Will You be Mine?

Having a toddler in the house, we often hear the phrase, "Mine!  It Endall's!!" (Kendall hasn't mastered the 'k' sound yet) throughout the house.  He has just reached the age of claiming anything and everything that might have any interest to him.  At first, it was cute.... but now, well, it has become one of the primary reasons he receives discipline.  Although, when he runs up to me and grabs my leg and exclaims, "My Mommy!" my heart still melts a little.  When someone loves you so much that they claim you as there own, it should soften even the most hard of hearts. 

This morning I read a passage of scriptures from Isaiah 43:1-4 which says, "But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you.  O Israel, the one who formed you says, 'Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.  Others were given in exchange for you.  I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me.  You are honored and I love you."  (NLT)

Friend, it is so special to me when any of my children or my husband "claim" me as their own.  It makes me feel special and valued.  But, when the one and only true God calls me His own.... I catch my breath and I feel so unworthy.  There is no greater honor than for God to say You are mine and I love you.  In this passage He is speaking to His chosen people of Israel who He repeatedly sought after and delivered many times from numerous different nations.  It was for the freedom and love of His chosen people that He sacrificed so much, and branded them as "His".  He does the same, today, for anyone who would accept the free gift of salvation offered through the death of Jesus Christ.  In that moment, we become "His" and we are claimed for God.  I read this quote from Max Lucado this morning, "And only a great God does for his children what they can't do for themselves.  God's delight is received upon surrender, not awarded upon conquest."  (Grace for the Moment)  I love that! 

More than any other, I want to be claimed by Christ for God in order to live a life in the security of knowing I am not alone.  When I pass through hardships, I have one carrying me through them because I am His.  When the fire of oppressions threaten, that I have no fear because God has claimed me as His own and He will not allow me to be burned in the process.  When you become His, He will do anything to protect, claim, restore, heal, and utilize you for the calling He has for your life.  Has He claimed you for His own?  If so, rejoice and praise Him!  If not, the invitation remains and He whispers to your heart, "Will you be mine?"

Blessings!

A Cry in the Night

Last night, in the middle of the night, I heard the all too familiar cries of one of my sons. I made the groggy walk across the house to his room and gently placed him on my shoulder. Swaying together to a silent song, he laid his head against my neck and drifted to slumber again. After a few moments, I laid him in his crib and stroked his small hand in mine until the tears subsided. I sat on the floor next to his crib as he just seemed to need me "there" and "near" to be his protector.

So, I sat.... and prayed. I prayed for each of my boys- praising Him for their strengths and pleading out for their weaknesses. When the breathing from the crib seemed deeper and more content and my eyelids grew so heavy, I crawled out of the room.

In this process I had the thought..... "My Father God, is this what you do for me?.... Do you sit beside me in the midst of times that I just need you 'there' and 'near'? Do you cradle me in your arms when the need is so great that I must cry desperately to you?"

I know it is what God does for all of His children. He soothes and comforts during those times that we seek after Him and a peace- HIS peace- fills us and we know, as His children, that the Father is near and there for us. We are never alone in trials and challenges and when we need Him closer, He holds us .... isn't it during those most desperate times that we can most clearly hear the heartbeat of who He truly is to us.....

And unlike this Momma, he never grows weary.... He is ALWAYS there and near....

When the Burn Stings

While reaching in the oven this morning, I was met with the painful, sharp sensation of a burn on my wrist. I had inadvertently raised my wrist up too high while pulling out breakfast and bumped the metal rack above. Several thoughts ran through my mind....

"I feel rather silly.... why hadn't I paid more attention? I knew it was hot. I sure don't want to admit to Reagan that I did that...... "

These thoughts were quickly followed by the intense sting of a burn.

I grabbed some of the blue, aloe vera, burn gel from the refrigerator and applied a small amount to the burn. Immediately, the cold gel brought comfort and relief that spread and covered the searing sting.

As I sat nursing my wounds, the thought hit me that we all have been "burned" in ways other than the physical. Burns from broken promises, taunting lies, haunting failures and stabbing words carry every bit as much pain. These burns, too, are followed by an internal argument....

"Why did I trust them? How could I have gone there? I knew better than to believe.... "

Haven't we all been there at some point?

Where does our healing come? It comes from the Lord-the maker of heaven and earth. His healing also brings comfort, relief and long awaited peace- that spreads far within our soul until all discomfort is vanquished. Sometimes His healing is total and complete in one application of His grace and mercy. Sometimes, however, the pain returns as someone inadvertently "bumps" our weakness. His healing balm can be reapplied to our hurts and crushed dreams.... over and over.... as long as it takes to reach the complete healing we need. Just as my physical burn will take repeated applications of gel and time to heal.

I am so thankful for God's complete healing in previous "burns" in my life. I am thankful, too, for His peace and mercy that helps me to extend grace to those who are still in the midst of pain. We are not meant to suffer, but to simply recognize our need for the Great Healer.

Press On

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3: 13-14

This morning, while I was having my morning devotional, I read this scripture. I began to pray, and was thanking God and rejoicing in how I could leave my past behind. I think that most individuals have memories in the past that we are glad to leave behind .... things we shouldn't have said, actions we shouldn't have done, thoughts that should have never entered our mind and so forth. This verse can be liberating when you are plagued with memories of your personal shortcomings.

Then, God brought a thought to mind.....

What about your "trophy" memories? What about all the times you accomplished things in the past? Are you still looking back at all those successes and triumphs and missing what God is calling you to right now?

hmmm....

These are the moments when you find yourself saying....

" I graduated at the top of my class.....",

"I was the star athlete on the ________ team....",

"I won the 'Best Actress' award.....",

" I worked at________ and made quite a living doing that......",

" I won this award while I was at that company....."

It hit me that looking back at my personal accomplishments was still looking back. Now, looking back at all that God has done for us is such an encouragement when we are struggling in a situation. Our memories of how God had provided in previous situations helped us get through the four months that Reagan was off work. I believe that type of looking back/reflection is God honoring. What I felt convicted of today was the looking back at MY accomplishments.... my mental trophies so to speak. If we focus on all that we were back a few years ago, then we aren't giving our best to what God has for us today.

Reagan and I enjoy watching the show, "Good Luck Charlie" on the Disney Channel. This is not a Christian show and at times we have to discuss parts of it with our kids, but there are parts of it that make us laugh till our sides hurt. I think because it often shows human nature at its best and worst. The mother on the show (Amy Duncan) cannot get past her glorious high school days. Often, she reflects back on how incredible her high school experience was; however, in the process she loses so many opportunities to connect and help her kids.

I think this is what God was trying to help me realize today. No matter what happened in the past- whether good or bad- let our focus be on what God wants from me in the present. I don't want to miss opportunities because I was shining old trophies or nursing scars from the past.

Thank you, God, for this day and for these opportunities.....

Take a Drink

I admit it.... I don't really like water. Okay, I love it for hot showers, washing clothes, and cooking, but when it comes to drinking it.... well, it is all I can do to swallow. I simply drink water because I know I need to for my health and because it is free of calories. I have found, however, that if I use some water flavoring with some fruit flavors that I not only drink my water, but I also enjoy it. You are probably thinking to yourself right now.... okay, so? Today has been a hard day for me. Some circumstances of life really had me down and I truly cried out to the Lord saying, "God I don't want this test/trial. We have had our fair share..... I am tired and weary, Lord. Please don't make me deal with this....." Tonight, as I was drinking a glass of water I realized that just as I need the water for my physical body, I also need trials and tests for my spiritual health. I would love to live a life free of stressful, complicated relationships, physical illnesses or disease, financial worries, unending work......but it is through my imperfect world that I come to see my desperate need for a perfect Savior. When life is going smoothly, I don't feel that longing to spend time with Him through the study of His word and in prayer. When my world feels out of control, I need Him as much as the air in my lungs. Just as the water flavoring helps make the water easier to get down, having friends and fellowship with other believers also helps make those times of trial and testing easier, bearable. When you know that others have traveled down the same road you are now traveling or are perhaps joining you on the journey, the trial isn't as bad... sometimes it even becomes a little sweet as bonds are formed and memories made. I will eventually get my trial and pain free existence.... it is called heaven. When I get there, all that I have "suffered" here will be but a distant memory and it will be an incredible time of true worship of the Father. As much as my soul longs for that, I have much more to learn here.... so, I raise my glass and drink....

Where is my pen?

On Saturday night, after a long day, I went to bed and decided to finish up a Bible study that we have been doing with our class at church. As I began working on it, I realized that I couldn't find my pen. I looked in my Bible cover.... nope, not there. Then, I checked in the basket beside our bed... not there either. Hmph! Where did it go? I had looked everywhere it would make sense to find my pen, but it wasn't any of those places. Now, I have more than one pen, but who wants to get out of a nice, comfortable bed if you don't have to? Then, I saw it on the floor next to the bookcase.... why was it there? That was exactly what I needed, but the last place I thought I would find it. How is that like our Lord? Okay, go with me here.....God often gives us exactly what we need, but it may come from unexpected sources. I think He likes to surprise us- either in how He meets our needs or in how He uses us. He often seems to choose people for tasks that simply don't make sense. For example, he choose the youngest of Jesse's sons to become the next king of Israel when there were others far more mature and experienced, but only God knew their hearts. Only God would choose the youngest because he had a heart like His own. David, the child, faces a giant and completes the task that countless grown men were too afraid to attempt. Why? He was God's chosen. How about Rahab? She didn't have the best background, but when God needed someone to protect and aid his spies in Jericho, she risked it all. Why? She was God's chosen. How about Jonah? He didn't want to go and share God's message to Nineveh because He knew God would be merciful, but our Lord pursued him to the point of having him eaten by a fish to get his attention. Why? He was God's chosen. How about Mary? So young and humble that her son, our Messiah, was born in a stable. Why? She was God's chosen. What about Jesus's disciples? Uneducated, not well spoken, and they even smelled a little "fishy", but God used them to spread the precious gospel of our salvation. Why? Because they were God's chosen. How about us? God is calling each of us to something. To be honest, it may not make sense... why me? How can I do that? I am not trained or prepared for that task. BUT, are you God's chosen for that task? If so, take heart my friend, you are a part of a rich tapestry- the "Chosen Unlikely"..... and it is a beautiful weaving because it means that every life has value and meaning- even when it doesn't make sense.

Slingshot in Hand

Superman, Batman, Spiderman.... all great examples of heroes for justice. Too bad they aren't real huh? Our world could use a hero right now.... death, illness, natural disasters, lay offs, pain....

Our church has started a new series based on the Max Lucado book, Outlive Your Life. The thought behind our lessons and sermons has been what if you could live your life in such a way that ripples of of your work would continue to change others long after you have passed away. This has really challenged me, personally, to think about my life. Am I living that way? Would there be an ongoing wave of change that would affect change for decades after my death? Hard questions, huh?

How about these questions:

Had you been a German Christian during World War II, would you have taken a stand against Hitler?

Had you lived during the Civil Rights movement in the South, would you have taken a stand against racism?

When your grandchildren discover that you lived in a day in which 3 billion people were desperately poor and 1 billion were hungry, how will they judge your response?

Hard questions. Maybe even harder answers.

In the security of my home or the comfort of my close Christian friends, it is easy to believe that I would have the courage of David to pick up the stones and slingshot.... that I would walk out to face the giant. However, in the reality of this world my hand trembles when the slingshot is in hand and I am fearful. Afraid. Overwhelmed.

Living a life that affects change beyond ourselves requires much.... much time, much energy, much sacrifice and much humbling. What it requires most is the Father and His gift to us, the Holy Spirit. Alone, we can't live beyond our flawed bodies and personalities, but in His hands we can become so much more. God reminded me of all the events I couldn't make it through.... I could never bear to have a child with a major health issue..... but I have. I could never make it through a lay off.... but we did. I could never go through a three year trial selling our first home... but we did. Not me, but Christ who is within me.

Lord, steady my hand when I hold Your slingshot in this world. Make me faithful to You Father and let me live in such a way that ripples will flow for generations. I want to be Your change, Father, and I ask you to relieve me of my fear and plant each of my steps on firm ground.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y

The Stink Has Left the Building.....

Yesterday, I began to notice an unpleasant scent in our home. At first, it was simply a whiff I would catch here and there, but it slowly grew to be more of an issue. I put on my "detective cap" and began to search and see what might be emitting such a foul odor. Unfortunately, in our home there are several areas where I can look for a distasteful scent..... I mean, it's no secret that I have 3 sons and that boys are not always the best when it comes to...um....cleanliness. Plus, I have a one year old that still uses diapers, but I could not find the culprit. First, I took out the trash, but the scent was still there. Then, I discovered an overly aged block of cheddar cheese in the refrigerator- which I had finally narrowed the trail down to. So, I disposed of the cheese but that wasn't it either! Ugh!! Then, I opened a container of some previously yummy, cooked pinto beans..... but, however, they were no longer yummy.... honestly, they were downright offensive!

You are probably wondering why I would share this with you all..... I mean, what kind of person shares that kind of refrigerator secrets?

Crazy as this may sound, the Lord really used that experience today to show me something about my own life. See, right now my life is full of hecticness.... (is that a word???) I am constantly working on something for the house, cleaning the house, working on church stuff, preparing home school materials, or preparing for the class I teach at our home school co-op. The problem is that sometimes this life of busy-ness starts to get a little "stinky". It's just that when we get so busy with life and all of its issues, we often struggle with finding the time to stop and be still before our Lord. Our schedule gets so full that we can't hardly find where the stink is coming from and what it is that we need to get rid of...... just like my stinky refrigerator today. I looked and had to figure out what needed to go..... it's not that the cheese or the beans started bad- on the contrary they were both good and satisfying at first. However, over time, they became less appealing and satisfying- actually, they became downright disgusting.

I realized that it may be time for me to do some scent checking in my own life and really determine what needs to stay and what needs to go in my world. I have come to see that, too often, my self value is often equated by how busy and productive I am..... this is WRONG!!! My value does not lie in what I accomplish each day on my "to do" list..... it is in CHRIST and Him alone. Did I spend time with Him today? Did I learn more of Him today? I actually think the evil one uses our busy-ness to keep us from being all that we can be in Christ....

So, is there an odor in your house today?