God is everywhere. He goes before and He comes behind….and today I am especially praising Him for I know that He has us:) When your children are born….your goal is to raise them to be able to live without you…to function, live, make decisions and thrive…without you….all the while knowing…that to do that abundantly and with REAL Significance…it has to be done with Jesus…first and foremost.
As I have taken on the “new role” of MOB, I find great comfort in knowing that in less than a year our baby girl will be independent of her parents in so many ways and clinging to her new “mate.” She will be clinging to someone who we love and who has demonstrated, and won our confidence in, his love, respect and care for her.
I find myself wanting to linger in this journey. As the saying goes…”we will never pass this way again!” So I am determined to enjoy and savor every little thing…even though I have to confess to you…” a live out loud” moment of mine.
The tense moments have begun. I have to keep telling myself over and over that Collins is the one getting married, not me. It is all about the “dress” she wants…that she feels special in. Bill is doing a much better job than me in this area. Of course I find myself with a ton of thoughts. From my experience in dress shopping and education on what looks good in a picture, I know it may not necessarily look good on your body.
You have to think about time of year. Is it an inside or outside wedding? Will it be comfortable not just through the ceremony, but the reception as well? (Do I sound like a wedding planner? lol) My thinking cap is on and on tight and my “MOB game face”…both to the point that…I wasn’t very nice to the attendant helping us yesterday. At one time, yes, I wanted to “squeeze” Collins and I actually did with my looks…..! Just saying….
I have been warned those tense moments will come. This morning, after my PROLONGED quiet time in getting ready for Day 3 of #questtosayyestothedress, I am asking God to please not only go before us, but to constantly remind me to enjoy the “journey”. That I would be full of grace, love and PATIENCE. MOB…needs to set a Christ-like example.
Yesterday, even though I apologized to the attendant, I was a terrible witness. My light for Christ did not shine nor set me apart. YOU KNOW HOW I KNOW? After I apologized to the attendant for being rude she said, “I do this every day all day. I am used to it. You are no different!” YIKES! Wow…just wow….that hit me right between the eyes. I blended with everyone else. YUK!
I am not beating myself up but I can tell you one thing, I refuse to let that happen again. Life is about “letting your light shine”…being different than the world. Whether you are in school, teeing it up in a golf tournament for fun or competition, or grocery shopping and dealing with longs lines…or you are MOBing….we have to be “different” in how we treat people and how we act.
Matthew 5:14-16 still holds true even when you are MOB. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
I have learned there are times of “testing” in our lives every day and yesterday, I got a C-. Thankfully, God is a God of grace and forgiveness and (my family is too)…but with that He expects, after repentance, for there to be a change. I have enjoyed posting pictures of our journey and thank heavens you don’t have a lasting picture of my expression……:(((((( Not pretty…Bill and Collins were kind not to take one and post it…even though I am still free game…they have i-phones too……..
I encourage you today with this…our daily lives, our comings and goings as Christians, are supposed to be “light” in the “dark” world we live in…..especially to strangers. We need to be reminded to be a light, a testimony, turning folks toward Jesus. “…I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me,’” (Acts 27:17-18).
No steps we take are by chance. God can use our simplest actions and words to draw someone to Himself. I encourage you to value you each day as a REAL OPPORTUNITY to be SET apart and different. It is in those moments that others, even strangers, can see Christ. “Keep your flame lit, and you will never feel darkness and there is a good chance others will see the Light.”