Abandonment

"'I have abandoned my people, my special possession.

I have surrendered my dearest ones to their enemies.

My chosen people have roared at me like a lion of the forest,

so I have treated them with contempt.

My chosen people act like speckled vultures,

but they themselves are surrounded by vultures.

Bring on the wild animals to pick their corpses clean!'"

Jeremiah 12:7–9

"Even as God declares his abandonment of his people, he uses love language. "My people, my special possession, my chosen people"—twice he says this last part. God may punish, but he does it with great grief. Sin is serious, it must be paid for, and it gives God only anguish to express the just part of his nature. If we think there's a conflict between love and justice on God's part, there is! Even within God's own heart. God's dilemma is spelled out in Jeremiah, but it's resolved in Jesus' taking on the punishment for sin. That's our good news!"

—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Ever experienced tough love...as the recipient, not the giver of?  God is love...it's His Nature.  And there is no doubt that He loves us...affirmed by the sacrifice of His One and Only Son for our sins.  Yet, at those times where we refuse to let go of our sins or continue to demand our own way, perhaps these are the times God must pull out the 'tough love.'

As a parent, I know first hand how difficult it is to see our children make wrong choices, disobey, and not follow after what they know to be true.  It's difficult to see them fall into the same bad decisions repeatedly and suffer as a result.  However, their are times that we have to dish out the tough love, especially when all other efforts have failed to curb bad behavior and choices.  In some extreme cases this could mean refusing to physically support bad behavior and having the child removed from the home.  Tough love is designed to help the lost child find their way, to correct their bad behavior, to help them learn from the consequences of their mistakes so they are able to make better choices.  Tough love isn't meant to alienate but to eventually restore healthy relationships and teach children how to live a godly life.  Tough love isn't meant to be permanent, but instead is a temporary state designed to discipline. 

Tough love is tough - on both the receiver and the giver.  And though the recipient of tough love feels abandoned and unloved, it is even more difficult emotionally for the giver.  And usually, the giver still loves that wayfaring child.  They are patiently waiting for the time they can be reconciled with the loved one lost to sin. 

God's tough love is perfect.  He LOVES us even during the times our sin causes Him to abandon us.  And though He is the giver of infinite chances, there comes a point where He knows tough love must be applied.  So He allows the consequences of our actions fall upon us full force.

When we feel abandoned by God, perhaps it is because of unconfessed sin in our lives - something that we just won't let God have His way with, something that is deep rooted and we refuse to give up. A feeling of abandonment by God is a critical signal that it's time for self-examination - a sign that we must prayerfully, honestly, and aggressively seek out sin and confess it, seek His forgiveness, and erradicate it from our lives.  Perhaps God wasn't the one to abandon us first, perhaps we were the ones who refused God's admittance into our lives! 

In times of abandonment, we must understand that God hasn't gone anywhere, He's still there beside us - waiting for us to surrender wholly to Him.  We are His special possession...so let's respond by surrendering all to Him and making Him ours! 

In His Love, Cathy

Clothed in Love? Just Call me Grumpy!

Okay, so today started out pretty much like any other normal day of the work week with the usual quiet time, cup of coffee on the patio, a quick check of email and facebook before the mad rush to get ready for work.  I know I could cut out the morning facebook check, but I love wishing my friends happy birthday first thing on facebook and then I usually try to post something positive that will carry me ( and hopefully others) through the day.  So today, I posted a verse from my devotion:

"Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony."

Colossians 3:14

"Clothe yourselves with love," especially struck a chord with me today for some reason.  So I committed myself to treating others with love - after all, I may be the only person in their lives who Christ's love shines through.  Who knows?  So I set about my day with this verse in mind, determined to live it no matter what.  But you know, it's at times like these - the times you are determined to live out a verse's application in your life that you are challenged the most to live it.  And, of course, I was challenged today to clothe myself in love...BIG TIME!

The whole day seemed to be going well until my third block class...my students were not reacting to the lesson as my first two blocks had.  As I taught, I felt the frustration beginning to rise...most of my students not only were disinterested and bored (which I understand in a math class), but some were dozing, not taking notes, and sitting with their arms folded.  (My frustration was with myself for not being able to reach my students.)  So I tried to bust up this streak of boredom by cracking jokes (that had worked in the previous two classes but I guess were lame to those in 3rd block ) and making them stand up and stretch in the middle of the lesson.  I tried but still not a whole lot of improvement.  And although they are a good class, I just couldn't seem to develop the rapport with them as I have in my first two classes - my fault not theirs!

Then came 4th block...now I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my 4th block class.  I've taught many of these same students in a different math class or I've taught their siblings.  They are a joy to teach...that is when they are listening, not sleeping, playing games on the calculator, or joking around when my back was turned thinking I don't know - kind of like they were doing today.  (I mean, come on, they're teens, that's 'how they roll'!)  So I felt that frustration level rising once again. 

Then IT happened! 

IT started slowly... creeping down the right side of my face.  I felt an old familiar numbing feeling - and then -PAIN!  Pain running from the right side of my head into my neck and down to my shoulders!  A full force migraine came out of nowhere!  Really?  I mean really?  Today?  After months of being migraine free, one suddenly decided to show up today!  FYI Mr. Migraine, there is NO RAIN in the forecast!!! Does my brain not know that migraines are NOT allowed unless a front is moving through?   Hellloooo?  Get with the program Mr. Migraine!!!

So, I must confess, as I watched my students secretly laugh, doze off, and completely stare off into outer space, AND ...as my migraine invaded my brain, face and neck...I lost it!  My nice little southern bell composure melted completely away as I ripped through the clothing of love like the Incredible Hulk ripping through a shirt!  The nasty, ugly monster that lay beneath the surface was now exposed!  It was a THROWDOWN!  (Now if I had his muscles maybe students would actually fear me!  LOL!  JK!  But then again, so would my husband!  Hmm...) 

So where was the love? 

Love?  Love? 

There was no love! 

Just grumpiness, grouchiness, and a teacher on the warpath!  I was DONE with this lovey, dovey thing! It was time to bring out the hard core DISCIPLINE - nothing like a good old-fashioned lecture on my expectations of student behavior - yeah, that'll teach them!  (Yes, students will fear my fury!  I will talk you to death as I give you a good lashing of words!  Bwahahahaha!)

Actually...it didn't quite go down like that but I must say, on the inside, this is what I felt like!
So today, I must confess, I FAILED MISERABLY at this love thing! 

But wait, then again, perhaps not.

Perhaps...sometimes, just sometimes, the love we clothe ourselves in must be TOUGH LOVE in order to ultimately achieve that perfect harmony.  Hmm...just sayin'!

Grace and peace!

In His Love, Cathy
PS -BTW...I still LOVE being a teacher...wouldn't trade it for the world  ... AND ... I love my students! 

Self Examination

"So a man should examine himself."

1 Corinthians 11:28

As I read 1 Corinthians 11:28 in my morning devotions, I gave pause to contemplate it's application in my life.  I understand from the context that Paul is admonishing the Corinthian Christians to take an honest look at themselves and their motives.  News of disunity, selfishness, self-centeredness, and self serving among the members of the Corinthian Church had reached Paul.  These Corinthian believers had once eagerly accepted the Gospel, but as time went on, their lives and interactions with other believers only distorted and disfigured the God's Truth.  When they observed the Lord's Supper, they were gluttons and drunkards, shoving their way to the front of the line to ensure they had their fill...not once thinking of others before themselves nor looking out for the poor, the widows, or any other brother or sister in Christ.  These believers were only concerned for themselves, first and foremost!  They had no concern for Christ nor the other members of The Body!  It was all about them!

And though we read about these believers and are so quick to judge their selfish motives, we must also take care to examine ourselves - to take a deeper look, an honest assessment beneath the surface of our own lives.  We must prayerfully consider if there are any hidden issues or shortcomings that we ignore in ourselves, things that we push down deep and avoid dealing with - things that must be recognized, brought to the surface, and laid at the feet of our Lord.  Avoidance of such things isn't an option in the life of a believer.  In ignoring the things in ourselves we don't want to deal with we become Ostrich Christians.  Yet being overly obsessed in self examination isn't good either - especially to the point where our constant self examinations prevent us from moving forward, spur us in to self depreciation and self loathing.  Both avoidance of self examination and an unhealthy obsession with self-depreciation can paralyze us in the faith, making us unfit and unable to be of any good earthly use.  Therefore we must strike a proper, healthy balance of self-examination to achieve spiritual growth. 

A time of soul searching and self examination is necessary for a healthy spiritual life.  We can prayerfully examine ourselves, asking God to reveal to us any sin, shortcomings, or issues that we need to surrender to Him and deal with.  Then let's deal with it, let it go, and MOVE FORWARD in faith!

In His Love, Cathy

Celebrate the Victory!

"He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."

Colossians 2:14–15

"The cross of Jesus is the sole basis for our forgiveness of sin and right standing before God. But the cross is not just for us. The cross also vindicated God before the evil rulers and authorities in the unseen realm, and disarms their power. Jesus' sacrifice made a difference in the cosmic plane. It changed the very fabric of all parts of reality, those we understand and those we do not, those things we can see and especially those we cannot. We really do have victory! Live in the truth of this."

—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions


What a powerful message for today...on the cross Jesus Christ CANCELED the charges against us!  The slate was wiped clean!  When Christ died on that cross, He did far more than cancel our sins...He disarmed ALL spiritual authorities and rulers!  His death on the cross WAS NOT a defeat, but a VICTORY felt in both the physical and spiritual realms.  Christ's death put the enemy to shame...for Jesus paid the price for sin.  Can you imagine the look of shock and confusion on Satan's face when, on the third day, Jesus got up, folded his shroud, and walked out of that tomb ALIVE?  That's a MAJOR DEFEAT to Satan and his team!  And all who seek forgiveness and call on His Name share in this VICTORY!

Don't live a defeated life!  Call on Christ!  Claim that forgiveness!  Live it!  Celebrate in the VICTORY of salvation...not for your own sake, but for the GLORY of GOD! And whenever the enemy tries to tear you down...remind him of who has already won!

Grace and peace!

In His Love, Cathy

Thought for Today: God's Peace

Peace is the adjustment of my life to the will of God. - Author Unknown

A great thought as we go about our busy day...

In His Love, Cathy

School

Today was the first day back for teachers.  After a long and most restful summer, I was anxious to start off the new school year.  As I walked through the doors to my hallway for the first time since last school year, I was met with that old, familiar smell...the smell of school.  The unique blend of mustyness with books filled the air, triggering memories of school years past.  As I approached my classroom door, I was filled with hope for the possibilities this school year would bring. 

All of the frenzied activities of the last couple of weeks...finishing home projects, last minute trips to visit with family,  and a whole cadre of other activities consumed the last precious moments of summer leaving little time to write, blog, or do much of anything else.  But today, all of this has been pushed aside as teachers returned to work today.

I am ready to get the year started off right.  I am eager to teach.  I am anticipating meeting my students and getting to know them.  I am excited for the wonderful possibilities this new school year holds.  I am happy to see old friends returning.  I am loving getting caught up on their summer and family.  I am rested,  I am refreshed,  and I am ready to teach.

This school year starts off with changes in our family...our oldest has joined the Air Force and will be leaving soon for Basic Training.  A huge change for us.  This summer was so important to us as a family to share these last few months together before he leaves the nest.  Our daughter, though attending high school, has decided to get her AA at the same time as her high school diploma.  She was in my math class all of last year.  Not having her in class this year will be sad for me.  And our youngest starts middle school...the baby isn't a baby anymore.  This will be a most interesting school year...changes happening within our family in addition to changes in our school.  All are good changes, but bittersweet.

Not much of a blog to write, but this is what is happening right now in our lives.  My time and energies have been focused on spending time with my family, getting healthy, and rested.  I plan to get back on the blog scene on a more regular basis as our schedules settle into the old school routine! 

Praying that everyone has a wonderful school year!  Grace and peace, friends!

In His Love, Cathy