Monday, October 30, 2006
In Other Words
"Like the proud mother who is thrilled to receive a wilted bouquet of dandelions from her child, so God celebrates our feeble expressions of gratitude." ~ Richard Foster~
How often do we 'become as little children' and give ourselves to God without pretense? ...just like our own precious little ones that bring us those tokens of affection? ...dandelions, a melted piece of chocolate clenched tightly in the fist so it can be saved for mama, a hand drawn picture with scribble writing, a song played on the harmonica...
It's easy to belittle oneself and think that our own offerings of love are meaningless. We don't have to have a 'great and mighty' ministry and a man made title to please God. We are doing what God has called us to already if we focus on our homes and children, teaching and training our little ones in the fear of the Lord and making our homes a place of peace and rest for our husbands and children to rest in.
Do you ever just sit down and enjoy looking at the tiny bugs and leaves in your yard with your children--telling them about the wonderful Creator as you do? Perhaps that is like the handful of dandelions.
Do you ever sit down with your husband or children and offer them some cookies and milk, a listening ear and some heartfelt prayer after a long hard day-- without telling your own problems? Perhaps that is like the fistful of chocolate offered to your Father as you care for the family He has given you.
Do you ever sit and write prayers and thoughts to the Lord in a journal or even a scrap of paper? Wouldn't He like to get love notes like the ones our children give us?
Do you ever sing or hum praise songs or hymns while you wash dishes?
Perhaps that is like the little song puffed out on the harmonica that a child plays for his parents.
God doesn't want us to say: "I'm not a writer, I'm not an artist, I'm not a singer" He wants us to realize that we are wholly His and wholly made by Him, to bring honor to Him in whatever we do.
So, cast aside the pride and the worry that you don't measure up to some man made standard, and give Him everything you've got without pretense.
Today I want to sing while I work and share some cookies with someone, and listen to my children.:-) What simple things can you do?
Sunydazy
• Oct. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Lovely post. Funny because I was just waiting for my girls to wake up to help me bake dessert for tonight. Maybe it will be cookies....
• Oct. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by LoniStel
"We don't have to have a 'great and mighty' ministry and a man made title to please God." So beautifully written. How much we can praise Him for just sitting in one place. Thank you for the reminders.
• Oct. 31, 2006 - YES!
Posted by Anonymous
"So, cast aside the pride and the worry that you don't measure up to some man made standard, and give Him everything you've got without pretense." AMEN! Beautifully said. Made my heart sing!!! Thank you. He used you to minister to me today.... My humble gratitude..... Ann V.
• Oct. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by camytang
I love how you phrased that--"without pretense." That brings to mind a wonderful visual of complete abandonment. And I know God loves me when I love Him back without restraint--why can't I do it more often? Camy
• Oct. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Nic @ nicsplace.blogspot.com
I love that perspective that sometimes doing for others is one way of doing for God to show our gratitude for what He has given us! Thanks for the reminder of that! :)
• Nov. 1, 2006 - Praises to Him
Posted by Sting My Heart
Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts on giving praises to Him in whatever we do. I often hum a song in the morning when I get up - and 99.9% it is praise song just for Him.
• Nov. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Very beautifully written ... offering our quiet selves to others as a delightful gift to God :)
• Nov. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Very beautifully written ... offering our quiet selves to others as a delightful gift to God :) Ame AMExpression
How often do we 'become as little children' and give ourselves to God without pretense? ...just like our own precious little ones that bring us those tokens of affection? ...dandelions, a melted piece of chocolate clenched tightly in the fist so it can be saved for mama, a hand drawn picture with scribble writing, a song played on the harmonica...
It's easy to belittle oneself and think that our own offerings of love are meaningless. We don't have to have a 'great and mighty' ministry and a man made title to please God. We are doing what God has called us to already if we focus on our homes and children, teaching and training our little ones in the fear of the Lord and making our homes a place of peace and rest for our husbands and children to rest in.
Do you ever just sit down and enjoy looking at the tiny bugs and leaves in your yard with your children--telling them about the wonderful Creator as you do? Perhaps that is like the handful of dandelions.
Do you ever sit down with your husband or children and offer them some cookies and milk, a listening ear and some heartfelt prayer after a long hard day-- without telling your own problems? Perhaps that is like the fistful of chocolate offered to your Father as you care for the family He has given you.
Do you ever sit and write prayers and thoughts to the Lord in a journal or even a scrap of paper? Wouldn't He like to get love notes like the ones our children give us?
Do you ever sing or hum praise songs or hymns while you wash dishes?
Perhaps that is like the little song puffed out on the harmonica that a child plays for his parents.
God doesn't want us to say: "I'm not a writer, I'm not an artist, I'm not a singer" He wants us to realize that we are wholly His and wholly made by Him, to bring honor to Him in whatever we do.
So, cast aside the pride and the worry that you don't measure up to some man made standard, and give Him everything you've got without pretense.
Today I want to sing while I work and share some cookies with someone, and listen to my children.:-) What simple things can you do?
Sunydazy
• Oct. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Lovely post. Funny because I was just waiting for my girls to wake up to help me bake dessert for tonight. Maybe it will be cookies....
• Oct. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by LoniStel
"We don't have to have a 'great and mighty' ministry and a man made title to please God." So beautifully written. How much we can praise Him for just sitting in one place. Thank you for the reminders.
• Oct. 31, 2006 - YES!
Posted by Anonymous
"So, cast aside the pride and the worry that you don't measure up to some man made standard, and give Him everything you've got without pretense." AMEN! Beautifully said. Made my heart sing!!! Thank you. He used you to minister to me today.... My humble gratitude..... Ann V.
• Oct. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by camytang
I love how you phrased that--"without pretense." That brings to mind a wonderful visual of complete abandonment. And I know God loves me when I love Him back without restraint--why can't I do it more often? Camy
• Oct. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Nic @ nicsplace.blogspot.com
I love that perspective that sometimes doing for others is one way of doing for God to show our gratitude for what He has given us! Thanks for the reminder of that! :)
• Nov. 1, 2006 - Praises to Him
Posted by Sting My Heart
Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts on giving praises to Him in whatever we do. I often hum a song in the morning when I get up - and 99.9% it is praise song just for Him.
• Nov. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Very beautifully written ... offering our quiet selves to others as a delightful gift to God :)
• Nov. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Very beautifully written ... offering our quiet selves to others as a delightful gift to God :) Ame AMExpression
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