It has been another magical day. I love life. I have been blessed with the most amazing people to share life with. My sister's kids were so cute today. I feel as though I meet them anew every single time I am with them. They are always saying the craziest, most unexpected things. They always have something new that they can do or like or know. I love them more all the time, and I would do anything for those kids. And I can tell that they are getting more familiar and comfortable around me. It is such an honor to be a part of these people's lives from such an early age, and to have some sort of influence on them. They love with such abandon, and it is the simplest of things that gives them the greatest joy. All I have to do is tackle or tickle, and all of a sudden I'm their hero. It's a wonderful feeling :)
Liam (age 3) has been having nightmares, apparently. One day when he was spending the night, my Mom told him that he should just pray to Jesus and that he would keep the bad dreams away. The next evening, my mom and sister were talking about prayer and faith, and Liam piped up "last night, I prayed that Jesus would take my nightmares away, and then I wasn't afraid anymore!" I was struck by his level of faith without understanding or depth of knowledge. This from the kid who, at times, is barely coherent in his animated rambling.
Today I was studying in Matthew 9. This is such crazy, challenging stuff. It brings me back to the base of it all-- that full understanding is not a requirement to receiving the Kingdom of God in your life (and therefore giving it away.) God chose to heal those who came with a desperation and a simple belief that Jesus was able to heal them through the power of God. Never once did he say, "you are healed because you are a good person" or "because you know a lot about God" even. Three times in the chapter, Jesus credits the faith of the recipient (or even the recipient's friends!) as the reason for their healing.
Lord, I ask for an increase of child-like faith. For even faith itself is a gift from You. I pray that on the days when I don't even physically feel your presence or feel like ministering to people, that I will stand firm in You and know that your presence is with me! Your victorious love and the faith that you have set in my heart overcomes all obstacles in my path-- including my own emotions and logical reasoning. May it always be so. Give me opportunities even today to step out into the discomfort of the unknown to bring You to people in incredible ways. You are the only one worth believing.
Matthew 9:2
"Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.'"
Matthew 9:22
"Jesus turned and saw her. 'Take heart, daughter,' he said, 'your faith has healed you.' And the woman was healed from that moment."
Matthew 9:29
"And he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you.'"
Don't be afraid of your blind belief/ Because the more you fly the more you'll see
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
wow great post but especially the prayer is resonating in my heart!! yes Lord!!!
ReplyDeletealso like the Jason Upton lyric that between earth & sky album has been ministering to me so much lately.
And praise God for his faithFULNESS! You know, it has been difficult for me, being across the sea and away from the body, but HE is always here...it's wonderful. And yeah, there are days when I don't feel him, when I don't feel strong, but that doesn't change the truth...thanks Abby!
ReplyDeletevery cool, it soo cool to appreciate the people closest to you, your family, which we often forget
ReplyDelete