Reframed

by Tim Rush (Terry’s youngest and probably favoritist child)

By the way, this blog is being hacked… well, sort of. 

Dad came to Guadalajara last week for a short visit.  While here, he wrote a couple of blog posts from my computer and forgot to sign out.  Thus, when I went to check his blog this morning I realized I am now able to “put some words on it”, to steal his line. 

Instead of having all the fun myself, I want to invite you to put some words on dad’s blog too.  (I thought about waiting for dad’s 66^th birthday which is coming next month, or for his 36^th anniversary at Memorial which takes place in July… but being a Rush, I just can’t wait that long.)

So here’s your invitation:  How has dad impacted, your kingdom walk? 

I’ll start with one of the things dad continually teaches… and lives:  Replace worry with thankfulness (Philippians 4:6-7).    

I’m a worrier by nature.  I hate it, but it’s true.  After struggling to find peace amidst the chaos around us, I’ll remember dad’s constant example of thankfulness.  It takes effort, but my reality changes as I give in to this kingdom truth.  It usually starts like this:  “God, thank you.  We both know I don’t feel thankful, but I’ll be thankful out of obedience.”  Perhaps I have to confess this a few times, before I start giving thanks with feeling.  And God is true to his word.  The peace cannot be described.  My heart is reframed through thanksgiving.  Instead of worrying about the situation, I begin to anticipate God’s movement.  Stress is replaced with the anticipation of what God might do.   I’m thankful for a dad who lives this kingdom secret out loud. 

Thanks, dad, for reminding me that God can bring good from any situation.  I think your life is so fun because the hassles remind you to watch for God, instead of slowing you down.