What I want is to walk by the gym door and immediately be transformed into the greatest physical shape possible. I want to pick up the book, hold it by my head, and PRESTO---the knowledge makes the leap into my vacant brain space. I want to have the mountain top experience without dragging my butt up the trail. I want to wave my magic wand and alkazam my home and yard look like House Beautiful. I merely want it all to happen as I visualize without paying any price for that to happen. REALLY--is that asking a lot?
At some point in our lives, most of us have been told, we will not appreciate those things which are handed to us on a silver platter. I for one wish someone would pass the silver platter and let me be the judge of my appreciation factor. What really sounds great is living the good life--large--and never breaking a sweat. OR DOES IT?
When I think back to the best of the best in my life---I realize it all came with a price of hard work, effort, time, and energy at a minimum.
My three children did not merely appear upon wishing on the genie's bottle. We come from a long line of "BIG HEADS". It was no easy task carrying around 8-9 pound babies and then birthing those big heads. But LOOK at the reward for all the pain!
Being a good friend has a price tag--lots of time, lots of living life together, and willingness to sacrifice for one another. The rewards speak volumes in the day to day joy of living life together. What would I do without all the dear friends God has placed in my life?
In most cases, there seems to be a direct correlation between the energy, time, and work we put in to the benefits derived. Be it so simple as cooking or home and hearth to the most complex relationships in our lives, there is surely a scientific law playing out on what goes in affecting the long term results.
I have circled around--back to Beth Moore--the time, effort, and energy we expend in seeking Him has a exponential return of peace, joy, and love. You walk out of her conferences wanting more, only to find when you dig into one of her Bible Studies--it is WORK! He is so pleased when we look for Him that He reveals Himself in real and tangible ways as we grow in His grace and live in His shadow. You can NEVER out give God!
There is no easy way---as we seek Him---so our relationship grows. He has placed the ball in our court and is waiting for us to give it our best. All for His good glory and our great joy.
See the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.
II Chronicles 16:11
{{{giggling}}} Why on God's green Earth do you insist being in my head? ----good grief...its a very dangerous place to be, doncha know. wink---thinking along similar lines, my friend.
ReplyDeleteAnother great post...have a beautiful day friend.
It's all those we encounter who seem to have it so easy - or do they?? that stir up this unrest !
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!
I suppose in a way we all want it to be always easy. Why bother to work hard and toil for every scrap of happiness that comes our way. I blame it all on Adam and Eve actually. Well ... Eve mostly. For it was she who led man to sin and then the rest of us have to suffer the consequences. Or so the Bible says.
ReplyDeleteBut why? I ask myself and don't bother to answer. Why should I suffer for Eve's sin? I wasn't even there at the time and I take the blame. I mean ... Adam was going around Paradise naked and happy, and then God says: "I'll change all that!" and He creates Eve. And then, as if seeing a naked Eve is not enough temptation for any hot-blooded male, to tempt them even more, God says, "Don't eat the fruit of that tree!" He points at the tree and makes it obvious which one they should not eat. Now had He said, "Don't eat broccoli!" there would have been no sin and we'd all have it easy as you wish, Lulu.
And then God tests them again. He places a talking snake in the garden. Now if I were naked and a snake came by I would immediately cover my bits in case he took a bite. The last thing I would do is engage in conversation with him. And if the snake spoke to me I would probably poop in my non-existing pants, rather than talk back and reason with him.
Yes, I blame is all on Eve. That's why we don't have it all easy, Lulu. And men have it less easy than women because they have a rib missing.
My lifetime motto has always been: If at first you don't succeed ask your wife to do it.
God bless you, Lulu.
Bless you, Victor, for giving us a laugh this morning ! A little brevity shining on the deep thoughts helps remind us of our humanity. And then to teach us a truth in the midst of our laughter is a double blessing!
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!
I so much enjoyed your blog this morning. Yes, life ain't easy. In my post from yesterday, I included all those fun times with the kids...sleepovers, soccer games, Putt Putt golf...all those "fun" things are WORK. Those little sweet darlings move faster than we do...they get up earlier...they are picky eaters...and on and on. But, guess what, we love them just the same. We want them to love us. We want a relationship. So, what do we do...we work at it. Just like our relationship to our God. That also takes work, as with Beth, hard work. But it's all worth it...and, Victor, when I take a big bite of a delicious apple early in the morning, I say..."this day is for You, God, bring it on."
ReplyDeleteLOVE this comment, Vannie!!Amen!
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Hi Lulu! I laughed at your observation that you'd like to be passed the silver platter. Me too!
ReplyDeleteI so relate to your message here. Who doesn't wish it was all easy? I'd love to snap my fingers and be in shape, both physically and spiritually. But as you say, it takes work. May God continue to inspire me to work to get closer and closer to him, and his will.
Loved those photos of your friends, you are working hard to maintain those relationships which is AWESOME!
Blessings,
Ceil
Why- can't it be easy, Ceil? But oh the huge rewards from any effort we expend. They are all dear friends & such a blessing!
DeleteBless you, Friend!
You're so right, Lulu. We want it all, we want it now, we want it at no cost to our energy or time. Thanks for this needed reminder that anything of value comes at a price. There is a time to say 'no, thanks' to what's good so we can say 'yes, please' to what is most needed.
ReplyDeleteBless you, friend ...
Amen, My Friend!!
DeleteBlessings to you, My Friend!