We went to the 'class' yesterday morning at church where we could find out about their core beliefs and mssions. I liked what I heard, as did hubby. I really like their Heart Values: 'It's ok to not be ok'. 'Out of rows and into circles'. 'Right things for the right reasons'. 'Because it's worth it'. 'We pray'. 'We push the kid table and the adult table together'. 'Joy lifts us and tears release us'. 'If we were gone, would we be missed'. 'God intended us to live healthy lives'. I think their mission statement is "We are becoming like Jesus for the sake of others." I like that.
Hubby is ready to 'jump all in'... but I don't want to do that, but learn more about the different groups and then make a choice. I need a women's group that I can plug into and become friends with some of the women. He wants a men's group. That's all well and good, but he was also pushing for 'us' to be in a group together. And that too is well, and good, but I don't want to do it all at once. One step at a time. By the time the class was over, our questions answered, we were able to catch the preaching of the service.
Pastor Brian spoke on those things we pass on as an inheritance. He talked about how his mom had tried to give him something of his grandmother's .... an inheritance of sort. And my thoughts drifted to things I have of relatives who have died and I was able to get. They are still nothing but material things. And when I die, these things will mean nothing to my children; in fact, they more than likely know nothing about them. Other than like my mother's and my father's Bibles. I really would love to pass those on to someone who would take care of them, and possibly even use them. I realize they are still material things, but it is something that reminds me of them. I have a spoon and a scarf - unless I've already given the scarf away.... that I received after my granny died (mom's mom). I have a few things of my real father's. Who would want them after I'm gone? HIs glasses; a fishing license. Silly things to hold on to. But they were my dad's.
I think of things I have and wonder who would want them. They are still just material things. I have tried, over the years, to pass on to different ones the things I would want them to have. A ring, a necklace, things that belonged to me but I really wanted them to have it. I explained to them my reasons when I gave it. Yes, I could still wear them, but before I die, I wanted to be sure these were with those I chose. I don't know what they did with them afterwards, and I don't need to know.
But more than these material things that I have given away, and things that I want others to have, there is something else that I would want to pass on. I want to pass on my love for Jesus, and my desire to live for Him. My family doesn't need more 'stuff' to clutter their lives with. They need Jesus, and when they have Jesus, there is nothing else they need.
This is the inheritance I wish to pass on; that when I die, they remember I loved Jesus with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength. And my prayer for them is that they too would want that for themselves. To experience a love so great that nothing can change it. Jesus will never leave you when life gets hard. He won't look for a girlfriend or boyfriend when life isn't satisfying. Jesus is with us all the way to the end, when we choose to follow Him. He loves us with an undying love, and wants us to be with Him forever. He will never force us to do His wil, it is always our choice. And when we run to Him, He is always there with open arms.
Life is hard sometimes, and I know I have 'penned' many parts of my life in here. But one thing I know is that no matter how hard life is, no matter what I go through, no matter how I deal with things in my life, I have a Savior who is waiting for me to hand it over, and He will walk with me through the hard stuff; never leaving me alone. And He is always with you, as well. Trust Him. Tell Him what you are going through. He is walking with you.
Psalm 72:23 (NIV): "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand."
Matthew 28:20 (NIV): "and teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Life is ALL about Jesus. He is all we need.
Blessings!
