Faith & Works & Other Stuff

1 Corinthians 3:5-9
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Please forgive me for skipping you last week. I don’t know if I shared, but this year I would like to work on being a more responsible person. The purpose of the blog was so we could connect and discuss in real way about our lives and growing in Christ. We can’t do that if we’re not consistent. Of course, sometimes life interrupts us. So that will be my excuse – my life got in my way.

Does your life ever get in your way?

Please tell me yes so I can feel we are of one accord.

One of my first posts was about comparison. I have a sickness friends. I often compare myself to others that I have no business comparing myself to. Sometimes I compare myself and am envious. Sometimes, shamefully, I compare myself and think like a Pharisee, “Thank you God that I’m not like them.” (Yes, it’s ugly, but true.)

Today I was not feeling particularly inspired, but I was feeling convicted to share with you in some fashion. I went to biblegateway.com and looked up the topic “responsibility” – since I shirked it last week. LOL 25 different scriptures showed up. I quickly prayed for a prompting or prodding and this is where I was led. Actually, it brought up 1 Corinthians 3 in its entirety, but this part jumped out.

It spoke to me. Who am I? I am nothing but a servant with job from God and for God. I’ve got a job to do.

Most mornings, when I get up, I feel the word job is a dirty word. I want to do what I want to do. I’m really not that different from my kiddos. But in today’s passage from Corinthians, there was faith and then there was work. The faith in Jesus led them to do work for him. Because of Apollos and Paul, others were led to the Lord.

This Sunday we will celebrate the resurection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

But is that all we are celebrating?

I hope not!

It’s not just that Christ defied the grave. It’s that he gives us new life out of his sacrificed one. We are freed from eternal damnation. We are freed from ourselves and the limitations this world places upon us. We are freed to be his servant and do his bidding. Being a servant is not full of constraints as the world would have us believe. No my sweet sisters. We are privileged to be able to do our King’s bidding. He calls us his own. He has given us a home with him. We no longer have to struggle to see where our place is in this world – it is with Him! Praise God!

Can I get a BIG AMEN? AMEN! (I think I can hear you)

That’s right sisters – you are, “Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty, Free at last.”

So when you feel like a slave instead of a servant while getting Easter dinner together for the family this weekend, remember it is really for Him that we celebrate – not the food, the bunny or Aunt Bessie’s famous chocolate sheet cake. Although if I had an Aunt Bessie that made I chocolate sheet cake, I’d praise Him for that too.

Thank you God for sending your son for me. And help me to realize the works you have for me to do. Amen

Now, for a few announcements. There will be a Women’s Bible Study starting this Tuesday, April 2nd, from 6-7:30pm. The book is Angie Smith’s What Women Fear. I will have books for you that night.

Also, there is a Girl’s Night IN April 19th starting at 5:30! Yes, we will be staying in the church. Not all night – just till we’ve had enough food, fun and of each other. LOL It will be a carry in so bring some good snacky food if you are able. There will be 3 tables, maybe more, of Pinterest projects. I promise you will not be disappointed! Please let Amy or I know if you plan to be there so we can plan to have enough project material for you. There will be a small fee for the projects, but we will let you know what that is at a later date.

Blessings & Hugs,
Elizabeth
PS – Thank you again for listening to my ramblings.

Sacrifices & Letters

Hebrews 8:10

This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

 

We’ve been watching The Bible on the History channel.  We’ve been recording it on Sunday night and watching it while we eat dinner on Monday.  I like it.  It’s brought about a lot of discussion in our house.  It’s exciting to me because I know the boys are paying attention to what is going on and they are thinking. Quite a feat for three brothers sitting on the same couch for 1 and 1/2 hours.  The best part, so far, was when Aaron said, “There is a lot of sacrificing going on.  I see a theme.”  It gave us opportunity to talk the Old Testament pointing to Jesus.  And I got to throw in the literary term “foreshadowing”.  That also tickled my heart.

 

Then this morning, while I was getting ready for work, I saw a news story about George H. Bush and  letters.  A book was recently published with many of the letters he has written in his life to his wife, children, grandchildren and friends.  The story was about how he has written so many touching letters to those that matter in his life.  The letters started with love letters he wrote to Barbara during WWII to the present including letters he wrote to Bill Clinton.  Those that were shared were quite touching and heartfelt.  They are a large part of the legacy he will someday leave behind. 

 

For whatever reason, I tied these two experiences together in my mind. Letters aren’t written very much any more.  It seems like it is a sacrifice in our society to sit down and write a letter. Ashamedly, I belong to that group.  We are all about emails, blogs and texting, but putting pen to paper is an effort.  I often think about dropping a note to this person or that, but it rarely comes to fruition.  And even though I’m not very good at it, I love, love, love getting letters in the mail. 

 

There is something very personal about getting a letter.  As much as I like to talk, the written word inspires and drives me.  It’s like a little present wrapped up just for me.   And those that touch my heart, I go back and reread.  I would say letters from family and friends are some of my most cherished possessions.   There are a some from my husband that I like to break out and reread.  It is a physical reminder of what I already know.  I have letters from my dad, grandma and Aunt Dorothy I take out when I’m missing them.  They are no longer with me, but in those words they penned, it feels as though they are sitting right beside me.  My mama writes me beautiful cards that I enjoy rereading for comfort and a pick me up.  And I’ve had sweet notes from some of you as well.  I keep them all as a reminder of who I am to each of these people. 

 

And then there is The Bible.  This is the ultimate written word sometimes referred to as God’s Love Letter.  Look in the New Testament at all the letters Paul wrote to the Corinthians, Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians and so on.  He wrote to them to let them know of his love for them and God’s love for them.  He wrote them because he was inspired by God.  He wrote them for us as well.

 

In the Old Testament, God had the prophets write things down to be passed on to generations that would come behind them.  The written word must be very important to Him.  It is how he’s chosen to communicate with us in a tangible way.  I know He communicates through prayer and the Holy Spirit, but it’s through the Bible that we are able to ingest His Word and share it with others. We can get our fill, so to speak, in a very physical way.  When we read the words, he truly enters our minds and writes on our hearts. 

 

Thank you God for inspiring the written word.  Thank you for giving me something tangible to hold on to.  Thank you for giving my mind and body the spiritual nourishment they so cry out for.  Thank you.

 

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

 

PS  Go drop a note to someone and make their day! It can even be hand delivered.  I’m sure they won’t mind. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discipline is Not a Four Letter Word

Proverbs15:32

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding

Discipline.  The thought makes me shudder.  When I think of discipline, I think of a confined space and me stuck in it.  The word almost makes me hyperventilate.  It makes me feel restricted and bound up and I break out in a rash.

Are you getting the picture?  My mind tells me discipline is just plain yucky like boys think girls are until about 5th grade.

Do any of you have this same affliction?  There are varying degrees of it.  Not all cases are as severe as mine.

This aversion has caused me to do some thinking lately.  Actually,  I do that a lot.  I think about what I need to do to get the results I day-dream about for mine and my family’s life, but then that’s about as far as I go.  To make the changes that I know need done, well, that would take work.  Lots of work.  I’d probably have to give up some shows in the evening which means I wouldn’t be able to plop on the couch after dinner. If I’ve been at work all day, don’t I deserve to do nothing in the evening?  Why can’t the dishes and laundry take care of themselves?   I’d also have to plan ahead, like more than 30 minutes ahead. This too would mean giving up some of my guilty pleasures.  What can I say?  My flesh is sinful and likes to indulge in laziness.

I should tell you I’m a great starter, but a lousy finisher.  For years I’ve been searching for the answer.  I’ve had help and support from friends and family.  I have prayed for an instantaneous change to rid me of my weaknesses.  Boy have I prayed.  I have not yet been rescued .  I have continued on in my lack of ……what is the word I’m looking for……..ummmm OH!!!! I know!  It’s discipline.  It’s that thing I try to instill in my children.  I try to instill it in them, but it seems to evade me.  My mama tried to instill it in me.  I’m sure she still shakes her head in wonder some days.

Why is that?

Hmmmmm.  I’ll ponder some more.  Because I do that well.

Proverbs is a good place to ponder.  The verse I chose today is for me and hopefully for you too.  With discipline comes understanding.

My sisters, there are many things I need understanding about.

I have had discipline in my life, a few times.  And if you know me, stop laughing, it’s cruel.

This is what I’ve noticed when I have discipline – my life runs much more smoothly.  When there is discipline in my housekeeping efforts, I do not experience CHAOS (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome…….Thank you FlyLady.)  When I have discipline in my meal planning, I don’t drive thru fast food places to get meals because I know I’m covered.  And the two times in my life I was disciplined in my eating and exercising habits, I was an overall happier gal.  When I am disciplined in my Bible study and prayer life, I have an abundance of peace and develop an insatiable hunger to know Him more.  When all of this is out of whack, I truly do despise myself.  I have an unsettled spirit.

Discipline is not the confining box I imagine it to be.  Discipline is really meant to free us and protect us.  It frees us from getting mired in ourselves and our want to do list.  It does not mean that we have a rigid schedule where there is no room for anything or anyone else.  It does mean that we are better prepared for when unexpected things happen.

I have a friend with which I have a pact regarding the state of my house and hers.  We have the understanding.  Should either one of us die, we will not grieve until we have cleaned the others house because we don’t want people coming over and seeing the state in which we live.  Yes, this is a true story.  Now really my sisters, should this be a worry of mine or hers.  The answer is no, it should not.  But, it is.

So today, in the spirit of discipline and understanding, I’ve got my boys doing a few things at home after school.  It will help me to jump-start the process.

Last weekend I did a big grocery shopping and I’ve very much enjoyed not  panicking about what we will eat for meals.

I can do it and you can to……if you need to.

Converse with me sweet sisters!  Please leave comments and share your stories.  It’s fun to have conversation.

Blessings & Hugs,  Elizabeth

Have You Seen Your Cardiologist Lately?

Cor 13: 1  If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

We’ve almost wrapped up February, but not yet.  Even though Valentine’s Day was about two weeks ago, we are still in the month of love and dealing with matters of the heart.

Have you shown your love?

If you have please share.

You know, sometimes, even though we say we’re about love, we’re not so much.  Sometimes we don’t show the love that was shown to us when we were saved.  Sometimes, the love we don’t show, or withhold, is from those that are closest to us.

Yes?

Don’t even act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.  I bet you haven’t gone 3 days without snapping at a loved one you live with, have you? Well, even if it’s been more than 3 days, what do our words of hurt and bitterness say to them?

Oh how I wish we were all sitting at Starbucks having this conversation and Grande Salted Caramel Mocha!

I’ve learned in my 42 years that when bitterness leaves my mouth, it probably started in my heart.  I come to you today telling you that I have purposely said things that are hurtful to my husband and my children because I felt justified at the time. Yep, on purpose.  I felt justified to hurt them because I had been hurt.  And once in a while, they have simply been in the line of fire of an incident that had absolutely nothing to do with them.  All they heard from me was a clanging and banging of words.

I don’t suppose any of you have found yourselves in a similar situation?

How on earth can I expect for Jesus love to shine through me to others, when I’m not being who he calls me to be at home?  Isn’t that where it starts?  I’m an example for my children and they become examples for their friends.  I show them my love for my husband, then I’m hopefully demonstrating a healthy, Godly relationship that they will want for themselves. It’s a heavy responsibility.

More than it being a responsibility, it’s a calling.  A calling that started with Jesus speaking to my heart.  That’s why the heart IS the heart of the matter. Be careful to not have the beating of it sound like an empty room echoing because home is where the heart is.

I just love it when it all pulls together!

Well, I’m going to leave you now. I need to get my heart checked.

Blessings & Hugs Sisters, Elizabeth

 

True Love

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! 

I hope it truly is a happy day for you.  Meet everyone where they are at today and don’t try to put them where you want them to be.  That will make you happier – I promise.

Ahhhhhh.  Love  is in the air today. 

True love – everyone has an idea of what they think that means.  Some may think it there is love at first sight that is true love.  Some may think true love is going through life with the same person – the good, the bad & the ugly.  Some may think true love is a feeling.  I could go on and on, (like I’m telling you something you don’t know) but I won’t.

Today I want to share with you a love story.  It’s not your typical boy meets girl love story, but I think you will be touched just the same. 

I often share with you the chaos and craziness that ensues at our house.  It’s about time I share the good things too.  I feel amazingly blessed to have the children God has given me.  So, please, don’t ever think I’m ungrateful.  I know what I’ve been given.

This love story started about 4 years ago.  It’s between Adam and his third grade teacher and God. If you are unaware, Adam is now in 6th grade.  His third grade teacher was really good.  She is reserved, matter of fact and cares deeply for her kids.  Whenever I spoke to her about him, she was always pleased with his work and told me how good she thought he was – not just grade wise.  It makes a mama smile to hear these things.  Adam had a great third grade year.  We were all pleased and blessed to have yet another wonderful teacher in our son’s life.

Because Adam is a people person, he liked to make it a point to say hi to her when he would see her.  I think she appreciated that.  Who doesn’t?

This year she moved from the third grade to librarian.  Adam is one of her library helpers.  He likes a lot.  I think he likes the responsibility and he likes to be useful.  He also enjoys her. 

Last night I was at Walmart gathering a couple of last-minute Valentine items. 

I know your saying to yourself, “I’m so surprised that Elizabeth didn’t have that done already.”  Hard to believe of me, I agree. 

So while I was gathering what I needed, I saw her.  Adam happened to be on the phone with me giving me a list of additional Valentine items he wanted.  I informed him that this was not on the same level as Christmas.  When I got off of the phone, I commented to her something that was a little sarcastic about my boys and what they wanted. 

She turned and looked at me and said, “You have good boys.”

I said I knew.  Then I threw in another “yes, but” comment about them.  We chit chatted just a bit and then we our separate ways. 

After I left her I realized that I had sounded a bit bratty.  I sounded like an ungrateful wretch.  I was sorry for how I presented myself and them. 

We met up again and I made a point to tell her I know I have good boys.  I know I’m blessed. I know they are polite, respectful, thoughtful of others and kind. (Of course this is only to the people who don’t live in our house.  What?  They can’t be perfect. Right? ) 

This is where the story has a purpose.  Really. 

She looked at me and said, “Yes they are.  You have been blessed three times.  I can’t tell you what Adam said today because it will make me cry, but you have been blessed.”

I thanked her and my heart swelled.  I even got a lump in my throat and felt teary.

See, her mom passed away a little over a week ago.  I could only imagine what he might have said. 

I asked him this morning.  Adam told me he said, ” I prayed for you.”

I felt like this was an example of true love. It was simple, but so powerful.  He acknowledged her grief and gave her the gift of a child’s prayer.  I can’t think of love any truer than that.  Can you?

Blessings, Hugs and Abundant Love my friends, Elizabeth

PS – I didn’t ask Adam if I could share this……let’s just keep it between us in case I committed a breach of confidence. Thank you!

Weary

I guess it’s my turn to blog.  I appreciate Elizabeth picking up all of my pregnant, nauseous slack for the last month. She’s the best.

Elizabeth often likes to talk about our different “voices” that show through our blog writing. Hers is very light-hearted and takes a fun look at the lessons God is teaching her through the life that happens around her each day. My blogging tends to be a little more serious or introspective.  It’s often just the way I observe how God is teaching me, and I hope that you all don’t mind listening for a minute. If it’s a downer, don’t worry, Elizabeth will be back on the next one.

So. Here is where I am right now. I will be 11 weeks pregnant on Thursday. As you all pretty much know, in 2008 before I had Sadie, Paul and I experienced two miscarriages.  I always feel now that if I were doing one of those “draw out a timeline with significant moments in your life on it”, that 2008 would be one of those dots that would be bold and black. It would be a way of saying “Life for Amy changed significantly after this.  The way she related to God changed. The way she felt inside changed. She will be….forever….different.” Ominous? Maybe. But true.

In completely, transparent honesty, 2008 was when my soul became tired. When, for the first time, I had trouble truly believing that God wanted the best for my life. I never, through any of this process, doubted that God loved me, or that He is great, or good, or kind, or any of those wonderful attributes that make Him holy.  Really, I never doubted those things, or stopped believing they were true of Him.  But it became very easy to doubt those things as they related to me.  The way I pray is different now.  The way I approach His Word is different now. My soul became weary at that time.

As I trudge my way through this first trimester, I pray every day that God will help me to trust Him. Some days, it’s the only prayer I know how to pray. I want to trust that this baby is growing inside of me, even when I cannot feel anything yet (except nausea). I want to believe that, come late August or early September, I will hold a newborn baby in my arms. But most of all, as hard as these words are to utter, I want personal holiness, even when I don’t know what God may use in my life to get me there. I have so many scriptures hidden in my heart. They are there, I know them….let not my heart be troubled….be strong and courageous…He is the God who sees me…..do not be anxious for anything….lean not on my own understanding….His yoke is easy and His burden is light….He is the God who does wonders.  These scriptures have not left me through any of this, yet the worry is so familiar to me now. The weariness is always there.

This morning, as I was getting ready in the bathroom, I heard this song by JJ Heller called “Have Mercy on Me.” And had I not been applying eye makeup at that very moment, I would have cried.  The words were so real to me.  They made so much sense.

Friend, I don’t know what your “2008″ was on your timeline. Maybe it was losing a child. Maybe a spouse.  Perhaps it was a dreaded diagnosis for you or someone you love. Or a marriage ending.  Maybe you haven’t had your “2008″ yet. If you want to share how we can pray for you, please do so.  And please, pray for me.  Just because I have my hair done and my make-up on does not mean I am not often a mess on the inside.

Looking for Love

Genesis 29:18, 20

18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” …….. 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

 

February is the month of LOVE. I guess most of us think of love in the romantic sense, like the scripture above.  Jacob took his love for Rachel seriously.  It was not some fly by night infatuation.   No sir.  He knew in his heart she was the woman for him and he was willing to do what needed to be done to have her in his life. He worked for seven years to get Rachel, but his love was so strong and deep for her, it only seemed like a few days to him.

 

Seven Years!  To me this seems like a long time to work, but he was passionate about his goal so the time flew by.

 

When I read this I was a child in my walk with God.  I fell in love with Jacob.   I was head over heals!  I knew that I wanted to have this very same love and devotion showered on me someday. 

 

And I prayed for it.   I was sure that this kind of love would be mine someday.  There is was – in black and white in the Bible – God’s Word.  I felt a twinge in my heart when I read it and knew with every fiber of my being that this would come to pass. 

 

Bunny Trail Alert:

I’m going to share a little background that many of you know, but some may not.  I am adopted.  I don’t remember ever not knowing I was adopted.  I was adopted at a time where there were no open adoptions, but my parents did a terrific job letting me know that I was loved by all that were in my life, and by the birth mother that was not.  They explained to me that I was not given up because I was not wanted, in fact I was very much wanted.  They were sure that my birth mother loved me so much that she had no other choice to put me up for adoption.  They said she knew she would be unable to care for me, but someone else could.  So instead of keeping me to herself, she allowed them to adopt me because it was the best thing for me.  (See, it was all about me.) And if that wasn’t enough to make my little ego swell, they also told me that I was special because I was chosen.  Yep, those of you that aren’t adopted, your parents were just stuck with you.  Bless your hearts. 

 

It is because of this I was sure I would have a love like no other in my marriage.  That and the fact that I was a Daddy’s girl whose Daddy doted upon her.  (Aaron would say I’m bragging, but I’m just being real.  I was an only brat and I enjoyed it.)

 

Fast forward to my first marriage.  The minute I fell in love, I believed it was for life.  I had preconceived notions of what my marriage would be like, how my husband would treat me and was convinced that Jacob’s devout love for Rachel would be mine for life. 

 

Since I said “first marriage”, I think you know it was not that way.  I was so wrong.  I hadn’t consulted God about any of it.  It was all what I thought, what I wanted …….me, me, me.  It quickly fell apart.  The relationship became emotionally and physically unhealthy. 

 

Part of me was glad to be out of it.  Part of me mourned for what might have been even though I left it.  Part of me resented my dream being dashed.

 

Didn’t God speak to me – promise me?  Didn’t he want for me to be happy?  Didn’t he want me to know love?  Isn’t love what he’s about?  Why would he want to deny me love?

 

He did speak to me.  He did promise me.  I didn’t listen to his message.  

His message to me had nothing to do with my future husband.  It have everything to do with His love for me.  His message was John 3:16. 

 

I could see it all in retrospect.  God loves us wholly and completely.  It is not another person that completes us or fills us up- it is Him.  As the song says, I was looking for love in all the wrong places.  I was looking for a person, clothed in sinful human flesh to fulfill my needs.  It will never happen.  Two wrongs (people with sinful nature) can never make a right.  But one person, with a God bigger than the universe to repair them, can be spectacular! 

 

I challenge you to look up references to God’s love for us in the Bible.  There you will find fulfillment.  You will find that he has plans to give you hope and a future and that he wants to know your every desire.  He wants all of you and He is ALL you will ever need. 

 

You are loved sweet sisters! 

 

Never doubt it for a minute. 

 

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

 

PS – If you want to delve deeper into God’s love, join us for a Girl’s Night Out this Friday!  5:30pm at the church parking lot – be there or be square.  And I better not hear of anyone saying it’s for the “young” people, because it’s not.  It’s for all of us. Got it?  Good.   And I love you all. 

 

 

Release 27lbs of Fat This Month!

Yep. It caught my attention too.  This is what I saw as I was standing in line, waiting to check out, with my groceries.   Release it?  As in, set it free?  I really wasn’t aware of the fact that I was holding my fat hostage. Who would want to do that? If am keeping it against its will, it’s completely unintentional. Are you holding yours hostage?  At any moment I expected to hear a chorus of “We Shall Overcome” by the Fat Fannies Choir.

Looking at the magazines, I saw promises of amazing weight loss in a month, 5 easy steps to organizing your house, how to turn your finances into fortunes and the key to making your marriage sizzle.  There were also some hints and tips regarding make-up, coupon clipping and being fashion forward. Who couldn’t use some advice about that?

At this point all I could say to myself was, “Holy Cow!”, so I said it.  I said it several times, but not out loud. I said it because I started looking at all the things I could “correct” in my life.  Through the magazine covers I saw things wrong in my life that I wasn’t even aware were wrong. 

Could it be possible that a few magazines hold all the answers to  lifes issues? 

You don’t have to look very far to see the world has an answer for everything.  It’s all at our fingertips.  It’s all right there in the check out aisle.  If you would like your advice to go a little deeper than a two page article, then simply check out the Self Help section of your nearest book store or library.

Have you ever looked at those sections?  My goodness!  There is so much information.  I would need a self help book on how to navigate the self help section.  All in all, I would say that most of the information is good and can get you the results you are looking for. 

Why would you want to bother looking anyplace else?

And here in lies the heart of this little rambling. 

Any one of us can create the world we want. You may be poo pooing me, but we can.  If we take the right steps, we can lose weight if we need to, make our houses amazing and achieve financial freedom.  These are all good things in and of themselves – are they not? They show a life of discipline and success. 

Do they show something else? Do they show the desires of God or the desires of the world? 

Before I continue, I don’t want you to think I’m saying a healthy weight, your money and a great house are signs of disobedience to the Lord.  He calls us to be disciplined in our lives.  Yet, if all of these are all we want, then I wonder what is at the heart of them?  Are we doing these things for the glory of God or for the glory of self. 

I sit before you typing and tell you there are most certainly things I’ve done for the glory of Elizabeth.  I mean, who doesn’t like the affirmations of others for achievements? Who doesn’t want to “fit in” with those around us?  It is easier to join the crowd than walk away from it.  I am clothed in sinful human flesh, and it often cries out to go with the tide rather than swim against it.  (That just sounds like exercise and I find it unappealing even though I know it’s beneficial.  Can I get an Amen?)

Goodness, I’ve derailed the thought train.

Here’s the gist of all this.  Whatever we are called to, we have to know that our God has all the answers.  Articles and books with directions for our lives only apply to us if we put God first.  He’s everything we need.  And while I get a little high out of reading these things and thinking all the ails in my life can be “fixed” in 5 steps and thirty days, there is only one book I need to seek for help.  The Bible has it all. I truly does. 

I will leave you with this today.  May you find encouragement and comfort in

Psalm 16

1Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.

² I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    apart from you I have no good thing.”
³ I say of the holy people who are in the land,
    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
⁴ Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
    or take up their names on my lips.

⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful^[b] one see decay.
¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

He is our portion, our cup, our counselor and gives us an inheritance.  There is no need to worry about anything. 

Go boldly into what ever he’s calling you to.  He’s got it covered.

And if you have fat that is held hostage, release it. 

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Testy, Testy, Testy

James1:2-3     ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Testing that produces perseverance sounds like work that pays off.  What does that look like for you? The testing that is.  It’s not just one thing for me.  I have shared many times about being organizationally challenged and making food my golden calf.  Those are my daily workouts.  I see progress just on the horizon.

The enemy likes to shake it up though.  For me it’s not the same thing every day.

I like to think I’m a fairly laid back person.  Big things and most little things don’t ruffle me most of the time……most of the time.  (If I’ve been ruffled with any of you, please forgive me. )  But there are times when I feel as if I’m going to lose my little mind that the good Lord gave me and I give in to my fickle feelings.

Monday morning tested me.  Remember it was icy and yucky and really cold.  I knew I’d need to start my van in plenty of time so the ice would melt off the windshield.   You know I’m quite the procrastinator, right?  This morning I knew it would take extra time to ready the van and there was no way I could scrape the windshield so I went out earlier than usual.

When I went out to start it, the doors were frozen shut. All of them.  I used my brute force to open the passenger door.  You probably would have enjoyed watching the show if you could have,  but by golly, I got it done.

We were all ready to go, me to work, the boys to school, and it was none too soon, and the only door that opened was still the passenger side.  My great brain went to work and I decided that I would pour warm water on the doors.  This was not ideal but I needed a quick fix and this seemed to be the way.

Adam and Seth were in the van because they climbed over the seats…..being the resourceful people they are. LOL

Let me back up just a bit. When I went out to start the van, I found I could not get back in the house because the handle to the storm door was frozen.

So back to the story.

As I was going out with the warm water, I told Aaron, “Don’t come outside.  You’ll need to let me back in the house.  The door is frozen and I can’t get back in.”

You know what happened less than 10 seconds later, right?

Bam!  The screen door shut and there stood Aaron.  I was slightly less than pleased.  I sent him around the back.  I told him to go thru the gate and back door to let me in.  In all my wisdom, I left the water on so it would stay hot. I was coming right back in.  AhHem.

So the water was running in my house and my boy was running around it.

I was waiting in front, not so patiently.  When I didn’t see him in what I thought was more than ample time, I started around the back.  What I found were frozen gates.

As Charlie Brown said, “AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!”

He got in, finally.  He let me in, finally.  I was on my way, finally, 10 minutes late.

Aaaarrrrrgggghhh!  My tensions were at peak level.  Or so I thought my tensions were at peak level.

When I pulled out of the driveway and got half way to dropping off my little darlins, I saw that Adam was wearing no more than a pullover.

Really?

His teachers tell me he’s a good student.  He makes good grades but he didn’t put a coat on even though the world was frozen over, literally.  And never mind I said before we walked out the door the first time – “Go get your coats!”

It was at this point that I believe I completely lost control of my emotions.  I said something to the effect of, “What is wroooonnnnggg with yoooouuuuu?  I said get a coat on!  That is not a coat!  I tell Aaron don’t come out the door and he did.  Why is it when I open my mouth, you all shut your ears? Have you decided that whatever it is I’m saying is probably not worth listening to? I assure you IT IS worth listening to!”

Yes, it was pretty close to that.  Poor Seth was thrown under bus as well even though he did nothing.  It was guilt by association. It should be a good lesson for him to be careful of the company he keeps.  Wait – we all live together so he has no choice.  Bless his heart.

I’m pretty sure I threw in another snide comment about starting the day off right.

I considered none of this joy.

As I dropped them off and pulled away, I started feeling guilty about the way I had conducted myself.  Well, I started feeling guilty about 3 1/2 hours later when I finally calmed down from being late to work and getting over my children’s clear lack of listening skills. I’ve spoken with other mothers and they say this is not an unusual phenomenon.  I’m hanging on to that.

It occurred to me, that 3 1/2 hours later, that I had let the situation get the better of me and shown my kiddos that I was ruled by my emotions.

Ugghhh.  They are fickle little things, aren’t they?

So that test didn’t go so well for me.  But, I tried for redemption in the evening when I apologized for my actions.  We talked about things and they saw the error of their ways too – momentary as it may have been.  And I let Seth know I was wrong to include him in the mornings chaos.

Thank you Jesus for forgiveness!  And thank you for my normal, healthy kids. May we all find joy in our trials – big and little.

I will leave you with this.   Enjoy!

Francesca Bastistelli - ”This is the Stuff”.

Blessings, Elizabeth

Comparison is the Thief of Joy

Raise your hand if you love great quotes. 

Oh shoot!  I forgot I can’t see you.

Well I’m going to imagine that a lot of you raised your hand.  Quotes can be quite inspiring.  They can be eye-opening.  I would even say they could cause one to have and epiphany.  Yes, I’m going to be that bold and dramatic. 

The other day when I was perusing Pinterest (if you have yet to discover this wonderful website, tell me and I’ll introduce you) I saw a quote from Theodore Roosevelt, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”  It immediately spoke to me. 

I thought to myself, how true is this.  Since I thought it, it must be.

How often do we let other people’s lives dictate our own by virtue of comparison?

You may be saying, “Elizabeth, what do you mean?” 

Are you saying that? 

What I mean is I know I am guilty of saying things like, “They’ve got it all together and I never will so why bother trying.”  Or something close to that anyway.  I’ve not tried new things because I was sure I wouldn’t be able to measure up to, well you fill in the blank of a name you’ve thought of before. 

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Comparison is just another disguise for the deceiver.  The enemy is constantly doing his darndest to undermine and paralyze us.  He wants to keep us from what the Lord has for us to do.  What better way to do this than to show us our short comings.  Our short comings are often the very things that God uses to grow us and shine through us. 

Nehemiah 8:10 says “Do not grieve, the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Got Joy? 

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth