Pursuing Holiness (in Sickness and in Health)

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. —1 Thessalonians 4:7

What does this look like in my life?

It looks like giving myself the proper food and my son so he can flourish.

It looks like singing songs about Jesus and the Bible at the table, in the bathroom, in the car, in the living room, in our bedrooms.

It looks like reading bible stories from children bibles and devotions like Jesus calling for Kids. It looks like proclaiming God is good through tears, smiles, closed tired eyes or open eyes and lying on the couch.

It means making the choice to be thankful throughout the day even if my body has weird pains, or I can’t go to the bathroom for days, or if I feel like I’m going to faint.

It’s making the choice not to fear small things and big things. Its a moment my moment battle sometimes of taking every thought captive to Christ and preaching the Word to myself.

It’s choosing love over complaining (I need daily repentance for this).

It’s being grateful for all things.

A preacher at our church once said, “holiness is a community project.”

So we can encourage each other daily as we pursue God in our messy lives, whether we work full time or stay home with kids, whether we are a student, or a child.

Some of the most beautiful times with God are seeing the joy of Jesus coming out of my son. This is something I should not bottle up but share with the world. Him asking for another bible story at bedtime when my husband Daniel is reading to him or a song about Jesus. Or just singing randomly that Jesus loves him/ Yes indeed child Jesus love you, and me, and daddy very much. He loved us too much to leave us in the (somewhat) complacent life we were living and has given us long-suffering for a greater purpose that we can see glimpses of.

We must boast in the cross and what Jesus has done. I am nothing without him and the strength he gives me each day. I am nothing without his word, his wisdom, his relationship with me and guidance day to day in my journey back to health.

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" —Matthew 4:4