What are you wearing?

I have never been much into fashion. (This picture is supposedly "what's hot" in the year 2010. Are they serious?) I wouldn't know the name of a designer from the guy down the street. And even if I did know what was in style, I wouldn't have the money to buy it, so why bother? Give me clothes that fit and are comfortable and I'm happy. So for as little as I care about clothing, God has been showing me a lot...

For instance, did you know who made the first pair of clothes? God did. We all know the story of Adam and Eve. They ate of the forbidden fruit, which opened their eyes to the fact that they were naked and needed to hide their shame. (I doubt the fig leaves did a good job.) So in walks the Almighty God. He calls them out and sets consequences for their sin. But then in Genesis 3:21 "The Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife." Sure, he was disappointed, yet he showed his great love by creating a covering for them with his own hands.

Adam and Eve aren't the only ones God has clothed. The prophet Isaiah declared "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness" Isaiah 61:10 And Paul confirms in Galatians 3:27 that through faith in Jesus "all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." We are clothed in righteousness.

How do you feel when you have on a set of new clothes? Do you feel better about yourself, maybe a bit more confident? Do you take great care to make sure your new clothes don't get dirty or stained? I know I do. I bought a new pair of shoes recently and I still haven't worn them outside in this yucky winter weather. I wonder how our actions would be affected if we truly saw ourselves as being clothed with Christ...with righteousness...pure, unstained, unblemished. Maybe we would be a little more reluctant to go play in the mud.

I love this vision given in Zechariah 3:1-5. As you will see, I have made a few personalizations...Then the angel showed me Jeanette, standing before the angel of the Lord. Satan was there at the angel's right hand, accusing Jeanette of many things. And the Lord said to Satan "I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen her, rebukes you. This woman is like a burning stick that has been snatched from a fire." Jeanette's clothing was filthy as she stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, "Take off her filthy clothes," and turning to Jeanette he said, "See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes". Then I said "Please, could she also have a clean turban on her head?" So they put a clean priestly turban on her head and dressed her in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.

So we first need to believe that God did what he said. We, as Christians, are clothed in righteousness. But there is other clothing we can choose to put on. In Colossians 3:12 Paul instructs us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And in Ephesians 6:10-17 he urges us to put on the full armor of God so we can stand firm against Satan's schemes. Now that is clothing worth investing in.

Since I started out talking about the first pair of clothes, I will end by sharing a vision of the last. God showed me this passage around the time he took Betty, Jeremy's grandma, home. I pray it will be an encouragement to you. "For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down - when we die and leave these bodies - we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our new heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies. Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit - 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Now comes the challenge...to live it out.

Confession

It's been a little over a year since I started this blog. Looking back over my entries it's obvious that they have become fewer as time goes on. So I wondered, why is that? Which leads me to my confession...I have been swayed by that little voice that whispers "That isn't worth writing about. Don't even bother. No one would find that interesting. That wouldn't make sense. What do you know?" And on and on. Do you know that little voice? It seems no matter how much encouragement I get, it is still there. I post an entry and wonder "Should I just delete this?" I have thought about getting rid of the blog all together. But today I am choosing to listen to other voices. The voices of encouragement I have received. And the voice of my Father telling me to quit worrying about pleasing others and to remember why I started this in the first place...to bring honor to Him. I am choosing to face my insecurities and continue to share whatever is on my heart, along with passing on some of the wisdom I'm learning from others. I am committing to post at least once a week. And I am telling that little voice to Shut Up.

Tribute to Betty

Today Jeremy's grandma, Betty Bobo, went home to be with the Lord. She lived for 82 years, and has left quite a legacy behind.

When I first married into this family I was blown away. The Bobos have 5 children, all of whom know the Lord. They have been blessed with 13 grandchildren (if I counted correctly) and numerous great-grandkids. What makes this so amazing is that the family actually gets along and reunites twice a year on Labor Day and near Christmas. Never once have I seen an argument take place at one of these gatherings. Pictured above is a photo taken Labor Day 2009. This is what can happen after 63 years of Christian marriage. This is my dream. Thank you, Betty, for showing me that it is possible.

She was loved and will be missed by many. I will miss her contagious little laugh. I picture her now in the Lord's presence in her new heavenly body, experiencing a joy beyond description, about to receive her reward. She may not be able to read my blog posts anymore, but one day I will see her again and be able to fill her in on the rest of my story...

My Birthday Boy!

What is today? Since I have been reminded every day for the past few weeks, I am certain that today Jacob turns 7 years old! My baby is growing up. This year he is in 1st grade and has been doing great...especially in math and spelling. That boy has a fantastic memory! The only time he gets in trouble in school is for not being a "quiet worker" :) Jacob has taken an interest in sports this year. Played his first year of summer ball, and now also likes basketball since Jeremy got him playing it on Playstation. The boys ask constantly to play PIG on the little hoop they have upstairs.

Some highlights of the year have been taking his first trip to the ocean, receiving his Nintendo DS for Christmas from Papa D (which he plays frequently), moving into his "own" room, getting his first pair of "tie" shoes, singing his first solo at church, and of course losing a bunch of teeth! Today he wanted to be a "packer" and bring a PB&J sandwich. Then later we are off to Acres of Fun. Thankfully the snow has stopped so we can go!

One more year that I'm amazed at watching my son grow and learn. One more year that I am humbled and challenged through my role as a mother. And one more year that I am thankful for the love and grace shown to me along the way. Praying for many more...