Through the transitions in life as of late, God has provided for us by Heather working a couple more days a week while I play Mr. Mom.  It means I get work done at odd hours.  But the chance to experience life with my kids has been incredible.

Yesterday, our 3-year old, Eliot, ate like a human garbage disposal.  His hunger was bottomless.  He had two bowls of cereal and applesauce for breakfast.  Crackers, yogurt, and grapes for “second breakfast.”  More grapes and cheese crackers for a snack.  A turkey sandwich, pretzels, and yogurt for lunch.  Even more grapes, cornbread, sesame sticks, and apricots for afternoon snack.  Chicken nuggets (his and some of mine), mixed fruit, fries for dinner.  Then more cereal and grapes at separate times before bed!

I was amazed how much he could put away!  I was even more amazed that he was eating just about every hour or so.  He’s growing, changing.  And he needs to be nourished constantly.

Then, while struggling to sleep in the middle of the night, these words came to my mind: “Humans don’t live by bread alone, but by every word that issues from God’s mouth.”

Jesus was so close in relationship with his Father, that he carried on conversation with him throughout the day.  He wanted the nourishment from God to be just as regular, satisfying, and growth-inducing as regular food for his body … if not more so.

I’ve been learning to trust Jesus more.  To lean into God’s unfailing love and acceptance of me.  To be in conversation with the Father at all times.

Just like Eliot eating constantly for his body to develop in a healthy way, we need to be in constant, aware, open, trusting relationship with God so that we may grow more into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

It’s not just a Sunday morning thing (or whatever time and day we may gather for community worship).  It’s not just a private prayer time once or a few times a week.  It’s not just in fellowship with other believers every so often.  It’s not just in relationship with not-yet believers.  It’s not just in our family time with children and parents.  It’s not just in the compassionate lifestyle actions that we may engage in.

Life and relationship with God is all of this, and more, at all times, with all that we are, trusting all that our God is!

The ways and times to “do church” are becoming completely insignificant to me.  The life enjoyed by “being church” is the path I’m on.  It’s not popular.  It’s confusing on all sides.  It means I can’t plan my future so much as trust God’s working in my present until he accomplishes his purpose in me.

What is God’s purpose?  The same for all of us really:  to be drawn into relationship with God, to be caught up in the community of our holy Parent, and the befriending Son, and the loving Spirit; to be shaped into the likeness of our oldest brother — Jesus Christ.

God, work out your purpose in me and my family however you choose.  AMEN.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How is God nourishing you these days?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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Supposedly a room will be open tomorrow and we’ll be heading to the hospital then.

At this point, I’ll believe it’s the real deal once Heather’s in a hospital room and a doctor is saying, “Push!”

Until then …

Just a couple of months from Advent, the whole theme is taking on a new perspective for me.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
Have you ever had to hurry up and wait?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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Heather was scheduled to be induced this morning at 6:30am. Last night we received a call from the hospital informing us that there were no beds available and we should call this morning about 8am to see what the plan will be.

We just called …

Still no beds. They are waiting on three more to be delivered as I type this. Who knows if we’ll even be meeting Tobi today.

I just have to laugh.

I think I’m going to quit talking with God about patience for a while. Every time I bring the subject up in prayer, it seems that God provides me with yet another opportunity to practice patience!

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How does patience work for you?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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• I envision a church that no longer exists for its members, but for the life of the world;
• I dream of a paradigm shift for the southern US church, from a dying and irrelevant entity to a community of hope and grace for everyone.
• etc. etc. whatever …

Yet, as I anticipate the soon arrival of my second child (should be any day now!), I am aware that if my kids – my family – are not alive in Christ and clinging to the God of creation for meaning in life, then I have failed. All my ideas for paradigm shifts and missional church don’t mean much if my family isn’t consecrated daily to the general will of God.

So, today I give my life away for Eliot, for Tobi, for Heather. What will I sacrifice today so that their futures are swept up into the grace of Christ?

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
Who will you die for today? Why?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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Tags: paradigm shift, hope, grace, kids, family, sacrifice

Being Eliot’s Dad hasn’t phased me.  I can handle a boy.  I understand boys.  I was one (still am at heart).

But a girl is a whole different bag.  I’m excited … but already a little scared (oh God, please help me through those teenage years).

Having served previously as a youth pastor, I know that girls change more often in more ways imaginable between 12 and 17 years of age.

Friends become enemies who become friends who become enemies, etc.

“I like this … No I don’t like that anymore … Ooh why would you think I like that? … What are you an idiot!!! Of course I like that!”

It’s going to be a fun experience.  Still praying for Mommy and the little one due to enter the world in September.

SO TELL ME:
Are you a daddy to a girl?  Can you help a brother out?

——-

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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