Steward of Grace

Since the beginning of the year I have been doing a series on the word “blessed.”  I lost a bit of momentum for a while due to travel and a busy schedule, and then a global pandemic hit out of nowhere.  I have struggled with anxiety, fear, lack of motivation, and most notably, an inability to focus.  Writing takes immense effort right now, but I do have something that I would like to share.

In the weeks leading up to the crisis, our church has been studying the book of Ephesians.  In Ephesians 3:1-2 it says, “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles – if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you...” (emphasis mine).  That phrase caught my eye and has been rattling around in my head ever since.  I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it…until now.  It is quite strange and a bit unsettling to find ourselves in the midst of a national crisis where a call to unity requires us to stay away from each other.  While we have witnessed selfish behavior in some, we have also seen people come together and ask what they can do to help. 

As believers, we often hear people say that they want to be good stewards of what God has given them.  They want to take care of what God has blessed them with (home, finances, gifts, talents, etc) and use them to bless others and further His kingdom.  During these unprecedented times, let us not forget to be good stewards of the most precious gift of all…His grace.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8)  Paul says that the stewardship of God’s grace was given to him for others.  Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” 

We have a unique opportunity right now to be salt and light in our communities.  If we truly understand the magnitude of God’s grace toward us, let us extend that same grace to those around us and be a good example and a fragrant aroma.  How do we do that when we are housebound?  Creativity is the key.  We are blessed to live in a highly technological age.  Examples I have seen so far include musicians doing free online concerts, people sharing exercise routines, people sharing ideas and resources to help with home education or keeping little ones occupied, physicians explaining what’s going on in simple terms that we can understand, and people cooking meals in step by step tutorials to help those who might not be as proficient in the kitchen.  For those who are not online as much, I have seen women sewing masks/mask covers by the dozen, cards being written and mailed, sharing of supplies, and people shopping for those most at risk.  Extending grace can be as simple as just having a good attitude and a ready smile and wave when you encounter people on a walk around your neighborhood or saying thank you to those serving you through essential services. 

When you wake up in the morning, ask yourself, “How can I be a good steward of God’s grace today?” and then walk in that.  It is possible to love your neighbor from afar.  There may be shortages in the supply chain right now, but the supply of God’s grace is vast and infinite.  Being a good steward of God’s grace is guaranteed to bless Him, bless your neighbor, and bless you.

Fear Not

If someone were to ask me to list the feelings most commonly associated with Christmas, I’d probably rattle off love, joy, and peace.  Fear is not usually the first emotion that comes to mind when we think of Christmas, yet when you read the Christmas story, fear is a common thread with the people involved.  Both Mary and Joseph were told not to be afraid.  Zacharias struggled with fear.  The shepherds were terribly frightened when the host of angels appeared before them.

It is also important to note that all of these people were people who loved the Lord.  Joseph was a righteous man (Matthew 1:19).  Mary was favored by God (Luke 1:28) and declared herself to be a bondservant of God (Luke 1:38).  Zacharias was a priest in the Temple and described as one who was righteous in the sight of God and walked blamelessly in all His commandments and requirements (Luke 1:5-6).  The shepherds recognized that the Lord had sent the angels to announce the birth, and glorified and praised God (Luke 2:15, 20.)

It comforts me that these people who were considered righteous and blameless struggled with fear. I have battled with fear for most of my adult life.  I am all too familiar with this particular foe.  Fear and anxiety rob us of joy. The angel came bearing good news of great joy which shall be for all the people. Jesus…Emmanuel…God with us.  He became flesh and dwelt among us, and while He did not fear, He clearly recognized and understood the human propensity for it.

When Zacharias named his son John, scripture records that he was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied that Jesus had been sent so that “we, being delivered from the hand our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”  (Luke 1:74-75)  Our Savior and Redeemer was born to save us from our sins and deliver us from our enemies, and that includes the iron grip of fear.  One of my favorite verses in scripture is Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not look anxiously about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  

There is the Christmas story in the first eight words of this verse.

Do not fear, for I am with you.

Jesus,

Emmanuel,

God with us.

Only by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus, my Savior and King, am I able to stand before God and be declared righteous and blameless.  While I readily admit that I struggle with fear, I also experience love, joy, and peace in my heart this Christmas season.  The Baby born in a manger two thousand years ago is with me, strengthening me, helping me, upholding me with His righteous right hand.  Being reminded of this means that I can serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness all of my days, for “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Citizenship

Twenty years ago, I never imagined that I would be living in a time when “fake news” is both a common phrase as well as a reality in the American culture.  It has become less about truth, and more about he who screams loudest.  When it comes to American politics and government, corruption is rampant.   I firmly believe that the founding fathers would be shocked and dismayed at what has become of this great nation since its birth.   

While I am disappointed when I consider the political landscape in which I live, I am proud to be an American and realize what a blessing it is to live in this country.  I do my best to be a good citizen.  I pay taxes, obey the established laws, and exercise my right to vote.  If I’m being honest though, I find myself increasingly tempted to throw in the towel and declare that I’m done.  I’m done trying to determine what the truth is when I watch the news.  I’m done with the arguing and vitriol.  I’m done with Twitter wars and Facebook scandals.

Lest you think I am without hope, I assure you that I’m not.  My hope is in Jesus Christ.  I am a citizen of His government, a government of which there will be no end to its increase, and one characterized by peace.  His kingdom will be established and upheld with justice and righteousness forever.  So how do we as believers navigate through the daily onslaught of corruption that is streaming at us through our phones and televisions?  How do we maintain focus and sustain hope? The answer is that we look to Jesus, the Son of God.  He is both God and Man.  

As we enter the Christmas season, we begin to hear music proclaiming His birth.  We read again the Christmas story and marvel at the humble, yet glorious entrance our King made into our world (which He created.)  This year I have decided to read the Christmas story and focus on the humanity of the people involved.  Who were they?  What did they do?  What were their emotions?  Joseph was a good citizen.  He made his way from Nazareth to Bethlehem to obey the decree sent out by Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken.  This was not a quick car ride up the freeway.  It required planning and physical effort. Mary was nearing the end of her pregnancy. It would have been much easier for them to stay in Nazareth near family and friends who could help them. 

I marvel at the sovereignty and power of God in this aspect of the Christmas story.  God moved upon Caesar Augustus to order a census in perfect timing so that Joseph and Mary would be in Bethlehem in order to fulfill the prophecy in Micah 5:2 which states, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.  His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”  Right here in the Christmas story is a real-life example of Proverbs 21:1 which says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.”  God is sovereign over all, and that includes governments and leaders.  Whether they acknowledge Him or not, He will bring about His will in all things.  His word always comes to pass. 

What is my role in all of this?  Jesus instructs me to be good citizen.  “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17)  I will continue to pay taxes, obey the law, and live peaceably in a land where I am blessed with the freedom to vote, speak freely, and worship my King.  I will no longer strive to determine “truth” (#fakenews) when I already know the Truth.  My hope is in the King who is the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6), whose power is not thwarted by man’s ego or corruption, and who uses governments and leaders in spite of themselves, to bring about His word and blessings for His people.

Abide: Finding Rest, Part 2

In yesterday’s post, I compared the concept of oxen yoked together with a more modern day example of being a part of a caravan.  While aspects of the example are fitting, the picture has a critical flaw -- it is stressful to be in a caravan, not restful as Christ promises if we abide.  It occurred to me that the person who is most at rest in a caravan is the passenger in the lead vehicle!  He doesn’t have to worry about keeping everyone together, and since he is with the lead driver who has declared that he knows the way, the passenger can simply sit back and enjoy the trip.  Even the passengers in the follow vehicles feel a measure of stress because they know their driver doesn’t know the way.  As a driver in a caravan, you are with your leader, but if you are a passenger assigned to the first car, you are in the same car as your leader.  In John 15:4, Jesus doesn’t say, “Abide with Me,” He says, “Abide in Me.” (emphasis added).

I’ve been trying to piece together a picture of the rest that comes with abiding in Christ, and it took my son getting his learner’s permit this week to help me connect the dots.  As my son got behind the wheel for the first time, I could tell that his “stress-meter” was peaking in the red zone.  He was excited to have his permit and be granted this new privilege, but as he put his hands on the wheel for the first time, he also realized the huge responsibility involved in driving, coupled with the fact that he had no idea what to do.  He had proven he knew the rules of the road, but he had zero knowledge of how to operate a vehicle.

I sat in the front passenger seat right next to him, and began to explain the dashboard, turn signal, wipers, etc.  I touched and pointed to everything as I explained.  After he turned on the car, I had him pause and think through all of the steps he would need to take before entering traffic.  As we pulled away from the curb, I could sense his rush of excitement, but his knuckles were the whitest I’ve ever seen them!  I kept up a constant stream of instruction mixed with praise and reassurance.  The first stop sign produced a sudden jolt. He nervously apologized, and I chuckled and told him it was just fine, and he was doing great.  His first trip was one mile in length, and involved stopping, turning, and learning how to stay straight in the lane.  We even laughed together when I had to say, “turn, turn, Turn, TURN!!!” and when both of our heads jerked back when he began to proceed after a stop sign.

Sitting next to him in the car reminded me of the Matthew 11:28-29 passage which tells us twice that it is being near Christ that provides rest.  “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.”  My son is learning how to drive, and that requires me to be near him -- coaching, guiding, instructing, and reassuring.  We are in the car together.  We see, hear, and experience every aspect of the trip together. He has been watching me drive his entire life, and knows that I have the knowledge and experience to teach him this new skill.  He listens to my voice and does everything I say because he trusts me.

On our second outing, I was still very vocal in pointing things out as he drove.  At times, I was quiet for short periods, and noticed that he was talking to himself.  He checked in with me constantly to ask, “Was that ok?” and “Who has the right of way here?”  After one particularly smooth turn, he said, “Hey, that was my best one yet, right?!!?”  I noticed that as we circled our small town, his knuckles began to be ever-so-slightly less white!  The more he drove and got the feel for things, the more he began to relax.  It is my nearness and constant conversation with him, coupled with hands-on experience that is already beginning to bring him rest and the reassurance he needs that he can do this!

Here is the mystery and joy of abiding.  We have all heard the metaphor of letting Jesus “take the wheel” of our lives.  We want and need Him to be in the driver’s seat, taking us where He wants us to go.  But He also wants us to learn from Him!  He has tasks for us to accomplish with His help and guidance, and this is when He lets us take a turn behind the wheel.  Our lives are marked with sudden stops and jerky, tentative starts.  Sometimes we need to make a turn, but don’t know what that feels like or how to make it happen.  He is right next to us gently saying, “turn, turn, Turn, TURN,” I imagine with a smile on His face and gentle reassurance in His voice.

I just love this picture of abiding.  As my son’s teacher, I know he can do it.  From my son’s perspective, he knows he can trust me.  So it is with the Lord as my teacher, and me as the student driver.  The mystery of abiding is allowing Jesus to be the driver of my life, but understanding that He wants me to learn from Him as I accomplish the plans He has for me.  The best way to learn is to be near Him, constantly talking with Him and checking in for encouragement and direction.  He is in my car (life) with me, and will guide and direct my path, every step of the way.  He knows the way, and I just need to listen and obey.  He is gentle and humble in heart, and I know that He loves me…

…and that brings me…

…rest.

Abide: Finding Rest, Part 1

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.”  (Matthew 11:28-29)

One aspect of abiding in Christ is learning to rest in Him and on His promises.  We live in a fast-paced society with incessant demands for our time and attention.  It is oh-so-easy to get distracted by technology and over-booked schedules, and sometimes our quiet time with the Lord begins to suffer. The “tyranny of the urgent” rears its ugly head, and suddenly we realize that it has been days (weeks?) since we have spent time in His word.  We wonder why we are exhausted and feel distant from God.  He has been there the whole time, but we were not abiding.

Notice in these two verses, that the Lord mentions twice that we need to be near Him to find rest.  

“Come to Me…and I will give you rest.”

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…and you shall find rest for your souls.”

I’m a city girl.  I’m not exactly well-versed in yokes and oxen.  I was paying attention during the American Pioneer unit in fourth grade, though, and know that a yoke is used to keep two oxen together as a team to help a farmer plow his field.  Those two animals are linked together at the neck, and become one unit that must work in unison.

If we take His yoke upon us, it means that we are agreeing to submit to His will and direction for our lives.  If we are yoked with Christ, we are by the very design of a yoke (metaphorically speaking), near Him.  Walking right next to Him, day by day, we begin to hear and recognize His voice a little better.  The longer we walk with Him, the closer we become, and the more we learn -- both about who He is, and His will for our lives.  When we yield to His will and direction for our lives, He gives us the ability and joy to do it, and thus we find rest and security in Him.

Since I’m not very familiar with yokes, I tried to think of a modern example that I can relate to, and came up with caravans.  We have probably all been a part of a caravan at some point.  A group of people in multiple cars needs to get to a specific destination, but not everyone knows the way.  A person who does know the way volunteers to be the leader, and we all agree to follow the leader.  As a driver in a caravan, your whole focus is to stay as close to the leader as you can…change lanes when he does, turn when he turns, and stop when he stops. You know that if you lose sight of your leader, you will be lost in unfamiliar territory and things will begin to unravel quickly.

I liked this example of the caravan, because of the picture it creates in explaining the need for a leader, the importance of staying close, and following and submitting to direction.  This picture begins to fall apart though, because while it is true that you will be lost if you lose sight of your leader, being a part of a caravan is stressful!  Lights turn red, cars cut in front of you, and while you do what you can to stay close, you are also bound by the law to obey all traffic rules.  Running a red light just to stay with your leader is not an acceptable option!  Knowing that you could suddenly find yourself lost and without direction is stressful, not restful.

Abiding is about resting!  I have been mulling this over in my mind for a couple of weeks, and trying to come up with a better example, and then…

…my son got his learner’s permit on Monday…

…and suddenly it clicked.

(Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 of Finding Rest!)

One by One

1395.  A carload full of their friends

1396.  Listening to them chatter and be goofy

1397.  When my son taught me how to do a trigonometry problem just for fun...

1398.  ...and I successfully did one on my own!

1399.  Springtime weather in February

1400.  Grandparents' Day at the school

1401.  Singing patriotic songs with people who have served our country

1402.  Listening to my dad speak about his service during the war

1403.  Seeing his medals and uniform patches for the first time

1404.  That the class showed respect and asked good questions

1405.  A memorial service that beautifully honored a dear friend

1406.  The life and friendship of M.N.

1407.  The poignant reminder that life is fragile...

1408.  ...and every second is a special gift

1409.  The aroma of fresh baked banana bread

One by One

Continuing to get caught up on recording His gifts and blessings...

1366.  Taking my son out on his first Black Friday experience...

1367.  ...and the item he wanted was marked lower than the ad price

1368.  Standing in line for an hour with him, people-watching and chatting about whatever he wanted to talk about

1369.  The fun names given to colors on paint strips

1370.  Reminiscing about past Christmases...

1371.  ...while decorating this year's tree

1372.  Splurging on a special experience

1373.  Laughing until my cheeks ached

1374.  Evenings so fun it feels like a blur

1375.  Breakfast in an old, converted church

1376.  A newly painted office

1377.  Seeing Christmas lights at the Oregon Garden

1378.  Christmas Eve traditions

1379.  Christmas 2014

Five Minute Friday: Keep

Sixteen years ago, I stepped out of our rental car on a cold November morning, and took this picture from the parking lot of the famous castle Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, Germany.  I remember gazing up at the impressive tower silhouetted against the winter blue sky, and touching the thick stone walls on the castle tour, and just being in awe of this magnificent castle.  In the Middle Ages, a large tower in a castle was commonly referred to as the "keep."  The tower was used as both a fortified residence and a refuge of last resort, should the castle come under siege.

I love that the keep served two purposes -- a place to dwell and a safe place to retreat to.  In John 14:23, Jesus says, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him."  How marvelous that if we keep His word and abide with Him, He will dwell with us!

Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe." There is no question that a spiritual battle is raging around us as the day of the Lord approaches.  I can think of no better place to be than dwelling in the safety and security of His love.

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies."  (Psalm 18:2-3) 

Feeding the Five Thousand - Part 1

My daughter is the Queen of Re-purposing!  It never ceases to amaze me how she can take common everyday items and re-purpose them in a creative way.  Items that I toss in the garbage without a second thought, are treasures to her.  Over time, I have learned to ask her if she would like an item before I toss it.  More often than not, she'll consider it for a moment, her eyes will light up, and then she'll disappear into her room with her newest treasure.  I'll give you some examples:

What I see:  Foam squares left behind by the carpet cleaners...

What she sees:  "Hay bales" for her horse collection!

What I see:  Plastic caps from a tube of glow sticks...
What she see:  "Food bowls" for her horses!

What I see:  Empty toilet paper tubes...
What she sees:  Fencing material for her horses!

Children often have a different perspective.  They see endless possibilities with whatever seemingly mundane things might be within their reach.  Somewhere along the road to maturity, we tend to quench, and maybe even sacrifice, creativity for practicality.

Our God is a Creator!  This is one of the first things we learn about Him in Genesis 1.  He sees the possibilities, and nothing is too difficult for Him!  As we will see in John 6, He uses a boy's simple lunch to perform a miracle!

Join me tomorrow for "Feeding the Five Thousand - Part 2"!

One By One

1351.   A safe flight and drive home

1352.  That my friends loved the photos I took of their wedding

1353.  The gracious people at Revell Books

1354.  How the Lord orchestrated her doctor appointment

1355.  Sweet-smelling candles

1356.  Spending a whole day just resting and being in the Word

1357.  She Reads Truth.com, a recent discovery!

1358.  When conversations go deep

1359.  A surprise visit from my parents

1360.  Receiving a gift...just because!

1361.  Enjoying a peek into her creativity

1362.  Dinner and dessert with a friend

1363.  An updated laundry room

1364.  A fresh new journal

1365.  Every seat filled at the Thanksgiving table

One by One

1326.  (private)

1327.  Sampling Prickly Pear ice cream

1328.  A beautiful outdoor wedding of dear friends...

1329.  ...and being asked to photograph the event

1330.  Chocolate fountains!

1331.  That M took such good care of our son

1332.  That we were home, and at the game when the football accident happened

1333.  Quick access to medical care at a medical facility that is always booked months out

1334.  How well he did with the MRI

1335.  Safe travel through torrential rain

1336.  Safe flight to Maryland

1337.  Being treated to crab cakes (a first!)

1338.  Such warm hospitality shown by her whole family

1339.  French Toast bagels from Panera Bread (another first!)

1340.  Roads with silly names ("Squirrel Level Rd.")

1341,  Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake at Olive Garden (yet another first!)

1342.  Allume Conference 2014

1343.  J and C who delayed their lunch to pray over me

1344.  When He reveals to me something difficult and unexpected...

1345.  ...and brings others alongside to minister to me as I work through it

1346.  Winning a beautiful door prize

1347.  Fun in the Smile Booth!

1348.  My new friends, Amy and Leta

1349.  Safety during the drive back to Maryland

1350.  Cream of Crab soup (yep, another first!!)

One by One

1301.  Finding great deals at garage sales

1302.  Taking photos of a wheat field at sunset

1303.  Watching an intense thunder and lightning storm with my son

1304.  Quiet candlelit conversations on the back patio

1305.  Gazing at the moon

1306.  Family hikes to our favorite waterfalls

1307.  Finding boots that fit her in time for horse camp

1308.  Tall majestic spruce trees

1309.  The stillness of the forest

1310.  Paths strewn with pinecones

1311.  Hiking in the mist

1312.  Picking up happy children from summer camp

1313.  Spur of the moment trips to the beach

1314.  First day of school, 2014

1315.  When he got his football number

1316.  Seeing him in his football uniform

1317.  That he was called in to play...

1318.  ...and that he played well!

1319.  That his very first game was a win!  (40-22)

1320.  Taking pictures of him at the fence

1321.  That his grandparents were there to celebrate with him

1322.  The beautiful red rocks of Sedona, Arizona

1323.  How patient he was when I struggled on the hike

1324.  A fun and informative Pink Jeep tour

1325.  Hanging out by the fire next to the pool

One by One

1276.  Two days in a beautiful vacation home on a lake

1277.  Old wooden boardwalks

1278.  Doing a photo shoot in Rocky Mountain National Park

1279.  Ice cream in a waffle cone

1280.  Serene mountain lakes

1281.  Clouds reflected in still water

1282.  Talking about heaven as we walked in the woods

1283.  Watching a storm roll in over the lake

1284.  Hearing the wind buffet against the windows

1285.  Ducks bobbing on the water

1286.  Pelicans silhouetted in a sunset sky

1287.  Alpine slides

1288.  The view from the chair lift

1289.  Rabbits on the hotel lawn

1290.  Roaming around on the UC Boulder campus...

1291.  ...listening to my son dream about his future

1292.  A day of family fun at Waterworld

1293.  Fiery sunsets that take your breath away

1294.  Watching both children participate in the July 4th parade

1295.  Spending July 4th with my family and friends

1296.  Mother-daughter weekend at the coast

1297.  Horseback riding with her on the beach

1298.  Our new car

1299.  Building Legos with her on the front porch...

1300.  ...on a warm summer evening

One by One

1251.  Watching him graduate from the eighth grade

1252.  Winning an award for volunteering at the school

1253.  Razzleberry pie a la mode

1254.  First day of summer vacation

1255.  That our cat (finally!) likes to spend time on our laps

1256.  Having coffee with my mom

1257.  Discovering a third baby bird in the nest!

1258.  Watching a baby bird try its wings for the first time

1259.  Finding important papers that were "missing" for about a month

1260.  Seeing her paint on the back patio

1261.  Taking him to his first football practice

1262.  Hearing him tell me all about practice

1263.  How hard they worked on a one-day job for a local tree farmer

1264.  Birdsong in the backyard

1265.  Fresh breezes through the screen door

1266.  Her eleventh birthday

1267.  Listening to her talk and laugh with her three best friends

1268.  When the cat burrows in wrapping paper

1269.  Successful dress rehearsals

1270.  Prayer circles before performances

1271.  Watching her dance beautifully while he plays the piano

1272.  When he smiled at her through the open lid of the piano

1273.  When she gets the giggles and can't stop

1274.  Teaching him how to solve a Sudoku puzzle

1275.  Doing a photo shoot in an old historic clock tower

One by One

1221.  All of the different kinds of palm trees

1222.  Hot tubbing under the stars

1223.  Watching him read Scripture to our children on a sunny bench

1224.  Date milkshakes  (a first!)

1225.  A day at the San Diego Zoo

1226.  Koala bears

1227.  "I love Pop" written in the sand

1228.  Father and daughter standing quietly, staring at the ocean

1229.  When you meet someone for the first time, and it feels like you've known them for years

1230.  Winning the table decoration contest at the Spring Tea fundraiser

1231.  Seeing the yearbook come together

1232.  Receiving "Mom, can you come get me?" texts

1233.  The grateful look on his face when I handed my cold, wet, muddy boy his favorite hot decaf mocha

1234.  Best Mother's Day ever!

1235.  The wise counsel my daughter's teacher gave her...

1236.  ...and that she prayed with her...

1237.  ...and spoke words of life and encouragement into her hurting heart

1238.  End of the school year ice cream parties

1239.  Celebrating 25 years of marriage!

1240.  Surprising my "summer birthday girl" with an early birthday party in her classroom

1241.  Balloon bouquets

1242.  How well she danced in the local talent show

1243.  Hay bales dotting the fields

1244.  Watching birds build a nest in the eaves

1245.  How quietly the mama bird sits each day

1246.  How alert and watchful she is over her nest

1247.  Seeing two tiny baby birds peek their heads over the edge!

1248.  Hungry beaks open wide

1249.  My mom, an expert at altering clothes and costumes!

1250.  Photo scavenger hunts

One by One

Hello to my readers, after a very long break!  It has been nearly nine months since my last post. This break in posting was not intentional, but just the result of being a busy mom and living life!  As Christmas approaches, it seems a fitting time to jump back in with counting His gifts, and naming them one by one.  I have quite a backlog to get through, as I continued to count, even though I wasn't blogging.  Won't you join me for a look back at how He has blessed me this year?

1196.  His first smile without braces!

1197.  Buying him a caramel candy bar because he could eat it!

1198.  Waking them up to watch the lunar eclipse

1199.  Bundled up in blankets on the back patio

1200.  That the sky was clear that night!  (not always a given in Oregon!)

1201.  Watching the moon slowly disappear

1202.  The stillness that night brings

1203.  When someone speaks His truth directly into your life...

1204.  ...and they don't even know it

1205.  Words of wisdom scribbled on scraps of paper so they won't be forgotten

1206.  Watching the children wander down the beach together

1207.  Watching them chase the waves...

1208.  ...and the waves chase them!

1209.  Finding a new favorite beach spot

1210.  The drive to Palm Springs

1211.  Hiking on San Jacquinto mountain

1212.  The smell of a Jeffrey pine tree

1213.  Family horse ride

1214.  The different perspective you get when horseback riding

1215.  Riding through the desert...

1216.  ...and into an oasis, complete with palm trees and a stream

1217.  The coolness of shade

1218.  The gurgle of water in a dry and dusty place

1219.  Gourmet milkshakes...

1220.  ...with a mini doughnut around the straw!

Serving Lemonade

At the beginning of the school year, my daughter was given a large poster to fill out information about herself as a fun way to introduce herself to her classmates.  There were blank spots for favorite food, favorite book, favorite animal, etc.  One section asked her to tell about a fun memory.  She chose to write about the time that she and my husband worked together to make a costume that looked like a mailbox.  Tucked right in the middle of her story was the following line:

“…while my Mom served us lemonade.”

What a surprise to read that!  It didn’t have anything to do with the costume-making process, but it was clearly an important detail that she felt needed to be included as part of that memorable time.

I sometimes struggle with wondering if I’m doing enough as a parent.  It seems like there is always something more that could have been done, or done better, whenever I pause to reflect on the past.  I want to do the very best I can to raise Godly, well-adjusted children who will advance the Kingdom when they are released from our nest.  Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that I have to do big, notable, or even extravagant things that will have an impact on my children.  Her comment about the lemonade was encouraging.  It reminded me that while I need to take my job as a parent seriously and do my best, I don’t need to strive as hard as I sometimes convince myself is necessary.  Having an impact on your children isn’t about supplying a never-ending string of “big events” or dollars invested, as the world would have you believe.  It’s about time…time spent reading books, being in the Word together, talking over dinner, listening to them, playing board games…

…and serving lemonade.

A Simple Reminder

Getting the kids to school on time can sometimes be a challenge!  On one recent morning, we made it out of the house on time, but my daughter discovered that she had forgotten her coat.  She has been fighting a head cold recently, so I decided to bring her coat out to the school a couple of hours later during her first recess.  She was in the gym, so I just placed her coat on the back of her seat and had a short conversation with her teacher.  When I turned around to leave, she was standing behind me.  Her question was one I didn’t expect…

“Why do you think about me so much?”

She then added, “I’m ten years old, Mom!  I can handle being a little cold during recess!”

I responded with the following words, “Well, I think about you all the time because I love you!  I know that you have been fighting a cold lately, and I just wanted to bring a jacket out to you so that you would be a little more comfortable.”

She thanked me, and we said our goodbyes as she ran back to the gym.  As I pulled out of the parking lot, it struck me how much I am like her sometimes in my relationship with the Lord.  Life has big events…situations when we know we are in over our heads and we seek Him for direction, wisdom, comfort, and peace.  Life is also full of “little things” … those situations that we encounter every day that seem fairly insignificant and easy to manage.  Oh how easy it is to get lulled into thinking that we can handle “the little things” on our own.

My encounter with her that morning was a simple reminder of the nature and character of our Heavenly Father.  His children are always on His mind, and He lovingly meets each and every need.  It also reminded me that I need to rely on Him daily…even in the little things. 

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”  (Jeremiah 31:3)

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)

"Go and do the same"

Last spring as I approached the school one afternoon to pick up my children, I noticed a lot of commotion going on near the fence.  In addition to the normal congestion of cars and minivans, I had to navigate around a large semi that had an animal carrier attached.  After parking the car, I got out to see what was going on.  A group of 20 children had gathered at the fence to watch the farmer unload his sheep into the pasture that sits right next to the school property.  A ramp extended from the trailer into the pasture, and I began to watch as the sheep were unloaded.  One by one, the sheep descended the ramp and entered the pasture.  What was so delightful was how the sheep descended the ramp!  Some sheep walked, some trotted, and some literally bounded down the ramp and leaped into the field!  The children had their noses pressed to the fence and squealed with delight as each sheep entered the pasture in its own unique way.

And then there was a pause in the action.  We all turned and looked to see what the hold up was.  Slowly and carefully, the next sheep navigated down the ramp and eased into the field.  This sheep was different.  It was caked in mud and filth, its wool was heavily matted, and its left front leg was shorter than the others and dangled uselessly.  Except for a few compassionate “awwwws” from some children, most of the crowd just watched in silence as the sheep limped along.  Quickly, all eyes were back on the trailer and the squeals of glee started up again as another sheep leaped and bounded into the sunshine.

I couldn’t help but think how this was a picture of what often occurs within the body of believers.  We are all sheep who have been saved by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and experience freedom in Him.  He has given each one of us a unique personality, and gifted us according to His will and plan for our lives.  Each one of us is special and valued in His eyes.  Life is not always popsicles and puppy dogs.  Scripture tells us to expect trials and tribulation in this life (John 16:33, James 1:2)  Sometimes the battle rages, and it feels like trench warfare…dirty, messy, painful, crippling.  As I watched that mangy, crippled sheep hobble along, it was the silence in the group that struck me.  There were a few compassionate “awws,” but mostly everyone just observed in an uncomfortable silence.  All eyes were eager to get back to the next cute, prancing sheep coming down the chute, and the lame one was quickly forgotten.

How often do we treat battle-weary believers this same way?  We see them struggling, but it makes us feel uncomfortable.  We hesitate to engage for a number of reasons…we don’t know what to do/say, it may require our time, or we just assume that someone else is helping them.  Sometimes it is hard to spot them.  The mangy sheep had no ability to hide or cover its reality, but people tend to put on their Tony the Tiger masks and say that “life is grrrrreat!”  The Lord doesn’t expect us to fix the problem, but He does call us to be people of compassion, comfort, and encouragement.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

“Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”  (1 Thess. 5:11)

In Luke 10:30-35, we find the story of the good Samaritan.  A man was been beaten and left for dead in the road, and both a priest and Levite saw him, but passed by on the other side.  The Samaritan felt compassion.  He went to him, dressed and bound his wounds, took him to an inn, and took care of him.  Jesus asked which man in the story proved to be a neighbor.  Luke 10:37 says, “The one who showed mercy toward him.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.” 

When we encounter a fellow believer who is struggling in the trenches that trials often bring, we need to engage…encourage them with Scripture, drop them a note, treat them to coffee or a meal, pray with them, be an armor-bearer.  Remember how it felt when someone did this for you in the midst of a trial, and extend that to others.  You may not be able to solve the problem, but you can be a Samaritan in their life at a time when they need it most.

From the Beginning

“But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year.”  (Deut. 11:11-12, NASB)

This was the text for today’s devotional in Streams in the Desert.  I’ll be honest…this is by far my least favorite time of year.  While others appear excited at the opportunity for a fresh start, I am still trying to emotionally process the year I just completed.  While others have newfound energy to set and embark on new and noble goals, I struggle with lethargy and a general lack of enthusiasm for anything. 

I feel like Eeyore in a crowd of Tiggers.

This morning’s passage encouraged me, though.  Whether viewed within the grander scope of one’s life, or within a narrower focus of the upcoming year, I can be assured that there will be hills and valleys, trials and triumphs. 

The land (my life, this year) is something that God cares for.  He sees it, has plans for it, and wishes for me to possess it. 

He does not intend for me to navigate through it in my own strength (impossible), but in His. 

His mercies are new every morning
His resources are limitless
His grace is sufficient
His power is made perfect in my weakness.

I am comforted and encouraged at the reminder that His eyes are always on me, from the beginning even to the end…