Connect With Intention

Our kids are not our report cards. God is the perfect parent, but His kids still rebel. (I'm one of them. ) God doesn't grade Himself on our behavior, but instead, He trains us in godliness. Whether we are mothers, aunts, grandmothers or Sunday School teachers, we can take time to lovingly train in godliness. Many times we get very intentional with planning vacations, birthday parties, or the room décor in our children's lives, while hoping someone else, like a pastor or church youth leader, will be sure our children know how to pray, forgive or study God's Word. We can apply the truth found in Proverbs 22:6 when we invest in the lives of the littles around us.   First Five 

This is a perfect reminder from my Bible teaching this morning. I am a rebellious child so why would I believe that others around me will do exactly what I want them to do? What I need to do is focus on the important aspects of life rather than the fluff. A couple days ago, Ron and I spoke to one of our adult children about a rough time he is facing. Through the details of the situation we listened and advised. It wasn’t until we prayed together at the end of the call that each of us was brought to tears. Keeping God in the center of our circumstances, even when they are ones we have brought on ourselves, is when we get to the heart of who we are regardless of our missteps. 

Too often I try to fix things for those I love with material gifts. When what I need to be focused on is the spending my time with them rather than my money. I am working on this and on being less of a rebel as a child of God. My quiet time each morning spent in His word, in His presence, in relationship with Him, and then sharing my heart through my own writing is helping. Focus is key for me to keep my relationships at the center of my days. Often I struggle with isolating from those I love as well as God. My antidepressants are not going to fix this rather being courageous one step (phone call) at a time will. Rebuilding my connections is something I long for and I am the only one who can fiix them. I just have to pray for the courage to reach out. Like I need a prayer journal to remember what I need to pray for, I need a calendar to remind me who to include in my days. Ron has a Saturday morning breakfast list of people we need to sit down with over a meal. This is his reminder to not let relationships slip away. My brilliant husband is a good example for me to stay connected in an intentional manner. Reach out, connect, forgive, embrace these are my goals for retirement.

In Him,
Joyful
2-15-19