Children's Bible Club May 2015

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..."  Acts 1:8

Good morning, dear friends,

It has been almost a month since our last Bible club, with all the long weekends and holidays in the month of May.  This was our first get together since Easter, so it was good to touch base with our kids again.

How exciting it is to see the kids eager to come, and participate!  We are thankful for every opportunity the Lord gives us to share His Word with these young people.

It was a beautiful spring afternoon.  Before club, the kids played outside, and I can't blame them.  When you get as much wind and rain as we do here, you want to take advantage of every possible moment outside!

Damaris prepared good ole American brownies for snack today!  There wasn't a crumb left when they were finished.  These guys are good eaters!

After snack, Damaris helped the kids make an edible craft for their moms, since French Mother's Day is today.  It consisted of pie crust wrapped around apple slices to make little rose apple pies.  Very simple, very messy, and very fun!

The roses cooked during the lesson, and the kids were able to take them home for a snack for mom.  Yum yum.

The lesson for yesterday was about the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  Since we just celebrated Pentecost Monday this week, it was a good lesson for this week.  We reviewed all that had happened in our last lessons (it had been a while) and then taught the lesson through the verse Acts 1:8.  As familiar as the Bible stories are to us, it's always fun to remember that these stories are very new to the kids we are teaching, and explaining about the Holy Spirit, tongues of fire, and speaking in tongues to a group with a very active imagination helps you to appreciate the stories all over again.  By the end of the lesson, almost all of the children had memorized Acts 1:8.  

It was another very good club.  I am thankful that the Lord allows us the blessing of serving Him in this way with these children.

See you in two weeks!

Checking our muscles...are we strong?

Change

"I am the Lord, I change not." Malachi 3:6

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo: pixabay

If there is one lesson that I have needed to learn over and over again on the mission field, it is that change is inevitable.

There were a lot of changes that I made when I first arrived in France, some 15+ years ago.  I had to change my habits, my comforts, my language, my customs, my outlook, my approach with people, my way of thinking.

Then, just when I started feeling a little more settled, God blessed us with children.  Adapting to a foreign culture, with children, brings up a whole new set of change:  learning to be a mom, with what comes to me naturally as a mom, in a country where my "mom-ness" is very different from those around me.

A few kids later, I finally start feeling comfortable with my role as wife and mom, and then more changes come.  Going back to the US, where I am no longer "at home," is as much of a culture shock as it was arriving in France.  My memories and ways of doing things in America were put on hold from the time I left for France.  I find myself readjusting to life over there, while a part of me stays here.

Then, the return to the field, moving houses, changing cities, changing neighbors, and starting all over again.  New streets, new faces, new ways of doing things...just because we moved 15 minutes away to a new village.  The folks here are gone during the day and home at night.  It is a village where outsiders are immediately noticed, questioned, and then ignored in turn.

As challenging as it is to face these changes personally, what makes it more difficult is dealing with change, sometimes badly even, and having to do it in front of witnesses.  My children are constantly observing, watching and taking cues from my actions and reactions.  How will I deal with...the latest curveball?  It's hard knowing that my reactions to the changes happening around me will impact the way my children view life, their faith, their God, their thoughts about the missions field.

We have been settled in our "new" village for a while, and so the changes have faded somewhat from memory.  This morning as I was thinking back to all the changes that have occurred in my life since I married my husband, started on this crazy missionary life with him, I realize that the physical changes are not the greatest in my life.  All of these external changes have had a pretty amazing impact on my personal and spiritual walk as well.  May I share a few of the lessons that the Lord has been showing me, through all these changes?

1. I can never really go back.  As much sometimes as it is tempting to say, "I'm going to go back to...a time or place in my life where things are easier and simpler..." it doesn't really happen that way.  I can go back and revisit a place or people in my life from a more "constant" time, but that doesn't mean that it will be the same to me.  Places change, people grow up and change, and the place in my life that seemed so "perfect" will be very different from how I remembered it.  The Lord is teaching me to value the memories, take a mental snapshot, and move on.

2.  I am never really alone.  Something new may throw me for a loop, but it doesn't challenge my God.  No matter what new situation I am thrown into, I have the knowledge that I am always in the presence of my God who goes before me.  He is the one who leads, and stays by my side through the strangeness of a new situation, new people, new environment.  And He never changes.

3.  I am the person that I take with me.  I used to think that my environment was the biggest factor on me as a person.  I used to think, that if I were just in...a different situation than my present one, that my life would be so much different.  The only thing that changes in moving or going to a new place in my life, is that it is a new place.  I take with me all my present circumstances, my trials, my sins, my attitudes.  Who I am essentially does not change, with a new place.  I just take all my baggage with me, and have to deal with it wherever I am.  External changes do not change who I am; they just reveal the depth of my character when facing a new situation.

As far as I know, there are no new changes on the horizon.  We are not planning on changing countries or changing houses, so for the moment I am settled.  If there is another thing I have learned as a missionary...is to be ready for anything.  Changes will happen.  Will I be ready for the next one?

How comforting are the words, "I am the Lord, I change not." (Malachi 3:6).  Though I may be challenged by changes coming my way, my Lord is not.  He will not change, but will help me through whatever changes come my way.

What changes are you facing today?

Giving out, not given out

"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Proverbs 11:25

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo: geralt pixabay

I did something yesterday morning that I don't usually do.

I took the whole morning off.

This week has been a crazy one:  unexpected surprises, long days, tiring work, and mental drain.  I felt like a wrung-out dishrag.  Wednesday morning, after dragging myself depleted out of bed, I told my husband I just needed a break.  I got caught up on all my chores, letter writing, blog posts, visits and all (or at least most) of my loose ends tied up before I headed to bed on Wednesday, and I went to bed Wednesday night, anticipating my morning respite.

It was wonderful.

I slept in...until 6:45. I took an extra long quiet time. After getting everyone safely and happily off to school, I came home, ate breakfast, went for a jog, and buried my nose in a book.  I fixed lunch and enjoyed an unrushed, unscheduled afternoon with two of my children who were home from school in the afternoon.  I took a nap.  I played badminton...in the wind.  (In fact, we always have wind here, so it was a challenge.)  I read some more.  I played with kittens.

It was basically an unplugged, unwinding kind of day.

And I had really needed it.

One of the most challenging aspects of being wife, mom, and missionary, is people.  Someone is always needing something.  If I am not careful, my care becomes drudgery.  My desire to serve others becomes a burden instead of a blessing.  My schedule becomes a task master instead of a means to an end.  I am driven, driven...until I can't.  There is always the next person needing help, encouragement, visiting, writing, calling...and after a while, if I am not careful, I run myself out.  I begin to see the people around me as interruptions and complications, instead of people with needs, people that God loves and that need me to act, well, like Christ.

It took a morning apart, aside, to realize how blessed I am, to have people that need me, and people that need me...to show them Christ, and His love.

I was thinking about all the giving out that I do in a day's time, for my family, for my responsibilities and for others around me.  There are many times that I feel like I don't want or don't have anything else to give.  I have given, and given, and now I am...empty.

Then, I realize, I don't have anything else to give anyone.  I never did.  Only when I allow God to be in the center of my life, do I have anything worth offering others.

The verse in Proverbs at the top of this blog has always been an interesting one for me, because of the seeming contradictions in the verse (not in its writing, because God's Word is perfect, but because of the opposites in the imagery.)  "The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."  It seems contradictory that a generous person shall be "made fat," or that a person who is constantly tending to watering others, will be "watered also himself."

If I understand this verse correctly, basically it means that as I give to others, I will be given to in return, if my motivation is correct.  If I see myself as the vessel that God fills, and then distributes, then I will never be empty in my giving to others.  Rather, my life will be fuller and more blessed, as I give.

I cannot outgive, what God will give in return.

Yesterday was a much needed pause, to refocus my attentions on my God and the people in my life.  Today starts again with all of its craziness:  Bible club this weekend, lessons to write, chores to finish, music to practice, as well as people all day (and all weekend) long.  Will I remember as I face the challenges this weekend, that God is the one who gives?  Will I allow Him to use me to bless others, or will I withhold myself from His service?

May I be willing to give, not counting the cost or holding myself back, so that God will get the glory as the One who fills, and gives through me...

Usually

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?  then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." Jeremiah 13:23

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo:  stevebidmead pixabay

I have been thinking a lot lately about habits.

Good habits.

Bad habits.

Healthy habits.

Annoying habits.

My children's habits.

My husband's habits.

My habits.

I had always heard that it took at least three weeks to form a habit.  In doing some research for a French blog post, I found out that many habits take over two months to become automatic.  Some larger habits like quitting smoking or exercising, take over 200 days to become a habit.

I don't know what the average time is for forming a habit for me, but there is one thing that I have observed in my life:

It's much easier to create a habit, than to change an old one.

This year with the Lord's help I have been focusing on my habits.  What have I made automatic in my life?  Are they "good" habits, or are they "bad" habits?  Have I gotten lazy in doing what is right, or am I exercising self-control in my life?

Many times, I have let bad habits replace my good ones.  It's so much harder to clean house, spiritually speaking, than to just strengthen up the habits that are already in place.

So, so much work to be done.

As I was reading in Jeremiah this week, my attention was caught by the verse at the top of this blog, from Jeremiah 13:23.  The obvious answer to both questions is certainly no.  An Ethiopian cannot change the color of his skin, any more than a leopard can change his spots.  That must mean, that the second part of the verse is equally true:  those who are accustomed to doing evil, cannot do good.

For me, that means, that I cannot continue in bad habits and hope to have anything good come out of them.

I cannot neglect my Bible reading or prayer time, and expect to be a stronger Christian.

I cannot continually eat junk and neglect my body and expect it to be strong through physically challenging days.

I cannot have the habit of saying yes to sin, or at the very least, not saying no, and expect that I will stand firm in convictions "when the rubber meets the road."

I cannot be lazy where my family is concerned, and expect a healthy, loving, Christ-centered peaceful home life.

A habit is something that I do without really thinking about it.  If a bad habit is in my life, it is because I have not been vigilant in an area of my life, enough to pay attention to keep it under a spirit filled self-control.

I am so thankful for the many passages in the Bible that remind me that while changing a bad habit is difficult, it is not impossible.  There is a beautiful passage in I Kings 8:46-50, in which Solomon "reminds" God of His promises to His people, and that if the people when they sin will return to the Lord, that He will forgive them.  What a blessing to know, that when I stray, I must repent, but God is right there waiting to receive me to Himself.  I do not have to go looking for Him; I just have to have a change of heart.

May the Lord help me today to stay close to Him.  When I am confronted with a bad habit or sinful attitude in my life, may the Lord give me grace to come to Him in repentance, and make the changes needed so that I may live a life pleasing to Him today.

Bad habits are not forever.  They were formed, and can be changed, and be replaced with something better...

New Day, Fresh Start

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22-23

Photo:  jill111 pixabay

Good morning, dear friends,

For those of you who were surprised not to see a blog post from me yesterday morning, I just want to reassure you:  I'm still here.

Yesterday, when I woke up, there was very little that I could have said, in starting off my day, that would have been of much help or edification to anyone.  After several attempts, I decided that I would let it go and start afresh today.

What a difference one day makes.

One of my favorite stories, Anne of Green Gables, has one of my favorite lines of all times:  "Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it."  Those of you who know the story, know that Anne was very "mistake" prone.  It's such a comfort to know that each day starts off fresh, a clean slate, that with the Lord's help I can fill with thoughts and activities useful to Him.

So yesterday was a series of missteps, false starts, bad attitudes, and wrongful thinking?  Today, is not.

I memorized the verses at the top of this blog as a young Christian, but I had forgotten the reference.  This morning, as I was searching for them again, I was surprised to find them in the middle of the book of Lamentations.  As I was rereading Jeremiah's words this morning, I was encouraged as much by the context of where these words were found, as the words themselves.

Jeremiah is in the midst of deep affliction and suffering with God's people, even more so because as God's prophet he was suffering the mockery of being misunderstood and ignored.  Even more, because of the continued mistreatments of others, Jeremiah was struggling with being encouraged himself.  He wrote:

"And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord...This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is they faithfulness." (Jeremiah 3:18,21-23.)

Jeremiah's discouragement became encouragement when he realized that his sufferings would be of short duration, and that they are always under the control and limitations that God imposes on them.  God's mercies are so great, and His compassions so vast, that earthly troubles should pale in comparison.  If I will be reminded of this, in the middle of my struggles here on earth, what a difference it will make in my life.

I don't know what the Lord holds in store for me today, but I do know that with the Lord's grace and help, I can be encouraged by His compassions and His mercies.  If I stumbled today, or find discouragement, may the Lord help me not to stay down, but get back up and keep serving Him.

A new day, with no mistakes in it.  Time to get started...

Getting off on the...right side of the bed?

"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them..." Acts 2:14

Photo: ryanmcguire pixabay

Good morning, dear friends!

I love languages, especially expressions in the different languages.  There are many that are similar in French and English, but there are enough differences that I make a few funny mistakes, and a lot of laughter results.

For example, one expression, that I always mess up between English and French, is about starting the day off.  In one language, it's "getting up on the right side of the bed," and in the other, it's "starting off on the right foot," and to be honest, I can't remember which expression goes with which language.  I always end up saying the wrong one in the wrong language, and because one is right and one is just silly, I'm better off not using EITHER expression, unless I want to be greeted with blank stares and suppressed giggles.

Many times people ask me, either in the US or here in France, "What language do you speak in your home?" Usually English, I tell them, unless we have French people over, then we speak French.  But that's actually not true.  Our first language?

Frenglish. Or Franglais, as we call it here.

We don't do it on purpose.  Our rule has always been here at the house:  You finish your sentence in the language in which it's started.  Simple enough--you probably have the same rule in your house, you just don't realize it!  I mean, when was the last time you had to tell your children to stick with the same language? (with the notable exception being my missionary friends, who find themselves in the same boat.)

But when everyone in your house is more or less bilingual, word slip ups happen.  And usually no one bats an eye at the expressions, because we understand each other.  And we don't understand why no one else does.

Isn't it great when everyone can understand one another?

Today is the holiday in France known as Pentecost Monday, the last of a series of long weekends in May. (This means we're entering into the final home stretch of the school year--WOO HOO!)

I love the passage about Pentecost in Acts chapter two.  For a few short years, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, the people were able to understand God's Word as it was taught, from the lips of men who had never studied these foreign languages.

No language school.  Every missionary's dream.

What did these people hear from the disciples' lips?  "...we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."  (Acts 2:11)

Now, there is language expression that does not need to be translated:  the wonderful works of God.

I can only imagine the excitement, the wonder, the amazement on the faces of the people, realizing that while the disciples were they themselves experiencing an awesome miracle from the power of God, they were also receiving the blessing of comprehension.  They witnessed the act, and heard every one in their own language of the wonderful works of God.

What were some of these wonderful works of God?

Prophecy was fulfilled.  Joel 2:28 had already spoken to the Jews assembled there of this amazing time, when God would "pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."  They were witnessing the fulfillment of God's promises, made to His people a few hundred years before.  How thrilling that must have been to those assembled there, to witness God's amazing power demonstrated in such an exciting way.

Salvation was complete.  Through Jesus's death, burial and ressurection, salvation was made available to all. "And it shall come to pass, that whosever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21).  Jesus's final act on earth was to send His disciples the Comforter, He would give them the power to accomplish His work on earth.  This was the final "piece" of the puzzle:  the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit to His people.

God's Word was proclaimed.  Peter finished his appeal to the people in Acts 2:38-40 with his words of God's salvation offered freely to all.  The results were staggering:  three thousand people were saved and baptized!  (Acts 2:41) Now, THERE's an open-air meeting that I would have loved to be a part of.

How much the disciples must have rejoiced in God, seeing the fulfillment of Jesus's promises to them.  How comforting the Holy Spirit must have been to them, especially following all the upheaval of the days following Jesus's death.  How much more they must have be thankful to be used of God in this very special way.

When I think of all the changes in the lives of the disciples during those first few days of the Holy Spirit's ministry, it is hard to equate these men with the men of a few days earlier.  When I look at my own life, before and after my salvation, I am also amazed at the changes that have occurred, by the Lord's grace and help.  As exciting as that very first Pentecost must have been, I am so thankful to be living now, with a complete Bible and the knowledge that has been made available by others.

I will never be able to be completely understood, whether I speak in French or in English (or even in Frenglish with my family), but speaking about God and for God is a language that everyone CAN understand, with the Lord's help.

Will I make myself available to Him today, to let Him speak through me?

Challenged

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

Good morning, dear friends,

Photo: condesign pixabay 

I usually don't participate in the many Facebook challenges that come across my feed everyday.  You know the ones:  "Post this if you love..." or "Only a few people will have the guts to post..." or "My cause is so important that if you don't repost this, then you are a horrible person." (OK, that last one might be a slight exaggeration, but sometimes that's how I feel when I read some posts.)

Yesterday morning, as I was checking my Facebook feed, I noticed that one of my friends here in France "challenged" me to list three Bible verses that have impacted my life.  Now, that is a challenge that I gladly accept.  Any chance to share about what God's doing in my life through His Word is a worthy commitment.

There are so many choices.  The Lord has laid different passages on my heart throughout my Christian walk that it is hard to limit the field to three.  I have decided to choose three that have in recent years impacted my life for Christ here in France.

No condemnation:  Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit."  I remember very clearly when the light of this verse finally broke through my heart, a few years ago after a Bible study here at church.   I realized at that moment the freedom that I possess in Christ.  I do not need to live in fear, that I will be judged according to my sin.  I am FREE.  What a comfort and burden lifter that verse has been to me.  All my past wrongs, gone.  No condemnation.

Right thinking:  Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  My thoughts are too important to let them be scattered all around, chasing down every imaginary desire or random intuition that Satan and my flesh would have me to believe.  If I do not "get a grip" on my thoughts, I will allow my steps to stray further and further from Christ and His ways.  How many times a day I need to refocus my thoughts.

Good sleep.  A verse that has encouraged me since I was a young Christian is a verse that I still share regularly with my children when they have restless nights, because they are worried or upset about something.  Many times the Lord has brought this same verse back to me, as I in my turn have been concerned about my husband, my children, our needs, and the ministry here.  Psalm 4:8: "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety."  I do not have to toss and turn and wonder and worry how things are going to happen, or even if they are going to happen.  I will lay down, in peace, and sleep the sleep that comes from trusting in God.

Well, there you have it.  I know this is a shorter post than I usually write, but I would love to hear from you, to discover the verses that have in turn most impacted your lives as Christians.  Feel free to comment here or on Facebook!

Enjoy a special Son-day, wherever you may be today!

Fragrant

"And walk in love, as Christ hath also loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God of a sweetsmelling savour." Ephesians 5:2

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo: jackmac34 pixabay

Everywhere I walk lately, whether in the neighborhood, or in the store, I smell spring.

Somewhere in my neighborhood there is a lilac tree, that smells wonderful.  I walked in a flower store yesterday and smelled the most beautiful flowers.  My roses are starting to bloom, and their fragrance is amazing.

Even here in the house, where I have to be more careful because of allergies of my family members, I have next to my desk a beautiful home fragrance diffuser, a gift from a dear friend when we visited her home a few weeks ago.  It doesn't have a strong smell, but every now and again, I catch a whiff of its delicate perfume and it brightens my workspace.  It helps me forget the other less pleasant odors that at other times surround the house.

Smells, both good and bad, make incredible memories.  I remember the smell of freshly washed babies, when other memories of their baby-ness are a little fuzzy.  I also remember unfortunately the worst smells with the same ease.  Think oranges and boiled eggs, cleaned off the Sunday school floor.  Enough said. I try to forget those.

There is nothing better than smelling something familiar, and having that smell remind you of something dear and precious.

I love the imagery in the Bible that talks about my life having fragrance before the Lord.  I was thinking about one of those passages this morning as I was starting my day, II Corinthians 2:14-17. What are some "sweet smells" that please the Lord?

Sharing God's Word with others.  "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." (v.14)  Bringing knowledge of God's Son to every place cannot help but be pleasing to Him.  This is my purpose here on earth:  to glorify Him by my life.

A life renewed in Christ: "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish."  (v.15) God loves His Son, and is "well pleased" with Him.  The more I look to ressemble Christ in my life, the more my life will be pleasing to God.

A sinless testimony.  "To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." (v. 16) The way I live my live here on earth should be a constant reminder of the God I claim to serve.  For those who do not yet show Christ, my life should be pointing them away from hell and to the Lord.  For those who already know Christ, my life should be clean so as not to cause others on this same journey to stumble.

Many of the most beautiful scents are the most easily identified.  Flowers, soaps, even expensive perfumes have a distinct signature smell that is not to be confused for another.

Today as I venture forth, I want my life to be a sweet smell to the Lord, a recognizable fragrance to be treasured and that will bring Him glory.  May my words and actions today reflect all the beauty and grace of my Lord, as I seek to please Him today.

Confrontation

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1

Photo: republica pixabay

Good morning, dear friends!

I am not a person to look for controversy or confrontation.  I know some people thrive on that, but I am not one of them.  If anything, I avoid conflict like the plague, unless it is about a spiritual issue, and then the Lord gives me the strength I need to deal with whatever the problems are.

I'm so thankful that I am not alone in my confrontations, but I know the Lord is always with me.

This week, the confrontation came as my husband and I were dealing with my son's teacher.  To make a long story short, my husband and I did not feel the play that his class would be attending would be beneficial to him, so we kept him home when the class went to see the play.

I made the mistake of telling the teacher ahead of time, and it snowballed from there.

Why wouldn't we want our son to participate in this activity? It was a school sponsored event, and the play was beneficial to my son's cultural awareness.  They were not asking for permission, merely informing us of the activity that was to come.  Difficult questions were thrown my son's way by the teacher.  He was afraid of being punished for not being at the play.

General unpleasantness, all around.

I know these may seem like small problems to those facing persecution and opposition where physical danger is real, but to my nine year old son, this was a big deal.  He's like me, and hates conflict with a passion.  This situation really had him broken up, which of course, tore at my mom-heart.

We reassured our son, saying that whatever questions the teacher asked him, simply to respond, "You'll have to talk to my parents."  And he was comforted by the thought that Daddy and Mommy were there, and they would handle whatever problems arose.

I'm so glad, that I have the same assurance from God.  When problems arise that are threatening me, overwhelming me, making me afraid, when Satan or my flesh come to me with doubts or questions, I can honestly say, "You'll have to take it up with my Father."  He's the one with the answers, not me.

Psalms 46 was an encouragement to me and to my son this week, in dealing with this problem with the school.  It reminds me of my place before God, and the world around Him.  There are so many treasures to be mined out of these verses, but I was strengthened this week by these thoughts:

God is big and strong enough to handle any problems that come His way.  Psalm 46:1:  "God is our refuge and strength..."

God never leaves me to face problems alone.  He is always there:  "...a very present help in trouble." (v.1)

Because God is in control, I do not need to be afraid.  "Therefore will we not fear..." (v. 2)

Even when it seems like things are falling apart, God is not moved.  "Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." (v.3)

God is constant, and His love for His people is unchanging.  "There is a river, the streams whereof  make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.  God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved:  God shall help her, and that right early." (v.4-5)

This world is only temporary, and its problems are no match for God.  "The heathen raged, and the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.  Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.  He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, he cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire."  (v.6-9)

If all of that weren't enough, I have the assurance and promise from God's hand:  "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah." (v.10-11)

In view of how great God is, how powerful, how loving, how amazing, problems and conflicts here on earth take on a pitiful smallness.  No matter how strong or fierce the opposition may be, my God is bigger and stronger.

What a comfort to serve this God.  May He help me to remember always, just how big He is, and to let Him fight my battles for me.

Rain, rain

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45

Photo:  firelong pixabay

Good morning, dear friends,

You know you live in a rainy part of France, when the people in your area have an expression for getting things done in the brief spaces between showers.  Here in the northern part of France, we go out "between drops."  You hear it in conversations among the people here:

"I hung out the wash, between drops."

"I had to hurry out between drops to pick up my children from school."

I can't say that I really mind the rain.  It is true that we do get A LOT of it, but I can't say I mind it.  It really does help you appreciate the beautiful weather when it comes.

I spoke with my Dad on Monday night, and apparently in Richmond, VA, the temps have already reached 90 degrees.  Not looking forward to that at all.  Maybe the rain is not so bad after all.

One of my favorite things about the rain is afterwards.  I love the clean smell after the rain.  I guess I still have enough of a kid in me to love splashing through puddles, or driving through them in the car with my husband.  I love watching the raindrops strung together on cobwebs like pearls on a necklace.  I love it when the sun comes back out and I see my flowers and plants blooming again, just when you thought they were finished for a while.

I guess it's a good thing to like the rain...when you know that most days you're going to see some, anyway.

While many times people tend to think negatively of the rain, I was amazed this week at the number of Bible passages that refer to God sending rain on His people as a blessing.  One of these passages is in Deuteronomy 11, right before God's people enter the Promised Land:

"And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.  And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full." (Deuteronomy 11:13-15)

Of course, if it is true that rain is often depicted as a sign of blessing towards God's people, then the opposite is also true:  God withholding His rain is often depicted at God withholding His blessing, or judging His people.  Later in the same passage, I read,

"Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the Lord's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you." (Deuteronomy 11:16-17)

Many times now I think that folks have got it backwards in their minds today.  They see the Lord sending rain at times when it is not convenient for them, and they get all bent out of shape.  They wanted to do a particular activity which required sunshine, and instead the Lord brought rain.  I do it as well, and how foolish I am.  I am so glad that God is the one who sends the rain, as well as the sunshine, when He knows that we need it.

Whatever the weather today, I hope I will remember that the rain and the sunshine are both gifts from His hand.  I would love to get out in my garden today, but the Lord knows best.  He will help me to be content and love and trust Him.

May I not be a "fair weather" friend to God, but may I realize that whether or not I like the weather, I will accept it as a gift from my Father's hand.

By the way, it was pouring down rain when I started writing this blog, but the afternoon was gorgeous.  We have another expression in this area of France:  "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes..."

Morning BLAHS

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo: unsplash pixabay

Ever had one of those days, when you just can't "adult?"

Yesterday I had one of THOSE mornings.  You know the ones...when the to-do list gets longer each time you look at it, and the more things you see, the more you want to run back to the bed and hide under the covers.

Every part of me was screaming "NO!" at the alarm clock.  Every task in front of me seemed like a mountain, and my body, heart and mind rebelled at even the simplest tasks.

It was an "I can't" kind of day.

How do I even begin in the morning?  How can I start a task, knowing that once it is finished, another one waits right behind it?

As I was thinking about my "to do" list, and the things on it, I needed a "spiritual pep talk" to get things moving with the right attitude.  How do I face difficult days, when the tasks seem more numerous than the time to get them done?

Alarm Clock.  The first sounds that I hear in the morning have changed throughout the years.  I used to start off each day hearing children, or birds, or even the church bells in the town where we used to live.  Now, my alarm clock does the job.  I don't have a peaceful alarm clock, but rather the most annoying one money can buy.  It makes me get up if nothing else than to shut it off.  When I hear my alarm clock, I should be reminded of Isaiah 60:1-2, which read, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee...but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."  God is the one who makes this day worth living--up and at 'em!

Coffee.  Coffee does for me what the alarm clock does not.  My alarm clock may get me out of the bed, but it does not wake me up.  Coffee, even decaf, as I drink it now, does the trick.  I am reminded in Romans 13:11: "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." What is my motivation, and what gives me energy to start my day?  Now is the time to get up and get moving, for my time here is short.

Getting dressed.  As tempting as it is some days to stay in PJs all day long, I know I need to get up and get dressed.  When it's chilly in the morning, as it is much of the year here, I put this off as long as I can.  However, spiritually speaking, I cannot wait.  I must start off each day with the determination to live godly in this day.  I am reminded in Romans 13:12,14, "...let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light...But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

Eating breakfast.  There is nothing that I love more for breakfast than a piece of French baguette, with butter or cream cheese and cinnamon.  Right now, since I have kicked the sugar habit, it's unsweetened yogurt or a smoothie.  Not quite as tempting, but I know if I do not eat, then I will not be well all day long.  Reminding myself to eat physically though is not as important as eating spiritually.  How important is that early morning time with God (or late afternoon, or whenever your time is.)  Matthew 4:4 reminds me that although I could start my day without food, I would be foolish to start my day without God: "But he (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

Well, what about the chores that wait for me today?  Can I motivate myself for those as well?

Laundry and Ironing: "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27)  Am I as picky about my walk with the Lord as I am about my clothes, so that it might be "perfect?"

Cleaning house: Titus 2:5: "[To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Am I reflecting a godly attitude toward my family and to others by the house that I keep?

Preparing food:  "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31  Before they can eat or drink it, I must fix it.  Enough said.

The list goes on and on.  I am sure that if I looked hard enough, I could find enough motivation to do all that I am expected to do today, if I will just take God's Word and apply it to my heart, and get busy.

So, what tasks are waiting for you today?  Can an "I can't" day become an "I can...through Him...?"

Rest

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 10:28

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo: pezibear pixabay

It's Tuesday already....what happened to Monday?

It's always like that for me at the beginning of the week. Things pile up from over the weekend, especially when we were gone like we were.  There is laundry to do, the house to straighten up, and the million and one little jobs that have been put off during the weekend, waiting for that moment when the house is quiet, the kids are in school, and I can finally impose order on chaos.

At least, that was the plan for yesterday.  I sputtered out about lunchtime, and had to rest for a while before tackling any new projects.  I got a second wind, and was able to get most of my work knocked out before I checked out last night.

I guess I'm getting older, and I don't recover as quickly as I used to.  I could come back from a trip, have everything back together by lunchtime the next day.  Now, I just can't anymore.  The desire is there, but the flesh is definitely...weaker.

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is at the top of this blog.  I have even embroidered it on to a cross stitch I did another lifetime ago (B.C., before children).  I love the imagery of this verse, and the message that Jesus conveyed to those who heard, and later, read about it.

Come...I must be willing to make the first step.  Jesus did everything necessary to open the way.  All I have to do is come.

...unto me...  There is no one else who can offer me the rest that I need for my soul.  Only Jesus.

...all ye...  There are no exceptions or conditions.  Anyone can have this rest.

...that labour...  According to my good friend Strong's, this word means "to feel fatigue" or "be wearied."  This is more than just work, but working to exhaustion.  I've felt that way a time or two.

...and are heavy laden...  Like a pack animal with a heavy burden, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the tasks before me.  What a comfort and relief when that load goes away.

...and I...  Jesus is the key to this verse.  If I want to struggle along without Him, that is my choice, but I will never truly find rest.

...will give you...  I don't have to work for this rest.  If I come willing, Jesus will give.

...rest.  This is that cease-from-struggle-and-worry-and-take-a-load-off kind of rest.  I can just stop struggling, and find the restoration that my body and my soul so desperately desire.

I don't know what tasks the Lord has set before me today, but I do know that even in the middle of hard work, I can be resting in the Lord.  I know that He is the one that will refresh and restore, encourage and strengthen me today, if I will just come to Him, and trust.

May you as well find that rest in the midst of your labours today.

Home again...

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo: jingoba pixabay

May in France is what I call the Swiss cheese month.  There are so many vacation days, long weekends, and days missed that I think we are "off" more than we are "on." This year is just crazy: there are FOUR long weekends this month, with the schools and businesses extending the days off to three and even four-day weekends! Add in a few odd strike days here and there, and you get the idea:  May is definitely not a working month for a lot of people in France...

I am certainly not complaining.  If anything, it almost makes up for the sting of my children being in school until July....

This weekend was our long four day one we have every May, and I honestly didn't see the time go by, with  Bible conference (subject for another post), and an extended visit with friends and a church in the Paris area.  It was one of those weekends that get packed down to the wire with so many good memories and fun times that it's almost too difficult to come home.

Well, almost.  It was nice to sleep in my own bed last night....

One of the hardest things for my family as missionaries is travelling to a new location, falling in love with the people there, and then after a week or so of intense fellowship, leaving and doing it all over again.  When our children were younger, they were not as sensitive to it, but now it seems as though one of them is lamenting someone they have left behind.

This weekend was no exception.  We visited with friends from all over France, stayed with a church dear to our hearts and got to know the folks there even better, and then left again.  Our schedules will probably not permit visits any time soon, so I guess we'll be keeping Facebook hot for a while.

Can I say just once again how much Facebook is a missionary's friend?

Weekends like this make me think a little about heaven this morning.  There are so many things to be thankful about in heaven, but one of the most encouraging things to me is that it is forever.  No more goodbyes, for anyone.  I will never be separated from my God.  I will never be separated from my loved ones.  I will be in one place (a missionary mom's dream) forever!

Woo hoo!

Hope to see you all there, one day!  Until then, I choose to keep my "goodbyes" few, and my "see you laters" many.

Satisfied

"But godliness with contentment is great gain..."  I Timothy 6:6

Photo:  charlemagne pixabay

Good morning, dear friends,

Earlier this week we enjoyed unseasonably warm weather.  It felt almost like summer for us, instead of spring!  How inviting it was to be outside in the bright sunshine, watching the world shake off winter's sleep, and enjoy all the sights and smells of a glorious spring day.

I must confess to feeling a little light-heartened and excited as I walked to school to pick up our kids at the end of the day.  Many of my neighbors were out and about, walking as I was to get their children as well.

"Isn't the weather beautiful?" I asked one lady that I had talked to before in our village.

"It is nice, but it won't last.  They are already predicting bad weather for the end of the week."

I was a bit surprised by her pessimism, but I was undaunted.  I continued on my walk, and commented to several other people in the same way.

The second person that answered me, answered like the first.  I didn't pay much attention until I was reminded by FOUR separate people on the same walk, that bad weather was coming, and not to get too attached to the warm sun.

Once, I might not notice, or chalk it up to subdued realism. After all, we get a LOT of rain in our area.  But after several of my greetings were rebuffed in the same way, it was almost enough to discourage even my enthusiasm for the pretty weather.  It made me stop and think:

Why is it so hard to be satisfied?

Obviously, sunny weather cannot stay sunny forever.  If it did, people would complain about drought conditions, or forest-fire scares.  I still remember the summer before Timothy was born, and the thousands of people who died in the massive heat wave that claimed our country for several weeks.

But, in all fairness, can I do anything to change the weather?  Absolutely not.  Does not God send the weather, the sunshine and the rain?  Is He only good, when He sends the weather that I want on a given day, and withholds "bad weather," just because it is not convenient for me?  Or is my God bigger than my weather forecast?

Of course He is.  So, sunshine or rain, should I not rejoice in the day that I am given?

One of my favorite verses about contentment in the Bible is quoted at the top of this blog:  "But godliness with contentment is great gain." (I Timothy 6:6)  I understand that Paul in this passage is talking about my physical and material wealth and well-being, but aren't all blessings, whether physical or monetary, gifts from my Heavenly Father's hand?  Learning to trust in my God, who is good and loving all the time, should allow me to find peace in my heart, enough to be content with my present circumstances.

Understanding that God's goodness is always prevalent, in sunshine or in rain, should help me to appreciate whatever weather the Lord sends my way today.

Don't get me wrong--for special preaching meetings on Thursday, I am praying for sunshine, if nothing else to make things run more smoothly for those arriving, and those of us taking care of wiggly children all day long.
At the same time, if the Lord sees fit to send us "showers of blessings," I hope I will not be one to complain.

I will hope that I will be satisfied, whatever my loving God has in store for me...

Countdown

"Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am." Psalm 39:4

Good morning, dear friends!

Our kids went back to school yesterday morning from their last (for this school year) break before the "big vacations" that start in July.

Let's just say that there were some reluctant children heading off for school today.

It's strange that when they arrive at the last day before a vacation, I can't get them out the door fast enough.  They are so excited to start, that I don't have to encourage them much.  I guess they figure, if that start sooner, they'll finish sooner.

I can't blame them.

To help my children, especially my youngest son Joshua, get motivated for the remaining days, we counted down on the calendar.  Just 35 more school days.  Even that didn't encourage him much.  So, I counted out 35 small candies and put them in the smallest glass that we own.  I told my children that everyday one of them would eat a candy, and when there were no more candies in the jar, then we were on vacation.

This seemed to perk them up.  After all, they saw that there really weren't that many candies in the glass, and the prospect of having a piece every third day was appealing to them.

WHEW--necessity really is the mother of invention!

My kids know that their time at school is limited.  They know that they have only a few short days until vacation starts.  And that final countdown is the most important thing to them right now.

If only I considered my days in the same way...

I was thinking about my life's countdown today, and I came across a verse I don't ever remember reading before in Psalm 39: 4:  "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am." As I attempted to memorize this verse, I took the verse apart piece by piece:

"Lord, make me to know...": God alone knows how many days I will have on this earth.  He has counted out my days, like I did with the candies in the glass for my children.  Still, I can ask God to make me conscient of the time that is left for me.

"...mine end..." Every life on earth one day will come to an end, and mine is not an exception.  Instead of living in fear of the how of my life's end, I should be concerned with 1) how I live my days, and 2) where I am headed when this life is over.

"...and the measure of my days, what it is..."  Since I know that God already knows the length of my life, the height and the breadth  are what preoccupy me in this part of the verse.  My life will reach as high as heaven, but will I take people with me?   My life will be as wide and far reaching as I allow God's love to reach through me today.

"...that I may know how frail I am."  Even in my physical strength, I am weak.  My life is so short compared with eternity, and with an eternal God.  May God help me to remember how quickly life will be over, and to do everything I can to buy back the opportunities that God places in front of me today.

Psalm 39:5 is food for another day, but worth adding on to this verse: "Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity."

How short my life is, compared with my God.  How vain and empty are my days, if He is not in the center of them.

Lord, teach me to be mindful of the days you entrust to my life...

Clutter, clutter, everywhere...

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites!" Matthew 23:27

Good morning, dear friends,

Clutter, clutter, everywhere, as far as the eye can see...
Clutter, clutter, everywhere, and no one to blame but me.

My house may seem tidy at times, but please don't open any doors. Period.

What might look like a tidy kitchen, in reality looks more like this....

Or this...

Or this.

Why am I showing my untidyness?  Maybe to shame myself into getting something done about it.

I'm not reading any more articles about cleaning clutter, or what causes clutter, or how to eliminate clutter in my life.  I know what causes clutter in my house, and no, it's not my children.  (Well, not JUST my children.)

The real cause of clutter?

Laziness...on my part.

Instead of putting something back in an orderly fashion in the drawer, or closet, or wherever it goes, I just shove it back in, thinking that I am saving time, thinking that I'll get around to putting it away later.

We all know how that goes.  I am not saving time; I am just making my work load harder for myself.  We all know that LATER never comes.

When will I learn?

As long as my house looks tidy on the outside, in front of the closed doors, I'm not as picky with what goes on behind those closed doors.  There are things that need to be thrown away, things that are broken and need to be replaced, and some things in there that should never be there.

And, unfortunately, it's not always limited to my house.

Spiritual clutter is a much bigger problem than having a disorderly house.  On the outside, I try to make a nice appearance, both physically and spiritually.  The Lord knows, however, what is going on behind closed doors.

Sometimes, it's not pretty.

There are sins that need to be confessed and thrown away.  There are past sins that are forgiven that I allow to burden my heart with guilt today.  There are sinful attitudes that I must forsake, and replace with Christlike attitudes.  There are worries, fears, and angers that have no place in my life, period.

A very humbling passage to me has been Matthew 23: 27-28.   Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who placed so much importance on their outward appearance being "spotless," but their insides were just a mess.  Like me.  My outside appearance may line up with what a godly Christian should look like, but how about my insides?

Is there jealousy or discontentment there?

Am I believing God's truth, or is Satan whispering doubt and other lies to my heart?

Am I bitter toward someone? Angry? Impatient?  Frustrated?

Am I unloving to someone today?

How much more should I be willing to "clean house," beginning with my heart.  I need to...

...throw out what is useless. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:" (Ephesians 4:31)

....replace what is broken. "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:24)

....eliminate the extras that keep my life from being "tidy". "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1)

May the Lord help me today to clean house, spiritually speaking.  May I not allow sin to clutter up my life, making me unfruitful and unuseable for His service today.

And, just so I don't break faith with my readers, I did a little spring cleaning as well...

The Mother of All Blessings

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:28

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo: lovetotakephotos pixabay

Happiest of Mother's Day to all my American mom friends today!  I hope this day is incredible for you, and that you make lots of special memories today, and remember lots more.  For those of you whose moms had been "promoted" to heaven, I pray that God will comfort you in His great love today.

Mother's Day in France is not until the end of the month here.  So, I actually get to celebrate this special day...twice!  Isn't it great to live between two countries?

When thinking about the special women in my life who have made such an impact, I have been blessed by at least three moms:  my mother, my mother-in-love, and my adopted mom, my mom in the faith.  All three of these women have left such a lasting impact on my life! I am so thankful for the hours they have invested in my life, and I hope that I will make them proud as I continue to live it.

I have left the most special "mom" in the Bible for today, and I must admit that I am certainly not qualified to speak much about this mom.  After all, there has never been, nor will ever be, another mom like Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus.

It's true that I don't spend a lot of time talking about Mary here in France.  In the country where we live, Mary is unduly exalted in sinless perfection, making her the equal if not superior to Christ.  To spend much time talking about Mary is to run the risk of reinforcing these false notions about Mary to the people with whom we are witnessing.

The truth is, Mary was a woman like me: ordinary.  In fact, she was chosen by God to be the earthly mother for His Son, because of her ordinariness.

What set Mary apart in her "ordinariness?"

1.  She was willing.

Her response to the angel's message, after asking about the "how" of her conception? "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38)

The word "handmaid" in this verse?  A female slave, one who is unquestionally obedient to Her Lord.  To say that she had no choice in the matter is not correct.  Rather, Mary chose to put herself under God's authority as His servant, laying aside her own desires, plans, and wishes, so that she could be obedient to God.

Am I not called to the same obedience in my life?  If I say that God is my Lord, then whatever He asks of me, whether great or small, should I not be willing to do it?

Mary faced many obstacles and heartaches in her obedience to the Lord.  Her life was not an easy one.  She was misunderstood, slandered, and ridiculed for her belief in God's promise.  Those who believed her story could be counted on both hands: her husband (who he himself had to be convinced by an angel), Zachariah and Elisabeth, the shepherds, the wise men.  As time went on, that number grew, but early on in her child's life, how hard at times it must have been for Mary suffer unjustly at the hands of so many who were close to her.

God never promises that faith will be cheap, and that there will not be persecutions for being His servant.  In fact, He promises just the opposite:  "Yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution..." (2 Timothy 3:12)

Mary received confirmation about Jesus's calling from Anna and Simeon in the Temple, when she and Joseph presented Him for His dedication. At the same time, there was also a warning to her, something that probably set off the warning bells in her own mom-heart: "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also...)" (Luke 2:34-35)

She knew her Son was destined for greatness, but at what personal cost to herself?  The promise that Mary would suffer is spoken with the same assurance as her Son's greatness.

Would I have had the faith to walk down that road, as Mary did?

2.  She was faithful.

Every child thinks that they know better than their mother, but imagine the case of Jesus! He really did!  And yet, the Bible assures me that Jesus "was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." (Luke 2:51) Mary knew the miraculous story of Jesus's conception, birth, and God's calling on her Son's life.  To say that these things were difficult for Mary to understand is an understatement.  How humbling it must have been for Mary to know that she had been entrusted to be Jesus's earthly mother and caregiver, responsible for His physical training, as well as His spiritual training.  What a daunting task was set before her!

I wish sometimes that the Bible had more to say about Jesus's growing up years.  I can't wait to get to heaven and talk to Mary about it.  What is obvious to me, is that Joseph and Mary did not shirk in their task, or fail in their responsability to raise Jesus in the way He should go.  And yet, it is not perfection on Mary's childraising that Jesus turned out as He did.  Jesus had an imperfect mother, yet a perfect heavenly Father.

Even with an imperfect mother, Jesus turned out perfectly.  If ever there was an encouragement to my mom-heart, it is this:  I do not HAVE to be a perfect mom.  I will make mistakes.  I will fail in understanding, in love, in patience, in prayer.  God will still use me as a mom, to raise my children to follow Him,  if I make myself available to Him.

There is so much more to Mary's story that it would take more than a simple blog post to think about her life.  If I can just hold onto these two things--that Mary was willing and faithful to the calling God had put on her life--then I will be well on my way to fulfilling God's plan for me as a mom.

I don't know what blessings and burdens God will place on my heart as my children grow, but how I want to be willing and faithful.  I want to be willing to raise my children to love God, and to teach them all that they need to grow up to serve Him.  I want to be faithful in this task, all the days of my earthly life.  I know there will be joys and heartaches, celebrations and sadness, but if I can do these things in my life, I believe I will have done all that God has called me to be as a mom.

May God help all of us moms (and dads) today.  How much I need Him, to do all that I am supposed to do today...

The Mother of God's Messenger

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching..." Matthew 3:1

Good morning, dear friends!

Photo: rainermaiores pixabay public domain

I guess I am not very different from any other mother, when I say, I have the smartest, funniest, most beautiful, most talented, most put-together kids on the planet.  I'm sorry to disappoint all of you other mothers out there, but this is the truth, from my chair.

Of course, from your chair, it is the same perspective, just with your children.

After all, isn't that how it should be?  Shouldn't every mom place her greatest expectations in her children, and expect great things from her children?

Imagine if you knew, from their birth, exactly what those great things would be.  How different my perspective my child-raising would be, if I truly believed every day, with every decision and every choice that I faced, that my children were going to be used greatly by God in a specific and unique way!

Elisabeth knew from her God, all about the great things God had in store for her son John, before his birth.

What a humbling, exciting, and challenging assignment she was given by God!

Here are some thoughts that the Lord impressed on my heart as I was rereading her story today:

Elisabeth was an ordinary woman, with extraordinary faith.  Like many others in the Bible, Elisabeth had humble beginnings, and probably never even dreamed of the amazing plans that God had in store for her!  Her life may have been ordinary, but her faith was extraordinary.  The Bible gives a glimpse of her testimony:  "And they (Zachariah and Elisabeth) were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." (Luke 1:6)  What an amazing testimony!

She was older, and probably very settled in life.  There was a burden on her heart--no children--that she could not do anything about.  She knew her body was past the age of having children.  This is did not shake her faith in God.  Then, one day, Zachariah left for the Temple as he had other times in the past.  Everything was normal...until...the angel, the vision, the silence...and her world was turned upside down!  She didn't even have the assurance of the angel personally, but trusted in her husband's word (and the fact that he couldn't speak!) and in her God.  What joy she must have felt, knowing that the Lord had seen her deepest desire, her heart-felt plea, and had done the "impossible" for her to have her son!  As the angel assured Mary, Elisabeth's cousin, "For with God nothing shall be impossible!" (Luke 1:37)

Elisabeth did not try to keep her son from obeying God.  My children are still young, and I have not yet had the joy and heartache of sending my children out into the world to fulfill God's plans for their lives.  I have, however, heard many testimonies of mothers who, instead of letting their children leave to carry on God's work in the different corners of the world, placed obstacles in the path of their children's obedience.  This was certainly not the case for Zachariah and Elisabeth!  Not only did they encourage John to follow the Lord, they did not hold back at all in their training of him to do God's will.  If there is any doubt, read Zachariah's first words after he was able to speak in Luke 1:67-79.  Now there's a prayer of dedication for a child!  I am sure that Elisabeth's extraordinary faith rubbed off in this young man, because of the last verse in Luke chapter 1: "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit..."  Instead of discouraging her son from obeying God, she did everything she could to encourage his faith.

Obeying God's will for our children is not always easy.  There were certainly blessings in store for Zachariah and Elisabeth, as they raised young John to fulfill God's purpose in his life.  At the same time, there were also sorrows in store for them as well.  For example, the fact that John was born to them so late in life meant that they were probably not able to witness much of his adulthood.   In fact, there is no guarantee that Elisabeth was ever able to see her son fufill God's plan in his life! There is no indication that John ever married or had any children.  Elisabeth never had the joys of being a grandma to her son's children.    The path that God had traced for her son John was also not an easy one.  He physically lived a difficult life, without many of the comforts of his day.  His message was not an easy one, either: his task was to prepare a hardened, rebellious, oppressed people for meeting the Saviour!  He did not even live until old age, but was beheaded and martyred for his faith and obedience.  Had Elisabeth known fully what was in store for her son, would she have held him back?  Would she have tried to encourage him to follow a different path in life?  Thankfully, as a mom I do not know all the Lord has in store for my children, but I know that my God is faithful to sustain them through life.  Raising my children faithfully, and letting them go in God's hands, is as much as I can do for my children.  This Elisabeth did, and though at times it was difficult, she did not waver.

How can I let Elisabeth's life and faith encourage me as a mom today?

I can trust God to be faithful, even when I do not always understand the circumstances I am facing, in my life or in my children's lives.

I can pray that my children find God's way in service, and do all that I can to encourage them in that way.

I can put aside my own desires for their lives, and encourage them to seek God's will today in the little things: prayer, Bible reading, obedience, and Godly character.

I do not know what the Lord has in store for my children.  He alone knows, and I should not stand in His way.  His way is perfect.  What blessings are in store for my children, and for me, if I will only trust Him today...

Up tomorrow:  The Mother of All Blessings