Behold, the handmaid of the Lord...

"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word...." Luke 1:38

Day one, of a long journey...

This month, as part of a fitness group that I host with other missionary ladies, we have accepted a challenge.  In preparing for a Bible study for Christmas, I learned that Joseph and Mary had to travel between 80-90 miles on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  As part of our fitness challenge for this month, we have agreed to walk, jog, run or bike our fitness journey in remembrance of the trek that Joseph and Mary travelled.  In preparation for this Christmas season, I wanted to think more about this trip that they undertook, but more importantly, why this trip was so important.

As a missionary wife, I do a lot of travelling.  There are many aspects of travelling that I enjoy.  I love discovering new places, meeting new people, sharing stories with other missionary families, and creating bonds with strangers that last for a lifetime. When people asked me as a missionary on deputation or on furlough how I handled all the travelling, I would shrug my shoulders.  It was just part of the life that I have been given.  As a missionary, we travel.

There are other days, however, when it's "mission conference season," and I've been on the road for a month at a time, and I haven't slept in a real bed for three weeks, and I'm living on top on my family in a stranger's house, with no privacy except for those isolated minutes locked in the bathroom...that travelling is "less fun." At these moments, I have to dig deep, and ask myself the question:

"Why am I doing this again?"

There was a time in my life, at the age of 13, when I said "yes," to a life-long journey with Jesus.  My life was empty and I was heading down a road that took me further and further away from God and His plan for my life.  I received God's incredible gift of love, and gave my life to Him to be used as He saw fit.  From the moment that I said, "yes" to the Lord, I began the journey of turning over my life to Him.  It is not a once-in-a-lifetime decision (although it begins that way), but it is a daily surrender, a daily commitment to take the hands off of the steering wheel of my life, and let God have control.

It's not easy.  There are days, many days, when I don't want to let Him take control.

This morning I was supposed to begin this month-long journey thinking about the road to Christ's birth.  I got off to a rough start.  I had gone to bed at 7 pm on Wednesday, too exhausted to even see my kids to bed.  I woke up at 4 am to a splitting headache, so I went to get some Tylenol and crawled back under the covers.  I overslept, which meant that everyone was rushed as they were getting ready for school, everyone except for my youngest who had a rough night and woke up sick.  On top of all this were laundry, dishes and a million and one other unfinished tasks that greeted my morning.

After getting everyone settled for this morning, and getting the first tasks started, I sat down with my Bible in hand.  I had so wanted this month's "journey to Bethlehem" to get off to a good start.  I was having one of those, "Why am I doing this again?" mornings.

I began to read in Luke 1, the beginning of my Christmas readings for this month, and marvelled again at Mary, and her willing surrender to God.  Hers was a very special journey, which began months before, when she said "Yes," to God.  Her response to the angel spoke very quietly to my heart today...

"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word...." Luke 1:38

It was the "why" of my journey for today.  Why do I get up, and get going, and do the things that God has put on my plate for today?  It is because I said, "yes," to God.  There may be days when I don't "feel like it," when the daily tasks overwhelm me and I just want to return to bed, that God reminds me of all He has done for me, and the commitment I made to Him many years ago, as I surrendered my days to Him.  

During this month, as I enter into the busy-ness of this Christmas season, and all that needs to be done, may the Lord remind me to "get out of the way," and remember anew the day when the Lord called me, and I answered, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord..."  May I surrender my wants and plans today to be used as a willing instrument in God's hands.  As I begin the journey to Bethlehem, may I take each step with the thought of walking faithfully in the way that God has called me today.

What has God called you to today?  Can you answer with Mary, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord?..."

November Bible Discovery Club: A Festival of Lights

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8

Good morning, praying friends!

Halloween is a relatively recent phenomenon here in France.  For many years the French people in general resisted the idea of Halloween as being an American, commercialized holiday, and since those two ideas are very much disliked in France, Halloween was not celebrated much at all.

Over the past few years, with the explosion of American television programs (and the Internet), Halloween is acknowledged more and more.  The first years we were here, we never had trick or treaters.  This year, we had over thirty that came to our house, with their demands, "Des bonbons ou des farces!" (Roughly translated, "Candy or a prank!")

While the origins of Halloween are usually associated with American materialism, the darker side of Halloween is usually ignored.  This year, we decided to hold one of our November clubs on October 31st, to address the subject of Halloween from a Christian perspective.  Instead of Halloween, we celebrated a "Festival of Light" (La Fête de la Lumière), reminding our children that God is the God of light, and not of darkness.

Our children have been very faithful to attend club!  We praise the Lord for another opportunity to share God's message of light with them!

At the beginning of the club, we explained why as Christians we do not celebrate Halloween.  We placed pairs of words on the white board (light/darkness, life/death, peace/fear, truth/magic, God/Satan) on the board.  We asked the children which words they associated with Halloween.  Then we asked them which words they associated with God.  

(This simple game reminded me of Paul's words, "...And what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14  These children were able to see the distinction between the things of God and the things of the world.  May God help me to be careful in my life to stay as far away from the darkness as I can, and walk in the light.)

The story for today was about the demoniac at Gedara, and how Jesus saved him from that terrible darkness, so that he could walk in the light.  Explaining demon possession to very impressionable (and ignorant) children is always delicate, but the Lord gave grace and the children listened well.  

For a craft, we decorated glass jars with autumn-colored crepe paper, with a candle inside to remind them of Jesus our Light who lives within us.

Our children always enjoy snack time, and I am always amazed at how much they eat!  Damaris made American cinnamon rolls and white chocolate popcorn. Yummy!

As always, game time is a favorite time for our young people.  Since it was still warm and pretty out, we took our games outside and did an obstacle course...blindfolded, with a guide.  We reminded them how much easier it is to go through life with the light...and with a guide.

Thanks so much for your prayers for our clubs!  See you soon!

August Blessings and Burdens

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country..." Proverbs 25:25

Dear Co-laborers and friends,

Vacation? 

Summer months are usually tied with the idea of vacation time.  Even though it is true that our children are out of school, the ministry never stops.

We did have the opportunity and privilege to go to the south of France in July to attend to the camp we have been ministering in since arriving in France in 2000.  Last year the camp went from being a youth camp to a family camp for the first time and two people got saved, including one boy who followed the Lord in baptism when he got back to his local church.  Even though we were only but a handful this year, my family and I enjoyed this camp and we praise the Lord for His safety and provision.

Does this mean that missionaries never have any vacations?  We do, just not necessarily as would a “non-missionary” family.  We make sure we have family time, go for walks, visit things that are close by and just try to relax together and enjoy each other’s company.

Still working!

Mission’s work is never done and there is always more that needs to be done than we can ever finish. Everywhere we look we see needs and people who need the Lord. 

Susan recently met a lady named Dominique, and she has accepted to go on bike rides with Susan.  Please pray that this will be an open door for future conversations on salvation. We also had an older couple who came to our Sunday morning service.  They attend a Reformed church in town but were curious as to who we were – they had received one of our tracts in the mail box.

There’s also another younger couple with the two children we’ve been meeting with.  The Lawsons were in French-speaking Quebec before moving to France and we have enjoyed helping them with some of their needs.  Susan and our coworker’s wife, Damaris, will be having ladies meetings with Mrs. Lawson starting this month. 

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support throughout the summer! 

Servants of Christ,

Carey & Susan Abbett

Spring Family Camp 2016

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

Good morning, dear friends,

If you've been wondering where I have been, so have I!  Life attacks at random moments, and it's either feast or famine with the work here.  Everything seems to happen at once!  Thankful for springtime and being able to get back outside with family and friends.  Here's to the final stretch until the end of school and the beginning of summer!

We returned Friday from our annual family camp in Belgium.  This camp joins several churches ministering here in France and although the location and ages have changed, this camp has been active for 30+ years!  This year we were celebrating 10 years "at the castle" in Belgium, where we have been enjoying this special family camp!  So many good memories throughout the years!

"The castle," our restored meeting place in Belgium

This year's theme for children and adults was on the armour of God, and spiritual warfare!  As you can imagine this was a popular theme for the kids, and a very unpopular one for Satan!  He fought us hard this week, with lots of unplanned issues and difficulties.  We can see the Lord's hand working as we fellowshipped and ministered to each other.   Here are some of the highlights of the kids' ministry from this week.

Our good friends Sam and Suzy did a great job with the kids this week!

The kids made their own bows and arrows!

Painting the shield of faith

Sack race!  Old games are the best!

We had a great time and came home both refreshed and tired from all the activity!  Many thanks to all the people and their hard work that was invested for eternity during this week!

Billy, who taught the adult lessons on spiritual warfare

My hubby, working hard as always

It's always hard at the end of camp to say goodbye to our friends, both new and old, some of whom we only get to see during this one week out of the year!  We love and miss our faithful workers in France!  It will make heaven that much sweeter...no more goodbyes!

Until next year!

It's Not Fair! Bible Club March 2016

"But God commendeth His love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Good morning, dear friends,

It's been a while since we've had a Bible club update, and with Easter Sunday coming up soon, this past Saturday we had our Easter club!  As always, so thankful for the children who show up, and another occasion to share God's good news with the children in our neighborhoods here in France.

Since we have our children (who know a lot about the Easter story) and French children (who know very little about the Easter story), it is always a challenge to find a common thread that will help them both.

This year, I had some help, from an issue that pops up periodically in discussions with my family, and maybe in yours.  With more than one child, comes the inevitable thought:  "It's not fair!" Since we have been battling this issue as of late with our own children, it got me thinking about the Easter story.  I am so glad that Jesus was willing to be treated unfairly, to take my place on the cross, and die for my sins, aren't you?

I had some help with the lesson ideas, especially the object lesson about being treated fairly.  (To see the original source for this idea, click here.)  The children had to imagine a hurt somewhere on their body, and since our daughter said that her hurt was on her hand, she got a Band-aid on her hand.  Then, everyone who said they were hurt, no matter where on their body it was, got a Band-aid on their hand.  It was a good visual to tell the children that although they were all treated the same, it wasn't "fair."

This led us to our lesson, about the two thieves and Jesus dying on the cross, and about grace and mercy. The thieves were being punished justly for their crimes, and deserved to be there.   Jesus was not treated fairly, but because of His unfair treatment, we are able to go to heaven, just like one of the thieves on the cross, who obtained grace (receiving what he did not deserve)  and mercy (not receiving what he did deserve) from God.

The children listened very well, and I hope it will be a lesson they will not soon forget.

Damaris helped the children to make "Ressurrection cookies," made from crescent roll dough with a marshmallow inside.  When baked, the marshmallow melts, leaving a hollow space inside the cookie, to represent the empty tomb.  As always, our kids enjoy anything that they can eat!

A special thanks to all of you who pray for our clubs!  We are so thankful for each opportunity the Lord gives us to share the good news with these children!

See you in a few weeks for our next club update!

What Jezebel and the widow had in common

“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Romans 12:13

Good morning, dear friends,

As a young Christian, I had some very good role models in the faith.  I have already mentioned them here several times in my blog posts.  They by their very example shaped many aspects of living out God's faith in my daily walk with the Lord.

These same friends had a very insistent open door policy.  Literally. Their door was always open, to anyone in need, whether or not it was convenient.  Throughout the years I and countless others have been blessed by the open acceptance at their doorstep.

Their hospitality is rare in our day and time.  There are few families who give a standing invitation to anyone, everyone, regardless of the day, hour, or need.  How much I need to grow in this area of my life.

In my reading in First Kings this morning, I read the portraits of two very different women:  the widow of Zarephath, and Queen Jezebel.  Both of these women lived at the same time period, and even knew some of the same people.  But their way of life was completely different.

But the title of this blog is "what these two women had in common!"  They did have something in common.

• They both had houses.
• They both showed hospitality in their homes.

The results of their hospitality could not be any more different.

Sometimes we place so many restrictions on our hospitality towards others.  Our home is not good enough, or clean enough. Our sheets are old, our towels are frayed.   We don't know how to cook, or entertain.  We don't have Pinterest worthy attempts at anything.  

Hospîtality does not come from what we HAVE, but what we allow GOD to DO with what we have.

The widow of Zarephath had next to nothing. She was literally preparing the last food that she had, for her and her son, and then planned to die.

Jezebel had everything.  She owned the best that the nation of Israel could offer: a sumptuous palace, and enough food to eat and even waste.  

Having too little does not have to be an excuse, and having too much does not mean that it will be well spent. 

What they did with what they had was their responsability before God.

When Elijah asked the widow for water, she gave him what she had.  She must have had more water than food, because it was offered without hesitation.  When Elijah asked her for food, it was a different story.  She laid out her story to him:

And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.  I Kings 17:12

This made me wonder:  do I only exercise hospitality towards others, when I am in abundance, or am I quick to give to others in whatever state I am in?  Do I only open my house to others who can receive me in turn, or am I willing to open my doors to anyone who has a need?

On the other hand, Jezebel lived in extravagance, but instead of putting what God had given her into His service, she took God's blessings to encourage sin and rebellion.  When Elijah confronted Ahab, he told him:

Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. I Kings 18:19

Those who live selfishly with the blessings of God, will never be satisfied.  When Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard, Jezebel encouraged him to get it by force, killing Naboth in the process without hesitation.  (I Kings 21:7)  When we take God's blessings on our lives lightly, as something that is due to us, it becomes increasingly easier to close the doors to our hearts--and our homes--to the needs of others, to satisfy our own selfish desires.

May that never be said of me.

The results of these two women's lives could not have been more different.  By inviting the man of God into her home, the widow of Zarephath also was inviting God's blessing on her home. God provided her physical needs--flour and oil in abundance--but also provided for her in ways she could not have imagined at the time:  God restoring to life her son.

We have no idea what blessings lie in store, when we open our homes.

Jezebel's life ended just as it was lived:  tragically.  I would not say that her hospitality killed her, but her flagrant abuse of God's blessings certainly did.  She was killed by the very people that ate at her table (2 Kings 9:32-33).  All the riches and food that she had laid in store for herself went to feed the man responsible for her death.

What a waste.

I am so thankful for all the years that I enjoyed sharing God's blessings with my friends who opened their homes to me, time and time again.  I am thankful to say, that their children are following in their footsteps. Their love has been such a stunning example, of how I want my home to be:  not my home, but a home to anyone who walks through my doors.

May my door be always open to those outside, so that I may always be ready, at any moment, to open my heart's doors, as well.

My way

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.  Proverbs 21:2

Good morning, dear friends,

Like the new spring theme?  I guess it's wishful thinking.

I went on a bike ride and played tennis with Timothy yesterday.

It was snowing this morning when I woke up.

Welcome to March in northern France.

SIGH

Funny experiences abound when you are a foreigner adapting to a different cultural surrounding.  People are still people, and yet, they're different.  Or maybe I should say, different from me.

Living in France, I have gotten used to being told I am wrong.

About everything.

On a daily basis.

My language is wrong.  My way of disciplining children is wrong.  My way of dressing is wrong.

I joined a crafting circle here in Boves, where once a week I would sit with grandmas living here and do my cross stitch.  Not only was I doing it wrong, but they couldn't agree on the right way to do it.  There were eight ladies, with 16 different ways of doing cross stitch.

I haven't been back for a while.

(Not just because I was told I was doing it wrong, but because I couldn't sit still in a hard backed chair for three hours doing cross stitch.  Or anything else, for that matter.)

Yesterday, I was even told that I was pedaling a bicycle wrong.  Really?  How many different ways are there to pedal a bike?

More than one, apparently.

It's hard to be told that you are wrong about something, isn't it?  I was always amazed by my mother-in-love. No matter how many times she was told by a French person that she was doing something wrong, she would just shrug and laugh it off.  It may have stung privately, but she never let it show publically.

Our sinful nature WANTS to be right. It DEMANDS that we be right. After all, if I were doing something wrong, don't you think that I would do it differently? Do you think that I go around doing things wrong ON PURPOSE?

Of course not.  No one does.

Our selfish nature seeks to be justified, to show that it knows better than everyone else around us, and it will not be appeased.  Only constant submission to the Holy Spirit (and painfully gnashing down on my tongue sometimes) keep me from lashing out with the words that I long to say:

"Don't you think that I know what I'm doing?  Do I look stupid to you?"

(My children have learned not to answer that question when I ask it.)

This week I was reading in Proverbs, and since I was paying attention to the verses that talk about my walk, and the ways of man/ways of God, I was amazed at the number of times God reminds us in His Word, that we are WRONG, and that He alone is RIGHT.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  Proverbs 14:12

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.  Proverbs 21:2

 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.  Proverbs 16:2

What is the common thread for me in these verses?  I may think I know what's going on in this world, and I may think that I understand what God is doing or how He wants me to act, but I can't KNOW for sure.  I could be assuming that I am right, when in reality, if I am not checking my thoughts and ways against the Word of God, I may be (and often am) dreadfully wrong.

May God help me today, in humility, to examine my ways.  Am I walking in God's Word, or in my own ways?  Am I seeking to know His mind on the matter, or stubbornly holding to my own prideful thoughts?

And when others say that I am wrong, does it really matter?  Or can I lovingly, patiently accept what others tell me (even if they are wrong :) and let God use me to be an instrument of His grace today?

Time to get out of the way...