for when we don’t like God’s plan

June 3, 2013 By Lara 9 Comments

Our pastor is preaching from the book “Habakkuk.” Say that five times fast “Habakkuk Habakkuk…” Anyway, I had one of those moments yesterday during his sermon when God reminded me not-so-subtly that “He’s got this.”

He’s got this.

I think I need daily reminding because it’s just too easy to get tangled up in short-sighted emotion. It’s too easy to wonder what the heck God’s doing. It’s too easy to doubt.

So I need it daily. I have to remember that even when it may feel like something is “all wrong,” there’s this God who loves me immeasurably. Not only that, He sees the beginning from the end and He has this way of working every single thing out for our good and His glory. Everything.

..the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:27-28

Nothing trumps His promises. Nothing thwarts His plan. Nothing catches Him looking the other way.

I may say with Habakkuk, “I don’t like this plan!” But He isn’t threatened. He’s patient. And He can take my little outbursts. But then after I get it all out, He calls me (and you) to faith.

Yes, emotions will come. We’ll raise objections to His plans at times. But the hope is that we move from fear to faith. From pride to faith. From hopelessness to faith.

God gave me a not-so-subtle reminder yesterday. “Lara, trust Me.”

Fill me, Lord…

What do you do when you don’t like God’s plan?

Filed Under: daily filling, goodbye fear, they call me mama, wife thoughts

I don’t want to raise an obedient, good girl

May 24, 2013 By Lara 4 Comments

Don’t get me wrong. I want my kids to obey. What I wouldn’t give. But obedience to the law isn’t my ultimate hope for them. My ultimate prayer as a parent is that each of my children would passionately love their God and then spill out His love onto people. Obedience follows.

But if I’m honest, in the practicalities of the day-to-day, I get entangled in the battle for their obedience. Yet rules and laws won’t ever change their hearts. Rules and laws won’t grow love.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in (God’s) sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:20

We need rules and laws in our homes because by the law we know what’s right and wrong. But the law doesn’t make me want to obey. The law doesn’t stir love in me. It actually makes me want to rebel.

I may choose to obey externally because I don’t like the consequences to disobedience. But the law in and of itself won’t change my heart. Or the hearts of our children. And we step onto dangerous ground as parents when we expect the law to transform their inner being.

What changes the inner man, transforming us from the inside out, is the Maker of heaven and earth. More specifically an encounter with the great grace of God. An encounter with Jesus. The Father’s kindness and grace as seen in Christ draws us to Him.

So I wanted to list four ways we can express God’s grace in our homes especially when our children disobey “the law.”

Pray.

Yep. Pray. Pray we have His vision for them. Pray we reflect Him in our response. And pray they see His love, in spite of their rebellion.

Respond. Not react.

Easier said than done when emotions flare. In the midst of disobedience, it’s wise to send them to their own space while we gain His perspective. Being slow to speak has great reward.

Place expectation in its proper place

Yes, I want them to obey. But the truth is, even I don’t obey and I’m thirty-something. I fail every single day. We can expect that they too will fail. But we can also expect that God’s grace is sufficient. We can expect that in spite of me or them, He keeps pursuing and forgiving.

Use acts of disobedience to reveal their need.

Every act of disobedience is proof that we need a Savior. We can’t be good enough. Our flesh is weak. There’s only One way to reach God, and it’s through the grace of Jesus. So I tell my kids, “This shows again how much we need Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you, work in you, and then thank Him for His continual grace.”

We have rules in our home. We give lots of consequences. But I also pray we reflect God’s grace. Because it’s His love that leads to true heart repentance.

Fill me, Lord…

How else can we show grace in our parenting?

Filed Under: daily filling, they call me mama

for when He leads you down a path you didn’t plan {our new journey}

May 15, 2013 By Lara 26 Comments

It’s one of those times. You know. That season when God leads you to do something that you really don’t want to do. Yet you know that if you follow His lead then it will for your good and His glory. Because that’s how He works. But…you still don’t have the emotional desire.

I’ve been here a few times before — stepping onto ground I didn’t ask for and never would have chosen. Sometimes it’s been rocky, desolate, near-dangerous ground. Other times it’s just been a little unpredictable and slightly inconvenient to my plans — like now.

But regardless of the degree, I still don’t like the menu. And He typically has to coax me through the front door. And something always smells funny in here.

That’s where I’m at. Heading down a new path I wouldn’t have chosen.

To make a long story somewhat short, I’ve never ever wanted to homeschool. Ever. Did I say “ever”? But as we prayed about what to do next year — as we’ve prayed every year — God has nudged us in that direction. And I must admit it has come with personal nausea, induced by fear.

I could go on and on about the feelings I felt when I withdrew them from school for next year. Or how overwhelmed I can get when I think about that scary “c” word. (“curriculum”) But I’ll spare you the details.

All that to say, God sometimes leads us to do things we don’t necessarily want to do. I mean, I don’t think Jesus wanted to die on a gruesome cross. Not that homeschooling is equivalent to crucifixion. But if we’re seeking Him, there will be times when He leads us to do something that our emotions rise up against.

That’s why I have to remember that feelings are real, but they aren’t always reliable. Feelings fluctuate and move. They’re fluid and fallen. God’s wisdom, on the other hand, is a firm foundation.

My husband and I don’t sense God being harsh. In fact, I believe He would be faithful to draw our kids to Himself even if we kept them in school. But for us, next year, we think it’s a decision of “best.” We think He has certain blessings for our family that we’d miss if we chose to not follow His lead.

So, what to do? Well, if we don’t yet know God’s leading about something, my advice is pretty simple (and somewhat churchy). Keep praying. Keep searching the Scriptures. Keep asking Him for wisdom. But the most important thing: Expect Him to answer!

Expect Him to answer.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6

He promises to give wisdom to those who ask. He promises to guide the feet of His children. Emotions may not agree with the road He points us down, but eventually emotions come around as we follow after Him. I’m banking on that one.

Fill me, Lord…

Tell me about a time when God led you down a road you didn’t choose or plan. How did He bless once you followed His lead?

And for the record: This will not turn into a homeschool blog. And I don’t believe that a person has to homeschool to be a good mom or dad. This is just where God has our family for the coming year. Prayers appreciated.