This verse caused me to pause this morning:
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Ephesians 5:15-17
I began to ponder the moments that have frozen in my mind at some point or another. Often when I do this, I remember slip-ups, mine to others & others to me. Betrayals. Abuses and hurts. I recall missed opportunities–with my husband, my children, my sister, my friends, that one in the grocery store, the girl who tells me she’s had to work the double shift all week to make her rent payment. Moments I’m unwilling to give of myself, reaching out in word or in deed.
Sometimes, though, I get it right. I get to ponder an opportunity UNmissed.
On this particular day, I sensed the Lord telling me to drop everything and spend some time with my daughters doing something they like to do, whether I liked to do it or not. That meant…a trip to the mall.
I won’t take you through that whole three hour mall experience, but as I reflect upon it, I realize that I had more intimate, bonding time with my girls that day than I’d had in a long time. All because I listened and obeyed the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
It’s one of my slow motion, wish-I-could-push-the-pause-button moments. It wasn’t my normal reading a Bible passage to the girls about modesty or self-control or good stewardship or discussing with them how to love and be kind to one another (though I believe those can be the very best of moments too). We saw the all of these virtues, mainly in the lack thereof, up close and personal. And because the Spirit was leading, the girls asked some poignant questions.
~ “Mom, why do all the mannequins have low shirts & no bras?”
~ “Mom, why are those two men holding hands?”
~ “Mama, those girls just said bad “S” word #3.” (yes, my oldest had a system for numbering bad words).
~ “Wow, mom, this music…,” that person, place, thing, scenario…
~They saw kids throwing tantrums and moms giving in.
~They experienced me giving them a budget and not budging when they wanted to overspend.
~They noticed a loving mother comforting her crying baby.
~They saw 3 generations, gramma, mom and daughter posing for pictures at a photography shop.
~Most importantly, they saw me laugh, and we laughed together a LOT.
Those moments at the mall will be forever frozen in the mama section of my brain and cherished in my heart for years to come. The Lord enabled me to answer the uncomfortable questions, and He opened my heart to hear my daughters’ unique voices and personalities. I saw in them the beginnings of owning their own faiths. With “the real world” all around us, Jesus was there in the midst of us.
This time, I got it right. I submitted to His leading. I can’t help but wonder what life would be like if I followed His voice every single moment of every single day with each person that He puts in my path…
That is my desire, though I often fall short.
Thank You, Lord, for speaking to me, for helping me to hear & obey,
and for showing Yourself faithful once again.
Please do the same for my sisters in Christ,
and may YOU receive all the glory.
How has the Lord prompted you lately as it pertains to your family? To others?
“…may He equip you with all you need
for doing His will.
May He produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to Him.
All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.”
Hebrews 13:21 (NLT)
By: LauraLee Shaw
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Dallas, Texas · FaithColoredGlasses.com
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