I am cheating today and posting an article I wrote for our women's newsletter entitled Divine Lines. This is written by several women in our church and published every other month. You can access the entire newsletter at SOCC.
Love Deeply
I was standing in Kohl’s waiting an eon for Maddie to choose a toy with the gift card she had received for Christmas when my cell phone beeped. Opening it, I noticed that my mom had sent me a text message. After 20 minutes, I sent her one back. Yep, that’s how long it took me to figure out that texting thing. I am a completely anti-techy woman from the electronic typewriter age. Frankly, it astounded me that my mom actually knew how to do this. Turns out, she had a couple of teenagers coaching her through the process. Suffice it to say, when my mom texted me back, I ignored the message. It would’ve been quicker for me to call her.
We live in a fast-paced society, and we have created devices in our world that compliment that lifestyle. I don’t have to physically talk to anyone in order to have a relationship with them, however shallow it is. In order to save time, I can email or text. I can get a Facebook or My Space account to maintain contact with friends all around the world. Because of cell phones, we are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We carry all sorts of contacts in our phone lists and email lists, yet how many of those are close relationships? We are in such a hurry most of the time that we are only making surface connections with people. I wonder how many people are truly longing for a good friend, someone who will take the time to build a deeper relationship.
In a Beth Moore study I took recently, she stated in one of her videos that we have ceased to practice deep relationships. It’s true. We are more reachable than ever before, yet we are also lonelier. How can that be with all the noise that surrounds us? Peter challenges us in 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Our culture teaches us to love superficially and to work toward self-reliance; however, the Bible clearly contradicts this idea.
The word “love” in this verse is that of the love of Christians toward other Christians. We are to show affection and goodwill towards our fellow believers. Beth Moore says that we need to learn to fight for each other instead of with each other. Too often we backbite, gossip and tear down instead of building each other up. We need to have unity in the midst of our diversity.
“Deeply” or the word “fervent”, as it is used in the King James Version, means strained or stretched. Picture an athlete reaching for the finish line or goal line, stretching out across it. Our love for one another is to be demonstrated intently, earnestly. Emails and texts can’t quite capture this kind of love. This takes time and effort, being intentional. This kind of love goes the distance; it stands the test of time; it gets into the ugly stuff.
What ugly stuff? Our sin, of course! Love “covers” (hides) over a “multitude” (a great number, bundle) of “sins” (that which is done wrong, offences). When I love fervently, I will forgive offenses against me rather than intensify them and gossip about them. I will error on the side of mercy rather than hold grudges. I will cover over and conceal the sins of others rather than spread them to the masses. I love Beth Moore’s statement that we must grace others because we ourselves have been graced. When we don’t love deeply; when we keep track of what others have done to us; when we fight with our fellow believers, the enemy is outwitting us. It’s his mission to sidetrack us in our desire to reflect Christ’s love to those around us in meaningful ways. We need to wise up to Satan’s schemes and foil his attempts at successfully sidetracking us by doing some tangible things to intentionally love those around us.
First, if you have many acquaintances but no close friends, think of someone with whom you would like to connect more deeply. Plan a time to meet with them over coffee or lunch. Several years ago I invited a woman over to my house for lunch to get to know her better, and now I can’t imagine not having her friendship in my life. We have become great friends and purposefully arrange time together on a regular basis.
Another way to begin to reflect His love more deeply is by becoming an encourager. We never know how or when our words will bring life to someone who is down or discouraged. Too often we concentrate on the negative, especially within our own families, instead of looking for the positive. I want to be a glass half full (or maybe even spilling over) kind of girl, the kind of person others gravitate to because of my kind words. Let’s overlook everyone’s multitude of faults and idiosyncrasies and look for the good instead. Perhaps, as we do this, they’ll choose not to see all our wrongs! Infuse someone with courage in the words that you speak over their life. Our words have the power to bring life or death to someone. Be a life-giver!
Also, be a note-giver! Every once in awhile I come across a card I’ve saved from a friend or my husband, and it brings a smile to my face once again. These notes remind me of how special they think I am, how valuable our friendship is; how much they love me. When I was dating my husband, I sent cards to him several times a week since we lived an hour and a half away from each other. They were full of loving words and encouragement. How often have I written these notes after we were married? Embarrassingly, I’ve composed some loving thoughts only a couple of times a year at special occasions. It’s not because I don’t believe he needs them anymore; mostly, it’s sheer laziness. As Beth Moore says, “I think notes constantly.” I could open my own Hallmark store with all the cards I have stockpiled to send to friends and to give to my husband. Unfortunately, they aren’t quite as effective sitting lonely in a drawer. My challenge to you and me is to spend a few minutes writing a special note to a friend, family member or your spouse expressing your love to them. Your words could have a huge impact on them and quite possibly arrive at a God-appointed time in their lives.
In a world that loves superficially and promotes self-reliance, let’s be different. Let’s love deeply, be grace-givers and bring life to those around us.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Ongoing School Saga
Upon driving Maddie to school this morning, we had our usual conversation.
Maddie: "I don't want to go to school. Why can't I be homeschooled like Ashley? I don't want to do math."
Me: "Ashley still has to do math at home. She has to do all the same work that you have to do at school."
Maddie: "Well, I don't want to go."
Me: "Remember when you were a little girl, and you watched Nick and Alix go off to school every day? You couldn't wait to go to school."
Maddie: "Well, life changes."
It sure does, doesn't it? Someone please explain to me how she and I are going to get through the next 11 years of school.
Maddie: "I don't want to go to school. Why can't I be homeschooled like Ashley? I don't want to do math."
Me: "Ashley still has to do math at home. She has to do all the same work that you have to do at school."
Maddie: "Well, I don't want to go."
Me: "Remember when you were a little girl, and you watched Nick and Alix go off to school every day? You couldn't wait to go to school."
Maddie: "Well, life changes."
It sure does, doesn't it? Someone please explain to me how she and I are going to get through the next 11 years of school.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Greetings from Guatemala
In a previous blog, I mentioned that my husband and 16-year-old son were just returning from a mission's trip to Guatemala, and at some point, I would blog about that. Instead, you are in for an extra special treat. Tony and I had asked Nick to write a letter to his supporters thanking them again for the money they donated as well as relating to them the experiences he had. He went above and beyond in his letter, and I would like to share it with you. It truly touched my heart to see the impact this trip had on his life. Enjoy!
January 23, 2008Hey guys,
Sorry this is late. I have had a hectic couple of weeks after the trip to Guatemala. I was sick with pneumonia last week, and now this week I am paying the price in mounds of homework. So, finally I have a breath of fresh air to do something other than school. Again, I am very grateful for all of your support. Without you guys, I wouldn’t have been able to have had the great experience in Guatemala.
As you may or may not know Guatemala has a rugged terrain; it was very green with active volcanoes everywhere we looked. We saw many fields of corn and other plants. Most of the time, these fields were on slopes or on the side of the volcanoes. Travel around these mountains was tough and took twice as long as it would in a non mountainous area. The house, Agua Viva, we stayed in was elevated over 7,000 feet above sea level. So, as you could imagine we had a little less stamina then normal.
Agua Viva is a home for children that are not necessarily orphans. Most of the kids had been either court ordered, or sent there by a parent or neighbor. The children there are very kind and loving. One would never know that they had been in difficult situations at all. The kids are very patient. Even though I have almost 4 years of Spanish under my belt, I still struggled with the language. They would wait for me to figure it out, or they would try to say other words that I could maybe recognize. So, I was able to understand the week through bits and pieces.
(Women selling their wares in the marketplace)
The home was divided into 5 houses. The houses are from littlest to largest Casa Samuel, Casa Ruth, Casa David, Casa Ester and Casa Josue. The house I got to know the most was Casa Josue. The Casa Josue ages ranged from about 10-18. We played jokes at breakfast, lunch and dinner; we played “futbol,” or soccer and basketball; and we painted trees and classrooms and just hung out. These boys, just like in the rest of the houses, were very obedient and helpful. Every time we went to do some work, there were some of these boys asking if they could help. Even when we weren’t working, they would ask if we were going to later on in the day.
(Nick is the non-guatemalan looking guy)
On this trip many strange things occurred that veteran group members said that they had never experienced there before. The first thing that happened was that one of our group leaders got food poisoning on the way to Guatemala. When we arrived, she was hospitalized at one of the hospitals and ended up coming back that night. Also, on one of the trips outside of the home we experienced a power outage. It wasn’t noticeable because it was daytime and very bright outside. When we got back to the Agua Viva there was no power there either! We had dinner by candle light and had to use flashlights for about an hour until the power came back on. Another strange occurrence happened on the last night we were in Guatemala. At our going away ceremony there was an earthquake right in the middle of the program. All the kids were unfazed because they were used to them. Last, but not least was the weather. While we were there, the group members who had been to Guatemala before had never experienced such cold temperatures. Most of us were not packed sufficiently, so we had to make due on one pair of pants and a light jacket. Overall these odd happenings made for an interesting week.
(Nick in the church service)
One of the best experiences I had in Guatemala was playing soccer with the kids. It was fun to try to watch them handle the ball and score, except when I was goalie. They play every day, and a couple of us were lucky enough to join in on two of these games. They were fun, and the kids laughed at us a lot but we had a great time anyway. The games we played were like close football games. I bet that many of them could come here to high schools in America and dominate.
I took away many things from this trip. One thing that really stuck out to me was the patience that they had. There were no clocks there so you couldn’t tell time, unless you brought a watch. They never seemed rushed to do anything. I found myself trying to find out the time countless times. We just seem like a really fast paced society here in America. When I was in Guatemala, I didn’t worry about tomorrow. All I cared about was what I was doing in that moment. In Matthew 6:34 Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” I think that we all could apply this to our lives. We don’t need to worry and stress out about tomorrow; we just need to think about today.
Thank you again for all of your support. I hope you were able to catch a glimpse of what I experienced on this trip. It was fantastic, and I hope to go back again. I am sorry for the lateness of this letter. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Nick Carlsberg
I am so proud of this maturing young man. I pray that God does amazing and mighty things in and through his life as he follows after Him. You know, there are moments when we wonder if our children are "getting it"...that the most satisfying and complete life is only through Jesus Christ. We so desire for our kids to mature and grow in Him, for them to hear our words and model after us (most of the time, that is)! Many times we think all that we are attempting to teach them is going in one ear and out the other. Then we have these glimpses, these snapshots they show us...it's enough to make a momma cry!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
She's a Sneaky, Little Girl
This morning while encouraging Maddie to choose which nutritious breakfast item to eat, a Hot Fudge Sundae poptart or Cookie Crisp cereal, we had an interesting conversation.
Me: Ok, Maddie, what do you want to eat? We need to get moving a little more quickly here, so we are on time for the bus.
Maddie: I don't want to go to school.
Me: Too bad. You have to go anyway.
Maddie: No, I'll just pretend to be sick.
Where does she come up with these things? No one in our family has ever "pretended" to be sick to get out of school. Besides, we have these rules in our home which often cures thoughts of playing hooky. First, if you actually are sick, you are incapable of watching television and must either lay in agony on your bed or on the couch. Second, if you are truly sick, you don't even desire to do anything else but sleep or vomit. I've learned these things from having an extremely cruel mother who knew about children like me who might actually attempt to get away with such "sick" trickery. And, Maddie? She doesn't have a chance of playing sick with the genes I've inherited. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to school she goes...
Me: Ok, Maddie, what do you want to eat? We need to get moving a little more quickly here, so we are on time for the bus.
Maddie: I don't want to go to school.
Me: Too bad. You have to go anyway.
Maddie: No, I'll just pretend to be sick.
Where does she come up with these things? No one in our family has ever "pretended" to be sick to get out of school. Besides, we have these rules in our home which often cures thoughts of playing hooky. First, if you actually are sick, you are incapable of watching television and must either lay in agony on your bed or on the couch. Second, if you are truly sick, you don't even desire to do anything else but sleep or vomit. I've learned these things from having an extremely cruel mother who knew about children like me who might actually attempt to get away with such "sick" trickery. And, Maddie? She doesn't have a chance of playing sick with the genes I've inherited. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to school she goes...
Sunday, January 20, 2008
A Little Latte Language
Any Starbuck's mocha or latte lovers out there? Apparently, the type of coffee you order can determine the kind of personality you have. Mochawithlinda clued me in on this fabulous quiz. After you take it, let me know what your coffee order reveals about you!
What Does Your Latte Say About You?
| What Your Latte Says About You |
 You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious. You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast. You're addicted to caffeine. There's no denying it. You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You're occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree. You are honest and genuine, but you are never tactless. |
What Does Your Latte Say About You?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Words to Ponder
Quote from Beth Moore's Bible study, "Stepping Up."
"Don't wait! Praise God the second you don't feel like it! The second you feel defeated! "Now!" Your temptor tempts you to praise God the least when you need to praise the most. A true psalmist praises his way to victory, knowing it will come because the praise itself renders the first blow to his enemy's brow. God's faithfulness then calls for man's gratefulness."
"Don't wait! Praise God the second you don't feel like it! The second you feel defeated! "Now!" Your temptor tempts you to praise God the least when you need to praise the most. A true psalmist praises his way to victory, knowing it will come because the praise itself renders the first blow to his enemy's brow. God's faithfulness then calls for man's gratefulness."
Caught Cheating
Maddie let her fingers do the tapping of the phone numbers to call her little red-head friend a couple of days ago. She could hardly stand that I forced her to finish her homework first, mean mommy that I am. "I'm going to put her on speaker phone again," she declares.
Me: "You don't really need to do that."
Maddie: "But, I'm going to."
Someone please help me. If this determined, smart-alecky, independent attitude continues, she may not survive to see the dawning of her 16th birthday. I wonder if she'll be so adamant about her speaker phone conversation when she's a teenager. Somehow, I doubt it!
While Maddie is conversing, my ears perk up. "My mom banished me from doing my homework on the bus."
Little red-head friend: "Why?"
Maddie: "Because Connor was helping me with my homework, and he gave me all the answers."
At least she's not afraid to be honest. Yes, she came home one day from school with her homework already completed. Unusual...not like my Maddie at all. She proudly tells me that she did her homework on the bus, and she doesn't have to worry about doing it now. Red flags waved wildly in my face. "So," I ask, "Did someone help you?" I'm immediately thinking of her 6th grade friend, Hannah. "Yes, Connor helped me." Hmmmm....Connor is a 1st grader too. But, I'm seriously doubting that Maddie could figure these math answers out all by her lonesome. "Did he tell you the answers, Maddie?" Sheepishly, she softly responds, "Yes."
Yep, my daughter was guilty of cheating. Thus, she was most emphatically "banned" from doing any homework on the bus. Her punishment? I erased all the answers and made her re-do the paper. Then, I had to assist her with her homework! I believe she's learned her lesson.
Me: "You don't really need to do that."
Maddie: "But, I'm going to."
Someone please help me. If this determined, smart-alecky, independent attitude continues, she may not survive to see the dawning of her 16th birthday. I wonder if she'll be so adamant about her speaker phone conversation when she's a teenager. Somehow, I doubt it!
While Maddie is conversing, my ears perk up. "My mom banished me from doing my homework on the bus."
Little red-head friend: "Why?"
Maddie: "Because Connor was helping me with my homework, and he gave me all the answers."
At least she's not afraid to be honest. Yes, she came home one day from school with her homework already completed. Unusual...not like my Maddie at all. She proudly tells me that she did her homework on the bus, and she doesn't have to worry about doing it now. Red flags waved wildly in my face. "So," I ask, "Did someone help you?" I'm immediately thinking of her 6th grade friend, Hannah. "Yes, Connor helped me." Hmmmm....Connor is a 1st grader too. But, I'm seriously doubting that Maddie could figure these math answers out all by her lonesome. "Did he tell you the answers, Maddie?" Sheepishly, she softly responds, "Yes."
Yep, my daughter was guilty of cheating. Thus, she was most emphatically "banned" from doing any homework on the bus. Her punishment? I erased all the answers and made her re-do the paper. Then, I had to assist her with her homework! I believe she's learned her lesson.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Magpie Maddie Displays Signs of Airy Disorder
Just last night this airhead disease cropped up in our soon to be 7-year-old girl. I'm not sure if it will be a full-fledged illness as it is with her older blond sister. For now, we are taking a wait and see attitude until we've had more time to observe her actions.
While on the phone with another 1st grade friend from school, Chatty Cathy (aka Maddie) chirped nonstop. "Why are you calling me?"
"Oh, you wanted to see how I was doing?"
"You got my number from Connor?" (Those cursed boys!)
"Oh, let me put you on speaker phone!" (Gee, I don't even know how to do that.)
"My brother, Nick, showed me how to do it." (Hey Nick, how about showing your anti-techy mom?)
In between the sentences, it's a giggle, giggle here and a giggle, giggle there. Then, little 1st grade red-head friend is attempting to ask her mom to do the speaker phone thingy. Her mom is clueless too. So, little red-head friend begins to push buttons haphazardly and hangs up on Maddie. She calls right back. They have soooo much to discuss. Maddie puts her back on speaker phone so we can all participate in this lovely conversation. It's so inspiring.
I hear Maddie say to her that after they hang up, she's going to put a pencil and paper in her backpack. Apparently Maddie is going to write little red-head friend's phone number down at school the next day. "Oh, wait! I have a great idea. How about I get a pencil and write your number down now?"
Little red-head friend: "That's what I was thinking you could do!" (Excitement, giggle, giggle.)
Maddie writes the number down, repeats it back in case she made a mistake, and says, "Do you want to write my number down, too?" Silence. I comment to her and the speaker phone, "Maddie, she has your number. She called you." "Oh, yeah!" she laughs...giggle, giggle.
The blond disease has erupted. Let's hope it doesn't spread. BTW ("By the way" for those of you who aren't clued in on the new abbreviations), the rest of the conversation was a completely silly discussion about getting a "couple" (that's right, boyfriend-girlfriend) back together at recess the following day. I foresee a couple of careers for this girl...a budding matchmaker or the star of a new movie, "Legally Blonde 3".
While on the phone with another 1st grade friend from school, Chatty Cathy (aka Maddie) chirped nonstop. "Why are you calling me?"
"Oh, you wanted to see how I was doing?"
"You got my number from Connor?" (Those cursed boys!)
"Oh, let me put you on speaker phone!" (Gee, I don't even know how to do that.)
"My brother, Nick, showed me how to do it." (Hey Nick, how about showing your anti-techy mom?)
In between the sentences, it's a giggle, giggle here and a giggle, giggle there. Then, little 1st grade red-head friend is attempting to ask her mom to do the speaker phone thingy. Her mom is clueless too. So, little red-head friend begins to push buttons haphazardly and hangs up on Maddie. She calls right back. They have soooo much to discuss. Maddie puts her back on speaker phone so we can all participate in this lovely conversation. It's so inspiring.
I hear Maddie say to her that after they hang up, she's going to put a pencil and paper in her backpack. Apparently Maddie is going to write little red-head friend's phone number down at school the next day. "Oh, wait! I have a great idea. How about I get a pencil and write your number down now?"
Little red-head friend: "That's what I was thinking you could do!" (Excitement, giggle, giggle.)
Maddie writes the number down, repeats it back in case she made a mistake, and says, "Do you want to write my number down, too?" Silence. I comment to her and the speaker phone, "Maddie, she has your number. She called you." "Oh, yeah!" she laughs...giggle, giggle.
The blond disease has erupted. Let's hope it doesn't spread. BTW ("By the way" for those of you who aren't clued in on the new abbreviations), the rest of the conversation was a completely silly discussion about getting a "couple" (that's right, boyfriend-girlfriend) back together at recess the following day. I foresee a couple of careers for this girl...a budding matchmaker or the star of a new movie, "Legally Blonde 3".
Friday, January 11, 2008
Who's Got Your Ear?
A few nights ago I asked my husband to pray over me in preparation for our first day of our Roof-Crasher's Bible study since I was a little anxious about being one of the teachers for the Sacred Marriage study. Even though I have been happily re-married now for almost 8 years, I experienced a heart-wrenching divorce 9 years ago which has caused me to doubt at times my worthiness at leading any class much less one on marriage. Let's just say, the accuser assails negative thoughts my direction like..."what do you have to offer...you couldn't even stay married", and "people will not listen to what you have to say because of your track record" and "how can a divorced woman teach a marriage class?"
Now I know that God is not saying that I am worthless, useless and have nothing to offer. I realize that He has made beauty from the ashes of my life, and that He can use my brokenness to help someone else. But, Satan doesn't want ME to get it. He will do anything to get believers to disbelieve Christ's redeeming work in our lives and basically, to quit! Because I had these nagging thoughts plaguing me, I asked Tony to pray for me. He did and as we began to talk after his prayer, I started sharing my fears again. Basically, he shushed me, "Annette, we prayed about it. It's taken care of. God will be with you. Those thoughts are not true." I was speechless at his uncharacteristic bluntness, which if you know me, happens once in a blue moon. His words shut me up which stopped the negativity from flowing.
The following morning I was up earlier than normal to spend some time praying for the women that would come, for our leaders and for me, of course. Then, I asked God to speak to me and when I opened my One Year Bible to read the day before's portion since I was already a day behind, guess what? God spoke to me clearly through these verses in Proverbs:
"My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
The last two sentences in this portion, Proverbs 3:5-6, were the verses I clung to while going through my divorce, becoming a single parent and learning to trust God through all my uncertain days ahead. I already thought I had this trust thing down because of all I had experienced in the past. God was reminding me again...trust ME with ALL your heart. The word "all" leaped off the page. Was I reserving part of my heart back from Him? Did I only want to trust him with certain portions? Was I not trusting Him to be with me after I had just asked Him to? Since God called me to this moment, wouldn't He fully equip me for the task?
Fear and doubt of my inadequacy to teach was replaced with a renewed trust in the complete adequacy of my Savior who redeemed my past and called me to be part of this teaching team. This was completely confirmed after each of us gave our introductions to the class. Open about my past, I shared about my previous divorce, my belief that God's plan is indeed for couples to stay married and how God beautifully and graciously allowed me a second chance at marriage with a wonderful man.
I half expected disappointed looks and maybe even a class exodus! Instead, during our small group time one woman with tears swelling talked about her own previous divorce and subsequent re-marriage. God perfectly placed her in my group for a reason, and He has once again shown me that my life, my past and my lessons learned have a purpose that He will carry out if I will simply trust Him.
No matter where you've been, what mistakes you have made, how much you've disobeyed, God can forgive you and free you to be used for His glory and fame. Even when we find ourselves experiencing suffering because of another's poor decisions, God can use our pain to bring encouragement and hope to those we encounter. It's a matter of listening to and trusting in the One who ransoms our pasts for our freedom...and shutting up old slewfoot who dredges up our pasts for our destruction. Who will you bend your ear to?
Now I know that God is not saying that I am worthless, useless and have nothing to offer. I realize that He has made beauty from the ashes of my life, and that He can use my brokenness to help someone else. But, Satan doesn't want ME to get it. He will do anything to get believers to disbelieve Christ's redeeming work in our lives and basically, to quit! Because I had these nagging thoughts plaguing me, I asked Tony to pray for me. He did and as we began to talk after his prayer, I started sharing my fears again. Basically, he shushed me, "Annette, we prayed about it. It's taken care of. God will be with you. Those thoughts are not true." I was speechless at his uncharacteristic bluntness, which if you know me, happens once in a blue moon. His words shut me up which stopped the negativity from flowing.
The following morning I was up earlier than normal to spend some time praying for the women that would come, for our leaders and for me, of course. Then, I asked God to speak to me and when I opened my One Year Bible to read the day before's portion since I was already a day behind, guess what? God spoke to me clearly through these verses in Proverbs:
"My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
The last two sentences in this portion, Proverbs 3:5-6, were the verses I clung to while going through my divorce, becoming a single parent and learning to trust God through all my uncertain days ahead. I already thought I had this trust thing down because of all I had experienced in the past. God was reminding me again...trust ME with ALL your heart. The word "all" leaped off the page. Was I reserving part of my heart back from Him? Did I only want to trust him with certain portions? Was I not trusting Him to be with me after I had just asked Him to? Since God called me to this moment, wouldn't He fully equip me for the task?
Fear and doubt of my inadequacy to teach was replaced with a renewed trust in the complete adequacy of my Savior who redeemed my past and called me to be part of this teaching team. This was completely confirmed after each of us gave our introductions to the class. Open about my past, I shared about my previous divorce, my belief that God's plan is indeed for couples to stay married and how God beautifully and graciously allowed me a second chance at marriage with a wonderful man.
I half expected disappointed looks and maybe even a class exodus! Instead, during our small group time one woman with tears swelling talked about her own previous divorce and subsequent re-marriage. God perfectly placed her in my group for a reason, and He has once again shown me that my life, my past and my lessons learned have a purpose that He will carry out if I will simply trust Him.
No matter where you've been, what mistakes you have made, how much you've disobeyed, God can forgive you and free you to be used for His glory and fame. Even when we find ourselves experiencing suffering because of another's poor decisions, God can use our pain to bring encouragement and hope to those we encounter. It's a matter of listening to and trusting in the One who ransoms our pasts for our freedom...and shutting up old slewfoot who dredges up our pasts for our destruction. Who will you bend your ear to?
Saturday, January 5, 2008
The Boys are Back in Town (well, almost)
Tonight is THE night...the night when my boys get back in town. Sounds almost like a song, doesn't it? We three girls have been livin' it up...stayin' up late, gettin' up late and eating all microwavable food. It's been great for the last 8 days, but I'm ready for my man to get back.
It'll be nice to get back to two sleeping in a king-size bed. I know that a couple of blogs ago I said that I was NOT sleeping with both of my girls in that bed anymore, but you know, I'm really a softie and couldn't bear the thought of one of them sleeping clear at the other end of the house. Let me tell you, it can be a long, scary walk in the middle of the night if you need momma. Alas, I caved in, and we've been sleeping together all week ~ except for the night Alix had 3 of her friends spend the night and slept downstairs. I use the word "sleep" loosely since they finally crashed at 4 am.
Still, even after we painted Alix' room and redecorated, that 13-year-old girl wanted to hang out in mom's room. Since I'm not sure how long that will last, I welcome every opportunity to have her sleep in my bed with me. Whatever her reasons, not wanting to be the lone person snoozing at the other side of the house or her bed still piled high with knick knacks to be sorted, I don't care! She still wants to be with me! And, Maddie? Well, she's practically glued to me, so I don't think I could pry her away.
It's the end of the all girl party and back to the co-ed family that we are. It's also back to school, schedules and arising at 6:30 am (oh, joy)! It's back to cooking real food that is actually healthy. While I am not excited about any of that stuff, I am elated to see my hubby and son. I know they have much to relate regarding their adventure in Guatemala. They've taken zillions of pictures of children which I plan to share in one of my blogs.
We girls have had an important role in their trip south...we've been praying. Every night we've prayed that they would have an impact there, that they would connect with these children, that their hearts would be moved, that God would speak specifically to their hearts what He wants them to know, that they would be changed. So, I can hardly wait to hear what God has done in their lives and the lives of those Guatemalans because of Tony's and Nick's sacrifice to go to a place out of their comfort zones.
Until then...I must post this excerpt and get my children movin' in the direction of their OWN beds tonight. Night, night!
It'll be nice to get back to two sleeping in a king-size bed. I know that a couple of blogs ago I said that I was NOT sleeping with both of my girls in that bed anymore, but you know, I'm really a softie and couldn't bear the thought of one of them sleeping clear at the other end of the house. Let me tell you, it can be a long, scary walk in the middle of the night if you need momma. Alas, I caved in, and we've been sleeping together all week ~ except for the night Alix had 3 of her friends spend the night and slept downstairs. I use the word "sleep" loosely since they finally crashed at 4 am.
Still, even after we painted Alix' room and redecorated, that 13-year-old girl wanted to hang out in mom's room. Since I'm not sure how long that will last, I welcome every opportunity to have her sleep in my bed with me. Whatever her reasons, not wanting to be the lone person snoozing at the other side of the house or her bed still piled high with knick knacks to be sorted, I don't care! She still wants to be with me! And, Maddie? Well, she's practically glued to me, so I don't think I could pry her away.
It's the end of the all girl party and back to the co-ed family that we are. It's also back to school, schedules and arising at 6:30 am (oh, joy)! It's back to cooking real food that is actually healthy. While I am not excited about any of that stuff, I am elated to see my hubby and son. I know they have much to relate regarding their adventure in Guatemala. They've taken zillions of pictures of children which I plan to share in one of my blogs.
We girls have had an important role in their trip south...we've been praying. Every night we've prayed that they would have an impact there, that they would connect with these children, that their hearts would be moved, that God would speak specifically to their hearts what He wants them to know, that they would be changed. So, I can hardly wait to hear what God has done in their lives and the lives of those Guatemalans because of Tony's and Nick's sacrifice to go to a place out of their comfort zones.
Until then...I must post this excerpt and get my children movin' in the direction of their OWN beds tonight. Night, night!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Got Any Friends?
According to Webster, a friend is "a person whom one knows well and is fond of; intimate associate; close acquaintance...a person on the same side in a struggle; one who is not an enemy or foe; ally...a supporter or sympathizer."
I just finished typing that definition and had a thought that came out of nowhere in my blond brain. Who is Webster anyway? Why is his name on my dictionary, and yet, he's not listed as the author? In fact, I can't find his name anywhere. If you happen to know, please enlighten me.
Back to the topic at hand: friends! I love them, don't you? They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and internal variety. What is so fantabulous about this friend thing is that they don't have to be exactly like me to "like" me and for us to hit it off. I have a lot of different friends, on varying levels. I don't mean different in the sense that they are peculiar (although some come awfully close), but rather that we are diverse in character.
For example, I have a friend who calls herself a democrat (gasp), and I really, really like being with her. We don't have to agree on the same things to be friends. On the important things, like being a follower of Jesus, we do concur. We also enjoy being work out buddies when our schedules allow. With another great friend, I enjoy shopping, coffee and a lot of good-natured teasing. I have several friends that love "doing" lunch together. Many of us work together in our Roof-Crasher Bible Study, loving women to Jesus and encouraging them to go deeper in the Word. A couple of other friends have encouraged me in my leadership capabilities, seeing gifts in me that God could use. Still others laugh with me and cry with me. They've seen some of my uglies (like me without make-up) and continue to love me in spite of it. And, though they've never had the opportunity to bring me meals, I still love them.
Oddly as it sounds, I have another winsome friend who is meeting "bloggy" friends in another state for a little get away. Some are calling her crazy, and while she is that, I call her adventurous. And truth be told, I'm a tad jealous at her getting the opportunity to meet new friends because I'm convinced one can never have enough friends. Why it's just more occasions for lunches and laughing, for tears and triumphs, for shopping and sharing, for encouraging words spoken into our lives and excitement over our kids and husbands, for coffee and complaining about our kids and husbands! And, we can do all of it at the same time. That's what is so outrageous about girlfriends.
I have other friends that live in a far away state called Washington; pals which I only catch up with once a year when I visit my family. They are still close to me, near and dear to my heart even though our communication is limited. These are the ones who go through the mud with you. They've been there when tragedy hits; when the bottom drops out of your world. There are not enough words to convey what these bosom allies mean to someone like me, a person on the verge of breakdown, in a state of confusion, barely able to life my head up. Some of you have experienced this kind of friendship, the type the unites you together because of calamity.
These 5 friends carried me through one of the roughest eons (seems like it was) of my life. While my life as I knew it was falling apart, they held pity parties with me, became angry with me, cried tears with me, laughed with me and prayed with me. They, like the friends that carried their paralyzed mate to Jesus for healing, brought me on my stinky, smelly "divorce" mat to Jesus so that he could heal my wounds and my scars. While they, my compassionate friends, could not heal nor ease my pain, they knew the One who can heal all manners of sicknesses and diseases, the One who can bind up the broken hearted. While my sweet, caring buddies loved and cared for me in so many ways, they couldn't go home with me to a lonely house at night nor could they be at my beck and call whenever I felt depressed or sad. However, I do have a Friend who never slumbers nor sleeps; His presence is always with me. And, let me tell you, that when my life turned upside down, I became tight with this Friend.
I learned to trust like never before, to hang on like never before, to believe like never before. For a long time, He was my only confidante; you know, before everyone in the whole world knew all my dirty laundry. I clung to Christ like a magnet to the refrigerator. I had nothing and no one else. He became my Everything. During these two years, I learned that I could trust Him with absolutely everything...my kids, my present, my future. It's an interesting thing what these tornadoes out'ta nowhere can do to your life, IF you allow them to. WHEN you take them to Jesus, He can make something beautiful out of it. As I recently read in Lysa Terkeurst's blog, if the seed doesn't come out of it's nice little, safe packet to be placed into the ground and watered, it will never grow into what it was designed to be. So, when life happens to you, and it will, let God have his way, as with the potter and clay, so He can break and re-mold you into something beautiful He can use. One of the greatest lessons I learned about this most wonderful Friend is that He always wants the best for me. When life just doesn't seem fair and I don't understand why God might be allowing something to happen, I recall that no matter how things ultimately turn out, I can trust Him because He knows the big picture and knows better than I do what is good and perfect for me.
So, I love my God, my Friend much, much more than ever. Yet, I am completely convinced that God blesses me with girlfriends with whom I can share and do life with and more importantly, to encourage them to bring everything...their sorrows, their pain, their joys...to the One who is waiting for them, "able to do immeasurably more then all they can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within them" (Eph. 3:20).
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
I just finished typing that definition and had a thought that came out of nowhere in my blond brain. Who is Webster anyway? Why is his name on my dictionary, and yet, he's not listed as the author? In fact, I can't find his name anywhere. If you happen to know, please enlighten me.
Back to the topic at hand: friends! I love them, don't you? They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and internal variety. What is so fantabulous about this friend thing is that they don't have to be exactly like me to "like" me and for us to hit it off. I have a lot of different friends, on varying levels. I don't mean different in the sense that they are peculiar (although some come awfully close), but rather that we are diverse in character.
For example, I have a friend who calls herself a democrat (gasp), and I really, really like being with her. We don't have to agree on the same things to be friends. On the important things, like being a follower of Jesus, we do concur. We also enjoy being work out buddies when our schedules allow. With another great friend, I enjoy shopping, coffee and a lot of good-natured teasing. I have several friends that love "doing" lunch together. Many of us work together in our Roof-Crasher Bible Study, loving women to Jesus and encouraging them to go deeper in the Word. A couple of other friends have encouraged me in my leadership capabilities, seeing gifts in me that God could use. Still others laugh with me and cry with me. They've seen some of my uglies (like me without make-up) and continue to love me in spite of it. And, though they've never had the opportunity to bring me meals, I still love them.
Oddly as it sounds, I have another winsome friend who is meeting "bloggy" friends in another state for a little get away. Some are calling her crazy, and while she is that, I call her adventurous. And truth be told, I'm a tad jealous at her getting the opportunity to meet new friends because I'm convinced one can never have enough friends. Why it's just more occasions for lunches and laughing, for tears and triumphs, for shopping and sharing, for encouraging words spoken into our lives and excitement over our kids and husbands, for coffee and complaining about our kids and husbands! And, we can do all of it at the same time. That's what is so outrageous about girlfriends.
I have other friends that live in a far away state called Washington; pals which I only catch up with once a year when I visit my family. They are still close to me, near and dear to my heart even though our communication is limited. These are the ones who go through the mud with you. They've been there when tragedy hits; when the bottom drops out of your world. There are not enough words to convey what these bosom allies mean to someone like me, a person on the verge of breakdown, in a state of confusion, barely able to life my head up. Some of you have experienced this kind of friendship, the type the unites you together because of calamity.
These 5 friends carried me through one of the roughest eons (seems like it was) of my life. While my life as I knew it was falling apart, they held pity parties with me, became angry with me, cried tears with me, laughed with me and prayed with me. They, like the friends that carried their paralyzed mate to Jesus for healing, brought me on my stinky, smelly "divorce" mat to Jesus so that he could heal my wounds and my scars. While they, my compassionate friends, could not heal nor ease my pain, they knew the One who can heal all manners of sicknesses and diseases, the One who can bind up the broken hearted. While my sweet, caring buddies loved and cared for me in so many ways, they couldn't go home with me to a lonely house at night nor could they be at my beck and call whenever I felt depressed or sad. However, I do have a Friend who never slumbers nor sleeps; His presence is always with me. And, let me tell you, that when my life turned upside down, I became tight with this Friend.
I learned to trust like never before, to hang on like never before, to believe like never before. For a long time, He was my only confidante; you know, before everyone in the whole world knew all my dirty laundry. I clung to Christ like a magnet to the refrigerator. I had nothing and no one else. He became my Everything. During these two years, I learned that I could trust Him with absolutely everything...my kids, my present, my future. It's an interesting thing what these tornadoes out'ta nowhere can do to your life, IF you allow them to. WHEN you take them to Jesus, He can make something beautiful out of it. As I recently read in Lysa Terkeurst's blog, if the seed doesn't come out of it's nice little, safe packet to be placed into the ground and watered, it will never grow into what it was designed to be. So, when life happens to you, and it will, let God have his way, as with the potter and clay, so He can break and re-mold you into something beautiful He can use. One of the greatest lessons I learned about this most wonderful Friend is that He always wants the best for me. When life just doesn't seem fair and I don't understand why God might be allowing something to happen, I recall that no matter how things ultimately turn out, I can trust Him because He knows the big picture and knows better than I do what is good and perfect for me.
So, I love my God, my Friend much, much more than ever. Yet, I am completely convinced that God blesses me with girlfriends with whom I can share and do life with and more importantly, to encourage them to bring everything...their sorrows, their pain, their joys...to the One who is waiting for them, "able to do immeasurably more then all they can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within them" (Eph. 3:20).
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
