Sun-Block
Summertime fun here we come! Sounds simple right? In my world it is more complicated than that. Fun starts after the sunblock battle: sunblock verses my three-year-old. He moves and bends when it’s inconvenient, and he becomes a mannequin when I need him to move. It amazes me how such a simple necessity is such a strenuous activity. However, it is very important and needed. I have had sunburns. They're miserable. Truthfully, I don’t want to deal with a sunburned three-year-old. He’s an amazing little guy, but he is three. Plus, sunburns can take awhile to heal. They sting and peel; it can be painful! There are more lasting consequences than the initial battle of wiggles and cream.
I think we can apply this to our relationship with God. If we don’t apply our God-block, we can get burned. What burns us? Some days it can be myself, my brain, and my thoughts, or maybe someone else offends me. Other days it is too many bites of ice cream. The enemy is also in the mix wreaking havoc. Sometimes it is subtle, a slow fade. Initially, we don’t always see the damage the sun has on our skin. It can take some time for some things to manifest. This applies to our spiritual health as well. It doesn’t show up right away.
As much as I love Jesus and all he represents, I struggle with always being kind and loving. To be completely vulnerable, I can get cranky like super witchy. My boys and I were blessed to be able to visit my parents in Texas. It was a mini vacay. However, I didn’t get much time with God. I didn’t always get time to put on my God-block, and it showed. I found myself losing my patience more quickly. I was struggling with trusting God. I need my God-block.
The ingredients we put into our God-block can change depending on the person. Today, my God-block consisted of worship music, the Word, and walking and talking to Him. It can change depending on the season. Sometimes we need more like SPF 50 or less like SPF 15. Below I am listing some example ingredients and scriptures to ponder and possibly apply. Find your own mixture that works. I can’t say it enough He loves you! He wants you!
Ingredients:
15-minute coffee break with God: mix a cup of coffee and a comfy chair.
2 worship songs: car stereo and drive while singing your heart out
Read a chapter in the bible or even just a verse
Church
Community: find others that love Jesus and talk.
Scriptures:
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Psalm 5:11 ESV
I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Proverbs 8:17 ESV
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 ESV
