Thirteen

While we were in the midst of Jon's recent hospital stay, our family had another milestone... LA turned 13. Yes, I am now the parent of a TEENAGER. She has been demonstrating symptoms of this change for about 6 months... but it is finally here... 13.

What do I wish for her? That her life will be filled with more joy less sorrow, more fun less heartache, more friendships less enemies, more sunshine less rain, more hope less disappointment... More JESUS!!!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!!! I am so glad to be your mom.

Tis a New Season- Part 3

This is the final way God has spoken to me over the past 3 ways. You never know when sharing a song with someone else will speak to the very core of their being.

"Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My strength to sustain you, expect to see miracle- and you will. Miracles are not always visable to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith and not by sight enables you to see My Glory." -Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Tis a New Season- Part 2

How are we going to pay for this?

This was the same question I had been thinking since early Thursday morning. We cannot afford health insurance on my hubby. Where were we going to get this money and still make ends meet? Pause... In walks reality... a dear friend from our Bible Study group prayed with me over the phone. She said, "and we praise you for this blessing. Thank you Father that Jon's life was spared." Wow, took my breath away with perspective. My mom has repeatedly told me throughout my life, "If money can fix it, its' not a problem." What she means is that money can't fix a broken heart, or cancer, or death. But money can fix things like broken water heaters, cars and even gall bladders... She was encouraging me to see the big picture, this wasn't really a problem. I'd like to say that these two Godly women gave me faith and strength to make it through the past few days. But still I doubt, I worry, whatever you want to call it... I'm a pessimist on how things will all work out.

However, the Lord created me... all of me... even my doubting spirit and He uses this to teach me dependance on Him.

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul both secure and steadfast" - Hebrews 6:19

"The Lord is faithful. His promises are sure. The promises made through the prophets concerning the Messiah all came true. Now we have the promises of Christs to anchor us. This passage assures us that through Christ we have access into the very heart of God and we can never drift off the solid anchor of His care. We are never alone. There is no situation, circumstance or problem which is too big for our Lord.... There will be a decisive moment when He will come. He will give us what we need to do more than copes. He has unlimited resources of people, unexpected surprises, wisdom, and spiritual power to release at just the right moment. The lord is always on time- never late, never early. We can let go of our worried grip on life. If we hand onto yesterday's troubles, tomorrow's fears and today's anxieties, we will overload and blow our circuits... Our hope is built on our Lord's faithfulness. He's there with you now. Trust Him. And then expectantly anticipate that at the right time and in the way that's most creative to you and all concerned, He will intervene and infuse you with exactly what you need."

This passage was taken from my favorite daily devotional, "God's Best for My Life" by Lloyd John Ogilvie

Tis a New Season- Part 1

I think blogging is often a secondary thing for me. I tend to blog consistently when I see God moving in BIG ways in my heart, my family and my world but I don't blog as much when I see God moving in little ways. My intention for this blog from the beginning was to share my heart with my friends but more importantly to share my heart with myself. It's neat to have an official written record of how God is moving in my family.

On Thursday, Jon awoke me early... like 4:30 am early saying he needed to go to the hospital. I awoke Leigh-Anna and the three of us made our way to the local hospital. I called his parents to come and be with me. I called my mom for support and eventually to come be with me. By 7:00, I was told his blood pressure was "stroke victim high" and they needed more testing but thought his gall bladder might be the reason for his pain." By 9:30 I was told it was his gall bladder but they couldn't do anything for him until they got his blood pressure out of the red zone. They admitted him to the hospital, pumped him with medication for blood pressure and the waiting began. I don't know about medical stuff so I was thankful for a mom and a mother in law to help me ask questions and explain things to me. By 6:00ish, they had the blood pressure under control and scheduled surgery the following day for the removal of his gall bladder. Fast forward to 12:15 am on Friday, the surgery went well... gall bladder was removed. It had literally fallen apart when they took it out. Seems as though it should have been removed years ago. (How many years ago? I was afraid to ask.) They decided to keep him one more night to monitor blood pressure and pain levels. Fast forward again to Saturday morning... I arrived at the hospital to see my husband eating breakfast: bacon, eggs, grits... etc. I knew we were in the clear when he asked for his cell phone to play games. I also knew we were ok when he looked at me and said, "How are we going to pay for this?"

Aware, Part 2

I don't always get God's message. Or sometimes I get it and forget it. Or sometimes He demonstrates the same message in another way or area in my life. Today is a day like the latter. In my last post, I shared Aware by Salvador. It was truly my hearts cry to see God at work around me. Life had gotten so blurry and I NEEDED to SEE Him at work in my life. Of course, God showed up. He always does.

Today's message was about God's daily bread. "Yesterdays blessings are not sufficient for today. We cannot live on stale grace of our yesterdays. All they do is serve to remind us that God met our needs then for His glory and our growth in a way that was best for our life." Today, God wanted me to be AWARE of his provisions... my health, my family, my career, my church... the big things even down to the small things... my creative mind, my love of books, my heart to reach others. He has provided all of those things. Without those things, I would not be ME.

"Through The Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, all things become evidence of unmerited favor from a Lord who knows our needs." God's Best for my Life. I don't deserve any of these things. Through Jesus, God chooses to bless me.

"When you set out to find me in a day, you discover that the world is vibrantly alive with my Presence" Jesus Calling Why don't I do this naturally?

John 10:27- My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.

Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ->This doesn't mean that Paul only causes pleasurable things to a Christian. Rather that in the tough situations, God can use the overall plan for good. NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. Romans 8:38-39.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Today I want to find God in the day to day routine... the rain as I sit on my front porch, the treasured time I have alone with Him, the laundry, dishes and cleaning that needs to be done, the family time set aside for today. God MAKE ME AWARE.

Salvador Aware

This says all that is in my heart today!!!

Loving isn't always so easy.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

"Learn to relate to others through My Love rather than yours.  Your human love is ever so limited, full of flaws and manipulation.  My loving Presence which always enfolds you, is available to bless others as well as you.  Instead of trying harder to help people through your own paltry supplies, become aware of My unlimited supply, which is accessible to you continually.  Let My Love envelop your outreach to other people.  

Many of my precious children have fallen prey to burnout.  A better description of their condition might be "drainout."  Countless interactions with needy people have drained them, without their conscious awareness.  You are among these weary ones, who are like wounded soldiers needing R&R.  Take time to rest in Love-Light of My Presence.  I will gradually restore to you the energy that you have lost over the years."

Exodus 33:14 says

" The Lord answered, "I myself will go with you, and I will give you victory."

Matthew 11:28-29 says

"Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.  Accept my teachings and learn from me because I am gentle and humble in Spirit and you will find rest for your lives."

I haven't blogged in a while.  I guess nothing "note worthy" has happened.  Sure, LA was in a play, Jon is now in a long term sub position, there has been an amazing Bible Study at our new church, I have experienced drastic changes at work but I have not blogged.  Why?  Because I am weary.  Up where she uses the word "drainout" should be my picture.  Life is hard.  It is so easy to pour my heart, soul... "paltry supplies" into the families I work with.  At the end of the day, I come home exhausted.  It is just as easy to ignore those I love, to become selfish, to feel like a "wounded solider".  

Today I am reminded that God is with me.  He is fighting the battles I face along beside me and in the end, He will be victorious.  I can rest assured in that promise.  As I look forward to Mother's Day week-end with my new family I am seeking the "R&R" of a soldier and trusting in his gentle and humble spirit.  Praise God for this gentle reminder early in the morning dawn.  

Happy Mother's Day to all my Mommy friends.  May you find rest.