Choose Well

I was chatting with a friend who had recently ended a relationship and as a result lost his health insurance which had been provided by his spouse. He said, "I can't afford insurance now," with the costs of renting an apartment, supplementing his furnishing and other new bills associated with moving.

As we continued to talk however, he told me about his weekend jaunt to Key West, flying down and staying in a hotel for 2 nights. He then shared about his planned trip to the Bahamas. He talked about all the new restaurants in town he was trying out. The more we talked the more it became apparent to me that he probably could afford health insurance. He was simply choosing to spend his money in more fun and entertaining places.

The decision of course is his. I, however, would not gamble that illness or injury would not strike. I am the type who would rather have the health insurance, and perhaps forgo an exciting trip or two. Does it make me boring? Perhaps. But I know my health needs will be cared for, without catastrophic costs, should an emergency occur.

I believe non-believers are taking the same type of gamble as my friend. They choose what they believe are the more "fun and entertaining" options of the world, gambling that either there is no God, or that God is a benevolent benefactor who will welcome all "good" people into heaven.

We make such choices every day. Families say "I can't attend church on Sunday, " choosing travel sports or summer trips over the fellowship of believers. They say "I can't afford to tithe," but have money for every thing else.They say "I can't find time for Bible study," but watch hours of television each week.

It's easy to say "I can't" when it comes to things we'd really rather not do. But it is a choice. Your choice. My choice. Choose well. Then you can know that your eternal needs will be cared for, without catastrophic costs. On the day when we stand before God in heaven, he won't say to us, "I can't let you in."

Then I (Jesus) will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. 

Away from me, you evildoers!" Matthew 7:23

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Thankful for "Nothing"

"It's not fair. I have to go to school, and you get to do nothing." 

I couldn't help but laugh at my 8 year old's thoughts on what I do all day.  And while it seems like some days I don't do anything meaningful in the world's eyes, here is what some of the nothing I do looks like.

My family opens their dresser drawers to find clean, folded clothes to wear.  

They open the refrigerator and pantry to find the food that was purchased.

They sit down to a prepared supper each night.

The house is cleaned.

Bedding is changed.

When the children grow, new clothes are purchased.

The dogs are well cared for, taken out during the day when the rest of the family is away.
There is help with homework, chauffeur services to events, appointments schedule, and more.

My children appreciate the big things I do, taking them to Busch Gardens or painting the playroom, but the every day things are often overlooked. I could have gotten angry or offended that all of my work was overlooked. But the fact is I do the exact same thing...to God.

Oh yes, when I get a big answer to prayer I am thankful. But I forget that every day I live is a gift from God. Every thing in my life is a provision. The rain that cleans the air. The flowers that decorate the earth. The trees that provide the air I breath. Every. Single. Little. Thing. Yet, even if God did "nothing" else, sending Jesus as our Savior should be more than enough. Yet, he continues to generously provide our everything... and our "nothing."

One day my precious 8 year old will mature and she will be thankful for all the "nothing" I did.  May our faith mature to the point that we too may be thankful to God for "nothing."

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Making the Old Things New

The playroom was a mess! Spring break was the perfect time to get it into order. First we cleaned it out. We gave away kitchen sets, baby doll strollers, and Polly Pockets.  We threw away broken toys. In the end, we had 1 load to give to a friend, 4 bags for Goodwill, and several bags of trash.

Once the room was cleaned, we gave it a fresh coat of paint. Then we rearranged the room, adding some book shelves and chairs to make a reading area. Now instead of a playroom, we had a real "tween scene." A great area for my 12 and 8 year old daughters. It was like a whole new room.

But it wasn't a new room, really.  It was still the same structure, the same room over the garage in our home. It was just a new creation of the same space.

So it is, when we allow God to work in our lives.  First, we have to realize our life is a mess! Any time is the perfect time to get it into order.  After asking Jesus into our lives, with his help we begin to clean it up. Now, we give (away) compassion, love and forgiveness. We throw away our brokenness and bitterness.

We seem like a whole new person.  And while we are really the same physical being, we are a new creation in Christ. Once you allow Jesus to come into your life, and really change you, people will notice the difference. Your life will look differently.

My kids love their new room. And now that the changes have been made, the desire to keep the room clean is there too. Once you have a new life in Christ, you will desire to stay in him too.  It took a lot of motivation to tackle the playroom! And it takes motivation (and inspiration from the Holy Spirit) to tackle the issues in our lives. Unlike the playroom, this is no do-it-yourself project. God will be with you every step of the way.

What changes can you make, with the help of God? Are you ready for your makeover?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, 
the new has come!  2 Corinthians 5:17

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

The winner of the book from Friday's drawing is Kathleen.  Kathleen, please email me at chattykelly@comcast.net with your mailing address so I may send you the book. Please respond within 7 days to claim your prize.  Thanks!