BACK ON TRACK

I don't have a lot of excuses! Okay……I really do…but you probably don't want to hear them, and they really don't matter at this point. So suffice it to say, I have been busy "doing life".

I've discovered that "life" can keep us busy if we're not careful. So I'm convicted to encourage you (as I encourage myself) to get "Back On Track".

So how do we "get back on track"? We must first assess the past several months to see what has taken our attention; what are the things that we've compromised on; and what caused us to veer from our intended path? Okay I'll start. I know that if I'm not careful, I will stay up all night working on my laptop. This means that I will get in bed really late, and as a result, will be somewhat lackluster when I have to get up. Therefore I have made a personal pact with myself, to be intentional about getting in bed at a reasonable time at least three nights a week (not including the weekend). This is the ONLY way that I can maintain a real sense saneness and a fresh perspective on all that I am called upon to do.

Do you remember our girl, Martha? Like many of us, she was "busy" doing all kinds of tasks and was overwhelmed in the process. (See Luke 10:38-42) There was nothing wrong with the things that Martha was doing. It's just that she was "distracted with all her preparations". In fact, she was so distracted, that she began to snap at Jesus, saying (in my translation), "Lord do you see that I'm doing everything and my crazy sister isn't doing anything? Tell her to bring her hips in this kitchen"! Now, what's the problem with this picture? Aside from the fact that she is addressing Jesus like he is her homey, she has totally missed the fact that she has gotten "off track". How do we know that? The text goes on to state that Jesus says to her (my translation again), "Girl, chill out! What you are doing is good no doubt. But your sister Mary is doing something better". (The actual NIV translation states, " Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her").

What was Mary doing? Verse 39 of that text states that Mary was "seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word". Beloved, the only true way to get back on track and stay on track, is to stay at the feet of Jesus. So often, we allow the cares of this world to take us in multiple directions, and we lose our sense of being anchored. But when we stay at the feet of Jesus, we get a feel for what He wants us to do, how He wants us to proceed, and more importantly, what He wants us to prioritize.

I'm as guilty as anyone of being "distracted with all my preparations". But none of it means anything, if we're not starting each project, task, and duty, at His feet. So, as we rapidly enter into the last quarter of this year, let's make a decision to do "what is better". I guarantee you it will put you "back on track".

How's Your Love Life?

As we fast approach the much celebrated secular holiday of Valentine's Day, I felt led to share concerning this special day for some, and dreaded day for others. Often times, it is a special day for some, because of the expectations that come with the day: expressions of love from one's loved one; planned one on one time with that "special someone"; and hopes of engagement for others.

It is a dreaded day for others because of the perceived stigma of "not" having a "special someone"; no expressions of love from the opposite sex; and the deflated hope of getting engaged...this time!

When I was growing up, I recall getting and giving "Valentine's hearts" to the special someones in my life. "Will you be my Valentine"? was the question of the hour. Even our six year old special needs son, MJ, was scheduled to go on a field trip with his class this week, to mail their Valentine's Day card at the post office. Oh how we get excited about this annual "love day"!

Nevertheless, in light of all of the warm and fuzzies that many of us feel surrounding this special holiday, my question emphatically to you is, "How's Your Love Life?" I Corinthians 13, verse 2 states, "If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing".

In other words, my "love life" doesn't get any deeper that my "love relationship" that is borne as a result of the sacrificial love that the Father showed towards me through His Son Jesus. In fact, the scripture (verse 3) goes on to state that "if we do not have love, it profits us nothing". paraphrased.

Wouldn't it be great if we gave "Valentine's Day" a new meaning? Wouldn't it be enriching to our soul if we reflected on that day about God's never-ending love towards us? His love for us is always there, whether we are in touch with it or not.

I experienced His never-ending love in a new way on this week. Our son, MJ, had developed a cough and temperature at school on Wednesday. After picking him up and taking him to the doctor, he still continued to worsen after getting home. While he was lying in his bed, I was sitting at his bedside, watching and praying over him. I noticed that his body appeared to stretch out and his eyes became glazed and frozen. After a few seconds, his body became limp and he slumped over in the bed and began to drool at the mouth. I immediately knew that "something" was terribly wrong.

I called to my husband who rushed to his room, and I then called 911. Soon thereafter, the paramedics (and the entire fire, police and medic entourage) were at our door and crowding his room. He was given oxygen until he was responsive again, and we were told that he had experienced a febrile seizure as a result of his high temperature.

What is my point? In those 15-20 minutes that seemed like a lifetime, I was in touch with the fact that I HAD to draw from the love of the Father, as I watched these unfamiliar people attempt to care for my only begotten son. In my distress, there was a part of me that remembered, God's love "never fails", and I had to trust that His lovingkindness would pour out on me and especially on MJ, to spare his little life.

I am grateful to God that His loving grace was sufficient for MJ. I am grateful to God that his loving grace was sufficient to sustain me. I am grateful to God that He allowed me the insight to recognize His hand, and His hand only.

God is so good to us! His love is everlasting! And if we are to be like Him, then we must dispense the same kind of love (agape) to one another.

This Valentine's Day, ask yourself, "how's MY love life". Then ask the Lord how you can take your "love walk" to another level. "We love, because He first loved us". I John 4:19 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!


I NEED A WORD


John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another".
Lord, help me to be a dispenser of love, as you shower your love upon me, day after day.