Click here to get the low down on the "Open for 2015" weekly series.
We sneaked out of town as a family for a few days this week, so I did not take time to write on Tuesday. It was so refreshing to take a break and visit a new place, making new memories with these three and their dad. Back to writing today, though!
I feel like this year, with the whole OPEN theme, I'm learning (or at least trying to learn) to be more flexible with changes and disruptions in life. My personality wants everything to be neat and orderly, to have a plan and to stick with it. My life has never been that way and usually I complain in response! I want to be one of those calm, cool, and collected roll-with-the-punches kind of people, but that will take some good old fashioned practice and time to happen in me. I know the Lord can do such a work in me.
For example, last week we made plans to spend Memorial Day weekend in Pittsburgh at my in-laws house for a final visit there. They will be moving in down the street from us mid-June! Looking at the calendar, though, I saw that I was on to teach Sunday school and serve in the nursery that Sunday. My whining inner-self wanted to immediately started kicking at screaming about having to contact people to switch. I always assume it's going to be difficult, and I don't like to have to add to my duties in my oh-so-full-and-important life.
People, I am so over-the-top with the self-absorption, even if it doesn't show on the outside!
Being OPEN meant taking the time to make arrangements and get over myself. Of course, both people I asked to switch with me immediately agreed, it all took about 3 minutes of my time, and Sunday's lesson was all about letting the Holy Spirit transform us.
Hahaha, good one, God!
The 'homework' for the students (I teach youth Sunday school) was to pick one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, and focus on it for the week. The second part of the assignment was to ask someone to keep you accountable. Friends, because God is kind and good, one of the students asked me to be her accountability this week. I am thrilled at the opportunities I've had to send her verses and that we've had to pray for each other and keep up over email this week.
Time to take action:
I pass on to you the youth's assignment for the week. Read through the fruit of the Spirit. Ask the Lord which you could focus on over the next week. Find a friend to keep you accountable and look up some verses to meditate on. I am continually floored by God's desire and ability to transform us. He can! He will!! Let's seek Him and live for Him.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26
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