God-Given Gumption®

Call to Evacuate

It is amazing to me how in our current time meteorologists can so accurately trace storm patterns to predict intensity and touchdown before they even happen. Thanks to modern technology, something as devastating as a category 5 hurricane doesn’t come as a complete surprise. The people in the path of the storm are given ample time to prepare, bunker down, and evacuate if necessary. I do realize that if an area gets the call to evacuate, not every person will make that choice and not every person is able to for a variety of reasons. But for those who choose to stay or are unable to leave, 24/7 modern media eliminates the element of surprise for the destruction heading their way.

The bible tells us that what will be a surprise is the moment Jesus returns to Earth. He is coming, though we don’t know when, to save all of those who believe in Him. Despite the impending surprise of timing, the Lord has already sounded the alarm and has given us over 2,000 years to prepare. The New Testament repeats the command, “Watch…” several times in reference to the second coming of Christ. We need to be ready at all times because we just don’t know when it will take place. I don’t pretend to be an expert on the bible or apocalyptic speculations, but I do think it is reasonable to assume that the time of Christ’s return is drawing near.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back-whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”
Mark 13:32-37

I once read in reference to why Christ first came onto the world stage at the time He did was because that was when His message could spread. If “all roads lead to Rome,” then it makes sense that the Son of God was born during the reign of the Roman Empire. God could have picked any time and any place He wanted to send his Son to atone for the sins of all mankind, but the Roman civilization during Jesus’s lifetime dominated world history, perhaps more than any other empire. While I also don’t pretend to be a historian, I think it’s important to remember when we study scripture to put the words into the context of when they were written. The importance of every single parable and divine verse is not lost when we understand the culture they were first spoken to. I think that God chose the time and place of Jesus’s birth to be during Roman Empire because He knew the world would still feel the influence of its existence today.

If Jesus first came at a time when all roads led to Rome, then I think it is safe to assume His second coming could be any day now as we live in a time when we are more connected than ever before. In the United States, even people who live in poverty have access to information from all over the world, often in the palm of their hand. We have cable news that inundates us constantly, all kinds of social media apps, and even this blog has the potential to reach anyone in the world with internet access. God’s call to receive Christ is able to spread quicker than it ever has before. We don’t know when he is coming back, but we do know we need to be ready and it is more important than ever to invite Christ into your heart.

Be alert! The warnings have been sounded. Willingly sticking around to ride out a hurricane and ignoring the warnings to evacuate is a lot like ignoring the warnings from God and sticking around for the tribulation. In the end, you are risking certain death. Again, while not everyone can evacuate for a hurricane, the bible tells us everyone will hear the gospel and then the end will come. Why should we think that time is far off when we are living in a time where it is possible for the gospel to reach every population on earth? For the Christian, this time is not a worry. If you have yet to accept Christ, do no be caught sleeping! The Lord already knows all about your life and personal storms. Receiving the gift of eternal life is as simple as declaring Christ as your Lord and Savior and inviting Him to weather your storms together.

Love, Molly

Designer’s Label

Celebrating our birthday weekend in 2015 at the horse races in Ruidoso, NM

Today is my birthday. Taylor’s would be on Friday. He used to joke that he married an older woman and would tease me about being a “cougar” for the two days between our birthdays when my age was a digit more than his. It feels strange to turn another year older and my husband not follow me as we grow up together. Taylor’s portrait is framed and resting against my dresser mirror. I know that one day a morning will come when I will look at this portrait and the reflection in the mirror next to it will be a woman that he wouldn’t recognize.

I think about how different labels have been applied to me during different stages of my life: daughter, friend, student, (uncoordinated) cheerleader, sorority girl, teacher, wife, mother. How is it possible that between 32 and 33 I picked up the label “widow?” A widow is a shriveled up old woman with a white bun who wears too many pieces of gaudy jewelry all at the same time. A widow is someone’s great aunt that gets referred to as a “tough old broad” in family stories. How can I possibly be a widow when I still have my natural hair color and fill out my wedding dress?

We all have labels that we carry around. Some we are proud of and some we would like to shed, but whatever our labels are, we can’t escape that being labeled is a part of being in society, even for those on the outskirts. However others may see us, there is only one label that matters when we all inevitably leave earthly society behind. When your time comes, will you be able to enter the gates of Heaven labeled as a child of God? The Lord knows your name. He knows your every thought and every hair on your head. All humanity belongs to God whether we choose to accept that label or not.

“I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…“
Isaiah 49:16

People often don’t like to dive into the last book of the bible due to fear of the most terrifying story ever told, but for the believer, the book of Revelation is full of so much hope. Chapter 22, verse 4 tells us, “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” What an incredible day that will be! When I studied this verse a couple years ago, Margot was just a toddler and it reminded me of how excited she would get when her name was monogrammed on something or when her nursery teacher would write her name for her on her crafts. It was pure joy for my child. The bible tells us to have a childlike faith. If a young child can become so excited seeing her name written on one of her belongings, imagine the insurmountable joy of having the Lord’s name written on our foreheads (and seeing our names on His palms) because we belong to the Lord and designer of the universe!!

I have to remember on this birthday as I assess the fine lines that have crept onto my face over the last 6 months, that I didn’t just pick up this label of “widow” by chance. God planned for me to wear it in this life for reasons that will be revealed one day in eternity, and I trust wholeheartedly that it is for good. The Lord designed me to be a “tough old broad” and besides, the Son of God himself endured much worse suffering in his 33rd year. We can trust that through faith in Jesus Christ all suffering will cease one day. I like to picture the end of my life like the end of the movie Titanic where Rose is young again and ascends the ship’s grand staircase to be greeted under the clock by Jack. I know the ultimate joy will be in seeing the Lord face to face, but I like to think that when I take my last breath on this earth, I will open my eyes and see Taylor standing in front of me, handsome as ever, in his black western hat. He will reach his hand out to me with a big smile on his face and say, “Just wait until you see it.”

Love, Molly

And They’ll Know We Are Christians

As most of the country is getting ready to head back to school (whatever that may look like), I have been spending a lot of my prayer time focusing on my classroom, curriculum and the students I will get to shepherd this year. As a Christian, what does it look like to teach students in a secular school environment? How can teachers honor God and best serve their students without crossing religious boundaries at public schools? I have been reflecting a lot on when I first moved to Roswell and an experience that has really shaped me as a teacher and as a member of our church here.

Taylor and I first started looking at churches in Roswell after we married and I moved out here. On Easter Sunday, we visited the church we go to now for the first time. All I can say about a large bible church compared to my Episcopalian upbringing is that it was certainly different. We were greeted with a loud worship band and I was shocked by how casual many people in the congregation were. Not a single Easter bonnet in sight! I immediately whispered to Taylor, “I don’t like it.” After lowering my big city nose a bit and listening to an incredible sermon, we went back the following Sunday. As a teacher moving in the middle of the school year, I had only been working as a substitute on occasion and was still very much praying to find my place in Roswell and searching for purpose.

The Sunday after Easter there was an announcement during the service that they were in need of volunteers for the Fine Arts Camp coming up at the beginning of summer. Afterwards, I walked up to the head pastor’s wife, Mary, who was putting on the camp and introduced myself. This was still very out of my comfort zone at the time, but I felt compelled. I told her that I was an art teacher and was interested in helping. As we shook hands, Mary just said point blank, “I prayed for you.” She told me that she was in desperate need of someone to teach art to the younger kids and had been praying someone would come along. I realized in that moment that this was the purpose and place I had been praying for and Taylor and I had found our church home.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35

As I prepped projects for Fine Arts Camp, one of the first questions I asked Mary was if there was a biblical curriculum or theme for the week. I will never forget what she told me. “No. This week is about showing the children of Roswell Jesus through our love.” I was thrown off by this at first, but then saw how brilliant it was. Our church’s goal has always been to reach 10% of our town’s population. Not every kid has the privilege of growing up in the church and, unfortunately, bad experiences or misinformation can even leave some in fear of the church. I was so intrigued of the mission to just be a fun and safe place for our community with the added allure for many of free child care. After all, the first step of bringing people to the church is getting their feet through the door. People don’t always come to Jesus in a single instance, but opening a safe place builds that foundation.

I often think of the Jars of Clay song that reminds us, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” This might be the best mindset when it comes to teaching in a secular school as well as all of our interactions. My biggest embarrassments are the times when I have acted or spoken in ways that are contradictory to the Christian image. My biggest goal as a woman, mother and teacher is to show those around me my faith through my actions. I don’t need to declare my religious beliefs or teach the bible in school in order to show my students the love of Jesus. Let us all strive to act in ways that when we encounter others they will know we are Christians by our love.

Love, Molly