A new year. A fresh start. A chance to think about your life over the past 12 months and to think of the direction you would like for it to go in the new year.I came across a story in my quiet time that made me stop and think. Henry Thoreau (19th century) was sent to jail because he refused to pay a poll tax in his state. He knew this tax would support slavery. As he sat in jail, his buddy Ralph Waldo Emerson came to see him and questioned him as to why in the world he was in jail (assuming Thoreau should have just paid the tax). I love what Henry said. He simply looked Emerson in the eye and boldly asked, "Nay, Ralph. The question is, What are you doing out there?" Ouch.We (I) need to ask that very question of myself. Would I have been in a prison cell beside Paul or hiding behind my pot at the well? Would I be discussing the issue of slavery along side Thoreau behind iron bars or hiding behind behind my sheets drying on the clothes line? Would I be known in my community for being a sold-out lover of Christ or hiding behind my coffee mug at Starbucks?The photo is of Abbie on our Haiti trip. It reminds me of the legacy I am leaving to my girls. May they say of me that their mama was passionate about Jesus. And may they follow in my footsteps.
05 January 2009
a new year
A new year. A fresh start. A chance to think about your life over the past 12 months and to think of the direction you would like for it to go in the new year.I came across a story in my quiet time that made me stop and think. Henry Thoreau (19th century) was sent to jail because he refused to pay a poll tax in his state. He knew this tax would support slavery. As he sat in jail, his buddy Ralph Waldo Emerson came to see him and questioned him as to why in the world he was in jail (assuming Thoreau should have just paid the tax). I love what Henry said. He simply looked Emerson in the eye and boldly asked, "Nay, Ralph. The question is, What are you doing out there?" Ouch.We (I) need to ask that very question of myself. Would I have been in a prison cell beside Paul or hiding behind my pot at the well? Would I be discussing the issue of slavery along side Thoreau behind iron bars or hiding behind behind my sheets drying on the clothes line? Would I be known in my community for being a sold-out lover of Christ or hiding behind my coffee mug at Starbucks?The photo is of Abbie on our Haiti trip. It reminds me of the legacy I am leaving to my girls. May they say of me that their mama was passionate about Jesus. And may they follow in my footsteps.
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3 comments:
Thank you for this post, it has really made me stop and think about my life. As always you inspire me...love you.
Ashley! So good to hear from you! I didn't know you were blogging. I enjoyed checking yours out. We need some updated pictures of E!
Much love to you always.
great word and truth sis, it is a real time for us all to put on the real face of Christ. time to stop playing like we love God and Love Him if we do it will show everyday. it will not be put on. you just had to get me fired up before our wild game dinner, i'm so put out with put on people.i wish everyone would be real, good or bad don't make people stumble, my great uncle George always said just tell it like it is. something good could come from that if we all did it. didn't mean to go off, pray for us tonight sis take care of pastor. lov all see ya Gal 6:9
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