Nati Grace has regrettably been a sick little one over the last few weeks. Although we still have a few tests left to be done, we believe she is back to normal and we are trusting that the doctors will let us know of any concerns that we should have. For now, we are praising God that life in the Auton house has returned to life as usual.
I am convinced more and more that God chooses to refine me when I am least expecting it and through circumstances that are not necessarily spiritual in nature. Most of my spiritual growth has come not from formal Bible Study (although God has prepared me through Bible Study) but from everyday life experiences where the realization comes clear that ultimately God cares about the little things and the major times of struggle in my life. Truly, unless I give ALL of it to him, nothing will become of me and I cannot give Him the glory He deserves.
After 2 weeks of Nati Grace struggling to stay healthy, her pediatrician advised me to stay at home with her for at least a week to allow her immune system time to heal and become ready to face the world again.
Refinement Lesson #1: I am replaceable, God is not. Yes, all the ministry areas that I lead or help in at the church can be done by someone else. The world can go on. I was forced to stay at home for a whole week and the world continued just fine without me. Things may not have been done the way I would have done them, but they were done. I am NOT the ultimate in "my" areas of ministry... Jesus is! What did I learn? If something in the ministries that I participate in does not bring glory to Jesus Christ, it need not be done! I need to be more sensitive to the ideas of others and allow others to join in the leadership of ministries and allow the implementation of their ideas to bring glory to God! This should be my first priority in word and deed... to bring glory to Jesus Christ alone!
Refinement Lesson #2: The way that I can most glorify Christ is by loving and caring for my family. Now, I have known this for a very long time. The issue is that sometimes we need correction from God that it does not need to be just a priority by statement but also a priority through action. What did I learn? I am SO blessed by God with an amazing family. I truly love them more than any other human, any possession, and/or any personal goals or aspirations. I need to humble my own personal dreams and live the dream that God has called to be my second priority: to love my family by serving and to humble myself to meet their needs above my own.
Refinement Lesson #3: Personal Pride is useless! How did God remind me of this one? Two words for you: Stool Samples! Not only was I reminded that a mother will do anything for her children, but I was also reminded that I am not above anyone or any duty that is placed before me. What did I learn? Pride is useless. God is all. No task is too menial for me to complete.
Refinement Lesson #4: God cares for my needs and the needs of my family. God was not shocked by how my heart would feel. He was very aware that for me staying at home for 7 days straight was going to be a challenge. He was very aware that my love for my children would cause me to do whatever it takes, with His help, to take care of them. What did I learn? God is sufficient for the big problems in life, for the menial tasks, and even for the lonely times. God is SUFFICIENT!
"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." ~2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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I am convinced more and more that God chooses to refine me when I am least expecting it and through circumstances that are not necessarily spiritual in nature. Most of my spiritual growth has come not from formal Bible Study (although God has prepared me through Bible Study) but from everyday life experiences where the realization comes clear that ultimately God cares about the little things and the major times of struggle in my life. Truly, unless I give ALL of it to him, nothing will become of me and I cannot give Him the glory He deserves.
After 2 weeks of Nati Grace struggling to stay healthy, her pediatrician advised me to stay at home with her for at least a week to allow her immune system time to heal and become ready to face the world again.
Refinement Lesson #1: I am replaceable, God is not. Yes, all the ministry areas that I lead or help in at the church can be done by someone else. The world can go on. I was forced to stay at home for a whole week and the world continued just fine without me. Things may not have been done the way I would have done them, but they were done. I am NOT the ultimate in "my" areas of ministry... Jesus is! What did I learn? If something in the ministries that I participate in does not bring glory to Jesus Christ, it need not be done! I need to be more sensitive to the ideas of others and allow others to join in the leadership of ministries and allow the implementation of their ideas to bring glory to God! This should be my first priority in word and deed... to bring glory to Jesus Christ alone!
Refinement Lesson #2: The way that I can most glorify Christ is by loving and caring for my family. Now, I have known this for a very long time. The issue is that sometimes we need correction from God that it does not need to be just a priority by statement but also a priority through action. What did I learn? I am SO blessed by God with an amazing family. I truly love them more than any other human, any possession, and/or any personal goals or aspirations. I need to humble my own personal dreams and live the dream that God has called to be my second priority: to love my family by serving and to humble myself to meet their needs above my own.
Refinement Lesson #3: Personal Pride is useless! How did God remind me of this one? Two words for you: Stool Samples! Not only was I reminded that a mother will do anything for her children, but I was also reminded that I am not above anyone or any duty that is placed before me. What did I learn? Pride is useless. God is all. No task is too menial for me to complete.
Refinement Lesson #4: God cares for my needs and the needs of my family. God was not shocked by how my heart would feel. He was very aware that for me staying at home for 7 days straight was going to be a challenge. He was very aware that my love for my children would cause me to do whatever it takes, with His help, to take care of them. What did I learn? God is sufficient for the big problems in life, for the menial tasks, and even for the lonely times. God is SUFFICIENT!
"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." ~2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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1 comment:
Kati, I had no idea that Nati Grace was so sick. I'm sorry you have been going through such a hard time yet it sounds like once again God has met your deepest needs. I'm blessed by your transparency. I'll be praying for her and you!
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