Take Back the Reigns

I was working on finishing up a Beth Moore study that's been done for quite some time, when I a song washed over me. The lesson that that I last finished was on the Power of the Tongue, how we can use it "to praise our LORD and Father, and use it to curse man." (James 3:9) I have tongue issues, as verse 2 and 8 state, we all do, and at the end of the daily portion of the lesson, it asks you to bring your issues to the LORD and let him know what's on your heart and how He can help. I am a nurturer by default, so much so that I want to fix things, mainly people. Sometimes the only part in their mending I should have is to just be ears, or a shoulder. James 1:19 asks us to take note of this: "to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Three areas that are my weakest when it comes to my mouth.

Back to the fixing thing. I am utterly and completely guilty of trying to fix my husband. I have been convicted, many times, of being in God's way of growing my husband. This is not a good lesson to be stubborn about learning! I really pray that I would GET OUT OF THE WAY, for good. Not only am I causing myself heartache, but also damaging my relationship with my husband because I think I need to fix it. Are there any doctors who'll staple mouths shut? Sign me up!

I love how in James 1:19 the first thing that we are to note is to be "quick to listen." Which if you rearrange the letters also spells SILENT. Not a coincidence. I'm not always the best listener, especially when I get passionate about something. Whether I'm right or not is not the point, it doesn't matter if I don't have love for the other person to listen to what they have to say as well.

Now, back to the song that washed over me. One of my past Youth Minister's and his wife made an album and one of the songs on the album is entitled 'Give me the Reigns' and which the words to are:

Jesus' time had come to give his life.
He said, "Everything will be different now, but that's alright.
I will go to Jerusalem and declare who I am.
I will go to my Father and prepare the way for man,"
but Peter said, "No! Lord I know best, give me the reigns.
LORD listen to reason this isn't a game
I have decided, to give it my all, do it the best
show everyone that I'll stand up to the test,
do what I can, never will fall, never will stumble, but I'll always stand tall
go it alone, never with you, LORD you don't know what I've been going through
And I still wonder why it does wrong.

Take off your shoes, Moses.
He said, "I've chosen you to lead my people.
You will go to Pharoah and declare who I am.
And I will go there with you and reveal to you my plan,"
but Moses said, "No! And I wonder why, when I'm on my own
it never turns out the way I planned?
LORD, why, when I'm all alone? I just don't understand."

Don't make me go, Sprit.
There's so much more I need to know about my future.
My life seemed so wide open till you came with your call
but LORD it's not that simple just to give to you my all
I want to say, "Lord you know best, take back the reigns.
Lord give me your reasons, I'm living in pain
I have decided
to give up control, only to you
fall on my knees, chasing only what's true
take it to heart, learn that I can't
find that on you I can depend till the end
show you my love, that's all I know
LORD, please lead me where you want me to go
Jesus oh Jesus, show me your way
Show me Your way

I often "wonder why." Why "it never turns out the way I planned?" Hmmm, as easy as it is for me to believe satans lies that I'll never get "it" - getting out of the way, so why even bother. I know that I have the victory!!! He that is in me, is greater than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4) And as long as I'm faithful to the One "who began a good work in me," He will be faithful to "carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"

I pray that I would see the obstacles in my life, not as discouraging stumbling blocks, but as empowering spring boards. I can either chose to praise my LORD and Father or curse man with my tongue, "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD!" (Joshua 24:15b) I chose to give back the reigns, what will you chose?

It's been a long time, but that's okay, things have been busy. But I've just got to share. My sweet Kelby did the most sweetest thing last night. I was on the computer checking mail and such, and Kelby starts putting the dishes from the dishwasher away. At first I was like, "Oh hunny, no, no, no, those aren't cleaned yet...." But then I realized they were and let him proceed. I helped him put a couple of the plates away, but other than that, he did it all! And he wiped the table down too! He asked me "Mommy, do you know why I'm doing this?" "No baby, why?" "So that you don't have to." My heart melted, as you could imagine. I then asked him if he wanted water or lemonade and he said lemonade. So, I made him some. He asked me if I was getting him some lemonade because he was working hard :oD, "Yes sweet boy, you are working hard." I pray that that selfless servants heart continues to grow. I pray that I can nurture it respectively. That was a beautiful way to end the day.