"C'mon, Sommer, let's go out and play Truth or Dare Tag." Joshua exclaimed.
"What's Truth or Dare Tag?" I asked.
"It's like regular tag but if you're caught you have to tell a truth or do a dare." Sommer replied.
Uh-oh! I Thought. I know where this leads.
"Well, you guys can play it but be sure to NOT be kissing on anyone during the dares."
"Oh, we won't, Mommy. We have rules." Joshua said. "No kissing. No hugging. No licking stuff off the road."
Greg and I laughed hysterically. "No licking stuff off the road? What in the world made you come up with that rule?" I cringed in expectation.
Sommer and Joshua laughed at our laughter and responded, "One time, someone dared Zach to lick the road and he did. So, we decided to never do that dare again."
I squinted my eyes, wrinkled my nose at the thought of Zach licking the road. OOOOOH! Yuck. But, conceded to let them go play the game. So, with the rules set, the kids went out to safely play.
Today, I couldn't help but ponder my own set of rules for living. I considered the mistakes I made, the dead things I licked off the road of life, that ranted me the experience to know...I would NEVER do that again.
Regardless of where we are in life, there are certain rules that help us safely play in this game of life.
Oh, we may not literally lick dead things off the road, HOPEFULLY, LOL! But, there are dangers we sometimes flirt with...ambition, pride, jealousy, lust, selfish desires...
In Joshua 24:14-15, Joshua puts a choice before God's people: Will they serve the god of their forefathers or the LORD? He commands them: "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (NIV)
I sense Joshua saying: Quit pretending. Get in or get out. Choose who you are going to serve. And, know this: I choose GOD!
When we choose God, we set safe boundaries. We put stops in place. We live by standards.
Choosing God means, above all other things, that we live WHOLE-HEARTED, for Him. Our decisions are no longer our own; they are subject to God. The way we serve, the things we give, the way we interact with others are all governed by our love relationship with the LORD.
So, how about it? Do you need to put some game rules in place, today? If so, you may consider starting with the one Jesus said was most important: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength."
Personally, I'm going to spend some time focusing on that one right now. Hope you have a blessed day...I'd love to hear your thoughts; feel free to share your personal favorite that helps you make wise decisions.
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteMay I ask how old are your children. Just wondering. we are young parents and it's always good to learn from other parents
Hi, Bess. we have three beautiful children in their pre-teens and ate teens. How about you?
DeleteJulie thought provoking post. Yes, love is the ultimate. Hard for some though. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteWhew. Isn't that the truth. Love is a choice; it is the ultimate; it is difficult...and sometimes seems impossible...May God continue to shower us with His love and empower us to love as He loves us.
DeleteHello Julie..
ReplyDeleteThank you for your ministry! It is always encouraging to see how the Lord speaks through you..
I recently went through a divorce, lost my job, my car, and my home. My faith was momentarily rattled throughout the "storm". In the last ten months, I began to PRAY as I felt Worry...I found that I could not do both simultaneously! Worry would subside and the peace of God would instead flood my soul. God is bigger than any circumstance surrounding me...
When confusion set in, with the " mess" I was left with...I began to pray the simple prayer...Dear Lord, please SHOW ME THE NEXT STEP...I would pause and pray...and wait until I knew the way.
I had to quiet my mind to hear the Lord.."Be still and know that I am God...".
It was in those quiet moments that God poured out healing into my soul that cannot be expressed with words..
I would SING when I was to sad to pray...it still kept me connected to God. The enemy wants us to be separated from our life-source..that is NOT going to happen! I am a child of the King! God LOVES me! He allowed these things to happen for reasons I still do not know. But I know that the HOPE and CONFIDENCE I have in Christ today, far outweighs the pain and loss I have experienced.
These are just a FEW of the measures I put in place to keep my eyes firmly fixed on the only UNCHANGING thing we are promised in this life...and that is the powerful healing hopeful ever-present Love of our Heavenly Father..
"There is PURPOSE in Your PAIN"... Would be the story I share with women..to give back hope and healing in or after the storm of life..
Today was my first day of my new job...the Lord is providing and blessing my life. And I was able to get a car last week. I finished schooling for 2 classes for Christian Life Coaching and Grief Counseling. I found the perfect place to live at the right price...so much more and the Miracle is still in process! I am eternally grateful.
Wow...I love this..."I would SING when I was to sad to pray." Great thought and practice. I am so grateful God is strengthening you and answering your prayers. Keep standing strong. Your testimony is powerful! Can't wait to see how God continues to use you for His glory.
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