Thursday, October 28, 2010

"Yet They Would Not Hear" - Will I?

SOOOO, back to the last post that I didn't finish;
I was (again) feeling so frustrated and defeated by some things and the most annoying of all being my own sinful responses.  In the silence of the night I talked with my Precious LORD about these things and this time He spoke something different to me.
Well, not different, or even new, but in a new light.  I think about living from a Biblical Perspective, and teach my children to view their life through the Words of Scripture and now the Lord was teaching me.
He said "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is My will". (I Thess. 5:18).  O.K, I've read that before and even "tried" it.  Silly me, I know, like a child, I want to do what will make me feel better and "fix" the problem.  Isn't it funny, I tell my children how to handle something, and I see in their faces that I am not giving them the answer that they want.  What they WANT is one of two, or sometimes, both of these two things;
1) ...to listen to them fuss and feel all sorry for them (of course, we all want empathy, but we need to watch our hearts on this one);
2)...and/or fix their problem for them.
As the adult and the parent, I know that they need to listen to my advice if they are really going to get the best.
I'm so like them.  As I sat there wondering at the "giving thanks in all circumstances idea" (command from my precious LORD), I knew that the child in me wanted something different, like 1 and 2 mentioned above.
The LORD wasn't through with our teaching time.  He reminded me of a verse I had read that morning; "For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the LORD will speak to this people, to whom He has said, "This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose"; yet they would not hear."  Isaiah 28:11-12
Was I going to trust and HEAR what He was saying?
More words from Him - "peace, rest, contentment".  I felt like I was being handed puzzle pieces and I was trying desperately to put them together.
puzzle pieces
I remembered Proverbs 9:9 "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning".  I certainly wanted to be like the wise man and receive His teaching and instruction, and not like the people of Is. who would not hear, so I kept straining to listen, learn and put it all together.
I was thinking on the different spoken Words from Him - "give thanks in all circumstances, His will, hear and receive His Words, peace, rest, contentment" - as I fell back to sleep. Had I only known, boot camp was just starting.
This morning we found out that there was/is going to be a little battle to fight to bring home Asher.  I was about to start our Bible time, with this weight of worry, and then the LORD said "Give Thanks now"...so I did; I truly looked for what I was thankful for and spoke it and then I began my Bible time with the children. More teaching for me from His Word flooded our Bible Time, and as I was teaching them, I was also receiving more puzzle pieces and trying to match them to the start of last nights picture.
IMG_1062

"Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads other astray" Proverbs 10:17  What would I teach my children in this situation or would I lead them astray?  Will I heed the LORDS instruction?
""The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life...." Prov. 10:11  Will I speak life into the situation and into those who hear (especially my children).  How do I speak "life"?  The puzzle is coming together...speak life by giving thanks in all circumstances.  I have been praying for wisdom and the LORD is showing me that He has answered me.  Will I have understanding  (Prov. 10:13)?
"The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers"  (Prov. 10:29)  Here comes some more puzzle pieces...peace, rest, contentment.  How does a stronghold make us feel?  Safe, protected, AT PEACE AND REST, CONTENT.  What is that stronghold?  The way of the LORD.  What is the way of the LORD that He is teaching me today?
This is what I feel I am learning..."Hear and heed the LORDS instructions for this moment.  Give thanks in all circumstances today - every time I am feeling stressed, anxious , worried, defeated, or struggling with something - for it is His will.  However and ALSO, as I give thanks in todays circumstances; I am leading my children in wisdom , bringing His life and light to the situation, will feel the peace, rest and contentment that comes from obeying and trusting Him, and dwell securely in His stronghold as I walk HIS Way, and not the worlds way.”
And so my puzzle comes together tonight, and I see something very beautiful and created by His Hand, and I am thankful!!!
IMG_1062-e.jpg

4 comments:

  1. Praying for you Shonni...and praying for Asher--may all paperwork, etc. continue smoothly.

    Blessings to you!
    Sarah

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  2. Beautiful application and lesson!

    Praying for you tonight!

    Much love,
    Jill

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  3. Love the insight....thank you.

    Still praying with you & giving praise in ALL things!

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  4. love the new light He gave you on things :) it's awesome just to trust Him when you know He works all things together for you good! :))

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