Day 314 - Kids Stuff

"We usually only get kids stuff."

Life changes when you have kids. You don't realize it until later but when you have children you are no longer your own. All that you have and every moment is consumed with them. This is actually wonderful. I have enjoyed being a dad. The big three in my life in order are becoming a Christian, getting married and having children. 

On my birthday this year I told my wife that I just wanted to be with her and the kids. She started trying to change the plan and when I was asked if I really didn't want to be with anyone else I had to pointedly say no. There was just something in me that wanted to be with them. We ended up going to the science museum and the museum of natural history. Someone asked me if that is what I wanted to do for my birthday. It wasn't what I would have picked if it was just me but because I was with my kids we were doing kid stuff. (Truth be told when I saw the Shuttle Endeavor and the real dinosaur bones I became a kid again!)

The quote from last year is about clothes shopping. Probably every mom that read it immediately shouted amen. You go to the store to buy yourself something and come home with bags of children's clothing. In fact you probably are like us and have felt guilty for buying yourself clothes and not the kids. 

The one thing I love most about my children is that they are continually teaching me the heart of the Father. How much greater is His love than mine? How deep is His love that He would give His only begotten son for us. How awesome is His grace and mercy for His children. If my love is so great and I  want to be with my family all the time how much more our heavenly Father? It makes me love Him so much more. 

How much do you love and enjoy your family? In what ways do you see God through your family?

Day 82 - Our Inheritance

"It really is a revelation that Jesus didn't only die for our sins but also because He died his testament (new covenant) goes in to effect giving us life, restored privilege and position in His kingdom and blessings. Our inheritance is Him! How far we go to get a worldly inheritance and yet Christians stop at Jesus died for my sins alone and never move on to take hold of Him as their inheritance. May we travel and fight and go great lengths to find Him and His wealth of love."

I think of the prodigal son who asked for his inheritance from his father and got it. Yes he squandered it but he got it nonetheless. Did you also know his brother who wouldn't come in the the party had an inheritance. He was bellyaching that he never had a little goat for him and his friends when his dad came and set him straight. Do you remember what the Father said to the older son? He said "All that I have is yours." 

That is a pretty amazing thought. Everything that is God's is ours. He is our Father and anything that is His is also ours. That means we can go get in God's fridge and eat the food we find. We can drive God's car and swim in the pool. 

All that He has is ours. He didn't even withhold His Son Jesus so why would He withhold any other good thing from us? Go on, ask God in prayer for what you need. He will give it freely. It is yours because He gave it all at the cross. 

How does knowing you have an inheritance from God change your life? How have you taken part in your inheritance from God?