More

"Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."

My child, if you're consumed with food and clothing, you're operating at a surface level, and there's so much MORE!

Dive into the More with Me.

He can't wait to see me dance

I was worrying (again) about what I should be doing. About missing that Big Thing I'm supposed to be doing. There's so much I want to do...where do I start? Which one is the right thing for this season, and my precious little free time?

(I didn't know it was worry, mind you. But I guess that's what it's called when thoughts swirl round and round in your head, and you start to feel anxious and controlling and confused. And so alas, I must admit, I've fallen into the worry trap once again.)

Only to be rescued once again.

We were at the twins' "show" yesterday to conclude their week of gymnastics camp. (A dream come true for Cora!)

Evelyn, in her black leotard with the little skirt, started out on the balance beam, and walked across with such grace, touching toe to knee with each step ("like they told me to"). Her grace and loveliness almost took my breath away, and gave me such delight.

I can't wait to see her do more. To have the opportunity to use and develop that obvious gift.

You can bet I'm moving heaven and earth to get her the ballet lessons she's been asking for. Just for the pleasure of watching her.

And that...that is how my Father feels about me.

The Lord will fulfill His purposes for me...because He doesn't forsake the works of His Own hands. (Psalm 138:8...my life verse)

"Secularization"

You can't "take God out" of anything. He's the only source of good in the universe.

If you tried to take every bit of God out of everything, all you'd be left with is...

hell.

Smart investing

Prayer is a chance to "buy stock" in God's great enterprises.

Life

Life is simply the playground where God's children exercise their faith.

And underneath are the Everlasting Arms.

Do not be afraid, little flock...

I chuckle at my children while they play, so earnest and serious about things I know are trivial and fleeting, shadows of reality. Paw Patrol figures and stuffed animals and taking care of their bikes as horses, on a regular schedule of do-or-die.

And I wonder if God chuckles so often at us grown-ups, His little children.

"Oh, they're in a power meeting at work and they think it's such a big deal. How cute...."

The secret

I tend to look to people to meet my needs...for approval, for acceptance, even for self worth and identity. (It sounds so foolish and embarrassing to write this out, in actual words, but if I'm honest, I've struggled with this every day of my life...eek). I can't believe I'm 44 and still struggling with this!

Oh and I also look to things to meet my needs...for provision, protection, fun, and excitement. But to look to these things is to struggle, since...

Only. God. can meet my needs. That's it. God is the only person or thing in the universe who can actually, physically, spiritually, everything-ally FILL those holes of need, in my body, soul, and spirit.

"Every good thing and every perfect gift is from Above..."

Because He is THE only good in the universe. The only Source of anything good, beautiful, true, or right.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4.19

I think we tend to focus on the needs part of this verse. Will God really supply all our needs? Yes, He will. Yesssss, He willllll, we say through clenched teeth of sheer faith sometimes.

But yesterday (in the bathroom at the dentist office, of course) the Holy Spirit turned His spotlight on that verse in a new way for me, and suddenly I saw!

GOD will meet all my needs. It's God who meets all my needs. Not friends, not Steve, not kids, not coworkers, not the dental hygienist. Not money or food or natural remedies (hehe) or a clean house (or a better house) or books or a nap or what I really want to be doing right now but instead I'm doing what I need to do.

God meets needs. Only God meets needs. Only God can meet needs.

So. I'm. Free.

I'm....I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Because God's gifts are free! For the asking. And He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and the banks in a thousand cities, and the magic remedy to cure all ills, and the heavenly ice cream that flows down from the mountains of abundance into my hungry mouth and both tastes good AND is good for you, ha.

And YOU are free! (You should be very excited about this. ; ) )

Because I don't have to look to you or depend on you or cling to you or wait for you or control you or manipulate you or figure out how to help you or change you.

I do all that to God instead. Well, the first four anyway. ; )

And now, when it comes to people, I'm free...to give. I'm free...to love. I'm free...to take from God, and soak and savor and slather and splash around in His goodness, His provision, His beauty. And you get the overflow.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

What a way to live! That,  my friends, is

how

I

want

to

LIVE!

So help me, God. ; )

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me." Philippians 4.11-13