What is in a Name?

I have a theory. See if you agree. I think I have come to the conclusion that the only thing we actually possess is our name. Our reputation. What do you think?

I looked up the definition, and according to Merriam Webster to possess something means

1 a: to have and hold as property : own b: to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill2 a: to take into one's possession b: 1 b: to enter into and control firmly : dominate c: to bring or cause to fall under the influence.

Most of us believe that we possess our car, house or clothing. When, in fact, we own them. We have the legal right to use them to our liking. However, if we look at the above definition, to possess means to control firmly. I can tell you right now that even though I have the legal right to drive my car, I absolutely do not control everything about it. My auto continues to experience the adverse effects of the weather, bad roads and other people's car doors and bumpers. My home is difficult to maintain. I hold it as property, it is my homestead, no one can take it from me; but, I control nothing about it. It costs a fortune to manage. I cannot, no matter how hard I try, retain it's pristine state as a new home.

Now, that brings me to my name. I have complete control of my reputation. I propose that my reputation is the only thing that I can fully bring under my influence. My character walks boldy before me as I enter into relationships and lingers long after I am gone. My name will remind others I interacted with long ago of my overall qualities whether they are fair and wise or lacking in goodness and kindness. If I have been foolish this attribute will haunt me long after I have learned that lesson. A reputation of deceit and dishonesty stay and stay and stay.

No wonder the wisest man who ever lived said this:

"A good name is better than fine perfume..." Eccl 7:1

Boy, was he right!

Indescribable

I think most of the time I amble through my life oblivious of God's mercy. As you can tell, if you have read many of my posts, my life (in my opinion) is rather blissful. I know that my circumstances are a direct result of God's lovingkindness, faithfulness, and care for me, my children and extended family and I am genuinely thankful. I am at least grateful for the small part of that truth that I comprehend. Every now and then, fortunately, God chooses to illuminate me by revealing His holy attributes.

Last week was an interminable week. Each day longer than the one before it. Disappointment and grief were found at every turn. God's Word was the only place to find hope. Here is where I spent my days:

Luke 11:5-8 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

I literally knocked incessantly at God's door and asked for underserved mercy. The truth of the matter is we deserve judgment and consequences from our Holy God, yet I was emboldened by my LORD to persistently ask for what I felt I needed. Our future is in His hands and I truly came to the point that I would choose to be thankful for whatever future God chose for us, But I relentlessly cried out for underserved mercy, And that is what He gave...mercy.

Our ordeal isn't over, but, God's precepts will carry us through. We will praise His name forever to all the earth, "The Lord is Good and His Mercy endures forever!"

Thank you, Lord, for your Indescribable Mercy!

Psalm 86:12-13 "I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell."

Making the Bed

The other day husband and I were making our new bed together. I kept having to point out wrinkles that he had on his side that he was willing to just cover over with the comforter.

"You've got a wrinkle." I declared.
"Where?" husband asked.
"Right there!" I stated incredulously.
"It's small, no one will even see it under this huge comforter." husband acknowledged.

"Look, if we don't straighten every wrinkle every day, eventually the bed will be a mess, even if it is under the comforter. I will not be able to sleep in an untidy bed. "

It's true. I detest getting into an unmade bed. So, even if I have missed making my bed for the day (usually on Sundays), I will usually neaten up the covers so I can climb in. Sometimes husband will even go in to the bedroom before me at night and make the bed for me. I believe there is a deep theological truth to be found, here, in my eccentricities.

If we let even the smallest of sin go unconfessed and continue to cover it up, basically ingnoring our failures to God, it will eventually mess up our whole life. We will become undone. Thankfully, all we need to do is strip the bed(confess our sin with a repentent heart), wash the sheets, and remake the bed (start anew with an unbroken relationship with the Lord). Now... I can rest!

Free Time

Boy! My life truly is different than it was just a mere five years ago. That realization struck me between the eyes today as I was discussing with some peers about our freetime vs. the time we spend on responsibilities. Basically, we were all given a piece of paper with a circle on it. Our task was to divide the "pie" into three catagories: 1. time spent doing responsibilities 2. time spent planning or thinking about my responsibilities 3. free time.

Five years ago all four of my children lived at home. This fact may explain fully to some of you (at least those of you who are moms) that only the time that I slept was free from fulfilling my duties.

Today, and even I have a difficult time believing this, I think my circle is completely consumed with free time. I know, I know "what about the laundry?" you ask. Well, I have considered that and a few other things I still do for my family and here is my answer:

My children are 24, 23, 18, & 16. Two of them do not even live in my house any longer, 18 and 16 can do their own laundry. Sometimes I still do the laundry for them, as a courtesy, but I only do it if I have the "free" time to do it and I want to.

The same thing applies to cooking. Most of the time no one shows up for dinner anymore. Except maybe husband, then, I "freely" choose to cook a healthy, tasty dinner for us and anyone else who may want to join us.

Cleaning house: I enjoy a neat home, it is usually neat, not necessarily clean. When I want to, I clean. My friends can tell you, I don't clean often enough.

I watch my grandchildren regularly and those times you might say are a duty. No, I will argue, I gladly, "freely" spend the day with them.

Now, soon enough, I will have responsibilities for ministry events at the church we joined a few months back. People will be depending on me to do my best at carrying out those duties. However, I would even argue that I will do those things because I have the freedom and passionate desire to see these events succeed. These activities have the potential to change people's lives, give them hope for a future. Sometimes the planning and execution is time consuming and difficult, but for me it is Life! I have missed the busyness and challenge of preparing for these events. I am ready to jump back in.

Now that I think of it the days (five years ago) where I washed clothes incessantly, cooked continuously (three squares a day), drove ceaselessly to the unrelenting schedules of practices and games for all the children (did I tell you husband travelled ALL THE TIME back then?), organized and led a ministry, and taught a Bible class three times a week might be put in my free time category.

Crazy, huh? But that life is what I "freely" chose. My free time spent investing in our family and what I believed to be the best for them. And I can honestly say I would gladly choose it all over again.