Scott Miller Blog :: Good Stuff

Lois Clifton with Jesus

Yesterday, Megan and I buried another one of our beloved grandparents, Lois Clifton. Not really intending to use my blog as an announcement board for the latest grandparent that went to be with Jesus, but it may seem that way!

Something that dawned on me this week as Megan and I were processing her Grandma's passing – there are so many different emotions when you lose a grandparent like this. Most of them, I've thought of before. For instance, you miss them – talking with them, being with them, laughing with them, etc. You hurt for others who will miss them – like my grandma missing my grandpa, or Megan's grandpa Lewis now missing Lois (this is really painful!).

There is one emotion that I didn't identify until this week (actually Megan identified it) – loss of a season. The season of having grandparents is coming to an end! I've always had grandparent…my whole life! Since the day I came out of the womb, I have had grandparents! Soon, I will have them no more. There's a feeling of loss as each of them have sown something into my life. Maybe that means I'm getting old? Maybe that means I am turning a bit more nostalgic? I don't know…but this really hit me this week.

Glad you were able to join me in this…hah!

 

After a long time…

Ugh…that's what I think when I walk through a season in life where I feel like I sense no direction from God. I study the Bible…I pray…I listen to other messages from great Godly men and women…and it's all good, just doesn't seem to hit me right where I'm living. I know there are reasons for times like this, but that doesn't make it any less annoying! Hah!

But, this is what I find – I typically come through a season like this with a deeper appreciation for God and amazement for the fact that he desires to speak to me at all! If I need to, like Jacob in the Old Testament, wrestle with God for my 'blessing,' I'll go there. Just wish I'd learn not to stress out so much about things…

1 Kings 18:1 ¹After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah…

Margin

How does margin play out in everyday life?

• Margin would be showing up maybe 5 or 10 minutes early to a meeting so you are not stressed all of the time.
• Margin financially would be having money leftover at the end of the month.
• Margin is having distance between you and temptation.
• Margin could be having emotional capacity to deal with problems.
• Margin could be having three or four nights a week, where you don't have anything at all on your schedule.
• Margin could be having extra time or extra money to invest and give to people and ministries that you love.
• Margin could be simply having time to think, to reflect, to meditate, to dream. Margin could be having significant time with God.

(Taken from Craig Groeschel's series on Margin)

Click here to listen to the first part of a series I shared on this subject. Listen to the rest of the series by going to the podcast page here, and scrolling down to April/May 2011.

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.