Proverbs 1:8, 9: Did you hear me?

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. Proverbs 1:8, 9 (NKJV)

My son: as term of kindliness or endearment

Hear: to heed, pay attention to, take to heart

Instruction: discipline in the school of wisdom, correction

Father: father of individual instructing

Do not forsake: abandon

Law: instruction 

Mother: as rightfully claiming honour, authority,

Graceful: favor, grace, of form and appearance

Ornament: something attached, a wreath, 

Chains: necklace, neck-pendant

"Did you hear me?" 

How often growing up did we hear that phrase? Often because we didn't do something we were told to do! Hearing and hearing and paying attention, are really two different things! 

There are sometimes that we act quickly when we hear something—"Dinner is ready!" lol Yet, often when we hear instruction or correction, or something we do not care to hear, we ignore it, or try to rationalize our lack of action. 

On simple terms, remember when as a kid, you were told to clean your room, but you were busy watching TV? In your mind, you figured that you'd wait until AFTER the TV program was over. But your parents meant.. right now, not later. 

When that same "delay" concept is applied to godly instruction, the consequences can be greater than just delaying cleaning your room. When we hear and learn godly instruction, discipline and take it to heart—action is to begin immediately. 

When one hears the correction and instruction given and then makes it their own, their inward and outward appearance is that of grace and beauty. And to be ready to receive instruction and act in accordance with the instruction, one must have a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Time Delay

I was watching a show on the English Monarchy. The tradition and pomp and circumstance fascinate me. The attention to details are passed down from generation to generation.

But something that was said last night, struck me. The Queen's birthday is in April. But they celebrate it in JUNE! Why? Because the weather is better! 

If you want a celebration in June... then have one. Why should the Queen have to wait 2 months to celebrate her birthday? The birthday celebration, an all day celebration, was planned out to the second. The Queen even watched some on TV since she couldn't be in two places at once.

Of course, I started thinking about TIME DELAY. Do I delay things because I think later will be better? Or do I delay things... just because I don't want to do them—NOW? Yes, there are times when a delay doesn't really make any difference. But some things need to be done in a timely manner. Often delays can make matters worse. 

How do I know if a delay is a good thing? I think it would go to my motivation. Am I delaying because I'm being lazy and just don't want to do something? Am I delaying because it would involve giving up something I like (but may not be good)? Why am I delaying? 

If my motivation is right, I have to consider how it effects those around me. Is the delay is being inconsiderate? Does it cause others to rearrange their schedules? 

Delays don't just apply to events. It can also be applied to my spiritual life. As God works in my life, and shows me areas which I need to change... delaying won't help at all! Yet, Satan can give great reasons for delaying making the change in my life. 

I've been evaluating the TV shows I've been watching. Some, I've watched for years and have gotten caught up in the story lines. Yet, when I take time to really look at the show and what it portrays, the shows are openly promoting more and more sin. No, I'm not "doing the sin", but if the sin image is in my mind.... it's more apt to become something which I think about. And that is JUST as sinful as if I did the actual sin. 

It was easy to stop watching the "newer shows" which portray sinful story lines. I wasn't as invested in the show. But I've been delaying turning off the older shows... "maybe tonight's show won't show 'abc'." Yet, of course they do. The writers of the shows aren't Christians and their values aren't what mine should be.

DELAY. If the delay is causing me to sin, then the delay is WRONG and harmful.

 I need to learn

that putting something off 

for 2 months

"when the weather is better",

won't cut it with God.

He calls sin—sin. It's an abomination to Him. It needs to be dealt with immediately. 

If I want to create a true positive day, I need to make sure that what I'm reading, listening to, and watching, are pleasing to God. The more good I put into my mind, the more 'good things' I have to think about. Each day I STOP delaying turning off the sinful images, songs, or talk, I'm making positive changes and obeying God.

EACH day I OBEY God—

is an EXTREME Positive day!

God's Timing

The past couple of days,

I've been very aware of God's timing.

God's Timing #1: On Friday, due to the accident and coming home via an alternate route, (see post below) God led me to a dumpster FULL of boxes. Exactly what I needed to help with my "non-move". (My apartment is being remodeled, so I'll have to move out for a few days.) The boxes are heavy duty and various sizes... couldn't ask for better boxes. All very clean and were waiting just for me! If I had come home my usual route, or if I had stopped at the store as I had originally planned, I would have missed the boxes. But God led me home via that route and I was able to FILL my car full of boxes (even cut down so more would fit!!). Now, I'm ready to start packing. 

God's Timing #2: As part of the "non-move" I've been purging stuff. The past few days I've been shredding TONS of papers. Today, my shredder jammed and broke. I went online to see what I could find and Office Depot was having a TRADE-IN Special through TODAY!! I was able to get $25 for my broken old shredder!! Again, God knew if my shredder was going to break, today I'd be able to get $25 for it! Plus the shredder I bought was on sale!! A double savings! The new shredder is working great.

It's fun to notice when God does things. Sometimes...okay more than often....I'm frustrated with God's timing. Why do I have to wait so long? Why can't He work faster? Yet, I know that God's timing is best. I don't always understand His timing, yet since God does love me, He works on His time frame....for my good. Sometimes, His timing is to teach me, and sometimes He uses it to teach those around me. No matter the reason, God does know what He is doing and will accomplish His work in His time frame. 

When I allow God to work in my life in His time frame, my life is less frustrating and more enjoyable. If I want to create a positive day, I have to remember that God uses delays, detours, and distractions to accomplish His will. If I go about my day using God's schedule, it is a great day!

God's Protection

Yesterday, I was reminded again of God's protection. I saw my chiropractor and enjoyed a massage. After my massage, I remembered a question I had for my chiropractor, Dr. Moore. I waited as he finished with his last patient, and then we discussed my question.

On the way home, I heard on the radio about an accident at an intersection which I use very often. Just then an ambulance went passed... on the way to the accident scene. I took an alternate route home.

This morning I read in the paper, that a man was killed and four were hospitalized due to the accident. That's when it hit me. If I had left immediately after my massage, I would have been VERY near the intersection at the time of the accident. Once again, God delayed me to protect me from being hurt.

Creating a positive day involves being led by God and not fretting about a delay or a change of plans. Often God is working behind the scenes and is protecting us from dangers which we can't see, or have any knowledge.

You can read another example of God's protection on my post dated 8/28/2009; How God Used Sponges!.

How God Used Sponges!

Today I went to Target to pick up a few things. I wandered from isle to isle looking for cleaning sponges. I thought they'd be by the cleaning soaps and the dusting cloths. I spent about 10 minutes looking for sponges! I finally saw another customer and asked if she knew where the sponges were. She directed me to another area in the store. I found the sponges I needed and went to check out.
The lines were long. I tried to pick one that I thought would move quickly. But the person in front of me, had a problem. So I waited. Then it was my turn. My checkout went smoothly. Went out to my car and put the purchases in the car. I started to drive home. It had been raining all day and was a bit foggy too. I was almost home, when I heard sirens. An accident had JUST happened about 10 cars ahead of me. It was at a very busy intersection near my home. The police arrived, followed by the ambulance and fire trucks. The entire line of traffic slowly worked our way past the ambulance and accident scene. As I drove by, you couldn't tell where the cars were going. They were both heading the wrong way down the opposite side of the road.
As I continued the short drive to my home, all I could think about was my search for sponges! If the sponges would have been in the isle with the cleaning supplies, I might have been at that intersection at the time of the accident.
God is so creative. Today He used the location so sponges to delay me from arriving home so I would avoid an accident. A few years ago, God used Canadian Geese to delay me so I'd avoid an accident (but that's another story!).
The next time I can't find something in the store, or I get stuck in the "longest" line in the store, instead of being frustrated, I think I'll stop and thank God for the delay, for whatever the reason.

Today, a frustrating hunt turned into accident avoiding delay. Sometimes, we don't see the positive thing that happened because we were delayed or had to take a detour. The next time you are delayed take a moment to consider it could turn out to be a very positive occurrence! Creating a positive day is being willing to know that God controls our lives and He is working for our good.