Friday
So, the first 6 months of 2013 have been a blur. And these are only a tasting of my life these days! But you know what I’ve learned?
God remembers! Yes, my father may be forgetting a lot of his earthly existence, but (PTL) he’s not forgotten God. More importantly, God has not forgotten him! What a memory our great God has! He remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14) — imperfect and helpless. But He is patient with us, sweeping us up again and again in His hand, but never throwing us in the garbage can! He remembers all of us; He remembers each of us. How can He not? For the name of each believer is engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16).
Jesus is Life! Yes, my mother-in-law lost the battle with cancer, but won the battle of life! Jesus is her life and she lives — truly lives! — forevermore with Him. Actually, she never died (John 11:25). She simply shed the robe of flesh she wore for this thing called “time.” In Jesus is life (John 1:4) and “everyone who believes in him [has] eternal life…[and] shall not perish” (John 3:15-16).
We are God’s children! Though husband and I have not been perfect parents and our children have not been perfect children, God is the perfect Father and Jesus the perfect Son! Regardless of mistakes I’ve made in the past, regardless of mistakes my children have made, I must follow God’s example. God loves purely, sacrificially — and He disciplines perfectly, lovingly. The Father loves us without measure and allowed His Son to pay the price for our adoption. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God…” (John 1:12-13). We are His children and He will bless and discipline because He is the perfect Parent. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
My job is to let God do His job! I must submit to whatever that means for both my personal and professional life. Actually, there should be no separation; my entire life is sacred because it is set apart for the glory of God. I must let go of fears and let God have His way. (I still must submit and wait for the husband to come on board, but I can surely be ready for when he does!)
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever…
The LORD remembers us and will bless us…
he will bless those who fear the LORD —
small and great alike.
(Psalm 111:5 and 115:12-13)