Stuff That Matters in Life

The idea of quality of life is overrated.

We wouldn’t consider Paul or Jesus to have had “quality of life”.

Timothy had physically ailments 1 Tim 5:23.

Yet they lived out God’s calling with impactful lives.

My fear of aging is suffering and “quality of life” for myself and/or my husband. If my husband is paralyzed by a stroke, both of us will suffer. I don’t want to suffer. I’ve gone through some suffering and lived through it. I can see God’s faithfulness through all of it. The pain has dimmed over time. But prior suffering hasn’t made me braver to face future suffering.

God reminds me that He will never leave me nor forsake me. No matter how the world defines “quality of life”, my life WITH CHRIST IS quality of life.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.  2 Cor 4:17-18

Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

I wish I had the opportunity to meet Howard Hendricks.

“If I scheduled a seminar at your church and then walked in drunk, you’d dismiss me immediately. But if I walked in fifty pounds overweight, you’d feed me more, right? Sure – after all, you can’t have a Christian gathering without food. Did you ever wonder how the early church made it without coffee and doughnuts? I’ll tell you: They had something better to provide togetherness – persecution. That’ll weld you together in a hurry.” p31 Teaching to Change Lives, Howard Hendricks.

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Praying with a 4 year old today gave me a picture of going to God as a child. The security of a child in the arms of her father and the full trust in her father’s love and strength is what God is calling me to with Him.

I have a low grade anxiety about aging and death. This picture that God showed me is a comfort. Lo, I am with you always.

 

 

Hubby and I answering 36 Questions:

Q2: Would you like to be famous? In what way?

Me: I want to be famous like Mother Teresa.

Hubby: I want to be famous like Elon Musk.

Q9: For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

Hubby: I am most grateful for you. Are you going to say you’re grateful for me?

Me: hmmm, ok.

Opposites attract, I guess.

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Two first graders throwing crackers over the rail to courtyard below:

Me: Do you know why it’s wrong to do that?

No answer.

Me: Do you think it’s right to make church messy? Do you think it’s right that someone will have to clean up the mess you made? Now you tell me why it’s wrong.

Kids: It might hit someone. It makes a mess.

Me: Now you know it’s wrong. Let’s pray to ask God to forgive you.

Kids: Please forgive me for making someone do extra work.

 

 

What did you do today, mom?

I made the decision to postpone OWL and sent an email to parents to explain why.

I read and listened to sermons to prepare for a talk on Biblical womanhood.

I reviewed a book that I read to prepare to train children ministry leaders.

I planned and sent an email to the Sunday disciplers.

I prepared to lead a devo and prayer for VBS meeting.

I had lunch with my friends.

I cooked kumquat chicken.

I looked at pictures of my granddaughters multiple times.

I read the Bible.

I almost went to play tennis with a friend, but canceled it because we were both rushed.

I did 2 loads of laundry.

I talked to my husband about pensions and retirement. I wonder what it’s like to retire.

I enjoyed everything I did today.

01.26.2020 Sunday

God gave me the words and wisdom to talk to a disgruntle dad. At the end, he graciously said: I understand now that you explained it.

His response was better than expected. It’s all God’s work.

However, on Friday, another disgruntle dad was not as understanding. I was not the one talking to him, and I wish I was. But we’ve prayed about this, I wanted to empower our volunteer to talk to him, and I’m leaving this in God’s hands.

Had an encouraging conversation with SP during lunch. Her faith in practical everyday ways is inspiring. She has a deep desire to tell co-workers about Christ and willing to stay in her minimum wage job as a calling. She is so much more mature in her faith than me who is suppose to be a spiritual leader of the church. Praise God for people like her in our church. She reminds me of why I am here and how I can grow.

01.27.2020 Monday

Pastor’s retreat all day. I’m tired because I did something in the morning that I’ve never done before. I was up at 5:00am and couldn’t go back to sleep. So at 6:30 I went on the elliptical for 20 minutes before I got dressed.

It was good to hear the other pastors’ heart for their congregation.

I’m glad they get paid the big bucks for what they do.