"Here's your sign."
"That was bright."
"You're so pretty." (Inside to FCB friends)
"That was smart."
"Genious!"
These witty snippets of sarcasm are commonly used when someone's proverbial light bulb just isn't getting enough juice. However, they can be (and sometimes are) used when that same light bulb comes on for someone who is surrounded by others who have long-before been enlightened. Such is the case for me today.
No, neither my wife nor my kids had to snap me into reality using one of these ever-so-gentle reminders of my hard time with getting it. It can be any number of things. I don't know why some things are difficult for me to get. I'm not the wittiest, funniest, or sharpest guy in any group and I'm okay with that. But I will tell you this - when I do finally get it, I GET IT.
So after I fed Leah tonight, I went back to clean her up and get her out of the high chair. Of course, half of her food was in her stomach and the other half was on the floor - that's her way of telling us that she's done. So as I grabbed the broom, frustrated at having to sweep (again) I started mumbling to myself. This is, as Teresa would tell you, one of my favorite pasttimes- mumbling, that is. I began to sweep. Audibly talking to my innocent one year old, I said, "Here I am sweeping the floor because it's what I do. It's what I do because throwing food on the floor is what you do." I was obligated to finish my poetic thought because it sounded so good in my head. So I finished it despite the interruption in my thinking at the half-way point.
That interruption was my get it moment. Sweeping the floor is what I do and that's not a bad thing. I do that, not only because Leah throws her food down there, though admittedly there would be much less to sweep if she didn't. But I do it because of who I am. I am a father. I'm a dad and dads clean up after daughters. Nothing hard about that. Millions of dads have come to that conclusion with much less than it has taken to convince me. The job doesn't end. Whether it's cleaning a mess on the floor or helping Leah with a "messy" problem with a friend (or, dare I say, a boy?!?...nah) later in life, that's what I do. And it's right for me to do it. It's my responsibility. It's my duty. It's my...privilege?
That's right. As I was sweeping up bits of chicken and cheese off the floor, I realized that I am privileged to sweep the floor of my daughter. A lot goes in to that. I have a daughter. I have a daughter who is developing appropriately to the point of feeding herself. I have a daughter who knows when she's had enough. I have the physical capacity to care for that daughter. I have a daughter who is dependent upon me and God has given me the grace to love her enough to clean up after her.
So, my thoughts, in no particular order:
1. I can show myself as a servant to my family so that they will hunger and thirst to be servants of God. Oh to be the floor sweeper at the table of the LORD.
2. What a tremendously, all-wise God I serve. And that is an understatement! He allows my daughter to be dependent upon me to clean up her messes in order to show me His own mercy in my life as He has "cleaned up" many messes that I've made.
3. What a gracious Teacher He is. I didn't get it in front of a bunch of highly esteemed colleagues or friends. I was in the presence of my youngest daughter who neither smirked at my idiocracy nor judged me for just now getting it. He could have taught this lesson in a much more humiliating fashion, but He chose my kitchen with no one else around.
So, the next time you're "doing what you do" remember - it is a privilege to serve and a privilege to be counted among those in whom a good work has begun.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Still Learning
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."
Those are the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12. Now I don't know if this is the biblical equivalent to the well-known proverb "the bigger they are the harder they fall" but I do know the "fall" spoken of by Paul does indeed hurt. No, not physically, though I guess in some circumstances a natural consequence could have physical ramifications. But the hurt is just as real, I assure you.
To illustrate, I tell you of two recent falls I've taken. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Not really, but I have to lighten the mood.
I've struggled for my entire life with making good choices when it comes to food. The past few years, this struggle has become greater and more evident as it has financially affected my family. There's no telling the amount of money I have spent on fast food, lunches out, and other junk. Well, my wife and I have begun a new program to get out of our debt and begin to steward our money better. I've been doing really well in the last few weeks. But this past week I messed up. It's nothing that's going to bankrupt us - just a stop at one of my old favorite fast food places. It's not the stop that is the worst thing, though it's hard to explain when there is no legitimate reason for it. No, the problem is twofold. First, I stopped really for no reason. It was like I was in the Twilight Zone and just stopped because it's what I used to do. So that was problem number one. No reason. No justification. Not starving. Nothing. Second, it was after I had paid and gotten the food and had departed for home that the following words entered by brain. "Why did I just do that. That was stupid. [So far so good.] I've been doing so well denying myself. How could I do that?" Did you smell the self-righteousness in that? "I have been doing so well denying myself." As if, by some overnight will-power I have gotten a handle on a life-long struggle apart from the grace of God. I was quickly pricked in the heart and brought to repentance, to the praise of the glory of His grace.
My second fall just happened today (or last night). I have this bad habit of responding to things as I hear them instead of "hearing" all that I need to hear before responding. Proverbs 18:13 warns against this, by the way. Teresa made a comment tonight about some things I need to accomplish tomorrow. The forecast calls for severe storms and high winds tomorrow. So she suggested I run my errands in the morning before the storms begin. My reaction? "Sure honey, if that will make you feel comfortable. That's a great suggestion." Not even close. I said, "I'm not going to let a storm dictate my schedule." What did I really mean? "I'm not going to let you [Teresa] dictate my schedule." So for the next 1.5 hours I tried to defend my position. Was my loving wife trying to dictate my schedule? Of course not. She only wanted me to consider her suggestion while remembering that she gets nervous about strong storms and especially wind. Could I have done that? Yes. Should I have done that? Yes. But I want to set my schedule myself and no "weather" [or wife] is going to set it for me. The selfishness is putrid, I know.
In the end, I am forgiven by Teresa and by God. My position of His child has not changed. My marriage is not irreparably damaged. God and Teresa are both fully aware that I am not perfect. However, they both expect me to be growing. Teresa needs me to grow so I can lead her. So, I'm growing. Not by leaps and bounds. Not without faltering. But I am growing. I have to be. Not only for Teresa. Not only for my kids. Not only out of necessity. But I literally have to be growing. Because faithful is He Who promised Who also will do it. That is, God is faithful to complete the good work begun. And I'm glad He is because I'm tired of falling in the same pothole over and over - kind of like the scene from Groundhog Day.
Teresa, thanks for bearing with me. I'm trying. But more than that, you can have confidence in God. He's doing the work!
Those are the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12. Now I don't know if this is the biblical equivalent to the well-known proverb "the bigger they are the harder they fall" but I do know the "fall" spoken of by Paul does indeed hurt. No, not physically, though I guess in some circumstances a natural consequence could have physical ramifications. But the hurt is just as real, I assure you.
To illustrate, I tell you of two recent falls I've taken. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Not really, but I have to lighten the mood.
I've struggled for my entire life with making good choices when it comes to food. The past few years, this struggle has become greater and more evident as it has financially affected my family. There's no telling the amount of money I have spent on fast food, lunches out, and other junk. Well, my wife and I have begun a new program to get out of our debt and begin to steward our money better. I've been doing really well in the last few weeks. But this past week I messed up. It's nothing that's going to bankrupt us - just a stop at one of my old favorite fast food places. It's not the stop that is the worst thing, though it's hard to explain when there is no legitimate reason for it. No, the problem is twofold. First, I stopped really for no reason. It was like I was in the Twilight Zone and just stopped because it's what I used to do. So that was problem number one. No reason. No justification. Not starving. Nothing. Second, it was after I had paid and gotten the food and had departed for home that the following words entered by brain. "Why did I just do that. That was stupid. [So far so good.] I've been doing so well denying myself. How could I do that?" Did you smell the self-righteousness in that? "I have been doing so well denying myself." As if, by some overnight will-power I have gotten a handle on a life-long struggle apart from the grace of God. I was quickly pricked in the heart and brought to repentance, to the praise of the glory of His grace.
My second fall just happened today (or last night). I have this bad habit of responding to things as I hear them instead of "hearing" all that I need to hear before responding. Proverbs 18:13 warns against this, by the way. Teresa made a comment tonight about some things I need to accomplish tomorrow. The forecast calls for severe storms and high winds tomorrow. So she suggested I run my errands in the morning before the storms begin. My reaction? "Sure honey, if that will make you feel comfortable. That's a great suggestion." Not even close. I said, "I'm not going to let a storm dictate my schedule." What did I really mean? "I'm not going to let you [Teresa] dictate my schedule." So for the next 1.5 hours I tried to defend my position. Was my loving wife trying to dictate my schedule? Of course not. She only wanted me to consider her suggestion while remembering that she gets nervous about strong storms and especially wind. Could I have done that? Yes. Should I have done that? Yes. But I want to set my schedule myself and no "weather" [or wife] is going to set it for me. The selfishness is putrid, I know.
In the end, I am forgiven by Teresa and by God. My position of His child has not changed. My marriage is not irreparably damaged. God and Teresa are both fully aware that I am not perfect. However, they both expect me to be growing. Teresa needs me to grow so I can lead her. So, I'm growing. Not by leaps and bounds. Not without faltering. But I am growing. I have to be. Not only for Teresa. Not only for my kids. Not only out of necessity. But I literally have to be growing. Because faithful is He Who promised Who also will do it. That is, God is faithful to complete the good work begun. And I'm glad He is because I'm tired of falling in the same pothole over and over - kind of like the scene from Groundhog Day.
Teresa, thanks for bearing with me. I'm trying. But more than that, you can have confidence in God. He's doing the work!
Friday, February 25, 2011
So I'm not really sure what to say today or where to go with this post. Today was pretty regular in some senses and not in others.
I got off work this morning and came home, excitedly checking my blog stats to see all the people reading my post and joining as regular readers. Have you ever had your bubble burst? Major league bursting going on this morning. I had only one follower and that's only because I asked him to read. (Thanks Pastor Phillip!) I did have 15 page views which I thought was pretty good after only a day.
Things got worse from there. I checked my wife's blog stats trying to bolster my wounded pride. After all, her blog had only been in existence for eight hours. Talk about a slap in the face! My wife had six, count them six followers (who's even up from 1am to 8am?) and 34 page views including one from Italy. My wife doesn't even know anyone in Italy!
With my tail between my legs, I began to prepare for sleep after an appointment seemingly fell through. Right after taking off my shoes, the phone rang. The appointment was back on and I had ten minutes to travel thirty minutes away. I got there and the meeting went well. After a stop at the grocery store, I drove home, staying awake for about seventy-five percent of the way. I rejoice in God's goodness and grace in protecting me as I made it safely home.
Teresa asked me to stay up for a bit and join her and kids for some worksheet activity (Michael starts school in the fall!!??). That quickly ended with Teresa waking me up from a nice doze sitting up at the dining room table and sending me to the solace of my king-size bed. Nice!!
Everything was pretty normal from there. I was awakened by Lexi slapping my thigh saying "Time to get up. Dinner's weddy." Here we are a few hours later. Teresa just finished watching the same movie she's been trying to watch for two weeks. The kids are at my mother's and I'm headed to work in thirty seconds.
All in all a nice day, even if a busy one. I haven't determined exactly how this day is to provoke my growth in godliness, but that's just because I haven't tried. Some how or another, it's a part of His plan to complete the good work begun.
I got off work this morning and came home, excitedly checking my blog stats to see all the people reading my post and joining as regular readers. Have you ever had your bubble burst? Major league bursting going on this morning. I had only one follower and that's only because I asked him to read. (Thanks Pastor Phillip!) I did have 15 page views which I thought was pretty good after only a day.
Things got worse from there. I checked my wife's blog stats trying to bolster my wounded pride. After all, her blog had only been in existence for eight hours. Talk about a slap in the face! My wife had six, count them six followers (who's even up from 1am to 8am?) and 34 page views including one from Italy. My wife doesn't even know anyone in Italy!
With my tail between my legs, I began to prepare for sleep after an appointment seemingly fell through. Right after taking off my shoes, the phone rang. The appointment was back on and I had ten minutes to travel thirty minutes away. I got there and the meeting went well. After a stop at the grocery store, I drove home, staying awake for about seventy-five percent of the way. I rejoice in God's goodness and grace in protecting me as I made it safely home.
Teresa asked me to stay up for a bit and join her and kids for some worksheet activity (Michael starts school in the fall!!??). That quickly ended with Teresa waking me up from a nice doze sitting up at the dining room table and sending me to the solace of my king-size bed. Nice!!
Everything was pretty normal from there. I was awakened by Lexi slapping my thigh saying "Time to get up. Dinner's weddy." Here we are a few hours later. Teresa just finished watching the same movie she's been trying to watch for two weeks. The kids are at my mother's and I'm headed to work in thirty seconds.
All in all a nice day, even if a busy one. I haven't determined exactly how this day is to provoke my growth in godliness, but that's just because I haven't tried. Some how or another, it's a part of His plan to complete the good work begun.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Introduction
Hello! My name is Jonathan, though most people call me Jon - without an "H".
I really have no idea why I'm beginning this blog, other than the fact that my wife and I have both decided to do so. I enjoy writing and hope to have a sense of direction at some point, but for now I'm content with an introduction and maybe some basic posts about life in general.
I guess the most appropriate introduction of me as a person is to let you check out my profile. That way, you can choose if you want background info or not. This blog is supposed to be for your benefit, right? So, if you're so inclined, check out my profile. Otherwise, read on.
The introduction here is of the blog. Why call it, "A Good Work Begun"?
Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Some would call this my "life verse." I have a hard time choosing one inspired verse over another to be "the one for me" but I understand the concept. This verse is one to which I refer maybe more than any other. It certainly causes me to think of other great passages and truths, so maybe it's better called my "spring board." I look at the verse and am immediately reminded of who I am in Christ - a sinner saved by grace. I'm also reminded that any change in my heart and life is the result of His working in me, not my ability. This is a work that is on-going. You can trust me on that, but if you want third-party verification, ask my wife. You could ask anyone who knows me, but I'd like to save some face.
The last thing I'll mention is in the first part of the verse. I am confident that God is working. And maybe that is the true intention of this blog. I know it is the continual testimony and praise of my heart. Thus the reason for the title of this blog. I hope to exalt the name of Christ for every aspect of my life as He continues the good work begun in me.
So, if you want to read about the life of a saint who has a handle on everything, please don't waste your time here. If you want to (hopefully) be encouraged by seeing God's sovereignty as He works in the details of an average man and his family, come back and read. I'm not sure of the frequency of my posts, but it will be more frequent than my FB attendance.
A quick word to those who might happen across this blog who are not redeemed. You may or may not understand some of the posts in this blog as no doubt there will be seemingly "bad" things for which I will praise and honor God because I believe Philippians 1:6. You might think that I'm crazy. My hope is that God will use this blog to draw you to Himself. He requires and desires your worship. But without faith it is impossible to please Him. So my prayer is that you will search the Scriptures to see what they say about faith and where it should be placed.
To those of you who are believers, thanks for taking the time to read my intro. Might God continue the good work begun in you.
Jon
I really have no idea why I'm beginning this blog, other than the fact that my wife and I have both decided to do so. I enjoy writing and hope to have a sense of direction at some point, but for now I'm content with an introduction and maybe some basic posts about life in general.
I guess the most appropriate introduction of me as a person is to let you check out my profile. That way, you can choose if you want background info or not. This blog is supposed to be for your benefit, right? So, if you're so inclined, check out my profile. Otherwise, read on.
The introduction here is of the blog. Why call it, "A Good Work Begun"?
Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Some would call this my "life verse." I have a hard time choosing one inspired verse over another to be "the one for me" but I understand the concept. This verse is one to which I refer maybe more than any other. It certainly causes me to think of other great passages and truths, so maybe it's better called my "spring board." I look at the verse and am immediately reminded of who I am in Christ - a sinner saved by grace. I'm also reminded that any change in my heart and life is the result of His working in me, not my ability. This is a work that is on-going. You can trust me on that, but if you want third-party verification, ask my wife. You could ask anyone who knows me, but I'd like to save some face.
The last thing I'll mention is in the first part of the verse. I am confident that God is working. And maybe that is the true intention of this blog. I know it is the continual testimony and praise of my heart. Thus the reason for the title of this blog. I hope to exalt the name of Christ for every aspect of my life as He continues the good work begun in me.
So, if you want to read about the life of a saint who has a handle on everything, please don't waste your time here. If you want to (hopefully) be encouraged by seeing God's sovereignty as He works in the details of an average man and his family, come back and read. I'm not sure of the frequency of my posts, but it will be more frequent than my FB attendance.
A quick word to those who might happen across this blog who are not redeemed. You may or may not understand some of the posts in this blog as no doubt there will be seemingly "bad" things for which I will praise and honor God because I believe Philippians 1:6. You might think that I'm crazy. My hope is that God will use this blog to draw you to Himself. He requires and desires your worship. But without faith it is impossible to please Him. So my prayer is that you will search the Scriptures to see what they say about faith and where it should be placed.
To those of you who are believers, thanks for taking the time to read my intro. Might God continue the good work begun in you.
Jon
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