Sometimes scripture can be difficult to relate to. Especially when it seems so old-fashioned. The book of Titus is no exception here. We wrapped up our study last week and it urges women to be ‘busy at home’ [Titus 2:5].

I know that statement ruffles the feathers of many of my lady friends. I can also admit that ideas about being a homemaker have bothered me at different times for different reasons. -But in a multi-tasking, social and success focused, always connected culture, it’s difficult and nearly ‘impossible’ to just be home.

Many of us can admit that we’d like a change of pace. But finding out how to work that in is difficult when ‘we’ are in such demand. -Another meeting or committee, a kids game, a social event, the second job, school, the endless errands…

However, those same passages also talk about self-control, tempers, and discipline.

Sometimes being on the go means that we neglect rest, eating right, quality time, managing finances, follow through, or caring for something that we’ve been given.

With that, we can become tired, frustrated, in debt (not only financially), depressed, anxious and so on.

Did you know that this same book that points to being 'busy at home', also urges women to LOVE their families [2:4] and submit to their husbands [2:5]? It instructs leaders to manage FIRST their children and their home [1:6-8], then to invite others into our space (no matter your conditions) with hospitality [1:8].

While many of the things that we do are born of love and great intentions, they are simply more than we are required. Real love, puts our hearts and attitudes in check, above the errand or the service. [1 Cor 13:1-13]

You can honor your family and your neighbor MORE with 15 minutes of heart to heart in your pajamas, in a dirty house, over a cup of coffee or cocoa, than with any material wish or grand activity here or there.

Before I tell you to go with me and check it out, first know this:

While checking a chapter or passage off my list every day certainly held its value when I got my start in the Bible.

The penetration and piercing of my heart is where I’ve have found the most ‘connection’ and change.

I found more of that when I allowed myself as much time as needed to comprehend a chapter. (Be it days, weeks, and even months…) Breaking apart line by line, every word in the text. -Even when I think that I know what the text means. Then meditating day and night (Ps 1:1-2), examining my heart (Lam 3:40), Praying (1 Thes 5:17), and writing down the revelation (Hab 2). (Without a deadline.)

His Word is always right on time

In recent months I’ve seen my temper at it’s best and also at it's worst. I’ve also begun to finally accept how much weight ‘REST’ truly has on our spirituality and emotions.

Its timeliness with my reading of the book of Titus was no mistake or coincidence.

You see, I have continued trying to make my home more of a focus. I even kicked this year off with a parenting class in January.

[caption id="attachment_1528" align="alignright" width="286"] 

Class offered by the MPNNCSB. Shared by the Gloucester Resource Council.[/caption]

With our home being a target, it has forced me to slow down the pace. We are all closer than we have ever been and great things are happening. But what surprises me is that giving my home and family more attention, made me realize how much more time and attention, we need.

It was when the pace started to pick back up that I came undone. And as terrible as that 'worst' moment may have seemed, it was an anchor to the theory about how I manage my energy and where I spend my time.

There was Titus, right in that moment. The words that may seem ‘old fashioned’ in our day, are really commands, that meet what most of our hearts desire at its root.

The urgency of love, family, and taking care of your home, including your physical needs as you are the keeper of your vessel— is really something most of us would say that we’d like more of. But where and how to start?

It’s easier than we think-

One step, one change, or one pause at a time. They eventually add up!

Friend if you’re feeling a bit frazzled or if life feels out of control, look over your calendar the next few months and clear it. Don’t just clear the things that you ‘have to do’. Clear some of the things that you want to do. Designate a place in the home that’s you're studying spot. Then begin to give yourself time each day (at your own pace) to unfold truth.

The truth in scripture and the truth in you.

I am glad to share my notes with you from this study but you will feel a lasting and more meaningful impact when you adopt the practice as your own. No matter where you crack open the book, the Lord will reveal himself in a very relevant way to the place that you are physically.

And if you need a friend to pray with along the way, I’m here.

Love,

Reggie

 

 

What you put on

 

Over the weekend I went to a thrift store just to see if I could find costumes for the kids. The only thing that I saw was a Hulk mask and the muscular torso that went with it for Jackson. I forgot that there should be matching legs somewhere. After all, the Hulk was Bruce Banner by day and wore street clothes before his muscles shredded his apparel. I was thinking (to myself) that muscles and jeans were the perfect combo. It wasn’t until I got home to show Jackson that I realized what was missing.

He was not only excited to put it on, he was convinced that I bought him a hulk nightgown! (Referring to this purple panel of fabric at the bottom of the muscles.) I am not sure how that fabric converted to a ‘nightgown’ in his mind but he was adamant that he was not wearing pants! The whole way home from hockey practice, he was in the seat in his underwear and …hulk parts.

I’m sure that any of you who have children have similar experiences with the ideas and naked ambitions of children… Parenthood is definitely an adventure.

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On a different note…

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Whether or not it’s Halloween, I love listening to children when they are proud of what they are wearing.  Little girls twirl in their dresses and show you all of their accessories. Sometimes thrusting fingers only inches from your eyeball. -The tiaras, the nails, the shoes…. ‘Do you like this?’ ‘Did you see this?’  Little boys exclaim “Watch what I can do!” as they flex their muscles and swing their swords. They crawl and sneak around on the ground showing you all of their smooth moves, now that they are ‘in full character’.

Over and over as I’ve thought about Halloween, it’s been hard to not think of those images and of certain verses that accompany a theme of ‘dressing up’. For example:

Col 3:12 tells us to CLOTHE ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22)

Rom 13:14 tells us to CLOTHE ourselves in Jesus.

Eph 4:24 and to PUT ON the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness

Eph 6:11 says to put on the armor of Christ.

While I’m sure that there are other verses that could be used here, they remind me that we can choose to be like Christ and to walk with Him.  Not only that, scripture, prayer, and even elements of faith can be mighty in the hands of the warriors that use them and know their power.

It’s not necessarily an effort of the things that we do or the way that we use them but instead the essence of His power at work, in us, when we believe.

The good news is that being Christ-like isn’t only for the gifted or ‘special ones’. It’s not something that’s only attainable one day a year (Lam 3:22-23). Corinthians tells us that we change glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18) and that He continues to perfect His work in us (Phil 1:6-7).

Yes, even though becoming mature in our faith is a life-long process, we can be just as enthusiastic about all that we have each day, in Christ. Even, and especially, when we feel that it doesn't all get ‘covered’. HE is more than enough.

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[Photo Disclaimer: The mask was lost before Monday night... So this will have to do...]