To have people in my life that support, encourage, and cheer me on is a blessing beyond measure! My friend, Sarah Travis, a blogger, Proverbs 31 Bible teacher, and Jesus sister has been such an encouraging influence in my short writing life. She cheers me on and just when I feel like my words are bouncing around an empty room, she tweets in with just the right words. She has featured me on her blog and I share that post with you today.  Make sure you check out her amazing blog and her Bible teachings at www.sarahtravis.org .

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I’ve been a Christian for a while now…a long while, really. I can still remember how intimidating it was to be around all the ladies from church. I was sure they all knew more than I did. They all had like a million kids and seemed to know how to do this whole mothering thing, where I could barely get dressed and out the door in time for church.

To hear them pray was like listening to the angels talking. I mumbled words and was quite pleased when I would remember to say “in Jesus’ name.” But these ladies could quote scripture, knew stories, and spoke boldly. Whenever we had discussions, they all knew right where to turn in their Bibles and they didn’t even use those little book marker tabs! I was always the last one to turn to the correct page.

I felt like if church had been gym class, I would have been picked last!

I hoped to be like these ladies…someday. I loved the Lord and wanted to please him, but I felt so small and inadequate.

Now don’t get me wrong. My church ladies came alongside to encourage, teach, and disciple. But my feelings of inadequacy kept me from my potential. Because, see, my potential comes from the Lord.

…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139: 16

The fear of what others would think of me, of failure, not being enough…clouded the vision I had of God. To me, these fears were bigger than God.

God doesn’t like that…at all.

Soon, I was approached by my pastor’s wife Tracy to ask me to help her in a children’s ministry; our church was starting an Awana club. I said no. Of course I did, because my fears were great and I wasn’t ready…blah blah blah…insert any excuse that works.

So Tracy asked again…a little more firmly this time. Something happened…what was this??? I felt a desire to serve! What! Well, just to be sure Tracy knew what was up, I said, “Ok, I will help you, but don’t think I can ever lead a group!” (…just wanted to be sure she was on the same page!)

Funny thing…I make plans and think I know what is going on, but God has a keen way of superseding and completing His agenda with little thought to mine!

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:11

The Lord knows all human plans;he knows that they are futile. Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law…Psalm 94:11-12

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

So I did obey that feeling to serve, that prompting of the Holy Spirit. With little confidence in my abilities, but a strong desire to follow not only the Lord, but also these amazing women that the Lord had placed in my life, I started helping…and teaching…and growing. I allowed myself to be vulnerable which allowed me to be teachable. With wisdom came great occasion for humility and serving others.

…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive…Colossians 3: 12-13

I began to thrive as a helper. I loved my students and enjoyed every minute with those girls. They taught me and I imparted much of myself to them. I began to see myself, not by what I wasn’t or by how much I was like someone else, but by how the Lord saw me…how He defined me. I began to appreciate others’ style as their own and my style as my own. God has purpose for each one of us and has equipped us in such a unique way that only I can fulfill my purpose…only you can fulfill yours. I’m not so and so, I’m me. I am not perfect, but with the redeeming power of God’s word and Spirit, I am all I need to be.

Ohhh, sweet friends, this thought is so freeing! We can celebrate each other and our successes! We don’t have to compete, because God has made us each with our own purpose, design, and function. We have the freedom to learn from and serve with one another.

So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Romans 14:19

You know, God is funny and really does have a sense of humor. Over ten years later, my husband and I are the Awana Commanders at our church and I now lead our Women’s Ministry. I LOVE writing, speaking, and sharing my stories with others. Who would have thought that the scared, inadequate young mom of years ago would LOVE public speaking!!!

God…that’s who!

My prayer is that this story will encourage you to take that next step…the one small thing the Lord is asking you to do.

I would love to hear how the Lord is working in your life and how He is revealing your purpose in His kingdom.

If you missed last week’s Famine Part 1, click this link to catch up…https://melissalongval.wordpress.com/2015/04/22/famine-part-1/

After my sister in law and I finished lunch, we headed back to her home to dig deeper into the word of God. Christine had a passage of scripture that she wanted to share with me, because she believed that it would bring hope to this hopeless girl.

Second Kings chapters six and seven are heavy. It’s loaded with more history and symbolism than I could ever explain to you, but the point was not a history lesson or some high theological discourse. It was simply the Lord speaking to my tired and scared heart.

In 2 Kings 6, we learn that the King of Aram has laid siege to Samaria, causing a long-lasting devastating famine where worthless food became exorbitantly expensive. During this famine, two women decided to make a deal, but when the deal went bad the offended woman brought the matter to the king… “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’  So we boiled my son, and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.”

What the…!!! Did I read this right???

Hold onto that horrible scenario…moving to chapter 7, we learn that four very unlikely men, with the help of the Lord, saved Samaria. Four lepers, decided to check out the enemy camp in order to hopefully survive. Going to the enemy was their only chance for survival.

As they approached the Aramean camp, “…the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, ‘Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!’  So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.” (2 Kings 7:6-7)

So these four lepers came upon a vast treasure. They quickly realized that to keep it for themselves would bring calamity upon them, so they brought the good news back to Samaria and the famine ended.

Wow!!! I told you it was a doozy of a story. God certainly uses real people, huh?

As Christine and I prayed, the weight and fear began to lift. I realized that the Lord was speaking to me through His word…through this bizarre, horror filled passage, to whisper to my deepest hidden fears, “I am with you and see you, sweet daughter. Take heart, you are doing the right thing.”

Tears fell…along with boogers…you know that kind of crying. Nothing delicate or dainty going on there. Wracking sobs of revelation and elation!

At that time, in Christine’s living room, I didn’t have the full message of how this strange passage of scripture fit into my situation, but over the next few days, the Lord continued to reveal much wisdom to me.

I realized that if I had put Emeria into the high school, instead of homeschooling as the Lord instructed, I would have been like the mother who ate her child. Not because the high school was that bad, but because it would have been disobedience on my part. I would have been sacrificing my child for convenience and comfort at great cost!

Did it make worldly sense to put her in school and for me to go back to work? Yes. Would it make life easier as more money came in? Yes. Was it the best plan for my family? No! Walking in faith requires great trust. Believing God at His word regardless of how I feel. Declaring that I will choose to trust in my Lord in spite of the circumstance that surround and besiege me.

And the lepers…oh, those poor sick men. How did they figure into my situation? They brought good news! Through their story, I knew the Lord was telling me that good things were coming and that my famine would be coming to an end! Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!!!(Psalm 34:8) What an indescribable gift to be seen by God. To know that right in my darkest moments, the Lord entered in and bestowed hope and increased faith!

In time, the famine did end.

We saw increase in business for my husband, attitude change in my daughter, and renewed hope in this tired momma. As hard as that time in my life was, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The wisdom and faith I gained are priceless treasures that now keep me steady as new hardships arise. Tasting the goodness and excellence of God in my dark hour fueled my walk today.

Sweet friends, I encourage to dig deep into His word. He is speaking and has words for you!

May today be a day of good news! (2 Kings7:9)

 

I would love to hear how the Lord is bringing or has brought you through a famine phase of your life. Please comment below to share your story!

 

Learn more about Walking in Faith at http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/

 

Towards, the end of my daughter’s fifth grade year, my husband and I were in prayer as to what to do about her education. The school board had decided to move the sixth graders to the high school. Keith and I did not agree, but wanted to follow the Lord’s plan, not our own.

Homeschooling sounded daunting to me…a huge responsibility. Plus, I would have to quit my job in order to teach Emeria. Prayer was our only option. I informed the Lord that I would do whatever He called me to, but to please let it come out of Keith’s mouth.  I wanted us to be totally united in this faith walk.

After months of prayer, the Lord spoke through Keith and we started homeschooling the next fall. We were leaving our comfort zone and heading out to wherever the Lord would lead.

Keith is self-employed as a contractor. So, in my mind, I assumed that because I had drawn a line in the sand and left my comfort zone, that it only made sense that the Lord would bless my husband with abundant work, not only to make up the difference in me not working, but also because we had obeyed.

Yeah, not so much…

Lysa Terkeurst calls this the Famine Phase, a dry, difficult phase where growing is necessary, but often challenging and painful. And, to complicate life, we were also dealing with a tween who was adjusting to a whole new way of life.

To be honest, I had a lot of adjusting too.  This was hard for us. On all sides, I felt so pressed. Financially, emotionally, and spiritually. I felt abandoned and as a result, I felt like a failure as a mom and like a burden as wife.

It was at this very low point that the Lord moved mightily. Don’t miss this!!! During this Famine Phase, there are untold blessings.  In What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, Lysa describes these blessings perfectly, “Answered prayers, treasures of wisdom, and the peace of God’s provision are waiting for you in this phase. Depending on God brings such joy as I would never know any other way.” (p. 65)

God used my sister-in-law to bring peace to our famine. Christine, heeding the Holy Spirit, invited me to lunch. As we shared a burger, I opened up about all that was troubling me. Instead of offering me trite answers that I really didn’t want to hear, she offered to pray with me and break the bread of scripture. What a gift godly friends are!

Now we all know the Bible has some racy stories that can make some blush. Well, she shared a story from 2 Kings 6 and 7. Honestly, this could be a horror movie. I ask that you take time to read this passage, paying special attention to 6:24-7: 20.

Come and visit me again and find out how the Lord met me in my famine and gave me joy anew!

Click here to read Famine Part 2 https://melissalongval.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/famine-part-2/

Our tiny house sits at the bottom of a small mountain. People out west would call it more of a hill, but nonetheless, it’s called Winn Mountain. I love this mountain. God’s majesty is often displayed here through the colors of fall, sunsets, and full moon spectacles.

Last night it rained…down poured. The kind of storm that wakes you up with the intense beating of the roof. All that rain, coupled with the recently melted snow has made our backyard a soggy mess.

The run off created a high level of water that our saturated ground couldn’t absorb. Hmmm…I think there is a spiritual lesson here.

I was pondering this today. Just as the rains come and satiate, nourish and cleanse, so does the living water of Jesus Christ and his word. But…I need to be careful of what I let roll downhill as God is doing a work in me.

Sometimes that work is welcomed. Other times, not so much. So, during those difficult pruning and growing stages, I need to be aware of what is running off of me and soaking in those around me.

Of course, I’m thinking of my husband and children. Am I frustrated with the Lord? Then I must not take it out on my children. Am I disobeying the Lord? Then I must not overreact to something my husband said because it has reminded me of my disobedience.

For you it may be other people in your life, but we must allow the Lord to work without damaging those around us. In fact, if we are gentle and obedient while the Lord works, we can do much good for others.

 Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2: 14-15

Allowing others into our growing process brings them closer to us, and also closer to God. What a great gift to share with others. As Lysa Terkeurst states in What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, “Faith is learned through life.”

So the next time you are pushed to overflowing, remember to pull others close and shine bright! Let the living water bring abundant life to you and those around you!

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10: 10

How have others in your life allowed you into their growing process? What did you learn from that experience?  I would love to hear from you.

If you would like to learn more about walking in faith, please join us at Proverbs 31 for our online Bible study where we are reading What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa Terkeurst.  Click this link to find out more. http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#

Drawing a Line in the Sand

As my husband, Keith, and I came back to the Lord after the birth of our daughter, our walks were very much our own: our own pace, our own style, and our own story. As is pretty typical, I seemed to run ahead, probably because I was so desperate and in need of some serious sanity as I suffered from post-partum depression.

Keith was slower. Carrying the burden of providing for his expanding family, the stresses of life weighed him down. As much as I was growing in the Lord, I did little to lift the burden off of him. I was consumed with little people, little (or rather large) messes, and all things baby.

Plus, I was up and down and very unstable at the time, so he never knew what he was coming home to: a crying mess, a raging lunatic, or a cold stare. God had given me a passion for His word.

I loved it. I devoured it. I couldn’t get enough of it. Slowly over time, I changed. Along with medicine, God’s word revealed some deep issues I had to deal with and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I did.

Keith continued to work. And I started to become a bit impatient with my husband and his lack of holy transformation. I mean, look at me! Why can’t he change like me? And, the nagging started…I mean, it had always been there. The sarcastic comments, the digs, the words that cut and hurt, but nagging became my language. Come on! What is the problem? Look at this amazing wife you have? Why can’t you figure it out?

Am I the only one that has thought like this? Oh Lord, forgive me! As I buried my nose in the Word and self-righteously lifted my husband in prayer, I came across a verse that hit me hard. Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. Proverbs 21: 19

Oh….boy…ouch! Here I was thinking oh so highly of myself and proudly lifting my husband in prayer, so the Lord could change him, while I was the one who needed changing.

It is in this place that I drew my line in the sand. I would not nag my husband anymore. With God’s grace and His word, I stepped out in faith to watch what God could do when I got out of the way! Because, honestly, that is what nagging is…it is a wall that kept my husband from hearing the Lord. All he could hear, was my awful words, voice, and tone.

After time, Keith changed. One night, after spending time in his music studio, he came in very upset. “You’re praying for me, aren’t you?” Ummm, yes…of course. That is what I had started to do…every time I wanted to nag, I prayed. It worked!

God honored my faith and reliance on Him.  When we lift those we love in humble prayer, God works mightily!     So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

By replacing nagging with prayer, my trust in God’s power and faithfulness grew. Free from nagging and quarreling, Keith was able to experience the Lord’s work in him, and he was able to respond and grow. Keith’s trust in God grew as he saw changes in himself.

Do you struggle with nagging? Maybe it isn’t your husband you nag, but your children.  Let go of the temptation to nag. Trust the Lord to change your loved ones and yourself!

https://melissalongval.wordpress.com/2015/04/08/stronger-than-before-part-1/

Part 2 of Stronger than Before…

As much as we try to avoid pain, we all experience it, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual pain.  Just like Austin’s break caused him much agony, on the other side of the suffering was great healing and a stronger bone.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.  1 Peter 5:10-11

God always knows what we need, where are weaknesses are, and how to make us stronger in Him. He is far more concerned with our faith level than with our comfort level. He allows things to happen for our good, even though they may cause temporary pain or discomfort.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10

Please hear me! This is where our ideas of Jesus meet reality. Yes, Jesus is good and kind, and He is love. Yes, in heaven there will be no pain, anguish, or tears. But we aren’t in heaven. We live, as aliens, in a fallen world with desperate and hurting people. Jesus came, in the flesh, and experienced all the same things we experience: hunger, pain, death.  We have much to learn from our sufferings!

We learn to comfort others with the same comfort we received in our suffering.

  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1: 4-5

This comfort brings authenticity to gospel. Loving others with the love of Christ allows people to see love in action. To be the hands of Christ to the hurting is a great honor and privilege.

We learn to let Jesus defend us and intercede on our behalf. Our trust and faith in Christ grow as we surrender our rights and lay down our lives, hopes, desires, for others.

We learn who we are in Him and because of Him. Our identity changes from self-focused to other-focused. We let Christ define us.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ…Philippians 3: 7-9

Our response to our suffering can do so much to show the world all that we have learned, to bring glory to Christ and to comfort others.  We know He works all things for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).

So if you are suffering, please know that you are seen and heard. That your suffering is not for nothing.  Cling to the truth of God’s goodness. Fight the thoughts that come against that truth! Lay down any image you have of perfection, and let the great Comforter in to draw you close and lead you through the path He has for you. Trust and believe in the kindness of Jesus Christ, the one who bore your sins and shame!

And like Austin’s arm, where we were weak, we will be strong!

In March of 2007, my son, Austin, who was 4 at the time, broke his arm.  We had been out to lunch with Nana to celebrate my birthday.  The kids were whiney and I was glad when I could send them outside to play on the swing set. I heard some screaming and yelling, and assumed that the Emeria and Austin were arguing again. I ignored it. I know, great mom moment, huh?

I looked out the sliding glass door to see my little boy running toward the house holding his arm, one boot on and the other flung across the lawn. He ran up to the door and said, “I think I hurt my arm!”

At once, my husband felt his arm through his tiny blue sweatshirt and knew we had to get him to the ER. We loaded up the kids and I drove way too fast to get my sweet boy to the doctors.  Poor Emeria…as much as she fought with her brother that day, she would have done anything to help him.

To add insult to injury, the nurses had to cut off his favorite blue sweatshirt and favorite t-shirt in order to x-ray his arm. Black and oddly shaped, his little arm was indeed horribly broken. So badly broken, that no hospital wanted to touch him.

So off we went in an ambulance to Brigham and Women’s in Boston.  I was so thankful for the morphine drip that kept Austin sleeping through most of the evening. Being in the emergency room in Boston was scary. High stressed people in awful situations often bring out the worst in us, but it can also bring out the best.

I had been standing by Austin for hours…and a nurse noticed us. She asked how long we had been there and if I needed to use the bathroom. She said she would stay with Austin while I went and offered me a drink. Such a small act of kindness, but one that deeply blessed this stressed momma.

Finally, at 1:30 in the morning, Austin went in for surgery. All was a success and we went home the next day.  The first few days were really rough. Having suffered a compound spiral fracture, we were worried the recovery would be extensive. We were wrong.  In three weeks, the cast came off and his arm was perfect. Actually, where the bone had broken was actually stronger than before the trauma.

For a long time, Austin would refer to his arm as his broken arm.  If a friend would grab his arm in play, he would jerk it back and say, “No, not my broken arm!” We would remind him that his arm was healed and that he just needed to be careful. “But Mommy, I don’t want it to get broken again.”

Yeah, me either my precious boy. How like us to never want to go through pain again? To experience trauma or heartache, we avoid them at all cost.  Just look around our houses…safety precautions everywhere.

Join me next time, as we learn how the Lord uses our suffering for our good and his glory…that he never wastes a hurt and never misses a single tear.

Please click the below link to read part 2 of Stronger than Before.

https://melissalongval.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/stronger-than-before-part-2/

‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Luke 24: 7

This winter has been the worst one on record here in the North East. Huge amounts of snow, cracked roofs, and sub-zero temperatures have made spring a far distant oasis in the midst of a frozen wintery tundra.

No, I don’t think snow is pretty. No, I don’t like how it makes the world cozy. I am tired of it. I want spring…I really want summer with its warm breezes, delicious smells, and beautiful flowers. I want all things hazy, hot, and humid!

Ok, I’m done my rant.

But I’ve done some thinking…with all this snow. And, as it melts and gives way to spring, I see new growth abound from the killing frost. I am deeply reminded, as it is Holy Week, of Christ’s death…his own winter.

Death is ugly. It is not glamorous, pretty, or sophisticated. But nothing worth anything rarely is. I walked around my yard and saw much destruction from the winter’s wrath. Broken branches, cracked siding, missing shingles all lay in the mud, discarded.

Much like Christ.

The one who was welcomed and cheered. “Hosanna!” Quickly, Jesus was thrown into the pile…”We have no king, but Caesar!” Scourged, humiliated, mocked, spit upon, and crucified. “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

Jesus knew his fate. He chose His fate. He didn’t have to, but He knew that the only way we could be born again was through the ugliness of his death. The only way our spring could come was through his winter. His brokenness, his laying down, his suffering would cause our rebirth into something beautiful.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53: 4-6

So as we look forward to spring, let’s remember the true beauty of this season. May we never forget what Christ has done to give us life!

New life breaks through the dead of winter!

Princesses, Problems, and Perfection

 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

I blame Disney. I blame Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.  Princess perfection. Lovely voices, animal taming personalities, and tiny feet.  This clod hopper didn’t measure up. As a size 10, jokes about throwing away shoes and just wearing the boxes were common! Yeah, yeah, I get it…I don’t even need to wear skis…cause my feet are so big!

Along with big feet came other large things that I wished were smaller, Hair that I wished was curlier and bigger (it was the 80’s after all), skin that was clearer. The list was endless. The quest to be perfect haunted me for a long time. I know I wasn’t alone.

The desire to be perfect doesn’t stop after high school. In fact, once I became a mother, I had a whole new idea of perfection. Being the perfect mom with the perfect child. Breast feeding, cloth diapers, homemade baby food…again the list is long.

We don’t have to look far to see this idea of perfection invades our culture and most cultures around the world.  No, I really don’t blame Disney. As a Christian, I know perfection is not attainable here. And yet, the wrestling continues.

My thoughts are that the idea of perfection, flawlessness, comes from the Lord. He is perfect. His laws, statutes, and ways are perfect. Everything about Him is perfect.  “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48  But, perfection is only attainable through the righteousness of Christ.

My imperfections, my weak and broken places are where Christ’s strength is found. “For where I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12: 10  Chasing after perfection, as a goal in and of itself, is like chasing the wind. I will never catch it!

Christ has given me his perfection…his righteousness…his holiness. Best of all, I do not have to horde it and keep it to myself, because the more I give it away, the more I receive. The more I allow people to see the imperfections, the wrinkles, and age spots, the more freedom I have to love others the way Christ loves me…with abandon!

And as we walk this journey on this small planet, knowing where we are headed, following our perfect Lord and Savior, may we all live happily ever after…

Please click the link below and be introduced to Holly Gerth, author of You’re Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect.

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Luke 19: 5-7

The story of Zacchaeus is familiar to us, but as I read it this past week, one line struck me anew.  “But when they saw it, they all complained…” What had they seen? Who were “they”? Where had they come from?

Reading the Word of God in context is vital to understanding the whole of the scripture I am studying. So as I back up to chapter 18 in Luke, I discover much that opened my eyes to not only the “they” in this story, but also the “Me” in this story.

As is known, Zacchaeus was not just a tax collector, but the chief tax collector…head honcho. Hated and despised, tax collectors were greatly distrusted and poorly regarded. Because of dishonest dealings and deceitful practices, people did not associate with them.

So, back to my questions.

The “they” in the above scripture are referring to the people who had been walking with Jesus. They had heard him preach, perform a miracle, and tell the rich young ruler that it was impossible for a rich man to get into heaven. Ironically, Jesus also preached about the Pharisee and the tax collector.

 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other{Pharisee}, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18: 13-14

Even after witnessing all this, they complained when Jesus brought Zacchaeus into his fold. I’m sure Zacchaeus could hear them complaining. He knew how they regarded him. He wasn’t with anyone before he climbed up the tree. Isolation is often the price for riches.

Zacchaeus joyfully received Jesus and declared before all, his true and honest intentions of restitution and repentance. We know it is genuine, because Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19: 9-10.

Wait! Did you catch that? Jesus just accomplished the impossible! Zacchaeus, a very rich man, just received salvation! He was willing to do what the rich young ruler was not…follow Christ at all cost!

And yet, they complained!

How like me to disregard miracles that go against my preconceived notions and judgments! I put more stock in my idea of a person than in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. I allow what I think of a person to determine how I see their walk with the Lord. Instead of rejoicing, I complain about their past sins, real or imagined. I can get caught up in the crowd and allow their judgments to lead me.

As a mom, I struggle with this with my children and their friends. I have this idea of what I want for my children. I think we all do. I have this picture of what is good and what is bad. If someone doesn’t fit into my image of good, I really grapple with refusing the friendship and protecting my children.

That mentality can even infiltrate into the family. If the family doesn’t fit my idea then I want to cut off the relationship. We are called to be diligent and to be careful. After all, bad company does corrupt good character as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:33, but we are never called to quickly dismiss someone based solely on reputation.

As a Christian this should not be!

I know I need to protect and guide, but I also need to trust that the Lord is the better protector. I am called to shine the light of Christ to the world around me. How can I do that if I am proudly shutting out the very people Christ has brought to me to love and serve?

In the wise words of my 14 year old daughter, “If we don’t love them and show them the love of Christ, Mom, who will?”

So today, I choose to be brave. I choose to lay down my complaints, judgments, and preconceived notions of people and trust the Lord to lead, guide, and protect me and my family. May I joyfully receive that which He came to save…the lost, the unlovable, and sinners…like me.