Praying for your Enemies

On a little side note. If you are new to the blog you might want to check out "New Words" and "Intentional Time" to learn a little bit more about why I have felt called to do this. Enough about that.

I love my church. I love it! I love the teaching. I love the community. I flat out love it. As we walked out the door this past Sunday the host team handed us a little card w/ a 5 day devotional on it with scripture from the Christmas Story and then a short prayer. Today's caught my attention in an unusual way. It caused me to pray this in earnest for my kids and reflect to some things I was taught growing up.

The scripture was from Matthew 1:18-25 (TNIV) I won't write all of this you can read for yourself, but basically it is the part of the story where Joseph gets visited by an angel of the Lord and decides to marry Mary. The prayer is what I want to share.

"Heavenly Father,
There are days when what others think of me overshadows what you say is true of me. The fear of looking foolish or missing out is sometimes more than I can bear. I pray that you will give me the faith of Joseph-to obey you in the moment and to trust you with my reputation in the future. Amen."

Amen indeed! I realize this is a huge prayer to teach my children. That they might in this simple way realize, like Joseph, that mainstream is just that - mainstream. God called Joseph to something unique. Even in the midst of others mocking him (and you know he was mocked for staying with Mary), he followed through on what the Lord was asking of him.

Growing up I was made fun of a lot. I mean A LOT! I just have one of those personalities that can be the punch line to most jokes. As a child I just talked about things I loved. I talked about the Lord and growing up to be a famous actor on Broadway. I was made fun of. As I grew older, I was made fun of for choosing to be different in high school. In high school I am sure it was more behind my back. But earlier...it would be right to my face. I share this because of what my mom taught me, that I pray, in the moment w/ my kids I remember, and don't go flying down the street or school to whoever "hurt my kid" and give them what for! See in elementary school (go Mustangs!) I got off the bus one day and as mom met me in the driveway I burst into tears. I think mom said it took awhile to get it out of me what had happened...but kids had been making fun of me all day long and it hurt my heart badly. She sat me down and said "ok let's pray for those kids." WHAT?!! Pray FOR them. Heck no - against them maybe...but for them. Mom then began an important lesson in praying for your enemies. Praying for those who hurt you. I sat there, and opened my mouth and prayed FOR those kids. Everything in me wanted to run the other way and speak harsh words about them to others...but no, mom said we will pray for them. And any day in the future we will pray FOR them.

What an amazing lesson I learned. Much like Joseph, the opinions of others often clouds our view of how we think the Lord views us. It shapes our view of truth...instead of balancing something up against scripture and if it holds true there...then it is truth.

May I continue to pray this way. May I teach my kids what my mom did. God's way is truth. We need to obey him in the moment and trust him with our reputations in the future. Vital reminder today. Thanks Lord!

*the pic really has nothing to do w/ anything other than will you look at that hat! HA! Enjoy.