Untangling Life...

I read an Advent devotion early this morning. It reminded me that Advent is about waiting. This was my favorite line in the devotion: "Those who do not know how it feels to struggle anxiously with the deepest questions of life, of their life, and to patiently look forward with anticipation until the truth is revealed, cannot even dream of the splendor of the moment in which clarity is illuminated for them."

I have a beautiful, sweet friend who knows all about waiting. About praying for a child. For life to change. For better choices to be made. For the truth to be revealed. And for the clarity to be illuminated. After we had breakfast one morning, she looked at me with tears streaming and asked me why it all has to be so hard. Why? I didn't have an answer.

She sent me a text the other day. She shared how God had spoken to her heart while she was putting up her Christmas lights. As she cried out to Him for answers, He gently shared some comforting insight that warmed her heart and gave her a little hope and peace. The answer was just for her. The clarity that helped illuminate His presence in her situation. All while she was untangling her Christmas lights. Part of her text read: "In my spirit as I untangled the lights I felt Him say 'I know what it feels like to see my Son hurting'. He helped me know that He understands a grieving parents heart."

This season of Advent is about waiting. About waiting to see what is inside that beautifully wrapped present under the tree. About waiting for the celebration of Truth to come. All while we are untangling our lives. Struggling with the deep questions. Waiting for the clarity that will be illuminated in our spirits just like the lights on the tree. Finding a way to be still enough to just know.

Abraham waited a long time for the promise of his son. He untangled a lot of life along the way. Sarah laughed as she untangled what she heard. Jacob wrestled with God as he untangled life. David made poor choices as he untangled his lies. Jonah ran away as he untangled his calling. Peter denied as he untangled all that he had just experienced. Saul persecuted and then Paul untangled his past. But the clarity came for each of them when the promises were revealed. In the waiting, they learned about Truth.

I don't know what part of your life you are untangling during this season. Or if maybe this season is filled with illumination for you. But I do know that as you enjoy the beauty of untangled lights shining brightly around you, remember Who we are waiting for. The Light of the world. The Love that came down and lived among us. The Truth that will set you free. And in the end all the lights of life will be untangled and every eye will see. And that is worth the wait.

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—

    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 

Isaiah 11:2 NLT

He goes before you...

It has been a very long couple of weeks. For lots of different reasons. Some good. Some fun. Some sad. Some not so fun. But in the quietness of this morning, I was reminded once again that I did not "do" the last few weeks alone. He went before me...

As I was standing in my back yard with the dog, it was so quiet. Then the rustling of the leaves started. As the wind gently moved the trees, the leaves rustled. The few hold-outs that are hanging on to those limbs cracked and creaked in the breeze. The leaves on the ground jiggled in the grass and joined in the chorus of rustling. I closed my eyes and I could feel the ever so slight breeze brush over my face. When I opened my eyes, I could see the clouds moving across the sky. Just gliding. Slowly.

I immediately was reminded of the Israelites who followed the pillar of cloud by day. The Lord went before them. When the cloud moved, they moved. Where the cloud went, they went. No fan fare. Just a pillar of clouds. Reminding them that He was with them.

The verse in the Bible that talks about the LORD going before them uses the word for "the Angel of the Lord". That word means this: "Who is called the Angel of the Lord, not a created but the uncreated Angel, the Angel of Jehovah's presence, in whom his name, nature and perfections were, even the Word and Son of God, the Lord Christ, who went before the armies of Israel, as their King, Leader, and Commander." It means Jesus!

As you move through this holiday season, look for your pillar of clouds. The Bible gives us a great illustration of the presence of the Lord. Jesus is the Reason for this Season. He hasn't changed. He is still there. Leading. Guiding. Gently gliding ahead of you. 

So many people are struggling in this season of Joy. He knows that. He knows your heart and your thoughts and your anxious ways. Let Him lead you through your wilderness into your promise land. He knows the way!

"By day the LORD went ahead of them

 in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way 

and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, 

so that they could travel by day or night." 

Exodus 13:21

The Light in Truth

Last night I received a text from a friend asking for prayer for a sweet woman who was emotionally drained. She had reached her breaking point. The fear and the darkness were creeping in around her like a slow, thick fog. The panic. The pain. The hopelessness were feeling way too real. My friend simply asked me to pray.

Life is like that sometimes, isn't it? Especially around the holidays. Even when we have blessings abounding around us, there is that one thing that is just not quite right. That place in our hearts that feels empty. Raw even.

I talked to so many people over the last week that were smiling on the outside. But I know their stories. And underneath the facade, the fear was crouching. One of them said to me that she turned off her computer during a holiday week. Not because she wanted to unplug but because she needed to stop herself from coveting. She said that one day of reading all the blessing posts and looking at all the perfectly posed pictures could send her into depression. The real kind. The kind that if she let it would put her to bed. Or worse. She asked me to pray for her.

Darkness is just that. Dark. A place of lies. The ones we believe even when they make no logical sense. But when Truth is allowed in, the darkness flees. Because their is light in truth. Even when the truth is painful or ugly or hurtful. When we allow ourselves to see truth exposed by His Light somehow it isn't as scary. The Light begins to make the shadows disappear. Things don't seem so dark and big.

So today, sweet friends, allow the Light in. Let it shine into your dark places. There is real healing inside that Light. There is Truth that can illuminate even the darkest places. Jesus is the Light of the world and the darkness cannot overcome it! That is truly good news...

"The light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness has not overcome it." 

John 1:5

"What does this mean, Daddy?"

Last night as the TV continued to blare in the background, I lay in bed next to my sweet husband. We watched. We listened. We prayed. We struggled. We laughed. And in the middle of it all both of our adult daughters called or texted their daddy.

Both asked the same question. "What does this mean, Daddy?" What will this mean for your business? What will this mean for our future? What does all this mean? They needed to be heard and to feel safe. So they called their daddy.

My heart just smiled at his responses. He encouraged. He reminded. He made them feel safe. But mostly he pointed them to their only Hope...

Isn't that what we should be doing too? Asking what does this mean, Abba? Everyday and in every circumstance. Not just today or tomorrow. But at all times. We live in uncertain days. No matter where we stand politically or financially. We are not promised tomorrow.

Now is the time to know because we know because we know. We need to know what we believe. And why. We need to know where our Hope comes from. And how we know that. We need to know what Truth is. And how to convey it to others. We need to stop looking to the right or to the left. We need to look straight ahead. Because that is where we will find the answers. That is where our strength lies.

What this means, sweet girls, is that your soul will find rest in God alone. He is your rock and your salvation. And He gave you an earthly daddy that has shown you that truth and continues to point you toward that hope. You have been given a foundation that will hold for generations to come...

"Praise the name of God forever and ever, 

for He has all wisdom and power. 

He controls the course of world events; 

He removes kings and sets up other kings. 

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge tot he scholars.

 He reveals deep and mysterious things 

and knows what lies hidden in darkness, 

though He is surrounded by light." 

Daniel 2:20-22 NLT

A Heart Smile...

She came to see her sister this weekend. A total surprise. To all of us. She was in Athens for a bridal shower and she wanted to see the little one all dressed up for her Homecoming dance. So she made the loop. A little out of her way. A little off her schedule. A little balm for Mom's heart. A little smile on the sister's face.

She came in looking all married. All put together. A wife doing the big girl things of life. She talked of preparing dinners and entertaining friends. Of coming along side her husband as he reaches the next generation. The one right under them. Oh my. They have a next generation. And she reaches and loves and teaches them well. Just like she is doing for her sisters.

She went upstairs and gave hugs and advice. She curled hair and calmed nerves. She mothered in a sister way. So much less intrusive. And my heart melted. Again. Each time I watch her do this new season my heart melts.

It catches me off guard still. The married thing. The wife thing. She reminds me so much of myself at that age. Different personality but same bent. And I have to remind myself that we are in a different season. A different stage. A different relationship. I am learning and she is too.

I want so badly to be an encourager. To lift up not offer advice. To cheer her on not stifle the joy of this season. To be the one who says you are doing great not the one who says do it this way. Because they are doing great. And they are doing it their way. And it is a good way.

Such wisdom and such youth. All rolled into one season. Learning new things. Trying. Failing. And doing it again. Offering her heart and her home while working full time. With such grace and maturity. And I can't help but think... well done. You have started well. And my heart melts with gratitude.

New seasons always bring new things to learn. New feelings. New hopes. New opportunities to humble yourself as He teaches. As He guides us through the ups and downs of life. My prayer is that with this new season I have His eyes and His heart. To see. To listen. To love as I watch them learn and grow. Without me but with each other.

My heart melts from the memories of the past. The little girl all grown up. But my heart rejoices at the hope of the future. Their future. Their way. And I cannot wait to go along for the ride. The thought makes my heart smile...

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, 

but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

Proverbs 19:14

The ocean of Grace...

Grace. Unmerited favor. Unearned. Free. Amazingly unfathomable. Constant and overflowing. Full of Mercy. Sufficient and enough.

Why is it so hard for people to grasp the concept of Grace? This summer the Lord began to show me that I might think that I have a decent grasp on the concept of His Grace, but I really needed to learn to extend it also. As I sat on the beach towards the end of the summer, I realized that not only was my body and mind exhausted but my spirit needed a tune up too.

There is nothing like a wedding to teach you about extending Grace. As I was helping my daughter through that year long preparation stage, I learned a lot. I knew that to make it through with the character that I felt like He called me to that I needed to have a humble lesson in extending the Grace that was given to me. I prayed and fumbled my way through the process and was standing on the other side wondering how in the world we made it that far.

I knew that I needed that vacation break for myself but that my other two daughters needed me too. They sacrificed a lot this summer. Especially mom's undivided attention. They needed me and I needed rest. As I sat on that beach one day towards the beginning of the week, I was talking to God about His Grace. I love the song, "How He loves us". Katie chose the chorus of that song to be sung as she walked down the aisle toward her new husband. As I stood up that day as the mother of the bride signaling to everyone that she was about to begin her walk toward her future, I could physically feel His Grace in that room. Everywhere. All over us all. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt at that moment what it meant when the verse said, "if Grace is an ocean, we are all sinking".

As I sat looking out on the ocean and the waves, it was like He whispered to me: "Not only is my Grace sufficient for all of your needs but it is sufficient for all of theirs too." The waves just kept coming. One after another. Never stopping. Never ceasing. Always another one. Constantly. The rest of that day I was aware of the waves. They were there in the morning while I was alone. They were there later as we played together in the ocean. They were there that evening as we walked along the beach. They were there in the dark that night as I listened to them crash so soothingly into the night silence. And they would be there the next day too.

That is when I realized that His Grace fills me up. When I am crying out to Him but also throughout my day. It fills me up when I was laughing with the daughter and her friend that just love being girls even at 15. It was there when I was talking to the other daughter about a decision she was making. Those waves caressing our time together as she defended her reasons and listened to my thoughts. The Grace was there as I shared my heart with my sweet husband about the bittersweet feelings of being the mom of the newlywed. The Grace was there and as I drowned in that ocean of it, He sent it right through me to them. As long as I allowed Him, the Grace given to me flowed through my exhaustion and my overwhelmed heart. Right into the lives of those I love so dearly. As I just loved them and just was with them, I was filled to overflowing. By the Grace of a loving God.

As simple as the concept sounds, I needed that reminder. The reminder that it is not in my own strength that I even love. I cannot be a good wife or mother without His Grace. And I cannot make a difference in those around me unless I allow Him to extend some of that Grace through me. I cannot give away something free and undeserved in my own strength. Only through His Grace can I grace. And the waves of His Grace just keep coming. Never letting me get empty. Even when I feel empty.

I found this ring when we got home. It reminds me of the waves. Of the Grace. I wear it to remember that Ocean. The one I am drowning in. That if I am drowning in free, undeserved Grace then I must offer it too. It is not easy and I fail often. But my ring reminds me. The Waves never stop. Just try again. Keep loving. Keep giving. Keep smiling. Keep going. The Waves will carry me.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. 

My power works best in weakness.” 

So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, 

so that the power of Christ can work through me.

 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

Another birthday...

Today is his birthday. That boy that I met when I was just 18. I remember the first time I saw him. Around campus. I noticed him long before I dated him. I knew he was there. He was always full of joy. Always nice to everyone. People knew him for his friendliness. He is still known for that.

This man's man that can be gruff and intense. He talks very loud and uses southern words that sometimes don't translate well. Yet, he smiles a smile that makes everyone around him feel comfortable. Feel important. He does that so easily. Smile.

He has been frustrated over the years living in an all girl house. Teaching the girls to drive and to do math and to hunt and to fish. He taught them to water ski and to bait a hook. To shoot a gun and to cut the grass. Some of his daughters loved learning. Some of his daughters did not. But even in the frustrating times when the voice got loud and the exasperation showed, they knew he loved them. Eventually the big strong arms always ended up around them. Holding them close. Keeping them safe. Always.

Those same arms have held me too. Through the joy of birth. Through the pain of death. Through the fear of the unknown. Through the hurts of life. He has never not been there for me. Ever. I know how blessed I am. I know how special that kind of love is. And I cherish it. When he asks me if I know how much he loves me, I can honestly say yes. There is no doubt. Ever.

Thank you for that, sweet husband. You are cherished and you are loved too. You have taught your girls what a true man looks like. How a true man loves. And that a real man loves Jesus. You have given them the picture. And you have given them wings to soar on their own. You love well.

Happy Birthday!!

A rugged mountain of a man,

    aromatic with wood and stone.

His words are kisses, his kisses words.

    Everything about him delights me, thrills me

        through and through!

song of solomon 5:16  the message

Look Up....

I have a morning routine. I get up and make the coffee and prepare the lunches for school and work. I have some sweet breakfast time with my "only child" left in my home. And then my dog and I play hurry up and wait for his morning business. The last few mornings I have been pegged in the head with falling acorns. I am convinced that the squirrel in that tree has it out for me because I am married to his arch rival. The man that is hunting him down.

The falling acorns have increased in their volume and in their velocity the last few days. And those suckers hurt. It never fails that no matter where I am standing around that tree those acorns are going to find their target on my head. This morning after being hit by two of them I proceeded to voice my annoyance out loud. I looked up at the tree and yelled something like: "Really? I can't see you but I know you are there!" I could have sworn that I heard that little squirrel laugh at me.

As Beau and I moved to another area of the yard and I continued to wait for him to perform his business, the Lord began to whisper into my heart. "You can't see me either. But you know I am there. Sometimes you blame the enemy or your circumstances for those acorns. But sometimes it is Me trying to get your attention."

We are pulled in so many directions. There are so many things we have to wait on to happen before we can go on with our plans. So many distractions. Both good and bad. We tend to get frustrated after a while by the constant pegging. And sometimes it begins to hurt. We immediately start to blame the enemy or the drama surrounding us or the person causing the pain or the hardship unraveling our life at the moment. But sometimes, if we get still long enough, we realize that He is just trying to get our attention.

He knows we can't see Him. But we can hear Him. He knows that we know He is there. But we don't look up. He knows our hearts. But He wants to hear from us. Sometimes we just need to recognize that when the pegging starts to hurt, maybe we should be still and listen. 

So today if you have already started your day being pegged by the acorns of the world, look up. Listen to see if maybe He wants you to do something else. Or go a different direction. Or notice the person He put in your path. Or stop long enough to actually hear the person that is causing you to wait. And if you dare to be really radical today... pray for the "squirrel" that might be the one throwing some of those acorns too!

But by means of their suffering,

He rescues those who suffer.

For He gets their attention through adversity.

job 36:15 NLT

Faith over fear

Life is pretty shaky sometimes. I am not even sure if that is the right word but it seems to fit that feeling. The feeling of uneasy insecurity. Of not knowing what is coming next. Not being able to see around the corner. That feeling that seems to make the unknown grow into something so much bigger than it will actually be. That feeling that if left unchecked can throw us into spiritual vertigo.

This week has been full of conversations with friends about the unknown. Either with their marriage or their children or work. That shaky thought that leads into uneasiness. That gut feeling that grows. That scenario conjured up in our minds that can turn into full fledged panic. All those emotions that usually always come out of the root of fear.

Fear can paralyze the best of us. It can make us into crazy people. It can force us into a thought process that is totally irrational. All before we even realize that we stepped over to the dark side. Probably none of you ever actually step over that line. But me? I have stepped over many times. There have been times in my life when I stepped over and took so many steps in the wrong direction that I lost sight of the line. But I am learning.

Fear is usually rooted in the unknown. Whatever that is for each of us individually. The future that can't be seen. The hope that can't be grasped because it doesn't have a name or a face. The forgiveness that we just can't feel or give because the hurt can't be forged through. Fear is a tool of the enemy. It is also a tool that we use against ourselves.

I am a planner. A controller. An emotional barrier. As long as I can keep moving, then I can keep functioning. But God offers us a throne room of Grace. And Grace is always bigger than fear. I remember studying the old testament tabernacle when I was a young mom. We studied about all of the rooms; the outer and inner courts. The last one being the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter that room. And only once a year. The veil covered the entrance to the room that held God's Glory.

I also clearly remember when I read the crucifixion passages and realized that when Jesus died on the cross the veil in the temple ripped from top to bottom. A wide open invitation to enter. A straight path to the throne of Grace. That deep theological doctrine all of a sudden seemed so simple. So I began to run. Straight into that throne room. And that Grace became my reality.

But I also realized that the only way in was straight through the opening. Not around it. Or over it. Or through the back door. But directly forward. Through the circumstance. Through the pain. Through the fear. Through the unknown. Leave the shaky ground for the unshakeable. That is where fear is defeated.

So today, sweet friends, storm the throne room. He is waiting. He is faithful. And He is unshakeable. Run in and hold tight... may your Faith be larger than your fear.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly 

draw near to the throne of grace 

(the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), 

that we may receive mercy [for our failures]

 and find grace to help in good time for 

every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, 

coming just when we need it]. 

hebrews 4:16 amplified

Monday Momentum...

It is Monday. And it is the first day of October. The last quarter of another year. The ending of another calendar. The culmination of another season. Life just keeps moving doesn't it? Day after day. Month after month. Year after year. And we sometimes get lost in the routine of it all. Caught up in the everyday stuff. The same old thing.

I am beginning my week on my back porch. Listening to the rain. Finishing my Bible Study. Reading God's Word. In the last few hours I have made lunches. Washed a load of clothes. Talked to my husband twice. Fielded a desperate text from my high school daughter. Delivered the reason for the desperate text to her. Read an article about my college age daughter that was printed in her college newspaper. Texted my proud sentiments to her. Taken the dog out twice in the rain. And had one too many cups of coffee in the process.

My week is off to a fast paced start. As usual. But in the middle of all the distractions taking away my attention, I need to stop and prepare my heart for the week. Rest and refueling are so important to our daily walk. Unless we intentionally fill our minds and our hearts with His word, we tend to attack the week in our own strength. And my own momentum tends to fall short by Tuesday.

So fill yourself up today. The definition of momentum is strength or force gained by motion or by a series of events. And the great thing about it is that God can be that strength and force if we allow Him to be. We don't have to face the week alone. We can start off in His momentum. It never waivers or doubts. It never loses strength or power. It never leaves or forsakes. Grab hold of His word. It never returns void.

God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.

    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.

    And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

    gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don’t get tired,

    they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 40:31 the message

So the next generation may know...

This picture represents my favorite part of my daughter's wedding ceremony. The blessing. The bride and groom took communion together and lit the unity candle representing the two becoming one. They prayed together. Then they took their place in the middle of a tight knit circle of generations. The parents of the parents and the parents of the children. The siblings that have been there for all the ups and downs. The friends that are part of their inner circle. The pastors that have lead them and loved them. 

The fathers prayed over the children. Prayers of love and blessing. Bold prayers of protection. Collective prayers of hope for the future. Confident prayers for their life together. For their ministry. For their witness and for their testimony to remain strong together. Generations of redeemed people offering the same to the next.

Our families are far from perfect. But we all know the One that is. We joined two families into one. We agreed that the One that holds us will be praised into the next generation. We offered our prayers and our love and our blessing. Verbally by the fathers. Agreement from the rest. There is power in a blessing.

Whether you have generations of truth and blessing in your family or whether you are the first to offer that hope to the next generation, bless your children. Verbally. With boldness knowing the One who can fulfill those blessings. Words spoken over children matter. They are powerful. But the redeeming power of Jesus is more powerful. The blessings can start today. Pray over your children. Over your home. Over their future. Let the next generation know.

Share the stories. Pass on the traditions.

Embrace the memories and bury them in your heart.

Glean wisdom from the ones who came before you. Learn and listen.

Be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. The two grandfathers that looked on from a greater view were represented in the candles on each side.

Because there is Hope for the future wrapped up in the prayers of the past. 

Heartache and happiness. Lessons learned and passed on. Prayers offered and promised. A cord of Hope and of Blessings wrapped firmly around the next generation. By the Grace of God!

Praise God,  from Whom all blessings flow.

Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

When there are no words...

Several hard realities have occurred this week. The kinds of things that leave you speechless and heart broken. The kinds of things that you just can't wrap your head around. The kinds of things that make you stop and evaluate your life. Your priorities. Your family. Your belief system. 

I wrote these words a few weeks ago but they have been so true every day since:

Sometimes the best answer is no answer. Sometimes the most comforting words are found in a simple hug. Sometimes all someone needs to get to the next hour is a genuine smile of assurance. Sometimes we don't need to run to other people for answers. Sometimes we need to be still and simply trust what we know...

Words matter. And sometimes silence speaks so much louder than any sentence we could string together in our fleshly minds. We were created to be relational. To live in community. Not just in our own homes. But out there. In the big, ugly, cruel world. Among those who love us. And among those who don't.

Jesus walked among the crowds. He touched the untouchable. He fed the hungry. He ate with the tax collectors. He stooped down to the woman who was exposed in her sin. He was patient with his disciples. He was merciful to those He knew would betray him. He held babies on His lap. He taught truth to anyone who wanted to listen. He lived among the people. He loved those around Him.

But, He also stilled the storm. He calmed the sea. And He walked on the water. He turned the water to wine. He healed the broken bones. He mended the broken spirits. He raised the dead to life. He overturned the tables and He spoke boldly to the authorities.

Jesus taught us to use words that matter. The ones that have power. He gave us the example of how to pray. And He told us that He would always hear. He would never leave. He would never forsake. In fact, He promised that when our human tongues can't seem to form the words that He would interpret the groanings of our souls. And intercede  for us. Those groanings turning into petitions inside the Throne Room of grace.

Words aren't always necessary. Wrap the arms of Jesus around that hurting friend. Smile the smile of Hope to that grieving loved one. Sit still next to the daughter that needs to feel safe in her shame. Feed the sweet family that needs to sleep without hunger pangs. And trust the words that you can't form to rest on the ears of the One who understands them.

God, come close. Come quickly! 

Open your ears - it's my voice you're hearing! 

Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising;

 my raised hands are my evening prayers. 

psalm 141:1-2. the message

Rather than...

He bought me this bear for my 20th birthday. He had graduated from college and I was headed back for another year. He said he knew I would think that the bear was cute. He wrote me a note that said his name was Rather. I laughed and asked what kind of name was that. He smiled his boyish charm at me and explained. The bear would be at school with me "Rather" than him. In all of its sillyness, my heart smiled.

The bear returned to college with me. He made his way to our first house. He stayed with me through the first daughter. He lived in the guest room for a while until she was old enough to ask. I told her his name was Rather. She laughed and asked what kind of name was that. I told her the whole story. She kept him with her until her sister was old enough to notice him.

When the middle one asked the older one about him. She told her that his name was Rather. Of course her sister laughed. She asked what kind of name was that. The older one explained the whole story. Passing on a little glimpse of the parents. A story that she knew and could share.

The same thing happened with the little sister. The middle one didn't let the bear go as easily. She kept him for a while. But I remember when she gave him over. When the story was retold yet again to explain why the bear was to be taken care of. Watching it all made my heart smile again.

In my cleaning and moving around, I found Rather again. I put him in the newly created upstairs guest room. The bedroom that ended up unused after the events of the summer. He sits on the bed. Waiting to share his story. A part of our story that gets to be passed on to yet another generation.

I will open my mouth with a parable; 

I will utter hidden things, things from of old- 

things our ancestors have told us. 

We will not hide them from their descendants; 

we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy 

deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders 

He has done... to teach their children, 

so the next generation would know them,

 even the children yet to be born, 

and they in turn would tell their children. 

Psalm 78:3 - 4, 6.

Promised Provision

I grew up going to church. Every Sunday. I had all the perfect attendance pins for Sunday School. All the way through high school. I went to church camp and with my friend's to their church camps. I could recite all the books of the Bible. I knew all the disciples names. I knew all the Bible stories. I was secure in knowing about Jesus. But, no one ever taught me how to really know Him. How to have a relationship with Him. How to really trust and obey Him.

It was not until I was a young mother with two little girls that I did my first Bible study. I did some basic studies with some wonderful ladies. After about a year, we decided that it was time to really dig in and learn. I committed to a 12 week study. It was on the names of God. It was at a time in my life when things were beginning to crumble a bit. We had just received the diagnosis that my 55 year old father had early onset Alzheimer's. At that time, no one knew a lot about the disease. The next 13 years were long and scary and awful and blessed. All at the same time.

The first name we studied was Jehovah-Jireh. It means the Lord Will Provide. A more literal translation is that the Lord will see to it. That name rocked my world. I loved that promise and literally clung to it. Over the years, as my girls grew and as I grew in my walk and understanding, that name became such a sweet blessing for me. I knew that in all things He would see to it that I had all I needed. Not all I wanted. Not easy or perfect or happy. But all. His all. 

As I was looking over the wedding pictures, I found this one. Our church has the Names of God in wooden letters hanging around the outside walls of our sanctuary. A constant reminder that He surrounds us with His character and His love. What a sweet gift to see the father of my children and his beloved first born standing under that Name. He walked her toward her future because we knew that Jehovah-Jireh had provided us with what we needed to raise her and teach her and love her. We knew that that Provision would go with her into her new life. And that she too knows that Name. So does her sweet husband. As I continue to cling to that promise, He continues to provide all we need.

His Name provides peace. Cling to it with me today, sweet friends. Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord will Provide. He will give you all you need. Just ask and trust. Call Him by name. Tell Him your fears. Tell Him your hurts. Tell Him your needs. Trust Him to hear and answer. Give it all to Him. He will see to it!

So Abraham called that place

The LORD Will Provide.

And to this day it is said,

"On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided."

Genesis 22:14

He Delights in Us!

We talked about Creation and family yesterday at church. About how God set the world in motion with just the sound of His voice. How He whispered breath into man and shaped woman into His image. How in all of it the word He chose to use to describe it was "good". And when He created man and woman He called it "very good". God delights in us!

The weather has been so wonderful the last two mornings. The sunrise has been beautiful. Fall is whispering its arrival. The colors are beginning to change their hue. And it is all good. My pastor says that our attitude toward this Creation should always be one of awe and delight. That as we see His creativity and His splendor all around us, our response should be a clapping "Yay, God!". He delights in us!

I remember a trip that Danny and I took out west. We were driving from Montana to Wyoming. We were in the middle of Yellowstone on a long stretch of nothing. We stopped the car and strolled into the nothingness for a while. We began to hear the sounds of deer and other wildlife. It was October so we were marveling at the color all around us. The weather was perfect that day and the sunshine glistened off of the golden leaves. As we came to the top of a hill and looked around us at nothing but nature, we both responded at the same time: "Yay, God!". We laughed but really there were no other words adequate for the moment. He delights in us!

I am compiling all the wedding pictures this week. I will have an online album soon. As I looked at some of the pictures, I could not help but notice the delight in the bride and groom's faces. They were in awe of the day and each other. They were smitten with the love that they had for each other. They were overwhelmed by the goodness of God in their lives. The blessings were so evident during that weekend. The prayers for that day were answered not only in the almost perfect weather but in the very clear presence of God Himself throughout every moment. He delights in us!

So, today sweet friends, remember this... He delights in you! He created you for a plan and a purpose. His ways are good. His mercy endures forever. Great is His faithfulness. He will lead you. He will be your rear guard. He will hold you in the palm of His hand and call you by name. Allow Him to lift your chin so that you can bask in His gaze. He delights in you!

This is what the Lord says:

"I remember the devotion of your youth,

how as a bride you loved me and

followed me through the wilderness,

through a land not sown.

Jeremiah 2:2

A Change of Lighting...

I have a wonderful outdoor room. It is actually my back porch, but this summer we literally have lived out there. We entertain out there. We eat out there. We cook out there. We meet out there. We talk and share and love out there. It is like another room of our home.

There are fans with lights and there are several overhead lights. You can control how many lights are on and how much light you have. But it still felt big and sterile to me at times. As we have moved around furniture and moved out children from our home, I found an old dresser that we weren't using. We dragged it out of the basement and up to the porch. I found an old lamp that wasn't being used and put it outside too. That night I turned off most of the lights and just left on the lamp. Finally, I got the feel that I was looking for.

There is something about lamp light. It is warm and inviting. It is not over powering. It is peaceful and calming. As I sat outside with the dark night all around me, I realized that this is a picture of God's love. His Light is warm and inviting. It is peaceful and calming. But the amazing thing about God's light is that it draws us close and comforts us while at the same time over powering the darkness of the world around us.

As I sat in that lamp light, I thought of all the memories on that porch. We have celebrated birthdays and hosted Homecoming parties out there. We have grilled our family meals and fed countless friends out there. I have had many conversations with my daughters and sweet friends out there. I have prayed with and for many a hurting heart out there. Danny and I have snuggled at the end of a long day out there. We have found peace and safe haven from a dark world out there. And we have found strength to go on another day out there.

But when I added the lamp, the room looked and felt different all of sudden. And I wondered if my light feels that way? Am I warm and inviting? Am I peaceful and calming. Is my light over powering or does it draw people in? God's Word says we should let our lights shine before men so that they may see our good works and therefore glorify our God. Our lights come from His Spirit within us. We shine because He does. Not because of anything we do on our own.

So today, sweet friends, go be a lamp. Help light the darkness of someone's day. Invite them into your warmth and show them the Peace that passes all understanding. You don't have to be a halogen bulb that lights up a massive area. You can just be a lamp and light up your little corner. As long as the source is from Him, your light will make a difference. Rest in that Truth...

Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, 

on a light stand—shine! 

Keep open house; be generous with your lives. 

By opening up to others, you'll prompt people

 to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:16 the message