Insights from a Kid's Meal

Chick-fil-A, you have done it again.  Wow'd me with the surprise in my 2 year old's kid's meal.  Today's 4-count nugget meal with fries and a white milk included Curious George Discovers the Stars.  A perfect pre-nap read which would end up impacting me way more than I had imagined.

*excuse me while I sneak back into my son's room to get the book so I can share some things with you!*

*whew, he stayed asleep!*

So, the book starts off with George in the country stargazing and trying to figure out how many stars were in the sky.  Obviously, he realizes this is a big undertaking and won't be able to finish counting all the stars before his nights in the country come to an end.  He decides he will have to continue his efforts when he returns to the city.  However, when he tries to look for the stars at night in the city from the rooftop, he couldn't see any stars at all.  The man says to him, "It's tough to count stars in the big, bright city...It's like trying to count stars during the daytime.  They're up there, but we can't see them."  George is distraught until the power in the city goes out.  George looks up and because the city was dark with all the electrical lights were out, he could see the sky full of stars again!

He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name. Psalm 147:4

Here is where it me...this was an awesome reminder that when God's gifts get brighter than He is in our life, we loose sight of His true, natural light around us.  It's a caution to me not to put more emphasis on the gift than Gift-Giver.

When we have the things of this world in their right place in our hearts and minds, we can see how bright He can be in our life.  Maybe some of the things around us on which we have turned up the brightness need to be dimmed in order to see Him more clearly.

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

What in your life is shining brighter than He is causing you to miss Him in the midst of His gifts?

BSF

I just started my first year of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) the week before last and I'm so excited!  This isn't my first Bible study but one I have been hoping to join for quite some time.  I've heard amazing things about all aspects of the program.  If you're not familiar with BSF, it's "an in-depth, interdenominational Bible study that helps people know God."  There is even something to be said for the BSF children's program (newborn to age 6).  Mobile infants like my little guy can spend the morning "in a nurturing environment. They hear a Bible story, are prayed for and listen to BSF hymns sung to them as they are held and rocked."  Because my little guy isn't away from me too often, it's so comforting to know that he is in good, God-loving hands while I'm in the study for a couple hours.

I'm thrilled the Lord has finally opened the door for me to attend and I'm walking in with faith.  We've only met twice but the Lord is already teaching me His truth.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

We are studying Matthew this year which begins with a genealogy of Jesus Christ.  In this genealogy, Matthew includes five women, most of whom were less than perfect but were faithful to the Lord and He chose to use them in a mighty way.  Each played a special role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, God's most precious and perfect son.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

In many areas of my life, I try to be perfect.  I try to be the perfect wife, step-mom, mother, daughter, sister, employee, business owner, cook, laundry washer, dish doer, and on and on.  Yet, I continually fall short.  The chicken is over-cooked, the laundry didn't get done, the floor is dirty, the flowers didn't get watered, the dog didn't get walked, did I pick up the dry-cleaning, oh my...did I even drop it off?  But you know what?...the baby laughed a lot and slept all night, my family is healthy and happy, we have food to eat and a shelter over our heads.  At the end of the day, I have to realize and accept that no one is perfect except Jesus who lived a flawless life.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:23

Jesus comes from a line of imperfect women yet each was used for a bigger and better purpose.  Just like He wants to use imperfect little ol' me and you for His bigger purpose!  I am here for His glory.  Use me Lord as you see fit according to your will is a prayer I have prayed since I was young.  Although the unknown can be scary and obedience isn't always easy, I have faith that God will use me for His almighty purpose.

faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see
Hebrews 11:1

I always go back to my favorite verse.

...Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

And for that reason, I don't need to worry about the future or where He will send me because I know that if He brings me to it, He will bring me through it!