Pure Hearted

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

We have tried a variety of bedtime routines over the years (singing, praying, reading chapter books), but the one that the children enjoy most is an individual, one-on-one, quiet time reading a Bible devotional book or passage from a book of the Bible with my husband or myself. We try to do this routine together as a team as often as possible, one to read/pray and the other to do hugs and kisses. Although it doesn't take long, I am surprised to find this the hardest time of my day to slow down and take time with each child to rest in God's Word and pray together. The days are long and full, and at bedtime my mind is gearing up for my evening mommy-to-do list and the hope of spending a quiet moment catching up with Nic uninterrupted. I have seen the fruits of setting aside these moments, and starting bedtime a little earlier in order to accommodate the few individual minutes with everyone without rushing so that I can really hear their hearts and take time to pray over what we have read together and the day we have just shared. Ending the day well together is so important, especially for my child who can spend some days so dysregulated and overstimulated (sensory & emotions) that she is bothered by everything but doesn't know why.

My oldest daughter and I are reading the devotional Purity by Lydia Brownback and I am equally encouraged and challenged each night that we read together. God has so much to teach us about giving us a pure focus, a heart wholly satisfied and content in Him. As sinful and selfish humans we are so often drawn aside and consumed by the world's lies.

Last night's devotional taught that we do not need to be trapped by by a true understanding of our sin nature. Rather, it is only through a clear understanding of our own sin and need for Christ that we can come to a place of repentance and dependance and wholehearted need of Him - and not through our own ability, but because of what He has done for us. Having this treasure (that is Christ) in a jar of clay (that is us) shows that we are just broken, earthen vessels and He is sovereign. When He uses us it is for His glory and good purpose. The following verses above show God's sustaining grace to us in a fallen world for His eternal purpose. It is mind boggling to share these Truths with children who have already endured more pain than I will even imagine, and who so eagerly and joyfully soak up His Truth with trusting hearts. It is a delight to share in these Truths with my children and to share with them a desire to grow in God's Truth for our lives.

I was reminded that God doesn't call us to do something because we are up to the task. He calls us because he is extending to us the privilege of being used by him. The apostle Paul was very sure of his high calling as an apostle, yet at the same time he saw himself as the chief of sinners. If he were to have backed away from his calling on the grounds of personal inadequacy, it would have been due to pride, not humility. If God calls us to to as task, he will equip us for it, because it is he who is working through us to that end. Purity, Lydia Brownback, p. 25