Journal entry by Ann — Aug 18, 2017
I’ve been thinking about those words lately.
THINGS: Logan had an amazing knife collection, well, maybe better wording would be “weapons collection!” He lived it, treasured it, obsessed over it, was proud of it, and was always on the look out for a new addition to his weapons family. But after he passed away his prized treasures were left behind. As we gathered up each one reminiscing where he got it, who gave it, and his stories of how it was used the realization hit me like a brick wall. His treasured weapon family stayed behind he didn’t get to take it with him. This fact was of no surprise so I don’t know why it struck me in such a heavy way. He also left behind his earthly family. He definitely couldn’t take us with him either. That is an individual decision for each one of us to make. We must make a covenant and relationship with the Lord himself. We are His precious treasures. I began to ponder what do I store up in my heart as treasures? What Do I put before the Lord? My new thinking is that all we collect here means nothing. The only valuable thing to give, receive, or collect here is love, showing the love of Jesus to others is very valuable. I’m not saying don’t work hard, make money, or buy things. Since Logan’s accident what is really important has been narrowed down quite a bit. For me, the most important thing is loving Jesus and putting Him first. Next loving people, the sharing of our hearts, and the telling of our stories that are specially written by God are of great value to Him.
PLACES: We all travel and make plans seeking new adventures and exploring God’s beautiful creations. But for me at this time in my life making plans to seek those treasures is hard. Some of the things we do to pursue pleasure and find joy seem fruitless in the season I’m in. It got me thinking of the crazy things that we seek out to have fun. The thrill seekers like skydiving or jumping off cliffs {which I will never do.} The explorers enjoy walks in the woods, canoeing, and going where the earth has never been disturbed by human hands. Then there’s the folks who like to be immersed in family, going to parks, and having people in their homes {which is more me}. We all have hobbies and there is nothing wrong with that as long as we put the Lord before all places or things we seek. As I watch my kids swim and laugh my heart is warmed, but when I think about the fact that we paid money to find this joy I’m having one of those A-ha moments because the real joy we long for is free. Though it wasn’t free for Jesus because God sacrificed His own Son with a promise of the true joy that we are able to receive and it comes from knowing Jesus. In no thing, place or activity can we experience that pure, untainted joy. Being fully immersed in the Savior’s love is the place where I long, seek, and desire to be.
ACTIVITIES: If we aren’t careful about our days, schedules, and to do lists we will be so overloaded we will not have time for what really matters; people. I think looking for ways to serve and love on others is where God has prepared and seasoned my heart to be. Just remember you don’t have to say yes to everything asked of you and your kids don’t need to be in every sport or class. Don’t let the pressures of the world or other families serve as your guide. Let God show you what’s best for you and your family. Children’s time doesn’t have to be so full they don’t have time to be a kid and explore. Let them be creative and figure out something for themselves. I am grateful that we have slowed down over the last couple years. We are more free to get together with others and invest in each others lives, share our hearts, and be a support system. In life we will all have many joys to share and plenty of difficult trials to walk through. We all need compassionate friends to walk alongside us to share in those moments.
I need to cool it on the things I can do with much less. I need to seek the places where God’s wants me and not follow my own desires. We have already cut the activities in half so there’s more time to show the Love of Christ to others. Though each person/family is different let God enable you with the ability to be exactly where you need to be. For me that is to be in His presence, engulfed by the Holy Spirit, and smothered in His love. In doing so He is equipping me with exactly what I need to pour into others and speak love into their lives.
So it leads me back to why we are on this earth……why do we exist? Is it to gather up THINGS; is it to go to PLACES; or is it to do many ACTIVITIES???
The Bible says:
To celebrate God’s presence….Exalt our Master….Worship Him…Psalm 34:3
To communicate God’s word….Evangelism….Acts 20:24
To encourage each other….Fellowship….Ephesians 2:19
To teach (our children) maybe others…….Discipleship….Ephesians 4:12b-14
To demonstrate God’s love……Service….Ephesians 4:12a
Sending much love to you all. Ann
Child loss and my journey 