I want to talk to you today about my daughter, Emma. Now, Em doesn't usually give me an awful lot of material for my Thoughts; meaning, she doesn't give me much trouble. The boys...well, don't even get me started. But my Thought this week, does in fact focus on Emma. I mentioned last week that we had a new addition to our family, a sweet little long-haired dachshund named Faith. Emma has been asking us for quite some time now for a "purse puppy". In other words, she wanted a puppy small enough to fit inside a spunky little handbag. She got her wish with Faith. Over the course of this past week, Faith has been incredible sick, battling pneumonia. She's been at the puppy hospital four of the past seven days receiving breathing treatments. Emma's concern over her new puppy was heartbreaking. But in spite of her worry, she totally stepped up to the plate to help care for little Faith. She went to most of the vet appointments and listened attentively as to how to administer the medication, she's been diligent about taking her outside to try and potty, and she's even helped to hold Faith while Jeff or myself had to feed her with a medicine dropper.
The thing that surprised me the most about Emma's behavior occurred last Saturday night. My husband is involved with the men's group at our church, and Saturday evening we were supposed to host a party for the guys and their wives at our house. All the children of these respective couples were to be dropped off at the Youth building at the church for fun, games and snacks. The problem? If I'm hosting a party for fifty people, and Faith cannot be left alone, what are we to do with her? The solution: ask Emma to do something she's never done solo before...stay upstairs and babysit the new puppy. She agreed, even though it meant forfeiting a night with thirty other kiddos in a super cool building that she rarely gets to frequent. Made me think of another young person...this one from many years before her time.
I would like to introduce you to Gideon. Gideon was a young Israelite boy during one of the times when the Israelites were allowed to be oppressed by another people. God came to Gideon and said, "'The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.'" Judges 6:12 At this statement, Gideon was perplexed. His people were under threat of constant attack from the Midianites, how could the LORD be with them? God revealed to Gideon that He had a plan to rid the Israelites of their enemies (as He usually does) and that plan directly involved young Gideon. Gideon answered back, "'But Lord,' Gideon asked, 'how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest...and I am the least in my family.'" Judges 6:15 "The LORD answered, 'I will be with you...'" Judges 6:16 Isn't that just like God? He shows up when we least expect Him. Gideon was in the process of covertly thrashing wheat, so this Midianite army wouldn't get to it. Then God comes to him, and announces His plan for Israel's redemption, and that Gideon, himself will lead it. Unlikely hero.
Did you notice how God addressed Gideon? He called him "mighty warrior" even as he sat threshing wheat. Why would God do such a thing? Confidence booster? Perhaps. I have a better answer: God saw Gideon for what he would become, not as he currently was. This surprised our young hero. His clan, his unit was the weakest in the whole grouping, yet it was from here that God chose to call His next mighty warrior. God doesn't look at the outside physical capabilities of a person, He can see straight to the heart and soul of the matter. That's where He was looking when He looked at Gideon. He also saw Emma for what she would become, too. He knew she could handle the task at hand, and when she couldn't she would ask for help. God promised Gideon that He would be with him, so as Gideon defeated the Midianites and other armies, too, it was God that went to battle with him.
Later in the evening on Saturday, as our guests were leaving, Emma ventured downstairs with her baby Faith held in her arms. She saw our pastor and his wife as they were leaving, she was overcome with emotion for her new puppy and caught Pastor John. She asked him if he would pray over Faith. Emma knew her love and strength would only go so far, it is God who has the real power. So, standing in the front yard, the four of us formed a little prayer circle with Faith at the center. Let me ask you something, is faith at the center of the circle you are standing in? God sees you...not for the mess you might see yourself as right now, but what He can turn you into. Mighty warrior, one redeemed...He is with you, today, tomorrow, forever. Have a great day!
Pajama Conference link:
http://www.pajamaconference.com?a_aid=001
I'm getting really excited about this conference! I hope y'all can make plans to listen in! September 20, 2010...don't miss it!!
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