Friday, January 29, 2010

Moses

Today I was reading in Exodus chapters 3 and 4. Everytime I read this section where God called Moses to help free the Israelites, I can relate on a lot of levels.
First of all Moses certainly felt inadequate for this impossible task God was calling him to. Moses wondered if the Israelites would see him as credible (would they believe that God had actually sent him?), as believable (would they even listen to him?, he was worried that he would not know the words to say (what shall I tell them?), and he focused on his physical limitations and inadequacies (he had 'always been' slow of speech and never eloquent).
I can relate to this - can you?
However, this didn't stop God. He assured Moses that he had thought all of this through, and was not surprised nor limited by any of these things.
Moses still, however, after asking questions of God and being answered by Him 4 times, finally just about gave up on the whole thing...He said "Lord, please send someone else."
His fear and lack of faith (in himself - and apparently somewhat in God) almost caused him to miss out on this magnificent plan that God had for him.
Amazingly God was very patient with Moses, and he even agreed to send Aaron to do the speaking. However God assured Moses he was still involved, and was not "off the hook"! He instructed Moses to take the staff and "perform the signs with it".
We all know the rest of the story...the Israelites were miraculously delivered with many signs and wonders, and eventually entered into the land promised to them. Undoubtedly, Moses get great credit - and rightly so - for his role in leading the Israelites.
Here's what I wonder though: how much more might Moses have enjoyed of the remarkable experience of having God's power do amazing things through him, had he not talked God out of the original request? What if Moses would have agreed with God that God could do the speaking through Him? that God could use Moses powerfully just as He was;that God's strength would be made perfect in Moses' weakness?
Here's the challenge for me as I read this scripture....when God calls me to do something remarkably big - seemingly impossible, Oh dear God, help me to agree with you that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And believe that when YOU ask me to do something, you are preparing the way for miracles that will take place as I trust YOU to do the impossible through me, by your Holy Spirit's work, not my own.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Time flies....



...when you're having fun.
Well, using that cliche as a measurement, then I would say that being a parent sure is a lot of fun, because time has flown since Tim and I became parents on Sunday, January 5, 1992. Tyler Jonathan Stitt was born to us that night at 9:02 pm, weighing 7#, 14 oz. and measuring 21 inches long. Today he is tall and thin, dark and handsome and is 6' 1" tall.

Tyler turned 18 years old this past week. And Emily will turn 16 next month. Childhood, where did you go? and what was your hurry?



When my Tyler and Emily were babies people would tell me how fast time would go by, and I truly believed them, but never could I have imagined just how fast the time would go. Honestly, it seems like it has gone by ten times faster than I ever thought that it would.

And to think....since I have chosen to homeschool my kids, I've actually been with them pretty much 24/7 these years. How could time still feel as though it went by too fast? Truly it's a mystery. I just love my two teens so very much!

I've had an amazing time with Tyler and with Emily. I remember thinking many times as did activities together at home or away on an adventure such as the zoo, or hanging out at the mall, or whatever else, "It doesn't get any better than this!" I'm so privileged to have been able to stay home with my two children and raise them in this way. We've done so much together; had so many good times, and I have many treasured memories.

I look forward to making many more treasured memories. Here's to many more good times as I am a parent of young adults!!