The Stash

Trying to be resourceful, I occasionally rotate out some of Jude's toys.  I hide some of the older ones and bring them out after months without them.  Jude inadvertently found the stash.  He saw the tupperware bin in my closet and thought it would be perfect for climbing.   As he began to mount it, a suspicious and familiar song came from the bin.  He stopped climbing and looked around.  Hearing nothing anymore, he resumed his task.  As he finally climbed up, the song began again.  He gasped...so he wasn't just hearing things.  He climbed down, and took of the lid.  He couldn't believe his eyes.  As he began to pull out the toys, one by one, I could see the disbelief on his face.  And the realization that Mommy was holding out on him.   I think he felt a little betrayed.  These were his toys, after all.  What right do I have to hide his toys?  He just kept saying, "Look!  Drum!  Oh!  Treehouse!" etc... Now, those toys are strewn all about the house, adding to the clutter I was trying to remedy.  

I guess I'll have to find a new hiding place.  

Bold and Free

"My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love.  This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality.  It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there's something to it.  

For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God!  We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what He said, doing what pleases Him."

1 John 3: 18-22

I love this passage.  I can't help but feel that's the key: practicing real love.  Sometimes I wonder how I can know if I'm doing that.  It seems a little abstract; there's no way to measure it.  But if our focus is on Him, and we're filling ourself with His goodness, how can we help but love others?

I have felt, multiple times, as if God has told me that I'm too hard on myself.  Which, to me, is a little odd.  Shouldn't I be more hard on myself?  But I feel as if this passage addresses that: "debilitating self-criticism" is not of God.  We're fallen, but Jesus has covered our sins.  So, when God looks at us, He doesn't see the fallen, He sees his child.  He sees a royal priesthood.  

I love that verse, "For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves."  I know my heart tends to be worried, but this passage says to let go of that worry, to be bold and free before God!  Hold out our hands, receive what we've asked for.  What a blessing; to be heard by the Maker of the Universe!  To receive what I've asked for!  

That is a lesson I am learning, how much power there is in prayer.  That I am to come before him with boldness and freedom, confident that He hears me.  

Thank you, Lord, for hearing me.