He then heard of a great evangelist in that country who had seen hundreds saved and in the end it was the single boy he had won who had grown up to be this evangelist. In man's eyes (even his own) he had accomplished little, but stepping out in obedience is never in vain. So rather you are the one stepping out or the one wondering what is wrong with that guy who is trying to walk on water remember God's law always trumps the laws of nature and in the end it is our obedience to him and our remaining focused on Him that allows miracles to happen. Wow! It's been . . . well, it's been a few days! January, my two year old, has been throwing up nonstop the whole way to Texas. Normally, it's an eight hour drive but with the frequent cleanup stops, it has turned into an eleven hour drive! Just two hours shy of our destination, I get the call that my grandma has passed away in her sleep. We are right in the middle of rush hour traffic.
|
AuthorWife, Mother, Missionary, Teacher, Friend ... just a few of the many titles I gladly wear. Never dreamed this is the journey God would take me on. Archives
July 2022
Categories |