Painting a new picture......a new way!

One of the special presents that Gwen left for the kids, were these really amazing "paint" sticks.  They are actually solid tempra paints in a push up tube.  They work sort of like markers, but they look like paint on the paper.  And they dry quickly!  Needless to say, Anna loved them.  So did all the other kids!  During the week, we did lots of painting.  Finger painting, water color painting, special paint brush paints, paint stick paints, these dry paint sticks, and face paints....I'm sure that I am forgetting some.  These kids love to paint!

It is interesting watching a two year old paint.  They start with blank paper and then make a total "mess" and when they are done, they are so proud of their painting!  They don't think that they have to paint a certain way.  They just put color on the page.  It is a delightful thing to watch.

I've been thinking about how many times I force myself to "color inside the lines" or only worse yet, I don't even pick up that paint brush because I am afraid of what others think.  This fear of man is sometimes just so powerful.  Fear is an interesting thing.  Even when you know that you don't need to FEAR, sometimes it still changes how you act.  There is so much fear on the internet these days.  It is everywhere.  People are fearful of terrorists.  They are afraid about what is happening to our country.  They are afraid to speak....to be judged as intolerant.  Yet, those who are judging are often the ones who are being intolerant of those with conservative beliefs.  I can't tell you how often I hesitate to post one of these blog posts because I am suddenly hit with fear about what people might think and/or say about the views I have expressed.  Isn't that silly?  I don't really know most of you that read this blog...you live all over the world.  Yet, I know that if you have been drawn to read these posts, there is a reason.  And I am determined to share whatever Jesus gives me to share and to trust that the Holy Spirit will bring these words to whoever needs to read them. But I also want to be clear that it is not always easy.

So my encouragement to you today is to color those pictures.  Don't worry so much about what other people will think about you or your painting.  Listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and take those sometimes difficult steps to walk out your life picture whatever that looks like.  All through out scripture we are told.....do not be afraid or .....do not fear....  Now more than ever we just need to press on and not give in to fear.  Fear is from the enemy and not from God.  I don't think there is any more important message that I can give than that.  The devil is the author and instigator of fear and terror.   God is love and peace and joy.   There you go.  That is my thought for today!  

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that fear does not come from you.  Holy Spirit help us all to have the courage and boldness to go and to say and to paint all the pictures that you give to us.  Protect us from the overwhelming fear that surrounds us in the world today.  Jesus, help us to show the world who you are through our lives.  Let there be love and peace and joy in our hearts today.  Amen

Fighting fear leads to victory and joy!

For the last couple of weeks, my friends and I have been talking about how often FEAR is the root of our issues.  Fear of what someone might think of us can keep us from sharing.  Fear of the "what ifs" can paralyze us and keep us from moving ahead.  Fear of change.  Fear of nothing changing.  Yes, fear seems to be at the bottom of many, many troubles.  I mentioned yesterday that my family just returned from a wonderful time away at an indoor water park.  Needless to say, this is a favorite of the kids (and some of the adults!).  But this park, while it is amazing, offers some very challenging things for the young ones.  Lia (age 10), Ellie (age 7 - almost), Zeke (age 4 1/2) and Anna (age 2)  faced many fearful things during our time at the park.  That is except for Zeke!  He didn't seem to be fearful of anything!  He charged ahead and went on any slide that he was allowed to be on!  He is quite the kid!  Anna also, was not very afraid.  As a matter of fact,she thought she should be able to do everything that the older kids were doing.  She really believes that she can swim!  The first couple of times on the slides in the toddler area, she needed to hold a hand going down the slide.  But after that, she was determined to go it alone.  

Lia was a wonderful big sister, helping her up the stairs and onto the slide, over and over again.  But Lia was a bit afraid of the "big" tube slide that mommy and daddy wanted her to try.  She had done this slide last year, but she was still worried about trying this again.  Gwen finally convinced her to try it, and then she asked to go over and over!  She conquered that fear!

Ellie was very fearful of the indoor/outdoor hot tub.  She really wanted to try it, but the transition between the two spaces was very scary to her.  I took Lia and Ellie and promised that we would not "force" Ellie to try the outdoor space.  Slowly we showed her that it was not really that scary and within a few minutes, she was happily experiencing the wonder of being warm and wet while it was cold around you! 

Ellie was fascinated by the steam (fog) hanging over the pool!  I just loved to see the wonder on her face!  After she conquered her fear, she asked to go back to the hot tub over and over!  Ellie was also a bit afraid of the lazy river.  But after several times around with all of us, she was ready to go! 

The lazy river was a bit tame for Zeke.  He just sort of tolerated the time going around and around.  It was a good time to let the kids actually take a breather from the constant motion! Not so bad for the adults either!  It's really good exercise to chase after 4 little ones at a place like this!  

It was clear that Zeke much preferred a bit more action on the tube......

As I said, not much fear in that one!  He loved the action and went on this slide over and over and over.  

Anna was about ready to jump out of the tube on the lazy river every time we passed by the waterfalls!  It became a game to her and she looked for those waterfalls at every turn!  She wanted to play in that flowing water!

By the time we left the water park, we had 4 very tired kids and 6 very tired adults!  But what a great lesson this time was for me.  I watched the kids face some really big and real fears.  And they pressed through, accepted help from people they trusted, and then celebrated with joy when they were successful. I need to let that sink in and learn from their example!   

The phrases "fear not..." and "do not fear" or "don't be afraid"  appear over and over in the Bible.  It is as if God knew that we would all face fear every single day.  He made sure that His Word would be the help that we could lean on and trust to help us press through into victory when we are fearful.  I am going to make a list of all of these "fear not" verses and focus on these!  Here are a few to get you started on your own journey..........

Psalm 118:6 -  "The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid"

Hebrews 13:6 - "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid"

Isaiah 44:8 - "Do not tremble, do not be afraid"

Isaiah 41:10 - "Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God"

Acts 18:9 - "Do not be afraid, keep on speaking"

I am going to start each day with a "fear not" verse and then I will remember the joy and excitement of Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna from this weekend.  What a wonderful lesson learned at the water park!

Jesus, thank you so much for family time that fills me up and spills over into lessons that keep speaking to me.  Holy Spirit, help us all to face our fears and hold on to the promises in your Word.  Thank you for the smiles and laughter and fun of children.  Help us all to climb to higher places (outside of our comfort zones), be willing to lean out of our safe zone to splash in your living water (that is pouring out to the world around us), and most of all celebrate!  Amen

Taking the first step........in Jesus' time!

Today I have been contemplating this quote from my devotion.....

It's not easy to head off into uncharted waters, but every journey starts with a first step. Fear will keep you from taking that first step, from untying the boat from the dock. Fear will also keep you from making new discoveries. Don't let fear keep you tied up, set sail and see what God has planned for you.

This resonated with me since, more than once, I have been given the same advice.  Someone once told me "Jesus can't steer a docked boat.  You have to be untied from the dock and setting sail for Him to steer you onto the path of your destiny. 

I admit that I am one that really likes to have the trip mapped out BEFORE I untie that rope and set sail.   The problem is, I don't seem to go anywhere using this method!  As a matter of fact, the last few years I have been just tied up at that dock.  Not going anywhere and not accomplishing anything.  I have not gotten any closer at all to my destiny.   And I certainly have not felt that I was on the right path. 

But I admit that it is fearful. There is a lot of unknowns when you leave that security of the dock.  And the worst is the fear of making the wrong decision and going the wrong way.  Sometimes I find myself even wondering if I am supposed to be out there sailing at all.  Maybe I am supposed to be tied up at the dock.  Have you ever felt like that? 

Then I read the Momastery Blog today and it ended like this......
You can’t miss your boat. It’s yours. It stays docked till you’re ready. The only boat you can miss is someone else’s. Let them have theirs while you wait for the boat God made for you. God’s never early and never late. And know that love and life are patient. And that God is forever tries.

This was just the encouragement I needed tonight.  I can trust that the Holy Spirit will prompt me to set sail when the time is right.  And more than that, Jesus will not be upset at me for staying docked the last few years.  So if you are feeling or sensing some of the same things I have been today, take heart!  Jesus is patient and the Holy Spirit will get us where we need to be. 

Jesus, thank you for this today!  Holy Spirit thank you for reminding me that you are never late! And thank you for always reminding me that I am not in charge.... you are!  Amen