Palms of His Hands
• Mar. 16, 2009 - As unto the Lord
I poured my life into them. I worshiped with them. I prayed with them. I cried and celebrated with them. I spent many thoughtful hours preparing gifts for them. I genuinely loved them. But in the end, I was betrayed by many of them. My broken heart was confused and indignant. How could this have happened after all I’d done for them? Pouring my life into these ungrateful people now seemed like wasted time and energy. Is there no reward for effort? If I had only known it would turn out like this….
You know what I mean. You’ve been there. I don’t need to tell you who “they” are. “They” can be anyone. Family. Students. A spouse. A congregation. “They” can be friends, co-workers, or an organization.
God’s been there. Jesus poured His life into people. He worshiped with them. He prayed with them. He cried and celebrated with them. He spent many thoughtful hours preparing a gift for them. * He genuinely loved them as no one else could. But in the end, the majority betrayed Him and killed Him.
Christ’s heart was broken, but not because He was confused or indignant. He didn’t whine, “How could this have happened to me?” He did everything good knowing exactly how it would all turn out. And how did it turn out? After the bloodshed, after the pain and suffering, after having His heart broken from the weight of the world’s sin, He sat at His Father’s side victorious. Mission accomplished. His effort received a priceless reward…Us.
Anything and everything I do for people is wasted time and energy. But anything, everything done for the Lord will be rewarded. Our priceless reward? Him.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” ~ Colossians 3:23-24
* Think Garden of Gethsemane.
(c) Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 2009 |
Comments (3) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Jan. 15, 2009 - Moved and on Dial-up....
We are finally moved in to our new place of residence. For a while we thought we wouldn't have any internet service at all, but we did find a dial-up provider. Because of this, our internet usage has gone down. We're having to pick and choose what we can and cannot do online. Hopefully we'll be able to go to the library sometimes to do more surfing. That said, during this "dial-up-unsettled-waiting-on-God" season of our lives, I won't be doing much blogging here at Homeschool Blogger. It just takes longer than my blogger account. I will be updating my other blog much more frequently, so look for me at:
palmsofhishands.blogspot.com
God Bless!
~ Drewe Llyn
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Jan. 8, 2009 - The End is the Beginning
Well, tonight is our last night in the place we've called home for 6 1/2 years. All week we've been packing, sorting, moving things, and making Waste Management earn their money this week. If I weren't so tired and so busy I'd be sad.
We've lived here longer than any other place in our married life. My kids were 14, 11, and 8 when we arrived. Now they are 20, 17, and almost 14. The oldest is in college. The middle child will go to college next year. It is a severe time of change.
A large number of the happy memories I have here involve activities and people from our church. Now those recollections have a bitter twinge to them as people and circumstances didn't turn out as I hoped. I've been disappointed. Wounded. Disoriented. Angry. Discouraged. Devastated. Worried. Heart-broken. All from people I loved and trusted. Sometimes I wonder if this 6 1/2 year section of our life journey was a failure. What did all the energy and love we poured into this ministry amount to? Yet I am reminded once again, because I need to be reminded quite frequently, that it's not about people's love for me or people's devotion to me. It's about my love for them. And I did genuinely love them. I still do, which is why it hurts so much. Perhaps that, above all things, shows I did what God intended me to do. If love betrayed doesn't hurt, it wasn't really love in the first place. Love hurts. Just ask Jesus.
I don't know what the next stage of our journey is, though I feel it has to do with refocusing on Christ, resting, and renewing my strength in Him. We're moving to a temporary location that is in the proverbial "middle of no-where". (I know this is true because there is no high-speed internet there, only dial-up. I'll be forced to come to grips with my internet addiction. *grin*)
Lessons learned:
1. People will fail you.
2. God won't.
3. What is seen is temporary.
4. What is unseen is eternal.
5. Life isn't about what others can or cannot do for me.
6. Life is about having God's love for people, even when it hurts.
7. My world can be shaken, but not destroyed when my hope is in Christ.
I'll be around the internet some, but won't be posting a picture a day like I wanted to.
I pray God's richest blessings on you all. Happy New Year!
~ Drewe Llyn
(P.S. For those who have no clue what I'm talking about you can find out here.) |
Comments (2) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Jan. 5, 2009 - A Picture a Day...except when...
My friend Lori over at Just Pure Lovely has joined Project 365 which is simply to take one photo a day for a year. It sounds like a great idea; literal snapshots (or digital shots) of 2009. I can't do Project 365 since it is day five and this is my first photo. Also, I have serious doubts I'll actually remember to take a photo every day. However, I will attempt to post daily except when I forget, when I don't have time, and when the internet is not working.
Here is today's picture:
Here Cassie and Candace are carrying "treasures" from their old rooms into our new (temporary) residence. The forecast was for 70% chance of rain, but we managed to get two loads transferred today.
Bonus shot:
My precious Trio on Christmas Eve. |
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Dec. 15, 2008 - Christmas Scenes
Just sharing some scenes of Christmas around our house:
Here are the snowflake cookies we baked celebrating the first snow of the season. (But not of the year! Two snowfalls in one year in Mississippi! Who'd have thought it!)
Oliver LOVES the tree skirt that sports handprints of my kids through the years.
My two favorite girls in the whole world in front of our "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree!
Remember how to make the origami stars I posted several days ago? (If you don't, click here.) Well, yesterday I made some out of the Sunday comics. Even my girls think these are cute. (Be extra careful if you make these out of comics, the paper is thinner and more prone to tear.)
More scenes later! |
Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Dec. 10, 2008 - Christmas Gift Bags
I have quite a few "Happy" gifts to give this year. You know the kind - tokens of love for friends, family, Sunday school classes, party favors, etc. Wrapping can get expensive, even if the paper, bags, and bows come from the $-Tree. I know this idea isn't new, but I thought I'd share what I'm doing this year.
Take a regular paper bag. (This is a lunch bag. I hope to get some white ones later.) Measure and mark 4 and 6 inches from the top and draw lines on both sides of the bag.
Gently begin rolling down the top edge all the way around. This is the tricky part. Do it slowly. There may be some tearing, but it shouldn't show when you are finished.
Keep rolling it down until the top edge meets the 4 inch line. Make sure the fold is crisp. (Sorry I didn't get this picture turned around.)
Now do the same thing with your new top edge. This time meet the 6 inch mark.
Walah!
Decorate any way you want using paints, markers, crayons, whatever! The possibilities are endless! Punch holes and add ribbon handles in the color and style of your choice. A little tissue paper will complete the look.
Aren't they adorable? |
Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Dec. 8, 2008 - Go Saints!
March, 2008, Cassie decided to purchase the perfect gift for Raymond...tickets to a Saints game. (When she saw the price she decided it would be the perfect Birthday-Father's Day-Christmas gift.) Her plan was to buy a pair of tickets for her and Raymond, but Kyle really, really wanted to go. Since Cassie wasn't willing to buy his, he paid for his own. Even way back in March the rival game between the Saints and the Atlanta Falcons was nearly sold out, and she couldn't purchase just three tickets. They only came in sets of two. I paid for the fourth one and was reimbursed by my MIL who wanted to go too.
We held that wonderful secret until Father's Day when Cassie presented her perfect gift. Raymond was speechless and in disbelief. It was, indeed, the perfect gift for him. Then came the long wait from June to December 7th. During that time Mawmaw had her terrible accident. There was no way she would make the game. She graciously gave her ticket to me.
Yesterday was the big day!
Louisianna Super Dome!
Pictures don't do it justice. It's breath-taking to view the field for the first time.
Awwww...brother and sister love each other...at least when Mom makes them smile. :-)
Part of my favorite team...the Jeffcoats!
It was an awesome day, and the Saints won 29 - 25! |
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Nov. 27, 2008 - Happy Thanksgiving!
A Happy Thankgiving to all! Our family of 5 will celebrate here at home, then travel to the hospital to spend some time with my Mother-in-Law who is doing well in rehab after accidentally cutting her foot off over a week ago.
Our menu for today: Grilled Ribeye steaks (Bought on sale!)
Yeast rolls - from scratch
Mac and cheese - from scratch
Butter beans - home grown, picked, and frozen
Deviled Eggs - from scratch
Pecan pie - from scratch
Cherry Cheese cake - from a box mix :-)
Yum! Yum!
I'd better get back to cooking now. |
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Nov. 18, 2008 - My Mother-in-Law Accidentally Cut Off Her Foot
Now, if that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will. My First reaction was WHAT?!?!?!?! I mean, how does one accidentally cut off their foot?!?!?!? Well, some of the details are sketchy, but here's what I think I know: She had just hooked her little dog to a cable in the yard before going to revival. Somehow the cable unknowingly got wrapped around her foot and she drove off severing her foot just above the ankle. I'm not exactly sure how help came, but Johnny (Raymond's step-brother) managed to get her to the hospital in Poplarville, MS. (Which is a very, very small community hospital.) From there she was air-lifted to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg where they did surgery to clean up the wound. They were unable to re-attach her foot. She received 3 units of blood. The family was able to see her before surgery. She has a long road of recovery ahead of her both physically and emotionally. The doctor said there will most probably be other surgeries. I'm not sure what this means for our immediate family. She will need care for a long time. Will she come live with us? I'm more than willing for that to happen, but we have to move from this house by the middle of January. We have a couple of temporary options, but we need permanent ones. Raymond has a temporary job, but we need a permanent one. It has been a very, very trying few months for us. Yet God has generously provided our needs and I'm more than grateful to everyone He's used to do that. I keep hearing God say, "I'm in control. Wait on Me." When I got in my car last night to drive home "Everlasting God" was playing on KLOVE. If you know that song it says, "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord." That's what I'm trying to do today. |
Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Nov. 12, 2008 - Huh?
I read a CNN article today that begs for comment. It seems that D.C. buses will soon be carrying this message: "Why believe in god? Just be good for goodness' sake". Believe it or not, that's not what I'm commenting on. Top of the page bullets summarize the article. The last point being: "Humanist spokesman says agnostics, atheists feel isolated during holidays" This is where I go, "Huh?" I mean, why should agnostics and atheists feel isolated during the holidays? Let's face it, Thanksgiving and Christmas (or Hanukkah or Ramadan for that matter) aren't their holidays! There is no one to thank on Thanksgiving and no one to celebrate on Christmas if there's no God. Why should they feel left out or even care?
My family and I lived in a Muslim part of Europe for two years. We never felt "isolated" during their holidays. Though we are Christians we'd sometimes be invited to share in a special meal (and awesome goodies such as baklava!!) for friendship's sake, but never did we feel isolated. Why should we? We weren't Muslim; those weren't our holidays!
America is a free country; if people don't want to believe in God (or don't care about God) that's their right. But don't whine about the holidays! After all, the word "holiday" is a contraction of "holy" and "day". If someone doesn't believe in anything holy, then they've missed out in more ways than one. That's their choice. If they happen to be included in the festivities of people of faith, then do it for friendship's sake and be blessed. Ooops! Can't be blessed if there's no "Higher Power".
I'm off my soap box now. |
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Nov. 9, 2008 - God's Word to me today via Kay Arthur
"O precious One, whatever your need, learn to run first to the out-stretched arms of Calvary where you will find His all-sufficient grace, grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 416). Then wait...wait on the Lord, that He might provide in His perfect way and His perfect time all your need. Not to do so is to end up in the horrible distress that comes when we will not walk in obedience of faith."
from Teach Me How to Live A second devotional journey with Kay Arthur |
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Nov. 7, 2008 - Interesting Sight...
• Nov. 5, 2008 - A Christmas Star
A couple of years ago a dear friend of the family made an origami star out of $1.00 bills. It was so cool! I decided it would be a great Christmas ornament if done in yellow paper.
I was right! Isn't it cute?
I just cut some paper the size of dollar bills and then followed the video I found.
Enjoy!
5 Dollar Origami Star -
You can turn the sound down as it only has written instructions. The music is just background. |
Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Nov. 4, 2008 - Giving Thanks
My friend Amy over at Dandelion Seeds is "Giving Thanks Every Day" for her blessings. I'm not organized enough to post every day, but I'd like to post some things I'm thankful for as they come to mind. I've been in the doldrums lately, but really shouldn't be with so many blessings. Here I go:
1. I talked with two ladies today who lost husbands when they were young. I'm thankful I still have my wonderful husband of 24 years.
2. Our family was blessed with a very generous, anonymous, monetary gift today.
3. A friend blessed me with a very thoughtful and creative gift today.
4. I went to vote with my son today...it was his first time.
5. This morning on my walk I saw a large flock of birds fly over in perfect "V" formation. It made me feel peaceful to know such organization couldn't just have "happened".
6. We've been invited to eat supper with some dear friends tonight.
**to be continued** |
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Nov. 2, 2008 - Your Grace is Enough...Or Is It?
2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
**Pretend you hear Chris Tomlin singing “Your Grace is Enough” in the background. If you have a hard time pretending you can click here.**
I love this song.
I've sung it with the radio while driving to Wal-mart.
I've sung it live in Daytona Beach, Florida with Chris Tomlin. (I was part of the audience.)
I've sung it with my praise team as we led Sunday morning worship.
I've sung it in my head as I've completed chores around the house.
Maybe you have too. It's a catchy tune reminding us of Paul's great declaration of God's sufficient grace in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
I have no doubt that in reality all we truly need is God's grace. He said it Himself: My grace is sufficient for you. And God does not lie. He knows that the absolutely worst thing that can happen to us is hell, and His grace and brutal sacrifice offer us deliverance from that. My question is: Do we believe it? Do I believe it? There's a lot going on in my life right now, and I'll confess that too often I find myself weak, vulnerable, and complaining. If I was completely honest the song might go something like this:
Your Grace - plus a good paying job, nice house, plenty of food, faithful friends, and healthy bodies - is enough for me. (Hmm...doesn't flow quite as well, does it?)
I'm reminded time and time again: God gave me everything He had when He gave me grace. He gave me Himself. Everything else should pale in comparison. |
Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Oct. 30, 2008 - Seven Things God Does Not Know
When I was either a senior in high school or a freshman in college (about 25 years ago), my pastor preached a sermon entitled "Seven Things God Does Not Know". I was captivated by the title and wrote down all seven points. I carried that piece of paper for years until I eventually lost it. Well, the lost has been found. (Cleaning up and packing does have a way of bringing things to the surface.) I want to share these seven things with my readers just because I think they are interesting and so maybe I won't misplace them again. :-) (Verses in parentheses were found by me.)
Hey, Bro. Maxie, you should be proud I remembered that sermon after all these years! :-) |
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Oct. 24, 2008 - "Sleeping Dust Bunnies: Do Not Disturb!"
Hurricane CP has disturbed my poor, sleeping dust bunnies. (If you have no clue what I'm talking about, click on the link.)
I've been cleaning out and have already gathered 8 or 9 boxes of junk treasures for an upcoming garage sale. A friend asked if I was throwing "off everything that hinders". I had to laugh. I'm keeping waaaay too much stuff to say I'm "Throwing off everything." But I am cleaning out things that have needed it for a long time. (I'm sure the trash collectors wish I'd stop.)
Today I popped over a dozen unmarked CDs into the computer to figure out what was on them.  In more serious news...my husband had a nuclear stress test this past Monday. (Come to think of it, this should be a breeze compared to Hurricane CP.)
According to the doctor there is a 90% chance Raymond has a blockage. He will be having a Cardiac Cath done this coming Monday around 8:00 AM.
Please pray that all goes well and that if something is wrong it can be fixed without surgery.
Thanks! Have a blessed weekend!
|
Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Oct. 14, 2008 - Thank you!
Dear Karen, Elysa, Marcia, Tammy, Tonia, Ashley, Allie, and Kym,
Thank so much for your encouraging comments as we try to recover from Hurricane CP. The winds are still blowing. I'm wondering where the eye of the storm is. However, I do know WHO has His eyes on the storm and can work through the storm to bring glory to Himself. Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Many around me are speaking death, thank you for speaking life. Your sister in Christ,
Drewe Llyn |
Comments (4) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Oct. 10, 2008 - Hurricane CP
My husband lost his job.
I've lost my job.
We've lost our church family.
We've lost our home.
If something miraculous doesn't happen we will all lose our friends, our town, and our lives as we've known it for six+ years. What has happened? We've been struck by hurricane Church Politics.
Hurricane CP is similar to Gustav, Ike, or Katrina. It brews for a while over warm waters of discontent and hurt feelings. There is always the possibility it will dimish and amount to nothing leaving peaceful waters for smooth sailing. Then again, if the desire for power and the power players are just right, it will grow into a full blown storm reeking havic on everyone in the church. There is no controlling CP once it gets it's momentum ...it will hit though predicting exactly when and where it will make landfall is a little tricky.
CP made landfall this week at our church. It was a category 5 storm. And while it has affected everyone, only the pastor and his family (a.k.a. us) lost everything. Everyone else still has their job, their home, their friends and neighbors, their town, and pretty much the lives they've known for the last 6+ years.
Did I say we lost everything? That's not really true. We still have our integrity. Our family. True friends.* And a God who says, "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
(* Actually the majority of the church overwhelmingly supports us and for that we are truly, truly grateful, but a fight will only cause more damage. Such is the life of CP.) |
Comments (8) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
• Oct. 6, 2008 - Another Hubby Update
Let me thank everyone for their continued prayers on behalf of Raymond and me. It is 6:02 PM. We've been home about 45 minutes. Raymond had restful night's sleep due to a sleeping pill. (I didn't get a sleeping pill, so my sleep left lots to be desired.) He went for a stress test at 11:25. He made it through the test fine. We had to wait several hours to receive news that the test was normal. Then we waited a little longer for the doctor to come see us. What he said is this: "The stress test was normal which means we will discharge you as low risk, not "no risk" for a heart attack. Just because it is normal doesn't mean all your arteries are clear. There could be the beginnings of blockage. I want you to see a cardiologist within the week." Raymond is experience some minor pains, but nothing close to the severity of Saturday night. While I'm extremely grateful to know he didn't have a heart attack and that his tests look good, both of us are still wondering what happened Saturday night and what caused it. Pain like that just isn't normal. So, I'd like to ask you to ask God to lead us to the doctor(s) Raymond needs to see and to give wisdom so we can get to the root of this. God bless! Drewe Llyn |
Comments (2) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
|
|
|
|
