Soul Rot

Can I just say, right now, just how insightful and wonderful the Sunday school class I have been going to is? Well it's true. Today I was blessed by some scripture verses that really put into perspective our attitudes.

Psalm 106:13-15 But they hastily forgot His works; they did not [earnestly] wait for His plans [to develop] regarding them, But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted and tried to restrain God [with their insistent desires] in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls and [thinned their numbers by] disease and death.

I'm sure I've read it before but it was nice to get a new look at it! As a human I like to get my way. I want people to agree with me, pity me, encourage me, compliment me, etc even when I don't deserve it! I like to get my way even if the other person doesn't exactly understand what that really is. The scriptures brought to my attention made me turn a 180 and realize that my "me" attitude is hindering my life. The whole Bible talks about doing things to the "Glory of God" and not my own. I don't want a "leanness" in my soul, I want it deep and being spring-fed through God's love and mercy. As I reflect on the verses and how self-centered I have been I realize that I need to wait on the Lord, receive His mercies daily, and to be content with where I am, daily striving to be closer to Him. The second I lose that contentment is when I lose focus and start worshiping a golden calf (time, business, regrets, or laziness) like the wandering Israelites. They lost focused and their souls started to shrivel. This week, the beginning of Easter week I'm going to be more focused on "Glory of God" and less on myself and to deepen my soul instead of losing focus and letting my soul dry up and rot!

Preparation

Today in Sunday School we were talking about the book "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh Demoss. The lie we talked about was "a career outside the home is more valuable and fulfilling than being a wife and mother." Talking about this was a little difficult for me since I'm not a wife or mother. But before the thought "this doesn't pertain to me" entered my brain I realized how I look at the kiddos at school as my "children" and how as a teacher I play a huge part in their growth just like a parent. Then I got to thinking about the children I knew that had the benefit of loving and attentive parents and comparing them with the children whose parents have to work all the time, the parents that choose the casino over time with their children, and the parents that don't know how to parent. With these experiences I have recognized just how important a devoted parent is to a child's learning and living and how important that role is in life! As a single woman I have the responsibility to prepare for the time when I may be a wife or mother. While focusing on the projects that God has me doing now I realized that I have to prioritize and recognize the important focuses in each season of life. Right now my focuses are Jesus, parents, and adventures but soon that will change. To reflect on and discuss with others what I'm discovering now will help me be focused on the important things and prepared for things to come!

Look Around

Do you ever just gaze at something so eye-catching, awe-inspiring, beautiful that you feel the urge to pull out your camera and snap a few shots? Then as you look back upon the photos taken, do you ever feel disappointed and a little upset because the photo is not at all what you saw? I'm thankful that our eyes are not made like cameras and that we can enjoy a wondrous creation with eyes made by the same wondrous Creator! Don't take for granted such a blessing and enjoy your week with eyes made for seeing a marvelous Creator!

Isaiah 33:17

With your own eyes

you will see the glorious King;

you will see his kingdom

reaching far and wide.