Further Up and Further In

  

One of my favorite things to do with my children, while driving in the car, is listen to the audio drama of The Chronicles of Narnia. The Cd's were a gift to my children from my mom. I never read the books as a child, although my sister did. She had the entire collection of books. For years I remember going to bed, gazing at all the books on our bookshelf in my room, and always wondering what those particular books were about. They seemed so strange to me, with strange pictures on the cover. Never though, did I dive into reading them. What a treasure I was missing out on.



   We have listened to the Narnia Cd's multiple times, never tiring of their excitement, mystery, and moments that leave us gripped with emotion. I never realized these stories would shine such a light on God, and His love for us. The final CD, The Last Battle, has such a powerful ending to it. Aslan the lion (a picture of Jesus), is calling the children (who have grown up throughout all the stories) to come further up and further in, into the new Narnia (a picture of Heaven). It is the most beautiful thing. No matter how far they go with him, there is always more beauty, more grandeur. I can't do the story justice, but it is so God.

 

I feel, in my own life, although Jesus is not calling me into heaven yet, He is calling me into more of Him here on earth. The more of Him I get, the bigger He becomes, and the smaller I feel. The more beauty I see, the more I want to be like Him, and less like me.

 

When you want to be aggravated...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you have self-pity...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you want to judge...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

When you are afraid...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you are stressed...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you want to quit...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When the enemy lies...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

When you feel alone...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you can't see the way...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

There is joy in Him...(Nehemiah 8:10)

 

There is confidence in Him...(1 John :14)

 

There is humility in Him...(2 Chronicles 7:14)

 

There is boldness in Him...(Hebrews 4:16)

 

There is peace in Him...(Philippians 4:7)

 

There is perseverance in Him...(Galatians 6:9)

 

There is truth in Him...(Psalm 119:160)

There is comfort in Him...(Matthew 11:28-30)

 

There is light in Him...(Psalm 119:105)

 

What more do we need? What can we do on our own? What can we be on our own?

It is all found in Jesus. When we leave the path of this world, and what it says is right, and comfortable, and self pleasing...and fling ourselves wholeheartedly into Jesus, we can never fail.

Every moment of every day is a choice to come Further Up and Further In, in Him...



Everyday Moments

I can't say that I have anything to profound to share today that will change any one's life...but there were some moments that changed mine.

I got to watch as my seven year old little Ethan cleaned the entire kitchen for me. Emptied a clean dishwasher, loaded it, with sink piled high of dirty dishes, cleared all counters and wiped them clean. Amazing. Melted me.

I got to share in the joy of my little Emma getting overjoyed as she went pee pee on the big girl potty. And then running with her, in sheer excitement, to the kitchen to get her "emdinem" (M&M) as a reward.

I got to laugh with my dear Elijah as we fumbled through kindergarten phonics together. Smiling and learning together...him his letters, and me patience...knowing this season will all too soon be passed, and I shall miss it so.

I got to see my Olivia. Growing up. She is nine. She is amazing and has a precious heart. I reveled in a quiet moment before bed, just me and her, reading Angelina Ballerina. She's not too old for stories. In fact she still needs them and longs for that time.

I was blessed today just being a mom. Not being in a hurry. Not overlooking moments in time that will change me, soften me, cause me to stop and smell the roses...my roses...my gifts from heaven.

Being able to soak in the beauty of my life. My simple everyday moments. Such a blessing.