Shared Moments

Earlier today I sat and watched my children playing and making new friends. There were no barriers or mindsets that got in the way. There was just acceptance.

If only I could be like that and not worry what I think people are thinking...because really I have no idea what is on their minds.

What if when I meet up with someone I was to accept things at face value rather than looking for hidden meanings or trying to read between the lines.

The children play, chat, have fun, make up games and simply share a moment of each other's lives...

What if I started each new day looking for those encounters with the people I meet? Simply enjoying the planned meetings with people and seeing it as a privilege to share that moment of that person's life.

Then looking for the blessing of a new encounter...looking to that shared moment as a chance to give something to someone else.

Watching the children challenged me. Do I limit shared moments because I come with so many expectations? If I had the courage to change my mindset so I become like my children and approach these encounters with no expectations I believe these shared moments would be something like this...

...a time to encourage, to build, and to uplift
...an opportunity to love others as we would want to be loved ourselves
...a chance to value a person and to see them as the wonderful creation that they are
...an investment in a relationship that may lead to many blessings through shared moments.

It will require me to be bold and brave. It will take practise as it means I have to let go of my wants, wishes and desires and put someone else's first...but I know it will be worth it as I saw that in my children's faces today.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

John 15:12 (New International Version)

Waiting To Reach Down

I have just been to see the new Avengers film – it was great! I enjoy getting into the storyline and getting to know the characters, trying to decide whether they are goodies or baddies! The graphics are amazing and have somewhat improved since the days of watching The Incredible Hulk on a Saturday tea time.

The battle scenes are so real and effective that you almost feel you are there fighting with them. I know I winced more than once as Captain America’s shield took out the enemy and when it got tough for the Avengers, I was willing them on to keep going and not give up. 

Each of the Avengers has a quality, a strength that they bring to the team and together they save the day. 

Watching the film and seeing the Avengers in battle as they fight for the greater good gives me a picture of what God is like. When I need God's help, I can call out to Him and straight away He responds - the Avengers also had a link to each other and, without giving the film away, Iron Man was able to call on Thor exactly when he needed him. Yet, it is even better with God because He is all of those qualities (and more) in One. 

"I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. … He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet… He soared on the wings of the wind... Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them…He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters." 

Psalm 18:6-16 (New International Version)

I think it is amazing that God wants to reach down and rescue me. I can almost feel the power with which He does it and I can almost see it as I saw people being rescued in the film. How precious must I be to God...must you be to God...if He will move the heavens just so He can reach down and take hold of us? He is just waiting for us to call.