Mrs. Lot is a woman remembered for one thing and one thing only. And no, it isn’t for being a pillar of the community. She is remembered for being the object of God’s harsh and highly unusual punishment for what many would consider a somewhat minor infraction.
Admit it. You have wondered why it was such a big deal for her to take one last look at the place she’d called home for so long? Why shouldn’t she take a quick look at the chaos, noise, and fire–if for no other reason than to make sure she wasn’t imagining things? Was it as bad as it sounded? And what about her friends? Would anyone else survive this catastrophic event? So, yah, was looking back really all that bad?
Answer: Yes, according to God, it was. And God has the final say in everything.
But wait! Looking back was clearly a case of human nature kicking in, right? The very same human nature God created within us! Yes, it was. BUT.
But the punishment God imposed upon Mrs. Lot wasn’t just about looking back. It was about her disobedience. God said ‘don't’ and she did it anyway. Like her husband, she wasn’t completely ready, willing, or able to let go of her old (and sin infested) life for a new and better one. Was she grateful to escape? Yes. But….
You may not want to hear this, but we are more like Mrs. Lot than we want to admit. We are grateful for God’s gift of salvation. We are grateful to Jesus for taking the punishment for our sins. We are okay with keeping most of God’s commandments and being a kind and decent person. We are usually even willing to do ‘our part’ in attending worship services, serving others, and giving to those in need. But when it comes to ____________ (you fill in the blank), we keep looking back (figuratively speaking). We don’t want to let go of ____________. We don’t want to stop doing ____________. We don’t trust God to meet our needs, so we give from what is left (if any at all) instead of giving to God first. We want God’s blessings and protection, yet we continue to put ourselves in harm’s way of sin and Satan’s schemes. How? By watching television shows or movies all the while believing that the seeds of apathy and tolerance won’t be planted. Or maybe we hang out with or have social media relationships with people who can become more important to us than they should be. And I think we all have to admit that there are times when we don’t speak out or stand up for what we know is right because we don’t want to rock the boat, be made fun of, or whatever else Satan convinces us might happen.
Sans the social media, Mrs. Lot’s life wasn’t really all that different from ours, was it. She was surrounded by sin. Hate, racism, sexual perversion…you name it, Sodom and Gomorrah had it. See? We do have more in common with this lady than you thought, don’t we? And that’s why we need to learn all you can from her.
We need to learn that God requires our all…or else in his eyes, it’s the same as nothing at all. Like the song says, “...if he’s not LORD of everything, then he’s not LORD at all.” Nothing less will do. And it shouldn’t. The world and everything (and everyone) in it belong to him. He created it. He keeps it living or held in place. So, yes, let Mrs. Lot be your reminder that complete obedience and being completely untethered to anything this world has to offer is what God wants and expects. But equally true and important is that living life on God’s terms gives us the courage, strength, and blessing of being the salt OF the earth, not just salt.
Be salt and light,
Darla, aka, Momma D
Who am I?
I’m Darla Noble—Author, Speaker, and Ghostwriter with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself. I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.
What do I write?
Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.
Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.
Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.
What do I say and who do I say it to?
*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.
*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!
*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.
*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!
*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.
*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.
*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more.
Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).
Where can you find me?
My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore or order on my Square Store