Doing Without
In a recent conversation with a friend, we were talking (like Im sure every parent has since time began!) how it seems our children operate with a sense of entitlement. They have a broad view of what the world owes them and that they should have whatever they want. In that conversation I recalled how as a child we often did without things because of our economic situation or other issues. Once, my father was out of work, because oil production in the US had slowed, and in East Texas at the time, that had major economic impact! During that time, we got our school clothes, shoes, etc from thrift stores and garage sales. That year, I remember that the only shoes I had was a pair of brown shiny dress shoes. I was extremely embarrassed to wear them with my clothes (funny thing is, now that actually is trendy!) and it was extremely difficult to run and play in them. But no matter how rough it was, we never missed a meal, failed to have a home to live in or was absent of parental love and care. I remembered how I hated some of the adverse conditions growing up. But I now wear them with honor, knowing as an adult, it was those things that make me truly appreciate all that I have. I am very blessed in this life.
As I was reading in Ephesians this morning, Paul’s writings brought that back to mind again, but this time on a spiritual level. After reading it through several times and reviewing several translations, I love how the Message puts it: Eph. 2:11-13 But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.
Wow, that hit home! Christ has been my sufficiency for many years now. Sometimes I take that for granted and fail to appreciate all that He is in my life. As I find myself working through one my life’s greatest disasters, it is through what Christ is and His presence in my life that I find strength and sometimes even the ability to crawl out of bed in the morning.
I never want to forget what my parents did in raising me and caring for me, but more importantly I never want to forget nor take for granted what God has done and is doing for me.
