But This Is How We've Always Done It

Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”

Matthew 11:28 TLB

I am currently reading a fascinating book by Dr. Ed Catmull, the president of Pixar Animation as well as Disney Animation.  What I love is that he continued to discover along his career that just because it had "always been done a certain way" didn't necessarily mean it was the most effective or best way of doing something.  

A great example was as simple as a table.  You see, in his early years he worked in a building with an elegant board room adorned with a long executive board room table that seated his entire creative team.  While it looked official it was not made for teams of creative people doing collaborative projects.  This seating arrangement was not designed for group discussions, eye contact, or a sense of inclusion for all members present.  One day Ed Catmull and his team were forced to use a smaller room with a square table and it was the BEST meeting they had ever had.  He immediately called for a large square table to replace the long table in the board room and as they say, the rest is history.

Why do I share this story?  Because it can apply to every aspect of our lives as caregivers and as people in general.  If we continue to do things the very same way with the same results, we may need to do something different.  But different scares us to death! What if our way is the long executive table which works okay but God's way that He tells us about in Matthew 11:28 is the more productive square table that we didn't even know existed?  God has some pretty amazing ideas and ways of doing things if we only allow Him in.  What I also LOVE about this scripture is that He also offers us REST.  Hello?  I long for that wonderful thing and I am certain you do too.  So in the year to come be open to new ways of doing things and just watch for the awesome things that can happen.

Preparation Makes All the Difference

"Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them." Ezekiel 38:7

Today before leaving my office for the Christmas holiday break i made sure that everything was prepared for when I returned at the first of the year.  I did things like take down my office decorations, file the huge pile that had been sitting on my desk for over a week, and even made sure documents were copied and ready for an important meeting that will take place one of the first days I get back.  

When I walked out today I felt a sense of relief knowing I could relax over the holidays for I had prepared for the new year at work.  I then realized that is what God tells us to do in His Word.  In Ezekiel 38:7 He clearly states, "Get ready, be prepared!"  There is even an exclamation point which gives more emphasis and excitement.  We should be living prepared.

During Christmas we prepare for the first coming of Jesus knowing we now live in a time of preparation for His second coming!  We should live each day as if Jesus may be returning at any given moment. We should also be prepared when given the opportunity to share our testimony and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Important conversations such as salvation merits our preparation.  

Are we prepared?  Do you feel a comfort and a peace each day knowing you are prepared for the Savior's second coming and for the sharing of the gospel?  My prayer is that we ALL spend time preparing so we are all ready.

Burdened or Favored?

Luke 1:28(TLB)  

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Congratulations, favored lady! The Lord is with you!”

I believe most caregivers view the role they have been called to do as a burden when in reality it may be the way in which God is showing His unimaginable favor.  Mary, the mother of Jesus, was called by the Lord's messenger angel, Gabriel, to become one of the most famous caregivers of all time. What a blessing to us all that she willingly accepted this as favor instead of a burden.  

A few weeks ago, my daughter with great compassion, shared with me that she felt very sorry for Mary.  I asked her why.  The response was, "Mama, she had baby Jesus in a really bad situation and then had to watch Him die on the cross." You know, my daughter was right. Mary agreed to be the mother of Jesus knowing He would one day be sacrificed for the world's sin.  She not only held her son but held her Savior.  

When God calls us to do something big for Him, we MUST see it for what it really is.  We are being favored and not burdened.  At first it may seem overwhelming but if we trust in God completely HE will be able to do all things through us.  Whether it be caregiving, a new job, or even a new ministry God will never leave you and will guide you through each step along the way.  

I do not know about you, but I believe Gabriel is saying to all of us, "Congratulations, favored child! The Lord is with you!"  Just like Mary, we can move ahead for we stand in the assurance of God himself.

My Water Into Wine

“This is wonderful stuff!” he said. “You’re different from most. Usually a host uses the best wine first, and afterwards, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, then he brings out the less expensive brands. But you have kept the best for the last!” John 2:10

I had never really examined Jesus' first documented miracle from the book of John until this weekend in a Bible study.  What struck me the most was that the miracle was not a physical healing, a life transformed, or someone being raised from the dead.  Instead it was about a family saving face when they ran out of wine at a wedding.  It was about the details in life that happen day to day but are very important to us personally.  It showed the personal touch of Jesus.

During those days a wedding celebration gone wrong could have ruined a family's reputation and even their social standing within the community forever. Jesus' mother knew this and for that reason she called on her son for help.  I love this particular miracle for for many reasons.  

First, Mary never hesitated to call upon Jesus for her immediate need which was a friend in need.  Are we praying for our friends? Are we taking the time to stop and call on Jesus for them?  Second, I love it that Jesus took care of the need but when He did it was much better than what was needed or expected!  Don't allow people to tell you that Jesus doesn't care about what makes you happy or your daily needs because when they do you can direct them straight to His first miracle within the Word.  

Jesus is waiting today to turn your watered down life into wine!  Ask Him and watch it happen!  Soon you will be the one saying, "This is wonderful stuff!" and you will be talking about your own life in Christ!

I Hate This...

"If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." Philipians 2:1-4

I speak to and receive messages from caregivers on a daily basis who are frustrated, tired, hurting, and even hate being a caregiver.  Do you know the first thing I say to them? I tell them it is perfectly normal and okay for them to feel this way!  After they get over the shock of me saying this, I continue by telling them that caregiving is hard and that it is important for them to vent and be real about what they are experiencing and feeling.  The danger comes when we pretend that all is well when in reality we are dying on the inside hiding our true pain and sorrow. 

In Philippians 2, God tells us that we are to put others ahead of ourselves and if you are a caregiver you are indeed living out this scripture daily!  It also goes on to say in forgetting about ourselves we should lend a helping hand which is exactly what we are doing as we care for others.  I tell you this in order to remind you that even when this journey becomes too much to bear take comfort in knowing that you are doing God's work and living out what He instructed us to do in His Word.

Also, know that He understands it is not easy. God is not ignorant to your struggle, your pain, your frustration, nor your loneliness.  When no one else on this globe gets how you feel HE DOES!  When you feel that no one else on earth cares what is happening to you HE DOES!  Give your cares to Him and I promise He will comfort and love you while you go through your valley experience and then He will strengthen you before the next valley comes!

Pray To Be Blessed

1 Chronicles 4:10 

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Many Christians do not approve or "believe in" the prayer of Jabez but I am definitely NOT one of those people.  If it is in the Bible then I believe it is true.  So when the Word says that Jabez was highly favored in the eyes of God and this was his prayer, how could it be wrong or selfish? 

What we miss is that Jabez looked to God to bless him and help him instead of the world or mere man like most do today.  People, Christians included, have convinced themselves that it is  up to them to do all they can to make it and become successful.  But what I notice is that a lot of wealthy or highly successful people seem really unhappy and unsatisfied with life, which tells me that something is missing. That something is the realization that God is the Giver of all blessings and the reason we exist.

In all reality, Jabez has it all figured out.  He prayed for God to bless him, which the Bible tells us God loves to do, and then to enlarge his territory.  Territory is the same as what we own.  This can be actual land or property, money, influence, and more.  If we desire these things and use them for God it is NOT selfish.  Jabez then asked God to guide him and protect him from harm.  Well, even Jesus taught us to pray that daily, so why would that not be okay?  And the part I love is when Jabez asks God to keep him from hurting others.  I can't say that I have prayed that too many times but after 40 years I know I need to daily!  

The real kicker is at the end when it clearly says, "GOD GRANTED HIS REQUEST"!!!  Read that over and over until it sinks into your head!  When God is first in your heart and life and you pray this prayer only good can come and many will be blessed in the NAME OF JESUS!  

I say, "Way, to pray, Jabez!"  Thanks for the awesome example!  Maybe we aren't being blessed more because we aren't praying and believing this prayer!

She Must Be Crazy

 "As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.  Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk." 1 Samuel 1:12,13

Many times I believe those around me may look at me and think, "Jessica is kind of strange," or either, "Jessica, is a little overboard."  But you see, I don't mind for it just means that I am passionate and actually believe that my God can do the impossible.  The longer I serve God the more I witness, experience the blessings, and physically feel His presence.  Just this week alone I have witnessed Him working and doing amazing things in not only my own life but those around me.  

I was reminded today of Hannah and her story from the Bible.  She longed with all her heart to have a child even though she knew it seemed impossible.  She believed in God and knew that He alone could give her a child if He so desired.  We see her in the book of 1 Samuel going to the temple with absolutely no shame by not only praising the Lord but also petitioning Him to grant her a child.  She cried out to God with no shame or worry of what others may think. We even read that when she did so the priest, Eli, actually rebuked her for he assumed she was drunk, even though we know she was not.  

After Hannah has praised and petitioned the Lord I absolutely LOVE what she does next.  She goes home and goes to bed!  She actually rests in the fact that God is in control and the He will take care of her.  What a profound and convicting testimony for all of us.  I learn from Hannah that I should praise without fear, petition with confidence, and then REST in knowing the God always has my best interest in mind. God never fails!