My Family

COME ON IN, GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE & SHARE A RANDOM MOMENT WITH ME

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

a life worth living

the kids are about to start school next week. we are doing registrations today and tomorrow. as i send them off and back into the harshness of the world, my heart prays for them to be protected from the lies of the enemy that try to take them down a path of vanity, emptiness, and futility. this world puts so much emphasis on worldly things like beauty, pleasures, education, power, and money, all of which are not evil in themselves, but, as an end to all that we strive for, is a trap within a trap that ends with nothing past the means. and, it all comes to a halt when the time in which it is attained is over, making the life lived empty and pointless. so many times, what kids and adults, for that matter, are served up as the best way of life is only to struggle to achieve and be the best, get the highest degree, be the most beautiful, and earn the most money so you will be admired and desired, only to one day die and benefit from none of it. the end result proves that experiencing life that way is really not what was thought to be a life worth living.

lately, i have been having many conversations with my teenagers about what is important in life. i think doing well at whatever you do is important and necessary. getting an education and preparing yourself to work a vocation that you enjoy and provides a nice salary is a good thing, but it is not the end of what life is all about here on this earth. if the proper perspective is not served with the notion of working to be a success, then, attaining it brings no fulfillment at all and becomes empty and futile. that proper perspective is knowing that the journey we walk in and what we accomplish only brings joy and happiness if it is walked in union and agreement with God, taking steps in the direction in which He leads.

the biggest lie that our enemy throws at us is that if we listen to God and follow Him, we will not enjoy everything that there is to enjoy here on this earth, that God is holding out on us and wants to keep things from us. this was the first deception he used on Adam and Eve and he is still attempting it today. it is only as we recognize the love the Father has for us and the desire He has for us to experience everything wonderful and good, that we can recognize the lies and send our enemy packing. this life we live on this earth is to be lived and enjoyed greatly, walking hand in hand with the all powerful Spirit of God empowering us to accomplish great things, magnifying Him in all that we do. in that, every aspect of life is a pleasure instead of sorrow, a rest instead of a hardship, fulfilling instead of empty, and purposeful instead of futile.

Ecclesiastes 6:18-20 states, "Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun all the days which God gives him--for this is his allotted part. Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God to him. For he shall not much remember the days of his life, because God, Himself, answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart." this Scripture says it so well. God desires to be a part of the joy that we experience in this life. He answers and corresponds to us in the joys of our everyday life and in the attempts at becoming the person that He has destined us to be. every part of it should be exciting and fun if He is in the midst of the very core of who we are and what we set out to accomplish. that is His gift to us. that is what makes life worth living!

28 comments:

Näna said...

Hello,
This is a great post. A lot of what you said is what Mom has been teaching us all our lives. Living for what matters rather then here and now.
I wanted to let you know I'm tagging you for 5 things I love about summer. You can stop by my blog for the details.
Have a great day!
♥ Nana

Näna said...

Woops sorry! I was just reading your past post and saw you already did the 5 things I love about Summer. Sorry!
♥Nana

Shanda said...

Amen! Even with our kids in Christian school they are exposed to so much on a daily basis. I am agreeing with you in prayer for your children's hearts and minds to be protected by His truth and for their physical protection as well.

May we stand as beacons of light for our children each day.

Loren said...

Christy,

This is sooo good and so true to our recent conversations with the kids lately. One thing we started a few years back is taking the kids on the eve before school starts we take a group and go to their school. we have them stand in a circle and just speak out their concerns or fears. then we pray over those fears with Gods word and also ask what they want to do, to be, how they wish to be a light and we come in agreement with those things. It has given them peace and we just pray over the school grounds as well ~ protection etc.

He & Me + 3 said...

That post gave me goose bumps. I pray over my children too. Prayer is such a powerful tool we have as parents. I pray that their lives are so full and overflowing with Jesus that they are able to share that precious gift with their friends this school year.

Darcie said...

Very true and very powerful! I remind myself often that God has intrusted me with the 4 souls and I have so much responsilbilty to show them what is right. I am so thankful that even though I am not with them when they are at school...He is.

Thanks for the reminder.

Karen said...

Your children have a wise and loving momma....

Beth E. said...

Agreeing with you in prayer for your children, and echoing those prayers for my college boys...

Blessings,
Beth

Kat said...

C.R.

This is so true. Satan tries to make the Christian walk look like such a burden and joy killer. when in fact if we are walking with the Lord every moment is joyful. Even in our greatest trials...we have happiness when we have Him besides us.

It is a difficult world for teens out there now...praise God for mothers, like yourself, who work so hard to give them the tools to be victorious in it.

Kat

~*Michelle*~ said...

Ditto Kat/Chili

I pray constantly over my children.....and then have to trust that they are God's children first and believe that He will keep them safe.

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

What a great perspective! Thanks for sharing with us.

Beth E. said...

Christy,
Regarding your comment on my post - I think that's funny, too!! LOL It would serve him right...hehehe!

Heart2Heart said...

Christy,

I too believe that it is so hard for our teens and kids growing up in these days. It was so much easier for us. At least they have much wiser parents who understand the wisdom that comes from walking in the way of the Lord and listening to His word.

It at least gives us some hope for their futures!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Erica said...

I really need to work on finding the joy in life, I was just chatting with a friend about that tonight! Thank you for sharing this, very convicting for me!

Mich said...

School is fast approaching...it is always scary for me to once again let them out into the world on their own without mom. Teachers can be hard, kids can be cruel, but I'm thankful that our Christ is always faithful.

Great post.

Adeye said...

Oh wow--I have chills. You are so very right--what wonderful perspective you bring to bloggy world, friend. I love how you speak the truth in love.
Phew--it's tough being a parent these days...and I haven't even hit the teen years yet. Praise God we have the one and only manual necessary to train our children in the way they should go.

Kelly L said...

Great post!

Love,
Kelly

Mocha Momma said...

What good advice and hope for me & my kids. Your words have spoken truth to my heart.

You are a smart mommy. Thanks for sharing these thoughts.

Also, thank you for your encouraging words and prayers for my family over the past week while my mom was recovering from her back surgery.

Mom is doing really good. I stayed home most of today to get my house back in order.

I have a job orientation tomorrow and then I'll do some school shopping with my kids. I'll go see mom again on Friday.

More later,
Nannette

Kristin said...

I loved your post. I tried leaving a comment earlier, but I couldn't for some reason. I think it was a blogger glitch. We talked about something similar at church on Sunday.

Faith said...

This was a great post...is it ok if I direct my readers to it in a later post of my own this week??
blessings to you!!

God a Have Faith said...

You are so right! Just last night my wife Kat at Heart 2 Heart had a discussion with our 16 year old daughter about dating and how teenagers these days just jump right into going out with a boy just because he likes her.

She actually read to her a chapter from a book called the Noticer in which it explains what men and women should be looking for. It also kind of leads back to your posting about being diligent and walking with the Lord and everything will be better.

Great post! And by the way you received an A+ for your definitions on Gensol and Putyri! Great ideas! Makes me believe that is what they are! LOL...

Take Care,

Steve

RCUBEs said...

You are a great mom who is following what the Lord wants...for us to tell about Him to our children.

My son started school on the 12th, freshman, and we always pray before he goes to school. His prayer blessed me when I heard him say, "Lord, help me to trust in no one but You. Give me discernment to know what is pleasing or not to You..."

And I thought I was teaching him, He was the one who taught me that morning. Yes, it's a scary world out there but we must trust the Lord as parents that He is there guiding our children and protecting them. So, I'll keep your children in my prayers as I pray for my son. God bless you sister Christy.

momstheword said...

You can look at some of those people who have wealth and fame and they really don't see all that happy. They just seem to be always looking for something, never finding. Because they are looking in the wrong place.

My 20 year old son was offered a management position at his job, and my hubby and I were so proud of him when he told them that he was going to finish his college education.

I was glad that the money (alot for a 20 year old) did not tempt him away from his goal. The guy that offered him the job then told him "Good for you. You don't want to be 39 and doing my job" or something like that.

momstheword said...

Ooops. I forgot to thank you for your sweet words. They meant alot, thank you!

Unknown said...

stopping by from sits!

Angela said...

amen amen amen sis....Can you send me your email, I have a couple amazing prayers (all biblical, straight from God's Word) concerning our children at school....

Anonymous said...

On of my favorite quotes is Ecc 9:10-Whatever you turn your hand to, turn it with all your might. There's a lot of Christian students who come to college, want to write about their faith, but don't come to class prepared, don't follow directions, and just really don't try. That really undermines the Christian message they really want to get across.

It's a shame so many students don't see the connection between their work ethic and their Christian walk!

Crown of Beauty said...

I love this post. How right you are, we need to constantly be on guard by praying for our children;s protection from the deception that the evil one wants to throw at our children.

Praying with you...

Thanks for your comments at my blog. I truly appreciate your visits.

Love
Lidj