Mission

I have three daughters, all with very strong gifts but Molly, my youngest one, has an uncanny ability of seeing things with a very defined perspective, that is clean, crisp, edgy and updated. Guess that is why her tilt to the fashion world is such a good fit for her. I do not have this gift and am quite content with my traditional taste and the status quo of many of the hand me downs that have been given to me by my mom, fabric and all.  When Mel and I returned home from an Austin weekend celebrating Father's Day she had laid out a beautiful presentation of a cheese tray, fruit, presents, and beverage to welcome him home. And after we doted and ate she said, mom I have something special for you too, and she snickered and escorted me to my desk.  Laid out before me were four sheets of white paper, handwritten in her fun and whimsical writing giving me a mission statement for cleaning up and freshening up the house. She sat across from me as I read aloud each suggestion, we laughed and made fun comments, but every point she made was right on target, I just guess I get lazy and do not pay attention to how little things could be changed to make a bigger picture better.

So I began crossing the things off of her list, one by one as I diligently followed through with many of her suggestions.  No cost involved, just clean up for now.  I started with my desk, then bookshelves, then end tables, and one trinket at a time, began to let go of the clutter.  She was right, the clean up does make me appreciate her fresh perspective.  A new perspective, from someone who sees things from the outside is helpful, but we have to be willing to open up and consider the thoughts that are presented. 

I know that God, as my heavenly overseer has a very different perspective than I do on most things.  He has a better way of doing something,  a more organized approach, and a fresher vision.  But too many times I sit dormant in my everyday comfort zone and do not look past what is before me or stretch my vision to allow change that in my bigger picture.  If God was the one sitting across from me at my desk what would be some of his suggestions, to freshen up my style, and get rid of clutter and  update my perspective.  And I came up with a few things right off the bat:

1) Don't worry about anything, just trust ME

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

2) Worldly things don't last, relationships do

^{Matthew 6:19-20} “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

3) Simplify, don't add stuff, take stuff away

Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

4) Don't over analyze, too much clutter

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

5) Get rid of the dust, things that cloud up your thinking

Psalm 139:23
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

6) Rearrange your spirit

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

7) Let me manage YOU

Psalm 53:2
God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seekGod.

Molly is home for the summer, working on summer school, and most mornings, as I sit at my desk and am writing she comes in and sits across from my desk and we just visit.  I adore her company and love the time that we get to spend together.  But there are two chairs that face my desk, and after writing this now I can just imagine God sitting quietly in that other chair.  If only he would write down a list of things for me to do, then I could too,  try to follow it and cross off each suggestion one at a time as I conquered it. Oh wait, he has written down his list, but his is not so easy to conquer.  But the way I figure it is: if I keep it with me, and read it and reread it again and again, then I will be blessed by His gradual ability through his Spirit to transform whatever it is within me that needs to be adjusted, His way and on His timing. For only he has the power to fill me with the freshness of his peace, and pour upon me his grace.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the blessing of children and for letting them often times be the very voice of encouragement and fresh perspective.  Amen             

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!,