Do it again and you're TOAST!

Today I had a discussion with my daughter that I've never had with anyone before...

She was being a "pistol" today... doing all things toddler-ish. You know- the things that make us as mothers cringe. Well, having put up with what I could, but still maintaining humor, I turned to her and said,

"Do it again and you're TOAST!"

She stopped mid air (well almost) to question me...

"What is you're Toast Momma?"

As I looked in my daughter's inquisitive eyes I realized I didn't even know why people used that phrase when meaning... "Stop now or I'm gonna beat your precious bottom lovie." It was just the saying that my mom used to say... and I imagine her mom used to say... It was passed down, through generations of friends, family, etc... to me. And I took it without thought and made it my own. I mean, really, what the heck does- "Do it again and you're toast!" really mean?

I bring this up for two reasons... ONE- how cute is my daughter? (As if I need to ask that!)

And TWO- how many of us have believed and repeated sayings, slogans, and/or our faith for that matter... simply because it was passed down to us? (Ouch!)


I ask because it's been something that I've had to deal with over the past two years. I got saved when I was a junior in high school (16 years ago this spring) and believed whatever my youth pastor and his wife told me. I didn't analyze, validate, question or put to test any of it. I simply accepted it as my own.

Furthermore, if being completely honest, when I was taught a Biblical Principle... with scriptural reference and the sort... I never so much as read the scripture in context. For the longest time I believed Mary delivered baby Jesus because they said so at church, and Pharaoh wouldn't let the Israelites go... because that's what the song from youth group said (Pharaoh Pharaoh, Oh baby let my people go, huh! Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah!)... and for some reason- every Christmas I knew that people questioned Mary about Jesus even though she's the one that birthed Him. (Refer to standard Christmas Eve Church Program solo... Mary Did You Know) Oh and not to be outdone... I knew that FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVER IF THE LORD'S THE LORD OF THEM. (And this is where I will lay it all on the line... I really, really, really, thought this was a direct quote out of the inspired Word of God... and yes, I further my point with the rest of my sentence... NO, I never checked!)

All this to say- it was not until the Lyme occurred in my body (and family) that I realized I didn't really have ANYTHING to stand on. I had a sudden need to own everything I believed. If God is who He says He is... I needed to find out who He says He is. If God can do what He says He can do... then I needed to find out what God says He can do. And so on and so forth.

I realized that there is MORE to Christianity than believing that Christ died for my sins on the cross. Any scholar can look to the facts and know that there is logistical, scientific proof supporting the death and Resurrection of Christ. BUT... an intimate, continual, unending relationship with the Lord... one which fosters communication, submission, growth and fruitfulness... well- that requires FAITH. And action. And I am so grateful for this time of BECOMING (a continual act- in progress) the child of God He desired all along.

You can find some of the noteworthy things I learned over this time of OWNING MY FAITH in this post...and this post.) I can say however, without you even leaving this post that almost ALL of my posts regarding the Lord FOLLOWED the onset of my Lyme. He allowed and used for good something seemingly senseless... something that invaded our family... something that caused fear and uncertainty- to bring me to His feet.

It's my hope today that if you haven't been faced with a situation (be it tragic... fear-filled... uncertain) that has forced you to reconcile yourself unto the Living, Almighty God- that this post will at least cause you to question a little more and stand a little more firm in YOUR OWN FAITH!!! I know I sure have had to...