When More is Too Much and Prayer is Hard

www.kens5.com

"Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief." Psalm 143:1 NIV

He pitched a tent and spent a sleepless night beside his crumbled home protecting what little earthly possessions remained. In early morning light while he awaits help to gather his things and leave town, a single reporter asks him, "What's next?" He simply and emphatically answers, "pray."

I feel helpless watching images of ravaged homes piled high like pick-up-sticks and listening to reports of school children still missing or worse. Reports tell of parents calling out their children's names into the night in Moore, Oklahoma. I swallow back tears from fresh December memories of our own Newtown tragedy and wonder how much more can we handle. More storms. More tragedy. More loss. More.

What do you do when more is too much?

My family's experienced its own personal crises this year; losses that left our earthly possessions in tact but splintered our hearts. Our losses happened too close together, scrambled my thoughts and my words. Getting it all down on paper seems harder these days because I think, "who wants to drink up my grief when the world's got plenty more to offer?" So I close the page and surf Facebook in search of some joy, knowing full well I won't find it there, but it's easier than praying right then.

Bored from re-reading all the same posts, I sit and jot down my thoughts - like this blog is my form of prayer. There's nothing more I can do but cry out, "Mercy! No more, dear God. Mercy, please." And God reminds me of Paul's words in Romans:

"...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Romans 5:3-4 NIV

Perseverance. Character. Hope. All qualities that separate thrivers from survivors - qualities that only come through suffering and loss.

And our hope? While we stand amidst our splintered lives - God is faithful and righteous and provides relief. First, he sent his one and only son, Jesus who died for us, becoming our Way of adoption into God's family. And through his resurrection, our hope of life eternal is fulfilled. Second, he sent us one another to help carry us through tough times.

Even while I finish these last few lines, my phone rings. A dear friend smiles on the other end of the phone and simply speaks encouraging words. My lips curl up and my heart feels just a bit lighter than before. I breathe a prayer, thankful that relief came in such a loving package. Thank-you, Lord.

When life is hard, when more is too much and you've found prayer hard, how has God shown his mercy and faithfulness to you?

Remembrances

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

I slipped a pussy willow sprig from her funeral basket and whispered my plans in our granddaughter's ear. "We'll plant it soon, in remembrance of Mammie."

So, I set that brown twig with soft-as-a-kitten buds in a bottle of water near a sunny kitchen window and prayed it grow roots. Buds continued erupting from the base of that brown stick to the top as it simply sat and drank.

Every time our granddaughter visited over the next few weeks we talked about that pussy willow branch - touched the soft buds, looked for roots, and remembered Mammie in heaven. And, every day I washed the dishes it caught my eye and I'd remember Mammie - giving thanks for the godly daughter she raised for my son and the times we celebrated our grandchildren together.

Soon, all the buds dropped and scattered across the kitchen counter leaving a lifeless looking branch. But, I still hoped and let it sit and soak - scheming to buy one at the garden store if this poor branch never rooted because I promised we'd plant our Mammie bush.

Roots appeared just in time for Mother's Day!

 

 We planted them in fertile soil...

 

...poured living water all around...

 

...and remembered Mammie.

Just like this branch, when we sit and soak and drink in God's presence - our Living Water - we grow and bear much fruit.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

Mammie planted her feet deep near the stream of Living Water, Jesus Christ. She never feared the heat or drought and the standing-room-only attendance at her memorial service testified to her fruit bearing life.

Now as summer approaches and the grandchildren we shared play in the shadow of this bush, we'll stop and give thanks for every remembrance of her.

What are some ways you help your children or grandchildren remember loved ones who've passed?

(Please stop by Christian Children's Authors blog today).

Once a Mama, Always a Mama

"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother..." John 19:25a (NIV)

We spend our youth raising children - cuddling babies, changing diapers, kissing scraped-up knees, schooling them and guarding them - equipping them for a successful launch. They outgrow their clothes, their shoes, their toys, our lap right before our very eyes. Then just when we catch a glimpse of who they are - how God created them - they fly away. And our mama's heart keeps right on loving - ever stronger, never shrinking.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Our empty nest offers  us time and freedom, but every idle moment we cover our children with prayer. And, when they face the hard times - take up their cross and bear the pain - we stand near, wishing we could bear their cross instead. Experience tells us, though, that bearing their own cross draws God closer and grows their  own faith. So, we watch and pray - even cry out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Jesus had a mama just like us. Mary raised him - cuddled, kissed, schooled, and guarded him - equipped him for a successful launch. She knew he was created for great things - the Messiah for her people, the world - and yet, he was her child; the one whose scraped knees she kissed and whose toddler hands held hers before he could walk. Then, just when Mary caught a glimpse of who he was - who God created him to be - he flew the nest. And her mama's heart kept right on loving - ever stronger.

Once a mama, always a mama.

It broke her heart when he took up his cross, but she stood near and watched her son bear the world's sin. And, like every mama, I suppose she cried out, "God spare my son. Let me bear his cross." But she knew she couldn't. So, she watched and prayed - even cried out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

And Jesus saw her standing nearby with his dearest friend, John, and said, " 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'here is your mother.' And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home," (John 19:26-27 NIV).

Once a mama, always a mama.

Three days later, Mary gathered with John and all the other disciples and witnessed the miraculous resurrected Jesus - the One whom she birthed and raised and launched. Can you imagine the joy she felt as she beheld her risen son eye-to-eye, all shiny and reborn? How reassuring that all her heart pondered throughout the years, all of God's promises and prophesies foretold, held true in Him. What a moment for that mama!

Once a mama, always a mama.

As my children gather around the Sunday dinner table, I sit quietly soaking in their faces, the sound of their voices, and the brilliance of their lives all shiny like newborns. I savor these moments and tuck them inside my heart for quiet mornings in my empty nest when I pause to give thanks for God's faithfulness in their lives. I don't know what their future may bring, but as long as I live, I will always be their mama - always standing nearby, praying and crying out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Happy Mother's Day!

Have you caught a glimpse of who God created your child to be? Won't you take a moment to give thanks for all you can see and can't see as you stand nearby watching God's faithful promises unfold?

Less is More

From PracticalMachinest.com

 ^"Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal." Matthew 6:19 (AMP)

Since I first saw the movie, One True Thing (1998), starring Meryl Streep, William Hunt and Renee Zellwger, I've adopted George's (William Hunt) mantra , "less is more." His wife, Kate (Meryl Streep) disagreed and so did my husband, arguing "more is more," until recently.

We knew there was a lot of stuff scattered throughout his dad's basement workshop and stuffed inside his back yard shed. The harsh winter of 2010 collapsed his garage and exposed his treasured heaps. We blamed the storms for the destruction and clean up, but there were no excuses for touching anything else. So, we didn't until he passed.

This weekend, between the basement and shed, we hauled off four truck loads of Dad's treasures to the dump discovering a handful of valuable or nostalgic pieces that caused us to pause. But mostly, we scratched our heads wondering what possessed him to accumulate so much stuff. Maybe it was the result of growing up lacking and never wanting to feel that emptiness again.

It wasn't the first time I've filtered through another person's earthly possessions and witnessed the liquidation of their lifetime savings. In both cases the truth about Jesus' words in Matthew 6:19-20 rang clear:

 "Do not store up treasures on earth...but, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and vermin do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal."

Less is more when we invest our wealth of time, energy, talents and money into those things that last - God's kingdom and our family. The less material treasures, the more room we make to invest in eternal things. The less we accumulate, the more time we gain to invest in people, or as Ellen (Renee Zellweger) said in One True Thing, "The ones who love you; that's what counts."

Exhausted at the end of our second day, we gathered hand-in-hand around the dinner table as Mom said grace. We laughed, shared stories, gave thanks, and enjoyed our loved ones' company. That's what counts.

If someone were to sift through your possessions, what would they say mattered most to you? Is it time to start simplifying to make room for what matters most - God and family - the ones who love you?

Resurrecting An Old Art Form: DIY Flannel Graph Stories

Do you ever wonder what to do with all your children’s mounting Sunday school papers or your old magazines?

Why not use them to create flannel graph stories? It’s a simple and entertaining project sure to diminish your piles of paper and engage your children in a creative form of storytelling.

Hop over to Christian Children's Authors blog with me where I explain this easy, recycling project.

When the Word Whispsers, "Let Go"

Warm winter rain tap, taps against my window. 

Tap tap. Tap tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

Slow, melodic awakenings bid my drowsy mind's attention.

Tap tap. Tap tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

They build, crescendo. 

Tappity tap. Tappity tap. Tappity tap. Tappity tap. Tappity tap. 

And slow.

Tap tap. Tap tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. 

Nature's untimely lullaby. 

Winter disguised as early spring.  

We live within these unpredictable, uncontrollable forces and yet we try to reign them in - east to west, north to south. We study them, predict their next move, realign our lives in hopes they'll give in to our demands. And always, we stand bewildered against nature's ways-powerless and silent.

Then out of nowhere,  a soft zephyr blows - whispers, "Let go."

(Pssst! I'm over here today. Pull on your goloshes and splash through the puddles with me? Click on the highlighted word above and we'll land there together).

Uninhibited Dance

"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets."2 Sam. 6:14-15

The music segued from light jazz to upbeat, jitter bug. It was time to kick off our shoes, let loose and celebrate the Happy Couple. But, who would lead us out onto that dance floor? Not wanting to upstage the bride and groom on their special day, I waited patiently, tapping my toes in time to the beat.

 

Behind me I heard the running feet of my then, 23 month old granddaughter and in an instant she was at the edge of the dance floor, stopped only by the vastness of that great space. She stood there in her pink frilly dress, with a huge smile on her face, clapping her hands and tapping her feet in her sparkly shoes to the beat of the music. Instinctively she knew it was time to dance and she was ready!

(Join the fun at Christian Children's Authors blog today, wont' you?)

For Mammie

Juanita Witham Bardon (left)
June 11, 1958 - March 29, 2013

 

Life surprised us last Thursday - knocked us off our steady feet. Our world came to a screeching halt and our hearts cracked right in two.

 

The woman who bore the sweetest daughter-in-law, the one my grandchildren called Mammie, suddenly left this world and entered Heaven's gates.

 

We know she's in a better place - dancing, singing, shouting praises to her King - but we are left behind gathering all our brokenness and missing her loving embrace. It seems too soon. We want one more hug, another spoken "I love you," to hear her contagious giggle and to look into her sparkling blue eyes.

 

Many more have known her longer, but it didn't take long to love her. God melded our families with unconditional love and acceptance in every respect. We loved sharing our children and grandbabies, alike. We were part of the same family where ties were extended, not broken or bound up tight.

 

We miss you, Juanita, more than words can express. While you're praising our Jesus in heaven above, I'll care for our grandbabies and tell of your love. You were best at preserving photographic memories, but I'll try harder to remember "a picture's worth a thousand words" especially to Grandmas with Cameras!

 

 

Grandmas with Cameras
by Sally Dube

Something happens to most mothers

When they are old (but still quite young =)

Their children grow up, marry

And have a daughter or a son!

This baby is the sweetest

That on earth they’d ever seen

Now that Mother has a new name

She’s now “Grandma” her ultimate dream!

She rocks and sings that little one

Her heart filled with so much love

She never knew how blessed she’d be

By this bundle sent from above.

Her camera never leaves her hand

So not to miss that smile

For this baby IS the cutest EVER

So lots of pictures in a short while

Laughing, crying, sleeping, yawning

Making sure to get each look

Rolling, sitting, creeping and crawling

Why her grandchild should be in a book!

Grandmas with cameras are a special breed

Never missing a photo op

With a flash and a snap and a “say cheese”

Their pictures just don"t stop =)

 

What Would You Pray For? Part II

From the archives for Good Friday:

 

"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message."

John 17:20

What will your legacy be?

Maybe a great financial estate, property, antiques, loving words penned by your own hand, or simply a life lived well and happy family memories?

Jesus had no estate, no wife, or children or hefty bank accounts. But his life lived in God's  perfect will and his words penned by those closest to him. These recorded words, including his last prayer, are the most precious legacy anyone could ask for. For through these words, God's free gift of eternal life extends to all generations.

The second part of Jesus' Gethsemane prayer he prays for his disciples: "My prayer is not that you (God) take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Looking ahead, Jesus knew the disciples' lives would need God's protection as they faced persecution on a religious, political and even global extent. And he prayed that God would speak His truth in them through His word, sanctifying them, setting them apart as a holy people. For through these disciples, we today share God's saving grace and the hope of eternal life.

Finally, Jesus prays for us. This absolutely blows my mind until I realize that Jesus is the Word which spoke creation into existence. Then it all makes sense, for he does not think on a finite scale but an infinite one. He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last and so he thinks in terms of eternity. He knows at that moment in Gethsemane, that what he is about to face has global and eternal significance and therefore, reaches beyond his present relationships.

"My prayers are not for them (disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:20-21).

Jesus prays that we may be unified believers amongst ourselves and united as one with the Trinity so that the world...THE WORLD...may believe Jesus as savior and in turn receive the gift of eternal life.

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).

This is Jesus' legacy for his children (those who know God and believe in Jesus whom he sent to earth on our behalf) - these words that call for us not only to spread his message, his story, offer his gift of eternal life through Christ, but to do so in the unity of the Gospel. For no matter how we worship, when we worship, or where we worship-if we believe in the only true God and his Son, Jesus Christ, then we share the same family line. And our inheritance is eternity in God's kingdom, as sons and daughters, heir to his throne.

Jesus, I cannot comprehend all your thoughts, your agony as you prayed that night in Gethsemane. My heart cannot express how grateful, how humbled it is to know that you set aside your own purposes, your own pain for the sake of those you did not yet know, who had yet to be born. May those of us who do know you today not accept the cost of our inheritance into God's kingdom lightly, but seek for unity in the faith that the world may know the only true God and you, dearest Jesus, whom He sent. Amen.

What Would You Pray

Photo Credit: newtestamentgospeldoctrine.blogspot.com

"...he looked toward heaven and prayed..." John 17:1

There's no turning back the clock. Your time on earth is running short and you know it. You've said all your good-byes. What would you pray for?

Not knowing for sure what lies beyond life's veil drives us to hold on as long as possible to the only life we know and the people we love most. Pain sometimes pushes the dying to wish for relief but sadness always accompanies their departure. 

Jesus knew life from both sides-heaven and earth-life with Creator Father and life with the created and he loved both.

(Join me over at {re}fresh today, won't you? Just click here.)

Playing Hide-N-Seek

 

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

Hiding his eyes behind two pudgy hands, my toddler grandson starts counting. “One, two, three, four, five…” His excitement builds and he rushes, “Eight – nine – ten…here I come!” He’s now in hot pursuit of his slightly older sister. Oh, how he thrills in the pursuit. 

He searches all the obvious spots—behind the couch or the chair, under the kitchen table, or behind a closed door—and calls her by name. Barely unable to contain her giggles, his sister stays hidden until she just can’t stand it anymore and yells, “I’m here! I’m here!” And willingly, she becomes the pursuer. 

We still play Hide-N-Seek—you and I—only it’s not as obvious.

 

(Pssst...You'll find me playing over at 7 Days Time today. Join us, wont' you?)

Supernaturally Natural in Every Way

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3

She gripped her pencil with ease and started drawing. Her simplistic artistry shone far beyond her little eighteen months with skills even a four-year-old had difficulty mastering. We watched in awe as she naturally held the pencil correctly and formed circles, drew detailed facial features like eye lashes and fully clothed bodies with buttons and shoes. Certainly, her artistic abilities and her knack for details were God-given. 

Now a preschooler, she recently joined me on the set of Penn’s Pals where the author asked if anyone was an artist or thought they’d like to be an artist when they grow up. When she didn’t raise her hand I clarified, “Artists are people who like to draw, paint, color, or make things.” She appeared conflicted, half heartedly raising her hand, so I encouraged her. “Yes, you are an artist.”

“No, I’m not an artist! I gonna be a mommy when I grow up,” she replied with great determination and confidence.  

Although naturally artistic, her heart’s desire rang loud and clear. And her response made me ponder. If God set our purpose in motion from the very beginning—if he knit our DNA together inside our mother’s womb (Psalm 139: 13-16)—then shouldn’t our deepest desire naturally align itself with God’s will for us?  

(Psssst...I'm sharing the rest of the story over at Christian Children's Authors blog today. C'mon, kick your feet up for another minute and enjoy that hot cup o' coffee with me, won't you? Just click here).

 

From Discipline to Hunger

 

"He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:9

Hungry seagulls surrounded us as we tossed their feast upon the sea drenched sand. They fought and stumbled over every crumb, as though they hadn't eaten in days. The smartest - the ones  most disciplined and with the keenest eyes - caught the choicest bits in mid air.

My husband, Peter,  taunted one such hungry bird. Holding out a crusty morsel, the smart gull locked his gaze, waiting the bread's release. With every rise and fall of Peter's hand, the bird jumped and landed...jumped and landed...jumped and landed; his gaze and purpose ever fixed on that bread.

Over Lent, we've instilled three new disciplines: healthy eating, regular exercise, and praying together.

Why these? If this were a VLOG post (video blog), the first two would be obvious. Winter in New England + over 50 + office job creates a sedentary lifestyle. The prayer discipline comes from seeing our deperate world and knowing it's time to pray together,"God's Kingdom, come."

Why now? We chose Lent (40 days) as our starting point because (1) human behavior proves it takes thirty days to change old habits into new disciplines and (2) led by the Holy Spirit, Jesus endured a forty day wilderness fast in preparation for his earthly ministry. Both my husband and I feel God's moving us forward.

We sat outside a seaside church Sunday morning, gazing up at a steeple-perching seagull. I smiled, recalling the silly seagull-feeding antics of the previous day and I heard God whisper, "Move from discipline to hunger. Hunger for Jesus more than food, more than prayer or reading My Word. Hunger for Me."

Jesus, our choicest morsel - the Bread of Life - broken for me and you. His outstretched arms freely offer up grace and extend to us, life everlasting, but more than that, He offers us an intimate, satisfying relationship with our Creator - God himself.

What disciplines help you to hunger more for of God's presence?

7 Things We Learn When Kids Say No to God

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

His defiant teen aged hands gripped the mattress seam as I attempted to pull him out of bed one Sunday morning. His strength now surpassed my mama strength and I was quickly losing the battle. But it was more than just a war of the wills between a teenage boy who stayed up too late on a Saturday night and his church-goin' mama; it was a battle for his heart.

While he questioned God - His very existence - I thought I was losing him. His questioning caught me off guard and sent my head searching for all those right words that quickly disappeared behind mama-grief. As a parent, torn between guilt and anger, I felt betrayed by God.


(Although this was a recent post, I'm sharing this over at Christian Childrens Author's blog today in obedience to God's prodding; as though someone needs encouragement in this area).

Blessings,
Dawn

Putting On the New You

 

"...put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:24

The new spring fashions appear in the post-Christmas catalog and I order a few things to spruce up my wardrobe. When the box arrives ten days later in early February, I can't wait to open it. What better way to warm a girl's heart in the middle of winter than opening a box of spring?

I handle each pastel piece and it feels odd - almost weightless - in my hands. After  months covered in layered wools and darker hues I'd forgotten the freedom and joy spring brings with it's thinner cottons, pastel rainbows and, oh yes, bare skin. Not much to hide under come spring. It's time to shape up and shed some of my old self.

So, I start counting calories, consciously prepare lighter, healthier meals, stay hydrated, and start walking.

As I start sculpting my new shape, God pricks my heart and asks, "What about the INSIDE?"

"What ABOUT the inside?" I ask.

God leads me to Ephesians 4 and 5 (Whew! I'm outta Jeremiah!). Here, Paul encourages us to shed our former God-less selves and put on our new God-filled selves. Just like shedding a few pounds takes a conscious decision to make healthier choices, so too with putting on our new, God-filled selves.

"You were taught...to put off your old self...; to be made new in the attitude of your minds..." Ephesians 4:22-23a

We put on our new self by reshaping our thinking to be like God's. How do we do this? Paul explains this in Ephesians 5: 15-21:

• Live wisely - make the most of each day (vv.15-16)
• Understand the Lord's will - seek it, find it, walk in it (v.17)
• Be filled with the Holy Spirit - empowered, confident, bold (v. 18)
• Encourage one another in word and song (v. 19)
• Worship God - in song, in word, in your heart (v. 19)
• Give thanks - to God for everything all the time (v. 20)
• Submit to one another - not one is esteemed more than the other; honor each other's uniqueness and gifts. (v. 21)

These disciplines seem rather haughty and unreachable, don't they? Just about as unreachable as our goal weight, sometimes. And I suppose, in our own strength they are. Jesus agreed, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26).

Couple our desire to resculpt our attitudes, our minds, our bodies,  and our habits with the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus, and it's achievable. We're free and we're unstoppable! We. Are. Made. New.

Are you ready to shed the old and put on the new you? I know I am.

Father, we know all things are possible with you. Help us to renew our minds by seeking YOU first and foremost in our daily lives. Empower us with your Holy Spirit to know and live out your will for our lives; to reflect who you are and put on our new selves in Christ. Surround us with those who will encourage us and walk alongside us. Amen.

Nurturing God's Kingdom Purpose in Our Children

 

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Luke 2:52

One of the most terrifying experiences was placing my daughter on a plane with strangers heading twenty-four hours due east across the Atlantic to Uganda. Luckily for her, the organizer limited parental good-byes to the church parking lot where I choked-back fears and tearful sobs as they boarded the van to JFK.  

She'd been born for this—appointed in my womb for this day—I knew it full well. She was the girl who befriended the needy since kindergarten; the one who shared the gospel during childhood sleepovers; the young teen who announced after two weeks of summer camp that she was heading to Uganda. And yet, pondering these things like Mary mothered Jesus, I didn’t quite understand. 

God appoints all of us to a specific purpose - one that usually corresponds to our heart's deepest desire - in order to advance His kingdom on earth.

So, as parents, how do we recognize and nurture God’s call in our children’s lives?

*** Please join me at the Christian Children's Authors blog for some good pointers. And, when you're done, please share with us, what God's doing in your children's lives. How do you nurture that? Does it empower you to come alongside them or does it frighten you? ***

When God Signs His Name

Dusk settles in glorious shades of pinks and yellows across the western sky; God's signature that writes hope on our hearts for one more day.

That's all we need, isn't it? Hope for just one more day? For if we try and gather hope for all the days ahead, our minds twist the truth until fear replaces hope. And where fear rests, doubt rises - doubt in who we are, where we're headed and what we're called to do.

Fear + Doubt = The Perfect Storm

It's been a long week digging out from under three feet of snow and an even longer two weeks clawing my way through The Perfect Storm where fear and doubt demand my attention; where the weeds have grown up alongside my God-sown dream until I'm unsure of the very call on my heart - that call to write and encourage hearts.

We round the corner towards home and God signs his name to the brilliant landscape before us. Our eyes behold His handiwork and we turn towards one another with knowing smiles. No matter how battered we are from the storm, there's hope for one more day. And where there's hope our faith grows, knowing God goes before us.

Hope + Faith = Victory Over the Storm.

I tuck hope inside my heart and quietly settle and lean in close listening for God's whispers. He meets me with silence, so I ask, "God, do I have it right? Have I misunderstood you all these years? Am I off course?"

And immediately He brings to mind the words he gave me this summer from Jeremiah 1:18 & 19 (The Message):

"Stand at attention while I prepare you for your work...I'll back you up every inch of the way."
 

Ah, yes. Stop wielding my own sword. Just stand. Get ready. Let God show me what HE's doing around me. He's got my back.

You see, when God signs His name to all He has ordered, whether in nature or in our hearts and lives, He's in control and will see it to the end. Where God signs His name to anything, there is always hope; He is faithful and victorious.

Have you come through a perfect storm lately feeling a bit shaken and battered; questioning if what God promised is all wrong? I know how you feel.

Lean in close and listen for God's whisper. Pull His loving arms around you and just stay in His embrace for awhile. Offer up praise even in the midst of hurt and take notice of His signature all around you. He's right there singing over  you with delight and working His plan all around you.  

Unfailing Love

"What a man desires is unfailing love." Proverbs 19:22

Unfailing love. It's all this heart ever dreamed of since she can remember. Isn't it what every little girl's heart craves -forever love that never fails - like it's woven into her DNA? I think so.

And so with every ounce of who she is, she searches the eyes of every man she encounters, beginning with Daddy. "Daddy, do you love me?" she asks. "Daddy, don't you think I'm beautiful?" she whispers. "Will you love me forever?" she pleads, even when he's walking out the door. Always searching. Always asking. Always needing unfailing love.

Beneath the bridal veil and lace her eyes rest upon her groom. They promise love, forever-unfailing love. And from that day forward her little girl eyes keep searching his. "Honey, do you love me?" she asks.  

(Click here for the rest of the story.)

Blizzard!

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. " Job 37:5-7

 

Blizzard warnings build excitement. Like a little kid, I ready my mittens, scarf and hat and dig out my snow pants from the front closet. With gas tanks topped off, the snow blower in place and shovels standing ready by the back door, I start pacing the floors keeping watch for the very first flakes.

There's something magic about snow -the way it falls and piles and drifts and blankets silence upon the ground.

I awake the next morning, like a child anticipating Christmas Day surprises, and peer outside at virgin ground - void of foot prints, tire tracks, and sound. I want to fling open the windows and breathe it all in - the freshness of new fallen snow. It begs a slow start; a reveling in God's wonder and glorious artwork, indeed.

If only we could relish its silence for more than a few hours or a day. That would truly be heaven for me. Isn't that what it means to find heaven on earth? Slowing...stopping...noticing God's miraculous deeds all around us.

So, I dive into waist-high snow and before life starts her constant humming, I find God all around me:

Mama cardinal chirps "good morning"; nature's voice rising, greeting the day, giving thanks for God's protection through the storm.

Glorious midday sun parts the clouds and paints Sky Blue across the heavens.

Neighbors emerge from winter's slumber offering help, encouragement, and much needed muscle. Community forms all around town. Isn't that how we're called to live? Together, not isolated.

After hours of shoveling, lifting and blowing many curse the snow - the forcing of slow - but I revel in it. It places control back in God's hands and sets my mind in awe and wonder of His powerful deeds.

Day #2 post-blizzard we're only now seeing plows arrive in our neighborhood and honestly, it saddens me. As inconvenient as this storm has been to our modern lifestyle, I've loved the pace. It's forced me to readjust life's priorities and given me time to think and serve and play and most of all to find God.

What about you? When life causes you to pause, what do you do?

Refrigerator Prayer Door

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Philippians 1:3 NIV

By this time we've thrown out tucked away all our Christmas greeting cards. Beyond pulling them out for kids winter art projects or (if we muster enough patience) snip off the personal greeting and use the front covers for gift tags next year, what else can we do with them? Decoupage is outdated and besides, Grandma only has so much space on her living room wall.

The past few years has proven another dilemma. What do you do with all those photo cards? I mean, there's only so much shelf space for photo albums and you can't really recycle them. I don't think cousin Suzie would appreciate seeing little Tommy's year-old face on next year's Christmas gift, even if he does have the cutest smile. Besides, she spent her hard-earned money on those photo cards!

Not knowing what to do, I let mine pile up in a drawer for years.  Then one day, while standing in my friend's kitchen, I noticed all the photos on her refrigerator door.

(Won't you join me over at the Christian Children's Authors' blog for the rest of the story?)