Kathy Ireland - A Summer of Powerful Questions and Powerful Answers

Kathy Ireland- National columnist for Christian Living magazine-"...finding solutions for families,
especially busy moms."

 

A Summer of Powerful Questions and Powerful Answers

By Kathy Ireland

 

 

As the golden rays of summer begin, we are reminded of God's abundant promises to us.  God's answers are always certain and always powerful. One of my concerns as spring turns to summer is to question how closely we are following God's Word and His paths for our lives. In scripture, Jesus says "let your yes be yes and let your no be no." Too often we find ourselves trapped in the web of maybe. Even though our hearts and minds tell us we should give a definite answer...we don't. 

            We fear hurt feelings, confrontations, disappointments and general frustrations. Our lives would be much clearer if we asked powerful questions and gave powerful answers.  Every day I realize how much more there is to learn.  When children ask, "Why, Why, Why Mommy?" it is music my ears. 

            Most children have great curiosity, but sometimes as we age, we feel we know all the answers. We don't. We need to seek information; we need to learn something new every day.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) reminds us "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." 

            When we fail to ask God's powerful questions, we cannot lean on His unlimited strength.  I know that I need His strength to help me cope with the challenges of every day. When someone says "no," I've learned to ask, "Why?" When someone says "yes," I've learned to ask, "How?"  Too often when we seek information, we receive noise rather than real answers. 

 

Let Truth Speak For Itself

 

It's amazing to me that some of us-especially baby Christians-try to make God's Word what we want it to be rather than the truth that it is. It's fine; it's good; it's healthy to negotiate with a friend, a relative or a business associate, but not with God's Word. The grass withers, the flower fades but the Word of our Lord stands forever. As we begin this summer and have more time with our families...since most of our children will be out of school...we parents, grandparents, mentors, friends, uncles and aunts need to ask powerful questions and give powerful answers to young lives. 

            We are all role models. Are the messages we're sending the ones we want received by those who look up to us and admire us? Recently, someone I work with received a telephone call from a relative. That young lady was in the middle of making decisions about her life and where and how she would spend her time. Her uncle was surprised that the call came to him. After all, she had parents, teachers and other relatives. Her uncle, unknowingly, had become the girl's role model-someone with whom she felt safe enough to discuss what was going on in her life. 

            My friend was able to answer her questions and steer her in a positive direction rather than onto a path that could have been dangerous. If that uncle had not shown love and support throughout his niece's early years, would she have called him? I don't think so. 

 

Opportunities to Give and Receive

 

Often, we're given the opportunity to share our walk with Jesus without even saying His name. A woman I know said of her faith, "you don't have to tell it; it shows in your face." I don't know if we've all reached that point in our journey, but it is a wonderful destination for our travels.      

Please don't confuse noise with answers, and please don't allow people to tune you out.  When you feel frustration, when you feel overwhelmed, when you aren't certain what needs to be done... you have answers.  You can fall to your knees and let the Lord lift you all the way up, or you can open your Bible and begin to search. The Bible is the greatest book ever written for life management. Simply seek the answers you need. 

            There are questions every day that challenge us, and there are answers we prefer not to give. Let's shed that approach and change with the seasons.  May we be open fountains flowing with knowledge, kindness and truth. 

            As you share and receive information, always remember to deliver powerful information in a kind way. Ask yourself, "Am I giving this answer to genuinely be of service, or am I letting my bad day become someone else's? My prayer for each of you this summer is that you will come to know others better, and that you will empower yourself and your children with the Word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May this summer be your greatest one ever as you open your heart and your Bible.

 

Thank you, and God bless you.

 

Love,

Kathy