Bwave

Eric and I have been teaching the K/1st graders at church for the month of October.  This past Sunday our scripture verse was one of my favorites, Philipians 4:6-7.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus."

We have been studying and talking about it all week with our boys, which has been quite timely, since we had some crazy weather at the first of the week.  Sunday evening, the boys were out and about when some scary storms started.  I am not sure if we were ever under a tornado warning, but a tornado watch was in effect.  Eric explained that to the boys, so Caleb instantly assumed that he was, indeed, in the midst of a tornado.  I know this because on Monday, he was telling me all about the tornado that came to town.  It really didn't get that bad here, but through the eyes of a six-year-old, being out in a big storm after dark can be pretty consuming.

On Monday and Tuesday, the boys and I talked a lot about Philipians 4:6-7.  And I answered a lot of tough questions from Caleb, like "God is big enough to stop the tornados, so why does he let them happen?" When faced with these questions, I just pray that the Holy Spirit will give me the words to help my boys have some inkling of an understanding of who God is and how we are always in His protection no matter what, because that is what His Word says.  These are things that I am still trying to understand myself.  I always have to go back to scripture when answering the tough questions, because my explanations will never be sufficient unless they are coupled with the Truth.

The Word of God is Truth as much today as it was when it was inspirely written all those years ago.  I don't understand how one can not be anxious in certain situations, but I do know that the Word of God is truth and if God tells us not to be then I have to trust that it is because He does have everything under control, even when it doesn't look like it through my eyes.  Oh, to truly trust Him is freedom and I know that freedom, because before Christ became Lord of my life, I was anxious A LOT.  I didn't know true peace.  I have learned that apart from Christ, there is no peace and there is a whole lot of worry.  Once you have tasted the peace that comes from Christ alone, you know it is real and that a relationship with him is sweeter than anything this world can offer.  Nowadays when I fret (and I still do at times), it isn't because God has left me or that His Word isn't true, it is because I am not fully trusting my Saviour.

Trust.

Peace.

How I desire and pray for my boys to truly understand this trust and the peace of God early.

The weather was yucky again on Tuesday. At breakfast, Seth looked up at me and said, "I will be bwave, Momma, and know that God will protect me from any tor-mados." 

Those were some of the sweetest words I have ever heard and gave me hope that my boys are starting to understand Philipians 4:6-7.  It also made me think of my definition of bravery.  Being brave is not about how big and strong you may be or hard you can fight and trust in yourself; True bravery is fully trusting in a powerful God who always does what He says and fulfills His purposes, even though we may not understand it all.  And trusting in Him for His strength and wisdom and for Him to fight the battles of this world for you.  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  Ephesians 6:12

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28


 May God be glorified!