flip flop season
Here in North Jersey we're in peak crazy season- with weather that is. Pollen is turning everything green, we are at high 80 degree temps one day, and turning on the heat the next. (I got a wicked sunburn on Mother's Day, and it's supposed to rain and be cold next week.) It isn't that I don't like Spring, I just want to clear out the winter clothes to make room for the summer stuff! This weather makes that hard- and a little crowded. I feel like rain boots are a staple- but I keep our sandals by the door just in case we get some nice days where we can show our toes some sunshine. Be careful, though! Wearing sandals too early and you'll accidentally step in a puddle that didn't *quite* have the chance to dry up yet. (hopefully they were waterproof, or dark!)
As much as I love a good flip flop tan line, that's not the flip flop season I'm talking about; although I am EAGERLY awaiting its arrival!
We're coming up on America's 250th birthday, and that is something special. It's special because our country, our home, is turning 250! That's a huge milestone! In those "short" 250 years, we have come an EXTREMELY long way: technologically, mechanically, medically.
There have been so many advances Americans have experienced, it's almost hard to believe we've only been here 250 years.
God was very much at the forefront of life back then, what a time to be alive! Fast forward to today where "self" has been encouraged to be put at the top of each of our lists, and we need to hustle our way to get the next thing... That may not be true of all of us- all the time at least- but it is certainly true of our culture.
I still believe we are living in a time where we can say "what a time to be alive!", but for different reasons. We have innumerable methods of not only connecting with people, but to share the Gospel. We have access to God's Word in so many translations, different commentaries, and sermons online. We have the ability to be so connected, yet we feel so distant.
Flip flop season.
This time of year, we'll be hearing (God willing) a lot of "God bless America" music! But what if we flip-flopped that around? What if instead of asking God to bless America, we asked America to Bless God?
This season of your life: joyful, sorrowful, waiting, celebrating, mourning, silence, hearing Him; no matter where God has you, look at where you have Him.
No matter the season you're in, I ask you to flip-flop your priorities and put God before any, and everything in your life. (I hope you weren't one of the ones who takes offense to that. We all have work to do, it's ok!)
Here are a few examples of what that looks like in my life lately, and I've hyperlinked a scripture that helps me with each one:
- Thanking God for ANYTHING before I pick my phone up (try it, it's a doozy)
- Starting my prayers with "thank you's", and acknowledging all the blessings I have been given.
- Trying to stop mid-task/chore to LOOK AT my kids, and if it is possible, do what they're asking.
Honoring God and putting Him first will look different day to day for all of us, but it will also look similar because no matter how you slice it, honoring God always looks like honoring God. <3
If you're reading this at the time it was published, it might literally be flip flop season! Remember the real flip-flop season you're in though. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, it's never the wrong time to flip flop your priorities and get God back to the top where He belongs.
Your family at the #2 spot, and your country at #3. If we get our hearts aligned with God, reset our priorities, and just love one another, this will be the first of many "best birthday ever" our country can have- one nation, under God!
YOU are the 1 He left the 99 for, and you do have the strength to make these changes through Christ.
