Finally Finished Something!

Yup...I did. For the first time in a LONG time, I finished a book. A real one... full of complete sentences and devoid of illustrations! I've always admired you moms who can read. I enjoy it, but I've not figured out how to finish a book with kids hanging on me and interrupting every thought. Keeping up with this blog is enough of a challenge as two kids are asking "Can I watch TV?" and "Is it 5:00 yet?" even as I type.

So this morning I completed Day 90 of my Jesus: 90 Days With the One and Only by Beth Moore. Granted, it took longer than 90 days, for reasoned already mentioned. But the devotional was amazing. And if there were just one thing I wanted to pull away with me from the entire book, it would have to be how faithful our God is. From Jesus' "Day 1" on this planet, everything He did pointed to His final day. His teaching, His prayers, His actions, His companions, His dinner partners, His controversy....every little (and big) thing He did or said while on this earth gave way to the real reason He came...His death and resurrection.

And it's even more than that. Because of the ministry Christ had on this earth, we can have fellowship with Him and ministry with others. We are all spiritual descendants of Peter, John, Luke. As as children of God, that makes us church planters and beloved sons and doctors and teachers and writers.

So am I living on this earth like Jesus did? Is everything I do and say pointing to that day when Christ will return and stake His claim on His earth? Am I teaching my children to look up? Are my prayers future-focused? Are my actions showing others that there is a God who loves them more than His only Son and that He is sending that Son back for us?

We've also been doing a small group Bible study in the book of Philippians. We've been learning to be goal-focused---that goal being the gift of heaven and the rewards that follow. It's also been a study in choosing joy. This has had me thinking in a variety of notions, all of which I hope will make sense when my fingers rest here...

Life will hand us a myriad of circumstances--some in our control, most out of it. And when parents die and dogs get sick and kids backtalk and laundry piles itself in the basement, what will be my reaction of choice? If I let one thing drag me down, it's likely the next (which will be just around the corner) will have an easier time pulling me lower. And what will I be showing those around me? On the road to Emmaus, the two men Jesus encountered after His resurrection were discussing the events of that weekend. Luke records that the men "were discouraged." Is that what my statement of faith will look like on my face? Does my faith in Christ look like a discouraged, stressed, overworked mom? Or can I choose joy and trust that God will send the help I need and the rest my body craves?

It's not easy and I'm far from saying I've got it figured out. But it is a question I will continue to pose to myself throughout today. What will be my reaction of choice?

What will be yours?