So Many Gifts

Today's Post is a Re-Run of a post I wrote after Hurricane Irene. It bears repeating after storms left much of the state, including me, without power this week in the largest non-hurricane related power outage in Virginia history. 
Remember your gifts this week.

Today I am without power, internet, phone, cable, and on and on, as a result of Hurricane Irene hitting our area, in Virginia. I spent hours yesterday raking debris out of the yard, and again this morning. The tree man is expected today to come with a crane to take the tree off of our roof, and cut it and haul it away.

Yet, if I really consider it, I have nothing to complain about. A generator hums in the backyard, powering our fridge, lights, stove. We have water. And while the a/c isn't on, a cool breeze is in the air, and while its about 81 degrees in the house, it's not miserable.

My family is safe, we are unharmed in any way. We are inconvenienced. And yet so many of the conveniences that we are missing, are things that other people don't have every day. And yet, we feel the right to complain, we are to be privileged and not inconvenienced.

No. Lord, help me remember how blessed I am. Let me be like the apostle Paul and learn to be content in all circumstance. Let me grow through this, and be more like Jesus.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want.I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

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

Be Thankful for What He Did

"You didn't make any hard boiled eggs," my daughter complained. I'll admit it, I was annoyed. Yes, she had asked me to make some, and yes I did say I would. However, I hadn't had time.

Never mind that I took her to vacation Bible school. Never mind that I let her had a friend spend the night. Never mind that I packed up the cooler and took everyone to the lake for 5 hours. Never mind that we came home, cleaned up, ate dinner and heading back to Bible school. Nope, I hadn't boiled the eggs.

"Can't you be thankful for what I did, 

instead of complaining about what I didn't do?"

As I said those words to my daughter, my mind went to my Father. My heavenly Father. How many times have I complained about what I wanted that I didn't get. Big things. Little things. Even silly things. I've pray for them all. Sometimes God says yes, and sometimes he says no. And I complain when he says no.

Can't I be thankful for what God did, instead of complaining about what he didn't do?  What did he do? SO MUCH! I am blessed beyond measure. We are all, if we would just focus on what God did, and be thankful, instead of complaining about what he didn't do.

The world can be tough. Sometimes it's not fair. Things can get ugly. Sometimes we even have to eat cereal for breakfast when what we really want is a hard boiled egg. But this world is just a blip of the big picture. 

One day we will spend eternity with God, because he sacrificed His Son for our sin. Can't we be thankful for what He did, instead of complaining about what He didn't do?

*

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, 

let us be thankful.

Hebrews 12:28

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

But If Not....

Has God ever let you down? If I'm completely honest, the answer is yes. There are things I've asked for, begged for, that seemed to be good, righteous, helpful things. Prayers for healing for people, or a resolution to a situation that would be good. Yet, God didn't intervene. God lets bad things happen.

What do we do with that? How do we respond when bad things happen to good people? My pastor recently reminded us of the story of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego. (Otherwise known to VeggieTale fans as Rack, Shack and Benny.) As these men faced being thrown into the blazing furnace for failing to worship a golden idol, they said these words in answer to the King:

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

They knew God could rescue them. "But if not." They also knew, he may not rescue them. Yet they still chose to honor their God, serve him with their whole heart, and believe him.

What have you asked God for, that he has not given you?  Are you willing to continue in faith, not only when He says yes, "But {also} if not."

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

Stalking Jesus

Who's your favorite celebrity? Whether you follow someone on Twitter, are a rabid fan of an author, or watch every episode of a reality show, chances are you know a lot about someone you've never met. I'm a big fan of a leadership blogger (who I actually got to meet in person.) Because I have read this person's blog every day for years, I know much about their life. I know their spouses name, how many children they have, what they like to do for entertainment, etc. I know a lot about them, but I don't really know them.

Celebrities have this happen to them all the time. In fact, some fans even start to stalk their favorite celebrities. They know so much about the person they believe they have a relationship with them. But they are just stalkers.

Are you stalking Jesus? I was listening to an interview by Bob Goff the other day, and he said he used to stalk Jesus. That idea had such a profound impact of me. I don't want to just know a lot of things about Jesus. I want to KNOW Jesus. As Bob pointed out, this can be hard with an invisible man. But it can be done.

It is important to know the Word of God. But we must also spend time developing a relationship with God. Prayer and meditation are key. Spending time with God, not just learning about God. Listening for the Holy Spirit with his still small voice.

Know Jesus. Don't be a Jesus stalker.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep
and my sheep know me." -Jesus
John 10:14

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

When Problems are Gifts in Disguise

I have two precious daughters. The oldest is the classic first born. She is obedient. She is a pleaser. She cleans the house just for "fun." She is everything a mom could want in a child. It is easy to draw close to her.

Then there is my second born. She is strong willed and opinionated. She has her own ideas and does not accept discipline compliantly. Truthfully, this daughter doesn't draw me close to her, but makes me draw close to the Lord! Because many days when I am out of patience or worn down, it is HIS name I call to. I pray for strength and wisdom to be the parent I should be to my strong-willed daughter.

Both my daughters love Jesus. But my youngest daughter loves him with a passion, that same passion she has for everything she wants or loves. The neighbor girl, two years older than my youngest, told her that there is no God. That Jesus was a man and he died, and he can't hear your prayers. My daughter wouldn't hear of it. She told her in no certain terms that Jesus was real, and that the Bible said he was real and that he does hear our prayers.

"Mom, she didn't believe me. But I'm going to keep telling her no matter what! She needs to know." I have no doubt that my argumentative girl will make a case for Christ like no other. Through out her life, with her gift of evangelism and her strong will she will be a great witness for Jesus. I believe she will be a light in the world bringing many people to know Christ. 

Yes, today (in exasperation!) she draws me closer to God. But it will all be worth it when that same tenacious personality, with the help of the Holy Spirit, brings many others closer to God.

What traits do your children have (or had) that seem hard to parent, but may serve them well in life?

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

Practice Makes...(NOT Perfect)

This week my 8 year learned how to ride her 2-wheeler. On the first day, we simply worked on balance, getting up on the bike and pedaling. She did remarkable well, riding back and forth across the yard.

The second day, we worked on technique. How to steer. How to brake. How to put your feet down after you brake so you don't fall over. "You're riding like a professional!" I told her. She smiled broadly and said, "Practice makes professional!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her own spin on the old adage, "Practice makes perfect." Then I realized I like her version even better! Because practice doesn't make you perfect. I've been writing a long time, but I still have typos, and I still get rejected. I am a professional writer. I get paid to write. Still, I am not perfect.

Even professional cyclists fall sometimes. They will never be "perfect" no matter how hard they practice.

As Christians, we are called to live a life toward perfection. To be perfected in Christ. Yet, this side of heaven we will never be perfect. We can be "professional" however. We can move past the amateur stage of Christianity. As the Apostle Paul says, we can move from spiritual milk onto solid foods. We must keep growing in faith.

We can't just go to church. We must make regular study (practice) of the Bible, pray often, and keep growing. As Christians, we can follow my daughter's adage, "Practice makes professional." And that will lead to perfection, in the life to come.

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

Summer Schedule

It's Summer time! Well, actually the official start to summer is June 20, but with kids out of school at my house summer has begun. With summer comes a change of schedule, kids at home and less free time for mom. For me that means less blogging.

So while my school year schedule is to blog every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the summer schedule will be more relaxed. It's probably not the best way to build a platform. But it is definitely the best way to build a family, and spend time with my most precious gift...my girls.

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