Monday

My start value

Hi, ya'll. If you're coming by from the Proverbs 31 devotion, welcome. I'm so glad you stopped by.

I'm just sitting here paralyzed on my sofa mesmerized by the discipline, skill and thrill of men's Olympic gymnastics. This is quite addicting. Really why else would a tired, anemic 18-weeks-pregnant mother of a three year old and eighteen month old still be awake at nearly midnight?Curses you Olympic coverage broadcasters! You are now my enemy.

I know it's really my own fault; so I'm desperately trying to justify my new addiction. I'm turning this into an educational experience. You see I just learned that each man's routine has a unique start value based on the difficulty of the tricks and choreography planned for a particular apparatus. One gymnast's start score on vault may be a 7.5 while another gymnast may begin with only a start value of 6.25. This start value caps how high a gymnast's potential score can go. The start value is then combined with a score for an athlete's execution of choreographed skills.

Now I know you don't really know me, but please don't judge me too harshly for what I'm about to tell you. Here's what I've been thinking-what is my start value spiritually? Sure I'm not always the most consistent athlete, but where's my baseline? What's my contribution to the team? Here's what I came up with:

Daughter of a world-class preacher: 1.725
Lifetime church membership and involvement: 1.25
Wife of deacon: .5
Children's worship leader: .5
Proverbs 31 Speaker: 1.00
Small group leader: .75


I wasn't even done mentally totaling my score when the Spirit whispered, "Whitney, your start value is 0.00. All the credit for a perfect score was in the execution of a perfect life." He didn't need to say anymore. I knew immediately how foolish and fleshly I had been.

I wish I could tell you that I don't normally assess my spiritual life quite so legalistically, but I think I do.

Many nights I have fallen asleep while mentally sizing up my day. How many times was I short with my children? Did I spend time alone with the Lord? How long? Was I gracious and loving toward Chad? Did I spend enough time in preparation for leading bible study? How does this compare with the amount of time I spent reading blogs and watching television?

So tell me, am I the only one?

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16 comments:

Wendy Pope said...

Your are not the only one sister Whit.

Who can measure up? No one. That is way I am so thankful for Jesus, as I know you are.

Great devo and great post!

Love you
Wendy P. ("Wendy 2")

Betty Palmer said...

I really needed your devotion today! I have experienced a great loss in my life and I have recently accepted the fact that there is nothing I can do to change the situation. It just helps to be reminded that God knows the condition of my heart.

Thank you,
BPalmer

On Purpose said...

Thank you for reminding me to quit scoring myself...one its a waste of precious time and second...He judges on a totally different system.

Thank you for sharing your heart with us today!

Lisa said...

thanks for that awesome olympics parallel to our spiritual life. awesome insight! i can relate to you- i have a 3 1/2 year old daughter, a 2 year old son, and we just had another son who is now 3 1/2 months old. so i feel ya! i'll bet you're exhausted. hang in there~! :)::):)
thanks again,
lisa
www.itstheshepherds.blogspot.com

Karen said...

Whitney,

I popped over to your blog from the P31 devotion you left today. I have to say both the devotion and your posting spoke volumes to me. How great to know the value you have to God and that he knows every need even before we do!

Thank you for your inspired words!

- Karen

Starr LaPradd said...

Thanks so much for your wonderful words in the P31 devotion today. I needed them badly! I am truly waiting (not so patiently, I might add!) for God's provision in several areas of my life right now. Your wrods were very encouraging to me this morning as I read them.
I am glad I discovered your blog as well! I'll be back, for sure!
Blessings,
Starr

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Thank you for the P31 devotion today. I am living it. I also appreciate your blog today. Too often we measure ourselves by our owrks, other people, the world's view when in reality, we should only be masuring ourselves to God and His holiness. Will we fall short. You bet. But it's worth trying to achieve!!
Blessings!

In His Graces~Pamela

Kathleen said...

Whitney ~ Thank you for your devotions today! I've been praying in earnest for God's provision, and through your words, I was reminded that God was in control.

I'm also glad to have been directed to your blog--we have quite a bit in common: we're both in GA, we both have 3 kids in 4 years time (I now have a little Princess who is 3 years behind the other "pack"! :-)), AND we're both trying to sell our house in this market! Ugh! I sure needed your reminder that God is in control!

Kathleen said...

PS - I was up with you at midnight last night watching Men's Gymnastics. Against my will. Sort of!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful P31 devotion today!!

When I get in a panic about life all I need to do is step back and see what he has made happen thus far. It is amazing and like you said it often happens before I even "ask" for it!

Loved this blog post also---we are absolutely nothing without him!!

I am so glad to have found your blog today!

God bless!!

Kim from PA

The Nester said...

I'm so glad that it's not what we do that makes us who we are.

Nice to meet you and your blog design is to die for!!!

Off to read your P31 read!

Amy Wyatt said...

Whitney,
Just read your devotion at P31 and it was exactly what I needed to hear today! Just like you said, God knew I would need it today how ever long ago you wrote it and before Rachel decided when it would be posted:-)
Sorry to hear that you guys will be moving. We need to get together before the move. I'm still here in Dacula. Let's plan something. Take care.
Amy

Laurie Ann said...

Just read your devotion today (wonderful, by the way!) and popped over to visit your blog. It's beautiful. And no, you're not the only one! Praising God that He is the One who determines our worth and not we ourselves.

Sandee said...

My daughter-in-law sent your devotion to me because of our semilar circumstance in seminary. My husband and I were in Fort Worth from 1977 to 1982 while Bill at SWBTS. We had two small children and lived in what was referred to as "seminary harlem". I worked for a Fort Worth lawfirm and Bill painted houses when not in class. One paticular hot summer, our power bill was more than we could pay. In the next day's mail, we received a check for the exact amount needed from my husband's mom's Sunday School class in North Carolina! The check had been mailed before we got the bill! God is good! He is always ahead of us in his provisions. We were members of Birchman Ave. Baptist Church while in Fort Worth. I'm sure my husband was in seminary with your dad! Thanks for the devotion!

Vern ~ Inspired said...

Hey Girl!!

I loved your devotional and blog today!

Lets talk soon ~

Vern

Jill Beran said...

No you are not alone! It's late and as a mother of 3 little ones 5 and under, I can relate - I too should be in bed, but... But I feel God had me read your words tonight after I read your devo today. Thanks for the insight and encouragament. I loved your words about emotion and devotion. I just signed a book contract and the emotion is a bit overwhelming, but now I realize it's only devotion that will carry this thru. Thanks again and pray God blesses you as your family grows!