Embracing Him

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. (Proverbs 23:12)

When I was in the last trimester of my pregnancy with Sweet Pea, I took a water aerobics class at the local YMCA. I was the only person under the age of 65 in the class, but I so enjoyed every meeting! While working out, these darling senior citizens would often strike up conversations with me, offer parenting advice, and share fond memories of raising their own children.

One day while in the pool, a sweet 80 something year old woman in the class shared a great piece of parental wisdom. She introduced me to the acronymn HALT and told me that if I wanted to avoid problems, I should never allow my little ones to become too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.

Woe to the mother and father who are caring for children who are too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired! The ire of these upset children and the furrowed brows of their parents can easily be spotted on playgrounds and in supermarkets, malls, and time out chairs all across the nation! Though JT and I have found that abiding by the HALT principle is an effective method of dealing with our children, did you know it’s also a great principle for adults to live by?

Am I the only one who has eaten way too much or made poor food choices because I was too hungry? Hardly. Am I the sole individual who has experienced a strained relationship because I let my anger run away with me? No. Am I the first person who has slipped into the company of the wrong crowd because I was lonely? Nope. Am I the lone lady who has found herself under the weather because I haven’t gotten enough rest? Certainly not.

Hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness are not issues relegated to modern day men and women. The Bible provides many examples of people who lived long ago and battled these very same issues. Remember Esau? He foolishly gave his birthright to his younger brother Jacob because he was hungry for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:28-34). Remember Moses? His hope of entering the Promised Land was dashed because he allowed his anger with the Israelites to overtake him (Numbers 20:1-12). Remember Elijah? After Jezebel threatened his life, Elijah’s fear and loneliness drove him to waste time cowering alone in the desert instead of utilizing the strength God had given him (I Kings 19: 1-8). What about Samson? He finally revealed the source of his strength to Delilah after tiring of her constant nagging (Judges 16:4-21).

What lessons can we learn from the HALT principle? Just as children trust their parents to meet their needs, we must trust God to meet our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.  As parents employ strategies to combat problems associated with their children’s hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness, we must seek Godly wisdom so we can better anticipate potential problems in these areas. If we do not do these things, we are like little children: prone to tantrums, meltdowns, and poor decisions.  Let’s make sure we’re well fed, happy, in good company, and well rested. If we’re not, we run the risk of making foolish or rash decisions that could send us into a spiritual time out!

Photo: Courtesy of johnwilliamsphd (Flickr)

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

There are a few teenage boys who live in our section of the neighborhood. When the weather is pleasant, I can often hear them playing football in the street. Frequently, I’m amused by the boys’ joking and trash talking as they compete in the street.

A few days ago, the boys were playing football and I could hear their banter as I cleaned up in the living room. As one boy practiced his punts, his buddy cracked jokes and criticized his friend’s efforts claiming that the football’s hang time was weak.

Hang time describes the amount of time the football floats or hangs in the air after it has been kicked. Ideally a football should hang in the air for 4 to 5 seconds, thus allowing players time to position themselves for the play.

At times, each of us experiences some hang time. The issues of life deliver us a swift kick and we can easily find ourselves sailing through times of uncertainty, fear, or despair. Though the initial kick often startles and frightens us, hanging in the “air” often brings us closer to God and provides us with an opportunity to see things from a new perspective. As we wait it out in the air and endure times of hardship, God is yet at work. He uses hang time to teach us a lesson while He positions people and arranges circumstances in ways that will help us grow.

I recently received one of those startling life punts that sent me soaring into a hang time I’m still enduring. At first, I flailed and wobbled all over the place. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this approach was tiring me out, making me anxious, draining my energy, and delaying my progress. I’ve since adjusted my attitude, stopped worrying about the issue, and have prayed more. I’m more focused and have been pondering some important questions.

What does God want me to learn in the hang time?
Am I fighting with or flowing along side God during this uncertain time?
Do I trust God even though my problems I’m airborne?
How can I glorify Him while in the hang time?

Has life given you a jolt and knocked you off your feet? Take the situation to God and let Him guide you. I’ve learned it’s better to embrace the direction in which God floats me rather than to fight it! I’m hanging in there and going with the flow because I know that when I embrace God and His will for my life, I’ll be always be happy no matter where I land!

Photo: Courtesy of johnlamb (Flickr)

JT and I listen to Christian radio as we complete our morning routine. As I listened this morning, one particular program blessed me and encouraged me.

A few weeks ago, Focus on the Family asked listeners to call the organization and record a prayer in observance of tomorrow’s National Day of Prayer. Focus on the Family received hundreds of calls and several prayers were broadcast today and more will be broadcast tomorrow.

During this morning’s broadcast, I was moved by the sincere prayers offered by men, women, and even children all across the nation. Throughout the thirty minute broadcast, heartfelt prayers for our nation, our children, our President, our troops, our schools, our churches, our economy, and our hearts poured forth.

Though the prayers were beautiful, I was struck by just how much we all need to pray for! Tomorrow marks the 58th observance of The National Day of Prayer and the theme is Prayer: America’s Hope.  This special day is a great opportunity for us to join people all over the country who have gathered to pray for our nation. The girls and I are eager to participate so we will be attending a children’s prayer event in the afternoon.

If you cannot attend a National Day of Prayer event, you can still participate! Take time to pray at home alone and with your family. Turn off the radio and pray in the car. Partake in an online prayer rally sponsored by The Presidential Prayer Team, an organization dedicated to praying for our President and his administration or watch The National Day of Prayer festivities on Tangle.

Won’t you join us as we participate in The National Day of Prayer? When we take the time to pray, amazing things can happen! Let’s pray together and see what God does!

Photo: Courtesy of Ninjaneil902 (Flickr)