Perspective

A snapshot of my life right now would show a few things: I'm pregnant, I'm worried for our country's future, I'm missing my chained-to-his-desk husband.

So, naturally, I've been seeking God for knowledge and reading his word relating to these topics. It seems God was truly a masterful planner when he went to work on our universe, and as he works on me, too. Because he weaved two of these concepts together for me over the last two days.

I joked with another pregnant friend (there are so many that fit in that category! Emily and James, welcome to the club and congrats on Baby Roberts #2 to be born in late June!) about how we could bring children into such a messed up world. And today I chatted about how children are a blessing from God. At first glance, conflicting thoughts, right?

It's no secret I lean a certain way politically. I've shared some of my most sacred political thoughts on this blog. Unfortunately, when I look to the future, I don't see either presidential candidate bringing us back to where we need to be. I see a world of selfish adults who care nothing of protecting their children (the living or the unborn), who treat sex as a careless hobby, and even "cultural Christians" who believe in Jesus, but do nothing to have a relationship with Him. It's hard not to think, "how much worse will it be when my son is in his twenties?" Might we have lost the battle of defining marriage? Might prostitution be legalized? Might our government be 're-distributing wealth?'

After I'd given this some good thought and was sufficiently depressed for my children and more resigned than ever to teach them correct values, I went to the Bible and opened up to the first chapter of 1st Samuel. I pulled out my concordonace and began to read about the setting and background for the book. I found, "As 1 Samuel begins, Israel was at a low point spiritually. The priesthood was corrupt ( 1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-26), the ark of the covenant was not at the tabernacle (1 Sam. 4:3), idolatry was practiced (1 Sam. 7:3-4), and the judges were dishonest (1 Sam. 8:2-3).

Well, now. I honestly haven't got a clue if anyone knows where the ark of the covenant is today, but I do know that the rest of those things could be describing America today. And I kept reading, "Through the influence of godly Samuel (1 Sam. 12:23) and David (1 Sam. 13:14) these conditions were reversed. Second Samuel concludes with the anger of the Lord being withdrawn from Israel (2 Sam. 24:25)."

So, I am comforted by the knowledge that the world has seen it's ups and downs (and no, I'm not talking about global warming). We've had times when we've looked to God and times when we've collectively turned away from him. My children will doubtless see some of this cycle in their own lifetimes as well.

The book reminded me of why it is so important to be godly and teach my children the same. 1.Without thse efforts, we DO bring anger from the Lord. 2.Godly men and women are needed and called upon to go to the ends of the earth sharing their message.

So, now I can relax (as much as a hormonal pregnant woman can)and focus on my child(ren) as a blessing. Indeed, the New King James version says in Psalms 127:3 that the fruit of the womb is a reward. Sometimes I think I forget to see myself as rewarded. It's crazy to think that after being a mom for only 2 years, I've already started to take it for granted, but it's true. I spend my days wishing I didn't have to work, wishing I had more time to clean, more time to cook 4-course meals, more time and money to take Micah out and let him experience the world. But I don't focus on the fact that whether those things ever happen or not, I am a blessed and rewarded person. I smile a hundred times a day over something Micah does. But at the end of the day I don't think of those things, I think of what I didn't finish, or what mistakes I made.

If God is in control and will ultimately oversee how our country is run, how my life is run, how Micah's life is run, what have I got to be so worried and bummed about? I shouldn't have a care in the world. I find myself looking forward to the month after Baby 2 is born when the whole world slows and the four of us will feel like the center of the universe. When you've got a healthy newborn at home, nothing can bring you down.

And the fact is, whether it's through children or not, we ALL have blessings and rewards from God that we should pay more attention to. We have our individual gifts, our friends, families, roofs over our heads, great jobs, great churches, etc. God commands us not to worry-- it is a sin. And he gives us so many distractions to help us avoid worry. What are some of your rewards/distractions? Think about those tonight when your head is on your pillow instead of our wacky government, or worse, your wacky life. God's in control. We're in His hands living by His plans on His timing. If these troubled times are going to continue, we can rest easy that by following God, we've got nothing to worry about.