Prayerfully Seeking....

Recently I felt as if the Lord was leading me to read through the bible from beginning to end.  For a few weeks I prayed and delayed.  I had attempted to do this before and found that half way through Exodus I lost that willingness to read.  This time I prayed it would be different.  I began to read and seek prayerfully Genesis and next Exodus and today I am almost through the Chronicles.  

Each chapter of the Bible has given me a greater perspective of who I am in Him.In Genesis my story began.  I was created in His image. Exodus, what a journey.  Even as His chosen one, at times, manna just wasn't good enough.  My selfish and gluttonous heart was revealed. Leviticus was full of His unconditional love. I discovered His desire to wipe away my debt in the Year of Jubilee!  I laugh when I think about how I complained as I read through the book of Numbers. I would say, "Lord, who on this planet likes this book?"  And then one night He directed me to that one individual.  It was 2 am. I was wide awake and feeling drawn to the sofa downstairs.  So, I grabbed my Kindle and went down stairs to continue the journey through Numbers. Only to realize that my Kindle need a charge. So I grabbed a bible off the shelf and opened it up to numbers.  And much to my surprise there were notes written on the pages.  I began to cry and smile at the same time. Of course, Joseph Mallon, he would be that person I had been asking God about.  So I sat there and continued reading Numbers. And by the the end of Numbers I was able to see the importance. Every intricate detail that He has laid out before us. I am blessed by God's faithfulness to care for His people. What I though as not important clearly became relevant. And this is where my attitude got adjusted.  Deuteronomy is where God's gives the law.  Ten commandments that were laid out as guidelines. I saw clearly how I truly need a Savior.  I think I have broken each one of those ten laws a time or two. In Joshua He gave incite on conflict and victory. I marched around plenty of Jericho's prayerfully waiting for the wall to come tumbling down. In Judges He had me reflecting on my own disobedient heart.  Increased unfaithfulness forcing me to realize that my iniquities require discipline. Then, through Ruth, He opened my eyes to His grace in the midst of evil. And Samuel 1 and 2 made it clear that even the chosen aren't perfect.  Then Kings 1 and 2 allowed me to see how His sovereign grace is manifested. And I began to understand His blessings when I am faithful. And here I am this morning searching through 1 and 2 Chronicles. I know that God has great plans for this generation.  His love for His people is overwhelming and free.  Once again I reflect on 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." As I continue to seek who I am, in the image of God, I am thankful for His word. I pray that I will humbly seek Him as my journey continues.

The Revivalation Revolution Resolution

Maybe I am a little delayed in actually putting my resolutions into play.  Here we are Saturday morning May 24.  Only 143 days into 2014 and I am feeling like today is the day.  We all begin to ponder about what our "New Year's Resolutions" will be every year in December. And I, like most, drop the resolution ball before the end of January.

I am the queen of excuses.  I have one for every minute of the day and most are very selfish. The past few months have been packed with family issues, job issues, life issues and me issues.  Yep, issue after issue after issue.  With all these issues it's hard to get anything done.  Anyone who knows me knows that I can relate to and at times be a total Martha.  Tending to all the issues and forgetting about why I resolve to do the things I do.  I started this year off with really good intentions.  I wanted to be more concentrated, single-hearted and a wistful listener. My goal was to be a little less absorbed and less preoccupied with things. I just wanted to serve without distraction. I developed a plan so that I would have intimate quiet time with the One who calls me His own.  My plan would allocate time to seek His face every morning and every minute of the day.  I would walk upright and would make choices that would propel me in my walk.  It all looked good on paper and sounded easy when I said it out loud.  But, remember those issues, they became my stumbling blocks.  And I sure did trip over them daily.

The past few weeks I have been reflecting on 2 Chronicles 7:14."If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land."  God knows my heart and He knows how wayward I can be.  He is perfect and wants nothing more than my love.  He calls my name.  Sometimes it's a soft whisper and others a thunderous roar.  He calls me His precious child.  And when I humble myself and and choose to meet all of God's conditions in 2 Chronicles 7:14 there will be a great revival. 

The dictionary defines revival as an improvement in the condition or strength of something; an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.  I believe that I have been called according to God's purpose.  As one of  His people  I need to gather together with others and turn this joint upside down.  I may even need to flip a few tables in the process.  The world around around me seems to be inaugurating itself into the hearts and minds of this generation.  Often, I find myself surrendering to the unprincipled ways of society.  Walking around like a zombie or worldly programmed robot.  I have become complacent in my daily life forgetting that I was made to be different. I have become a member of an arrogant generation people.  Everyone is out for themselves and there is the sense of entitlement.  When did I stop humbling myself?  I think about how great it is when I put others before me. The blessing is two fold.  The recipient is overwhelmed with joy and I in turn am blessed by the joy given.  Therefore, if I humble myself I will have taken the first step in this revivalation revolution resolution.

What next?  How do I continue on this path? When I stand before the world and pass judgement, calling myself a  follower of Christ, how do those who don't know Him now see Him?  Our God is the definition of love.  And I am supposed to be a reflection of this great love. It is not my place to negatively pass judgement on how another person lives.  I need to clean my house before picking up the trash in my neighbors yard.  I am commanded to love and respect my neighbor.  I don't recall anywhere in the sixth through tenth commandments God stating that I should judge my neighbor and tell them He doesn't want people like them in His kingdom.  James 4:12 reminds me that God is the judge and lawgiver.   "There is only one lawgiver and judge, He who is able to save and destroy.  But who are you to judge your neighbor?"   I am made aware that prayer is the next condition of a revival.  I must humbly seek Him and pray.  My prayer is that God would continue to open my heart to do His will and not my own.  That I would become a reflection of His love and grace. 

Throughout scripture there are many passages on seeking God.  And the results of seeking Him are pretty amazing. When I seek God He is there.  Even when I am not seeking He is still there.  Imagine that you are in a room. You are too absorbed with reading, texting, facebooking etc. to even notice that your Dad is in the room with you.  He is sitting on the chair patiently waiting for you to notice that he is there longing to have a conversation with you.  He just wants to see your face. This is how God is.  Always there waiting and wanting us to seek Him. I believe the word seek appears 368 times in the bible. Zephaniah 2:3, Psalm 27:8, 1 Chronicles 16:11, and Deuteronomy 4:29 are just a few.  When I seek God my journey seems easier and my "issues" become much lighter.   

As I continue seeking God's conditions for a revivalation revolution in my own heart I read once again in 2 Chronicles 7: 14 that I must turn from MY wicked ways. A few weeks ago one of my pastor shared a story that made me think about my own sin nature.  John Lavendar, author of "Why Prayers are Unanswered", shared a story about a pastor named Norman Vincent Peale.  When Peale was a boy, he found a big cigar and slipped into an alley to smoke it.  It didn't taste good, but it made him feel grown up...until he saw his father coming.  He quickly put the cigar behind his back and tried to act casual. Desperate to divert his father's attention, Norman pointed to a billboard advertising a circus.  "Can I go, dad? Please, let's go when it comes to town." His father's reply taught Norman a lesson he never forgot " Son" he answered quietly but firmly, "never make a petition while at the same time trying to hide a smoldering disobedience." I am totally guilty of trying to divert God's attention to my sin. I do a great job hiding my smoldering disobedience to the world around me. However, He will gently and firmly remind me that He knows my heart and my every move.  Nothing is hidden from His eye. I can no longer seek justification for my poor choices.  No more excuses for my sins.  I need to deal decisively and intentionally with my own sinful nature. Time to stop making light of my poor decisions by point at, what I believe to be, another persons grander sins than my own. In God's eye sin is sin.  He won't compare mine to another's.  

Now, today is the day! God promises that when I humble myself, pray, seek and relinquish my selfishness and incorrigible behavior, He will forgive and heal the land. My request is this.....if you have read this entry and care to see a revival in this land that you would join with me by praying for our country, our future generations and the generation at hand.  I know that if we all search our own hearts and have a desire to seek God's will He will bless each of us and revive this land. 

What one man can do

Today is the anniversary of my Dad's birth. Dad went home to be with the Lord three and a half years ago.   I think about him every day and miss his encouraging and uplifting wisdom. I would do just about anything for the sound of his laughter, his hugs and just to see his smiling eyes.  He was not just a husband to his wife, brother to his siblings, father to his children, grandfather to the grands, and friend to his friends. He was the glue that held us together so to speak.  The leader of the tribe. There is a song that occasionally lingers in my head.  John Denver's "What One Man Can Do." We played this at the memorial service as pictures danced gracefully through each verse.  Pictures of a husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend.  One man who changed to life of a multitude of people.  A leader to the "Mallon" tribe. He taught his family that is was okay to dream, love, make change and stay young. He tried to stay positive in the craziness of the world around him.  Always seeking truth and pushing his loved ones to do the same.  He was a brilliant teacher.  He saw beauty is some of the darkest places.  He loved his tribe deeply.

Family can surly be a funny thing. You can't select members that fit the "Norman Rockwell" idea of family.  It's not like a dodge ball game where the parents are the captains and they take turns picking the players. Family is a tribe.  And, the members of the tribe can, at times, be your biggest supporters.  And sometimes they can be the people who unintentionally hurt you the most. But at the end of the day we gather together and remain a tribe.

Since the leader of our tribe is no longer with us life in my tribe seems discombobulated.  Everyone seems to have either gathered their tee-pees and pitched them in distant locations.  Other, like myself,  have just pulled the zipper up and only come out to hunt and gather. Life seems to be playing out in slow motion.  And I am frustrated with the progress.  I often want to hit the rewind button.  And go back to the days when family meant more than the occasional text messages. Or a quick poke on Facebook.  Family gatherings don't seem to be a priority anymore.  I honestly can't remember the last time the tribe, as a whole, gathered together.  Maybe this is just another cycle in life.  After all scripture does tell us that a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife. And they shall become one. ~Matthew 19:5  However, they will still be a part of the tribe. Right?

I am certain that the Lord desires us to lean and depend on our family, our tribe.  The greatest gift for me is, and always has been, my family. Even though Dad is no longer physically here we have a piece of him woven into each of us.  And I guess, perhaps when we are all gathered together, that is when I get the warmth of his hugs in Maria's embrace.  To hear his laughter in Thomas' belly laugh. And see his smiling eyes on Christina's face.  I see so much of him in my Mom, my children, nieces, and nephews too. This is why, for me, I long for the tribal gatherings. God is faithful.  He has called each one of us according to His purpose.  As I reflect, on the life of my Dad, I pray that today will be the beginning of a year of jubilee. And that my tribe will once again celebrate and dance around the fire.  And that we will praise God for His foundation and His faithfulness.

"It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family."~ Numbers 2:34

I suppose that there are those who'll say he had it easy
Had it made in fact before he'd ever begun
But they don't know the things I know, I was always with him
It may sound strange, we were more than friends

It's hard to tell the truth, when no one wants to listen
When no one really cares what's going on
And it's hard to stand alone, when you need someone beside you
Your spirit, your faith must be strong

What one man can do is dream, what one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world and make it young again
Here you see what one man can do

As shaded as his eyes might be, that's how bright his mind is
That's how strong his love for you and me
A friend to all the universe, grandfather of the future
Everything that I would like to be

What one man can do is dream, what one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world and make it new again
Here you see what one man can do

What one man can do is dream, what one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world and make it work again
Here you see what one man can do.

"Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family."~Genesis 31:13

Happy Mother's Day to ALL the "real" Moms!!

Happy Mother's Day.  This is a day that Moms around the country are to be celebrated.  Doesn't matter if you are rich, poor, expecting, brand new, biological, adoptive, inherited or honorary.  We are all to be celebrated!

My kids are abundantly blessed.  They have two moms.  A "natural" one and an inherited one.  And I have to admit I am pretty blessed as well to share my role as mom with such wonderful women.

I share my precious biological children with a true gift.  Her name is Denise.  She married my previous husband a few years ago.  And she instantly became a "real" mom to three crazy and very different kids.  The kids were never afraid to love Denise.  And she constantly shows them love.  From the first time I met her, at karaoke many years ago, I knew she was perfect for Chris.  And in turn she is perfect for the three kids too. I am forever thankful for her friendship and unconditional love. I am thrilled to share the mom role with such a genuine person.  And share it equally. I know that she will always be on the same level as me when it come to our kids.  We will walk down the isle as mom's on their wedding days.  We will dance and rejoice as our girls give birth.  I know this because the kids have and will always consider her happiness. Sometime they consider it more. And that is exactly how I would want it.

I am not just a mom but an inherited mom as well aka step-mom.  I have learned a lot during my journey as a step-parent.  There were many moments that I felt rejected, loved, excluded, overjoyed, cut off, liked, reluctant, and embraced. Yes, a roller coaster of emotions.  And what I can say is I am truly a blessed "real" mom.  I am thankful that my husband's previous wife, Colleen, has accepted me for the crazy person I am.  And that, even though it has been a bumpy road, I can say now, with joy in my heart, that I am honored to be a co-mom to my beautiful inherited daughters. And I am abundantly blessed to be a co-grandma with Colleen.

I have learned to accept what a lot of women would have difficulty accepting.  Jealousy could have reared it's ugly head and made our path a very ugly one to travel.  But God had bigger and better plans.  He commands me to love.  Even if it seems unnatural.  Don't get me wrong.  I loved Denise from the instant we were introduced. And I had that same agape for Colleen.   And that is only because God taught me about grace.  But to most people my relationship with Denise and Colleen is strange.  And that is okay by me.  After all I believe I am one of the strangest.  So it is only fitting. 

 My hearts desire has always been to show God's amazing grace and ever present love.  I thought that one day I would wind up with the perfect bunch.  But instead I am a part of the most imperfect perfect bunch that teaches me perfect love every day.

So, Happy Mother's Day to ALL the "real" Moms!!

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

The expectations are so great......

 My first born child came home from California to visit for Christmas.  There was excitement and a touch of reluctance.  She is my strong willed child.  This beautiful woman speaks her mind.  Which can, at times, be difficult to embrace.  And she often comes across as harsh.

There was so much going on and so little time while she was home.  Everyone seemed out of sorts. The two youngest went about their lives.  Neither one of them realizing that this was making their sister feel rejected.  The tension grew.  As she longed to feel welcomed in her home she felt nothing but rejection.  I was too busy in my own head with wrapping and doing the non-important things that I neglected to search her heart. My husband also, by his actions, made it seem that he wasn't happy with her being home.  My heart became heavy and my thoughts and prayers seemed to exhaust me. I felt myself in that tug-o-war.  Stuck in the middle trying to defend all parties. Prayer and sitting at my Lord's feet seemed to be the only place I felt solitude.

Two nights ago my first born sat on the sofa with me to watch a movie.  Well, that was the intent.  But, a long overdue reality conversation took place instead.  She told me that she spent the afternoon with her Grandmom.  She began to tell me that during their time together her Gmom said some harsh things.  I tried to defend (tug-o-war) my mom by saying, "It's only because she loves you.  She just wants you to be the best you".  We continued to talk.  I told her that I prayed for her to soften and that she would be less outspoken.  Well, this was not received the way I had hoped.  After a few minutes the conversation softened.  She began to share with me what was going on in her head and heart.  Just like we were anxious about her coming home, she felt very insecure.  She braced herself for her visit.  Expectations were high.  And we all failed to meet each others suppositions.  Our expectations were that Kath would be a little different because of her 10 months of living in California.  And her expectations were that we were all going to embrace her when she was home.  Instead we all settled in to our own very selfish, self centered ways. She told me that she felt unwanted and rejected by my husband, her step-dad.  And that it was very evident that he doesn't care for her.  She explained that she knew she was disrespectful in the way she talked to him.  And that she was sorry.  But was hurt by his rejection and how obvious it was that he didn't want her around.  My heart sank.  I felt broken.  She was hurt that her siblings made plans with friends. She wished she had more time to spend with her 16 month old niece but there were tons of road blocks. Then the biggest punch was that she wanted to go back to California where she felt more loved and embraced by strangers.  We failed her.  I failed her.   How do we manage to do so much damage to the ones we love?  And how does one fix this?  She is leaving tomorrow.  And I am certain that she feels relieved.

Now is the moment of "What have I done?" and I am wishing there was a "rewind" button.  But, my family is so dysfunctional, we might make a bigger mess of the "do-over".  So, all I can do now is make the best of the little time we have left before she goes back to California. And reflect on what makes her such a blessing in my life.  She is honest and wears her heart on her sleeve.  She has been hurt, rejected and let down by so many people in her short lifetime.  She still hasn't been quite capable of digesting it all.  It appears that there is so much negativity around her that it is difficult to see the positive.  With that being said I want to shed some light on this beautiful, bold, outspoken, firstborn child of mine.  She will be the first to defend, support and mend her family even when they are the first to break her.  She will tell you the truth even when it would be more appealing to your ears if she lied.  She is the most misunderstood of all the kids.  What one hears as harsh words she truly meant to sound like love.  She cries out in a different way too. We hear disrespect, judgment, and bitterness.  When what she is really trying to get across is......I need you to love me, like me and embrace me.   I am not a perfect mom.  But, I am blessed to call myself Kath's mom.  She is always so forgiving of her family. I know she is going to look back on this and grow.  I am hopeful that she will remember the loving family moments like singing in the car, buying Santa breakfast, Sunday dinners, cold air, board games, Duane's search for lipstick, Grace's smile, snow flakes, footie pajamas (that she really didn't like but wore because I bought them) and quiet moments on the sofa.

Praying that God will give me eyes to see what a precious gift Kath is and always will be in my life.  I pray, whatever adventure He holds for the future, that He would remind us that every tomorrow is a gift to make right the wrongs of yesterday.

"Pick up the pieces let's see what's been broken. What's become of us?  How do we manage to do so much damage to the ones we love......When we care so much?

When we fail love it's hard to take. The expectations are so great. We raise our hopes. We dream our dreams. And then we do some foolish thing. But love that comes easy will easily give up. When we fail love we've got to trust the love that won't fail us.

I can't swim the ocean that's growing between us. The shores are too far apart. So sail to the spot where the water is deepest. Where we have to face this storm with faith."~ Grover Levy

Not just P31 but a little Titus too........

My focus, for the most part, seemed to be on what it meant to be a proverbs 31 woman for the majority of my adult life.  To be that wife of noble character.  To make sure that my husband lacked nothing of value and that he had full confidence in me.  To go out and gather the food (or run to the market).  Select the finest wool and linen for the household (run to Target or Macy’s).  To wake up and prepare for the days adventures before any of my love's put one toe on the floor.  And, when there is someone in need…,give what I am able and maybe just a little extra.  All this so that one day I could be clothed in strength and dignity.  And to have that ability to laugh at the days to come.  And maybe the words that would fall from my lips would be enriched with wisdom, and I could have that faithful instruction on my tongue.  And let’s not forget to toss the bread of idleness right in the trash.  To be able to cease the conversation at the gossip party.  To know that one day, yes, one day my children would wake up and say, “We are really blessed!”  That all seems so easy when you read Proverbs 31: 10- 31.  But in all reality putting it all into play in my world seems often so difficult. To be the” go getter” that this p31 woman was/is takes a lot of grace and mercy.
 
This past week, each morning before my feet hit the floor, I have been praying that the Lord would show me where I am failing in my journey as a P31 woman.   I knew that I was asking Him to reveal to me some very grey and dark areas in my heart and in my actions. So, in turn, I laid my request for Him to strengthen me with a fresh fill of grace and dignity. 

Monday morning I woke up, had a little conversation with my heavenly Father, and was feeling lead to read Titus 2.  As I sat at the table, feasting on these words, my heart dropped.   I came to the realization that I had areas in my life that needed to change.  I had this bad routine or habit that had developed over the years.  I’d wake up in the morning,  grab my husbands hand, pray for my household , shower, feast on a fill of God's word, sip on a fresh brewed cup of coffee, check out the latest and greatest on the Internet, straighten up the mess that was left behind from the night before, feed the pets, pack some lunch, wake up whoever needed to be alive, leave for work.  Then I'd come home from work, walk in the door, kiss my husband hello, say hello to anyone else seated in the living space, and run to the bedroom to change into my pj’s , then back to the kitchen, start dinner (P31 duties) and now for the habit……grab a wine glass or two (misery loves company) and the bottle and head to the sofa a.k.a. couch and pour.  This all started with a small glass every night.  And gradually became a sharing of a bottle.  To most people this is no big deal.  But for my kids it was a huge deal.  They began making excuses like, “Mom is still depressed about Grandpop’s graduating into heaven.” And maybe that held a little truth.  But it was a very poor excuse and even worse example.  I am a kid of the King.  What is my deal?
 

 “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God” ~Titus 2: 3-5
 

As my week progressed, I continued to pray that God would keep me accountable.  I knew that I wasn’t capable of doing it on my own.  Life around me was still the same.  The stresses of work, home and every day weren’t going anywhere.  It is God’s grace that would and will help break any and all of my bad habits. “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,  while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” ~ Titus 2: 11-14
 

So, here I sit on this Saturday morning still hungry for His grace and dignity,  I am filled with the knowledge that I must always strive to not only be that P31 woman; but that I must also develop the Titus 2 traits as well.  I have one fantastic husband,  four wonderful daughters, one spectacular son,  a terrific son-in-law, one absolutely beautiful granddaughter , a courageous mom, two beautiful sisters,  a loving  brother, eight gorgeous nieces, three smart nephews, one sensational great-niece, a multitude of accepting  in-laws and an abundance of inherited family.  I want to be a blessing to each them as they are a tremendous blessing to me.

Covered in His Dust.

What would Jesus do?  Could I for one solid year commit to asking myself this question every time I was about to venture into a conversation, an uncomfortable situation or just another basic moment of my very own shallow life? 

As I sit here writing this blog there are so many awful things happening in the world around me. Mass shootings, political slander, and children growing up without the understanding of what it is to have respect for others and for self. I live in a world of chaos and destruction. I have spent the past few years of my life full of some really big "woe is me" moments as well.  So much so that I have often allowed them to take ownership of who I am. I have felt let down, taken advantage of, and abused.  People are people and human is as human does......And as a result of my own human nature I continually allow things, and people, to rent space in my head.

God is God and He is faithful.  And His ways are higher then mine.  The more I pray, the more I sit at His feet,and the more I seek His face, the more I begin desire to be like Him. Yes, to be covered in His dust.  I need to follow in His foot steps and be completely covered in the dust from the path He is leading.  In order to prepare for the journey ahead I need a few things. An understanding of the truth, a willingness to obey, and a desire to seek.

How do we even begin to grasp an understanding of truth? In a world full of deception and lies it is often difficult to discern between a lie and the truth. It is human nature to want to look good. Even our leaders show that very human nature. They slander their opponent. Looking in every crack and crevice to find a flaw that they can build on to make the other candidate look horrible and not worthy of the vote. All this so that they can take the focus off of their own hidden flaws. Jesus never said magnify your neighbors flaws. He reminded us that we need to take the plank from our own eye first.  The truth is that our hearts aren't always in the right place.  More often than not we do things for selfish gain.  Even making the decision to be a follower,these days, has become for our own selfish gain.  We deceive ourselves into thinking that it is okay to continue in our sin because we are "sinners saved by grace".  Ouch.  And we hang our hat on "our deeds are like filthy rags" and lay down and do nothing because we got the "free express pass ticket" on the "gravy train".  So, instead of having the "I deserve salvation" attitude, we need to seek the truth.  And the truth is that we need to have the attitude of a servant. To follow the lead of Christ, who was and is, the greatest model of a servant to ever walk these dusty roads.  God put on flesh and came to serve up a huge plate of everlasting life.  We should savor each bite.  Allowing eash tasty morsel to nourish us and give us the strength to carry out our mission.  Let's humble our dusty selves and be a good student.  When following in the steps of the greatest servant and Rabbi of all time we will then begin to see and understand real truth.

As a student, covered in His dust, we are called to be obedient.  Being obedient isn't always easy.  Especially when you live in a world that tells you it's okay to put yourself first. God tells us that we should do unto others in the same manner we would have them do unto us.  Think about that.  Now here is a good WWJD scenario.  Your "neighbor", who has pretty much neglected you for years, comes to your door.  They need to borrow your brand new car.  Their car won't start and they have a very important job interview.  And they need to leave immediately.  You have a split second to make the decision.  What is your answer?  I can tell you that my split second answer would probably be, "What are you out of your tree?" But wait, I am not looking very dusty now, am I? WWJD......Let's flip the situation.  Remember that plank in your own eye?  What if the "shoe was on the other foot"?  And the interview was your deal and you needed a car.  You know that if your neighbor allowed you to borrow their car you would feel like you were just given the greatest blessing of the day.  I know this is a really big ticket item.  But what about the little things.  Your phone, the computer, the lawn mower, a cup of sugar.  What is that possession that God is asking you to "lend" to your "neighbor".  How dusty are you going to get in your obedience?  God's grace is new and overflowing every morning.  He lovingly gives us a fresh fill every single day. And it is overflowing for a reason.  Be obedient and share His grace.  Be that biggest blessing in your "neighbor's" day.

God makes it easy for us to find Him. We just need to have a willingness to seek.   I remember as a child playing hide and go seek. The whole neighborhood full of kids would get involved in the game.  It was always exciting being the hider and the seeker.  I remember burying myself deep in the depths of the closet and hearing the sound of the seeker's footsteps.  I could sense their presence right outside the door.  And, sometimes I would move slightly because I had a desire to be found.  Usually, it would be because I had an admiration for the seeker.  But most of the time I would hold my breath in hopes of not being the first to be located.  I also loved being the seeker.  I would go on the hunt.  Looking for everyone.  It was exciting.  Just to find the prize under the bed, in a tree or in a cabinet. When we begin to seek God's word and all His treasures we should have that same excitement in our hearts. The prize of a life filled with an abundance of grace and forgiveness.  To never fear a lie.  To know that the dust that is covering you is His everlasting love.   Imagine how exciting each minute of the day could be if we made the decision to be the seeker of the Lord. If you seek Him you will find Him.

I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit be upon each one of the Rabbi's student's.  As we take these baby step and begin to imitate Jesus' every move.  I pray that we continue to observe You through your most precious word.  And also that those very words,"What Would Jesus Do", be tattooed upon our hearts, minds, and mouth.  I know that I desire to be a straight A student.  And, I know that when I wander off the dusty path, You will hold the line and wait for me.  In my eyes I may only be an average student.  But, You, Lord always see me as a prize.