July 7, 2009
As I prepare to home school today and read the Bible lesson for the kids, I have to do some additional reading to prepare myself. It is too early in the morning for Danny to be awake, so I have to do some of my own research and study for myself.
What does 'hallow' really mean? Is it that 'hallow' usually used as a verb, "to make holy or sacred, to sanctify or consecrate"... (I will look forward to Danny's reply.)
Here is the point of why I want to know more about that word 'hallow'....
Many verses in the Bible say that we are to fear the LORD to be near him, to understand him and to not be foolishly avoiding him. To love him, we must also fear him, this is part of the way that we respect his awesome character, pure, holy, magnificent, and powerfully goodness. What is my life is 'hallow', made holy or sanctified? Maybe I have a grasp of this idea for worship on Sunday's at church and in my personal prayer life, but what am I missing? Where else can I apply 'hallow' and see the results? In prayer, it is about being humble, recognizing my fear, understanding God's love for me as his creation, and knowing all along I will see Him through Jesus. When we revere Him as HOLY, only then are we acknowledging that HE is, and his name is God. I think that is 'hallow'.
What about when we desecrate or blaspheme God?
We had a terrible struggle with our middle daughter lying to us. It has been building over the last few events and last night was an explosion. It was small at first as, 'Who left a dirty sweeper pan on the kitchen counter, or who cut all of the hair off of a Barbie doll and left the bathroom sink a mess?, but it escalated to Who made a mess on Mom's dresser with Mom's make-up?' At 6-years-old, I doubt she can see the consequences of her sin until we as parents apply significant consequences in a physical way to her life. She only treasures her 'things'. Her possessions such as Barbie dolls, her ATV, and maybe her DS. As parents, we have tried to explain the situation to her, we have been patient and loving, and applying discipline along the way, yet, she continues in her choice to lie. Last night, I felt that if we as parents did not apply a severe consequence that we were desecrating God because we were not honoring him by not applying his commands in our own daughter's life.
We desecrate and blaspheme GOD, when we consider him to be anything less than he is and our finite brain struggles to trust in faith and blinded by worldly views. We do this in attitude, actions and words. It was not just our daughter's lies but we as parents had to apply our beliefs in our actions and words. As difficult as it was, I feel we honored God in our attempt to end the lying. We have to be able to trust our children totally in every situation because their choices to come in their future are going to be more significant than getting into Mom's make-up while no one was watching. We as parents have to be able to trust our children.
I prayed with our daughter again last night and I realized in a true situation that we must let the Holy Spirit control the communication, and let go of ourselves to be given the Holy Spirit's vision of God we can respond to with our character he built into us to worship, and praise at that moment, then we are on his terms; ready to be heard, forgiven, guided, blessed and loved. Often we come to God on our terms, with our demands, and our agenda. How he longs to have us just be still, and know he is God.
I challenge you to look at your life this week for ways to 'hallow' God and continue in those ways. I also challenge you to recognize attitudes, actions, and words that are not honoring God and to begin making efforts to change those ways. As in the case with our daughter, the correction can be immediate and have a physical impact. Our daughter was welled-up with tears as she got a kitchen trash bag to gather her toys and helmet. She has permanently lost toys that are very special to her and our desire is that each time she desires to play with those special toys that she remembers her Heavenly Father that loves her and commands her obedience. Today, my prayer is for our daughter, us as parents, and each one of us as Christians to focus on ways to honor God in our day.
Blessings,
Nikki
