Peace - I've Already Blown It

This week is "peace" in the Fruit of the Spirit Challenge. (Galatians 5:22-23) Apparently, God didn't build in a learning curve to the process. First thing this morning, I blew it. Big time.

Seems my oldest child needs antibiotics. This child has not needed antibiotics in I don't know how long. Long story short, he rejected them. Mightily. It took Herculean strength, Diana's aim, and Nike's speed (yes, I know I'm mixing my ancient myths) to get it in his body.

Peaceful it was not.

Hopefully the rest of the week fares better.

Joy - I'm Failing

This week is the "joy" week of the Fruit of the Spirit Challenge (Galatians 5:22-23). I'm failing at it. I've laughed this week, but haven't experienced "joy." I've been happy this week. Satisfied. Contented. But joy? No.

This revelation led me to examine the meaning of the word "joy." Even reading the definitions, both verb and noun, hasn't helped me feel better about my progress this week. I'm satisfied, but my heart isn't full of glee and I'm not delighted and I'm not experiencing a state of felicity. What a bummer.

What am I doing wrong? Am I not lighthearted enough? Do I take things too seriously? Is it okay to simply be content and satisfied and pleased? Is joy something I must experience daily? What level of joy?

The concordance in my Bible wasn't particularly helpful. I wanted a chart or something. The best explanation is Paul saying in Philippians 4:4-5 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all."

Well, good grief. I can't sustain joy all the time. I just can't. I know God loves me. I'm practicing gentleness - or at least I attempt it. I'm a mom. How can I not be gentle? But do I have to be in a state of cartwheels and rainbows all the time?

This requires more thought. More later.

By the way, thought I'd let it be known "Jon and Kate Plus 8" has been removed from my DVR series recordings. I can't do it anymore. The season 5 premiere hurt my heart too much. Their train will have to wreck or right itself without my visual attention. Shame on all involved for keeping the cameras rolling. And I'm most bent out of shape about everyone attacking Kate. She's only half of Jon and Kate. What about blasting Jon, too? Better yet, back off and leave them both alone. And Jon and Kate? Please finish your contract and close your doors and be a family. Please. Still praying for you. Much love, Jen

Love - Days 2 and 3 - Sacrifice

Remember the question from the beginning of the Challenge?

"Where does God draw the line between kindness and sacrifice?"

Last week seemed to focus on practicing kindness while this week of love has sacrifice woven into it. The Scripture that continues to roll around in my head isn't "love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev. 19:18), but rather "Take your son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about" (Gen. 22:2).

I realize that at first glance, this sounds as if I'm feeling morbid or angry or persecuted. I'm not. What I am recognizing is that while we, as humans, recognize sacrifice as something terrible and painful, the act means something completely different to God. God wants us to be so willing to serve Him that we are willing to sacrifice what we most love.

Of course, we know the end of the Isaac sacrifice story. An angel appeared to Abraham on the mountain as Isaac was prepared to be sacrificed. The angel ordered him to stop and showed him the ram in the thicket. The ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac. God blessed Abraham and made him the father of many nations. Because Abraham was willing to go to any lengths to serve the Lord, the Lord gave him back what he loved and blessed him.

What does this mean for me in my small life? The only thing God holds dear is my love for Him. When I put God first, He will bless me.

I didn't realize it until I started typing this morning, but God has given me several lessons in sacrifice.

The baby just woke up and I need to attend her. I'll post more later.

The Fruit of the Spirit Challenge

Awhile back, a good girlfriend told me about her Fruit of the Spirit journey. Basically she used Galatians 5:22 and each week focused on a different fruit. Just a little refresher:

Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galations%205:22-23;&version=31

So, for the past few weeks I've thought about the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The one that I kept thinking about the most was kindness.

I asked a God-girl of mine to join me in choosing one a week and focusing on it. We could keep each other accountable and share what we're learning and discuss how God's working in our lives. Yeah. Since that conversation, getting her on the phone has been tricky. Seems God wants me to forge ahead with or without an accountability buddy.

Maybe writing a blog is actually worse? Maybe putting this out online for any and all to see is more accountability than I ever imagined?

As I said, "kindness" has been on my mind, full force. Today is May 11 and this week I focus on kindness. Let's see what happens.