Sunday, March 15, 2009

Asking Myself This...

This weekend, while having a conversation with a friend about the appropriateness of handing out gospel tracts during certain community events, a thought came to my mind. It is actually quite a disturbing thought! Here it is... it seems to me that Christians these days are only identifiable to others when they have gospel tracts in their hands or when they are publicly doing evangelism or when they are in church. 

I found myself thinking... when people (neighbours, co-workers, friends, etc.) look at my everyday life... when I don't have a gospel tract in my hand... when I am not publicly speaking about my faith... is there enough evidence; do I stand out... in order for them to conclude that I am a follower of Christ? 

As hubby and I volunteered at a church service project this past weekend, the same question came to mind. I said to hubby: this person doesn't necessarily know that it is a church group that has come to help him. But through our acts of service alone (not by giving him a gospel tract and certainly not by trying to preach to/at him), I wonder if he is able to see God through us? Because if he can not, then we are certainly not being good representatives of Christ here on earth! 

Does my life reflect my faith? I think I have some pondering to do... 

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. --- I Corinthians 13:1-3 (NLT)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

March Madness

March! This month will be busy... I have started to gear up for it. It's not all that different from March of last year, it's just a bit more intense this year! :-) 

First off, work. Last year at this time, I was working only 22.5 hours per week. This year because of the downsizing at my workplace, leaving our department with only two people, I am expected to clock an average of 30 hours per week. Thankfully, I am able to manage with a little less than that and still meet my deadlines! God has indeed been supplying me with the energy and the focus for which I am thankful. I will need to continually draw strength from Him as the workload typically picks up each March before easing up again towards the end of June. 

Next on the list, Destination Imagination! Last year, only my daughter's team competed at the provincial tournament while my son's team performed. This year, both teams are competing! While I am only co-managing my daughter's team, I am also helping to prepare my son for his team's presentation such as running through his script lines regularly. This year's provincial tournament happens on Saturday, April 4. We are starting to gear up for it by adding extra practice times. The kids are excited and so are we! We are starting to wonder how many of our school's teams will make it to the Global Finals in Tennessee this year. We'll see!!! 

Then, there's church. Last year at this time, we didn't have Sunday services yet! We were just getting started. Now, we have regular Sunday services complete with a children's ministry department for which I am responsible for! Also, it just so happens that our pastor and his family are taking a much needed vacation this month... for the next two Sundays, hubby and I will be responsible for a little bit more stuff at church. 

Plus, there's life in general! 

Don't get me wrong... I love what I do (all of the above!) and wouldn't trade them for anything else. It's just that I need to focus, focus, FOCUS and FOCUS some more when things come into a collision course like it always seems to in March! I guess blogging about it and getting it out of my system enables me to feel more in control about the situation. Most of all, it helps me keep everything in perspective --- that God will supply! 

So, deep breath, exhale... April will come soon!!! 

Enough, By Chris Tomlin (to listen to this song, see Playlist on the sidebar) 

All of You is more than enough for all of me 
For every thirst and every need 
You satisfy me with Your love 
And all I have in You is more than enough 

You are my supply 
My breath of life 
And still more awesome than I know 
You are my reward worth living for 
And still more awesome than I know 

You're my sacrifice 
Of greatest price 
And still more awesome than I know 
You're the coming King 
You are everything 
And still more awesome than I know 

More than all I want 
More than all I need 
You are more than enough for me 

More than all I know 
More than all I can say 
You are more than enough for me