DSC01519crop150x154My generation listened to Frank Sinatra singing “I Did It My Way,” and the “NOW” ideas on liberated living. Women of my era took the bait and tried becoming supermom. I didn’t fair too well trying to follow that path. I wonder how those choices are panning out among others my age. I learned some things from those ideas. I learned I can’t do it alone. There is value in family and community. I’ve learned it takes a family to raise a child and a church family to support that effort through a common faith and transcendent moral code. As Ravi Zacharias puts it, if there is a transcendent moral code, there is a transcendent moral code giver, God. So, community and family work in harmony under God’s direction to achieve God’s purposes to God’s glory.
Nehemiah didn’t rebuild Jerusalem by himself, but prayed for God’s help, gathered the Israelites and delegated tasks for everyone to pull together and complete the job. When they weren’t building, they were protecting those who were. “From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall.” (Nehemiah 4:16-17 ESV)

As King Solomon, son of King David puts it:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV)

The Strand

I’d like it to be about me
My loves, desires and deeds
My little place in history
But it isn’t really
Along the infinite rope of time
I am but a tiny strand
Unable to stand alone
Incapable of pulling
My own weight through
This infinitesimal time span
That defines me
Surely it is not about me at all
But how my strand
Blends with others
Twisted, guided stretched and
Braided by the Father’s hand
For His good purpose
Pulling together
Loving each other

Heavenly Father, you created and ordered this universe and all the surrounding universes. You set the planets in motion and ignited the stars. You created the family and gave us rules by which to live. We messed it up, but you continue to draw us back on track. Show us your way, Lord. Guide us into your victory. Grant us your wisdom and harmony to get it right. We want to know your heart and follow your lead. Pull us out of the darkness we have created and into your fruitful and joyful life. Father, bless us as we turn to you. I ask these things in the precious name of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen.

#‎joyinverse‬ ‪#‎blessedthisdayandeveryday‬