Psalm 42:1-2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
She climbed into our dusty Yukon with five pennies clenched in her hand and a look of accomplishment on her face. Saturday night was Clara's inauguration into the Milholland Family wages. We don't give "allowance" to our kids but do have a list of chores for which they are paid a small wage each week. At kindergarten you make 50 cents per week and then your pay escalates by a dollar per grade. Our 7th grader, as an example makes $7 each week.
Wages are distributed in increments of 10% for tithe, 20% for savings and 70% for spending. Clara's five pennies represented her first little offering to God. This is the conversation that ensued between she and her younger sister, Carynne who's four.
"Clara, why are you holding that money?"
"I'm giving it to God."
"All of it?" she asked incredulously.
"No just a couple quarters or something."
"What does God do with it? Does He give it to his wife, Mary?"
"Nah. I think He uses it to help people or something."
This conversation tells me a couple of things: 1) Clara doesn't know the difference between a penny and a quarter, 2) Carynne quite logically thinks since God is Jesus' dad and Mary is His mother that they're married, and 3) Carynne thinks Scott gives me all His money. Boy will she be surprised some day...
This little talk reminded me of my own misperceptions, especially some I've had about God. In my early days as a Christian, I couldn't understand the intimacy some people seemed to have with Jesus. I knew Jesus as my savior, but not my friend.
I was puzzled when I heard sayings like "you hunger and thirst for righteousness". I didn't and I felt like I wasn't in the I Heart Jesus club. In today's passage, the author gives the key I was missing. Intimacy with God is built one conversation at a time.
His heart longs for God like the deer pants for water. His soul is thirsty and needs Living Water. His thirst is quenched when he meets with God.
Jesus, thank you for Living Water. It refreshes my soul and simultaneously gives me greater thirst. Thank you for these sweet moments of quiet without husbands, kids or responsibilities. Here where I meet with you, I get my "pant" on.
How has God built a longing in your heart for Him?
I love this post...and the conversation between your kids! Lol :) And I can relate to being an outsider to the "I heart Jesus Club." For me It was a journey through legalism and trying to earn my salvation through works and eventually to the end of myself...empty and desperate I found the one true God. The One who desires intimacy and longs to fill my every need. The One who loves me unconditionally and perfectly. How lonely I was without Him....
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to leave a comment and let you know that since I've found "Jesus and my orange juice" I've made it a part of my lunchtime routine (so for me, it's more like Jesus and my Tuna sandwich). But it's a refreshing word and I just want to encourage you to continue to pursue the calling(s) God has placed in your stewardship. There are a lot of (silent) people out there who are being blessed!
Hi!I'm stopping by from SDG,and so glad I did. I love finding God's heart in the everyday... Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteBlessings on your day!
Shelly, my kids do definitely entertain me! I love this "empty and desperate I found the one true God". I can so relate to that!
ReplyDeletei think loss and hardship have given me longing above all else. the kids' conversation is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteCarl, totally laughing about your Jesus and my tuna fish. Your encouragement is so kind. Thank you for your sweet words.
ReplyDeleteKatharine, finding God in the ordinary of our day is an extraordinary blessing. How did God show up for you today? :)
ReplyDeleteKendal, so beautiful that through loss and hardship intimacy with Christ has bloomed. He truly does work all things for our good. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteThere is something about reading scripture daily that sets my heart on fire. Since October, I've been reading the One Year Bible and I can so notice the days that I decide to "just read it tomorrow." Even if the readings don't strike my heart, I still feel like I've engaged with God. So glad you linked up this week!
ReplyDeleteSaw all the engagements you have coming up for speaking. Praying for those times for you.
As a mama of little girls, I can totally relate to the conversation between your little ones! Don't you just love how the Lord uses our children to teach us lessons we need to learn? Visiting from SDG today :)
ReplyDeleteI love how you're training your children in terms of money. What cutie patooties! Thank you for this post. Here from Jen's.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon, for the post. Kids' discussions certainly reveals a lot.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.
"Jesus, thank you for Living Water. It refreshes my soul and simultaneously gives me greater thirst." Don't you just love that about God's Word?!
ReplyDeleteThanks for blessing my heart with laughter today~
~Stacy
A great post...it had laughter and serious challenge! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteJen, the first time I ever read the Bible cover to cover it was with the One Year Chronological Bible so it holds a special place in my heart. :) Totally agree that the discipline of daily ready often leads to devotion.
ReplyDeleteHeather, no doubt my children are one of God's greatest sources of revelation. They inspire me, teach me and prod me. Thanks for stopping by today. I am so honored.
ReplyDeleteBrad, so true. Sometimes my children's discussions reveal more than I'd like...yikes. The cool thing is you see your investment reflected back as lessons they're learning echo back to you. Thanks for stopping by today, Dr. Brad!!
ReplyDeleteStacy, so glad you could come, laugh and be refreshed! You are welcome here at the oasis anytime!
ReplyDeleteBobbi, love that you had a moment of laughter in your day. I am privileged you found it here. Sweet blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giggles to start my day with! What a precious conversation:)
ReplyDeleteI am also thankful for the Living Water, how he refreshes my soul. I can't imagagine this life without Him and so glad I don't have to!
Visiting from Jenn's place
It's nice to "meet"you!
Kristin, so excited you stopped by today to laugh and be refreshed. Looking forward to stopping by your blog!
ReplyDeleteThat longing comes only when I seek Him and ask for it. It seems unnatural in our flesh, so I find I have to be so intentional in asking Him to give me the desire to want Him more.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm 44... so do I get $44/week?
Carey, so true. Reminds me of Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. And lol on the $44. The "CFO" of the household (i.e. Scott) is a bit tight. I haven't had a raise in years!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are raising your children as God would have you! Teaching them to tieth and give to God at such an early age is wonderful. Your percentage for saving is also good and a bit to spend.
ReplyDeleteSweet girls! It reminds me of when my (then) 5 year old daughter asked me where babies came from. I started with "first you find a man that you will love all your life" and "then you get married" (trying to lay that ground work early) and as I'm hemmed and hawed about how to explain the next steps, she chimed in with "And then God gives you a baby"?
ReplyDeleteYes baby girl - you're exactly right.
Thanks for joining the Tuesday Train!
So glad I stopped by! I have been pondering how to start allowance/tithing with my four-year-old. Now I have an idea how to do it! Wonderful. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat was quite the adorable conversation between your girls! I agree at times I have been, and still am, like them. I think I have it figured out and I'm SO wrong. I love how you point out intimacy with God is built one conversation at a time. It's truly a lifetime pursuit, knowing God!
ReplyDeleteA New Song, thanks for your kind words. Your visit brightened my day - thank you!
ReplyDeleteDonna, so funny! One time I tried the line on one of my girls "A man and woman get married. Then God blesses their marriage and puts a baby in the mommy's tummy." A few months later said daughter comes back to me and asks, "Mom, doesn't God need some help?"
ReplyDeleteAshley, I am so blessed to give you an idea of how to do it. I'm excited to know I could give back to your precious life in some small way!
ReplyDeleteBeck, "I think I have it all figured out." Oh my that's me to a tee sometimes. Then God gently pushes me off balance and I remember how desperately I need Him.
ReplyDeleteThis sweet story brought tears to my eyes. I can see her with those 5 pennies. Oh how blessed our children are when they learn early to give to Jesus.
ReplyDeletePamela, don't you wish we adults were always that excited to give our offering to God? :)
ReplyDelete