Sitting at the kids table

Growing up we always came to my grandparents house in Greenville for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The house was always crowded and there was always way too much food, so everyone sitting around one table was impossible. The "adults" sat at the dining room table and the "kids" sat at the "kids" table in one of the bedrooms. As we grew older and could better feed ourselves we moved up to the bigger table. This felt like such an accomplishment, to be acknowledged for growing up and maturing. We even began to get responsibilities in the kitchen, helping to prepare the meals.

God has really been bringing this back to my thoughts lately. I realize my relationship with God is very much like this. He did not intend on me staying at the "kids table" , and he did not intend on spoon feeding me my entire walk. He wants me to continue to mature and build my relationship with him. Basically, He wants me to be able to feed myself and not depend on other people for my feeding. Why? Because he wants me to be active with what he is doing in my life, so I can grow more! In the Bible He says to "go" , "do", and "be". He also said to "seek" and "ask". But how can we do anything just sitting and being spoon fed?

Another example that came to mind was this....
For those of you who know me, you know there is need for physical improvements! Well what if I got up every morning and watched Denise Austin(big aerobic instructor). What if I only listened and made notes, but I never put anything I learned, heard or saw into practice? Guess what? Nothing changes. I am still the same overweight out of shape person. Just as miserable as I was when I started being"spoon fed" by Denise Austin. See,if I wanted to truly change then I would have to realize real change comes by putting it to practice.

We can look and look for all the quick fixes for our lack of spiritual growth, but the real fix for our spiritual needs is in living out our faith every day. It will never change by finding something to stir a temporary emotion that makes everthing feel right. Eventually, we are still in the same shape!

What have I learned? I am responsible for my relationship with God. My wonderful pastor is not responsible for where I am in my walk with God. Is he an encourager, and guide? YES. BUT, he is not able to fix all of my problems. No human being is. So what do I need to do? I need to quit blaming everyone around me and get my head out of the hole I have it stuck and get busy about God's work! I need to study God's word---EVERYDAY. I need to pray about everything and at all times. I need to share(like this) with others what God is doing. I need to listen to others around me about what God has done for them. And I need to serve others so that they have a chance to come to know Him .

Sun Blockers Beware!!

Just a quick warning.......I always use sunblock on my children, this time it did not pay off! Don't get me wrong, no one got sunburned but we did end up at the hospital! The day before we left the beach we spent most of one day out on the beach. Needless to say we rubbed down with sun block very well.

About two weeks before our trip, I purchased a 12oz. bottle of Coppertone Sport 30spf. . Something in this sunblock caused a severe allergic reaction with my oldest child. After trying everything within our means we ended up with a child in misery at the hospital looking for help.
The doctor said it was definitely a reaction to the sun block and prescribed a steroid and a really strong antihistamine.

As of today, my son feels much better, the rash is going away, and I am dealing with Coppertone. So beware, have a couple of sunblocks to choose from just in case of a problem.

Also, do not hesitate to contact your sunblock brand if there is a problem and save the bottle of sunblock because they will want that. I am having to send my bottle back to them.

Good luck blocking!!