Created for a purpose

Do you know that you were created by a God who loves you and has a plan for your life?  Even if you were an accident, a surprise, or unwanted by your earthly parents - you were not by God.  It is an absolute miracle that you are alive.  He wanted you, He created you for a purpose and He has a plan for your life. He knows everything there is to know about you.

Psalm 139:13  
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

When we take the time to let that sink in it puts things in a different perspective.  And when we think of other people that way, it changes the way we treat them.  That frustrating neighbor - was created by God.  The crabby mailman - was created by God.  And the jerk in the parking lot - was created by God.  It has been good for me to remember that this week.

God has a plan for each of us.  He gave each of us special gifts and abilities but if we aren't using them for God, what is the point?  In order to find out what we're supposed to be doing with these gifts we need to spend time with Him.  Just going to church on Sundays isn't enough.  If you are married, how would your relationship be if you saw your husband for an hour, maybe two, every week?  It just wouldn't be enough time would it?  In order to make the decisions about your children, home and finances and to just enjoy being married, you would need more time.  The same goes with God.  The more time you spend with Him the better you will get to know Him and what His plan is for your life.  He has one - don't you want to know it?

So how do you spend time with God?  Read your bible, do a bible study, pray, spend time with other believers, memorize verses, and get involved in your church.  Don't be overwhelmed - you don't have to do it all at once.  If you are new to reading your bible or are just don't know where to begin, try starting in Proverbs.  There are thirty-one short chapters and you can read one each day.  You can search online for bible reading plans that are be very helpful - giving you what to read each day.  http://www.youversion.com  Do a bible study - either by yourself or with others.  Your church probably has ones to join but if not, your daily personal time with God could be with a bible study.  I really like Kay Arthur and Elizabeth George but there are tons out there that are wonderful!  You can search on http://www.cbd.com or amazon.  If you want to memorize verses but don't know where to start get a memory verse pack - they sells those at cbd.com too.  If your children are in Sunday school or Awana you can use the verses they are learning and do it with them.

Part of my older girls morning routine is reading their bibles or devotional books.  If they can read, they can be doing that.  God created them for a purpose too!  Sometimes the things that we go through actually have nothing to do with us but are because God has a bigger plan for our family tree.  If you are struggling with a move, a change in jobs, change in your church or friendships - God may be moving you in a direction because of what He plans to do with your children because of it.  I have no idea what God plans for my children are but we won't ever find out if we aren't spending time with Him.  Your children need their own walk with God and can't just have it through you.

This is one of my very favorite Psalms and after having children meant so much more.  God created you and He created your children.  He chose you to be their parent.  He has a purpose for both of you and He wants you to know Him.

Psalm 139

1 You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.