Step Into My Parlor, Said the Spider to the Fly

What do you do when you are confronted with sins or temptations? Do you even recognize them when you see them? Wasn't original sin spawned in a beautiful garden? A place of paradise? How easy is it for you to dismiss the wrong in your life or mind simply because of cultural norms?

What's your apple? Does temptation haunt your door? And what is a sin by your determination? Is it limited solely to physical actions and speech or is a sin of the heart or mind equally as unconscionable? 

We are forgiven. How often does that lend a sensation of having a "free pass"? 

It's so easy for us to get swept up into temptation, no matter how small the transgression seems to be. A judgmental leer, a mean spirited quip, an impure thought, choosing dishonesty, giving in to a double sided tongue. We fall. And we do it a lot. 

Pray and stay the course. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~ Romans 12:2

Wish I Had a Storm Warning

Do you remember the first time you heard the story about Jesus in the boat? How the storm raged all around the disciples and they cried out in fear? 

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 

"Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 

He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" ~ Mark 4:39-40

Now, the first time I heard this story, I was maybe eight years old in vacation bible school at good old Good Shepherd. The teacher phrased things a little differently. The message I received loud and clear was, 'You have nothing to be afraid of because Jesus is with you.' I remember we used watercolor paints to paint in these little plastic rainbow shaped sun catchers. It stuck with me then. At the time, it meant: 'Okay, when I'm scared in my bed at night, all I have to remember is Jesus is with me. I have nothing to fear if Jesus is with me.' That mentality did chase away many a Boogieman in my childhood. 

Storms are different now. Your storms change over time. As you pass from one phase to the next, the previous storms don't seem so serious. For me, becoming a parent threw myself and my husband into full fledged hurricane season. So many new battles and fears and all on a lot less sleep than we used to get! You ever try reasoning with a wailing five month old who refuses to nap longer than 30 minutes? Doesn't work. 

There were moments when I said, "That's it! I give up! I can't do this!" But every time, He pulled me back again. Sighing, shaking His head and saying, "Oh, you." and loving me nonetheless. Coming to my rescue again and again, even when it seemed like He jumped ship. Even when it looked like I had forsaken Him, he hadn't forsaken me. He would rise, tell the wind to be quiet, be still. I'd settle my hormonal butt down, take a breath and get back on track. 

Prior to parenthood, I didn't put a whole lot of stock in spiritual attack. That was before we were a lot more vulnerable. That was before we had a hell of a lot more to lose. The first year of our little girl's life often felt like a tug-of-war in our home. All too may times, we gave in to frustration, pounded the floor and demanded why God had forsaken us in the storm. He hadn't. He just knew we had to weather it for a while. 

My mother-in-law recently reminded me of the story about Jesus calming the storm. We talked at length about storms, how they impact our lives and how easy it is to forget that Jesus is still in the boat- even when we think he isn't. Faith. We must keep faith. He isn't going to let us drown. Eventually, when the time is right, He will calm the storm. 

What storms have you been facing lately? Has it seemed like you were all alone in the boat? Have the storms seemed too frequent? Too brutal? It's easy to have faith and joy when the sun shines and the waves are cheerful. And I know that not long after I hit 'publish' something new will arise to toss me back into that churning sea of 'Are you kidding me!? Come on already!' I just have to remember that He is still there, in the boat. He is with me. He is with us all. 

St. Paul's Episcopal~ Grace Street in Richmond, Virginia!

The Child of Many Prayers Cannot Be Lost

"The child of many prayers cannot be lost." 

This is a small, yet impactful excerpt from the letter of an officer in the Civil War. His name was Sandie Pendleton and he was a good man. A man of God. Brother, son, friend, staff officer, husband and rising star. Most impressively, the man of God bit. His faith even impressed Stonewall Jackson, a devout Christian. Sandie's daddy was a reverend and if you're up on your Civil War history, you probably know who he was. 

At any rate, the contents of Lt. Colonel Pendleton's letters generally have an effect on me, particularly when he speaks of his relationship with God. And this little line called out to me. 

The child of many prayers cannot be lost. He put it in quotes, though its origin is unknown to me. Perhaps it was from an essay, a sermon, a quote from his father, or even the voice of God Himself, whispering to the young soldier. From whence it came is not so important as the message it bears. 

If we seek regular counsel from the wise and caring individuals in our lives, chances are, we're going to be on pretty firm ground. How much more solid will the rock beneath your feet be, if you are seeking that regular counsel from the Lord? By keeping an open line of communication to God, you're going to have a better footing. The path before you won't be as muddled as it has potential to be. Granted, that is not to say there aren't going to be stumbling blocks. Heck, that's part of His plan too. It doesn't mean you won't weather any storms but keeping that beacon in sight will help you navigate the shoals. 

Frequent prayer just makes you feel better in general. Try it! It's not taxing. In fact, it's therapeutic. Prayer is a beautiful tie to the Lord. It's cleansing and lovely. It will lift you up and help you on your path. 

"The child of many prayers cannot be lost." Let this short message ring in your ears. 

Pray without ceasing. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17