Moments with MarLo

One of the things I have struggled with lately is my attitude at work. Some of my grumbling stems from the work itself but more so how I sense a lack of respect for who I am by those assigning me the tasks.    I have been asking God to help me with my heart condition.  I know I am to do the work as Christ did, as a servant with a glad heart, a s if "unto Christ ." I have tried to respond in gratefulness while inside I wrestled with my seething pride. Then, just this morning my good friend, Melissa Milbourn  sent me the following scriptures. Psalm 37:6-7 “He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.” (MSG) Luke 14:11 "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (NLT) 1 Peter 5:6 “So be content with who you a...

What if my life was captured in the Bible? This question tripped me up one day.  Unable to land on an answer it continues to consume my thoughts.  There are a lot of stories in the Bible of people who's faith was tested in some way or another.  Most of them inspire me with how they faced their challenges, clinging to hope, resolving to trust in God despite their circumstances.  Then there are those who's choices took them down a destructive path. And so I wonder. If my life was captured in the Bible would it tell a story of faith or failure? What about you?  Have you ever thought about the story of your life and what it might say to others? Would our lives emulate those who's stories have been told before ours? Are we like Eve?  Tempted by what we don't have rather than what we do? Too impatient to wait on God to teach us; enticed instead by what others whisper in our ears? Are we filled with jealousy like Cain or greed like J...

Ever caught yourself wishing you were someone else?   Though I hate to admit it, I have. I didn’t really want to be the other person; instead, I longed to have my own sense of accomplishment. I looked at their life and wished I was as successful in school, in my career, with my health, in my marriage, or as a parent.   Reality check! It took me a while to realize a longing to have what someone else has would never bring to fruition those things I most desired. It may however, bring about bitterness, envy and strife. Yikes! The truth is, there is not another me. I have been formed, skilled, matured, mentored, given specific responsibilities and placed right where I am for a very specific purpose.   So have you. So have they. When I longed to have what someone else had I was usually looking for a shortcut to get me to where I wanted to be. Or l was looking for an excuse on which to hang my own feelings of inadequacy. Or maybe I was focused on selfish ambitions rather than k...

During a recent shopping trip my daughter, Lydia, became exasperated as she tried on several pairs of shoes, none of which fit. She finally cried out, "Shoe stores can be soooo  frustrating!" She had in mind a certain look and every time she saw a pair of shoes that came close to what she had envisioned she would get a burst of hope as we searched the stacks of boxes looking for her size. On occasion we would find a box with the correct number and she would get giddy as she wrestled them out of the box, stripped out all the paper stuffed inside, and worked at the various buckles or straps to get them on her feet. Too often though the smile disappeared as disappointment set in when the shoes just didn't work on her feet. She was tiring of the process and I knew exactly how she was feeling.  Life can sometimes be just like that shopping experience.  We get something stuck in our head or heart and begin to seek it out. We start out with high hopes believing we can easily a...

Have you ever thought about how closely related discipling and disciplining are? Both are intended to develop an individual and both are best administered from love. Though I’ve never enjoyed the process I am so thankful for those who have invested both in me.