Heritage

Deuteronomy 11:19 “You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” ESV

Today is my parents’ 40th anniversary. It doesn’t seem possible in many ways, the chiefest of being that it means they’re getting older. To me, my daddy has always been strong, able-bodied, and steadfast. The fact that they’re getting older pains me. I have to confess, the following thought has crossed my mind more than a few times: When they die, who will pray for me? From my earliest memories, I recall family prayer time, prayers around the table, prayers by the bedside of our sick family members (including me), and a confident assurance of their faith in God. For whatever need we are/were facing, they always have complete faith that God will come through. The spiritual heritage I have is incredible, and I strive every day to pass it on to my children. 

I love the direction given in our Scripture today. We often joke that kids don’t come with instruction manuals, but in a way, we already have the instruction manual. All we have to do is take every available opportunity to teach them about Christ, live it out in our own lives, and trust God to lead and guide them. 

From the time my husband I realized we were going to be parents, we have tried to live out Deuteronomy 11:19 with our children. We talk about our faith, trust, and hope in God every chance we get and are careful to give God glory for all that He does in our lives. Our home is filled with reminders of His Word, music that exalts Him, and opportunities for them to learn about Him. Let me be clear before I go on. NOTHING in this world is more important or can substitute for a spiritual heritage. God designed our society to live in families from the beginning of creation. And He has been clear in His Word that spiritual training is of utmost importance to our children’s upbringing. We only get one chance to raise our children; there are no do-over’s, and we’ve got to get this part right. They desperately need to know that God’s Son died to save them and that His blood will give them strength for whatever they may face in life.

As I’ve grown in my relationship with Christ, and He has confronted me with my need to care for the body He created, I realize that my children also need a physical heritage. The culture in which we live pushes its agenda upon our children to make themselves happy. Whatever feels good, tastes good, looks good, and is comforting must be good, right? Wrong. Our children will not exercise or choose to eat healthy on their own. Let’s face it. When faced with the decision to eat a iced, sprinkle-topped cupcake or apple slices, which one looks more appealing to a child? When faced with the decision to play video games on the couch or ride their bicycle on a hot day, which would you choose? We’ve got to take opportunities to encourage them to care for their bodies, secondary to their souls.

If we are going to raise our children to follow Christ, they need good vehicles with which to minister. I ministered for many years in a broken vehicle, and it was hard. The funny thing about it is, I really didn’t realize how hard life was until I was no longer overweight. How much more I could’ve done for the cause of Christ if I had the energy I have today! How much more I could’ve done for the cause of Christ if I had felt this good all of those years I wasted. 

So as we walk along the walking trail at the park, ride along on our bicycles on the bike trail, and eat healthy dinners together around the table, we talk of God’s goodness. We talk about God’s protection before we get much-needed rest at night, and we pray together, trusting God for our future and praising Him for our past. All the while, we endeavor to model healthy living. I think God is pleased.

Encouragement for Today

Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward.” ESV

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” ESV

How Having a Healthy Lifestyle Affected My Relationships

Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” NASB

I squirmed nervously in the car seat on the drive that morning. I had lost 45 pounds, and it was the first time this group of people would see me since my transformation began. Lots of congratulatory remarks were sure to be showered on me, but I knew there was one person at least who would take a chance to jab at me. We hadn’t always spoken to each other in that manner, but as I grew as a person, it seemed that our relationship took a nosedive. Sure enough, as soon as I arrived, my physical inspection began. I’m not kidding. We were here to celebrate Christmas, and the last thing I wanted was for our festivities to be centered around my weight-loss. She asked me what size I was in, and noted that certain body parts had “disappeared.” Maybe she thought it was funny and she was happy for me, but it didn’t feel that way to me. It was embarrassing, frustrating, and hurtful. Not quite sure how I should respond, I just smiled and didn’t say anything. In fact, I didn’t say anything for months. 

Then a few months later, almost the same scenario happened twice more, and again, I didn’t know how to respond. It seems as though no conversation can be had anymore without that subject being brought up. I just wish things would go back to normal, and she would see me as a normal person. I want a good relationship again, but I’m not sure how that can happen. I do have sneaking suspicions about why things are the way they are, but I’m not sure how to handle them. On some occasions, it seems as though some friends/family have been downright angry at me for changing things. Parties, family get-togethers, and holiday celebrations have changed due to my lifestyle change, and it’s made some people uncomfortable. I had no idea that my food choices would create such chaos for others, but the truth is, they do. My motives are certainly never to make anyone feel bad about themselves but to change my own life. At the end of the day, though, I have to be true to the commitment I’ve made to live a healthy lifestyle.

I’ve often thought of Paul’s verse here throughout my weight loss journey. The church in Galatia has turned away from the Gospel Paul preached and are back to looking to the law to be saved. He’s shocked that they’ve fallen away so quickly. Paul's opponents had criticized him heavily and questioned his authority as an apostle, and he quickly gets to the chase that he serves Christ, not man. 

Be clear that serving Christ will displease many people. In fact, sometimes it seems as though you stand alone. It reminds me of the song, “Though none go with me, still I will follow...” The question you have to ask yourself is whether or not you will stand alone. Is He worth it? 

Oh, He is worth it. If no one approves of my decision to follow Christ, it will hurt, and at times it will seem lonely, but He is worth it! There will be hurtful times, but there will be joyful times. The times of loneliness will only be overshadowed by His abiding presence and love.

When we change our lifestyles, sometimes people may get upset, but we have to remember why. What we do affects others, positively or negatively. We can gently encourage others by showing them the joy that serving Jesus brings as well as the perks of living a healthy life. 

When relationships change, rest assured that Jesus doesn’t. Our relationship with Him extends far beyond social gatherings and parties, as He walks with us every day.

Encouragement for Today

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rules, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” NIV

'Til the Storm Passes By

We're struggling right now. All four of us are sick, Heath and I still have to go to work, and therefore, there is no energy, desire, ambition, or drive at all to do household tasks such as laundry, dishes, cooking, or grocery shopping. I have no time to take myself or anyone else to any doctor even because I can't take anybody else out in the cold. Geez, ugh, sigh!!! I think I may just take the whole family to the walk-in clinic tomorrow. I literally made a medicine chart to make sure everyone gets their medicine on time and no one is overdosed. The house is a wreck, there's nothing to eat, and I'm overwhelmed.

I'm reminded though that I really have it easy. When I was a kid, my mom was in and out of the hospital on a regular basis, and my daddy had no family around to help with us. He was torn whether to stay with my mom, take us home so we wouldn't have to see her so sick, or pastor the church.

He adopted a song that has comforted our family for three decades:

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storms howl above me and there's no hiding place
Mid the crash of the thunder
Precious Lord, hear my cry
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by

'Til the storm passes over, 'til the thunder sounds no more
'Til the clouds roll forever from the sky
Hold me fast, let me stand
In the hollow of thy hand
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by

Christmas in the Parsonage

This time of year brings a lot of nostalgia. The movie White Christmas and Alabama's Christmas CDs are my favorite. But there are also other thoughts that come to mind this time of year. Christmastime makes me think of handmade purses, LifeSaver books, Avon perfume, and brown paper bags filled with fruit and peppermint. You see, I think I was the most blessed preacher's kid on the planet. Every Christmas was made special because of church people that truly cared for my sister and me. They prayed for us, blessed us with gifts, invested in us, and believed in us. We didn't have a lot monetarily or materially throughout the year, but Christmas...Christmas was different. The cabinets couldn't hold the food that the church gave as they "pounded" the pastor. An extra week's pay was the normal, but church members would always give above and beyond the Church's gift.

Because of that church's love for us, the bar was set high for any church family that came into our lives as Heath and I started our own ministry. Each church we've pastored has been different, but at Christmas, they've always come through. Every one of those churches loved our children, and symbolically gave them something they knew my kids would enjoy at Christmas.

It wasn't about the gifts. It's never been about the gifts. Even when thinking about the earliest Christmas memory I have at church, I've always been in amazement that people would take the time and money to  give something to someone as "insignificant" as the preacher's kids.

But because of the churches I've been blessed to be a part of, I've always known that should the time ever come, I would give back.

I couldn't wait this year to get involved in a church so that I could give. We didn't have much time this year to get to know them, so I settled on giving the kids gift cards to their favorite stores. I was shocked and amazed when their mom told me that no church member had ever remembered their kids at Christmas.  What?!?!

If you haven't already, please remember your pastor's family this year at Christmas. They work hard all year long to take care of your family, most of the time, away from their own. They don't get to go spend time with their families at holidays like Easter and Christmas because they're ministering. It's not just the pastor that works in the ministry. The whole family is involved. The whole family gets to church early, stays late, cleans up during the week, plans events, sits in the car while dad visits at the hospital, and sacrifices financially.

They deserve all the joy in the world that we can offer. Let's show gratitude. Let me tell you....when you do...you'll receive joy in return.