JUST DO SOMETHING - Book Review

“I just want to know what God’s will is for my life.” “I’m waiting to hear from the Lord about what He wants me to do.” “The Lord told me….”  “I’m not sure if I’m hearing God’s voice.” 

We’ve all said it or something similar, especially when needing to make a difficult decision.   All God’s children want to know they are in God’s will.  But how do we know?  How can we be sure?  And we sometimes spend a lot of time waiting….on God to reveal his will for us in whatever issue we are dealing with at the time. 

In his book, Just Do Something, Kevin DeYoung explores a simpler and more liberating way to finding God’s will or, as it states in the subtitle, “How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc.”  Sometimes we wander through our days wondering if that inkling or thought or something someone says is God giving us hints about His will.   But the author takes us through these ‘signs’ to see how they can cause us to be irresponsible tinkerers in life.  He shows how maybe we are not really on the right track to expect God to lead us this way.  God has given us his Holy Word and that is how we should make our decisions, morally and ethically.  If we know His Word, we know His will for us. “ 

He talks about making decisions about work and marriage, wisdom, ordinary guidance and supernatural surprises.  Kevin DeYoung has made searching for God’s will or maybe the fear of not finding God’s will, less frightening, less scary, less debilitating and less complicated. 

A good read, for sure.

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today my sweet Rodney went to be with the Lord.  I miss him.  His children miss him.  He has missed so much just in these short, yet long, two years.  In my selfishness I sometimes wish he were here.  Here to talk to and be with.  Here to see Chrystal buy her first home.  Here to see Randy’s cartoons on the big screen and his web comics.  To see how loved and respected they are. But as I said that’s selfishness on my part.  I don’t really want him to give up what he’s experienced these last two years.  Whether it’s having a grand ole time with the Lord and our other loved ones gone before or simply a well deserved rest, he should “get” this time. 

You see, he was a giver.  He gave time, love, care, concern, advice (he really like that one!) to many people.  He gave himself, too, for me.  Husbands are told in scripture to love their wives as Christ loved the church, giving himself up for her.  Rodney did that for me. Whether it was letting me pick where we went to eat or the movie we saw or giving up his dream of being an architect so we could start our family, he did that.  Was he perfect in that? No.  He was not a perfect man, husband or father.  But he put forth the effort.  He made a conscience effort to love me as Christ loved the church.  I knew it and his children knew it.  He set a great example for them as to what a husband should be and how he should treat his wife.  He loved me.

Rodney was an encourager.  He encouraged people to do their best.  He encouraged me in whatever I was doing at the time.  Homeschooling, working with him, going for a promotion.  And he encouraged me to go for my dream of writing (even though he had given up his). He always had faith in me and my abilities.  More than I did myself.

These two years have been a roller coaster ride of emotions.  Full of sadness, joy, heartache, happiness, gratefulness, blessings.  Life goes on.  We live on.  We eat, sleep, play, work, laugh, cry.  Life happens…without him.  Through our joys and sorrows there’s something missing.  Rodney’s missing.  He can never be replaced.  The void cannot be filled.

BUT we have hope.  Hope of seeing him again.  Hope of talking to him.  Hope of being with him.  Hope because we are covered by the blood of Jesus! What glory that will be! To be with our Savior and our loved ones!

So, Rodney, thank you for loving me, providing for me, and being a wonderful example to our children.

I love you and I miss you. 

Save me a place!!