Worshipful Wednesday — Always Glorify God!

Let me begin by saying that writing this blog has been a wonderful experience for us.  It is not only an opportunity for us to encourage others and help you all grow in your walks with the Lord, but it has given us a chance to also be the recipient of growth and encouragement.  It is amazing how many times I have sought God’s guidance in what words I should convey, and He willingly supplies.  Scripture promises us, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)  That verse mentions “all” needs, encompassing many things, including which words to say at what time.

This blog is an act of worship for the two of us.  It is a means for us to glorify our Maker and convey to anyone willing to read of the outstanding things He has done and continues to do and show us in our lives.  That is how we should approach anything we do in life — as an opportunity to worship and glorify the only One even capable of giving us life.  In the midst of everyday happenings, let me be the first to admit that I often fall short, but our shortcomings doesn’t mean the standard is any less.  “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)

Today marks the 80th published blog.  That means we have been writing consistently Monday through Friday for the past 16 weeks!  This is by no means our primary task, as you have gathered by the content of our posts, but we have felt the Lord’s leading, and He has graciously supplied the time and energy needed to dedicate to this endeavor amidst our other duties as daughters of the King, wives to our husbands, and mothers/teachers to our children.

We have come to the conclusion that it is time for a bit of a vacation.  The month of May promises to be busy for us in many ways:  we will be speaking at a ladies’ tea this Saturday, the Classical Conversations practicum where we will receive tutor training is fast approaching with a planned family vacation to Virginia following closely on its heels.  Throw in a homeschooling visit to a logging camp and then a yard sale, and we’ve got a jam-packed month!

Also, we are excited to announce that we are making progress in the publishing of our second novel (and republishing of our first).  By taking a break from the blog, we can focus a bit more energy on that while we come up with more ideas and inspiration for future blogs.

In the interim, we assure you that we have no plans of abandoning our readers!  Please know that and don’t abandon us!  Sometimes we may get discouraged, wondering what effect our words have, but then we receive a positive comment from one of you and are greatly encouraged!  We love writing and do not plan on giving up any time soon!

In the meantime, whether we’re speaking to other women, learning new things, working on publishing, or enjoying some time away, may we always glorify God!

Terrific Tuesday — A Hound Named Doc

We decided it might be a good idea to get a dog when my husband started working a lot of overtime late into the evenings. We live in a somewhat rural location, and I had been receiving some creepy phone calls, so I thought the addition of a canine to our family would make me feel safer.

We had certain requirements for our new family member. Since it was the dead of winter, we didn’t want to worry about housetraining a puppy, and many rescue organizations were wary of allowing a young family to adopt an adult dog with a “history.” So we prayed, and searched, and prayed some more until we were quite literally led to Doc, a hound at the local shelter.

I must admit that I was slightly nervous about adopting an older dog that we knew nothing about, especially since we have 4 young and curious children. This needed to be a very special dog — one with patience, tolerance, and self-control (qualities we all should have). It was hard to believe that we would find such a perfect dog for our family at a shelter, but we decided to take a chance on Doc after we met him and he quietly allowed our children to exuberantly bestow their affection on him.

Let me assure you, Doc has done a few naughty things. I can’t tell you the number of times I have to pull all 80 pounds of him off the couch during the course of a day. And there’s been a few instances where he’s helped himself to things like slices of pizza on the kitchen counter, which he can conveniently reach without difficulty. But I can look past those mishaps because Doc has been an amazing addition to our family. We have a companion, a responsibility, and a new sense of security.

During the first few days of Doc’s time with us, I kept “waiting” for him to do something wrong. His history was vague. All we knew was that this wasn’t his first visit to the shelter. He had been given up more than once. I kept warning the children to be careful around him, unsure if he would all of a sudden “snap.” We’ve been told that hunting dogs are frequently abandoned if they cannot perform 100%. One mistake and they’re surrendered. Perhaps he missed a coon he was supposed to track. Regardless, his past is gone and he’s now part of our family.

As a Christian, I’m an adopted child of the King. 1 John 3:1a exclaims: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” He knew my past, but chose me anyways. But, to me, what is even more amazing is that He knows my future and STILL chooses me. Sure, lots of people can forgive the past. That’s done and gone. People can change, right? But He knew that I would continue to falter; yet, He still says, “Yes. She’s mine.” Wow!

Marriage Monday — The Rings

The rings.  Such an important decision.  After all, we intend to wear our wedding rings for the rest of our days, even to the grave.  That makes it a very weighty matter, correct?

At the time of our engagements, we were critical care nurses, pulling disposable gloves on and off along with washing our hands multiple times throughout our shifts.  A large diamond sticking off of our small fingers would surely get in the way and perhaps become caught on something.  Besides, our spare time involved two rather large companions — our horses.  Manure forks, bales of hay, and salt licks do not seem to go hand in hand with fine jewelry.

We finally found a wonderful design — a floating diamond.  There were no prongs to trip us up, yet the precious gem would remain safe and secure between the tension of the metal, as unbelievable as it seemed.  It is simple and unimposing, yet elegant.  It is shiny and sparkly, yet surprisingly sturdy.  I’d say the rings are a great fit!  They met the requirements needed to sustain the wear and tear of everyday life, our jobs, and our hobbies.  And they continue to fit the bill, years later.  Though circumstances have changed, demands are still high.  We may not clock in to regularly scheduled shifts.  Instead, our shifts as mommies have no start or end times.  Yet, through it all, the rings hold fast, doing their jobs well.  They remain a symbol of the commitments we made to our husbands.

Engagement and wedding rings are precious reminders of a commitment that is described in Scripture.  “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”  (Genesis 2:24)  As wonderful as the reminder (the rings) is, the commitment (the marriage) is far more important.  If we were to choose one to endure, it must be the marriage.  For what good is a metal ring with no other person to accompany it?

My encouragement to you is to be as careful with your marriages as we were in choosing rings.  We longed for rings that would stand the test of time.  That is the kind of marriages we need.  We wanted that precious, sparkling diamond to remain safe and not become easily dislodged at the slightest insult.  Our marriage partnerships, too, are precious.  The way we can guarantee that it will remain safe is if we remain secure as a couple in the embrace of our Heavenly Father.  He can hold us together properly to keep us floating amidst the tensions of everyday strains and stresses that affect husbands and wives.

Like our rings, you might not have the flashiest marriage.  But, you know what?  It doesn’t need to be.  Choose durability and faithfulness over carat weight and empty words.  But, let your marriage sparkle and shine, for it is in its brilliance that the love and grace of God can be reflected!

 

Family Friday — Wallpaper Paste

It’s been said that you shouldn’t go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Well, I’m not sure what the excuse was the day my husband decided canned macaroni and cheese would be a good idea. Lest you think I’m completely negligent in the homemaking department, let me reassure you that almost all of our meals are made completely “from scratch.” However, once in a while, it’s nice to have an emergency can or box of something in the pantry.

Growing up, our house was decorated in lots of wallpaper, and I have many fond memories of that wallpaper being torn down and replaced every few years. There is a certain “goo” that is used to adhere the paper to the walls — wallpaper paste. Now, I’ve never tasted this paste, but I’m quite familiar with the texture, color, and odor.

Have you discovered the corrolation yet? Yes, I’m quite sure that the canned macaroni was made out of the same ingredients as wallpaper paste. And I’m also not really sure how the FDA has allowed it on thousands of grocery store shelves. Needless to say, that may have been the only meal in his life that my husband could not finish. In fact, he was so upset by his purchase that he wrote a letter of complaint to the company.

By now, you may be wondering what this has to do with anything. I think most of us would agree that wallpaper paste would not be very palatable. So, why would you even taste it, right? You wouldn’t even buy it as a possible source of nutrition because you know that it could not possibly be any good for you or your family. So, why does our culture tell our children that they need to go out and discover for themselves that these things are harmful? If we know it’s wrong, is it really “sheltering” them when we discourage them from even trying it? Of course, I’m not talking about our kids eating wallpaper paste. But, there are lots of temptations out there of much greater significance and with far more harmful consequences than getting an upset stomach.

No, my children don’t need their minds filled with the garbage in the media because it will continue to infiltrate all aspects of their lives. The sinisterness of it will lurk in the corners which should be filled with things of the Lord. Yes, they need to be the salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), but they don’t need to be spending all of their days with those who want to lead them astray. As children, their foundations need to be built. And as parents, our job is to foster that growth in them, so that when those temptations arise, they will be prepared for the battles that will ensue.

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Steer your family clear from evil . . . and canned macaroni.

Thankful Thursday — Puzzling Times

It seems like I have always enjoyed doing puzzles.  As children, we probably started with simple ones containing only a handful of pieces with their shapes outlined in the cardboard.  As time progressed and our skills increased, we could tackle more challenging puzzles made up of smaller pieces and lots of them!  Despite our coaxing, our father has made it clear on several occasions that he does not do puzzles.  But, our mother likes it, so the three of us would work on one together at a card table or even the dining room table.

Thankfully, my husband also enjoys the slow, meticulous process of completing intricate puzzles.  It is definitely an activity to help foster patience!  We have spent lots of quality time together in this manner and even put together a 3-D puzzle of a castle.  Our oldest daughter seems to have inherited the puzzle gene and was independently doing 100 piece puzzles at the age of three.  She would start with something she liked in the picture, such as Cinderella’s face and then build on that, which is how my husband works on them, also.  I, on the other hand, was taught to sort the edge pieces from the rest to first create a framework in which the completed picture would sit.  Our differing styles have caused some minor disagreements, especially when a certain someone refuses to sort an edge piece when said person comes across one!

If you were to dump all 500 or 1000 pieces of a puzzle out and pick out only one, it would be nearly impossible to state exactly where that piece will ultimately fit.  It takes time to place one carefully after the other until the picture on the front of the box is completed.  At that point, it makes perfect sense where that obscure piece belongs.

We can easily ascertain the connection between puzzles and our lives.  Our very existence is made up of many small pieces — events that shape us, circumstances that help develop a certain characteristic, times of turmoil, and hopeful happenings.  It is only when all the pieces are put together that we can appreciate how each one played a crucial role.  And the only One Who knows what the final outcome of our life puzzle will look like is the One Who created the puzzle.

Sometimes we can easily look back on a circumstance and see how everything worked out amazingly, though we certainly did not understand it at the time.  But other moments remain a mystery to us.  While we may not understand this side of Heaven why a particular event or condition entered our lives, God does.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  I’m immensely thankful that He never drops a piece, mixes up pieces between two different puzzles, or gives up because its just too intricate and confusing.  We might want to do that, but He does not.  I am thankful that all of my puzzling times are in His very capable hands!

Worshipful Wednesday — It is Well

Call me old-fashioned, but nothing stirs my soul more than some good hymns. If my mood is sour, just hand me a hymn book and it is sure to change. One thing that I love about all of the old songs are the stories and messages behind them. They aren’t just meaningless combinations of words that happen to rhyme. There is often great depth beneath them, and learning the true stories makes them even more precious.

Horatio Spafford penned the words to “It is Well with My Soul” shortly after a series of very traumatic events in his life. Between 1870 and 1873, he suffered the death of his son to scarlet fever, complete financial ruin after the Great Chicago Fire, and then the death of all 4 of his daughters. He had sent his wife and daughters to Europe ahead of him in a last minute change of plans. However, devastation prevailed when the ship sank and only his wife survived. She sent him a telegram which stated: “saved alone.” Can you even imagine? The words to that now-famous hymn were written while he passed near the site of the tragedy as he journeyed to Europe to accompany his grieving wife.

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

I have never encountered such devastation as Mr. Spafford, but I have gone through some trials. During those times, I am immensely grateful for my spiritual grounding, which allows me to recall Bible verses and hymns when I most need them. I know without a shadow of a doubt that my Heavenly Father never desires to harm me. Trials that I encounter are not punishment. But He is able to turn those hard times into periods of immense growth.

Recently, when we lost our unborn child, the words to this hymn, along with several Bible verses, continued to play through my mind. I must say that Philippians 4:7 is abundantly true in times of potential heartache. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Although I wasn’t thrilled to go through that, I felt complete peace during those days, and utter joy for the family with which God has blessed me. I could honestly say, “it is well with my soul.” That feeling of satisfaction and completeness can only come from my Heavenly Father.

I imagine Horatio Spafford felt the same way about his Saviour. Instead of wallowing in his grief, he wrote a beautiful poem for the Lord. Rather than becoming bitter, he and his wife later served as missionaries. Remembering his story helped to put my own problems into perspective. Every single thing that I “have” here on earth is just on loan to me from my Father.

“And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.”

Terrific Tuesday — Soar!

I GIVE UP!!!!!!!

Those words were the content of a text message I recently sent to my husband.  I do not even remember now what the problem was that caused me to virtually shout across the invisible cell phone waves.  But, isn’t that typical?  We become overwhelmed and burdened by the bustle of everyday life — the tasks to be done, the fights to break up, and just making it through another day.  It feels like the only option is to throw in the towel, crawl in a hole, or both.  We just want to give up!  Please tell me I’m not the only one to utter those desperate words!

Fortunately, it’s quite alright to say that.  Yes, you read that correctly.  We all just need to give up.  “I” needs to die in order for Jesus to take control of our lives.  “I” can do nothing on my own — not accomplish another item on my to-do list, not handle the discipline of the kids, and not survive this day.  But I CAN do it with Him — and only with Him. (Philippians 4:13)

A favorite verse of ours has been Isaiah 40:31.  In fact, it was the theme verse for the Christian school we attended for our high school years, where the students were known as the “Eagles.”  We each have two Bible covers containing the words of this encouraging verse embroidered on the front.  When you feel weary and as if you just cannot continue on, meditate on these words.  In fact, they are words we would do well to remember every single day.  “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

It’s definitely not easy to wait, as the verse instructs.  Patience may be a virtue, but it doesn’t seem to run deep with the women of our family.  Yet, that is what we are instructed to do in order to obtain strength renewed.  The picture of an eagle is beautiful, graceful, and majestic.  It is a symbol of our great country, winning out over the turkey as a national bird.  Perhaps you can relate more to a gawky turkey, strutting from place to place and making just short bursts of flight.  You aspire to bigger, grander things.  You desire to soar!  The terrific news for today is that you can!  The Bible promises it, so grab ahold of that magnificent promise!

 

Marriage Monday — Love and . . . Porta Potties?

Most think of partnerships as 50/50. You contribute half, and I’ll contribute half. Then, we’re even. This kind of scorekeeping must never take place in marriages. Someone will inevitably take on the role of martyr, wondering why the other is not pulling his or her weight. Instead of keeping a tally, it’s important to just give your all — 100%, even if it may appear as if the other party is only contributing a fraction of that. In Colossians 3:23-24 we read, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Since we have several small children and travel quite a bit, potty breaks are frequent — very frequent. We received a huge blessing when a friend gave us her unused camping porta potty a couple years ago. At first, my husband was not thrilled with the idea. I was pregnant at the time, so he knew I could pull the “I’m pregnant so I can’t lift the porta potty to empty it once a month” card. But, he finally acquiesced since we had plenty of room in our “bus” and continually washing carseats due to “accidents” was an unpleasant thought.

That porta potty saw a lot of use in the first few weeks. Somehow, the time must have gotten away from us. In the middle of traveling, somewhere along a highway in West Virginia, we realized that the porta potty needed to be taken care of. My husband was NOT happy! I was laughing so hard that I could barely breathe! What we were supposed to do? Waltz into a random McDonald’s with a porta potty to empty it in their restroom? We did the next best thing. We pulled into a rest area as my husband sat. And sat. He didn’t want to do it, but he knew he had to. Amidst the giggles, I offered to do it instead, but of course he wouldn’t allow that.

Since that day in West Virginia, my husband has taken care of this unpleasant task numerous times. It’s not his favorite thing to do, but he does it. And I’m thankful and always profusely express my extreme appreciation. It is definitely above and beyond the call of duty, but he truly demonstrates his love for his family in this one act. Sure, I take care of “yucky” things, too. But, I’m not going to start listing them, because it’s not about keeping score. It’s about being grateful for your spouse, and each of you working heartily. Maybe he forgot to put a new bag in the trashcan. Well, at least he took the old trash out! Perhaps she left some dirty dishes on the counter overnight. Well, at least she made a home-cooked meal that contributed to that stack of dishes!

Should you be thanking your spouse today?

Family Friday — Happy Easter!

“Jesus died on the cross for our sins.”  Such a profound truth.  Such a life-saving fact.  And this has been uttered by my three year old several times.  We’ve been focusing a lot in this house on the upcoming Easter holiday.  We started last week when we talked about Palm Sunday.  The kids have painted palm branches, colored donkeys, shouted “Hosanna,” and helped fill in the blanks as I’ve read to them the Easter story.  I’ve repeatedly told them that Easter is not about candy.  It’s about Jesus.  I want this truth to sink in.  And by the sounds of what they are talking about, it has.

I’m not even sure my kids know an Easter bunny exists (which, of course, he doesn’t).  Sure we have jelly beans in the house now, and we’ll probably dye some eggs.  (Although, I confess, I partly look forward to this because I really like the resulting egg salad sandwiches I can enjoy after!) But, that is NOT Easter for us.  Some may think we deprive our kids, but I know better.  If I want them to believe in anything, it is not an imaginary rabbit that delivers candy.  No, what I want them to believe in is a very real Savior Who delivers us from death.  THAT is Easter.

The other day I was doing some shopping for Easter candy with my mother and children.  It wasn’t a big secret from the kids so I could later pretend it was from a fictitious creature.  They were right there with me.  I was on a quest to find certain items that demonstrate the REAL Easter story.  Thankfully, there are resources online to help parents be creative in this endeavor.  We were looking for a white lamb with very little success.  We found plenty of candy in the shape of bunnies, and a fair amount of chicks and eggs as well.  But, a lamb?  We never did find a white candy lamb.  We eventually did find some stuffed lambs hiding among the plethora of other springtime critters.  This was just another reminder to me of how much society has deviated from the true meaning.  Bunnies have replaced lambs.

When we were little, I remember hearing the gifts that other kids in school would receive for Easter.  We were shocked!  It seemed as if some kids amassed the quantity that we might get for Christmas.  We had a family Easter basket with some jelly beans hidden among the green grass.  One year we received Bibles.  Other years we would get a new stuffed lamb.  A Lamb was sacrificed for us — yes, you and me.  Jesus was the perfect, sinless Lamb that was slain for our sins.  He was without blemish — spotless.  And yet, He bore our sins on Calvary’s cross.  John the Baptist said of Jesus, “‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'” (John 1:29b)

Today is Good Friday, the day we remember that sacrifice.  He was crucified for being Who He said He was.  “And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, ‘THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.'” (Matthew 27:37)  And then the miracle of Easter happened when He rose!  If we are going to teach our kids anything, this is it!

Thankful Thursday — He Lives!

Easter is one of my favorite times of year. As a Christian, the significance of the season is unparalleled. The risen Saviour is the crux of our faith. It’s what distinguishes us from the various religions and philosophies of the world. We don’t follow a man who lived and then died. I have a relationship with the God of the universe who became human, lived, died, and rose again. As the song proclaims, “I serve a risen Savior!”

Jesus was 33 years old at the time of the crucifixion. That’s exactly how old I am. I cannot fathom giving up my existence at a time when my adult life has just begun. Jesus had 3 years of earthly ministry. It must have felt so short. The disciples must have been utterly confused. How can this be “it?”

But that wasn’t “it.” That Holy week two thousand years ago was the beginning of something amazing. Jesus’ earthly ministry may have ended, but his mission has lived on through the ages. A multitude of eyewitnesses saw the risen Christ. How amazing!

Although I have not physically seen Jesus, I have seen His work throughout my life. The stories we’ve recounted in this blog are a testament to that. He’s been the true Love of my life ever since I was a little girl, and He’s the one I will serve for all eternity.

This Easter Sunday, what will your focus be? Will it be the Easter egg hunt for your kids or the chocolate bunnies that you can’t resist to nibble? Sadly, commercialism has snuck it’s way into this holy holiday, much as it has stained the Christmas season. Perhaps the Easter bunny isn’t your thing. What about the new Easter dress that you coordinated with your husband’s tie or the mouth-watering ham greeting you after church?

I don’t know your spiritual state. I only know my own. Perhaps you enter the doors of a church twice annually on Easter and Christmas. Maybe you attend every single church function. My plea for all of our readers is that you go to church, you open your Bible or click on that free Bible app on your phone, and you bow your head to Jesus. You see, none of what we write here would matter at all if my Saviour stayed dead in that tomb. This blog wouldn’t even exist. The sole reason I can get up each morning and face every day is not for my family, even though I love them dearly. It’s not about those cute dimples or endless eyelashes that greet me in the mornings. It’s not about my husband who works so hard to provide for us. It’s not about my parents or my heritage, my education or my knowledge. It’s all because of HIM. It’s because on that first Easter morning, the angel at the tomb asked the women, “‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?'” (Luke 24:5b) And then the angel proclaimed, “‘He is not here; he has risen!'” (Luke 24:6a)

Why am I thankful today? Because HE LIVES!