A funny example of the strange prayers we pray as Christians. We were on a long journey the other day and my husband needed a comfort break. He prayed for a lay-by to become available. We drove past lots of them but they were hidden until we went past. On the particular road we are on is a famous shopping place, which has an abundance of facilities. My husband drove past. And then prayed again for a lay-by. I was not sympathetic as I felt God had already given him a good answer to that rather flippant prayer.
This is just a silly example of how Christians sometimes pray. I believe that we must pray (although my prayer life is ropey to say the least) BUT sometimes, we pray and the answer is already staring us in the face. Occasionally, it seems like we use prayer as a magic talisman.
When people are ill I pray for healing and I believe in miracles. I really do. However, I have not seen any like the ones Jesus performed in the Bible. All the miracles I have seen involved modern medicine. I really believe that God uses it an awful lot to make people better. I often hear Christians pray, "Lord, bring a miracle. Heal this person." or "We believe that God can heal this person." Yes, and so do I so please visit the Doctor, take the medication and go for the tests that are called for. (I know of Christians who have talked about giving up medicines because they feel like they are lacking trust in God.) By doing this you are not being a faithless Christian or distrusting the divine healing that can come. You are using the amazing brain that God gave you. He may heal you dramatically but then again the answer to your prayers may be more long term.
I thank God for the miracle of modern medicine because many of my family would not be here without it. I thank God for the answers to prayers which look like Doctors, Nurses, Scientists and other workers in the Medical Field. I will continue to pray for miracles but I will also use the ones that God has already provided; the ones that reside in the GP surgeries or hospital etc etc.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Sunday, 8 September 2013
FYI - Another topic to mess with my head?
This week a blog post went viral. I read it on a friend's facebook page. Some commentators found the original photos (now replaced) unhelpful to the message of the post. I found it uncomfortable that the girls did not get a second chance if they posted photos that were deemed unsuitable for the boys by their mum. They were deleted from her sons' facebook accounts. Is that the message I am giving my daughters? You make a mistake and that is it?
My children do not as yet have a Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking account; they are too young. I believe wholeheartedly in modest dressing. However, I am someone who has never worn a bikini and am completely uncomfortable with how I look. I have a BMI within the normal limits for my height but still do not like my body. I have curly hair and have worn glasses since I was 13. Not your classical beauty. :) I DO NOT want my girls growing up being scornful of themselves as a person or their bodies. I really hope that they live Godly lives and respect themselves holistically. My question is: How on earth do I teach them to not flaunt themselves in any way (because you can wear the most modest clothes and still flaunt yourself) AND to be confident in whom God has created them. With all due respects if they carry on the way they are going they will turn into very attractive young women.
(Aside: I have no idea why I am so caught up about myself. In all honesty I know that I am not in bad shape for my age but I dislike wearing things that are too tight, too low, too short etc etc; and because of this I can have a tendency to overdo things. In the past few years I have made myself wear clothes that aren't huge and baggy as this always looked ridiculous. I discovered that dressing oddly can also make you stand out.)
I believe that it is my job as a parent to monitor my children. Parents have always done that, but nowadays the job is harder because of the Internet. Girls posting inappropriate photos of themselves is very easy because of the access our young people have to computers. I long to teach my girls to have respect for themselves without leaving them with hang-ups that will take a life time to sort out. I also long to hide them from the world so that they are not harmed, but real-life isn't like that. They will make mistakes but surely it is my role as a parent to show love and discipline in the right balance. One without the other will only lead to hurt and harm.
This post came at a good time as it gives me time to work out how to deal with this issue with my girls. I want them to be Christians, to be confident in the skills and gifts that they have, to know that they are beautiful on the outside, to develop a beauty from within, to love and learn about God and others, to be kind and gentle and a whole myriad of other things. I do not want them to see themselves as being whole only if they have a boyfriend. To my girls go out and discover; there is a wonderful world out there.
My children do not as yet have a Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking account; they are too young. I believe wholeheartedly in modest dressing. However, I am someone who has never worn a bikini and am completely uncomfortable with how I look. I have a BMI within the normal limits for my height but still do not like my body. I have curly hair and have worn glasses since I was 13. Not your classical beauty. :) I DO NOT want my girls growing up being scornful of themselves as a person or their bodies. I really hope that they live Godly lives and respect themselves holistically. My question is: How on earth do I teach them to not flaunt themselves in any way (because you can wear the most modest clothes and still flaunt yourself) AND to be confident in whom God has created them. With all due respects if they carry on the way they are going they will turn into very attractive young women.
(Aside: I have no idea why I am so caught up about myself. In all honesty I know that I am not in bad shape for my age but I dislike wearing things that are too tight, too low, too short etc etc; and because of this I can have a tendency to overdo things. In the past few years I have made myself wear clothes that aren't huge and baggy as this always looked ridiculous. I discovered that dressing oddly can also make you stand out.)
I believe that it is my job as a parent to monitor my children. Parents have always done that, but nowadays the job is harder because of the Internet. Girls posting inappropriate photos of themselves is very easy because of the access our young people have to computers. I long to teach my girls to have respect for themselves without leaving them with hang-ups that will take a life time to sort out. I also long to hide them from the world so that they are not harmed, but real-life isn't like that. They will make mistakes but surely it is my role as a parent to show love and discipline in the right balance. One without the other will only lead to hurt and harm.
This post came at a good time as it gives me time to work out how to deal with this issue with my girls. I want them to be Christians, to be confident in the skills and gifts that they have, to know that they are beautiful on the outside, to develop a beauty from within, to love and learn about God and others, to be kind and gentle and a whole myriad of other things. I do not want them to see themselves as being whole only if they have a boyfriend. To my girls go out and discover; there is a wonderful world out there.
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