Put Your Clothes On!

Recently we read one of children's favorite stories, The Emperor's New Clothes.  My kids think it is unimaginable that anyone would actually believe to be wearing clothes while prancing through the streets of the town for all the world to see in only their skivvies.  His pride draped around his shoulders masquerading as wisdom.

Wasn't he cold?  Didn't he notice the shocked and embarrassed faces of the townspeople and his court?  WHAT was he thinking?!

After putting the book away, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my own unimaginable prideful practice.  Every morning when I rise, I go through a mental checklist of all there is to accomplish that day.  And because I am a list-maker, those items get put in order of priority.  The usual things like laundry, dishes, piano practice, schooling, Bible study, and exercise (last on the priority list, I'm ashamed to say) are placed and ready to be tackled. 

Sounds good to be so organized and on top of things, right?  Well, those things are all well and good IF I am doing them under and through the power of our Lord.  To be honest though, I tend to get ahead of myself and plan MY day MY way.  Bible study and quiet time are not slotted until 2:00 p.m. so I'll address the Lord then.

Can you believe the audacity of that sin?!  My pride and selfishness masquerading as efficiency and organization.

I go about my business and plan on my own power.  And any of us know the result of that effort, right?  Lost tempers and a complaining spirit.  An unkind voice and impatient attitude. Sin piled atop of sin.

However, there are days that I actually slow down a bit and greet the Lord first thing.  I take a moment to lay all that day holds at His feet and ask Him what,when, and how I should accomplish all that lies ahead of me.  I ask Him for His plan His way.  I ask for His guidance and direction for every detail ahead.

He never fails me.  He clothes me with patience and kindness that can only come from Him.  He increases my faith in Him and my understanding of His truth and promises.  He gives me opportunity to tell others (usually my own children) of His great love.  He wraps me in a cloak of joyful preparedness that I could never wear on my own accord.

On the days when things begin to slip out of control and slide into craziness, I picture myself as that crazy emperor.  Crazy enough to parade around the halls of my home and community without the covering of his daily dose of grace and mercy. 

Then, I dash to my "closet" and ask the Lord to help me get my clothes on!  He's always waiting with His merciful garment.

Proverbs 4:11-13
4:11 I will guide you  in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths. 4:12 When you walk, your steps  will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble.4:13 Hold on to instruction,   do not let it go; protect it, because it is your life.

Do you ever walk around "naked" as the day is long?  Tell us God is calling on you to seek Him first, before your plans are lain.


Blessings,
Niki

God, What Am I Doing?!

Take a moment to read how God has been working in the life of Sarah Gosvenor.  What a treat to see how God convicts us and inspires us to glorify Him.

God, what am I doing? WHAT AM I DOING?

That is what hit me a few years ago.

Confession time: I was horrified at myself about four years ago. How could I possibly be doing this to my wonderful husband and sweet children?

What was I doing? I was undermining my husband and setting myself up to be the leader in our family. My husband had just rightly disciplined one of our children and that child looked at me to see if that truly was the discipline. In that moment, God smacked me upside the head and said NO!

You see, I have a very strong personality. I grew up in a home without a father. All I have ever known is a strong mother who made all the decisions. She did a wonderful job, but that is not how God designed a family. And here I was with a great husband who was doing what God had designed him to do and I had been undermining his authority and trying to take his position. I wasn’t letting him do what he is supposed to do. And it had been happening since the kids were little; it was a pattern in our lives that my children expected. Dad says one thing and mom changes it.

God showed me in that moment that I was Eve. I was bucking the perfect design He has for families. I was devaluing my husband and the job God has given him. With my actions, I was showing my children that their father was incompetent. I thought I knew what was best and I wanted the control. WHAT WAS I DOING?

God has designed men to be fathers – strong, decisive, physical, spiritual leaders. They are very different from us women, praise the Lord. Sometimes they are rougher than we are, harsher than we are and sometimes even, more fun than we are. They are also more responsible than we are. Our family’s spiritual life rests on their shoulders. At the bema seat, they will be judged on their spiritual leadership of their family.

God changed my heart that day. He showed me how I was not being a good wife or mother. I was not helping my husband to lead our family.  I was not letting him do what God has for him.  In my life, I can point to times I have nagged my husband into my way of thinking, in front of my children. How wrong I was to do that to him?!?!  

Yes there are times when I do not always agree with him, but I strive to not ever discuss it with him in front of the children. Believe me, I have opinions and he knows them, but it is a discussion between us. And if the kids ask for something or need some training, i.e. discipline, I always say your father has the final say. That small phrase shows him that I respect him and his leadership. I submit to his leadership. It shows my children that dad is the boss. He is the one responsible for us all.

I pray for him continually as he leads our family. This is the most important thing I can do. I pray that God will grant him wisdom and strength as he leads us. I pray that God will help me to keep my mouth shut in the heat of the moment so my husband can do what God has for him. I thank God for the differences in us so that we can better train our children. I pray where I am weak, he is strong. I pray that I will encourage him in the work he is doing for our family. And mostly I pray that we will build our house on our Rock, Jesus Christ.

It is kind of funny. Once I stepped back and let go of control, God did amazing things in our family. Not only did God work in our small 5 person family, but He has been molding and changing our entire extended family. My family has been changed and our family legacy has been changed. I have been blessed so richly by being obedient.

I pray that you will take a moment to see if you are allowing your husband to be the husband and father God has designed him to be. Next time he’s a little rough with the kids in play or harsh in discussion, step back and let him do his job. Pray that God will guide him. I pray that you and your husband are building a wonderful family legacy that follows God’s perfect design.

By His grace,

Sarah Gosvenor


Thanks, Sarah for sharing that personal lesson!