My son graduated from high school yesterday. It was a great day! Truth be told, I cried much more the last day of kindergarten than I did at his high school graduation celebrations. I think I knew way back then that the "letting go" was beginning all those years ago--not just yesterday.
I am thankful to my Savior, my Guide, my Lord--Jesus Christ--who guided my footsteps as a mom.
I am thankful to my gem of a husband who is level-headed, God-fearing, super-talented, brilliantly smart, strikingly handsome, and tenderly kind for helping raise our boy to become the young man he has become. He has so many of your characteristics and for that I am grateful.
I am thankful to family--grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and adopted sisters (Ashley, Melissa, & Amanda). You have poured into our son's life from his earliest years and made an impact in his life where we, as parents, could not.
I am thankful to friends who lightened our parenting load (even though it has not been heavy). You have made the hard times easier and the fun times much more fun.
I am thankful to our church for re-emphasizing what we were trying to teach at home--that having a relationship with Jesus is our highest joy, the fulfillment of our deepest longings. Thank you pastors, Sunday School teachers, and church body. Thank you for helping teach him to listen to God's Word and that serving Jesus is what matters.
I am thankful for the most precious of schools, the perfect fit for our son--The King's Academy in Seymour, Tennessee. I visited lots of schools in our area before his kindergarten year. I just knew you were the one for our family upon my first visit. Our son has grown in all areas (academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually) because of the investment of your administration, faculty, staff, and students.
And to my son--I am thankful that you have been an "easy" child. Because of that, I have been able to hold down many other ministries to which God has called me. I attempted to make your dad and you my most important ministry/calling/job (whatever you want to call it!). And because you, my son, have brought me so much joy and not grief, I was able to reach out and minister to others. Thank you so much for allowing me to fulfill other ministries/callings/jobs.
Son, I'm so glad you "get it"! And I hope you never forget it or lose hold of it--choose life! Choose Jesus--today, tomorrow, and everyday for the rest of your life. Sadly, some of your classmates have not yet chosen life over death and the blessing over the curse. Keep on loving them. Keep on praying that they will choose life so that they may truly live.
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Saturday, October 19, 2013
About Friends, Being Finite, and Letting Go
These past days, weeks, and months have been filled with closeness to people--family, friends, work colleagues, students, and children. At this time in my life I am simply blown away by the ways these people challenge me to be a better person. I am blown away with the way people stick with me and put up with me even when they are well acquainted with my glaring flaws.
Proverbs 17:17---"As iron sharpen iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." I have a relatively new teacher friend, Yan Wang, from China. She came to teach at our school last year. We seemed to just immediately form a bond. I don't even know how or why. I guess some would call it a "God-thing". She truly "sharpens" me. First, because of her bravery, to live across the globe from her family and attempt to teach American students the Chinese language! But it is so much more than that. Because we are friends, she has seen me struggle and I have seen her struggle. She knows my strengths and always reassures me in them. She also knows my weaknesses and helps me in the striving and struggle to become a better person.
I can say that about so many of my closest friends. They stick with me, no matter what. They let me see their weaknesses and they put up with mine. I guess once you live to be 40 plus, you should be well-acquainted with just how finite we humans are. And, as much as we strive and struggle to be our best, we can only do so much. And, that "so much" is enough.
I have seen family and friends go through much hurt this year--cancer, declining health, death, separation, divorce, job loss, and wayward children. But even in their hurt, they hold on to Jesus and the life He brings--to the joy that He gives even in our struggles.
God began speaking to my heart this year about letting go of fear. I wasn't fearing big things, but small things. He kept reassuring my heart that if He was asking me to do some task, He was going to be there with me, actually in me accomplishing any task He had called me to do. So it really doesn't matter about my "finite-ness". He is infinite. He is able to accomplish all He desires to accomplish through me.
I think sometimes where I get off track is -- I envision that God wants grandiose things from me, when really all He might want that day is for me to pray for or with a friend. Maybe He just wants me to cook and clean for my family that day. Maybe He just wants me to share with one person His story. Maybe He just wants me to faithfully do the jobs He has called me to that day.
John 12:24, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." When I was in college studying music, I would practice piano in this one certain practice room. From the window in this room I could see a tree. It was the Fall and into the Winter of this year. On that tree was one leaf that remained gripping onto the tree when all the other leaves had fallen. I watched it for weeks on end. It just wouldn't let go. The leaf was all dried up, brown and ugly, yet it wanted to stay in the tree. It didn't want to let go. Did it not know that for new life to spring forth, it first had to fall to the ground?
Are you holding onto something you should let go of? Do you stay gripping because of fear? Have you always done a certain thing or done things a certain way and now it is time to let go of that thing or that way of doing things? Are you scared? Do you know when you fall that you fall into the arms of Jesus?
So I encourage you today. Don't fear. Keep growing. If there is something you need to let go of, do. Remember, your God will be there for you. And look around, I imagine He has placed people in your path to spur you on. People who will put up with your finiteness. People who know that the God who lives within you is great enough.
Proverbs 17:17---"As iron sharpen iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." I have a relatively new teacher friend, Yan Wang, from China. She came to teach at our school last year. We seemed to just immediately form a bond. I don't even know how or why. I guess some would call it a "God-thing". She truly "sharpens" me. First, because of her bravery, to live across the globe from her family and attempt to teach American students the Chinese language! But it is so much more than that. Because we are friends, she has seen me struggle and I have seen her struggle. She knows my strengths and always reassures me in them. She also knows my weaknesses and helps me in the striving and struggle to become a better person.
I can say that about so many of my closest friends. They stick with me, no matter what. They let me see their weaknesses and they put up with mine. I guess once you live to be 40 plus, you should be well-acquainted with just how finite we humans are. And, as much as we strive and struggle to be our best, we can only do so much. And, that "so much" is enough.
I have seen family and friends go through much hurt this year--cancer, declining health, death, separation, divorce, job loss, and wayward children. But even in their hurt, they hold on to Jesus and the life He brings--to the joy that He gives even in our struggles.
God began speaking to my heart this year about letting go of fear. I wasn't fearing big things, but small things. He kept reassuring my heart that if He was asking me to do some task, He was going to be there with me, actually in me accomplishing any task He had called me to do. So it really doesn't matter about my "finite-ness". He is infinite. He is able to accomplish all He desires to accomplish through me.
I think sometimes where I get off track is -- I envision that God wants grandiose things from me, when really all He might want that day is for me to pray for or with a friend. Maybe He just wants me to cook and clean for my family that day. Maybe He just wants me to share with one person His story. Maybe He just wants me to faithfully do the jobs He has called me to that day.
John 12:24, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." When I was in college studying music, I would practice piano in this one certain practice room. From the window in this room I could see a tree. It was the Fall and into the Winter of this year. On that tree was one leaf that remained gripping onto the tree when all the other leaves had fallen. I watched it for weeks on end. It just wouldn't let go. The leaf was all dried up, brown and ugly, yet it wanted to stay in the tree. It didn't want to let go. Did it not know that for new life to spring forth, it first had to fall to the ground?
Are you holding onto something you should let go of? Do you stay gripping because of fear? Have you always done a certain thing or done things a certain way and now it is time to let go of that thing or that way of doing things? Are you scared? Do you know when you fall that you fall into the arms of Jesus?
So I encourage you today. Don't fear. Keep growing. If there is something you need to let go of, do. Remember, your God will be there for you. And look around, I imagine He has placed people in your path to spur you on. People who will put up with your finiteness. People who know that the God who lives within you is great enough.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Sanctify me
Joshua 3.
Verses 4-5 "Yet there shall be a space between you and it (the ark), about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before." And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
The ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus. This passage encourages us to always put Jesus before us. How do we follow Him? How do we know He's in front of us, leading us? Look in the Word of God.
Do you feel God is about to lead you into a new area in your life? Are you getting ready to come out of some wilderness into a land He has promised you? Then sanctify yourself. Get prepared. Some online definitions of sanctify:
Verses 4-5 "Yet there shall be a space between you and it (the ark), about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before." And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
The ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus. This passage encourages us to always put Jesus before us. How do we follow Him? How do we know He's in front of us, leading us? Look in the Word of God.
Do you feel God is about to lead you into a new area in your life? Are you getting ready to come out of some wilderness into a land He has promised you? Then sanctify yourself. Get prepared. Some online definitions of sanctify:
1. To set apart for sacred use; consecrate.
2. To make holy; purify.
Am I willing to set aside the sin which so easily besets me? (See Hebrews 12:1) Am I willing to be set apart for God's sacred purposes? Am I willing to allow Him to make me holy and purify me? Do I want to be clean or am I okay with the dirt of this world?
I'd like to see the Lord do wonders here where I live. I'd like it to be evident that it is His work--as evident as the waters of the Jordan river standing in a heap and the people walking through on completely dry ground. I want to see God's miracles in my midst. Joshua 3:13 & 17, "And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap . . .Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan."
My blog ends here today, but if you'd like to read on, I am going to share from the Adrian Rogers Legacy Bible on this passage in Joshua 3. (It's awesome!)
"As we walk into the future, we're headed into opportunity. We're walking into mystery. And no doubt we will encounter difficulty.
So are you ready to come out of the wilderness and into your promised land? Are you ready to cross over a river of difficulty? Well, you're going to have to move with the ark.
Some Christians live in victory and others do not. I will tell you why. All Christians have the Lord Jesus Christ, and all Christians have the Holy Spirit, but not all Christians totally follow the Lord Jesus Christ. They have Him in their midst, but He's not out in front leading. When Jesus is Lord and leader, when He's out in front and you follow Him, that makes all the difference.
So are you allowing Jesus to lead you? Is He out in front of you? Is He guiding you into this land of opportunity, this land of mystery, through rivers of difficulty?
Friend, you don't have to know what God has planned for your future. You don't have to know where you're going to end up. But rest assured that God has an individual plan that is directly, distinctly for you. And you don't need a map. Why? Because God's will for you is not a roadmap, but a relationship.
The important thing for you isn't to know what your future holds. You don't have to know when or where or why, just know Jesus. Make sure the Lord Jesus Christ is a reality in your life. He will guide you with His presence. Just keep your eyes on Him--and when the Ark moves, you move!"
Friday, May 10, 2013
Following You
I want to follow you like Moses, like Joshua, like Your people entering the Promised Land. Oh, the joy in following You! Oh, the way You provide! Oh, Your tender loving care! Oh, Your grace! Oh, victory in Jesus!
Joshua 1.
Verse 3 "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses."
Verse 5 "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you."
Verse 8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For THEN you will make your way prosperous, and THEN you will have good success."
Verse 9 "Have I not COMMANDED you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you WHEREVER YOU GO."
Verse 16-17 "So they answered Joshua, saying, 'All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.'"
"With all my heart, I want to love You, Lord, and live my life each day to know You more. All that is in me, is YOURS COMPLETELY. I'll serve You only with all my heart. "
Amen.
Joshua 1.
Verse 3 "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses."
Verse 5 "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you."
Verse 8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For THEN you will make your way prosperous, and THEN you will have good success."
Verse 9 "Have I not COMMANDED you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you WHEREVER YOU GO."
Verse 16-17 "So they answered Joshua, saying, 'All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.'"
"With all my heart, I want to love You, Lord, and live my life each day to know You more. All that is in me, is YOURS COMPLETELY. I'll serve You only with all my heart. "
Amen.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Love
John 15:17, "These things I command you, that you love one another."
John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Romans 12:9-10, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."
Jesus and the Bible have much to say about love. I find it interesting in John 13 that Jesus says he has a "new" commandment to give to his disciples and that "new" commandment ends up being "love one another". Hasn't He told them that before? Maybe they (we) don't get it, don't understand. I think as often as the command to love one another is repeated, it's pretty clear that we don't "get it."
During this Easter season, this holy week, Lord, help me to love my family in Christ with the love You give me.
John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Romans 12:9-10, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."
Jesus and the Bible have much to say about love. I find it interesting in John 13 that Jesus says he has a "new" commandment to give to his disciples and that "new" commandment ends up being "love one another". Hasn't He told them that before? Maybe they (we) don't get it, don't understand. I think as often as the command to love one another is repeated, it's pretty clear that we don't "get it."
During this Easter season, this holy week, Lord, help me to love my family in Christ with the love You give me.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Blessed Abundant Life
John 10. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10 NASB)
I have missed blogging. Late winter/Spring is a busy time for me. I am still reading a Bible chapter a day and get much from also reading my pastor's, Dan Spencer, blog. I do miss recording my own thoughts through my daily blog though.
I have lately just been blown away by the way people have given of their time and talents to serve in capacities in which I have asked them to serve. I have always thought my spiritual gift is service. I enjoy serving others. I also delight when someone uses the gift of service to serve me.
In this season of my life I feel incredibly blessed and loved by close friends and family but also by those who I barely know who have responded with their gift of service when I have expressed a need.
Today's blog may seem to have very little to do with John, chapter 10. But when I think of all the blessings in my life, I am reminded that Jesus came to bring abundant life. Satan would have me think that life is bad. Satan would lie to me that God's ways are not good and pleasant. Satan would have me follow the wicked desires of my own heart. Satan would lead me down a path in order to steal my joy and peace. Satan would lead me down a road that would kill the good things God desires to bring about in my life. Satan has set out to destroy me.
But Jesus has come to bless my life. Jesus says to me, "Pray, don't lose heart, and don't fear." Thank you, Jesus, for taking care of everything that concerns me and for the abundant, fulfilling life You give so freely.
I have missed blogging. Late winter/Spring is a busy time for me. I am still reading a Bible chapter a day and get much from also reading my pastor's, Dan Spencer, blog. I do miss recording my own thoughts through my daily blog though.
I have lately just been blown away by the way people have given of their time and talents to serve in capacities in which I have asked them to serve. I have always thought my spiritual gift is service. I enjoy serving others. I also delight when someone uses the gift of service to serve me.
In this season of my life I feel incredibly blessed and loved by close friends and family but also by those who I barely know who have responded with their gift of service when I have expressed a need.
Today's blog may seem to have very little to do with John, chapter 10. But when I think of all the blessings in my life, I am reminded that Jesus came to bring abundant life. Satan would have me think that life is bad. Satan would lie to me that God's ways are not good and pleasant. Satan would have me follow the wicked desires of my own heart. Satan would lead me down a path in order to steal my joy and peace. Satan would lead me down a road that would kill the good things God desires to bring about in my life. Satan has set out to destroy me.
But Jesus has come to bless my life. Jesus says to me, "Pray, don't lose heart, and don't fear." Thank you, Jesus, for taking care of everything that concerns me and for the abundant, fulfilling life You give so freely.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
God's Special Treasure
First a personal note. I have always enjoyed writing, but never knew how much I would enjoy writing this blog. I have not committed to writing a blog every day of this year, but I truly miss the 2nd reflection time on the day's scripture when I don't get to write. Sometimes writing this blog seems a more "worthy" thing to do than say, doing the dishes or vacuuming the floors. I am sure that is something my mind wants to believe, but is just not true. So truth is--these writings last longer than clean dishes and clean floors. Yay! It's crazy to me (and somewhat scary) when you tell me you are reading my blog. But, I thank you for your interest and curiosity. And I hope you feel it is a "worthy" way to spend your reading time and not a waste. You know you could be doing dishes or vacuuming instead:-)
Exodus 19. What sweet scripture! Verses 4 & 5, "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine."
I have seen in my life how God rescued me from my old way of life, from slavery and bondage to sin.
I have seen how He has lifted me, as if on eagles' wings, and brought me to Himself. There is no place I'd rather be.
God calls me to obey each day what He guides and tells me to do. He tells me to keep His covenant--keep His commands and His ways. This is not tedious, but freeing. I don't have to figure out life for myself. I can trust in the One who sees the whole of my life and knows the future and what is best and good for me.
I am God's special treasure. His princess. This is not arrogance to say. He is the One who has set His love upon me. God sees me through Christ's righteousness. I am His child, bought with the precious price of Jesus' blood. I am His bride, the bride that He has purified and made whole.
All the earth is my God's. He owns it all. Yes, at times I worry that He won't give me what is His when I think I need it. But if I am truly "His special treasure above all people," is He going to neglect taking care of me? I think not!
Time to let you enjoy a song while I go wash the dishes!
Exodus 19. What sweet scripture! Verses 4 & 5, "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine."
I have seen in my life how God rescued me from my old way of life, from slavery and bondage to sin.
I have seen how He has lifted me, as if on eagles' wings, and brought me to Himself. There is no place I'd rather be.
God calls me to obey each day what He guides and tells me to do. He tells me to keep His covenant--keep His commands and His ways. This is not tedious, but freeing. I don't have to figure out life for myself. I can trust in the One who sees the whole of my life and knows the future and what is best and good for me.
I am God's special treasure. His princess. This is not arrogance to say. He is the One who has set His love upon me. God sees me through Christ's righteousness. I am His child, bought with the precious price of Jesus' blood. I am His bride, the bride that He has purified and made whole.
All the earth is my God's. He owns it all. Yes, at times I worry that He won't give me what is His when I think I need it. But if I am truly "His special treasure above all people," is He going to neglect taking care of me? I think not!
Time to let you enjoy a song while I go wash the dishes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)