Aiming for progress, not perfection.

"...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6

Thursday, April 17, 2008

why does my heritage have to cry in the middle of the night? every...single...night.

after a rough night of family matters (read: a child who refuses to sleep through the night, though she is 14 months old), the only thing i could bring myself to do this morning so far is pout.

then i decided to do my bible study. grudgingly.

lo and behold, the lesson was on psalm 127.

"if God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.
if God doesn't guard the city,
the night watchman might as well nap.
it's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
don't you know He enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?
don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
you'll sweep them right off your doorstep."

the theme is family & children, obviously. how sickeningly appropriate.

interestingly, beth moore (the author) points out that she doesn't believe that the psalm applies only to blood "children" to those of us who are in Christ. she uses several new testament references that show paul and Jesus referring to fellow believers as family as much as any other.

either way, it applies to me.

and either way, it was a not-so-subtle call (He forwent whispers this morning, apparently) to look at my family the way He asks me to look at it -- as a great heritage from Him. i believe it was also a a call to realize that i need the Ultimate Home Improvement Man to remodel my house or else it will suck, no matter how hard i try. or whine. or cry.

nothing like a good punch in the mouth from God to start your thursday, i always say.

2 comments:

A's Rich Life said...

hey there! Just out of curiousity, which BM study are you doing? I just completed the Believing God and am beginning Stepping Up (Psalms of Ascent). I absolutely LOVE her stuff!
- Alycia

Meems said...

If it helps, my three year old gets up way more than my one year old.

My reasoning behind that comment helping is that your baby may quickly sleep through the night. It could happen!!!

I will admit some nights I just go from room to room. Let me know when you learn the secret to, your heritage only speaking in the morning.