I want to keep religion and politics out of my blog as much as possible. Sometimes there are such great messages that I just have to share! At our congregation this morning, the topic was humility. Humility. Humble. What a great reminder - and for me it came at just the right time - before I spend money that we really don’t have on hardwood floors, landscaping and furniture for the new house. For what? To keep up with the Jones’? So I can have a showcase of a house when we entertain?
The message was more religious than what I am blogging about, but it really did humble me, in more ways than one. So many people out there, including us, are caught up in the daily grind. We have bills to pay, obligations to fulfill, a family to provide for. Do we ever take a minute (I mean REALLY take the time) to take a deep breath, look around and enjoy our lives? I know I don’t. I have to remind myself and even then I tend to forget. I have a million things on my mind, so when I want to relax (and when I say relax, I mean turn my brain off) I grab a book and get in the tub. When was the last time I took a walk around the block, sat on my porch or listened to the beautiful sound of my children laughing with their friends? Take some time out this week. Take time out to have a real conversation. Take the time to look around. Take time out to breathe deep, take stock… thank God for the blessings in your life and the beauty all around you.
Which leads me to the next topic I want to touch on today… God.
Most of us were brought up being told who God is, not asking any questions. I never realized this about myself until the day my son was born. What an incredible, amazing day. You never know how you’re going to feel that day no matter how much advice you receive or how many books you read… I sure wasn’t prepared for the emotions that flooded my heart that day, nor will I ever forget. Not only was I amazed by this little body lying in my arms but suddenly I was humbled by the presence of God’s work. One of my first thoughts was, “Look at this! Look at this baby! Nine months! Nine short months and then there’s this little person… and everything works! Every tiny little blood vessel, every nerve are connected the way they are supposed to be, in just the right way… and everything works! It just… works!” For days afterwards I cried and cried in admiration and gratefulness. I know what I said and thought sounds a little dumb, but that was the day that my journey to find a relationship with God began. God is the only being that can be given credit for this astounding, incomprehensible miracle! Scientists can try to figure it out all they want, but no one will ever be able to explain this to me… Nine months. Nine short months, and a tiny human is born, with everything it needs for the rest of its life. Incredible.
Some people don’t believe in God. Some close to me don’t believe in God… I’m thinking they just haven’t had that life experience quite yet, the one that smacks them in the head, like the one I had when my son was born. I have a friend that grew up with missionary parents. He’s been to every remote area in the world, spreading God’s word. He’s told me some stories, but one really stuck with me… In some areas of the world, there are people that live strictly on the land. They have no clothes, let alone books or a school. He and his family would wind up in a small village like this and there would be hundreds of people who have walked for days to meet these missionaries. When they arrive, the group starts shouting, “Tell us about God! Tell us about God!” He questioned his parents… “How do they know about God?” His parents put their hands to their hearts, “In here, son. ‘ God is love. Everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.’” 1 John 4:7
Maybe there is such a thing as too much information… Maybe we just have to get back to the basics. Stop, take a look around, and listen… really listen… to your heart, where the truth lies.
What a beautiful Sunday.
