Feeling Small

Sometimes I feel so small.  I feel insignificant, of little use or value.  I live in the boonies, not even a small town.  I'm not rich or famous.  I'm not "special" by the world's standards.  I'm just me; a farmer's wife.

My days are spent taking care of small things.  Two small children.  Seemingly menial tasks.  Small ministries, at least in numbers. 

It's easy to feel small in such a big world.  I tell God this and He lovingly corrects me.

The enemy of my soul would love to keep me feeling small.  To lead me to believe that I have no influence or power.  The Truth of God's Word tells me different.  In His Word I find that:

God has good plans for ME! 

The Savior of the world knows me, sees me, loves me and has a purpose for my life.

I am significant and what I do matters.  It matters very much.

In the small stuff...that really adds up to the big stuff!

Not only in the small, but especially in the small.  In the every day, mundane stuff of life.

In the seemingly insignificant one on one contact with those in my unique sphere of influence.

 

What I do for the least of these...

 

It matters!

God wants me to see that.  And He wants to do even more.  He doesn't want me to miss the joy and opportunity He has for me in the small.

When we are faithful in the small...

 

He gives even more...

 

More of Him which means:

More insight, wisdom and revelation.

More faith and hope.

More joy and peace.

More strength and courage.

 

And isn't that what I want?!  More of Him and less of me.  To become smaller.  Small isn't so bad.  When I become smaller, He becomes greater in me.

So although I am valued, loved and powerful in the name of Jesus...no, because I am all of those things...I am okay with being "small".  And I will choose to see the miracle and joy in the every day stuff of life.  All of it...every part...matters!

"Who dares despise the days of small things..."  Zechariah 4:10

 

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I'm participating in Five Minute Friday.  Okay, so I'm a day late, but who's really keeping track, right?! :)

This is a time when I write on one word for five minutes.  This weeks one word prompt was "Small". 

 

Jump on over to Lisa-Jo Baker's page to see what others had to say on this subject by clicking the link below:

Renewed Perspective

Yesterday our church youth group hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for our entire church family and the local mission folks.  The people at the mission are those, often far from home, family and friends, who are there to overcome addiction to either drugs, alcohol or both.

It's always amazing to see how God works.  I know the youth group hosted this event as an outreach to bless the people at the mission.  But, in turn, God used it to bless our entire church family as well.  I was especially blessed to get to sit and visit with the three gals at my table, in addition to hearing three residents share their testimonies and later many others share their heart of gratitude.

These people "get it".  They get just how blessed they are...to be safe, to be saved, to be free from the power of sin and hell, to just be alive.  Unlike many people who sit in a pew their whole life, they know that it's not by their good works that they are saved.  They know they're not good enough.  They know just how much they've been forgiven.  They know how bad it could be and how special it is to walk in His presence.

Through them, my own perspective was renewed.  I was reminded of just how gracious our LORD is!  That there is nothing that can separate me from His love, but also, there is nothing I can do to earn it.  I have been redeemed and set free only by His abundant grace and mercy.

Each of us have a story.  Although mine looks different from theirs, and yours, we're not all that different.  We all have something in common.  We're all broken. We're all sinners.  We are all in need of a Savior!  And our purpose in this life is to glorify God.

I think all of us need a reminder sometimes.

Let's stop for a while today to thank God today for His amazing grace!

Comfortable

The boys and I just finished reading an inspiring book about a great Christian hero named Lillian Trasher.  I will attempt to tell of her life's work in only a few paragraphs.

Lillian Trasher was a missionary to Egypt from 1911 to 1961.  But becoming a missionary was not part of Lillian's original plan.  No, she wanted to be an artist for the Georgian Newspaper.  In fact, she had quite a talent and nearly had the job of her dreams.  But, due to a miscommunication, the job was mistakenly given to someone else.  From there, God lead Lillian to work in an orphanage in North Carolina (that's quite a neat story in itself).

Lillian served in this orphanage for a few years.  There she met a handsome young pastor who she fell in love with and they became engaged.  All the plans were in place and she was so thrilled.  But one week (yes one week!!) before their scheduled wedding, Lillian felt a sudden prompting in her heart to go to Africa as a missionary.  Not only was Lillian engaged to be married to a man who did not feel a call to the mission field, she was absolutely broke and it wasn't exactly a normal thing for a single woman to travel to foreign lands in those years, especially to do mission work.  With no financial backing or a clue what she was getting into, in faith Lillian called off her engagement and (through some very interesting turn of events) sailed for Egypt.

Over the very hard years of her life, Lillian prayerfully and faithfully did the work called her to do.  She opened the very first Egyptian orphanage and took in nearly 10,000 orphans plus thousands of widows in her lifetime.  Many, many times she didn't even know where their next meal would come from, but she trusted God and He always came through for them.

Because of Lillian many children were saved both physically and spiritually.  And the trickle effect was phenomenal.  Many of her children went on to be successful people in the community, even opening churches and other orphanages throughout Egypt.

I'm sharing all of this with you, friends, because I have to tell you what God showed me as I read about Lillian Trasher.  And ask you a question that I asked myself...

Did God Call Us to Be Comfortable?

You know, it would have been really easy for Lillian to ignore God's call.  She could have stayed in America and married the young pastor.  She could have served the church as a pastor's wife her whole life, in security and comfort.  It sure would have saved her a lot of heartache.  It would have looked really good to everyone, because she would have been doing "God's work".  No one would have known the difference...except God, of course.

But Lillian didn't do that.  She didn't ask God to follow and bless her plans.  No, she trusted God and followed His lead even when it was very uncomfortable and certainly inconvenient.  She prayed continually asking for strength and sacrificed it all for God and others, an example of the love of Christ.  She recognized her humble dependence on God day after day after years of days.  And she impacted THOUSANDS of lives!  That is why she is a true Christian hero.

So, let me ask you again...

Did God Call US to Be Comfortable?

I asked myself many questions as I read about Lillian Trasher, "When was the last time I sacrificed to give? How often do I ask Jesus to follow me, rather than the other way around?  How often do I ask Him to bless my plans, especially those seemingly "good and noble" things I am doing "for Him"?  How often do I give in a way that is inconvenient and sacrificial?"

I'm not talking about irresponsible giving!  I'm speaking of a gift that costs me something...not just me giving a little of my abundance.  And I'm not just talking about money, there are many ways to give.  I'm talking about a humble pouring out of myself as a sacrifice, unselfishly.  To give of myself; my time, my resources, my gifts, my energy and yes, even my money, to glorify God and expand His kingdom.  Honestly, it's much easier to sit where I'm comfy cozy.  All the while asking God to use me.

Near the end of Lillian Trasher's life a news reporter asked her, "Miss Trasher, what is the secret of your missionary success?  What is the greatest thing you ever did?"  Lillian's reply, "There isn't any secret.  I just stayed!  I did not quit.  I stayed with the work God gave me to do."

Lord, purify my heart.  Show me how and where to serve - to follow Your call, rather than ask you to follow my plans (even if they seem good).  Show me how to live out the call to live in genuine love.  Enable me to give of my plenty (in numerous ways) through faith, so that You may be glorified.  Not just when it's comfortable and pretty, but all the time.  I'm thankful for all You have given.  Help  me to share of myself as You would.  And continue on even when it isn't easy.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.

What about you?  What is God calling you to do?  Not all of us are called to be missionaries, but that doesn't mean He doesn't have work for you to do!  I do not believe that God blesses us so that we can hoard up treasures for ourselves and live unchallenged lives.  Just look at the lives the patriarchs of the Bible, even Jesus himself, they lives were challenging...and fruitful!  In the big things and seemingly small things God blesses faithfulness.

"It is possible to evade a multitude of sorrows through the cultivation of an insignificant life.  Indeed, if a person's ambition is to avoid the troubles of life, the recipe is simple: Shed your ambitions in every direction, cut the wings of every soaring purpose, and seek a life with the fewest contacts and relations.  If you want to get through life with the smallest trouble, you must reduce yourself to the smallest compass.  Tiny souls can dodge through life; bigger souls are blocked on every side.  As soon as a person begins to enlarge his or her life, resistances are multiplied.  Let a person remove petty selfish purposes and enthrone Christ, and suffering will be increased on every side."  Henry Jowett

P.S. Lillian used her God given drawing abilities later on when she designed her own building plans for her first official orphanage building.  God knows just what He is doing!  :)

"And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don't begin until you count the cost...you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything." 

Luke 14:27-28, 33

Imagine ~ Eternal Perspective

Today I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for 5 Minute Friday...

This is when I "just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing" (seriously hard for me...and that's why I need to do it!).

Today's Word is: Imagine

Go...

So much emphasis is placed these days on the here and now.  Even in the Christian realm it seems that so much focus, in Christian music, at conferences, even in churches is on how to live a better life today.  I must admit I've often been guilty of being earthly minded at times on this blog, and even in everyday life.  But recently the LORD has impressed upon my heart (through a variety of avenues) that the longing Believers once had for Heaven, is something we shouldn't lose sight of today.  It fills us with hope and causes us to think beyond ourselves.  Yes, a relationship with Jesus give us abundant life today.  But it also gives us an eternal perspective, there is something even better coming.  Imagine!

When I first heard the word of the day my mind immediately raced into thoughts of "Imagine what life would be like if we lived as Jesus lived!  Oh, how lives would be changed.  What victory there would be for us and others!"  

Then, my mind moved onto "Imagine what Heaven will be like!"  I recently read an article titled, "Are You Looking Forward to Going to Heaven?".  The writer shares how Christians, even Pastors, admitted to dreading Heaven.  Why?  Because they imagined it to be boring, monotonous, one un-ending church service after another.  Yikes!  REALLY?

Imagine, my friends, what Heaven will be like.  

We don't know a lot of solid facts about Heaven.  I think God didn't give us a lot of details in the Bible because our minds simply couldn't fathom the beauty and greatness of it anyway.  What we do know is this: it will be better than the best things we've experienced here on earth.  There will be...Peace.  Joy.  Wholeness.  Freedom.  No sin, sickness, pain, worries, sadness or tears.  Unhindered fellowship with God...forever!

Imagine it!

Doesn't sound boring to me.  In fact, it sounds simply wonderful!

Imagine standing before God with a clear heart and conscience.

Imagine not.

Imagine getting there, and being greeted by those you told about Him.

Imagine not.

Imagine hearing, "My good and faithful servant" from your Maker.

Imagine not.

Imagine getting to spend eternity in the presence of God.

Imagine not.

Imagine something so much better that you can't even describe it, but you know you want to share it with all your loved ones.

Imagine not.

Just imagine.  

Now, go live with that eternal perspective in mind!

"For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better...Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ..."

Philippians 1:21, 27a

Click on the link above to see what others wrote about the word: Imagine

Your Story ~ ReNEWed Life '12

Recently I’ve been writing about my time at ReNEWed Life Women’s Event where Lisa Whittle spoke. Today I continue writing about what God showed me through Lisa’s messages. This is post 3 of 4. Read the previous posts here and here.
Last time I wrote about facing our truth. And I said: When we face our truth and are honest with others about it, it influences those around us. This goes right into Lisa Whittle’s third message of the day “Your Story Matters”. Lisa said that from our place of wholeness (once we’ve faced our truth and been made whole in Christ) we must move. She said our point is to make God famous. We don’t share for us, we share for them (so others can hear about Him).

She said there are two places where it goes wrong.

1. We think we don’t have a story
2. We emphasize the wrong person

We all have a story. Lisa said, “We have to understand our story is what happens between Jesus and us in the pages of our earthly journey.” Yes, we all have a story…and that story is about Him, not about us. We need to share our truth because “honesty makes others feel brave”, and it can nudge them to receive the Truth.

This message reminded me of something I heard Lysa TerKeurst say before (my paraphrase), “People don’t care to hear about your God until they’ve seen the reality of him played out in your life.” In other words, people don’t care to hear you preach the gospel to them until they’ve seen the gospel of grace and love lived out in you. They want to see Him in you, to know that He’s real and that He works in your real life. Lysa TerKeurst also said this, “People want to know if He works.”

I’d say that’s why your story matters. Your story, the one that’s happened between you and God, shows others that He works…in a real way, in your real life. When we’re honest about where we’ve been and what He’s done in us, it proves He works.

That’s really the point of this blog, all of it not just this post…to share what He’s done and what He’s doing in me. That’s why I shared part of my story in my last post. And why I try to be honest about my struggles, so that you will see you are not alone and that He works…really works in the everyday stuff of life.  It's about Him!

At the end of the day at ReNEWed Life Women’s Event we had time to reflect on the day and what we had heard. A question from Lisa Whittle’s “Your {w}hole Story” Guide was posed, I asked myself, “If I could spend the rest of my life talking about one thing, what would it be?” My answer: I would spend my life telling people that we don’t have to live stuck or broken or in empty religion. That, yes, heaven is coming, but we can also experience freedom and abundant life through Christ, here, right now, in this life.

Honestly, reading friends, He is the answer to every question. I know because I have looked for happiness and satisfaction in all the wrong places. When I surrendered my life to Him I found that He truly is the source of joy, peace and hope. It’s His love and grace that changes everything.

No, life isn’t always easy and carefree. We live in a fallen world. But life is better, much better with Him, than without Him. That’s the truth!

How can you share your story? Do you believe it matters?  It does.

“…Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Ephesians 4:29

Next time, my thought on Lisa’s message “Holes Bring Hope”. I will share about how empty religion limited and defined me…and how that drove me to God.

Renewed Treasure

I like yard sales. I like them a lot. I like finding bargains. I like finding treasures among the trash. I’m teaching my boys to enjoy them too.

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of going to quite a few yard sales, good ones where I’ve found plenty of cheap treasures. They may not look like much to someone else, but I love taking them home to renew them and put them to use.

Today, I stopped at a sale. I found an old wooden chair for a dollar. Nothing special. It has it’s dings, obvious wear and tear. But I love it. I sat it on my front porch. I sat an old, metal watering can on it. The watering can has a hole in it, so I filled it with potting soil and plopped in a flower.  It’s nothing special, but it is a treasure to me. It makes me smile.
   
The saying is true, one man’s trash truly is another man’s (or…ahem…woman’s) treasure!

I think this must be how God feels about us, His people. He likes to take us in, dings and all. He sees the treasure in us when others don’t. We may not look like anything special to others, but we do to Him. To Him we are special. We are His treasure. He renews us and gives us a new position…right out there where everyone can see. We’re His…and we make Him smile.

We are a lot more special than an old wooden chair and a holey watering can. He has plans for us that reach beyond our wildest dreams, if we will merely trust Him and follow His lead. When we belong to Him, and we continue to seek after Him, He just keeps renewing us!

He renews our spirit (Psalm 51:10) daily (II Corinthians 4:16).
He renews our mind (Romans 12:2).
He renews our strength (Isaiah 40:31).
He renews our whole life! (Colossians 3:1-11).

I love this verse, “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” Colossians 3:10

Although he accepts us dings and all, we don’t have to stay an old wooden chair or a holey watering can! He will make us new and just keep renewing. The more we get to know Him, the more we will want to be like Him, the more He will do in us. Isn’t that amazing?!

Do you need to be renewed today? Remember you are His treasure, dings and all. Seek after Him. Talk to Him. Trust Him. Follow Him. Remember He loves YOU. Let Him renew you today!

Thank you, Lord, for seeing the treasure in us even when others don’t. For accepting us dings and all. For loving us, and making a way for us to have new life. For renewing us daily, when we turn to You. Help us to put on our new nature, as we learn more about You and desire to become more like You. Make something beautiful out of our lives. Amen.

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Need a day of renewal?!  Join us at ReNEWED Life Women's Event featuring national speaker and author Lisa Whittle! I am thrilled to be part of the ministry team working to bring this exciting event to small town Cresco, Iowa.  I would love to see YOU there on August 11^th!

P.S. See, God can use old, dinged up “treasures” like me (and you too!).   ;)

Distracted and Discouraged

I find that I’m all too easily distracted.  Does any of this sound familiar to you?

I get a few jobs done while my boys are napping, so I sit down to write or read my Bible. I notice the bathroom light on. I think, “I better turn that off.” As I do, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Look at my hair! I think, “I better do something with this mop!” I fix my hair and my makeup…right after I clean the dirty toilet and sink. I remember that I’m suppose to be writing or reading, so I sit back down. Boy, I sure am thirsty. I go to the cupboard to get a glass.  Suddenly I remember the laundry in the dryer. I fold the load of laundry, then remember to make myself a glass of tea. I finally sit back down. Out of no where I remember that e-mail I’m suppose to return. I log on. I hop onto Facebook. Fifteen minutes pass before I remember to return that e-mail, you know, the one I logged on to return. I remind myself to get back to writing and reading. I sit down. My boys wake up from their naps. They need my attention. I didn’t write or read. I was DISTRACTED.

I think it’s human nature to get distracted. But, I believe this place called distraction is just the place the enemy of our soul wants to keep us. In fact I believe his two greatest schemes are DISTACTION and DISCOURAGEMENT.

Think about it, whether we’re distracted by our own faults or insecurities, our long to do list or responsibilities, our trials and tribulations, or just by life in general, we lose focus. When we lose focus, we tend to get discouraged. When we’re discouraged, we become even more distracted. We tend to focus on the lesser things rather than the more important things. When we’re distracted and discouraged, we’re less fruitful. And we aren’t experiencinb the abundantly life God promised us! If he can keep us there, he wins!

Perhaps that’s why Paul felt the need to warn us:

"…do whatever will help you serve the Lord best,

with as few distractions as possible.”

I Corinthians 7:35

Recently I have sensed the Lord guiding me to simplify my life. Less distractions. More focus on what is really important, Him and others. That means giving up some things and not wasting time, because I know this life is fleeting. It also means being aware of how easily distracted I am (and most of us are), and making a conscience effort to stay on track. I only have so much time. Why waste it on the lesser things? Why waste my days being distracted and discouraged when He has provided all I need to be focused and encouraged?

“Don’t be afraid for I am with you. 

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.” 

Isaiah 41:10

I'm not saying we should shed every ambition, in fact, we shouldn't.  I am saying, there is a time and a place for everything (even facebook, if you so desire). And, of course, there are household chores that we all must do. I mean, who else is going to do your dishes, right? But the old saying “First things first” applies here.

We must focus on the more important things first! Then, the other things will fall into their proper places.

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart,

all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. T

his is the first and greatest commandment.

A second is equally important:

Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39

We were created to be people of influence. However, we will never be all God created us to be, if we allow distraction and discouragement to overcome us. Not only will we miss out, those around us will too. We can’t afford that!

Ironically, the antidote for discouragement is the very thing we are distracted from. We must find time to be in God’s Word, to fill our minds with His truth. And if we only understood, really understood, even as the enemy understands, the power we have in prayer, we would never fail to spend time in conversation with God. If we seek Him, we will find Him. When we follow Him as our Good Shepherd, He gives us a rich, satisfying, and abundant life (see John 10:10), not discouragement and distraction.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice!

…Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything

we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and

minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4, 6-7

If you are a follow of Jesus Christ, remember all that you possess in His name! I know life comes with many challenges, but He supplies all we need (see Philippains 4:19)! It’s all too easy to forget. Don’t allow the enemy to bully you, and keep you in these places of Distraction and Discouragement. Spend time with the Lord daily, being strengthened, refreshed and rejuvenated. You will find yourself more FOCUSED and ENCOURAGED, influencing others and living the life of peace God promised to those of us who seek Him!

Find Your Purpose

When I was a young girl I believed God had a plan for my life…and that it would be something grand. That I would grow up, graduate from high school and that I would venture out to fulfill my calling. I didn’t know what it would be, but I knew it would be something BIG.

My mama told me that I was a promise. Teachers told me I had potential. I believed there was a great purpose for my life. Oh, the glorious possibilities!

Do you remember that little song, “I am a Promise” ? I sang my little heart out to that song. “I am a promise. I am a possibility. I am a promise with a capital P. I am a great big bundle of potentiality…”

High school graduation came. High school graduation went. Still I didn’t have a clue what “destiny” I should be seeking after. I had no plan. I had little confidence. And eventually the idea of being such a wonderful promise began to fade. I realized I was just like everyone else.

The thing is: God did (and does) have a plan for my life. The truth also is: He has a plan for all of us. Often times we spend so much time thinking that we have to find out calling; thinking that we need to do something big and important that we miss one simple truth.

Glorifying God is our soul purpose! That’s why He created us! Once this truth penetrated my heart, everything changed for me!! 

No matter what we do, where we are or how we get there, our purpose is to bring Him honor and glory! It doesn’t matter if you’re a school teacher, a stay at home mama, foreign missionary or a rocket scientist, as long as you do everything you do in His name.

Strangely, when we ask ourselves the question, “What is my purpose in life?” Hearing the answer “to glorify God” doesn’t really seem to satisfy us. We want more of a concrete plan laid out before us. We want to do something, to be something, to go somewhere NOW. We want to make a difference and we don't want to wait.

Not that it’s bad for us Christian to want to do something for Christ. As Christians we should have a desire to share Him with others. But, glorifying God isn’t just done in some big arena. We can glorify God in the everyday moments of life, no matter who we are or what we do for a living or what ministry we’re a part of.

God isn’t nearly as concerned with what we do as He is with who we are!

“I am the vine, you are the branches.

He who abides in Me, and I in him,

bears much fruit; for apart from Me

you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

I recently read some thoughts Henry Blackaby shared about the above verse, “In our zeal to produce ‘results’ for our Lord, we sometimes become so intent on fruit production that we neglect abiding in Christ. We may feel that ‘abiding’ is not productive or that it takes too much time away form our fruit production. Yet Jesus said that it is not our activity that produces fruit, it is our relationship with Him…If you will remain steadfastly in fellowship with Jesus, a great harvest will be the natural by-product.”

How do we glorify God? We must abide in Him. By getting to know Him personally. By loving Him (and others). By serving Him. By praising Him. By trusting Him. By seeking to honor Him with our every thought, word and action. EVERY day! In the ordinary moments of life. If we do this, the results will be great! If we don’t, our lives won’t amount to a hill of beans, even if we’re the most famous person alive. Apart from Him we are nothing!

God might send you somewhere grand, to do things that you think are way over your head, to fulfill a purpose that matches your wildest dreams. But, it all begins with abiding in Him...at this moment, every moment, of everyday. Don't underestimate the influence you can have right where you are today! Start there and the rest will fall into place. Be patient and ask God to open doors for you to share your talents. But remember, “fruit” doesn’t grow overnight! It is a process that takes time…and a lot of abiding! 

Are you searching for your purpose? Or have you lost sight of your purpose?  Start fulfilling your purpose today by seeking to glorify Him with you life. Wherever you go, whatever you do, whomever you speak to, be Jesus in the flesh. Live a life to bless God and others. It may not seem like a huge thing, but I believe the things we consider to be small things often add up to be the big things in the end. Just think of the possibilities!! No one else has your sphere of influence!  

“If you are walking daily with the Lord, you will not have to

find God’s will - you will already be in it.”

Henry Blackaby

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Note: I am a stay at home wife and mama. Who better to influence the 3 lives in my home than me? I go to a MOPS group with about 10 other women. I can bless other women there. I have 4 little girls in my kindergarten Sunday school class. Seeds are being planted in their young hearts that I believe will grow to fruition.

I also serve on the leadership team that plans Rise & Shine Women’s Retreat each fall. Last year there were 350 women in attendance. It is such a blessing to be part of this big event! It’s an honor to pray for these dear women, to be part of something that encourages so many on their walk of faith. Yet, even equally fulfilling to me is making personal connections with a handful of them. I love being able to pray with them and to have opportunities to speak truth into their hearts long after the conference is over. Ministry is there too...one on one.  It's so personal, just like God is so personal!

My point: it’s not about the numbers, it’s about planting seeds; seeds that produce lasting fruit. Glorifying Christ is never a small thing!

I like this quote from Jill Briscoe: “People often ask me, ‘What do you do on all your travels to faraway places?’ I answer, ‘I just try to make sure I am available to God and to the people on a moment-by-moment basis.’ That applies to what I do at home as well. In every part of my life, my job is to be ready to obey, ready to pour out.”

Remind Me

I have been especially reminiscent lately. Probably because my “baby” turned 3 on Saturday. On top of that much of what I’ve been reading has to do with setting priorities and making the most of my time. I believe God is speaking something to my heart…again.

Yes, our son turned 3 on Saturday! THREE!! Leaving me again with the question, "Where have the last three years gone?"

John Deere tractor theme and choo choo engineer hat...what more could a guy ask for, right?!

People often tell us to enjoy these precious moments…reminding us of how quickly the time passes. I take their words of advice to heart. Yet, no matter how much I try to savor these moments or try not to "sweat the small stuff", time still passes all too quickly!

It doesn’t seem possible that it has been three years since we brought Andrew home from the hospital...

(It wasn't 01/06/2002. It was 02/01/2007. What a time for the date to mess up on the camera!)

Or almost 3 years since he stated flashing those first smiles...

Or 2 years and 2 months since he walked those first steps...

So today my heart echose the prayer of David in Psalm 39:4-7:

"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth with be. Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is.

You have made my life no longer thatn the width of my hand. My entire life time is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.

We are merely shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."

I would add:

Lord, thank you for showing me Your faithfulness in the past; giving me reason to expect more of the same in the future. I'm thankful that I know I can put my hope and trust in You!

Remind me of how important it is to live each and every day with purpose; setting priorities and living out the plan You have for my life.

Remind me that a very important and valuable part of that plan is mothering this precious child (and the one we will welcome in April as well) that you have given to me and my husband.  Help me to remember that if we teach him Your ways, we will leave a legacy that will far outlive us.

Hmmm...

The thought of how fleeting this life is would be a depressing one if I didn't know the One (the only One) that I can put my hope in.

I want to remember to run this race to win...to run with purpose in every step (I Cor 9:24-25).  So that when I come to the end of my life I can say as Paul did in I Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."

So I finish my prayer...

Lord, give me the strength to run this race with discipline and diligence.  Remind me of what is truly important. Help me to cherish the blessings you have given me...and keep the proper perspective and priorities each day.

I thank you for blessing us with our son Andrew!  He is a gift from you and I feel honored to hav ethe opportunity to raise Him for You.  It is a pleasure to watch Him grow and learn.  Give us wisdom as we teach him Your ways.  May we be shining lights of Your glory in his life.  You are a great big, wonderful and gracious Father.  I love you!  Amen

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13