Buttons are funny things. Did you know most people button and unbutton their garments the same way every time? You either always start at the top and button down, or start at the bottom and button up. Which one is your habit? (Like I had to years ago when I heard this, you may have to actually stop and pretend you're buttoning a blouse to find out if you start at the top or the bottom.)
I always start at the top. And many times I've gotten the buttons mixed up. Sometimes I haven't noticed until I got to the bottom and realized there's a button hole with no available button. Ugh. Then I have to unbutton each one and start all over again.
Sometimes my life feels that way, too. Things just aren't lining up. Relationships are tense or I'm allowing my fickle, subjective emotions to rule my perspective. Critical judgments...fault-finding attitudes...arrogant musings...self-pitying thoughts and feeling unappreciated...selfishness...proud, blameshifting defenses to my sin...
And often those closest to me aren't even aware that the battle is raging within my sinful heart! But obviously the buttons in my life are out of whack.
As we begin a new year, we at Metro Moms knew you could find a lot of help from others on all the things we ladies think about in January: starting a new eating and fitness plan, getting some organizing done around the house, getting to those books we never read in 07.
Let's take some time to think about that first button in our lives. The one that has to be done right for the rest of the buttons to align properly. What is the first button in this season of your life? It will be different for some than for others.
- Establishing (for the first time or after a season of self-sufficiency) your personal pursuit of God through daily devotions that don't get regularly set aside for other things.
- Repenting and mortifying (putting to death) of a particular sin in your life that is hindering your growth in godliness and hurting those you love: anger, discontent, pride, fear, selfishness, lust, jealousy, greed...
- Re-establishing your 'helper' role as a wife with fresh vision and energy to orient yourself toward and serve your husband.
- Devoting yourself in specific ways to the training and discipline of your children with grace-motivated obedience to God's word.
You'll be hearing from the blog team over the next couple of weeks on what we believe the first button in our lives for 2008 needs to be. We will share our thoughts to both confess our weakness and sin, and to encourage you to seek the Lord for this season in your life. Throughout the year we will make references to the first button as a reminder to us all. How easily our hearts can drift from January commitments and "resolutions."
So pray. Ask the Lord what He wants you to focus on this year as the first button in your life. Let's exercise faith in God that when 2008 ends we will look back with wonder and awe at His power to help us get the buttons in order this year!
Lord, you care about times and seasons. You give us new beginnings and fresh starts to help us evaluate our lives and take seriously the few days you give us on this earth. Thank you for this opportunity to take stock of our hearts and lives. Help us to carefully listen and to hear Your voice in what the first button should be in our lives this year. And then give us grace to make this a priority! We need You, Lord. Amen.
Posted by Sheree
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