Assessing My Idols

I'm going through the Beth Moore Bible study, "Breaking Free." I've been wanting to go through this particular study for quite some time. So it's been amusing in an odd sort of way to see how delinquent I've been in doing it. It's no surprise really. I'm not so naive as to be unaware that the enemy doesn't want me to actually finish such a study. But nonetheless, it never ceases to amaze me how the flesh can battle with the spirit. "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do" Romans 7:15 . I so often empathize with the words of Paul. And this is no exception.

Our group meets tomorrow and we give ourselves two weeks in between each study to allow time for all the young mothers to finish their five days of work. Somehow, I was only on day four this morning. So I was going back over the last few days of the study to refresh my memory. Day three was on idols. The main thrust was to evaluate the idols that we've built in our lives that can take the place of God and our finding satisfaction in Him alone. I didn't have a lot of time for reflection that morning as I was hurrying to finish when I heard Eliyah wake up. So I was again pondering that this morning. The only real idol that I could think of right off the bat was my husband. It was the only obvious choice - I can tangibly spend time with him, see him, talk to him, walk with him - all things I can't physically do in my relationship with God.

But later in the day, God began showing me something that could easily become an idol in my life. And it's a gift He's given me. As He's brought me freedom in so many areas in my life, He's also showing me abilities and talents that He's put in me that I was previously unaware of - one of which is art. It's ironic how a gifting that He has bestowed can quietly and stealth-fully push its way up into the forefront of our focus, pushing the gift-Giver out of His rightful place.

It firmed up something that I'd been pondering of late. So often we'll marvel at a artist's amazing ability to draw or paint something so lifelike and real that it almost looks like a photograph. We'll stand in awe of it, staring with our jaws dropped. It doesn't matter what it is - it could be of a bug crawling on a leaf. But oddly enough, if we were to see that same bug crawling on a leaf in real life, we wouldn't even give it a moment's though. Why is it that we can marvel at a two-dimensional shadow of reality, and not marvel at the original that God Himself created? I've been blown away at that thought. But it happens everyday. We walk around in complete apathy toward the magnificence that is all around us.

How could I be wooed away from the Ultimate Creative One, but focusing on a gift that He's given me to replicate (poorly at best) a flat representation of something He's already created? It's mind-boggling. And yet it could easily happen everyday. Thank you Lord, for putting me on my guard.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Psalm 19: 1-4a

The Funny Things She Does

Last week I was working by my dining room window as I usually do each morning. Eliyah plays in the living room and frequently toddles over to me before heading back to whatever she was doing. So I wasn't surprised when she came over to me, touched the corner of my chair and went back from whence she came. When she returned about 30 seconds later touching the corner of my chair again, I looked down at where her little hand had rested. Laying gingerly where she had left them were two q-tips. In a flash I pictured the whole the scene. I quietly got up and followed her as she proudly walked back to her starting place once again - exactly where I knew she was going. I peaked around the corner of the of the bathroom door to find her walking right up to her new treasure chest, lifting the lid, and reaching out her hand to find yet another treasure ... before I had to put a stop to it. Yes, she was going to the small trash can in the bathroom, lifting the lid and picking out used q-tips to so proudly gift to me. You should have seen her eyes! She was so proud of herself and so thrilled at her new discovery. I hated having to dash that smile.

Then today during snack time she was getting her new favorite - dried mango. Dried mango can be a tad on the chewy side, so it sometimes takes her some work to finish a slice. Since we've been teaching her sign language and manners, she always has to ask for more and say "please". Today was no exception. I had given her a piece and she thought she was ready for me. So she signed for more, and as usual I prompted her to say please. She tried with all her might to get that word out, but since her mouth was completely full of the previous slice, she couldn't get it out. Not wanting to miss out on that fresh piece, without a thought she pulled the half-eaten piece out, said "Pwease" with a smile, and shoved it right back in her mouth. It happened so fast and was so ridiculously cute, I sat there stunned for a moment with a stupefied half-smile on my face. Needless to say, she did not get second slice on cue. But it did re-confirm my need to always have her actually say please when she wants more. If she can say it (or attempt to), I can at least tell the status of her last bite.