Excuses

PHOTO CAPTION: When playing it safe and adventure collide, if you can go for adventure.

Last week I was on vacation with my family. We had a family reunion at my mom’s house and had a great time together. Part of our vacation took us to Silverwood Theme Park; yes, that’s me above squirting two of my grandkids with water.

I think partly because it was the day before the fourth, Silverwood was busy. The line for the Bumper boats was quite long and took us awhile to navigate. At one point, one member of our group wanted to ditch the adventure, get out of line and find the roller coasters. Why? Because the line was too long, it was boring and there had to be other shorter lines. I admit it was tempting. I myself wondered, “How long will it take us to get to the front of the line? Will I get very wet? Maybe grandmas should skip the rides and just watch.” I decided, though, that the adventure was worth the wait and so we waited and talked and tried to have fun in the waiting. It was well worth the wait. I had so much fun and yes, it was quite an adventure. I did get wet, very wet!!

I wonder how Moses felt when he saw the burning bush in the wilderness? It was far different from anything he had ever seen before, a bush that was on fire yet would not burn up. It was worth turning aside to check out. He had been in the wilderness, working for his father-in-law, tending sheep for many years. It had been a long time since he had left Egypt. He had BIG plans back in Egypt. He wanted to help his people, yet his attempt to help went sadly awry and he had to flee. But he had built a life for himself in the wilderness. He had married, had children and was content with his life. Adventure beckoned from a burning bush that drew him aside and God met him there. God was not done with him yet. God called him to action. He told Moses to take off his sandals because He was on holy ground. Moses did, then God said, “Moses, I have come to rescue my people, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt.”

Moses objected. He just wasn’t sure he was the right man for the job. “Who am I, God, that I should go to Pharaoh?”

God said, “I will be with you.”

Still Moses wasn’t sure. He had questions. Suppose the Israelites ask, “Who sent you? Who is this God that sent you?”

Moses had quite a few excuses or concerns of why God should pick someone else – “What if they don’t believe me? I am slow of speech and tongue. Please send someone else.” God replied to each excuse. And though He became angry with Moses’ excuses, He didn’t let Moses off the hook. God promised that Aaron, Moses’ brother, would help and God promised to be with Moses. He also promised Moses that He would teach him what to do and give him the words to speak. Finally Moses said, “Yes!” to God. He had no more excuses.  

I wonder how many times we have questioned God when He tries to speak to us. Perhaps we’ve even said, “No!” to God’s great adventure, but God is not finished with us. He has a plan and He calls us to follow Him. His plan may seem inconvenient or too BIG for us. It may require waiting, maybe even waiting in a hot wilderness. It may not be exactly what we thought it was going to be and yes, we may be inadequate for the job, but if God’s in it, you can be sure it will be good. Don’t be afraid to say, “Yes!” to God’s great adventure. Step out of your comfort zone and let God lead you. His plans are always best. He will be with you and help you every step of the way. You can be sure of that! So no more excuses, get ready for God’s great adventure. You are in for the ride of your life

PARENT PRAYER:
Dear God,
The path you are calling me to walk and the job you have put before me seems enormous. It is bigger than I can handle on my own. I feel inadequate for the job and I am growing older. I’m not sure I can lead any more let alone walk through the wilderness or help others in their journey. I know, though, that you tend to call us to jobs that are just a little bit too big so that we have to depend on you and not on our own strength.I’m excited about the adventure you are calling me to, and yet Lord, how do I navigate this path? When should I speak and when should I keep quiet? How can I possibly do what you are calling me to do? I don’t have enough time or resources to do this job well, yet I know, Lord that you do. I don’t even know for sure where this adventure is taking me yet, but you do. I look to you. Guide me, walk with me and give me the words to speak everyday. Clearly show me the path I am to take. I’m ready, Lord, I’m ready to say, “Yes!” to your great adventure. I say, “Yes!” to your call. Lord, put within me and my family a burning desire to step out in faith and do what you are calling us to do. Give us boldness to proclaim your name. Amen

INEXPENSIVE SUMMER ADVENTURES (Just for fun!)

• Picnic in a park or even in your back yard.
  • Adventures can be found many places if we just look for them. Don’t be afraid to say, “Yes!” to adventure.
    • Some city parks offer free concerts or movies in the park on summer evenings. One of the parks in my area is having “Roberto the Magnificent” – a juggling act in the park. What a fun opportunity that would be!
      • Try a new flavor of ice-cream or make your own.
• Go for a hike or even a walk around your neighborhood.
  • See how many city parks you can visit in your area.
• What are the free attractions in your neck of the woods? Some museums have free days. Movies can be lower priced in the mornings or early afternoons at some theaters. Are there fountains or water play areas for the kiddos that are free? Even a visit to your local pet store can be a fun adventure for little ones and of course, libraries have story hours and summer reading programs for kids too.
  • Plan a play date with another mom and kids.
    • Take a bargain shopping trip to the dollar store or local thrift store to see what you can find for under $10 – perhaps a board game that you can take home and play with your family or some good books to read.
      • How about reading through a favorite children’s book with your kids. I loved reading through “The Chronicles of Narnia” with my kids when they were younger.
        • Try a different cuisine from another country. Learn about that country.
          • Ask God what adventures He has for you and your family. Don’t be afraid to say, “Yes!”

Kid’s Section

STORY: God Talks To Moses – Exodus 3 & 4God took care of Moses and his family when he was a baby. Moses grew up and after living in the palace for a while, he became a shepherd. One day when Moses was in the desert taking care of his sheep, (Say, “Baa, baa, baa!”) he saw a bush on fire, but the bush wasn’t burning up. “Hmm… that bush isn’t burning up,” thought Moses, “I wonder why? I’ll go take a look.”

When Moses got closer to the bush, God said, “Moses! Moses! Take off your sandals. You are standing on holy ground.” Moses took off his sandals. Then God told Moses that He wanted him to lead His people (the Israelites)out of Egypt. God said that He had noticed how hard the people had to work. He knew they were slaves in Egypt and He wanted to free them. God wanted to lead them to a new land. God loved His people and wanted to help them. He wanted Moses to go talk to Pharaoh about letting the Israelites go, but Pharaoh was a powerful ruler like a king. Moses wasn’t sure that Pharaoh would listen to him. He wasn’t sure God had picked the right person for the job. He thought the job was too hard for him. God said, “I will be with you, Moses. I will help you. Nothing is too hard for me!“ Moses did obey God even though He wasn’t sure that he could do the job. He knew God would be with him and help him.

When God talked to Moses from the burning bush, it was an amazing thing! Only God can do amazing miracles. God would do many more amazing things to help Moses and His people. God loved Moses, God loved His people and God loves you too. You can obey God just like Moses did. You can do whatever God wants you to do because He will help you. When God gives you a job to do, you can be sure that He will be with you. Don’t be afraid, be strong and brave!

MEMORIZE: Psalm. 59:17 ERV – (Hands open as though holding a book.)
You are – (Clap hands.)
The God – (Point upwards.)
Who loves me – (Give self a hug.)

PRAYER:
Dear God,
Thank you for loving me. I know you are powerful and do amazing things. Thank you that you are with me. I don’t want to be afraid to do what you want me to do. I know you will help me to listen and obey. Amen

KNOW: God talked to Moses. God talks to me through the Bible and through prayer.
TALK ABOUT: The amazing things that God does.
ASK: Who loves you? God loves me. Who will help you? God will help me.
AND DO… I can listen and obey God.

FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK

• Look for ways that God shows His love this week and be thankful. Thank Him for sunshine or rain, family, food, air to breathe, seasons….
  
• Is your child learning to do something new? Talk to God about it and celebrate your child’s  accomplishments. God wants to help us when we have hard things to do.