the Helper

Had a situation/conversation with a child last night that was a very tangible example of the role of the Holy Spirit as counselor/teacher/guide/helper.

Like I've done many times as a parent, I had directed my children to "Come on, it's time to go." And like many times before, there was delayed disobedience. While waiting, my frustration was growing and my patience was doing just the opposite. So by the time this child actually got around to obeying I was mad and tried to discipline while I was angry. The result was me raising my voice, overreacting, and saying some things that were just flat out mean. So in return I got more of the same. I was focused on my personal frustration by explaining why I had a right to be angry and my child was focused on justifying the behavior by saying he didn't hear me. Both of which were self-motivated.


At some point, I was wise enough to say, "You know what? We're done talking about this until I calm down."

20 minutes later......... The apology. I apologized for yelling, for being rude. And more importantly, for muddying the waters of discipline with my anger. I realized that me trying to justify my personal emotions takes the focus off of the real problem of disobedience. The true issue is sin and separation from God. But when I take things so personally, it teaches my kids to obey me out of fear instead of out of a heart that loves. The conviction of this and my lightbulb moment could have only come from the Holy Spirit.

And then, my child apologized for not obeying. He said he should have known to come when we left for the car and that he shouldn't have even needed to hear me. He admitted to being selfish and to not being considerate of everyone else's feelings. So apparently I wasn't the only one being convicted.

Parenting is hard. The struggle is real. But we have hope and help when we open our hearts to His Spirit.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26

The Greatest Showman, The Greatest King

I found myself, like so many other movie goers, quickly falling in love with the movie, The Greatest Showman.  It reminds me so much of the story of King David, so I would like to offer some similarities in hopes maybe other parents can use these as talking points with their kids.  I believe some of these are the reasons this movie is so endearing to audiences, and that are quickly turning it into one of the classics of our day.

1) The MUSIC.  Music is one of God's most creative and wonderful gifts to mankind, and the music in the Greatest Showman is proof of the enjoyment it can bring.  The melodies are catchy, the lyrics are far from superficial, and the choreography is phenomenal.  The scores takes the audience through a range of emotions from anticipation to regret, from despair to elation.  

King David's life was one also marked by music.  As a teenager, we see him playing the harp to sooth King Saul.  At the height of his career, we see "King David leaping and dancing before the LORD," (2 Samuel 6:16)


2) The UNDERDOG.  Both P.T. Barnum and King David both came from humble beginnings.  Both men also endured intense criticism during their lifetime and both overcame many obstacles to rise to success.  There's just something in our human nature that wants to see the underdog win, and in these stories, they did.  "man  looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
(1 Samuel 16:7)


3) The HUMANNESS.  It is very hard to relate to characters that are perfect.  What makes both these stories so relatable is the imperfections of the heroes.  We relate to David because he struggled with depression, temptation, lust and laziness.  We can relate to PT Barnum because he lost sight of what was important, and began to chase after the lesser gods of fame and fortune.  These men were human, just like us.  Therefore we feel for them and get sucked in to their stories.  Many of us have been caught in the lies we've told to cover up our sins, and we can relate to the emotions of being knocked off our high horse and brought low to the end of our rope.  We never intended to go down that road, and neither did they.  Like PT, we have found ourselves chasing "someone else's dreams, the pitfalls of the [men we] became."

4) The HOPE of REDEMPTION.  While these stories remind us that our sin indeed has dear consequences, they do not leave us without hope. When all seems lost, beauty rises from the ashes, there is life after death, and healing for hurting hearts.  Forgiveness is available, and redemption is offered through grace.  

5) The STRONG MALE CHARACTER.  So many of today's TV series and movies have completely destroyed the image of men.  They are portrayed as witless, weak, and wandering.  This movie was so refreshing to see a man portrayed as adventurous, witty, focused, and strong.  Yes, he was human, but he was also an innovative leader who fiercely loved his family.  David was the same.  That's what made their falls from grace so hurtful.  When David got lazy and gave up his role as the warrior king is when he fell into temptation.  When PT Barnum began seeking his own glory and best interests instead of his family's is when he lost it all.  I believe our society has done much of the same as our men have given up their God-given roles as leaders and fallen into laziness, apathy, and self-seeking lifestyles.  These stories restore faith in the possibility of strong, servant leaders who are "men after God's own heart."

not against flesh and blood

Today was a rough day. Worst day I've had in a long time. But when I took a step back from it, I realized it had nothing to do with my physical circumstances. Truly, we are healthy and the general weather pattern is good, so our daily struggles are light and momentary, and really no big deal in the big scheme of things.

No - it had to do with the spiritual battle. the devil was attacking me from several angles today, trying to make me feel like a piece of junk, a failure as a mom, teacher, wife, sister, and friend. He has a way of taking very small issues and blowing them way out of proportion in my brain.


Paranoia about what others think about me.
Loneliness.
Worry about my kids.
Over analyzing my mistakes.
All of it.

My tendency during these difficult days is to misdirect my energy and efforts towards the physical circumstances and either figure out a way to fix it, fight it, or flee from it. The reason today was so hard is that I could do none of those. There was no quick fix to the problem, there was no way to deny it, or fight it, and I could not escape from it.

So I was stuck. Meaning I had to call it what it was - a spiritual battle - and face it head on, taking up the armor of God, and wield my sword - HIS WORD.

No, I am not a piece of junk, I was bought at a price. (1 Cor 6:19-20)
No, I am not a failure, I have been fully equipped for this good work of motherhood, and for teaching these kids. (2 Timothy 3:17)
No, I am not alone, for My God is with me. (Joshua 1:9)
No, I am not out of place, I am a fully accepted and loved child of God. (John 1:12)

And no, satan, I will not let my feelings dictate my defeat today. Because HE is the TRUTH and I will not surrender my focus or my worship elsewhere.