Give it go!

It’s surprising but Childcare is more than just babysitting one’s child. It is a deep and thorough process in which each child is carefully observed to keep check on their development. Each activity, game, obstacle course, song and book is especially chosen to cater to one or more children to help them enhance necessary life skills.

For example, I once played with a child who had poor gross motor skills (that would be poor use of legs and arms) and lacked hand-eye co-ordination. Upon discussing this with my co-worker we decided that if we could get him out every day to learn how to kick a ball this might further help his development in these fields.

Each morning I would go out with the 3 yr old and show him how to kick a football. Although he struggled at first to comprehend what I was trying to teach him, he listened to me and obeyed what I was trying to instruct him to do. Even if he had no idea why.  Not only did he totally enjoy this activity but after a few weeks he could kick a football! He was so proud of himself once he got the hang of it! And so was his Dad after seeing it a few hundred times!

I like to think that’s how God is with us. He carefully studies us each and every day to check up on how we are going in our spiritual journey. Once he sees that we have gained a new skill (i.e., reading the Bible more, becoming confident in helping others, etc) he then adds on something else in our lives to develop these abilities even further. Or, if we lack growth somewhere He will give us opportunities to also enhance this skill.

Although we may not be sure how to handle that obstacle or conviction; God is always there showing us how to approach it. “Like this my son, like this my daughter,”  A round of applause is held in heaven once one more door is closed on evil and one more window for God is opened. We are after all babes in Christ once we accept him and our Father dotes upon us like a parent to a small child. He loves to see us grow through Him. He longs for us to listen and obey even when we are not sure why.  The fruit will soon flourish once we give things a go.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
         I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)

The ability to overcome

It's hard to go to sleep peacefully after your husband comes home to inform you on events that took place earlier in the night. Coming home from work, he never thought he would be asked to be a pole bearer for his workmate's wife. Sam was only going there to lend his mate support. But there he was, at the front of the coffen helping carry Frank's young wife into their home for the service for tomorrow night. Sam was moved as he observed Frank and Emily's small children watch on as people mourned for their mummy. Too small to understand what was happening, but just knowing there mummy wasn't coming back. It is quite a sobering feeling. It is a feeling that is some what encouraged in the Bible too.

In Ecclesiastes Chapter 7:1-4, it talks about the importance of thinking about these things enough to realise how precious life really is. In doing so, I think it gives us that extra drive to make a difference in people's lives. To be willing to serve and give glory to God. To put ourselves last in all things.

I had only met Emily a few times, but it was enough to mourn for her. My heart is breaking especially knowing we shared a common bond with our son's being the same age. The first thing I thought when I found out was "But she just had a baby?? He is so small and helpless? What is he going to do? He is never going to know his mum? He NEEDS his mum!!" And my heart just broke into a million pieces. Over and over and over again. This is a tragedy we all know that scares us. Because we can all relate. For a second, we can put ourselves into these people's shoes, knowing it could happen to anyone of us at any moment. We could loose all we have on this Earth in an instant.

In John 16:33. Jesus makes it clear. "In this world YOU WILL have trouble. BUT TAKE HEART! I have OVERCOME the world!". Jesus tells us that there will be troublesome times for each and every single one of us. Times we aren't going to be sure which side is up. Times that will question our faith. In times like this, we have only one thing left. Hope.

Hope knowing that despite how we feel, God has said, that he has OVERCOME the world. By dying on the cross for us, Jesus has put an end to the pain we feel. Soon there will be a time, where there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain. We now have hope knowing there will be a time when grieving will finish and we can stand up as stronger and thicker skinned children of The Almighty. Hope in also knowing that when we are ready, God is eager to overfill our hearts with His strength and peace and love! Hope knowing that despite everything falling to pieces JESUS STILL LOVES US!!! Then once we realise this, and grasp it for all it's worth, we then can get up and share what God has done.

God reveals Himself to us in our darkest hours. We NEED to tell people about these times. A preacher can get up and tell a thousand sermon's on suffering and taking heart, but nothing beats a testimony! YOUR TESTIMONY!

So I have a question for you? What are you doing to make a difference in this world? Are you like Emily? Have you made a big enough impression for people to say, "They loved God."

Please continue to pray for Frank and His 3 small children. Good is forever good!