Sunday, March 20, 2011

Save That Drama for Your Mama


Whew, what a crazy weekend. We diagnosed the problem of a toilet that wouldn’t stop running, I removed a hairball from the hose on my vacuum, and our girls hosted their first slumber party. Having five girls in the house was a hoot. Tears, tattling, and tantrums…yep that about sums it up.

After the Barbie marathon began and being the only males in a house dripping with estrogen, my husband and our dog Biscuit retreated to their man cave hide-out. Who could blame them?

Lots of second grader drama, four hours of sleep, and a whole lot of junk food later…

Stick a fork in ‘cause this mama is done.

Once the partying came to an end, I began organizing piles of lacy dress-up clothes and dismembered Barbies. Peeking out from underneath a pink, polka doted sleeping bag was my three year olds favorite ladybug nightlight. Unfortunately, the starry light had been switched into the “on” position all night. I sat on the edge of a flowery bed-spread wondering about the dimness of the ladybug. Her simple beauty still noticeable, but her light was only sort-of bright.

Oh sweet sisters, I feel this way a lot-- switched to the “on” position way too long, running on empty, worn thin, pressed on every side, and ready to hide.

Just like the nightlight, Jesus is a light shining in and through us.

I wonder, Is my light shining brightly for Jesus or am I a little on the dull side?

Is my weariness contributing to the loss of brightness I’m experiencing?

If my light is only kind of bright, then perhaps I’m only kind of following Jesus.

Paul says in Ephesians 3:14-19, the Holy Spirit gives us an inner strength so we can know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

When we’re “rooted and established” in Christ’s multi-dimensional love for us, our light will shine its absolute brightest. We will never grow dim or dull…

even after an all night sleep over.

Like Paul told the Ephesians, if we really understood the love of Christ, we wouldn’t care about all this other stuff. In my case, I wouldn’t be so distracted by clogged drains or pizza stains.

When we’re consumed by the fullness of God’s love our light beams like the ladybug when I put in new batteries.

It’s what makes us stand out when it’s easier to blend in.

It’s what keeps us pursuing hard after Jesus instead of pursuing other stuff.

It’s the faith fuel that keeps us going when that extra mile looks too hard.

When we truly understand the length, height, and depth of Christ’s love for us, then we will be “filled to the measure” and ready to shine.

Are you feeling bright, kind of bright, or dull today?
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12 comments:

  1. So true...I must confess that I'm usually feeling barely dim most times, but then I remember that I have His life in me so I can shine as bright as the Son!

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  2. What a great post Kelli!! I have two daughters who LOVE sleepovers, so I completely understand this feeling. As a matter of fact my daughter stayed with her twin best friends last night and this afternoon she started crying for no reason. When I asked her what was wrong, she said she is just tired and wore out and doesn't know why she is crying (she is a woman!!).

    I want my light to shine brightly for Christ at all times. But the truth is, it doesn't, not like it should. I want to be fully rooted and established in Him and I want my light to shine brightly! Thank you for this post.

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  3. Ouch!!! This part really hit me - "If my light is only kind of bright, then perhaps I’m only kind of following Jesus." I want people to see Jesus when they look at me, but is my light even bright enough to get people's attention. Really something to think about. I want to be completely sold out to Jesus.

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  4. Very nice post. My desire is to shine brightly everyday...but so often I get distracted by the "hairball in the vacuum" (to steal your words) :)

    So thankful that His merices ARE new everyday.

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  5. I love this, while I'm not at the sleep-over stage just yet I do get so caught up with life around me my light dims I want to shine brightly for Jesus no matter what life throws at me, thank you for this and I love the pictures!!

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  6. Oh, I'm right there with ya! Running on empty with a dim light most of the time (felt so good today to make a call and say NO! to something I'd agreed to do, but realized I couldn't). So glad you survived the sleepover. Maybe now you can "change your light bulb." (LOL)
    Hats off to you, great mom - be blessed :)
    Deb

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  7. When I was a little girl I loved sleep overs it's something about little girls getting together they stay up talking and laughing and surely can find something to get themselves into. You just gotta love at times

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  8. What a wonderful glimpse into the world of little girls and how it directly relates to our walk with Jesus. Thank so much for this today :) I needed it!

    Also, you sound like you enjoy encouragement from the the simple stories of life...I recommend you read about Sand to Pearls, go here to read another blogger's thoughts about it. Have an amazing rest of your day :)

    http://tellusthetruthreviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/sand-to-pearls-written-by-heidi.html

    Arielle

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  9. Excellent post Kelli! I have two little boys, so on sleepover nights it's Mommy that hides in the "Estrogen Den", but I understand the analogy all the same.

    I've been a little on the "dim" side the last week or so, so I feel you there as well. In times like those, it's wonderful to recharge our "God Batteries" through His Word, Uplifting Music or the excellent writings of fellow Christian Bloggers. :-)

    Have a Blessed Day!

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  10. I'm on the cusp of daughter sleepovers so this is such a great reminder to read. Thank you so much for reading my WFW post and being a new follower. Blessings to you!

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  11. i love this post. the verse is an awesome and needed reminder that the strength we really need comes from the glorious riches of Christ. I need to dwell in Him and not on the "Pizza Stains"!

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