Tag Archives: God’s word

Not in My Dictionary ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Not in My Dictionary

As a teacher and mother, I’ve received my fair share of excuses. From “I forgot”, to “They told me to”, and the ever-popular “I didn’t think it applied to me.” One of the most unique though, was used on the familiar assignment of looking up and writing the definitions for vocabulary words. Thumbing through the returned papers, one stood out from the others. At first glance it clearly had much less writing on the page and a closer look revealed why. Behind a majority of the words the same phrase was written; “Not in my dictionary” was the excuse used for not completing the homework as expected.

Answering a knock on my classroom door, I found a co-worker holding in her hand my son’s “creative” attempt at following directions. Promising to get to the bottom of it, that’s just what I did. I was relieved (however short lived) to know he hadn’t blatantly lied, BUT, because he didn’t want to take the time or put in the effort, my son decided to use an advertising pamphlet for a dictionary that had a few sample pages in it, instead of the actual dictionary sitting on his desk! The words were in fact, not in the dictionary he purposely chose to use. Instead of giving his best, an excuse was offered and ultimately, an opportunity to shine, lost .

How often do we adults do the very same thing? Maybe it’s taking a short cut, looking for a way out,  or choosing quick over quality. Similar excuses? Oh I have them and I’ll bet you do to.
~Tithe? “Oops, I forgot this week.
~Watching THAT show. “They told me to.”
~Forgiving a family member. “I don’t think it applies to me in this situation.”
We even live as if saying “not in MY Bible,” when we attempt to purposely pick and choose the verses and words we’re willing to follow, while knowing we have the whole Word of God to guide us right at our fingertips. Instead of presenting our best, we often offer an excuse to put forth less, and our opportunity to be a light in the world, is lost.

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 (NIV)

In my dictionary, some of the definitions for “excuse” are: to remove blame, serve as a justification, and release from an obligation. Unfortunately, we don’t have to look far in this world to find lots of dimming and extinguished lights being smothered by a “bowlful” of these very reasons. I don’t know about you, but sometimes, I don’t have to look any further than myself!

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16a (NIV)

If I’m being honest, “shining star” isn’t always an accurate description of me. You either? Here’s the thing though, I’m learning we can’t let that be an excuse to not give our best to complete our “assignment”. Is illuminating God easy? No. Does good work take time and sacrifice? Definitely. Will we always get it right? You and I both know the answer to that. We won’t. We’re challenged however, to work at living lives with meaning found “not in my dictionary“, but rather, ones defined by God’s Word, bringing Him glory and offering a glimmer of hope to those around us.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be throughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Once again this is MORE than five minute MONDAY for me, but I am joining with other writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com this week, thinking about the prompt “Excuse”. (Yikes! I have a lot of them in my life) If you’re interested to see what others have to say on the subject, just click the link. You won’t be sorry! I am grateful you’ve taken your time to join me and my pondering once again. I do not take it for granted! 

 

 

 

 

 

Comfort and Inspire ~ Day 8-9 ~ 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes

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This post is part of the October 2018 Edition of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. I hope you”ll join me in seeing where each prompt takes us.
 P.S. Just so you know, I’m finding it difficult to stick to five minutes (**) and it may take me longer than the 31 days to finish all the prompts. Not easy for this rule follower!
You can read more 31 Days entries at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

Inspired Comfort

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT) / Pixabay

Being a teacher, mom, and now MiMi, I’ve learned one important lesson when it comes to comfort: a cool cloth and a bandaid do wonders for a hurting child. Whether you can see the mark or not, they feel injured and so, the act of offering a remedy and reassurance goes a long way in quieting a little one’s fears and easing their pain. Often, in the end, the child wears the bandaid  proudly like a medal, proving to others that while discomfort had threatened to overtake them, they’d come out victorious, battle scars and all! Continue reading →

Vacation or Planted?

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It’s Friday again!  Boy the weeks fly by, especially for those of you on summer break!  You always read about the lazy days of summer but somehow, they seem to rush by way too quickly.  Today’s prompt at  http://www.fiveminutefriday.com is “Vacation”.  Pretty appropriate isn’t it?  I hope you’ll click over and see what the other talented writers have to say on the subject!

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)/ Pixabay

For me, it usually began in mid-May:  the countdown leading to the end of the school year.  There was something reassuring about those tiny numbers I’d written in the corner of each day’s lesson plan.  They somehow made it seem possible that I’d make it to the end; and believe me, some days it definitely felt more possible than others!

Despite my doubts, without fail each year the textbooks were counted and put away, final grades got added to report cards, walls carefully stripped of their decorations, and with a last glance over my shoulder I’d drag myself out the door not sure I could even make it to my car.

We’ve all been there. Life is busy and complicated and stressful! Whether it’s parenting, your career, caring for someone, an illness, or a million other things; our souls become drained and parched as if a drought has left us shriveled and burned up. What we desperately desire at that point is a vacation! A chance for respite to rest, recharge, and renew. Each year, summer break dangled that chance in front of me but somehow, despite several weeks off and an annual trip to the sea, the days always flew by and summer vacation just never seemed quite long enough to restore my drained soul.

Looking back, I now realize that it wasn’t the length of my vacation that was the problem; it was the depth that left me still feeling withered. I sought refreshment in a slower schedule with days of sleeping in, lingering, and doing less; when instead, I should have been seeking to be refilled by spending more time with God and His Word.

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.  It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” ” John 4:13-14 (NLT)

These days, when I get the urge to pack my bags or my thoughts head off in search of a place of replenishment, I’m learning to stop and remind myself where it is I need to be planted. Vacations are wonderful, but they only last until real life calls us back. Living day to day, deeply rooted in the hope of Jesus, the Living Water, helps us not only thrive in the midst of real life, but also eternally. And that my friends, is what truly satisfies the soul!