Peg Leg Spencer

By Aubrey Spencer –

Our nine-month-old daughter started crawling recently. We were beginning to wonder if that was ever going to happen. It’s not that she wasn’t mobile the last few months. In fact, she’s been getting around quite well using her unique method of movement, the “sit, lean, and scoot.” Needless to say, it’s been amusing. As I’ve watched her scoot and crawl about, I can’t help but to reminisce about the crazy crawl our son had when he was a baby.

Oliver was on the move right from the start. He had places to explore and things to get in to. He was busy. (He’s now three and a half and hasn’t slowed down one bit.) He had the ability to crawl normally, but he seemed to prefer the “peg leg method.” Picture it – crawling around in typical form except for one crazy, stiff, straight-as-a-board, left leg. It was quite amusing to watch that little crawler we nicknamed “Peg Leg Spencer.” And just like it is now with our daughter, Ava, it was fulfilling for us to watch him as he figured out the world around him. He was inquisitive, excited, and very busy. He literally never sat still.

Thinking back to him as a crawler makes me wonder, shouldn’t our lives be like that as Christians? On the move, with a world to explore and a difference to make? We should be busy and excited and desperate to share Jesus with the world around us. It doesn’t matter if we have limitations; we can still accomplish great things for Him.

Doubt that thought? Just remember “Peg Leg Spencer.” All we need is one good “leg” to stand on. One “dream,” one “talent,” one “desire,” one “purpose,” one ” ___”(you fill in the blank). Just imagine what would happen if we, as Christians, couldn’t sit still any longer.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to remember that You can do so much with so little. Help me to be active for You, using whatever abilities You’ve given me in order to glorify You and to share Your good news with the world around me.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”(Colossians 3:23 NIV).

Transformation

By Aubrey Spencer –

I have recently been doing some redecorating in our home. To be honest, I redecorate a lot. It’s kind of my hobby. Not many people share my desire to constantly change things up. In fact, those who know me well often think I’m crazy for the number of times I’ve repainted rooms or rearranged furniture. But I just can’t help it. I love transformation.

One project I’ve been working on in particular is the painting of our three and a half year old son’s bedroom. His newly, but not yet finished, orange bedroom. He is completely nuts about the color orange. So the transformation has begun to create for him an orange and white horizontal striped bedroom. (Don’t cringe – it’s going to turn out great!)

Unfortunately the process has not been particularly pleasant. The two coats of orange paint I have already put on the walls are not covering what was previously there. I’m afraid it’s going to be a four or five coat job and that’s before we even get to the white stripes! (Maybe I’m starting to see why people think I’m crazy.)

It sure would be easy to give up mid-project. To assume it will never come together. To throw my paint roller away and say I’m never again working on another project. But I won’t because I know the outcome. I can see the finished product in my mind. So, during this daunting process I keep reminding myself that no matter how long it takes, I will keep painting. The room will eventually be finished. The hard work will be worth it.

Transformation will happen.

I can’t help but compare my paint transformation project to my walk with God. It’s so similar to how God transforms me. Layer by layer by layer until, eventually, He’s created a completed project in me – to become more like Him. It can be daunting. It can be difficult. It can seem impossible. Transformation isn’t easy. And I can be resistant. I can only imagine how many times the Master Painter has wanted to give up on me mid-project. How many times He’s wondered if I’m ever going to “come together.” Thankfully though, He never gives up on me. You see, He has the finished project in mind. And, He keeps working on me layer by layer until transformation happens.

PRAYER: Father God, I am so thankful that you see the outcome. I trust that You are creating something beautiful in me no matter how daunting the process can be. I realize that it is quite a project transforming me into Your image. I don’t change as easily as I should. But I am so thankful that You don’t give up on me. Thank You for seeing what I can become and saying that I’m worth the effort.

“And we all…are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory…” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).

Stinkin’ Thinkin’

By Aubrey Spencer –

Not long ago, I introduced my son Oliver to one of the great joys from my childhood—Zig Ziglar. If you don’t know of him, he’s a motivational speaker who (years ago) created music for kids with positive messages. His songs were all about succeeding in life, making good choices, having great attitudes, being a winner, etc. I loved my Zig Ziglar tape! I honestly think it’s part of the reason I turned out to be such a crazy optimist. Even as a kid, I loved being positive, and Zig Ziglar knew just how to “pump me up” with inspiration. Our family listened to his tape, See You at The Top, over and over in the car when we took road trips. I knew every line of every song. Songs like, “Don’t Kick the Cat,” “Goodbye, Mr. Mediocrity,” “Don’t Be Flaky Like the Biscuit,” “Stop the Stinkin’ Thinkin’,” and “Dr. M.Y. Self.” Makes you want to borrow my tape, doesn’t it?

So, the other day, when we were on a small road trip, we gave Oliver his first Zig Ziglar experience. It was great! My first time to really pass something from my childhood on to my child. Something with meaning, hope, optimism, and worth. And, you know what? I’m pretty sure he liked it. I suspect he’ll be singing the words before long, just like his mommy!

The motivational blast from the past got me thinking—it’s really important to me to begin, even this early on in his life, to fill Oliver’s mind with good things. I want him to be positive even when times are tough. We all go through times like that at some point. Times when discouragement sets in. Times when people let you down. Times when the future is uncertain and the present is unbearable. Times when it would be easy, even understandable, to fill our minds with bitterness and negative thinking. But, instead of getting bogged down with the injustices of life, I choose to fill my mind with Christ. With His love. With His promises. And, with His power. As I heard one time, we need to focus less on the mountain and more on the Mountain Mover! Jesus is able. I’m going to fill my mind with that thought. And, if that doesn’t stop stinkin’ thinkin’, I don’t know what will!

PRAYER: Father, help me to focus on You and the things that draw me closer to You. Fill my mind completely with Your goodness and with the hope I have in You.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Crazy Wasp Syndrome

By Aubrey Spencer –

I spent most of the day today being held captive in my own home. Afraid to enter various rooms. Worried about my children being attacked. Anxious. Nervous. Looking over my shoulder. Basically, just “bugged” out. I’m sure you are wondering what has ruthlessly held me prisoner. It was a WASP! A mean, angry, flying like a maniac, never landing, wasp! I spent hours creeping around, armed with my sturdy flyswatter, just waiting for him to land.

Like so many things, it got me thinking. Does God sometimes have a hard time getting me to “land”? Do I fly about my day in a frenzy forgetting to be still before Him? I have a feeling I’m a lot more like that crazy wasp than I’d like to admit. Chasing him around today made me realize an important fact. I need to spend less time bouncing off the walls of busyness and more time landing in the presence of my Savior. How about you? Anyone else struggle with “crazy wasp syndrome” from time to time?

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I haven’t caught the wasp yet. He is, however, skillfully trapped behind the blinds in my living room window just waiting for my husband to come home!

PRAYER: Father, I confess that I so often let busyness get in the way of my relationship with You. Please help me to be still before You. Show me how to set aside the busyness of life in order to find rest in You.

“Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10 ESV).

Today’s devotional is by Aubrey Spencer. Aubrey is a minister’s wife and a stay-at-home mom to two little miracles, Oliver and Ava. She has a passion for writing and entertaining but realizes her greatest ministry at the moment is to raise her children to be people after God’s own heart. She loves to see how God shows up in everyday situations. Read more of her writings at http://ministrymama.blogspot.com.

The Trumpet of the Lord is at Pizza Hut?

By Aubrey Spencer –

My family eats at the Pizza Hut in our small town at least once a week. We always sit in a booth. We know all the wait-staff. We even have the menu memorized. We’re regulars. Recently our local restaurant decided to add a paper towel roll to each table in order to cut down on the excessive use of napkins. Not a bad idea. Except these “napkin savers” sit on scrolly, black metal holders. Holders that completely fascinate my three-year-old son and his vivid imagination. He can’t keep his hands off of them. Before we have been there even five minutes, he has removed the paper towel roll and has transformed the holder into anything from a microphone to a gun to his favorite thing—a trumpet.

Not long ago, we were eating pizza and visiting with a friend who’d stopped by our booth when Oliver grabbed his “trumpet,” stood up in the booth and loudly started to sing “when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, when the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.” I’ve got to be honest, I was half impressed and half worried that he was making a scene. It was funny. It was cute. It was loud. It got me thinking. Am I that bold? I mean, do I stand up—in front of others no less—and profess my faith? Or do I, at times, worry too much what others think of me and miss opportunities to be an instrument for Him? Honestly, I wish I was a little more like my three-year-old. He wasn’t concerned with what anyone thought. He was just excited to blow his trumpet for God. He taught me a lesson that day. And now every time we eat at our local Pizza Hut and I see one of those paper towel holders, I am reminded of my sweet little boy’s boldness and I’m inspired to grab my trumpet as well.

PRAYER: Father, please help me to be bolder in my faith. I oftentimes find myself timid and worried about what others think, and I know I miss opportunities to be used by You. Help me to stand strong and to be effective in Your kingdom.

“So don’t throw away your bold faith. It will bring you rich rewards. You need to be faithful. Then you will do what God wants. You will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35,36 NIRV).

Today’s devotional is by Aubrey Spencer. Aubrey is a minister’s wife and a stay-at-home mom to two little miracles, Oliver and Ava. She has a passion for writing and entertaining but realizes her greatest ministry at the moment is to raise her children to be people after God’s own heart. She loves to see how God shows up in everyday situations. Read more of her writings at http://ministrymama.blogspot.com.

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