It's Ok To Ask

Proverbs 6:23: "Reproofs of instruction are the way of life."

Yesterday, on Resurrection Day, my Sunday School class discussed "Doubting Thomas". I don't know who gave him that name; I rather admire the fellow. True, he was reproved by Jesus, but we learn from reproof. Thomas was a seeker.  That didn't make him less of a follower. He just had a great need to understand. After he requested to see Jesus' nailscars, he went on to be there when Jesus ascended and was present on the day of Pentecost to receive his portion of blessing. I believe Thomas was made stronger by his desire to understand by asking questions. His lessons were worthy of mentioning in the Word.

I have an affinity with Thomas. I like to ask questions. My mother said I asked more questions than her other two daughters when I was approaching marriage and leaving home. I have embarrassed my family on more than one occasion by my curiosity. Some people like to read "how to" books. I prefer to talk to the source.

My only son inherited my curiosity. He and I spent years asking and answering. He asked; I tried to answer. I kind of missed it when he outgrew my answers! But I find it amusing how we keep in touch by texting. We ask questions:) That's who we are!

I love the curious kid! He drives his parents crazy but he's a learner! He generally retains it and educates himself with it! One quote says it all: "In children, seeking explanations is as deeply rooted a drive as seeking food or water!"  

I like that it is recorded in the Bible of the Patriots who questioned God. Abraham found it questionable that he was chosen to sire a baby by his barren wife who was past her child bearing years. Again, God chided him, but still used him. Abraham learned well from his reproof.  Moses questioned God in choosing someone as handicapped as him for leading such a mammoth group of people out of bondage. God didn't back down but convinced Moses and used him.  Joseph questioned that God would have Mary carry the Messiah; he had to be convinced by stronger measures! 

Scientists and explorers have always made discoveries by their curiosity. It's the way God designed us as humans. 

I have accompanied a good many school groups to historical sights and museums with educational guides. They always ask the children for questions. I admire the kids who have the nerve to ask them! Sometimes, it makes them appear unlearned or stupid. But, in reality, they are asking the questions that nobody else knows either. They just won't speak up. 

I kind of think of Thomas as this kind of person. He was the one who asked the question about Christ leaving and where was he going? He was only voicing what the other disciples didn't understand either. I find it noteworthy that Thomas was mentioned as  the one who was honestly seeking to understand. We have proof that he was sincere and strong in his discipleship when he was in the group with Jesus when Lazarus died and Jesus wanted to go to Bethany. Most of the disciples didn't want to go. They were afraid. Thomas said, "Let us go with him that we may die with him!" A true follower of Jesus!

It's ok to ask.....Jesus never hesitated to answer questions of the seekers!  He may even reprove us but he knows we are learning!  Solomon said: "Reproofs of instruction are the way of life."

A Just Weight

Proverbs 16:11 "A just weight and balance are the Lords. All the weights of the bag are his work."

The Israelites were encouraged and instructed to have their business dealings under God's scrutiny. That is why there was a bag in the sanctuaries that held what was called a "just weight". It had the stones that were measures of the weights to be used by the merchants. These merchants were to bring their own weights and compare them to the temple weights and adjust for business dealings. You can see how easy it was to become fraudulent in this way. Many of the merchants carried their own bag of weights which weren't exact or just.  Their unfair trade was easily conducted by very small variances in the scale in their favor. It quickly became a big deal in the Israelite culture: this matter of just weights and balance.

These merchants wouldn't have dreamed of becoming involved in scandalous or fraudulent schemes. But it was so easy to gain money little by little. Just like them, we are still dealing with the "small" discrepancies in our lives in the same way. 

Today, any business that sells by weight or gallon, is subject to a visit from the State Weights and Measures Board. This representative will open his case of true weights and check out the scale. If you are substandard, a fine will be incurred. The business cannot sell without a stamp posted that they have been inspected and approved with their weights and measurements. 

We are so much like those early merchants. The first  thing we tend to do is to quit going to compare our weights to the just weights in the Word. We start doing our own measures; cutting corners a little here and there.The world around us does it all the time. It seems fair to get even or to give someone their due or make up our own table of reference to use in our measures of right and wrong. It seems fair and looks acceptable.

We begin to judge our behavior from what our peers expect and we adjust our stones to fit the balance of those around us. This affects our speech, our outward appearance, our conduct and our entire life.

Another scripture says that "Man looketh on the outward appearance but God looketh on the heart." This we must never forget! God sees why we say what we do and why we conduct ourselves in the manner we do. Nothing is hidden from Him. We tend to think that God doesn't care about the small details of our life. Wrong. He cared that Adam and Eve ate an apple. He cared that Lot's wife turned around and looked back. Are those little things? He wrote an entire law and then a book of reference for His people to have just weights and balances, and He expects us to reference it and not change it!

For sure, we live in a world of adjusted weights and balances. There are not many accountability boards looking over our shoulders. We can pretty well put into our bags what we want and think we can get by with it.   I suggest we all go back with our bag of weights and compare them to the Word. 

What does the Word say about love, marriage, and training our children? How about gossiping, modesty, our body being God's temple and business dealings, Do we understand the just weight in unselfish living, giving of our money, and how to treat our neighbor? What is the just weight on adultery, lying and cheating?And every other thing that makes up LIFE? Do we have the right kind of balance or do we need to do some adjusting?

Lets all take our bags and go back to the Source and let Him check it out!  We might be surprised at the fine!  But I really want that Stamp of Approval on my life so that those around me feel safe to do business with me!

Love is the Bread of Life

Proverbs 31:27b "...She eateth not the bread of idleness."

One definition of "bread" is "sustenance".  

That means it is needed nourishment to live.

I just received news that my little 86 year old friend, Jeanie, has died. I am so glad she had a quick and easy passing, but I will miss her. She was one special lady and a role model. I've known this great lady for 50 years or more. When I was trying to find a way to commemorate her life, I thought of this scripture: "She eateth not the bread of idleness."

She was old school; she and my mother shared a lot of the same strong principles of life and also were professional in crafts, especially quilting.  I never knew these women to just sit. I have quilts from them both that will always grace my home. These women were engaged in living and giving. And while they lived, they laughed! They were a joy to be with!

I spent many nights with my friend, Ruth, as a recipient of her mother's hospitality; this very industrious woman. We shared  wonderful, home cooked meals, preserved from the garden. Their place was surrounded with warm and comfortable handmade treasures. Her daughters displayed a beautiful wardrobe designed and sewn by their talented mother. Her husband adored her and she was one of the happiest and most positive people I have ever known. Then, she loved to have fun!

A quote that relates to this loving woman: "Love is the bread of life. You have to make it every day if you want it fresh." She lived her life baking, eating and sharing her bread of love. I have been a recipient of it! 

Every single time I saw her, I ran for that big hug and smile. She outlived my mother and was another "mom" for me though I didn't see her nearly often enough. 

After being married for long years, raising a wonderful family, and transitioning into widowhood, she didn't sit down and twiddle her thumbs. She never ate the bread of idleness. She kept baking. Literally and otherwise. She worked at the local library. She made baby quilts for the newborn at the hospital. She was involved in community and church on a large scale, loving and giving til her dying day! Everyone, old and young alike, loved this vibrant woman!

Her happiness and contentment was created by choosing to eat the right  kind of bread. On a literal level, her cinnamon rolls melted in my mouth. I didn't need the recipe; they were unique to her. On a life learning level, I do intend to keep her recipe for living right out there on my cabinet top!  I want it to be a reminder to bake it fresh every day!

---

A Taste of Honey

Proverbs 25:16 "Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee."

It is always enlightening for me to go on a diet. I really like sweet snacks, so when I start to cut back, I am amazed at the amount I have been eating prior to the diet. I never think I am eating as much as I am. That's why portion control is a must in a diet plan.

One cookie rarely satisfies me. So I eat two or three. I love the hundred calorie prepared portions of snacks. It raises my awareness level of how much I think it takes to really sate my hunger.

Isn't that true of any pleasure we experience? Eve was an example of this. She and Adam were given everything they needed in the garden. But she wanted more.

The word sufficient implies that it is "enough or meets the need". The opposite of that is "extreme" which means intense or severe: to the maximum.

Scripture confirms that we must embrace temperance and moderation in our lives. Some passages stress this so much that we are instructed to cut off our hands or pluck out our eyes. We know this is figurative but I think God knew that indulgence would be a human weakness that would easily get out of hand. He was saying that it would take very strong measures to bring ourselves and keep ourselves in control.

So what is your honey? Is it eating? Most of us have to work hard to keep our appetite in control. It could be hobbies that bring you much pleasure. It is so easy to over indulge in time or money to satisfy the things we love to do which seem to be therapeutic. This generation is into extreme sports or exercise. It is proven that much of either will harm the body.  Then there's entertainment, reading or music. There is nothing wrong with any of these but if they control you, you are eating "too much honey".

So many of us think or say, "It's my life. It's not affecting anyone else." I can do what I want." Many times that is the practice of our lives as well. What are the results of overindulgence?

All over indulgence eventually affects the mind and the body. When we become sick, we are a burden to others. God created us to contribute to society, not be a burden. He gave us faculties to do all the things we can so easily over do. It makes life sweet like honey. But if we are always pushing the lines of sufficiency, we will be unhealthy in our approach to living. 

This approach affects everything in our life.There's nothing we do that cannot be touched by this principle. So let's keep our spoonfuls of honey limited!