What momma said

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

 I recall when I heard it first as a teenager. The too tall, gawky, frizzy (not curly) hair, never measuring up teenager. And what she said then has come back to me time and time again. Those words still ring clear and true:

"Don't wish your life away."

You see, as a teenager, an awkward teenager, I was always hoping for things to be different. Now, I realize, that many teenagers get to a stage where they want things to be different. Somehow better than what they've already got.

What was mom really saying? As I think back, I don't remember it as a Pollyanna, happy go lucky, silver lining, count your blessings kind of advice. I don't think she was saying everything is beautiful and forgot / dismiss all the bad stuff. Her nature didn't reflect an overzealous enthusiasm but more of a quiet and patient acceptance of what is. And what is doesn't have to tear you down. Tend to your spirit / attitude inside no matter what is going on outside. There is a peace beyond mere survival.

I pause now to think about this. What did I want? A body, hair, and lifestyle acceptable to others. The  same as others. On the same page as all others.

But God says:

My grace is sufficient for you." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Grace - divine assistance

Sufficient - meeting the need

And maybe the word "godly" should precede "need". For God is concerned more about our insides than what the world thinks of our outsides.

 

You are supplied with everything you need to lead a godly life. If you focus on that, you will realize you DO have all that is needed. If you focus on the world around you, the circumstances around you - well, yes, as a Christian, you may find yourself lacking in the demands and commands of the world. You may certainly lack the peace Jesus offers.

So, here we find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic. And many of us are wishing, wishing, wishing for a different (better) life. I'm going to fall back on these thoughts about mom's character - quiet and patient acceptance. Not because I am a head-in-the-sand kind of gal, but because I know and trust in the Creator, Ruler, Handler of it all. I can rest in Him. I can. You can. We can sit in His holy presence. We don't have to wish our life away for eternal life (safekeeping, assurance, peace) with Him to begin. We have His full attention and extravagant love right now. Is that not the real desire of our hearts? All that is needed, His hand has provided, IS providing. Right? Great, great, GREAT is His faithfulness...

Wishing your life away?

Or immersing yourself in the loving presence of Jesus day and night?

Jesus gives it all - all that is needed.

Have a good day!

 

A new creation

I grew up in a small town. Stuck close to home. Didn't travel much at all - certainly not out of state. So it was quite a leap for me when I joined the Navy. Not only being far from home, leaving everything that was safe, secure and familiar, but being on my own.

I soon realized that all these new people around me didn't know me; my background, my experiences - who I was. The friends I grew up with always knew me as "too tall", kinda clumsy, awkward and shy. I basically had a clean slate with these new people. I could be anything and that's what they would know me as.

I soon met a girl also from Michigan. Oh boy! Someone from "home"! She came from an even smaller town. And she was spreading her wings. Heavy makeup, tight pants, dancing and clinging to very kind of sailor. Her "new creation" was becoming quite scandalous.

Joining the Navy, a new beginning had indeed begun. The challenges of boot camp clearly defined my old life as gone. A new way of life had begun. What I now knew changed me - there was no going back to small town Julie. I couldn't un-know the things I learned. I became stronger, more confident, and more self-controlled. The old Julie was gone, and the new Julie is here!

Can the same be said of our Christian walk? Of our joining with Jesus?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Though we may struggle from time to time, our hearts are now set on following Jesus and God's ways.

Yes. If anyone is in Christ.

From that day forward.

Your old way of thinking and doing and living is no longer as comfortable.

The new is here, now and forever. The Holy Spirit has entered in, constantly leading and guiding how we should think and do and live.

Insert your name into the verse below like I did and feel empowered:

Therefore, if _____________ is in Christ, __________ is a new creation. The old __________ is gone, and the new ___________ is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The following line is:

All this is from God. (verse 18)

Learning to do old things in a new way while I was in the Navy, and doing them afraid at first because it was so unfamiliar, made me a stronger person. Establishing new thought patterns made me a better person. Absolutely the same can be said for following Christ.

And it's all from God.