Okay…I hear you!

 I think God may be trying to tell me something.

I saw this today and I thought, “Yes…yes indeed, my kids are materialistic and I really hope they can think of God more…blah, blah, blah…”

The verse actually reads (NIV): “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

This prayer above was on www.MomLifeToday.com and it’s true, I want my kids to get this.  But then I thought…it’s not just about MY child(ren), it’s about all of HIS children…which is ME!

Well, it’s about all of us but you get my point.

I love to shift blame to my kids…my kids won’t get off of the iPad…they won’t stop begging for an iphone…and then I do stuff like this.

 

I told my daughter  to get down on the ground and kiss the Mac desktop we just purchased.  We were both really excited but let’s just say it was a little over the top.  I was acting like our lives were complete now that we have our new computer.  Good example, huh?

Now to tell the truth, the new computer does make me very happy.  It’s amazing what it can do and how it organizes my life for me with the calendar and the music and pictures! I love it!

But what kind of an example am I setting?

Would I be “enough” without the latest technology?

Yesterday in church the priest talked about the TV show, “Hoarders”.  He asked us to think about what is getting in between us and God. We talked about this as a family at dinner and two of my kids claimed they “never ask for anything” as they looked over accusingly at their sister.  (Do you think that “shifting blame” thing is hereditary?) I tried to explain that sometimes it’s not even the material stuff like phones and computers and clothes but it can be other things like the need for attention, the need to be liked, the need to be busy…all the things we do to avoid that connection with God.

How are we going to hear His voice if we never stop to listen?

But then they said this…”What about you Mom?You want stuff.”  And it’s true.  I want stuff.  I also want attention and I want to be liked.  But I want something else even more.  I want to know God.  I want to be still and quiet and I want to hear Him.  I want to slow down and step out of the rat race so I can let Him love me.

Does this mean I’m taking the computer back to the store and never shopping again?  Not today…

But today I will be aware of where I am putting my hope and my trust and my love and my time and I will pray those words above from Timothy for myself: Father, Help ME fix MY hope on you instead of material things.

And as I go about my day, I will remember…my kids are watching me.

© 2013 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™ All Rights Reserved