HAVE YOU EVER...seen a child's future?

I work with preschoolers at church and at school.  I was talking to one of my friends the other day about how difficult it is to keep up with preschoolers.  I seldom see them in 10 to 20 years to find out how they turned out.   

Even so, there are some kids that you just know God is going to use them.  I have had a few girls in the last year that have continuously said profound things about Jesus.  I just know that they are going to be a missionary or married to a pastor.  These are godly women starting early!

I know that girls progress more quickly in some ways when they are younger.  This is probably why I am seeing this more in girls.  I am a mother of boys though.  I have NO idea what God has in store for my boys, but I pray for them to have a godly wife.  My father said that he prayed for godly husbands for my sister and I, and he did a good job.  God did a good job.

I am planning ahead.  WAY ahead.  I want my 6 and 10 year old boys to SOMEDAY find the women of their dreams and I pray that they are godly women.  You may think this is weird, but you surely pray for your kids’ futures.  I know that God made man for woman; and if God wants my boys to be married, I want it to be a match made in heaven. 

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from the LORD.  

Proverbs 18:22

HAVE YOU EVER planned ahead?

Genesis 2:18, Ephesians 5:24-25

HAVE YOU EVER...taken a vacation day?

I am a teacher.  I hate taking days off and I would feel too guilty to play hookie.  I took a vacation day in October because I was losin’ it!  I NEVER miss school, but I needed a “mental health day”!  Planned for the sub and used the day wisely.  My husband has been gripin’ at me ever since.

He says that because I took that one day, it messed up the whole school year.  We’ve had viruses, fevers, stomach bugs, sprained ankles, cavities, pink eye, and more.    It’s life.  Everyone has to deal with stuff like this.  To you it may not be illness, but something else piles up.  You need a “mental health day”!

Sometimes you have taken all of your days.  Your days are up, but you still have to keep on trudging on.  Deep breaths don’t seem like enough.  I keep finding myself saying, “I just can’t take anymore!” 

The last time this happened, luckily it was a weekend and I had a few seconds to myself.  Psalm 23 started running through my head.  God put it there.  Not ME.  I am so thankful for His comfort when I need it OR wouldn’t we all be taking “mental health days” EVERDAY?

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4 KJV

HAVE YOU EVER felt comfort?

Psalm 119:76, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

HAVE YOU EVER...had a nickname?

Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nation;  Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.  Isaiah 49:1

I am known for making up fond nicknames for my friends and family.  My youngest, Alex, is Alecade.  My oldest, Jackson, is Jaxie.  I call my husband by his initials and my sister has always been burger king!  I really do, do this with love and affection.  If I have given you a nickname, I must really like you.  Even though we are known for calling each other dorks and losers around our house. 

I was recently with some of my friends when we were discussing names and first impressions of people.  I am horrible with names.  Thankfully my husband is amazing with names.  I have been called out on it so many times, that I work much more diligently at remembering now.  On the other hand, I have a friend that names people what her first impression of them is and that sticks.  It is seldom good.  We all laughed over some of the horrible nick names or real names that had been given to us in the past. 

I went home contemplating this.  I have talked often about first impressions, but this made me just appreciate more that it doesn’t matter what people call me.  God knows me and knew me before I was born.  My name is “Child of God.”  I am His daughter!  This is why “He Knows My Name” is one of my favorite songs to sing.

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

HAVE YOU EVER become His child?

Psalm 139:1, 13; Romans 8:27

HAVE YOU EVER...walked in the dark?

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.   
Colossians 1:13-14 ESV

I work in this big building that is mostly dark on Fridays to conserve energy.  I think it is a great idea, but I am afraid of the dark.  I have to go into areas where I have no access to light.  My only light comes from the windows and there aren’t many.  I get so excited when I hear a voice or see a shadow coming towards me.  I know that I am not alone.

Do you ever walk through your day in darkness, and then God steps in?  He is always there and wants us to know that.  I love really feeling his presence and knowing that I am not alone.  God sent His Son to be our light.  Walk in the light!

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  John 8:12 NIV

HAVE YOU EVER walked in the light?

Isaiah 9:2, John 1:5

HAVE YOU EVER...merged?

I was thinking about speeding up and slowing down in traffic as I was trying to merge the other day.  Many of us have to get on and off an exit ramp every day.  As we are merging into traffic, we are hoping that someone will have the common courtesy to speed up or slow down to let us into traffic. 

Courtesy.

I was flipping channels one afternoon when I came across this info commercial about some type of motivation material (I think).  The guy was “selling” the 5 & 10 Rule.  If you are walking within 10 feet of someone, you should smile, nod, or just acknowledge them in some pleasant way.  But if you are within 5 feet of someone, you MUST SPEAK to them. 

I admit that over the years and in our culture I have become more jaded.  Even though, this sounds like a great encouraging way to treat people; Christ like, I’m not quite on board.

This is what is wrong with the Christian witness.  I should be speeding up or slowing down to let people (even strangers) merge into my daily walk.  We should be wanting to immerse ourselves in other people.  Be prepared to witness at any time. 

HAVE YOU EVER sped up or slowed down?

Psalm 40:10, Romans 12:13

HAVE YOU EVER...cursed a man?

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  James 3:9

Have you ever thought about the words that come out of your mouth and how you wanted to put them back?  You have probably heard it explained to kids like toothpaste.  Once you squirt the toothpaste out, there is no putting it back.  Regrets!

When you praise our Lord and Father, surely you have no regrets.  You don’t want or need to take back worship from God.

Looking at this verse from James really got to my tongue.  I don’t go around cursing men, but any unwholesome thoughts, words or actions towards another person is sin.  God knows it.  God hears me sinning against his creation.  I am cursing God.

HAVE YOU EVER cursed God?

Genesis 1:26-27, Colossians 3:9-10