Some days I wake up with grand plans. Today, was a day where nothing quite went the way I envisioned. Was thrilled to create that brain replica with play dough – ehhhh, wasn’t nearly as amazing as I had imagined. We tried. Onward to the egg carton spinal cord, disc, replica – ehhh “not exactly went the way I had hoped”, but still made the point. “fearfully and wonderfully made”, by God’s great design. We did have a wonderful language arts study with biblical application on being the “salt of the earth” – speaking with grace and truth. SCORE! Then quick… a hail storm!!! And for a few minutes we grabbed onto that, and did a super quick talk about the science of hail, and the Revelations warning of the nearing 100 lb hail stones that will fall at the end times on all those who refuse Jesus. Causing us to be so grateful for His love, and offering us this gift of Salvation – that we have received, today, tomorrow and all eternity. Causing us to pray fervently for and share with those we love who need this gospel salvation.
Then there are the needs that arise for other areas of life. That can crop at any any given moment. Where home school, life, marriage, and so on… become one under the Commander and Chief our Lord and Savior. Appointments needed to be made, errands to run, and so on.
At the end of the day… it’s not about textbooks, or crafts, or creative designs. It’s not about academics, it’s about the GOSPEL. Have I lived the gospel today? This means repenting too. When I, the wife and mom mess it up, I have the Kindness of the Lord on my side to convict me of sin, repent, and receive the forgiveness, mercy, grace of not only Him, but my fellow Believing family. Have I prayed? Have I taught the scriptures, and loved the Lord and those who are my nearest neighbors? Have I been flexible to the Lord’s plan, and submitted to Him, when I must go outside my “idea” for the day, and meet the needs that arise at any given moment? Have I respected my husband, and loved him well? Have I reached deep into the well of the Living Water for my own strength? Then have I reached deep into my children’s hearts with careful love and truth – with all patience, and joy, with faith God is blessing these endeavors? Well then, it’s been beautiful and productive – in the eyes of the One we live for each day.
It’s okay, that sometimes those ideas of that science study, or that plan, just went to flop. It’s okay, that our energy is lessened some days and we keep it simple. Living in the gospel every single day, is the absolute life that can be taught, watched, and lived, every single second of the day and nothing can stop that. Make our offerings, even in rest, and see Jesus do above and beyond what we could imagine. For His glory!
I wrote this little poem the other day, just before Valentine’s Day – as I was reflecting on God’s continuous, never changing love, and in this love, the GREATEST of these – LOVE, we are privileged to live out each day. 1 Cor. 13
OFFERINGS OF LOVE – 365 DAYS
The offerings of love for the King,
Offerings of love most will never see.
The little things-are the big things,
the hearts that are reached,
the transforming work,
the servant’s heart in obedience
to the Lord.
Whatever one’s lot,
a heart of submission,
“It is well, with my soul”.
To share the gospel of love,
this is the great commission,
this is our mission.
Oh to be in the deep trenches,
the valley, as well as the mountain top.
To comprehend to greater degree
the love of the Savior Who died
to set sinners free.
Refusing our will, and living for His
in the quiet of life,
in wonder and adversity,
all praise to Him that
His glory be seen.
A love for His child,
will never leave or forsake.
Blessed is the One Who covers sin,
Equips the saints to walk in Him.
An example to follow, walking in love,
so “be still” in the everyday offerings,
the Father is looking down from above.
He is God, Who delights in these.
Offerings of love that matter BIG, echoing into
eternity. Offerings of love, we give each day, minute by minute
JESUS IS THE WAY.
And then the next day… this devotion came to my inbox:
“To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity”
2 Peter 3:18
by: TLF, and C.H.S.
(below)
“Believer, you are anticipating the time when you will join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now? The apostle’s words are, “To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.” Will you not today make it your prayer? Lord, help me to glorify You. I am poor; help me to glorify You by contentment. I am sick; help me to give You honor by patience. I have talents; help me to extol You by spending them for You. I have time, Lord; help me to redeem it, that I may serve You. I have a heart to feel; Lord, let that heart feel no love but Yours, and glow with no flame but affection for You. I have a mind to think, Lord; help me to think of You and for You. You have put me in this world for something. Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose. I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two copper coins, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into Your treasury. I am all Yours; take me, and enable me to glorify You now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.” BY – TLF, AND CHS.
AND I WILL SAY… I am SO grateful for the GOSPEL. The power to save. At the end of the day, no matter what has happened, I TREASURE that THE GOSPEL rules and reigns, lived, taught, learned, loved, and celebrated. JESUS!
” FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER, BELIEVES IN HIM, WILL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE”
JN 3:16
“Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:43-44
