Most days I wonder whether my simple life amounts to much.
I write. Does anyone even read it? I run. My feet and knees are starting to break down and I’ve never even run a sub-four hour marathon yet. I teach my children and house my mother. I’m a better student than I am a teacher. Would Mom be better off somewhere else? I clean my house. Is my house ever really clean? I cook and I wash clothes. Will I ever learn to cook? What does an iron do again? I grocery shop and prepare crafts for girl scouts. Good housewives use coupons, don’t they? Less time on crafts and more time on figuring out the iron might be wise.
My life looks nothing like what I had planned. I have a Christ-centered life. I am a slave. I love being a slave! I have surrendered to Christ and every day I wake up and surrender again. I wake up and smile without regrets. I love my life despite my doubts. I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. (Psalm 116:1) I love that God leads it even though I fail. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. (Psalm 116:2) Though it is small and simple, I know he will use my faithfulness even if I never see it with physical eyes on earth. What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, 14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. (Psalm 116:12-14) Slavery is beautiful when you love your Master more than life. O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. (Psalm 116:16) I can’t recall who said it but, perfect slavery is perfect freedom.
Most days I wonder whether my simple life amounts to much. The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. (Psalm 116:6)
Sometimes others falsely accuse us. Often times we falsely accuse ourselves. I said in my alarm, “All mankind are liars.” (Psalm 116:11) Don’t let the devil answer your doubts. Hear the scriptures and call on the Lord! I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD! (Psalm 116:17-19)
This is a beautiful post. I have hitchhiked all over the United States for a number of years. Time after time after time I have asked the Lord, “Is anything happening? Why am I on the road so much?” Or words to that effect.
When we follow Christ, we die daily. We are bond slaves to the Lord. We are here to do his will. Lori, the Lord has called you to be married and be a homemaker and raise your children in a Christian household. I have read many Christian blogs and websites and YOUR blog REALLY stands out. You have so much depth and insight into the Gospel. Reading your blog really blesses me. You have so much depth because you are a bond slave. Many Christians have no depth and no real life to give to people—no Christ within them (Bread from Heaven) to feed other people.
I have met so many church people and ministers with degrees in theology and they are either horribly shallow or lost. David was a shepherd and the Lord raised him up to be a king. Jesus was a carpenter. It is the inward man that counts; outward, worldly credentials are pretty worthless.
“The wisdom of this world is precious in the eye of the world; and the wisdom of God in His poor, weak, despised earthen vessels is still foolishness with them; but the Lord so orders it, that He still justifies his despised wisdom in his despised vessels, and makes the wisdom of the world appear foolish to all the single and uprighthearted, who thirst after and wait for the revelation of His truth.”
–Isaac Penington
Thank you for your encouragement. I’m glad my writing blesses someone. I know God has called me to do this but I haven’t seen it used much in the church. I’m sure the Lord uses it where I don’t see.
I am guessing that there are two definitions for church:
1. The physical building that people go to one or two or three days a week; a man-made organization.
2. The mystical (spiritual) body of Christ.
I solemnly assure you, the Lord is using your blog and your writings to edify the spiritual church.
Always remember: our lives are unto the Lord; your writings are unto the Lord. We are not here to please man, but to please our heavenly Father. I believe that the Lord will draw more people to your blog to read your writings.