Regifting

Yes, we've all done it. Regifting - taking a gift that we have received and giving it to another person. But have you ever given it back to the same person you received it from? I have, and I bet many of you have without even realizing it.

I was reading about Lilias Trotter last night. Lilias was born in England in 1853 and as she grew so grew two passions: one art, one ministry. Lilias was a very talented artist and was fortunate to find a teacher who saw her potential. She trained under Professor John Ruskin who said that if Lilias would focus on her art, "she would be the greatest living painter and do things that would be immortal."

However, Lilias was also a Christian who was passionate about Christ and serving the lost and poor in London and eventually Algeria. She did not devote herself completely to her art but divided her time between art instruction/assignments and caring for women in the slums of London. At 26, her teacher pressed her to make a decision - to choose between art and ministry.

Now you may think that is an easy decision, but not so. First, Lilias knew that her artistic talent had nothing to do with her. It was completely a gift from God. "I know that I have no more to do with the gift than with the colour of my hair" she said. (natural hair color that is!) She also knew that it was possible for God to use her art to glorify Himself and encourage others. As she prayed for wisdom she came to the conclusion that "I cannot give myself to painting in the way he [Ruskin] means and continue still to 'seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness'"

As Noel Piper says in Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God, "[s]he was free now to throw herself wholeheartedly into her ministry in London" and eventually wholeheartedly into the country of Algeria as a missionary. She still enjoyed her art and still painted, but she had made a decision to keep it subservient to her passion for the lost - to give it back to God so to speak, instead of clinging to it and demanding her own way with it.

We all have gifts. Things that we have received from God - talents, resources, relationships, degrees, or positions that we could cling to and throw every ounce of time and energy into. Or we can take those gifts and give them back to the One who gave it to us in the first place. Remember we come to God with nothing of our own. Whatever we do have to give came from Him in the first place. I believe that by seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, Lilias Trotter did just what her teacher said she would do . . . "things that would be immortal."

I can post some of Lilias' art, but I'm afraid there wouldn't be enough room to post all the lives she touched.

Gross Again

Ok, the same little guy who caused the trash can fiasco just pulled up a big handful of the table cloth and used it to wipe macaroni and cheese off his mouth. Help me!

Resources

I found a helpful spot for children's book reviews: The Children's Hour

Gabe's New Bed

Here's Gabe showing off his new bed! He's very excited about his "big boy bed" and a little possessive. When Noah gets in, he says "No, wowah, my bed." What he doesn't know is that all the boys have slept in it at some point in the past 8 years. We go with the motto: "If you've not slept in it, it's new to you!"

Just Call Me Minnie Pearl!

My hubby generously gave me a new skirt which I wore to church this morning. I was in a rush to get ready this morning since I had worship practice at 8am. Obviously, too rushed. I didn't notice that the price tag was still on my skirt until I got home at 3pm. Oh, well. I may not be wearing flamingo shirts anymore, but I'm still a geek! (This is not meant to imply that Minnie Pearl was a geek. Wearing price tags on her hat was her signature. I can't claim to be that creative.)

Who's Up to the Challenge?

Here's a link to "A Challenge to Women" by John Piper. First of all, let me say to those who don't know John Piper, he's an equal opportunity challenger and is just as challenging to the men. Pick up his book Don't Waste Your Life for a taste. Secondly, let me also say, he challenges himself just as well, look here for an example. Lastly, remember - it's called "A Challenge to Women" for a reason. Don't attempt this on your own. It's hard. God is our helper and sustainer. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.

Flashback 2

Sorry, I've not been posting much. Lots of stuff going on right now with the Women's Conference, baseball season, etc. I just couldn't resist another flashback though. A little guy that I used to babysit, who's not so little anymore, turned 21!! The young men in our church are great. They are definitely guys who I can point to and tell my boys, "Follow that." But every now and then I still picture them like this: