Well, fitting that as I adventure to start blogging Braeden does something that challenged me in an unexpected way, and I can't help but write about it!
We are currently trying to sale our house, and simultaneously we're in desperate need of a second car. In this current market we're hoping to sale the house and brake even, with a more than likely scenario that we'll take a loss. Anticipating this we have some money in savings that we have set aside to "protect us" in this likely event. Recently feeling overwhelmingly blessed and humbled by all that God has provided us, I joyfully threw out the idea of giving this money to a cause we've committed to support. Michelle embraced the idea whole heartedly and we left it at that.
Move forward a week. For no reason greater than what existed a week earlier I felt the need of a second car was so oppressing our family that we weren't going to be able to survive. Quite franticly I rattled off all the reasons another car was the supreme need in our life. Fully assured that we had to do something, and something promptly, I left us with a ludicrous choice of options and hurried to my next meeting. On my way home I asked Michelle what she thinks we should do, she responded that we need to give the money as originally planned. I knew in my heart she was right...but we have a need!
I walk in the door, say my hellos, give out the kisses and hugs, and journey to Braeden's room to see something amazing! As I'm passing the table I notice a bin of toys. I ask Michelle what was going on with the toys (expecting that he did something and this was his punishment) she said she didn't know. Apparently Braeden woke up and the very first thing he said to Michelle was, "I have a lot of toys and I really should give to some other kids that don't have as much"!
We (him and I) had briefly talked about this weeks before in passing, but we never really decided to do it. Out of his own will he decided to do this. Here is the kicker! Not did he only decide to do this on his own. Nor is it that he realized his abundance as a way to bless others on his own. The thing that hit me like a ton of bricks was that when they started he went for his most prized toys and put them in a pile as the ones to give!
Not only did Braeden see what he had as a way to bless others, but he was willing to sacrifice his prized possession for the joy of someone else! Here I am wanting to take my savings to buy a clunker to get from A to B; someone else's junker that they were tired of had taken priority over my opportunity to bless someone else with what I have!
If we can't realize that God is our ultimate need, then idolatry has besieged our hearts! This life isn't about us. It is about him and others. If my "need" of a second car becomes a priority over my desire to please God...the car is now my god. Actually I've become my own god. And honestly an '82 dodge rampage and most definitely myself are no where close to being worthy of any worship. You see, I originally wanted to give the money because of where my heart was with God. I was set on pleasing him. It isn't the amount, or even the action that would, will, please him - it is my heart in doing so that will please him.
The selling of our house, the second car; they'll happen! Right now it is about obedience and priority. Priority being: having a heart that is dependent on God and set on pleasing him in all I do!
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