Matthew 6 begins with telling us that we are not to do good deeds to be noticed by men. If our motive is to be recognized by men, then we receive that reward when we are recognized, commended, praised, noticed. But, Jesus says that we shouldn't let our left hand know what our right hand is doing. In other words, we shouldn't want any recognition from people for doing good. These words have been in my mind all day and I have some serious questions and concerns.
In the world (school, sports, etc.) our children are awarded medals, trophies, grades, and such for their hard work and their achievements. I am a part of that. This gives kids incentive to do their best and to realize that as they grow up, life will treat them that way. Doing good, working hard, being all they can be = A successful, prosperous, fulfilling life. Right? After all, that is the way the world works.
But, how about in our churches? I wonder if we are doing what Jesus would have us do by giving children rewards for memorizing scripture, bringing a Bible to church, knowing the books of the Bible, etc. Those achievements are definitely worth working toward and encouraging our children to strive for. But are we teaching them exactly what Jesus said not to do? I think of this especially when I see adults given "awards" at church for various services and achievements. Really? Definitely against what scripture teaches...at least it seems so to me.
I read in a book recently (can't recall which one) that our "award system" in our children's programs at church are so off-base that we need to step back and re-evaluate what we are doing. For example, a child never misses Sunday School for 3 months, brings a Bible with them, and always knows their memory verse. After 3 months, we give that child an opportunity to get something from the "box" (which is filled with kid-friendly dollar store items). But, the child who struggles to get his/her parents up in time to get to Sunday School, never remembers (and is never reminded by a parent) to bring a Bible, let alone learn a memory verse, does not get this chance. Wow! That stings! And, yet, we do it, week after week, year after year.
I have been as guilty of this as anyone, but it has hit me hard today. We are teaching our kids that doing what God asks of us is rewarded when people at church evaluate your works. In reality, we are showing them that they should do good deeds and we will reward them. So, it would seem we are teaching them that their motive is "to be recognized by men".
Am I simply off on a tangent? Maybe. Tell me what you think...anyone who wonders.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Request granted
I was reading my journal from 1986 today...the winter before I met Greg the following May. To say I was depressed is a major understatement. In fact, as I read it this morning, I could hardly relate to the girl who wrote it some 27 years ago.
There was such a loneliness in my life at that time. Being a single parent was not what I had planned for my life. In fact just a few years before, I had no plans of being a parent at all, let alone a single, divorced one. I felt blessed beyond belief to be a mother. On more than one occasion, I had made the observation that "in spite of my mistakes and failures, God has given me this precious baby boy." Still a part of my heart was broken and empty.
Within the pages of that journal, I read thoughts and prayers of the lonely 23 year old girl and found something that was absolutely overwhelming. One night, I had written a prayer, pleading with God to send someone that would love me. I had described in great detail exactly the kind of man I was asking Him to give and even explaining why (as if He didn't know my heart already ;). Because it was so personal, I hesitate to share the details, but to generalize a few: "someone who will love me so much that I will never doubt it...someone who loves the Lord...someone I can feel free to share everything with and who will share everything with me freely...someone who will love my son and take care of us...someone whose eyes even show how much he loves me..." and the specific qualifications went on. What an order that would be to fill! I can't help but wonder if I truly believed God would answer.
25+ years later, I can say without any reservation that God answered that prayer. All of it! Our marriage has not been perfect and we have faced many obstacles, but through it all, Greg Jackson has never failed to be everything I had ever hoped for as a husband! I don't think it was ever as clear to me as it was this morning as I read the prayer I so desperately laid before the Lord that night.
How many prayers have I prayed with the same desperation over the years? Being a mother of 3, many! Why could I ever doubt that God hears these prayers and will answer?I don't know, but I do. My prayer, like the man who brought his son to Jesus to be healed, is "I believe, Lord, help my unbelief." I give praise unto "Him, Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us."
There was such a loneliness in my life at that time. Being a single parent was not what I had planned for my life. In fact just a few years before, I had no plans of being a parent at all, let alone a single, divorced one. I felt blessed beyond belief to be a mother. On more than one occasion, I had made the observation that "in spite of my mistakes and failures, God has given me this precious baby boy." Still a part of my heart was broken and empty.
Within the pages of that journal, I read thoughts and prayers of the lonely 23 year old girl and found something that was absolutely overwhelming. One night, I had written a prayer, pleading with God to send someone that would love me. I had described in great detail exactly the kind of man I was asking Him to give and even explaining why (as if He didn't know my heart already ;). Because it was so personal, I hesitate to share the details, but to generalize a few: "someone who will love me so much that I will never doubt it...someone who loves the Lord...someone I can feel free to share everything with and who will share everything with me freely...someone who will love my son and take care of us...someone whose eyes even show how much he loves me..." and the specific qualifications went on. What an order that would be to fill! I can't help but wonder if I truly believed God would answer.
25+ years later, I can say without any reservation that God answered that prayer. All of it! Our marriage has not been perfect and we have faced many obstacles, but through it all, Greg Jackson has never failed to be everything I had ever hoped for as a husband! I don't think it was ever as clear to me as it was this morning as I read the prayer I so desperately laid before the Lord that night.
How many prayers have I prayed with the same desperation over the years? Being a mother of 3, many! Why could I ever doubt that God hears these prayers and will answer?I don't know, but I do. My prayer, like the man who brought his son to Jesus to be healed, is "I believe, Lord, help my unbelief." I give praise unto "Him, Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us."
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