Monday, August 30, 2010

Sometimes it takes a child to remind you.....

An afternoon a few days ago, I was sitting at my desk in my office, working diligently on a few tasks.  But I noticed that while I worked....doing pastor things, my frustration slowly increased.  Why?  Things were going well, life was good, pastor duties are important.  Why then the frustration?

Not understanding my own frustration....I decided to go home for lunch instead of eating at the office.  I arrived to find Elizabeth about to start lunch herself (with a lot of help from mom, that is).

Her face was already messy with avocado.  Seriously, that girl eats food INTENSELY!


I sat down to help.  She dug into her food intensely.  Avocado everywhere.  Her body was a canvas...whatever.  Knowing she needed help with another bite, I called her name...."Elizabeth".  Without a milliseconds hesitation...she looked up at me, caught my eyes, and smiled.

  
Instantly, I remembered my frustration.

I was intently working that morning on my pastor stuff like Elizabeth was eating avocado.  Intensely.  The difference is...when I called my daughters name....she looked up and smiled.  But when God had called my name that morning...I kept working.  In fact, that morning I never prayed, never asked for God's guidance, never was enriched by his presence or his word.

My frustration was my "manna meter".  That morning I had replaced the voice of Jesus for my manna, hard work.

I needed an 8 month old girl to remind me of Jesus words in Matthew 4,
"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"     

Seems like this song's gets it right.  Enjoy --



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7 comments:

Oliver Brayshaw said...

Great word Joe, thanks for sharing that.

joseph.david.white@gmail.com said...

thanks ob1!

Oliver Brayshaw said...

Sorry that wasn't clear.. Oliver Brayshaw here hehe :)

NP said...

Nice! Good teaching Sir! Thanks

Unknown said...

Great word, Joe. I had a few epiphanies like that when you were her age. God was using you even then.

joseph.david.white@gmail.com said...

hey Oliver....congrats on the new baby!

thanks NP (neil, I think)!

and thanks pops!

Oliver Brayshaw said...

thanks joe.. little roo had his first day out cragging this weekend, which was rather cool.

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