When You Just Can't Get Alone

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

³² So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. ³³ But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”

37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”

-Matthew 6:31-37

Jesus knew the value of spending time alone with God.  It was how He drew strength from His Father.  He was as human as his disciples, and He knew they all needed a break.  They needed to be able to go off by themselves to a quiet place to rest.  

Photo by Scott Liddel

It sounds like Jesus would be able to relate to all the mommies of young children who are probably begging for the same thing.  We just need to be able to go off by ourselves for some quiet alone-time once in a while.  We need to get alone with God and draw strength from our Father.  I usually try to do this in the morning when my kids are still asleep.  I purposely get up an hour earlier than what I “have to” just to spend time alone with God.  It is truly what gets me through my day.  It fills me with the strength and joy of the Lord. 

One morning I was feeling especially exhausted.  I was desperate for some time alone with a cup of coffee and my Bible.  Just as I sat down and started reading the Word I was interrupted by a cry from the bedroom.  I glanced up at the clock.  “Seriously? Already?”  I thought begrudgingly.  Then I remembered this passage.  I had a choice: I could be frustrated with my kids for not allowing me to have this time with God, or I could do what Jesus did and have compassion on them.  

Jesus knew well what it was like to never get a second to Himself.  He understood what it was like to not even have a second to eat.  He and his disciples were surely desperate for some time alone, but when they didn’t get it, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people.  So that’s what they did.  They put their own needs aside and served them.  Actually, it was here that Jesus performed one of his biggest miracles and fed 5,000+ with five loaves of bread and two fish.  Could you imagine if Jesus and his disciples would have been selfish and sent the people away?  Everyone there would have missed out on one of Jesus’ biggest miracles.  After they finished serving the people, they were finally able to be alone.  Jesus then when up the hill and prayed by himself.  

Next time you sit down to a cold dinner plate after taking care of everyone else, remember that Jesus knew the feeling.  When you miss out on the time alone that you are so desperate for, remember this story.  You can send your kids away, put the TV on or hide yourself in the bathroom (yes, I admit, I have done it), or you can call on God and ask for a fishes and loaves kind of miracle with your time and energy.  Don’t miss out on what He can do with the little that we have.  He is the God of miracles. You will get your time alone, but don’t miss out on what God wants to do here and now.  And remember, yes, this role as mom is terribly exhausting, overwhelming and just plain hard, but God has equipped you to give those children of yours exactly what they need.  Keep going, dear sisters.  Keep pouring yourself out.  Keep making your time alone with the Lord your priority, and He will fill you up to overflowing so that you can keep pouring His love out to all those around you.    

Oh Lord, Thank you! Thank you for filling us up and for the daily miracles you provide in our lives.  Father, fill us up to overflowing.  Provide loaves and fishes miracles with our time, our energy, and everything we could possibly give of ourselves.  Thank you that you have chosen each one of us specifically for the children you have gifted us with.  I need you, Lord.  Help me to be the mom you have called me to be.  Strengthen me.  Equip me. Empower me. Guide me.  I love you, my Lord.  Amen.

A Godly Woman's Pursuit

“But you [woman] of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith.”

1 Timothy 6:11-12a

A woman of God has different daily goals to pursue than other women.  We don’t chase after controversy or other worldly things, but we are called to pursue righteousness and godliness.  We are to be intentional about our pursuit of faith, love,  and gentleness, and with all these things we shall endure above any obstacle. 

I have no idea what I might face today.  Controversy may arise, or I may find myself in the midst of a sticky situation.  No matter what today brings, as a woman of God, I am to chase after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  I am called to fight the good fight of faith today, as hard as it may be. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for another day.  I am so blessed by you, Lord.  I have many things on my agenda today and I know it will be a busy day.  I have no idea what obstacles I may face, but please help me keep these instructions at the forefront of my mind and etched in my heart.  By your grace, grant me the strength to live this verse out today and every day, for my main goal is to please you and to bring glory to your name.  I love you, Father.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.    

So You Messed Up...Now What?

"Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces."
                                                                                         -Psalm 34:5

One time when I was a little girl I had the bright idea to go into the bathroom, climb up onto the sink, and stick a bobby pin into the electrical socket. I have no idea what I was thinking. I don't remember my thought process leading up to the poor decision, but I remember clearly what I was thinking afterwards. The numbness that was shooting up my arm and my blackened finger tips told me that I had done a bad thing. I knew that I shouldn't have done it, and I was afraid of what my mom would do or say when she found out. I was hurt, scared and ashamed.

When I went into the living room where my mom was, I held my burnt fingers tight in my clenched fist behind my back and hung my head. I couldn't even look at her. I tried to hide the remnants of my mistake and did my best to avoid interaction with her, knowing that one look and she would know what I had done.

Now looking back I can see that it was my shady behavior that sold me out in an instant. Mom took one look at me and asked what was wrong. Still afraid to look at her I just shook my head.  Finally, I just led her into the bathroom and pointed to the socket.

Of course, she corrected me and reinforced why this was such a bad idea. But then, like any loving mother would do, she took care of me.   She reassured me that I was still loved even though I had made a bad choice, and she fixed the boo-boo that my mistake had caused.

As adults we can do the same.  We make poor choices and afterwards we see the repercussions and know without a doubt we made the wrong choice. We hang our heads in shame and approach God the same way I approached my mom, afraid to look at Him or even interact with Him because we know He will take one look at us and see what we have done. But the Bible says that those to look to Him for help will be radiant with joy, no shadow of shame will cover their faces. We don't have to hang our heads in shame. We can look to God for help.  He will help us fix our boo-boo, remind us that we are still loved, and the look of radiant joy will return to our once shame-shadowed faces again.

Maybe today you are trying to sort through the repercussions of a poor choice. Perhaps you find yourself walking around with your head hung in shame, avoiding God because of what He might think, say, or do.  Or maybe, after hiding from Him for so long you find your self going back and sticking your finger in that same nasty socket. If any of these describe you, can I first of all tell you, I have been there?  Oh, have I been there. But can I also tell you that you can't overcome it without Him? Jesus paid the price for that sin you are hiding there behind your back. And the truth is, He knows exactly what it is you are hiding. Just show Him. Look to Him for help and He will help you.   Let your Loving  Father fix you up and remind you that you are  loved. Oh how loved you are!

He Makes Everything Beautiful

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace…

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Hello Friends! I’m sorry it’s been a while since my last blog post.  My husband and I had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas for a friend’s wedding in mid-May, and upon our return, life hit us head on like a bug on a windshield.  The week following our return from Las Vegas, my husband’s grandmother took a turn for the worse and went home to be with Jesus.  Life was flipped upside down on us for a few weeks.  In one week we walked through the loss of our beloved Grandma Ruth, and we attended another funeral in addition to hers as well as a wedding, a graduation, and hosted a graduation party at our house for my little sister.  The following week didn’t get any easier.  Both of my little ones caught colds and I went through a surgery.  My head is still spinning from the emotional roller coaster ride we have been on, but one thing is for sure, there is a lot to learn in times like this. 

I have always loved this passage from Ecclesiastes.  We know that there are seasons in life, and God makes each one beautiful in its own time.  What I failed to remember is that we can walk through nearly all of these seasons in a week’s time.  Sometimes life just seems to hit us all at once and we find ourselves on a ride that won’t stop and won’t let up.  We keep trying to tap out but the punches just keep coming.  Life is just flat out hard sometimes, right?  But there is a secret to finding joy in the midst of the chaos, and I believe the secret is found in verse 11 above.  God has made everything beautiful in its time, so the secret to a joyful life is learning to see God’s beauty in it all.

 

The death of my husband’s grandmother was not an easy thing to walk through, especially as we watched her suffer during her last hours of life.  Yet, there was beauty to be found in the midst of our pain and heart ache.  For instance, watching Grandpa Carl, Grandma’s husband of 62 years, hold her hand and tell her that it was okay for her to go home and be with Jesus and her parents was a beautiful thing.  The look of passion and sincere love in his eyes after 62 years of marriage displayed an even deeper beauty than the look of love in our friend’s eyes as he watched his bride walk down the aisle toward him just a week prior.  Having the opportunity to be with Grandma during her last moments of life and to pray with her and encourage her was another beautiful moment.  After Grandma passed we huddled together as a family and had many moments where we were crying one second, and laughing the next.  Even in the worst of times, when we open our eyes and lift them to God, we will find Him, and when we find Him we will find beauty. 

So today, whatever season you are walking through, or if life is coming at you like a race car going the wrong direction down a one way street, it is my prayer that you will see God’s beauty in it all.  May your eyes be opened to the beauty in each moment, and may you see God in fresh new ways each step of the way. 

Heavenly Father, today we just pause and thank you that you make all things beautiful in their time.  Please help us to see you in whatever we are walking through today, Lord.  Whether we are mourning or dancing, laughing or weeping, or all of the above, would you open our eyes to the beauty you have set before us.  We love you, Lord.  Please bless this day, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

Faithful to Bring the Victory

“‘Do not be afraid of them,’ the LORD said to Joshua, ‘for I have given you the victory over them.  Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.’”

Joshua 10:8

“‘Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,’ Joshua told his men.  ‘Be strong and courageous, for the LORD is going to do this to all of your enemies.’”

Joshua 10:26

Joshua and his men had gone through battle after battle and won them all.  With each battle they took possession of more of the land God had promised to give them.  God continued to encourage them, telling that that He has given them the victory.  Notice that God says that in past tense.  The victory has already been given to them.  How cool is that?!  Joshua was able to continue to spur his men on because He had the unwavering faith that God was going to do this with ALL of their enemies.  The Israelites were able to continue moving forward, strong and courageous, because of God’s great faithfulness in every single one of their battles.  I love this! I imagine that with each passing battle, with each victory, their faith and confidence in the Lord grew stronger and stronger.

The same is true for you and for me in the battles we are facing.  This speaks directly to my fear.  I do not have to be afraid or discouraged because God has promised that the victory is mine.  I know He is fighting my battles and will do this with all of my enemies.  And with each passing battle, I can stand with greater confidence as I see the faithfulness of my God. 

Yesterday marked one year since one of the worst days of my life.  On May 5, 2013 my baby had a close encounter with death.  As I mentioned in my post last week, for two weeks following May 5^th I watched my little girl fight for her life in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  I am going to be completely honest with you and tell you that I have been dreading May 5^th for the past few weeks.  I was afraid that it was going to stir up all of those fears that I have been working so hard to keep under control.  So I guess you could say I was afraid of fear.  I was afraid that my mind was going to try to relive what happened on last May 5th, and all those terrible memories and fears would sweep over me again.  Can anyone else relate to this with an anniversary of a tragic event in your life?  Please tell me I’m not alone here. The one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing was just a few weeks ago and I imagined that the victims and family members of those directly affected were facing the same kinds of emotions. 

In preparation of this approaching anniversary I tried to remind myself to take every thought captive and focus on God’s faithfulness in that battle.  Instead of focusing on all the horrific things I saw that day, I tried to pay more mind to the miraculous things I saw.  Today, I can happily report that yesterday was a great day.  I took my crazies shopping last night with my best friend.  My youngest, now 15 months old, ran around the department store like a hooligan, and as I chased her around I could imagine the smile on God’s face as He whispered, “Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged.  I have given you the victory and I am going to do this with all of your enemies.” 

I need to stop right here and talk to the person reading this who has walked through a battle that seemed like a defeat, because if we are honest, not every battle we go through feels like a victory.  The marriage ends, the loved one doesn’t make it, there are casualties, or the prayer isn’t answered the way we expected.  If this is you, my heart goes out to you.  I have been through battles that seem more like a defeat than a victory.  And I want to pray for you right here and now that God will show you the victory as you see yourself as an over-comer standing strong in this place of deep heart ache.  I pray that God will show you more of His faithfulness than the horrific things that you have witnessed, and that one day when you look back on your anniversary, you will see that what the enemy intended for evil, God used for good.  You are not alone dear one, and the victory is still yours because you belong to the Mighty Warrior who fights for us.

Lord my God, Thank you for the victory you have brought to every one of my battles.  You are so faithful.  Help me to see you in the midst of my battles, Lord, and show me your faithfulness even when my eyes of my heart are clouded with pain.  Thank you!  Thank you for your faithful promises.  As I cling tight to them, make me strong and courageous.  Continue to fight for me, my Faithful Warrior.  I love you, Amen.

Consumed by God

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

-Isaiah 43:2

“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

-Lamentations 3:22

As May approaches, I have a lot of feelings and fears that are bubbling to the surface of my heart.  These are fears and emotions that I thought I had smothered out.  I stuffed them way down and hoped to never see them again. Ha! You see, last May, I almost lost my 3 month old baby to pneumonia.  For two weeks I watched my tiny, helpless little girl fight for her life in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  For eight days she was unconscious and was only able to breathe with the help of a ventilator.   Once we got her home I just wanted to celebrate the miracle that God had done in our lives.  Later on, some of the emotions I was still carrying had to be dealt with, while the rest got shoved down further in my pile of “I’ll get to you later junk.” 

Over the past few days I have been making my way through that pile of “I’ll get to you laters.”  As I have worked my way through, there is one theme that God seems to be speaking to my heart.  Last May, we walked through fire. But we were not consumed.  Because of the Lord’s great love, we were not consumed.  Hebrews 12:19 says that “our God is a consuming fire.”   That stood out to me today.  I am praying for some people walking through some really tough circumstances:  worrisome tumors, cancer, kids with cancer, tornadoes, deaths of loved ones due to these tornadoes that are sweeping the nation, lost homes.  These circumstances are devastating.  They seem like a consuming fire, yet scripture tells us that our circumstances will not consume us.  Our God is our consuming fire. 

What is a consuming fire?  Let’s break it down a bit further.  A fire is something that gives light.  It can also be defined as a destructive burning.  Consuming is an adjective that means to be strongly felt.  I bet a lot of you liked where I was going with God being the light that is strongly felt, but were you tempted to jump ship when I mentioned the destructive burning?  Stay with me. Yes, God is the light in our darkness.  He is the consuming light in our darkness that heats us up and lights our way.  But He’s also the destructive burning that burns away the parts of us that need to go, like the refiner’s fire.  He will use our circumstances to mold us into who He wants us to become.  Just like a goldsmith will melt down gold and mold it back up into a masterpiece, God can melt us down and build us back up into His masterpiece.  Knowing that last May, I walked through fire but was not consumed is a truth that will help set me free from the fears that still linger.  Furthermore, seeing how God, my consuming fire, used last May to melt away the parts of me that needed to go and molded me into a stronger woman of God is like healing balm to a burn.    

Father God, Consume me.  I want to feel you with me, Lord.  Light my way, bring heat to my cold, shivering heart.  Clear away the parts of me that need to go.  Lord, I need you.  I cry out to you, my Consuming Fire.  I love you, Amen.