Staying Within the Lines

By Pastor Troy

The other night I was home with the girls, and Sophie, asked me to color with her. On more than one occasion this type of request has become a verbal tennis match. The first step is ignorance, act like I didn’t hear her. Step two is to change the subject, “Where is your Lovie (Lovie is her security bear and usually this will trump anything). Third step is to agree and then procrastinate. Sophie was so persistent on me coloring the other night that she made it through all my steps and I found myself coloring.

I have not colored in a long time. I decided my picture was going to be so good, I could frame it. Almost immediately, I gained a new respect for coloring within the lines. Then it came down to color selection. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a colored picture and thought to myself that the colors were way off. However, when the crayons are in my hand and the picture is depending on me for its future, choosing crayons creates some pressure. I began to think, Leigh-Ann is going to see this picture and wonder why I colored the deck of the ship three different colors…red, brown and black.

Maybe it should have been gray, brown and black. I thought I could start and finish in a few minutes, no way, 30 minutes later I am still trying to stay inside the lines. Just as I am finishing my masterpiece, both Alexa and Sophia are watching intently at what I am doing. It is now time for them to go to bed and I act on a whim…” The first one to change into their Jammies and get in bed gets this picture.” Usually they are the one’s beginning the verbal tennis match at bed time…NOT THIS TIME. They move like a streak of light towards their bedrooms. As they run up the stairs I can see determination and hope all over their faces. They both REALLY want this picture....(you would too if you had seen it :)).

I certainly do not have the heart to break either of their hearts, so I strike a deal that I will color one more picture and bring it in ASAP. With this promise, they both lay down with a smile on their face. This little incident has helped me to realize that we are all so much alike. I desire the attention of those I love, I love to watch things come together, I enjoy being a spectator in the arena of God and I will act immediately when the reward is immediate.

This Sunday we will study John 14:15-31. In this passage the disciples were holding on to every word Jesus spoke, He was going away and they were lost and confused. Jesus makes His point that the Holy Spirit will become their companion and everything they needed for true fulfillment would be found in a relationship through Him as a result of the death and resurrection in Christ. The comfort to each of us is that while we may not have any great pictures coming to us at bedtime, we can have the presence of the Holy Spirit all the time. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, if you are unable to come in person, the sermons are posted here.