While some of David's men may have taken credit for the victory against the Amalekites, David clearly realizes that it was God who handed over their enemy. He also realizes that each man had a different role to play. Some went into battle, but some needed to watch the supplies. It was the "evil men" and "trouble makers" who didn't have sympathy for those in need.

In honor of the Fourth, I thought I would post an article about citizenship which I wrote while living overseas.

Passport Stamps

(Written May 5, 2001)

            Sometimes I still feel like a small child on Christmas morning, filled with excitement at the possibility of fulfilled dreams. My excitement spills all over everyone in my path, and I just can’t control my enthusiasm.   I had one of those days last Thursday.  Everyone in a five mile radius knew I was giddy with excitement when our Slovene friends announced that our Friday plans included an excursion into Austria.  (Ok. Ok.  Maybe not a five mile radius, but everyone in the house.)  You might be wondering, “So,what’s the big deal?”  Well, to this country, Mississippi girl who has memorized most of the songs from The Sound of Music, going to Austria was big stuff.  My expectations weren’t even great.  I didn’t have to go to Salzburg and take the Sound of Music tour.  (Even though I’d love to some day.)  I didn’t have to enjoy authentic Austrian food.  (We ate at McDonalds.)  I didn’t even have to “shop ‘til I dropped”. (I bought some shaving cream and a few postcards. )  Learning German and living like an Austrian weren’t even part of the plan.  I didn’t want to live there, I just wanted my passport stamped.  I wanted proof to show that I’ve been to Austria.  It was a tense moment when the border guard tried to wave us through with just a count of passports and passengers, but our driver kindly asked if the Jeffcoat’s passports could be stamped.  (Which he did!)  I was thrilled and satisfied.

            Even though my excitement nearly drove Raymond and the kids crazy, I don’t think it was a bad thing to simply want my passport stamped with the Austrian insignia.  (I’ll be glad to show it to you sometimeJ)  But I did get to wondering…Do I/we ever approach the kingdom of God the same way?  Sure, we all want to enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven in the next life.  But do we really want to be a part of it in this one?

            If I go to church on Sunday and live like I want to Monday through Saturday;

            if I give begrudgingly to the church or special offerings;

            if I join the church and am baptized, but my life hasn’t changed;

            if I do things for God out of a sense of duty and not out of my love for Him;

            even if I live as a “missionary” in a foreign country, but have a heart full of self-pity;

            then I’m only having my spiritual passport stamped for show and am not really living the Kingdom life.

            I don’t think God wants tourists to His Kingdom on earth, He wants committed citizens.  He wants people to live the Kingdom life here and now every minute of every hour of every day.  If I were a citizen of Austria, I wouldn’t be merely passing through, I would plant my life there.  I would have to leave my American comfort zone, give up my American ways, language, and life style, and abide totally by Austrian rules and culture.  It wouldn’t be easy.

            If I want to be a genuine citizen of Christ’s kingdom, I have to give up my worldly ways, language, life-style, and totally abide in Christ.  Often that means reaching beyond my comfort zone to touch the lives of others.  It isn’t always easy.  But it is always worth it, because even though His Kingdom is one of self-sacrifice and self-denial, it is a kingdom of love.  There’s no place like it on earth.

            “But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands…” (1 Kings 8:61)  “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  (Colossians 1:23)

            Dear Lord,

            Help me to make the necessary changes in my life in order to be a committee citizen of Your Kingdom.  When it comes to Your Kingdom, I don’t just want my “passport” stamped, I want to live, breathe, and experience You every minute of every hour of every day.  Amen.

            Striving to be good Kingdom Citizens with you,

            Drewe Llyn, Raymond, Kyle, Cassie, and Candace

The sign hanging from a pink polka-dotted ribbon boldly declared, “DO NOT DISTURB.” What better invitation did a twelve-year-old need to barge into her older sister’s room?

“Get out!” the eldest yelled, “And I mean now!” Rather than leave quietly, the younger began a volley of less than loving words. The older was more than up to the challenge. After several rounds, the younger finally ended it with a slam dunk and a slammed door. With determination she set off to find a sympathetic ear (a.k.a. me, her mom.)

In an effort to justify herself, my younger daughter let fly a string of examples to prove she is always mistreated by my older one. I listened patiently, finally counseling her to “just be nice to your sister.” (This seemed the motherly thing to say)

“Why?” She demanded, “Why should I be nice to her?” (With an emphasis on “her” as if uttering “her” real name might cause regurgitation.) Without waiting for a reply she proceeded to list all the reasons her older sister did not deserve kindness. And while there was some truth to her words, I knew her sister could compile a similar list. Exasperated by this time, I once again admonished the younger to treat her sister with kindness. She looked at me with her own frustration and demanded once more, “Why should I?”

All the good things her sister had done for her were on the tip of my tongue waiting to fly off like messengers of grace to bridge this valley in my daughters’ relationship. I realized, however, that the younger was not in the Land of Reason, so I decided to put it bluntly, “Because I said to.”

She gave me a bewildered look and left deciding, I suppose, the cat appeared to be more sympathetic than I.

I began to think.

How often do we, God’s children, exchange cross words with one another justifying each one? Do we explain to God why we can’t be nice to So & So, detailing all the reasons they don’t deserve kindness?

Perhaps the reason we are to treat our “brothers” and “sisters” with love is not because they deserve it, but because Dad said to.

That’s something to think about.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” ~ Ephesians 4:32

Sisters who usually get along.

• financial hardships
• family strife
• sickness
• relational issues
• hurricanes
• fire
• tornadoes
• cancer
• alcoholism
• drugs
• flood
• famine
• war
• depression
• death of a loved one

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ~ Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)

 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~ John 16:33

Many of you know that our family spent nearly two years as missionaries in a Muslim part of Europe.  Though their civil war had ended several years earlier, there was still much poverty and need among the people.  Our family was there to help in the recovery not only physically, but spiritually as well. Because "missionaries" weren't allowed in the country, we were there as humanitarians which in this case means everyone who needed anything came to us.  Helping people with their physical needs often opened the door to share Jesus.  But somedays....well, here's what I wrote to our prayer partners about the situation.  I thought it appropriate for the Thanksgiving weekend:

What Can I Do for You

            Questions.  I'm weary of them.

            Questions.  Always the same.

            "Can you fix my roof?"

            "Can you help with our rent?"

            "Can you get me to America?"

            "I need money for….."

            Honestly, sometimes I think the only reason people want to get to know us is so they can get something from us.  And I'm tired of it.

            We had another such encounter today. I have had to fight the tears and the desire to cry out loud, "DOESN'T ANYONE HERE LIKE US JUST BECAUSE THEY LIKE US?"  I'm tired of relationships based on my ability to do something for someone. Can I be honest here?  Sometimes when people are extra friendly to us I have to fight the urge to question their motives.  I've been asked for stuff so many times.

            Somehow I don't think Raymond and I are the first to have this problem.  Check out these comments and requests:

            "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." ~ Matthew 8:2b

            When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help... ~ Matthew 8:5

            "Lord, save us!  We're going to drown!" ~ Matthew 8:25

            Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat ~ Matthew 9:2

And how about this one:

            While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died.  But come and put your hand on her, and she will live."  ~ Matthew 9:18

            (This is just a sampling; I could list dozens of others.)  As I read through the Gospels I find that almost everyone that came to Jesus wanted something from Him.  I wonder if He ever got tired of all the help-me cries.  You be the judge…right after He fed the five thousand Matthew 14:23 says, "After he had dismissed them (the crowd), he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray."

            I can't help but wonder….       

            Does God ever get tired of our help-me cries today?  Don't take that question the wrong way.  I know the Scriptures say, "Ask and it shall be given to you…" (Matthew 7:7)  "You may ask me for anything in my name…"  (John 14:14)  And "You do not have, because you do not ask God."  (James 4:4b)  I claim these promises often, and I present many petitions to God.  I know that He delights in giving good gifts to His children and that He wants us to make our requests known to Him (Philippians 4:6)  I'm certainly not saying that we shouldn't ask for God's help.  After all, only He can truly help us as we depend on Him for everything.  But after today I wonder if occasionally God just wants to be loved because of Who He is and not because of what He can and does do for us.  Does He want us to just spend time with Him because we want to spend time with Him and not because we want something?  Do we praise Him as often as we request things?  Does He ever say, "No" to our requests because He is testing our motives in coming to Him?  What is our devotion to Him based on anyway?

            I think I'll take a few extra moments today to just bask in His glory and be thankful that He is the great I AM. (See Exodus 3:14)

            "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  ~ Psalm 46:10.

            Enjoying the Lord with you,

                        Drewe Llyn

Often our disappointments in people, things, and circumstances stem from unrealistic expectations on our part.  So and So turned out not to be the person we thought he/she was; purchased items didn't measure up to our standard; situations didn't turn out the way we had hoped.  Of course, sometimes outright deception is involved:  people portray themselves and their products falsely. 

I'm reminded that Jesus knows exactly what's inside a person.  He knows the secrets of the heart.  (John 2:23-25; Psalm 44:21).  He is never misled or deceived.  We can't "pull one over on Him".

How would we feel about the people we say we love if we really knew what was in their heart and mind?  How often has that love faded because our expectations weren't met?

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8)  He knows us and loves us anyway!

Incredible!

Picking Blueberries

“Are you about ready to head back to the house?” I called out to my mother.

“I’m not leaving until I’ve picked this branch clean, my bucket gets full, or it starts to rain,” was her reply. My mother and I were together in her blueberry patch this particular overcast Saturday. I knew that “picking the branch clean” was my mother’s technique for picking blueberries. This simply meant she was going to pick every ripe berry off her part of the bush, leaving only the green ones behind. I glanced at her branch, her bucket, and the sky and decided the threat of rain was our quickest relief from berry picking.

Sweat and mosquitoes aside, I actually admire my mother’s leave-no-leaf-unturned-leave-no-ripe-berries-behind attitude. She knows where she’s been and where she needs to go. Her goal is clear…pick berries. I, on the other hand, have a slightly different attitude and approach. I’d rather roam through the bushes seeking out clusters of ripe berries that can be picked all at one time – preferable at eye level. I figure the birds can have the high ones and the ‘coons can have the low ones. I certainly don’t want to get scratched up reaching deep in the middle either, and forget those isolated berries hanging by themselves in hard to reach places. They can turn to seed for all I care. Basically, give me the convenient ones. This is a great strategy for my goal, which is to fill my bucket as quickly as possible.


Suddenly it occurred to me that too often we as Christians win souls to the kingdom in much the same way I approach blueberry picking. (I’ve been guilty myself.)

Let me explain.

We gladly seek the salvation of those who are at eye level, the ones we see more clearly such as immediate family members, close friends, and the lost that come to church. Sometimes we stretch a little further to reach out to colleagues and neighbors; our basic goal being to fill our “bucket” (a.k.a. church). (Should we compare the number of times we’ve invited people to church instead of to Jesus?) But we certainly don’t want to stoop too low or stretch too high or reach too deep to share the forgiving, redeeming love of Jesus. Stooping, stretching, and reaching can be uncomfortable. There are prickles deep in those bushes. OUCH! We certainly don’t want to get hurt. That’s it, isn’t it? We want our churches full of people, but we don’t want to leave our comfort zone to get them there. The fact is, most of those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus live outside our comfort zone. They live in Africa, Bosnia, and New York City. They live in prison, on skid row, or at the rehab center. Their skin is sometimes lighter or darker than ours. Their speech is foreign to us either because it is a totally different language altogether or because “nice” people don’t talk like that. Sometimes they are children who wiggle too much, or perhaps don’t know the “proper” way to dress for church, or maybe they ask questions that make us feel uncomfortable or inadequate.

God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He cares if the “birds” get the ones on top and if the “’coons” get the ones on bottom. They are all precious in His sight. O, that God would open our eyes to every precious soul; those in our comfort zone and those outside of it. May we be willing to stretch spiritually, bow in humility, and seek out even the one who is lost in hard to reach places. May God grant us perseverance to “pick” our communities clean, leaving no stone unturned, no soul unreached with the good news of Jesus.

"And there will be much rejoicing in heaven over even one..." (Luke 15:7)

Reworking my approach with you,
Drewe Llyn

I’ll be honest; sometimes I get tired of praying. (Is anyone else honest enough to admit that? Or is it just me?) Sometimes I feel as if it is a waste of time.  How many hours have I prayed for So and So’s marriage to be salvaged, for Such and Such loved one to be saved, or for Dear Friend to be delivered from “this or that” only to see no visible results?  It gets frustrating and downright discouraging to say the least.  I was at that point the other day, wondering why I “waste” my time on seemingly futile petitions. 

It was then I turned to 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

The Apostle Paul tells of a personal time of testing which was so severe he and his companions “despaired even of life” because it was “beyond our ability to endure”.  We think of Paul as being a true hero of the faith, a pillar of strength and wisdom, and yet even he reached a point lower than low.  I’m sure he could have thrown himself a nice pity party, feeling forsaken by the One he’d given his entire being to serve.  He could have whined and complained about how unfair life is and given it all up to take a nice day job.  But not Paul; even in the storm he saw God’s hand and purpose, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”  His faith did not waver.  He knew God would deliver him, and He did.

Now, here’s the part about prayer:

“And he did it, rescued us from certain doom.  And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.  You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation…” (Emphasis mine) 2 Corinthians 1:11 The Message

The great Apostle Paul’s rescue, though ultimately by the hand of God, was somehow tied to the prayers of his friends - fellow believers! Paul is telling them this after the rescue which means their prayers made a life and death difference in Paul’s life though the petitioners were oblivious to the outcome at the time.

It makes me think.

Is there someone sinking today because I’ve given up the “rescue operation”?  Is someone’s eternal destination in question because I’ve not been diligent in my intercessions?  Is deliverance just around the corner waiting for one last petition? 

There’s too much at stake for me to give up now.

© Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 2006

DD11 took this photo the other day.  The fact it was growing in my flower bed is amazing as I don't have a green thumb. Looking at the picture reminded me of something I wrote for our prayer partners during our time overseas.  I'd like to share it with everyone today.

Love Gifts

June 9, 2001

            I don’t know why I didn’t “see” them before.  According to Teta Neda, my land lady, they’ve been there for years and years.  Yet, it wasn’t until today, this moment, as I took them from her hand, that I really “saw” them for what they were.

            Maybe I should go back a few years so you can truly share this moment with me…

            The summer before we came to B. we lived in a brand new parsonage courtesy of Central Baptist Church.  I’m not sure which inspired me most, the brand new yard lying there like a blank sheet of paper waiting to be drawn on, or the fact that we lived next door to a plant nursery.  Probably both.  But it was certainly the nursery owner’s pity on my lack of a green thumb that produced the lovely flower bed I enjoyed that last summer.

            Two of my most cherished plants were a pair of Tropicana roses.  They were small, but beyond gorgeous when in bloom!!! They are now my absolutely favorite rose color!  Every day I would go out and admire their beauty.  I considered each bud and bloom a personal love-gift from my heavenly Father.

            When we knew God was asking us to move to B., I dug up those two rose bushes and entrusted them to the care of my earthly father.  (What happened to them then is not relevant to this story, so I will spare you the details…By the way, I still love you, DadJ.)

            I missed my beautiful roses (among many other things) the day I first laid eyes on our new town.  All the buildings seemed to be the same, drab, color brown.  There was nothing of beauty to capture and please the eye.  With all the enthusiasm reserved for finding out you need a root canal, I thought to myself, “So, this is it.”

            Now back to the story at hand.  As Teta Neda and I stood in the front yard this particular summer day, she held out to me a bouquet of roses cut fresh from her very own bushes.  Bushes that had been there all last summer, bushes that I had admired, flowers whose fragrance had tickled my nose.  But for the first time I realized that the roses held out to me were Tropicana’s… exactly like the ones I’d left behind.  It could not be a coincidence.

            I may have moved, but my Heavenly Father never left me.  I may not have noticed His love-gifts for an entire summer; but He still gave them.  Teta Neda may have planted, watered, trimmed, and cared for those roses for a long time, but I just have to believe that God’s hand was with her those many years ago as she chose those particular bushes.  Because even before she’d heard of me or I’d heard of her, God knew I would live in this place.  He wanted me to know He’d already been here, and He loves me.

            He loves you too!  Don’t let His love-gifts to you go unnoticed.

            Enjoying the Father’s love-gifts with you, 

Drewe Llyn

(c) Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 2001

Note:  I spent Easter 2001 in a Muslim part of Europe.  DH was in a completely different country due to medical issues.  I was depressed.  This is the fresh perspective the Lord gave  me:

               Not Home for Easter

“I wasn’t home for Easter,” I whined to myself Easter evening.  I knew that my extended family would be gathering together at Mom’s that day…without me.  DH was in Zagreb…without me.  All the churches in America were praising the Lord in special services…without me.  Even though the kids and I had a nice day I still felt a bit down. I decided to take a hot bath and feel sorry for myself.  That’s when I thought I heard the Lord say, “I wasn’t home for Easter  either.” (See note at bottom)What’s that again? “I wasn’t home for Easter either.”

My imagination began to ponder this, and I realized it was true.  The Bible says that the women went to the tomb very early in the morning while it was still dark and the tomb was empty.  That means that Jesus re-entered His glorified body just as the day was getting started.

“I won’t be home for Easter,” I can hear Jesus saying to the angels.  “I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of.” 

A gasp of disbelief must have escaped the multitude of the heavenly host as they cried, “But, but, You just got home!  We’ve missed You.  Have You forgotten what they did to You down there?”

I don’t know if that conversation did or did not take place the night before Easter.  Theologians disagree on where Jesus actually was during the time His body was in the tomb, and I’m no theologian.  I do know He told the thief they would be together in paradise that day, so I’m inclined to think Jesus saw the Father and the heavenly host at some point that weekend.

  Can you imagine?  After 33 years of being trapped in a human body, trudging along dusty roads, getting thirsty, hungry and tired; three years of dealing with doubters and people who only wanted what they could get from Him; days of betrayal, denial, and intense suffering- He deserved a rest, don’t you think?  “It is finished,” He had cried. I’m sure those golden streets, worshipping angels, and the presence of His Holy Father were a sight for sore eyes.  He was finally home.  Home in the place where there is no sickness, no sorrow, no pain, and no death. What possible reason could He have for going back?

Was it to teach them how to get along with each other?  That was accomplished by His life.

Was it to pay the price of sin and open the door of heaven?  That was accomplished by His death, His blood.

Was it to show Satan Who was really in control?  I believe Satan already knew that, why else would the demons Jesus cast out beg Him not to torture them before their appointed time?I can picture Jesus turning toward the angels and explaining with a tender voice, “I know Who I really am, and you know who I really am, but my earthly friends are confused right now about everything and need Me just a little longer.  Peter needs to know He’s forgiven. My mother needs to know Bethlehem wasn’t just a dream.  Mary Magdalene needs to know those demons won’t bother her anymore. Lazarus needs to know that though he will die again, he will live again this time forever.  They all need to know that the abundant life I promised begins now; they don’t have to wait until heaven.”  Perhaps he paused and with a twinkle in His eye continued, “If you think Sarah was astounded with Isaac and Moses amazed with the Red Sea, just wait.  This will be my finest moment yet.  I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces!” 

********

I'm glad He didn't stay Home.

As you know, our dog Gabbie died a week ago last Saturday.  She was 3 ˝, and we suspect she had cancer.  What she died of isn’t really important, but the fact she is no longer here is. “I wish we’d never gotten her,” Dear Daughter age 11 remarked.  Her comment saddened me as I thought of how much she loved that dog and all the fun they’d had together.  Eleven is a young age to decide it hurts too much to love.  “It’s better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all” may be true, but it does little to ease the pain.

This whole episode with Gabbie’s illness and death has reminded me just how vulnerable love leaves us.  When we dare to love, we open ourselves to be wounded.  Love hurts; just ask the parent of the disobedient child, the wife of the wayward husband, the man whose co-worker stole his lucrative ideas. This is an issue I often deal with as a pastor’s wife. If I whole-heartedly love the people of “my” congregation, then I’m just asking for pain.  Either someone will betray, or it will be a painful good-bye when the Lord moves us to a new place of service.  Sometimes, like dd11, I wonder if the risk of pain is worth the risk of love. 

When I was in college I had a friend whose parents took in foster kids.  Through the years dozens of children came and went.  I asked this friend how her parents did this.  How could they send these children on their way after taking them into their home and hearts?  Wasn’t it incredibly painful?  Her reply has echoed in my heart and mind for over 20 years.  “My mom says, if it doesn’t hurt when they leave, I didn’t do my job.”

“If it doesn’t hurt”, if I don’t make myself vulnerable, if I hold back my heart, then I haven’t done the job assigned to me which is to love my neighbor as myself. (Mark 12:32-34)

My mind is full of profound thoughts to ponder.  I just returned from my first Beth Moore Conference and I must say it was AWESOME!  God certainly has a humble, yet wise mouthpiece in her.  I am grateful.

Here is the thought I'm pondering now:

Question:  How big is your God?

Answer?  How big do you need Him to be?

Think on that.

Do you need your God to be big enought to...

bring a wayward child home?

restore broken relationships?

ease the pain of a tremendous loss?

direct your path?

set you free from an addiction (even to chocolate)?

grant wisdom for a difficult decision?

overcome your fears?

give you peace in the midst of a storm?

heal a wounded body or spirit?

provide financially?

Fill in the blank:  I need my God to be big enough to __________________________________________.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:19)

This means EVERY need whether financial, emotional, physical, or mental. He IS big enough to supply ALL our needs.

How big is your God?

How big do you need Him to be?

Think on it.

I am.

Frodo’s Calling

            It seems improbable that I include The Lord of the Rings Trilogy on my list of all time favorite movies, especially since I’m generally into “Chick flicks” and not “shoot ‘em ups”.  (Or in this case “spear and slash ‘em up”.) Yet, I absolutely love these movies.  I suppose I’m drawn and captivated by the many spiritual truths they contain – truths about friendship, loyalty, devotion, self-sacrifice, and calling.

            Frodo, one of four extraordinary Hobbits, was quite evidently “called” by some higher being to carry the power-wielding ring to its destruction.  No one else could do it, not even his faithful companion Sam.  The wise elf-queen Galadriel said quite plainly, “If you don’t find a way, no one will.”  And of course by movie’s end, he does find a way, receiving high commendation for his service from the King of Gondor.

            I love stories where ordinary people step up to the plate and selflessly attempt an extraordinary task for the betterment of others.  They travel long and perilous paths sprinkled with splashes of joy and tender moments.  There are always “Gollums” who would derail the mission, and occasional “Sams” who forward it by their own devotion and self-sacrifice.  And in spite of all the harrowing experiences and difficult challenges, in the end, the mission is accomplished making the world a better place. *sigh* These always leave me inspired by the hero’s courage and inner strength and yearning deeply for a calling of my own.  I want to make a difference in my world.

            After much pondering I’ve come to a staggering realization, I have received a higher calling, one requiring a generous supply of inner strength and courage, one that will impact my world, changing the course of history for those around me.  It’s my job and mine alone, a task that won’t get done unless I find a way.

            What is this task?  The Great High Power, God Almighty, has asked me to care for those He’s personally entrusted to me - my children and my husband - not to their destruction, but to their construction – nurturing, encouraging, and building them up to be all He created them to be.  Sure, someone else can cook, clean, shop, and read to the kids.  Indeed, millions of women around the world have received similar callings, but God has uniquely crafted and gifted me to be the mom and wife these children and this man need in order to fulfill the call on their lives.  If I fail – if I’m not true to the things I’ve been asked to do, if I don’t run the course, if I choose a different, easier path – what then?

            Well…I’m sure, at first, Frodo and Sam didn’t fully understand the magnitude of their mission, or the consequences of failure.  Neither do I.

            So, I have accepted the challenge and press patiently onward…past runny noses, spilled milk, and sticky faces; through mood swings, broken hearts, and temper flares; tackling dirty faces, greasy dishes, and stained laundry, while stomping the occasional spider. Fortunately, my path is dotted liberally with lullabies, rocking chairs, and campfires; snuggles, chocolate chip cookies, and shopping sprees; church plays, family outings, and read-a-louds.  I’m ever mindful to be the loving hands, feet, and voice of Christ to my family, so at the end, on that day when we all stand before the King of kings, we can all hear, “Well done, My good and faithful servants.”

            I dare not fail.

“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

~ Ephesians 4: 1 & 2

And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.

~Ephesians 3:17

I’m horticulturally challenged.  (I’m not sure if that’s really a word; my spell check has it underlined and offers no alternate suggestions.)  In plain English: I’ve never been accused of having a green thumb. The number of plants I’ve sent to an early grave are too numerous to count.  I even managed to kill the Christmas cactus my grandmother gave me…five times. (That’s how many she’s given me.)  The only time my flower bed received high praise was while living next to a plant nursery.  (The owner obviously thought my efforts were bad for business .)

Still, I love flowers and do managed to maintain enough of the hardier varieties to attract butterflies, bees, and the occasional hummingbird to my yard. This summer’s flower garden was especially lush and green – too bad most of the foliage came from weeds. My husband suggested I pull them up, but since they were growing so well I planned to wait and see if they bloomed.  (Hey, a flower is a flower!) “If you let them go to seed they’ll be worse next year,” he counseled. He was right, of course, so reluctantly I set to work evicting them. As careful as I was, however, a flower plant would occasionally come up with the weeds.  It wasn’t negligence on my part, it was anchoring on theirs. The fact was, these plants had been growing together for so long their roots had become intertwined and connected. 

I’m reminded that we humans become connected with those we associate with, and the longer we’re together the more intertwined we become. We were created for this - for fellowship and relationships. Didn’t God say it wasn’t good for man to be alone?[1] Didn’t Jesus spend much time praying for unity among the brethren?[2]

Growing together in relationships is God-ordained, yet this connective-ness comes with both admonition and instruction.

“Bad company corrupts good character," [3] the Scriptures caution, along with “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm,”[4] and “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light hav