Ask This Question Daily!
This month our soulful practices are centered around the mind because thoughts become actions!
There is one question that changes how we do everything!
I was reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible during our morning homeschool time a few weeks ago when we came to a part that reflected on Jesus welcoming the children, as seen in Mark 10: 13-16:
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
In these pages, we were asked to imagine how we’d behave around Jesus and how He would treat us.
My drama background took over and I decided to play the part of Jesus!
Each kid ran and jumped into my lap as I spoke words of affirmation over them, and offered silly compliments all with big exaggerated expressions. I was surprised by my joy and their delight. It didn’t matter the age, all six kids wanted a turn leaping into the lap of “Jesus” and experiencing His welcome!
I felt convicted.
Why wasn’t I giving affirmation and affection more freely?
I try not to allow shame or failure to bully me around. But grace has taken me out of an exhausting cycle of perfection and striving and actually raised the bar to a place where I want to be more like Jesus!
Conviction is a good thing—it is an invitation to do something better.
I mentioned in Ironically Free my word for 2021 is integrity. What this means to me in this situation is that my daily interactions with my children line up with the heart of Jesus.
I know, it is much easier to sit and write about this than put in the effort when the pressure is on!
Just this morning a child accidentally dropped a jug of milk, and half of it poured out on our laundry room floor. Thankfully this message was on my mind and it dampened my reaction but I still felt so frustrated and knew that in other moments I would have reacted harshly.
My challenge lately has been to embrace moments of whimsy during these frigid winter months with ongoing pandemic restrictions. To lean towards Maria’s approach with children rather than Captain Von Trapp's in Sound of Music.
Perhaps Maria would have made up a fun song about spilled milk and bath towels as they sopped up the mess—but the best I could utter was “stay back”, “get more towels”, and “we all make mistakes”!
I love the contrast in these images below…
Now before you go watch this wonderful classic, stay with me a moment longer!
If you were connected to Christian culture in the 90’s you probably remember wristbands with the letters WWJD?—maybe you even wore one! D.C. talk, the Christian band that led this movement, encouraged an entire generation to ask:
What would Jesus do?
This bold question meets me right in the dance of teaching the older children Math while coaching our youngest not to scratch the face off of his poor brother again!
No matter where we find ourselves in our day, we can practice pausing and checking in with the heart of Jesus.
You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:7
Just one look into His eyes and our false idols melt under the holy heat of love.
A love that led Peter to drop his fishing nets, Matthew to desert tax-collecting, Mary to turn from prostitution, and Paul to abandon his rule book. Even Judas’ back-stabbing was paid for on the cross!
This love is never forced but waiting to draw us closer the moment we whisper Jesus.
Is your mind spinning today?
Are you trying to figure out what to do next?
Are you frustrated by all that is before you or discouraged by what is coming out of you?
Turn off the noise, tune into the mind of Christ, and find peace in the middle of today's storm.
Slowly slide four-letter tiles together—W—W—J—D—to remind your soul of truth.
No trying harder, just being like a child who runs freely into the arms of Jesus and delights in pleasing Him.
What would Jesus do in your situation today?