Blue Lakes Reservoir, Colorado
Copyright Douglas P Brauner
We stand in awe of God not only because of creation, but also because of redemption
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloudlink.
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.” Psalm 33:6-8 New International Version
There are times that all we can do is stand in awe of the God who called creation into existence. It doesn’t matter whether we’re surrounded by mountains, feeling the ocean lapping at our feet, or standing waist-high in prairie grasses, all of creation speaks out the name of our Creator God.
Blue Lakes Reservoir, Colorado Copyright Douglas P Brauner
Whether we stare into the stars of night or the ground upon which we walk, we’re called to stand in awe of God. This God who called all the starry host into existed and who breathed into his human creatures the breath of life is far beyond our comprehension. Our God cannot be dumbed down to our human level. He will always remain utterly beyond our comprehension, and we will always stand in awe of our Creator God.
However, he is also a God who reveals himself to his creatures. He has revealed his true nature to the world through his Son, Jesus. We see all that God is in the Word made flesh. It is God who reveals himself to us, not merely through creation, but more importantly in redemption.
As wonderful and majestic as creation is, our redemption through the blood of Christ is even more awesome.
God blesses those who stand at the cross twice. He blesses us with creation, and he blesses us with redemption.
How can we do anything else but stand in awe of our God?
Transitions are never easy when it comes to family life.
I will never forget the day I brought my baby boy home from the hospital to meet his big sister (whose hands and feet looked absolutely gigantic after seeing her next to a newborn). I will also never forget walking down my stairs last Monday and seeing my adorable little boy wearing a backpack almost as big as he was, with his hair combed and sprayed, and a big smile on his face. The day had come. My youngest, my little buddy, was starting kindergarten. How had those 5 ½ years gone by so quickly?
Copyright Mikko Luntiala “Free” https://goo.gl/i5sCH3 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
I had my tissues ready in hand and we made the all-too-short walk to school. We stood outside for a while and listened to the principal’s first-day spiel, watched the Boy Scouts raise the flag, said the Pledge of Allegiance, and listened to the Star Spangled Banner (which always chokes me up, so it’s like the school staff was intentionally trying to make us kinder parents cry). But no tears; I held it together and was excited for my son to start a new adventure and meet new friends. Well . . . ok, no tears until I hugged him goodbye, then came the waterworks. Luckily I was able to hold it in until I was out of his view, and luckily I had my husband and lots of friends there to hug me and cheer me up!
We got through a week of school (granted, a short week because of literacy testing), and I was quickly adjusting to having three hours of quiet in the house each morning (he’s half day). It’s been strange not having my little sidekick with me constantly, but I’ve been consistent in my workouts, I’ve been able to make more business calls, and I’m amazed by how many more e-mails I can reply to when it’s silent and I’m not interrupted. I started looking into the future, thinking how nice it will be when both kids are in full-day school. I will be able to get so much more done during the day so that I won’t have to work at night, which is going to make our family life even better!
Copyright Howard County Library “Kindergarten” https://goo.gl/rnKRKj http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Then, this morning, I tried to let my daughter walk my son to his classroom. He grabbed my arm tightly and shook his head “no.” “Ok, buddy, I’ll walk you into the middle of the school and then you can walk to your classroom.” Walked in and I felt his grip get even tighter. “Ok, buddy, I’ll walk you to your classroom.” We get to his classroom and not even his wonderfully enthusiastic teacher can get him to smile or go into the room. He just starts grabbing at me, wanting me to hold him. “Ok, buddy, I’ll come into the room and we can unpack your bag.” I take his folder out and the teacher’s helper distracts him so I can make my getaway. Shoot….he saw me leaving. I hear him burst into tears and see him running after me with his arms outstretched as I walk away. In this moment I am convinced there is nothing more heart-wrenching than seeing my child run to me in tears, while the door closes between us.
His teacher did call a short while later to let me know he had calmed down and was doing fine. (Praise God for wonderful teachers who not only care about my children, but care about the mama’s feelings as well!)
Each transition in our children’s lives can be both exciting and sad. Today was a reminder that my kids are growing faster than I can blink my eyes. Funny how slowly time drags when we’re kids, but as adults we just can’t seem to find enough hours in a day. Doesn’t really seem fair, does it? Why does time seem to go by faster the older we get?
I hope my son has a better day tomorrow, though I will admit there’s a small part of me that is happy he just wants to be with Mommy. It doesn’t matter how tired and disheveled I look, how many mistakes I feel I’ve made, or how many times I’ve had to be the disciplinarian. My son still sees me as “Supermom,” and nothing/no one could ever take away that amazing feeling.
Copyright Laura Gohl
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Laura Gohl has a loving and supportive husband, Bryon, and two children: Evelyn and Oliver. She can be viewed as a “Jack of all trades,” as she’s not afraid to learn and try new things. Prior to having children she managed a help desk, was the operations manager for a freight company, and was even a personal trainer. After having her first child in 2007 she made the decision to stay home and shortly after started a vacation rental business that has continued to blossom. In February 2015 she felt called to blog as well, and this was the start of “Supermom Wannabe” (www.supermamawannabe.com), where she hopes to bring a variety of anecdotes, crafts, ideas, and inspiration to others. Laura loves singing, all things Disney, watching movies, decorating cakes, travel, and most importantly: spending time with her family. She and her family have attended Holy Cross Lutheran Church since 2005.
Campbell River, British Columbia
Copyright Douglas P Brauner
To often we remain grounded when God created us to fly.
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloudlink.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:14 English Standard Version
I love to fly and once flew a small plane like this one when I lived in Portland, Oregon. A member of my congregation took me up into the great blue yonder and gave me a “Discovery Lesson,” a lesson given to people who might be interested in flying.
Campbell River, British Columbia Copyright Douglas P Brauner
I quickly realized something important: Though I enjoy flying, taking the controls of the plane made me nervous, so much so that my hands dripped sweat.
Being what God created us to be, that “fearfully and wonderfully made” person, might scare us.
This float plane wasn’t allowed to fly. It was rusting with grass growing over its pontoons as chains held it to the ground. Though interesting to look at, it wasn’t doing what it was created to do. It wasn’t flying.
How many of us are scared to “fly” as God created us to fly? His redeeming love in Jesus sets us free to soar. May God today polish your plane, clip the grass and set you free to fly.
