From the mouth of babes

     It is amazing to me how children can pick up on such deep truths when you don't even realize they are paying attention.  The other day Michelle and I were having a meeting with our pastor, Ken, from Heights Community Church, (where we lead worship on Sunday nights at 5pm at Alamo Heights UMC in San Antonio) about what is coming up in the next few weeks.  We were talking through the Summer, Fathers Day, what day we are going to do baptism, etc.  When Gabi turns to Michelle and says "I want to be baptized."  At first Michelle was thinking 'OK, how cute, I'm sure she doesn't understand, but I will humor her.' So she asked Gabi, "What does baptism mean?" and Gabi replies, "It's when you have decided to be a Christ follower and you want everyone to know about it."  Now, we have never talked about baptism with her or even discussed it really when she is around, so for her to come up with that on her own blew us away!
     As I have been thinking about that, and as we have had more conversation with her about baptism, I have realized how much people, and especially kids, pick up on the unspoken language we all use.  I have often talked about a phrase that St. Francis of Assisi once said, "Tell everyone you can about Christ, and if you have to use words."  As I live my life, are my actions and reactions pointing people to Christ or turning them away? Am I living in such a way that encourages people to want to know God's love?  Are the things that I say building up God's reputation or tearing it down. 
     It is amazing how much we say when we don't use words at all, and how much people pick up on the things we do say when we don't think anyone is listening.  I am challenging myself this week to be more aware of my words and actions. I hope you will join me in this!  

Sum - Sum - Sumertime !

     Yes, yes. It has been quite a while since my last post.  I have not kept my part of the deal of posting every week. I get so caught up with "other stuff" that I just put it off and think "I'll just get to that later."  Then "Later" never comes.  So then I think "Is it really that important?" or "Does it really matter or make a difference?" and I convince myself that I am OK without it and that it is no big deal anyway.  All the while, knowing that I had made a promise that I am failing to keep.  This seems to be a pattern in my life.  I will get all gung-ho about something then when it looses its shiny newness or I get distracted by something else, I forget about it. 
     I think I do that with my relationship with God sometimes too.  I will get all excited about spending time with Him and learning more about Him, and that will go great for a while. Then I will get caught up in doing things for Him and not with Him.  Instead of spending my time focusing on Him and who He is and what He has done and is doing in my life, I get wrapped up in the going and doing things for Him.  When that becomes my focus, not God, I have things all backwards.  Yes, God wants us to do things, but with Him not just for Him.  He wants us to be so in tune with Him that we can't help but let His love flow out of us because we can't keep it in anymore.  
     We are getting ready to start our crazy fun Summer full of camps and traveling and being on the road ALOT.  This is one our favorite times of the year! Spending time with kids of all ages and worshiping with them and teaching them about worship.  My prayer this summer is that I will not get so involved with doing things for God but spending time with Him too.  I will also do better at keeping you involved in that process.  Thanks for listening and thank you for your prayers and support as we go on this journey together!
     See you on the road!