To me, this is one of the most perplexing and thought provoking verses in scripture. I think I have a weeks worth of thoughts on this one sentence, but today, let’s focus on the two words that make up verse 17.
Quick story about the sweetest, most Godly woman (Next to Mother Teresa) that may have ever walked the earth; my grandmother, or MeMaw as kids would have it.
MeMaw mumbled. She was forever talking under her breathe from the moment the coffee percolator began to bubble at 5a.m. until the the last piece of jig saw puzzle was laid for the night, she mumbled. Don’t get the wrong picture here- she was an extremely clear and affluent speaker when she was talking directly to you, but in the in between moments, she was always talking under her breathe.
As a kid, I never thought about it, because hey, that’s just MeMaw. But as I grew, I began to listen a little more carefully. & you know what? That little woman with the giant heart was praying continually. She was in constant thanks to God for wherever she was, for whomever she was talking to, for anything and everything she could think of, the woman was thanking and praising God.
What a continual life lesson! I have to ask myself this question: What would my life be like if I kept an open window of communication with The God I claim to need in my life? What would change?
So I propose this question to you, my fellow traveler: How much have you said under your breathe today & what would change in your life if you were a mumbler?
January 26th, 2010 - 7:04 am
Unfortunately when I mumble or say something under my breath it isn’t nice or kind. They are the thoughts that if I was praying most likely would not occure. Point taken I will mumble with a purpose today and praise and thank God for His continued work in me. I will also pray for those I normally mumble about instead of mumbleing.
January 26th, 2010 - 7:05 am
That was “mumble” and not “grumble.” Thanks Todd. The only reason I would wish to be a kid again, besides the really cool toys out now, is so I could be part of Studio C3. You and Jen do great.
I hear people say “I’m really praying for God to show me His will for my life.” Well, here ’tis: To get to a point in my walk with the Lord that I can give thanks in ALL circumstances. This verse says it is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus. Circumstances is all the “shtuff” that happens. Instead of saying “Oh ” when my spare car starts spewing coolant on the way to work, I say, “Thank you Lord for this. You are eternal.” Guess which of those two I said. It is hard to continually give thanks “in all circumstances,” either under your breath or out loud.
January 26th, 2010 - 7:59 am
Lots will change in my life if I will live like MeMaw! My prayer today is that I do just that, not only today, but everyday. Thanks Todd.
January 26th, 2010 - 8:01 am
I hate to admit that I do a lot more complaining under my breath than praising. Thanks for sharing this sweet story about your MeMaw.
It really challenges me to try to keep talking with Him throughout my day and how that can look.
Thanks for sharing your heart and for ALL that you do to show our kids the love of Jesus….you are a real super star in their eyes! So glad to have the Graham fam at CCC!!!!
From one DCB fan to another….:-)
MA
January 26th, 2010 - 8:24 am
Todd, I normally do not reply to these postings but today hit me hard. I love your story about MeMaw as my grandma was a lot like her, puzzles and all! I have to admit it was little bit harder for me to understand her as she was normally mumbling in French. But as the years went by and I grew older I started to understand her walk with God and thought “Wholly Cow, my Grandma is “IN” with God.” My relationship with God has just started on its path of growth. I do make it a point to thank God for the little things but for everything??? I know I fall short in this category! I can only hope that I can strengthen my walk with my God by speaking to him as if he is beside me all day and night. Thanks for this little push today!
January 26th, 2010 - 9:27 am
memaw seemed to live like enoch. cool.
January 26th, 2010 - 11:09 pm
Pray continually?…but that must be one of those scriptures that I am supposed to take figuratively…right? Wrong! Pretty clear to me, just not one of the easy ones, but if Enoch could do it…why not me!