Jocelyn, my five year old, asked me last week if her and I could go out on "a date", just her and me. Of course, I was thrilled at the suggestion and began to make arrangements in our schedule to accomendate. A fairy tale movie adventure pricked our hearts, thus leading us to the theater on this Saturday evening to escape into Mirror, Mirror, a twist on Grimms telling of Snow White.
It went as many a fairy tale goes; a princess taken hostage by her evil step mother due to the death of both mother and father later to be rescued by the handsome, brave, valient prince. It was a thrilling and humorous tale and enjoyed greatly by my daughter and myself...but it left me wondering, "Why are step mothers always depicted as "evil". "
I have the great privilage of being a step mother and have sought the Lord earnestly on how best to be in this role. Some say that being a mom is the hardest job given to a woman but I will honestly admit that being a step mom is even harder. You are handed this precious child to love and cherish as your own (a thing that takes lots of prayer and petition), knowing that in return, you will never quite receive that same amount of love in return, and rightfully so. [May I just add here that I also have the privilage of a great friendship with Mack's mom. She is an amazing woman and mother and I am very honored that she finds me worthy to help raise her son.] He or she will always love their own mother much more than you. If in a crowded room, with their mom on one side and you on the other, without your spouse (the child's other biological parent), the child will always go to the one who gave birth to him, first. It is a very tough postition but when he does choose to catch your eye with a smile and wave, it is a heart melting thing.
While it is the toughest job in my life, I absolutely love it and I'll admit, Mack is one of a kind and the son I've always dreamed of. I hate the word "step" and rarely use it when speaking of my relation with Mack. The Lord has taught me so much through and because of him and I wouldn't change what we are for anything in the world. It took some time but our relationship with one another has flourished into something very beautiful and I fail to see myself as the "evil step mother" through his eyes. He readily hugs on me and tells me he loves me on a daily basis. My prayer is that he always will.
So, I write for all the step parents, who have sought for a healthy relationship with their step children and say, "May the Lord bless your selflessness. You are noticed and appreciated for all your efforts and not the "evil one" the movies, and sometimes society, think you are." No, it is not the ideal situation for child or parent but with God's help, it can be used for His good and glory.
Thank you Mack and Kim, for making my position much easier than most have ability to say. Our story is one that SHOULD be in the fairy tale books.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Come!
Imagine with me...
The Throne Room of God:
In the center of this place is a throne and seated upon it is One with the appeareance that can only be discribed as radiant, brilliant fire of jasper and ruby. A rainbow of emerald encircles this Throne and surrounding it are twenty-four other thrones seated with twenty-four elders. The elders are dressed in white and have golden crowns upon their heads. From the Throne come flashes of lightening and rumbling thunder. Between the Throne and the elders are four living creatures; one like that of a lion, the second like that of an ox, the third like that of a man and the fourth like that of an eagle. Each have six wings covered in eyes. Day and night, they never stop saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord, God, Almighty, who was, who is, who is to come." Before the Throne, seven lamps blaze with the fire of God's spirits. A sea, like a sheet of glass, clear as crystal stretches out before these seven lamps.
Power! Great Power, there is no question!
Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
We are invited to this place...this amazing, powerful, beautiful place, and approach the throne of God. What is it that you petition/desire most in prayer? Imagine that you hold this petition in your hand. Imagine that you are ushered into this throne room. Imagine seeing the brilliance, hearing the words of the living creatures being chanted, and the One who sits on the throne motions to you to come before Him. Your legs give way and you fall prostrate onto the sapphire floor. With the voice of rushing waters, he says to you, "Son of Man, stand up..." The Spirit comes into you and raises you to your feet. "What is it that you bring?" He asks. You almost forgot why you were here, wrapped up in all this glory, but He hasn't. Looking down, you remember what it was that you desire the most to gain or release is still in your hand, waiting to be handed over to the Almighty. Satan has no power here so the thoughts of, "This is stupid. He doesn't care about this. You can handle this on your own." are no longer ringing loud in your ear and all you can do, with confidence is give Him your petition. With grace and mercy, His gentle hand takes it and with Him, His will, will be done with what you have asked. With Him, it will be protected and with Him, it is now HIS, not yours. Do you really want to take it back out of His hands? His is powerful enough to keep it and do with it what is best for you.
This place is something we can only hardly imagine and visit only in Spirit during this life but is very real and waiting on you. I think we often forget that this is where we are when we go to Him but let us now be reminded of the Throne room and trust in His power.
Lord, give us this confidence to come before you, releasing our petitions and trusting you to do with them what your will is, not ours.
The Throne Room of God:
In the center of this place is a throne and seated upon it is One with the appeareance that can only be discribed as radiant, brilliant fire of jasper and ruby. A rainbow of emerald encircles this Throne and surrounding it are twenty-four other thrones seated with twenty-four elders. The elders are dressed in white and have golden crowns upon their heads. From the Throne come flashes of lightening and rumbling thunder. Between the Throne and the elders are four living creatures; one like that of a lion, the second like that of an ox, the third like that of a man and the fourth like that of an eagle. Each have six wings covered in eyes. Day and night, they never stop saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord, God, Almighty, who was, who is, who is to come." Before the Throne, seven lamps blaze with the fire of God's spirits. A sea, like a sheet of glass, clear as crystal stretches out before these seven lamps.
Power! Great Power, there is no question!
Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
We are invited to this place...this amazing, powerful, beautiful place, and approach the throne of God. What is it that you petition/desire most in prayer? Imagine that you hold this petition in your hand. Imagine that you are ushered into this throne room. Imagine seeing the brilliance, hearing the words of the living creatures being chanted, and the One who sits on the throne motions to you to come before Him. Your legs give way and you fall prostrate onto the sapphire floor. With the voice of rushing waters, he says to you, "Son of Man, stand up..." The Spirit comes into you and raises you to your feet. "What is it that you bring?" He asks. You almost forgot why you were here, wrapped up in all this glory, but He hasn't. Looking down, you remember what it was that you desire the most to gain or release is still in your hand, waiting to be handed over to the Almighty. Satan has no power here so the thoughts of, "This is stupid. He doesn't care about this. You can handle this on your own." are no longer ringing loud in your ear and all you can do, with confidence is give Him your petition. With grace and mercy, His gentle hand takes it and with Him, His will, will be done with what you have asked. With Him, it will be protected and with Him, it is now HIS, not yours. Do you really want to take it back out of His hands? His is powerful enough to keep it and do with it what is best for you.
This place is something we can only hardly imagine and visit only in Spirit during this life but is very real and waiting on you. I think we often forget that this is where we are when we go to Him but let us now be reminded of the Throne room and trust in His power.
Lord, give us this confidence to come before you, releasing our petitions and trusting you to do with them what your will is, not ours.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
HE IS WORTHY!
"Then I saw a Lamb, looking has if it had been slain, standing in the center before the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and TOOK the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb."
The scene described in Revelations is that of the Throne room of God. Holding out His hand, with the scroll sealed with seven seals in it, God asks, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" All of heaven and earth and under the earth remain quiet and sumber for no one among them is worthy of such a task. BUT THEN, the Lamb looking as if slain, covered in blood, TAKES it from His Father's hand for He is worthy. We can not be sure what this scroll is but many have suspected that it holds the deed to the earth, that it is not just meant to be read but upon it's opening will begin the end of what is now.
The Lamb came forth, worthy to take the deed to the earth and open up the events to allow Him to take his place as ruler over this earth. How much more worthy is he to take from our hand what we hold so tight to? How much more worthy is he to release us from what has it's grips around us? I tend to put God in my little box and only give him enough of me to suit my needs and keep to myself what I want. I pick and choose what I think He is worthy enough to take but I AM WRONG!!! He is so worthy of it ALL. He can handle it ALL. I just have to unclentch my selfish hand and let Him have it. Yes, selfish...you may be thinking, "Why on earth would anyone want to keep sin, affliction, pain, hurt, brokeness???" But we do, I do. I do it thinking I am protecting myself from something worse, thinking I won't be complete if I let it go but the truth is the only thing that can fullfill me, that can fullfill you is Christ and in order to fill that void, we must first let go of that thing that is trying to fill our emptiness. We are created to be God Centered so we will remain empty if we remain self centered.
WORTHY IS THE LAMB WHO SITS ON THE THRONE! Amen!
The scene described in Revelations is that of the Throne room of God. Holding out His hand, with the scroll sealed with seven seals in it, God asks, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" All of heaven and earth and under the earth remain quiet and sumber for no one among them is worthy of such a task. BUT THEN, the Lamb looking as if slain, covered in blood, TAKES it from His Father's hand for He is worthy. We can not be sure what this scroll is but many have suspected that it holds the deed to the earth, that it is not just meant to be read but upon it's opening will begin the end of what is now.
The Lamb came forth, worthy to take the deed to the earth and open up the events to allow Him to take his place as ruler over this earth. How much more worthy is he to take from our hand what we hold so tight to? How much more worthy is he to release us from what has it's grips around us? I tend to put God in my little box and only give him enough of me to suit my needs and keep to myself what I want. I pick and choose what I think He is worthy enough to take but I AM WRONG!!! He is so worthy of it ALL. He can handle it ALL. I just have to unclentch my selfish hand and let Him have it. Yes, selfish...you may be thinking, "Why on earth would anyone want to keep sin, affliction, pain, hurt, brokeness???" But we do, I do. I do it thinking I am protecting myself from something worse, thinking I won't be complete if I let it go but the truth is the only thing that can fullfill me, that can fullfill you is Christ and in order to fill that void, we must first let go of that thing that is trying to fill our emptiness. We are created to be God Centered so we will remain empty if we remain self centered.
WORTHY IS THE LAMB WHO SITS ON THE THRONE! Amen!
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