Thankful Thursday

* homemade key lime pie in the freezer

* clothes on the line

* two kids quietly down for naps

* my littlest brother's 18th birthday today--how did that happen?

* queen anne's lace and honeysuckle

* cool relief coming back into the house

* steam-cleaning my own carpet for free

* 1-hour massage gift certificate to use this month (thanks to my super-generous-ever-thoughtful mom)

* prayers for sweet friends answered... again... and again!

* a day of life in Him *

Walking Naked

I'm sure the title captured your attention. No, this post is not about nudists or immodest dress, but rather, a condition of the spirit--letting your soul run naked.

If you grew up in my household, Ephesians 6:13-17 would be familiar text to you. Although we weren't raised Pentecostal, we were taught that the battle was not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. We were told to "take every thought captive."

"Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. " (Eph. 6:24-18 Message)

None of us would ever (I hope) consider walking out of the house without clothes on, but how many of us actually consider our thoughts? When I get up in the morning, am I clothing myself with truth or lies? Am I making choices out of faith or fear? Do I walk in righteousness or deceit? Often times, the answers to these questions falls in the negative.

Recently, I've been more convicted about my thought life--not that it's awful, but rather that's it's devoid of edification. I've requested the accountability and partnership of my brother and together we're planning to memorize James in a year. I'm excited about the layer of armor those verses are going to cover over me.

I'd also encourage you to keep "your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" (vs. 15).

Tragedy vs. Comedy

The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.
Mark Twain

Sadly, for some people laughter is the lost art, replaced with a self-pity that absorbs any attempts at humor. Experiencing loss, frustration, disappointment, and heartache, they say, "What's there to laugh at?" Life is an epic tragedy. But the beauty of the traditional tragedy is that it often ends with victory; the protagonist overcomes in the end, having endured great trials.

As Christians, we know that life ends with life! Death hold no sting and the grave has been conquered. In light of our eternal perspective, we can laugh, we can rejoice, we can find humor in life's upsets. Perhaps--just speculating here--that's why Jesus could laugh when others could not. After all, he/she isn't really dead, but merely sleeping.

Today, make every effort to hold onto an eternal perspective. We have overcome and these momentary troubles are but flickering shadows.

Tuesday Trip--Simple Pleasure

Yesterday I had the privilege to see my daughter "discover" fruit origins. Up to that point, she thought blueberries--and all other fruits--came directly from the store. My parents and I took the kids down to Persimmon Hill Farms to load up on the sweet little blue orbs. Although the day sweltered and bugs swarmed, that little picker never complained but meticulously plucked the blue ones, leaving the green berries behind. Of course, she probably ate more than she picked. What a joy to watch her experience something new.

There's something fully satisfying about the simple task of picking fruit--a reminder of God's creative provision for his children. After all, he could have given us one or two fruits on trees, but he gave us a vast selection to enjoy.

Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other's good, and melt at other's woe.
Homer

Covered

“…there is nothing you can want, there is nothing you can ask for,

there is nothing you can need in time or in eternity,

there is nothing living, nothing dying,

there is nothing in this world, nothing in the next world,

there is nothing now, nothing at the resurrection-morning,

nothing in heaven

which is not contained in this text —

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

~Charles Spurgeon

Overwhelmed

An hour ago, I had to grit my teeth to keep from pulling out my hair. Anyone that has kids knows how quickly mayhem can erupt in a house. Let me pull you into the scene.

My baby was screaming, inconsolable, my daughter had soap everywhere and had just dumped a load in her diaper, chicken on the stove was threatening to burn, and my own body told me I had better quit putting off that bathroom break if I wanted to make it in time. When every child demands attention and your tasks multiple with urgency, becoming overwhelmed seems inevitable.

But you can't just stand there in indecision. You have to start somewhere, and gradually the fires are put out... even if you do burn your fingers in a few spots.

When the chaos calmed, I ambled back to the kitchen, my bladder relieved, my son asleep, my daughter playing quietly in her room (that hardly ever happens, by the way), and my meal saved from ruination. And as I stirred meat, I rested in the fact that God doesn't get overwhelmed--ever. It's hard for my finite mind to grasp, but it's true nonetheless.

Psalms 121:4 reminds us that God never sleeps; He is always watching over us.

Our God is an everlasting rock (Isaiah 26:4)

All power belongs to Him(Ps. 62:11)

He is mighty to save. (Zeph. 3:17)

I'm so thankful that my God is in control. He knows how to calm the storm, but he also knows what's best for me--and sometimes that means letting the storm rage on.

But I'm thankful for moments of craziness that remind me:

Of my weakness

my dependence

my God.

What is Better

James 3:17

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,

reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Although my heart is often diseased with anger, impatience, and criticism, I am learning to lesson my expectations for others and myself--not in an-I'm-all-I-need-to-be-way, but in a seeking God's mercy kind of way. I know his grace over my inadequacy encompasses more than I can digest. I know--inward cringe--my to-do list will never be done, my children will never be perfect, my husband will never meet all my needs (thank you, God, that you don't allow for that to take place), my mouth will speak unkind, harsh, and judgmental words.

But...

I know that when I seek the Lord and His Spirit in my heart,

His grace always rises

and His mercy pours like warm water over my soul.

And my life...

my beautiful, misshaped, wavering life,

is a blessed gift

FULL

of good fruits.

And He never ceases to make the fruit grow, whether the season is bitter cold and oppressing, or sunny and calm, all is for the glory of God and the good of my spirit.

I'm no hypocrite.

I hate winter.

I hate drought.

I hate numerous overcast days.

But God create those days as well as the others.

And I want to open my hands to them in thanks.
For he wants to place gifts into them.

Good.

How ironic sometimes the good we see as good and the good we see as bad.

And then of course, there are those times when we refuse to trust Him, to accept what we can't yet see or understand.

Sometimes I pray for good, ask for good,

and He says, "No, but I have something better for you."

Better?

How could it be better?

I know what's best...

don't I?

On the way to Florida last month, after several hours of driving, yearning, longing to get out of the confines of the van and enjoy the family vacation we'd been anticipating, Aaron and I told Maddie that we were almost there. Having no recollection of the beach, since she was only 9 months when we last vacationed there, we told her what fun it would be. She only had our word to trust, for her own experiences couldn't testify to the truth. After a few minutes she declared that she wanted to go to the park and play on the slides (closest to fun that she knows). We told her "no, we weren't going to the park, sorry, but we promised that where we were taking her was so much better." She had to endure another hour or so in the van, but finally we made it. And she received... with surprise, excitement, and we were so fulfilled seeing that joy bubble up in her.

What...God, are you telling me to wait on?

To trust you?

To see that something better is in your hands if I'll just follow you?

Oh, how I long to walk on the beach with you, Father.

To be close to all that is good.

To hold onto You.

I want to receive what is better.

Oh Fair Summertime

Thursday Thankfulness:

~sunshine cascading through broad oak leaves

~gentle breezes tickling grass and waving flowers

~water running into the bathtub

~the smell of fresh-picked strawberries

~sandboxes, slides, and plastic pools

~siblings laughing and not fighting with one another

~eggrolls and Jasmine rice

~work

~rest

~a deep sigh