When I was a child...

When I was a child, my parents and grandparents told me that I could do anything I wanted to do and be anything I wanted to be. They also told me that I was special and that when I grew up, I would do something really amazing, perhaps change the world. Aside from the fact that this was very encouraging, it was also a heavy burden. The older I got the more I felt I had fallen short of their expectations. I wasn't anybody special and I hadn't accomplished anything of note. Sure, I had gotten a college degree and a teaching credential. People even said that I was a good teacher. Then I had children and stayed at home to raise and teach them.

Nearly twenty-four years have now passed and I no longer wonder what amazing thing I may accomplish someday or what amazing person I may become. Somewhere along the way, I realized that I was an ordinary person, that there would be no wealth or fame or accomplishment lauded by men. I also realized that it was okay to be ordinary, a gift even. An ordinary life is anything but ordinary, if it is in the hands of an extraordinary God. And perhaps we ordinary people do change the world, one ordinary day at a time.

"Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." Ephesians 5:1-2 (NASB)

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15- 16 (NASB)

When things seem out of focus...

When things seem out of focus, be sure to put on your God glasses. When you can't understand why something is happening or what the purpose of a particular situation is, you can take out your Bible spectacles, pop them onto your nose and then peer through the clouds and fog to see that speck of sun--clarity according to the God of the Universe. I had a situation just yesterday in which I was feeling defeated and I was misunderstanding just what the Lord required of me. When I opened up His Word to read Proverbs chapter 8 I read,

"Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice? On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out: 'To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O naive ones, discern prudence; and, O fools, discern wisdom. Listen, for I shall speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will produce right things. All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold. For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things can not compare with her.'" Proverbs 8:1-11 (NASB)

So the goal of this one ordinary life is to shine forth the "Extraordinary Love of God" through seeking Him and His wisdom and His understanding. The only way I know how to find Him is in the pages of His Word and in the moments of quiet meditation on His Word, His life, His love. In His word, He promises to never leave me or forsake me; He promises to hear me when I call, to answer when I seek Him, to walk with me through the valleys of this life, and to rejoice with me on the mountaintops. If I will but listen, He promises to speak.

Lord, let me learn to listen, not just with my ears, but with my mind and my heart. Let me seek Your wisdom through prayer, your word, and by being still so that I may hear you when you speak. Please help me to stay focused on walking Your path and let me not be distracted by the things of this world that would cloud my view...