Home. Work. Society.
Right now, my life has three main compartments. I have heard people say it is not good to compartmentalize your life. They say, “Your life should not be like a frozen dinner, it should be more like a pot pie.” But I don’t really know what “they” are talking about.
I have my home situation, which is most important. I have my work situation, which is always trying to be the most important. And I have my city societal situation, which only comes to the forefront when there are things like elections or tragedies in the current events.
On the home front,I have joy because Brit just got back from Belize where she and a team of Living Streams ladies put on a women’s retreat for a group of Belizean ladies. I survived the seven days of being Mr. Mom, but more importantly, all five of my children survived as well.
My family is currently nothing like I pictured it when I was younger. Basically, the younger version of me pictured only a wife and me. I never really thought much beyond that. If you were to ask me if I wanted kids I would have said yes, but that want paled in comparison to my want for a wife.
Fourteen years ago Brit became my wife, and now we have three daughters and two foster boys making up our family picture. It is wonderful and it is full. It is beautiful and it is far from perfect. It is happy and it is hard. It is not exactly what I dreamed up for myself, but I know it is what Jesus dreamed up for me. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
At work,I have joy because God has filled our tanks with clear vision, exciting provision, and good people in all our positions. I am amazed by the work that is getting done and the care, quality, and joy with which it is getting done. The Living Streams family is a joy to serve and we are experiencing communal and educational grace. God is really helping us to love one another and make room for each other.
God is also teaching us some deep, transforming Biblical concepts that in time will produce profound wholeness in our souls. I can say that confidently—not because of anything I can do, but because we have prayed, we have obeyed, and God’s word promises that we reap what we sow. We are doing the hard work of sewing the powerful truth of the Scriptures deep into our disfigured souls and God’s word does not return void.
As a Phoenician American, I have joy because God is in control. Though I am discouraged by much of what I hear about political leaders, societal trends, attitudes toward Christ’s Bride, and the vices of the generations coming to the forefront, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. “Christ is sufficient for all things.” In other words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That means whatever lack may exist in me and in my world—whatever enemy may come against me in this world—Christ is sufficient.He is willing and able to get me to the other side.
It is helping me to remember there are three things that will always remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. Faith in Christ takes care of the past. Hope in Christ takes care of the future. And that leaves us to Love, with Christ’s love in the now. Love really is the greatest.
See you Sunday as we continue our study of innocence and shame by looking at our sexuality.
David