Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Tiny vantage point


Christmas photo - check! I love having a photographer for a dad!

Right now, it's quiet time in our house - the youngest 2 are napping, and I can hear Ethan's soft voice as he reads aloud on my bed. Cracks me up how he can't read silently yet! Today was library day at school, and that means new books to read!!! I so hope his love for reading continues.

I thought about taking a nap too, but this morning's passage has been on my heart, begging to be written down. I love how God's Word pierces sometimes...

Been thinking about how a right perspective enables me to give thanks in all things, all the time.

Hebrews 13 was in my reading this morning:


"For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."
Hebrews 13:14-15 (emphasis mine)



Continually? I was so convicted by that word today...does that really mean in everything? the mundane tasks (the kitchen floor that needs to be cleaned again and again), the difficult seasons (a child who does not want obey), the strained relationships, the pain and sadness of life, death - can I honestly give thanks in these things, Lord?

Even hard things can be a platform where I can stand in humble appreciation of the One who suffered outside the gate for me (v.12 - love this verse!). He suffered so that I can be set apart for Him, so that my life can have eternal significance!

This world is not my home. I am seeking a city which is to come.

That's really it, isn't it?? All of the joys and sorrows of life have deeper meaning than what I see on the surface. Reminds me of the chorus in Andrew Peterson's song about heaven...

There is more
More than all this pain
More than all the falling down
And the getting up again
There is more
More than we can see
From our tiny vantage point
In this vast eternity
There is more

Oh, Lord, help me tie all these things together in my mind! Give me Your perspective, so I can teach my children how to live this way too. As those who are seeking a city which is to come...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Was reading in Job today and was struck by Job's reaction to his trials. One thing he said in chapter 2 stood out to me. In verse 10 he tells his wife "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity? This is good to think about. Love, Mom

PS: The picture turned out great!

Reagan said...

the picture is so great! i can't believe you guys are all smiling at the same time and looking at the camera. thank you for sharing your passage it was encouraging to me.

Kelly said...

These thoughts have been on my mind a lot lately too, Rachel! The Lord has impressed upon me the need to purposefully be thankful for all the various things and circumstances in my life and to have a mindset that is focused on the things of eternal value. It's about my perspective being right and how thankful I am that I have the Word of God to right my perspective when it gets skewed (which just so happens to be a daily problem!!) Love the pic!

Grace Powell said...

beautiful picture and beautiful thoughts to start for me to read first thing this morning. Thanks!

~ Rory ~ said...

Love your family picture! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Rachel. They are an encouragement to my heart!

Michelle said...

Beautiful family picture!!

Jeni said...

This is so great! Greg and I have been talking about these same things, especially, In everything give thanks for this is the will of God. It seems to us that if we aren't thankful, then we are not in the will of God. OUCH! I'm actually getting ready to post (within the next couple of days) some of the things we have been doing to remember to thank God continually. Thank you for the encouragement!

Anonymous said...

hey rachel just catching up on blogs and was so encourgaed by your thoughts and the songs you have playing on your blog. Your family is beautiful! and you look as beautiful as ever!
love
sarah block