Sorry...no pictures or videos but my camera is lost AGAIN. But I have been feeling guilty about my lack of blogging so here goes....
First off, we have had our first Safe Family placement in our house for almost two weeks now. Safe Families is an alternative to the Foster program. It is faith based and the placements are generally on the shorter side. Anyhow we have had a little 3 year old girl with us. Scott and I really felt the Lord leading in this area of ministry when it was presented. It seemed like a wonderful way to use our home that the Lord has graciously provided us with to serve others rather than ourselves. It also seemed like a wonderful way to make relationships for the sake of the gospel.
As of late I have been trying to wake up and really assess my day, what needs I might have (what sin might arise that day and need fought off) and what needs others in my household may have that I will need to meet. Here are some of the nuggets I have been reflecting on:
John 13:14-15 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you and example that you should do as I have done for you.
Matt 25:35-36 I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Titus 3:14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
I read these verses after my normal bible reading and often throughout the day. I have also realized that waking up early to do my devotions before the kids are up is a necessity. I used to leisurely enjoy a cup of tea and curl up on the couch and read my bible as Liam played with his toys in the morning (comfort). This morning it took me almost two hours to make it through my bible reading with a ridiculous amount of interruptions (non-comfort). I am incredibly thankful to be knocked out of my comfort zone, it is not without a bit of pain. Already our marriage and day to day life has been morphed by an awareness of issues that are springing forth from our hearts. Issues that we might not have seen if this little girl had not been placed in our home. God has been gracious to us all .
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I am working through much the same thing (and we are looking forward to fostering children when we get back to the states so thank you for the Safe Family insight). It is a gracious gift that these kids, as they get older, slowly bring to light so much of our sin at the same time we are teaching them, isn't it? "Restore in a spirit of gentleness, lest you too be tempted." I am seeing so much of His grace in this since all of Maylisa and Lisy's sins are the exact same as my own. The way my sins exhibit just happens to be more socially acceptable- which causes me to groan and be even more alert to where they be prowling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Amanda! You are such a great example of Christ to those around you. We are praying for your family!! We love you guys!!
ReplyDeleteGood words, Amanda (I came here via Amy's blog). Recently Gene and I were talking about how, when we're wronged (of course, that's relative), OUR sins and OUR issues are brought to the fore in the way that we react. Gene said that often, when we see sins in others, it serves as a mirror--the reason that we recognize sin in others, is because it is a reflection of our hearts. Can you say UGH?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, though I'm in my late 30's (OK, so I'm lying--see how my sin comes out when push comes to shove), God continues to show me just how ugly my sin is...I so long to be relieved from it. I left these verses on Barbie's blog, but I think that they're appropriate here, as well.
"...but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." Romans 7:23-25
Cathy C.
PS Love the passages that you shared.