Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Word...

Last week we had a GROW Conference at our church. {Grow Conference = old school revival = awesomeness.}

I walked away with so many fresh, new thoughts. I learned some new things. I heard some truths that were hard to hear. I prayed some prayers that were hard to pray.

My favorite part of the GROW Conference? My new-found love-affair with the Word.

This is not the first time it has bit me like a love bug, nor do I hope it goes away. These words are life. These words are truth. These words are hope. And if you love Jesus and aren't digging in - REALLY digging in - you're missing out!

But that's not what this post is about.

Pre-GROW Conference, I read the Bible {almost} daily. I did devotions. I prayed. I lived and served Jesus with all of me. And so on the 2nd message of our conference, I was a little annoyed that the preacher kept referring to my "device" as less than ideal for God's Word.

Here's the thing - I love having it with me EVERYWHERE. I love looking up stuff in an instant and moment of need with the search engine. I love the devotions, encouraging words, and truth at the tap of my "device." And it doesn't get much better than free. Not to mention the fact that you can read it in 12 different versions in a matter of minutes if you so wish.

So when preacher man said it the second time, the hairs on the back of my neck went up. {God always has to have stuff repeated for me to listen up - why is that?} The third time in two sermons, and I'm officially saying, "Okay, God...what do you want me to learn from this?" And I meant it, too, in case you're wondering.

No less than 12 hours later, I would find out why.

As a part-time SAHM, I homeschool my 7 year old. These days can be long, since I don't have 5 full days to get school work in. I found that not "hovering" helps work get done faster (on his part), so I read, catch up on emails, do my devotions, housework, (etc) when he's doing independent work.

I'm reading my open Bible. Pen/highlighter nearby when I sense him breathing down my neck {which I kind of hate}.

D: "Whatcha doin', Momma?"
Me: "Reading my Bible."
D: (long pause - thought he left) "Oh...I never see you do dat before."

Jaw = dropped.
Eyeballs = wide open.
Heart = racing.
Dread = settling.

Point = made.


My kids needs to see me read my Bible. My kids need to see my love for the Word. It's not a secret thing. And it's contagious. Only 2 days after I start keeping my Bible open as I read it throughout the day (highlighting and underlining and note-taking), Miss R (age 2) starts carrying hers around (it's a full size Bible she found in her room...like a cheap-o one they give away). She also "colors" in it. And she calls it her "Jesus book."

Now, D asks me what it's about - what I'm reading about today. And sometimes it leads to some pretty amazing conversations about God's love story for us...because isn't that what the Bible is all about?

And I am in awe of how quickly God can make a point in our lives. Are you listening?

for realz