Are we’re moving fast through Beth Moore’s study on Thessalonians? The homework for this week on pages 63-76 should slow us down. This week’s homework examines the end of 1 Thessalonians 2 and the beginning of I Thessalonians 3. Before we get into my thoughts on the Day 1 through Day 3 homework this week, let me summarize the points of Beth’s last session:

1. Paul speaks about the Thessalonians as his “own dear children” and thus, Beth discusses what “complete parenting” would look like. Only God can parent us perfectly and regardless of age, we all need that complete parenting from Him.

2. If our own parenting is missing a “piece” of complete parenting, then we lack “peace” there.

3. Complete parenting has 6 components:

• Nurturing
• Being affectionately desired by a parent
• Accepting Parent’s Very Self – A good parent pours him- or herself into the child’s life
• Exhortation – encouragement accompanied by instruction
• Encouragement
• Charged to walk worthy – one might call this the discipline part of the parenting process

If you have already seen or listened to the session, what else jumped out at you? Submit a comment below so that others can “learn and discern” from you!

In Day One’s homework I wanted to shout from the highest “mountaintop” a resounding “YEESSSSSSS!” to her statement at the top of page 65: “…you will never find a perfectionist who is, as it turns out, perfect.” Now, I do think that God calls us to give all of our tasks our very best human effort to ensure that people think favorably about God, but many of us turn that into stressing ourselves unnecessarily about the “stupid stuff” of life. This seems to be a particularly female “disease” and its result is often depression, anxiety or worse. Such stressing could actually lead us to physical illness! So, we have to balance our best efforts with faith that God can accomplish what He desires even if we feel like big failures and we just need to relax about some stuff! That’s healthy! And we sure can’t help each other or work for God if we’re sick!

In Day Two’s homework a sentence in the middle of page 70 hit home all too well and is a concept that I am, quite frankly, struggling to do well: “This world is too broken for us to make our goal not getting hurt.” I totally agree, but because of my “health adventures” sometimes getting hurt costs a pile of money and eliminates all efforts to alleviate other people’s suffering except for praying for the situation to be resolved. So, at what point do I say, “I need to suffer a fair amount to heal other people” and at what point do I say, “If I take this on, I might be endangering my own health to such an extent that my family suffers and I am rendered virtually useless.” Anyone care to impart some wisdom down below on this subject? If so, I’m all ears!

As a writer, I can so appreciate the sentiments of the Day Three homework and I think it is best summed up at the bottom of page 76 where Beth states: “…the letter we’re studying became necessary only as an inferior replacement to the visit Paul yearned to make. But as it turned out, that very letter was blown on the page by the breath of God.” Just when I think I’m blogging an inferior post, that is often when the “pen of God” is at work and I am suddenly deluged with an unbelievably good set of comments and emails from my readers. You have no idea how this blesses me when you, dear reader, take the time to tell me your thoughts. And it reminds me that my standard for good writing is not the same as God’s. Moses had a speech impediment and yet, God still called him into leadership where talking was probably required, even if brother Aaron was around to help. If God can turn Moses into an effective leader and speaker, He can most certainly turn my inferior, boring writing skills into something useful or entertaining.

Did you catch that last part in the paragraph above? That was a subtle hint to comment below. 🙂

Friday’s Post: What do we think about Blue Donahue?

You Might Also Like: Children of the Day Reflection # 3: I Thessalonians 2; and Children of the Day Reflection # 2: I Thessalonians 1