Plowing Ahead

F is for Fixated

I'm going to try to concentrate on writing this blog. It won't be easy because there is so much stuff going on. In case you haven't looked up at the date, it's Christmas Eve and everyone is here. White Christmas is on the television and let's be honest, Jake is probably doing something spectacular that needs to watched. I'm trying to remember if I wrapped everything and I still don't know what I am going to wear to church tonight. Like I said, lots of stuff. When there is so much to do and so much to think about it's hard to focus on any one thing.

Aren't we glad God isn't like that? I am. If God had my attention span and my ability to focus, we'd all be in a world of trouble. But he doesn't, thankfully. There is a Psalms that says (and I am paraphrasing here) "where can I go from your sight?" With all that God has going on, He still sees us. His eyes are always on us. There is no where on earth we can go that He won't find us. In a word, He is fixated on us.

I love that promise. I love knowing that His gaze is always on me. When I was a freshmen in high school, the thought of navigating my way thru the halls of such a large school was frightening. On the first day of school, my mom gave me a note. On the note she wrote "Even if you get lost, you are not alone." Isn't that a wonderful thought? Even if we are lost and way off the path, we are not alone. We have a God that will never take his eyes off of us.

My nephew Jake loves to explore our house. He loves to crawl from room to room, his little legs working so fast. Every once in a while, he'll look back at whoever is following him. It's almost as if he just wants to make sure we're still back there, watching him. Making sure that if he gets into trouble or if something scares him, there is someone bigger to help him out. To get him out of whatever mess he's gotten into. Knowing that someone's eyes on him, he plows ahead. Safe in the knowledge that someone is fixated on him.

God's eyes are always fixated on and with that knowledge, we can plow ahead too.

A Meal in MacPherson Sqaure

E is for Expectant

I know, I know...a week and a half is way too long to go without any profound insights from the mind of Becky. I know that you all have been waiting patiently (some of you, rather impatiently) for letter E. Silly me, I thought you all would have thought E was for Elf Yourself. I guess not. Anyway here is E...

On Saturday, Dec. 6th, our small group headed into DC to feed the homeless. Armed with a few loaves of bread, some cheese, chicken noodle soup and a grill, we set out to change the world. Or at least, the hungry states of a few citizens of the district. I'll be honest and say that it was not one of my top things to do that Saturday. I even offered to help a friend clean their house and I never do that. Needless to say, I was a little afraid.

We found a spot to set up our grill and table in MacPherson Square near I Street. I was unprepared for what happened during the few hours we were there. Manning the grill I thought I could avoid actually handing out the food( horrible, I know, but I just wasn't all that comfortable). God had other plans however. People came right up to the table and asked for food and then were grateful for a cup of soup and a slightly burnt grilled cheese sandwich.

On the ride home, I began to think about the last time I approached God and expectantly asked for something. As believers in Christ, we are able to boldy and freely ask and if it is in HIS will for us, we can be assured He will provide. I think most of the time I am so uncomfortable asking for something I so desperately want or need that I either forget about it or I go about trying to get it on my own. Most of the time (all of the time) I fail.

God wants so badly for us to come to Him with our wants and needs. He expects us to. He desires for us to ask boldly. And, yet, whether out of pride or timidity, we don't. The irony of it all, is that He created us. He knows our wants and needs before even we do.

That Saturday, I expected to enter the city, make a few sandwiches, and then leave. I expected to get in the car grateful for my coat, my house and my refrigerator. I never expected to come closer to my Expectant God.

Merry Christmas!!

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