The "Perfect" Family

 

FAMILY PHOTO TAKEN IN 2012

One of my precious family members recently described my family, on a social media site, as being “the perfect Christian family”. She meant well, and I felt her love over the miles, but my heart and mind cringed. Oh Lord, we are not the perfect little Christian family.  It’s so easy on social media and in public outings for us to form opinions and give off the opinion that some person or family has it all together.  And in my case I never intended to send the message that we are perfect. If you hang around me or my family, it will not take you long to see our many faults and failures.  We struggle. We are sinners. We are in need of a Savior.

Do you know why I started this blog? I believe God gives us talents, strengths, and abilities and I want to use them for his glory.  I love to encourage and I love to write and so in obedience to God I am trying to use my gifts. But did you also know I struggle with consistency in my daily quiet time. I struggle being consistent in the word and prayer time. I also struggle with insecurities.  On my own strength I would rather NOT put myself “out there” for all the world to read/judge/critique, but on Christ’s strength, I press on. I already am “alienated to the world” in some instances just being 1) a believer and 2) a minister’s wife and 3) an emotional, hormonal woman with a slew of faults; the thought of starting a blog to offer encouragement can send my mind down into a pit of insecurities of how I might be pushing myself in to an even smaller circle of people willing to let me in.  You see a friend of mine said, “perfection can make you unapproachable” and that is not ever who I want to appear or pretend to be.

In my life I have made some big mistakes. I don’t publicly share them all because I have not felt the Holy Spirit lead me to do that.  I can share with you lessons I have learned and what God has taught me, but please know it comes from a sinner saved by grace. I am the least of these. I am trash turned to treasure by the blood of Jesus Christ. You think I can’t handle your drinking problem, pride problem, gender identity issue, debt issue, depression struggle, marriage problem, addiction, affair—think again. I believe because of the life I have lived God has given me the ability to offer grace. When you share a problem, I don’t condemn or judge, I see you and I see your heart and I see someone who is struggling like me.  I want to be your friend. I don’t claim to be someone I am not. I am just one child of God, walking in the flesh, fighting to walk in obedience daily, like you. 

I am real. I am not perfect. But guess what. My heavenly Father sent me and you a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is perfect to live inside us and give us all we need to live for him.

May we never steal your glory by sending the message that “we” are doing something right or good. It’s all you Lord…all YOU. Thank you for picking up a lumpy piece of clay and re-working it into a beautiful instrument for your glory and honor.

Riding Piggy Back

I can remember it like yesterday. Everything was right in my world. It was a beautiful spring day in Carthage, Texas. I lived in a cozy log house, built by my Dad, with my Mom and big sister, and my grandparents lived in the lot next door.  It was the kind of day where everything was perfect.

            My parents worked outside in the yard while my sister and I played barefoot all afternoon.  I clearly remember that afternoon us walking over to my grandparent’s house and me being barefoot and needing a piggy back ride.  I remember my Dad scooping me up with ease, while I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his back while he carried me through the wooded path to my grandparents.  I remember how safe and secure I felt. I remember the complete trust and security I felt. I remember how fun it was to ride up high and catch a glimpse of my surroundings from a higher perspective.  I remember looking down at his feet and with each step hearing the crushing of leaves and sticks underneath his feet. I even remember thinking I like the way that sounds…I want to do this with my kids someday.  The sun was shining through the leaves and I had no fear.  I trusted my Dad’s strong arms and his love for me. I had no worries, no stress, no burdens, just the complete joy of being a child wrapped in the safe arms of her Father. 

            God brought this memory to my mind a few days ago and I can’t seem to let it go.  This picture, this memory, is a reflection of what I want my relationship with God to look like. A simple piggy back ride turns into an act of surrender; letting go of walking my way and letting God carry me His way.

   I believe when God calls me to trust and surrender my all to Him, it sometimes is as simple as letting go and allowing Him to scoop me up, trusting Him to carry me through this life. To give me a higher eternal perspective, to show me the sunlight of blessings shining through the trees, to wrap his arms around me and provide protection, love, and security.  He truly wants to carry me.  He doesn’t want pieces of me-He wants all of me.  He want me to trust Him completely—not worry over the future, but rest in His strength, goodness, love, and plan.  Trusting He will crush the enemy beneath me, and lead me to where He wants us to go.

            Initially it sounds great. Yes! Of course I want to ride piggy back Lord! But am I truly willing to let go of doing things my way and let him have complete control?  I pray that I will. I pray that I accept the invitation to ride piggy back daily.

            Psalm 18:1-3“I Love You, O Lord, my strength.” The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”

19 “But the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.””

35-36 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and your right hand upholds me; and your gentleness makes me great. You enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.”

Psalm 19: 7-11 “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.  The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.  They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.  Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.”

*Written on February 3, 2015

A Broken Heart

 I stood in line at the grocery check-out counter waiting my turn when I glanced to the right. Two separate magazines, with almost identical headlines, encouraging the reader to make this New Year, 2016, all about YOU.

I was caught off guard and my heart and spirit began to hurt.

I remembered a sermon that was preached at a summer camp years ago “Minimize Me, Maximize You Lord”, I thought about every selfish deed I had done and the emptiness it brought. I considered the JOY that came from giving and serving and my spirit grieved that the wrong message was being shared.

Verse after verse began to scream in my head don’t they know John 3:30 that says, “He must increase and I must decrease”? Have they not heard Matthew 16:24 where Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me”? I wanted to pick up the magazine and wave it in the air and yell, “What about Colossians 3:3 “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Or Philippians 2:4 “do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others”?” I began to inwardly proclaim do you really want everyone to make this the year of Self? Do you know what that would look like? Do you really understand what you are asking? Can you even imagine?

Let it play out in your mind for a minute. Let’s take your marriage. What would happen if you decided 2016 would be all about you? I doubt your marriage would last till February. How about as a parent? I’ll let you guess how long your children would survive if you did everything you wanted to do. What about in your job? Would you still have a job after one day if you did only what you wanted to do?

This is a natural struggle for our flesh. We desire to do what we want to do. But our Lord knows best and understands where true JOY lies. In Acts 20:35 Jesus reminds us ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I have to fight to die to my flesh daily. It is a struggle. And when I do what I want to do and ignore God’s word depression and emptiness follow. It’s only in surrender to God’s plan and desires for our lives do we experience JOY. Do you want a change for 2016? Let’s make it a goal to go against the cultural trend of serving self. Let’s serve OTHERS above and beyond. Let’s seek ways to help. Let’s go the extra mile. Listen to the Lord and step out in faith wherever he nudges you.

As for the magazine, my heart went from hurt to hope. Hope that if we each live for Jesus, share our faith, continue to live for Christ, and not ourselves that our faith and testimony will speak louder than all the magazine covers in the world.  When the world hurts and we help, God receives glory. When we see a need and deny our self then God receives glory.  Please don’t blindly follow the world in search of happiness. True Joy comes only from the Father, through the son Jesus Christ.

I pray, Lord, that we will turn from our selfish ways and make this year all about you. Help us to let go of worldly pursuits and selfish desires. Help us to hear your voice and walk in the ways you have prepared for us. Help us to surrender our control, quiet our selfish flesh, and listen to your voice.

Welcome

If you have stumbled upon my little blog I would like to welcome you here. My name is Katy and I am so happy you are here. This Is The Day blog has been created to be a place of encouragement, refreshment, and accountability. I pray to encourage you, refresh your passion for each new day, and offer accountability to myself for sharing what my Savior Jesus Christ is teaching me.
I am just an ordinary person. I don't claim to be a great writer. I can't guarantee that my posts will flow from one day to the next.  But if you would like to follow me along on this journey I pray you feel welcomed here and know I am praying for you, whoever YOU may be, and asking God to do a mighty work in both our lives through this little adventure.
I think post number one deserves a special start, so below is one of my all time favorite quotes. May these words encourage you today in whatever trial or season of life you are in.

"Live today! Live fully each moment of today. Trust God to let you work through this moment and the next. He will give you all you need. Don't skip over the painful or confusing moment---even it has its important and rightful place in the day.
Today is unique! It has never occurred before, and it will never be repeated. At midnight it will end, quietly, suddenly, totally.  Forever. But the hours between now and then are opportunities with eternal possibilities." ~Charles R. Swindoll