Using the Good China

Tonight, for the first time in a long time, I used the good china...

It all started a few days ago when I suggested to my husband that we choose a book we could read together. He chose John Ortberg's, "If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat". 

In the book, Ortberg tells the story of his grandmother's china. After his grandmother's death, her china was discovered in the attic. It wasn't just your run-of-the-mill dinnerware, it was exquisite, irreplaceable hand painted china with inlaid mother of pearl, rimmed with gold. But no one could remember ever seeing it. Eventually some older family members were questioned and the story was uncovered.

When his grandmother was young, she had received the china as gifts, one piece at a time over a period of many years. Because the china was so valuable and she feared it may be broken if it were used, when she received the gifts, she wrapped them carefully in tissue, put them in a box and stored them in the attic for a special occasion. Apparently no occasion special enough ever came along so his grandmother went to her grave with the greatest gift of her life unopened and unused.

We have all received gifts (and I'm not just talking about china). We all have talents and abilities that were meant to be used for God's glory. Along with those gifts comes a choice... will we use them or in fear keep them hidden away.

So that's why I used the good china tonight. I guess it was my way of saying I want to be the kind of person who uses my gifts. I want to be the kind of person who is willing to take the risk and get out of the boat. I want to be the kind of person who sees failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Lessons From the Play Yard

Just the other day I was out in the play yard helping to supervise the children. A couple of girls called me over to help settle a dispute over the rubber ball swing. Apparently one of the older boys had taken control and was refusing to let the girls have a turn. I told him that was not okay. I suggested that he be kind and share with my friends, but he had other ideas.

So, what else could I do? I took hold of the rope of the swing and said, "Okay, it's my turn now." My intention was to take control of the situation and make things better for everyone involved. However, one of the boys misunderstood my intentions. He began yelling, "No, no, no! Don't get on the swing, you'll pop it!

Kids really do say the darndest things...

But when I honestly think about it, I realize I'm really not so different from that little boy, especially when it comes to spiritual things. I have to admit, sometimes when God exerts his authority and takes control of a situation in my life I don't always like it. I don't always understand his intentions. I don't say it out loud, but inside I'm thinking, no, no, no! I'm afraid that God is going to take away something that is precious to me or not allow me to have something that I'm convinced I need. I'm sure he's going to change things just when I got comfortable with how they were.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:8-11
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to remember that you are always working on my behalf to bring about what you know is best for me. I may not understand it and I may not like it, but I know that I can trust you. I can trust you to be faithful. I can trust you to keep your word. I can trust you to love me... even when I'm thinking no, no, no!