Recently I went to hear Kris Vallotton speak at Bethel Atlanta Church and he told a story [which I'm sure to do no justice to] about a difficult season in his life when many things including finances were lacking.
[which coincidentally has described the last few months of our lives]
The story goes something like...one day he came home early from work to find the whole house completely dark and found three little tents set up in the living room that his kids were playing in. When he found his wife she explained that for months she has been shutting off the heat [and lights I believe] to save money while they were home during the day. She was just trying to do whatever she could to ease the burden as she knew how hard he was trying to rectify their financial crisis.
He said everyone should have a three little tents moment in their life.
A moment where you realize what it really feels like to be in covenant with someone. Not in convenient with someone, but in covenant.
You know... those people in your life who do things like that. People who sacrifice, and lay their lives down for you, for better or for worse. Believe in you. Stand by you.
Find those people. Be that person.
He posed the question--- "Who are your people?"
As a mom [and so are many of my readers] my "people" are my husband and my kids. It's not super glamourous. I'm not married to the president or running a ministry with thousands of employees. But the five people he's given me to--- they are my tribe. They are my people.
He encouraged us in a day where fame and position are portrayed as the ultimate mark of success to not end up... forsaking your family.
GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILY he insisted.
Have your house in order first. Serve those in your house first. Make sure your little disciples [kiddos!] are getting the best of you and not the left overs. Lay down your life for your spouse. Fight for them.
He walked us through the deep friendships of Jonathan and David and Ruth and Naomi. Which I will encourage you to dig deep into study yourself, but man, it was a good word. I hope it's a good reminder for you too.
I can say that we've spent a lot of the last 10 years of our relationship walking this out. Fighting for each other and our kids when it would have been very easy to walk away or pass a pill. We've had more three tent moments that I would care to remember, but it's covenant.
He loves us this way.
Actually--- much more.
"Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live.
Your people are my people, your God is my god..." Ruth 1:16
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