tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8366560811035597565.post5566510033214309063..comments2023-12-30T05:27:54.563-05:00Comments on Nike Musings: Seeing Lot in MeKristen Wisenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01525008643147234321noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8366560811035597565.post-73683801096196373972009-11-16T13:17:47.075-05:002009-11-16T13:17:47.075-05:00Good news indeed...I can hardly wrap my brain arou...Good news indeed...I can hardly wrap my brain around the fact that God sees me as righteous when I know all the junk and sin I deal with on a regular basis. More and more I am amazed at what Jesus Christ did for me. I was guilty of doing what Elyse Fitzpatrick shared at the womens' retreat...treating the fact that Jesus died on the cross, so my sins could be forgiven and I could go to heaven, as an old foundational truth that didn't need much "thinking on" (as my grandma would say) <br><br>We ought to think on that everyday and let our thoughts, words and actions flow out of gratitude for what He has done for us, desire to live a life worthy of His calling and a passion to to share who He is with others.<br><br>I talked with my brother yesterday. He is 4 years younger than me, makes very good money playing in a symphony in the heart of very diverse Washington D.C., is married to an opera singer and has 2 very bright, undisciplined young boys....and he is completely overwhelmed with life. I could hear the anger and despair in his voice when I asked how he was doing. His response: Not good..just falling deep into self pity, my body hurts, I'm stressed out, overwhelmed with everything I feel I should be getting done and all the ways I'm failing, and I can't keep complaining about it all the time.<br><br> So he goes about life trying to push through as if he's ok on the outside when he's dying on the inside. He doesn't know if all his issues are causing his stress or if stress is causing all of his issues. All he knows is that he is not being a good enough musician, husband, father, home owner, son...and he is miserable and depressed. He apologized for dumping on me...he is proud and doesn't want me to pity him..apparently only he is allowed to pity himself!<br>He's been to a doctor, a psychiatrist or two, the pharmacist, a masseuse, a trainer..and when we hung up he was heading to his basement to do yoga...all in an effort to cope with life and find some sense of peace, purpose and joy.<br><br>What he hasn't been to is the cross. Can you imagine if he knew and truly believed that the very God who created him sees him as perfect..blameless..righteous, despite his struggles?<br><br>He is a very bright man, my brother. A deeply emotional thinker who is immersed in culture and the arts in the culturally,religiously, politically diverse environment of Washington, D.C.<br><br>We have shared our faith with him. He sees something in our family that he wants...a peace, the fact that we like to be with our kids (because for the most part they are fun to be around!) He respects and love us. He has even honestly asked for advice on matters of parenting etc. He listens to the practical ideas until we explain that our motivation and what we base our decisions and standards on is the word of God...that the difference in our lives is Jesus. I do believe that he thinks we are simple minded.<br><br>I hung up and cried for him...but what makes my eyes fill up even as I type this is:<br><br>BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, I'D BE JUST LIKE HIM!<br><br>May I never forget what Jesus saved me from when He chose me to be His child and died on that cross for me.<br><br>I long for the day when my brother is no longer a reminder of what could have been my life and is instead someone I can share new life in Christ with. If you think of it, would you pray for him?<br><br>I liked your frog analogy, Kristen, and I think it is very true. Something to "think on"! : )<br><br>See you all in the morning!<br>BethGloryBabies3http://www.blogger.com/profile/01455791002396276164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8366560811035597565.post-7821346384560971362009-11-16T15:15:02.820-05:002009-11-16T15:15:02.820-05:00Praying for him...thanks for sharing...Praying for him...thanks for sharing...Kristen Wisenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01525008643147234321noreply@blogger.com