Moose, Muffins & a Mom's A.D.D.

So, my 2 year old son, randomly picked the book "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" off of the shelf at the library the other day. As I read it, I could totally relate to the Moose. In fact, I think I am the moose! Laura Numeroff wrote a whole series of these funny books- "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" was the first one.
Anyway, a boy offers a moose a muffin. The moose then asks for more muffins, until the boy has to go to the store to get more and the moose wants to go with, so he asks for a sweater since it is cold outside. When he puts the sweater on, he notices a loose button. He then needs a needle an thread, which remind him of puppets his grandmother used to make, so he looks for some old socks to make puppets. Through many more diversions during this ordeal, he ends up outside and notices blackberries, which remind him of jam, and then he asks for a muffin to go with it.

The part I relate to is not the constant asking of things. It is how the moose is constantly sidetracked!!! I talk to so many moms who can relate, otherwise, I might start to think I really do have Attention Deficit Disorder. I guess it's that we are constantly in a state of multi-tasking. Although, I'm always saying that the more simple life is one I strive for. Omit the clutter (physical and mental)!

Some examples:
-How many times a day do you go upstairs, stand there and try your hardest to think, "Why did I come up here?'

I know I have a BAZILLION other examples, but cannot think of one right now! I think my brain is tired. But, I will leave you with a real life example that just happened...

-You're updating your blog, a new email comes in, which prompts you to forward it. You can't find the address to that person, but you know it was in an email from your husband, so you sort your email by his name. While looking for that email, you notice there are some really old and irrelevant emails from him and delete those as you go along. Before you ever get to find the email address you are looking for, you remember that you are writing a blog entry.

Just the tip of the iceberg. A single example from one certain hour in the day....

Can you relate?

Andi

PS: Better go find that email address!

Shots and Suckers

Handle this.... And you'll get this:

That's what we told our kids this morning as we lined them all up on the bench awaiting their annual flu vaccinations. Jackie bravely took the chair first, got the shot and promplty got his reward of a sucker. Jillian followed the same way. Joey figured out the trick-- if I sit on Papa's lap in the chair, then I will get a sucker. He was begging to get up in that chair! But... it was Jenna's turn. But... Jenna was obviously disturbed and not going to get in that chair, so Joey got to go before her. The nurse put that bowl of suckers right in front of him as the nurse got the shot ready for him. His eyes fixed on the suckers, he barely flinched when she actually administered the shot, and then claimed his prize, opened it and indulged. Jenna, still disturbed, had to be held down, wouldn't look at the suckers, got the shot and was inconsolable. Her eyes still fixed on the needle and the nurse who inflicted the pain, she could care less there was a sucker awaiting her.

As I watched this, I realized this was a microscopic picture of trials in life, but the hope we have of rewards and eternal life in heaven. Yes, our troubles are much bigger than a shot. But... if we can remember to keep our eyes fixed not on the trial, but the reward, the shot will not seem so bad after all. Keep our eyes fixed on the shot, and we get caught up in the here and now, and completely lose sight of the end goal. Easier said than done..... but here is what the Creator of heaven and earth says about this:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3

Beyond the Next Mountain

I recently enjoyed missions conference, featuring Ron Kline. Saturday night he told a fascinating story about the Mhar Indians in India (check out the book and movie called “Beyond the Next Mountain). It is an amazing story of a man who listened when the Holy Spirit spoke to him and obeyed, no matter how crazy it sounded. He was supposed to get the gospel to a head-hunting Indian people group half way around the world, who spoke a rare language. Because of his obedience and faith, and through God’s amazing orchestration, there will be so many more people in heaven. (it is an INCREDIBLE story-- maybe I will expound upon it later).

Ron Kline’s three main themes of his talk were:
1. Always trust the Lord
2. Don’t try to figure stuff out
3. Just make Him look good
He also emphasized several times that “Satan will NEVER tempt you to witness.”

So, these things have been ringing through my head ever since. One instance was last week at the grocery store. I got in line to check out and this little voice that said to me, “give the check out lady the Halloween tract that is in your purse.” Immediately, I said to myself, “the Halloween tract? Nah! I should save it for a little kid.” Then, I remembered Ron Kline’s stories and “don’t try to figure stuff out.” So, I reached into my purse and gave the check out lady the Halloween tract. That instance made me realize how many times I probably quench the Holy Spirit and just out right ignore those little promptings I get!

We live in Disneyworld...

After returning from a mission trip in the Caspian region overseas, I am convinced that life in America is the equivalent of living in Disneyworld. The harsh reality is that we are wasting our lives by spending much of our discretionary time and money on entertainment and our own comfort and amusement. I am also convinced that this is one of Satan's tactics to distract us from living out a purposeful and fulfilling life. For years now, I have always said that my biggest fear is to finally meet Jesus face to face when I die and learn that I totally missed the boat-- that I had missed my purpose in life.

I am so thankful that due to a series of things in my life right now and revelations from God, that I don't have to mysteriously aim at what I think I should do and hope for the best. It is becoming clear to me that an unwasted and purposeful life consists of being a willing instrument for God to use in His plan, while proactively and uninhibitedly sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all people. Two instrumental catalysts to this conclusion are the mission trip I took and continue to reflect on and being in a class that is reading through John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life."

The problem is, and the reason I couldn't see this before, is because we are SO SO SO distracted in America!!! I cannot tell you how this fact has become so evident to me-- it is as if a veil has been lifted from in front of my face and I am seeing in a whole new dimension.

One of the main points I took away from my trip was how the missionaries where we were are very focused on their goal of advancing the gospel of Jesus. They have a plan. They have a goal. They strategically used our team as part of their plan and then sat down with us at the end of the week to debrief and get feedback. They are continuing to follow up with certain people we met. It is very empowering to be a part of God's plan-- because sharing the gospel is without a doubt, part of His plan.

So, we've been challenged. I've often said that I felt like I flounder through life, just taking in opportunities as they come. But, what would life, the church, the kingdom of God be like if we were all planning, goal setting and being very intentional every day about advancing the gospel.
(Read the book "No Compromise" to get a glimpse of someone in America who did just this).

PS: I think every American should visit a 2nd or 3rd world country and gain a whole new perspective...

Much more to come...

Only one life,

T'will soon be past.

Only what's done

For Christ will last.

(From "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper)

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17