Patience

I have found myself frustrated lately with people in my life (and no, not my family). The issue is people who make commitments but do not keep them. They agree to do something and then don't do it as promised, or even worse, fail to do it at all. That frustrates me.

Which leads to the question, "Is God equally frustrated when I do the same thing?"

Then, that leads to still another question: "What does God do when I fail to do what I have agreed to do?"

The answer to that question is especially important. Once I determine what he does, then I know what I am to do, for I am to be like him.

I found the answer in Romans 2:4: "He has been very kind and patient, waiting for you to change, but you think nothing of his kindness. Perhaps you do not understand that God is kind to you so you will change your hearts and lives."

So, that's what I am to do. I am to be kind and patient, waiting for others to change, being kind so they will.

That is hard. But that's the answer. God, help me to be like that.

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Family

Today Marilyn took my mom back to Richmond and her mom back to Lynchburg. Later this afternoon my cousin, Brenda Lee Hardison, arrived to stay with us a few days while she's attending a conference in DC.

Brenda is two years younger than I am. When we were kids, we would play school and I would be the teacher. (I told her today she still owes me some homework papers!) We were like brother and sister. Although I don't see her very often, when we do we pick up where we left off last time. We share so many memories together of hanging out at our Mamaw's house (my grandmother) and playing together. I still remember her seventh birthday party when she lived on Genacre Lane in Richmond. Her cake was shaped like a seven. I thought that was cool.

Now I am part of God's family with lots of brothers and sisters. Sometimes we can walk down the street or through the mall and spiritual brothers and sisters walk on by, but we don't know who they are.

Mark is staying with us a few days. He's a brother like that. I knew him when we lived in Birmingham, Alabama,  and now he's a missionary in Costa Rica. My son Jonathan spoke at a Youth Camp he directed a few weeks ago. He had to come to DC to take care of some things so he can get a permanent visa for his family to be in Costa Rica. So he's sleeping in the basement as long as he needs to. Family.

Family is a great gift from God. I have a responsibility to my family members, and they have responsibility for me. We are to care for each other. Today I rode the Metro with Brenda into DC to help her find her way around Metro Center when she has to change trains early in the morning. We are family. We look out for each other.

With a family, we are never really alone.

Safe in His Arms

It's been a busy weekend. Two performances of a musical I wrote, "Safe in His Arms," from the life of Elisha. I remember sitting in McDonalds in Birmingham, Alabama, a couple of years ago, going through the Psalms, looking for promises of God's protection, turning them into songs kids could sing.

The kids really enjoyed it. Future musicals will be more polished, but couldn't be more fun. I really appreciate the support given by the church. It's hard to do something for people unless they value it, and lots of people have really expressed appreciation for what the kids did. It will stay in their memories a long time.

It's amazing how many times in the Scriptures God promises to protect his people. I'll never forget something I heard a long time back in a movie I was showing kids where the guy in the video said, "God knows where you are, and he knows what you need." It's true. Just like that.

I love it when I feel God standing there before me, involving himself in my little problems and helping me solve them, or in the things I need, helping me to find he has met my need.

God is there. I so pray our kids will comprehend that to the degree that kids can. Simple childlike faith is all it takes. They are best at that.

Today in Kids Church I taught a lesson on sin, how it is a monster. "If you starve it, it will die. If you feed it, it will grow. If you grow it, it will destroy you." I brought in the younger kids to be with the older ones, and it was amazing how the younger kids internalized the lesson. One girl told me how she was eating cookies and blaming it on her brother. She understood how she was being deceived. May I recognize when I am being deceived, as well.