Mustard seed Faith

The star magnolia was in full bloom today, almost angelic like, pointing its pure white face heaven ward.

I had the privilege of knowing her for a very short time. I wished there could have been more time. Sickness has robbed us of this.

It’s very rare in one’s lifetime, I think, that you get an opportunity to meet someone that could impact your life as she has mine. Those few times. The words exchanged. That faith, like a mustard seed, yet hers was a whole lot bigger.

As we held hands, tears exchanged. She knowing that time left on earth would be short. I witnessed a lady of great faith and trust in her Lord. She lay in pain yet didn’t want to complain; others were in worse pain.

There was no anger, yet concern for her loved ones that she would leave behind. She laid there in complete trust.

We are in a battle with this right now in our lives. This year that has been thrown at us, it’s not an easy ride. All the time demands, working 55-60 hours a week, exhaustion, a nocturnal husband, fighting just to find time as a couple. Drowning as the waves of life engulf us.

Her timing was precise for my life. How I need to apply her lessons into my life.

“I have complete trust in HIM, Lisa. He told me HE would be with me on this journey to the end.”

Hasn’t He told each of us this?  To “trust HIM” and that HE would be with us, even in those hard times?

There’s a rejoicing going on in heaven right now. But your legacy will stay with us.

I have been so blessed by the short time we’ve had. It has been an honor my friend.  Till we meet again.

The Broken Sandal

 I watched one day as one of my girls was struggling. She had broken her sandal and was having a hard time playing as she was fighting to keep it on her foot.

As I inspected the sandal I saw that the anchor (the piece that holds the toe in) had broken off. Flip flops can do this.

As I watched her with her struggle it reminded me of what happens when I let go of my anchor. Oh how many days I have walked around in my own strength trying to do it my way, my resistance at its fullest.  Then frustration sets in. The whys? Fumbling around and not getting too far.

Have I taken my eye off the anchor, letting it go?  Some days just seem to be chaotic. It’s on those days that I am reminded, that I haven’t taken the time to anchor my day in. That time I so need with HIM in prayer and devotion.  Anchoring in HIM! Sometimes I can be a slow learner. It is taking time and I am working daily on this. But I realize when I anchor my days in HIM the fighting and fumbling around seem to be just a little bit smoother.

First Time For Everything

Date night. This is happening way too few times these days. Crazy work life. My husband and I had a beautiful dinner at home. He then suggested that we go to Starbucks for dessert. We were still walking around in a daze; empty nest syndrome. This big hole left after parenting for thirty years.

Now remember I’m a close observer of people.  My husband and I were enjoying each other’s company, when a couple came in probably a little older than us. As the woman walked through the doors, she stopped and took a deep breath, commenting on how it smelled so good. Then I watched as they went up to the counter with excitement, looking at the display counter with “Oohs and aahs.”

 They informed the barista that this was their first time. That they didn’t get out much with the kids. My fun was watching their excitement and how they lovingly took each other to a table. They were experiencing that very first taste, savoring those first sips of their drinks. Then romantically the husband cut each treat in half, and fed his wife her half. My husband was laughing at me, as I was calling out, oh, so romantic! Pleasure!!!

This made me think of how I first felt after accepting the Lord. Experiencing that same romance as I entered with excitement and savored that which is good. How over time we can let this go. Forgetting all those firsts. As my day starts, I pray that I will take in the sips and savor all that the Lord has for me today.

The Opportunity Store

We are ready to take on another adventure.

We knew it was coming and have known for the past 8 months.

The New Year has come!

We had been praying and praying that somehow a miracle would happen, that there would be a change. I just wasn’t seeing an end in sight. My husband is starting straight overnights for a year and we had hoped and prayed that somehow this would change. We had also been dealing with a lot of personal disappointments and questions.

This past week I was thinking of how God delivered Abraham at the last second as he was about to sacrifice his only son. I had seen God do this before.  Would he do this again?

Well, he did but not the way I wanted it to be.

It was a Friday night and the last child was waiting to be picked up. The child and I were sharing. The child then went into this story about a date with her mommy and it took place at “The Opportunity Store.” The whole story was really cute. But the part that spoke to me was the opportunity store.

That’s it!

Was I dreading going into 2014? Our world was about to be turned upside down again. With the daycare now filled with little ones, how are we going to do this?

Yes, we still question all this!

But, could this be the year for a date at “The Opportunity Store.” In this coming upside down year, could I, could we use it as our year of opportunity?

Life will be changing and I have to believe that our life is in HIS hands. He has it all worked out. I just can’t see the end yet.

After my husband and I spent this past weekend off cocooning before the change, it occurred to me that I may just have to find some creative ways this year to have an affair with him J.

Now, we are looking ahead to the year of 2014 as a year of opportunities. Being thankful that even out of the mouths of babes, blessings can come!

And my husband’s excitement is mounting because he feels he won’t have to make the bed for a year now. Seeing as when I get up he will be going to bed and as I go to bed he will be getting up.  I really hate to disappoint him……..

Yours Forever - Kari Jobe Feat Darlene Zschech

Traditions

Can traditions distort my perspective?

Does Christmas have to be on Christmas Day?

 I have a struggle with this. As I have fond memories of waking on Christmas morning. The day spent with family.

As with everything else the traditional Christmas idea is changing. Life is happening at almost too fast of a pace. Family is getting older and extended families growing. These dynamics are all part of the change and how our Christmas and ideas of Christmas may be shaped differently than in the past.

This year excitement was setting in as we were waiting for our daughter’s return for the holidays. Then my husband’s schedule is posted; working Christmas Day.  My heart sunk. He would only be having four days off in the three weeks our daughter would be home. This also would have him working on his family’s Christmas and on New Year’s Day. Now, we had to break this news to our daughter.

 This past fall in our ladies study we have been talking about giving thanks in all things. This was going to be the test. Do I practice this giving thanks or not? I decided to give thanks, to see the good in whatever I could. We decided as a family we would make the best of it all.

We have learnt over this past year to be creative. I reminded our daughter of this and how blessed we were for the gift of creativity.

It’s then that the miracles started to happen. There was a change. My husband didn’t have to work Christmas Day - he only had to go in for a couple of hours. He was able to enjoy some time with his family for our Christmas celebration.

We had been faced with many challenges over the holiday season.

The season that taught me that sometimes we have to let go of the “traditions”.

At the close of this past season we can say as a family how blessed we are.  Our daughter has returned back to school and our three weeks together have been a hoot! I felt like we had partied all the time (and we did that) and also enjoyed some quiet “time out” as a family.

The miracles happened as I first gave “thanks”. Then I had to let some traditions go-which would have changed the story. My perspective had to change in order for the real miracle to happen.

(But a little part of me wishes we could all be like parts of Europe; where everything is closed down. It’s a time to be celebrating and be with family. Oh dear, what would we ever do if that happened-changing our perspective!)

It’s all about HIS coming to us anyway!

Blessings for 2014!!!

Two Trees- Two Children

  We have two trees in our side yard. Each tree representing each of our children. I can still remember when each tree was planted. Our son brought this little seedling home from school one day and wanted to plant his tree. Our daughter's was a small blue spruce given to her by a neighbor who was quite fond of her.

  As I was studying these trees planted side by side I was amazed as each tree resembles each child that planted it.

  Our son's was wild going in all directions. Our daughter's has grown straight and full, as if with a purpose and destination. Our son has lived on the wild side and seems to struggle with his direction. Our daughter has always just seemed to know the direction she was going. I fondly remember at an interview with her grade one teacher, who stated “how strong she was." "Although quiet in her demeanor, she knew what was right and what was wrong and would not let others pursued her.” 

  When each of our kids turned 13 we gave them a bible verse. Praying for each one and praying for the right verse to give to them.

  To our son we chose Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

  To our daughter we chose Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” (NIV)

  As I pray daily for each of our children I am reminded of each verse. Our sons’ struggles can be faced with hope and a future. Our daughter who is spreading her wings this fall and very musical- that each day she will be filled with praise and a new song.

  And now may “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26(NIV)

  Blessings