Philippians 2

My brother has pointed out to us that every semester of college has not only ended in finals, but also some event that has shaken my family to the core. This semester it was my grandmothers debilitating stroke, and my grandfather coming into our care. In the past it has been colon cancer, heart attacks, kitchen floods, bathroom floods, and a true cornucopia of other events.

Despite it all though God has continually shown us grace. Now that this semester has come to a close I'm beginning to see that it doesn't take a "super christian" to receive this grace, and it doesn't take a "super christian" to act upon God's will. My family has had to accept and adjust to what God has laid in our path, and then continually accept and re-adjust to the things that he offers up to us. Currently my family has taken on another loved one who could be passed on to someone else, but they have chosen to care for them. I can see no other answer for all of their energy, for all of their compassion, than the fact that they are regular Christians letting a supernatural God work through them. Their willingness to cut away their own desires and to sacrifice who they are is what makes it possible to let God shine through them onto others.

Philippians 2 has a beautiful note about responding to God. Check it out:

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life

In responding to life's situations like God would will us to, we open up our hearts to have him work through us. Again in chapter 2 it is written:

Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

What I'm trying to say is that if you accepts Gods will for your life, and respond to situations accordingly He will work in your life and you will prevail despite of the difficulties. You will be a regular person with a supernatural God working through you. You will be blessed by situations that at first appear to be cursed, and given grace though it seems undeserved. Where my families endurance and patience come from, I see no other possibility but God. Where they find joy and peace I can see no other answer than God. In responding to taking on the attitude of a servant and lifting others above our own needs, I have seen my family grow in who God had created us, and it has been a beautiful and exciting adventure.

Every so often I run into some of my mothers friends, or my own, who tell me they ask God frequently "God, won't you leave the Martinez family alone? Haven't they had enough?" I've yet to respond how I feel in my heart, and instead just smile and shrug my shoulders. Maybe the next time I can respond with what I'm learning, or at least ask them "why? so we can be robbed of our blessings?" To have the chance to have God teach me something is what I honestly long for, if I receive nothing but good things will I still long for God's peace like I do now? I do not think I would ask God what he is trying to teach me, if all of my days were spent with no difficulties. I do not think that God gives wisdom without letting you experience a little life. Being hard pressed in life is an opportunity to grow, and learn from God. The sweetest smell from a flower must come after its been crushed, going through trials are difficult and have strained us as a family, but we aren't ready for God to stop teaching us yet.