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Our lives are hectic..to say the least. I know with 3 children, a husband, a dog, a cat, a rabbit, and a lizard...somebody in the house is always needing/wanting something or to go somewhere. Then add in my husband's full time job. My 'might-as-well-be-full-time" job. Basketball. Soccer. Homeschooling. I am always on the go. Busy Busy Busy. I am a full believer that the Lord will speak to us in his smallest, stillest, quietest voice...if we will but listen. I learned that lesson too well recently. My dear friend from college has been in difficult situations lately. Her emotions up and down. Her finances spent. All for the love of her children. The miles were many between us...but thanks to email...we corresponded regularly. On a recent Wednesday afternoon...on my way out the door to work...I checked my email quickly. A note from my friend was waiting for me. She'd sent it at 12:10pm...just about 15 minutes prior to my checking my inbox. The first thought that ran through my mind...I'll write back tonight when I get home...I don't have time now. I got up out of the chair and headed for the door. Then I heard it...that whisper. That still small voice. "Write her now." I turned on my heel, and sat back down. I gave her words of encouragement and love. I shared a verse from 1 Kings. I hit send...said a prayer that the Lord would fill her with His Peace..and off to work I went. I checked for a response when I got home...nothing. But that wasn't so unusual...she too kept busy busy. A week went by...and I wondered if she was feeling better. Prayed she was feeling better. Sunday morning...I checked my inbox once again. I did have a response...but not from her...from her son. The response hit me square in the chest...might as well have been a shotgun blast. She'd passed away...that day that I had turned around and responded to her quick note. My heart was broken in two. I had no idea...I should have said so much more. Did I say the right thing? Did I say enough? Oh Lord...what if???? But in these last couple of weeks I have found some peace in knowing that I did take the time to tell her I loved her...and to share a truth from God's Holy Word. It stirs my soul to think my words may have been the last ones she ever read on this Earth. And I am so very thankful they were ones of love. Always take time to give sincere words of encouragement and love...you NEVER know when it may be your last opportunity to do so. We are never too busy to say I LOVE YOU. |
Posted in Life at Home
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Wow...my baby boy turns 8 years old tomorrow morning at 10:50 am. It seems like such a lifetime ago...for me anyway. For him on the other hand--the world is still new---still so many things to learn. And unfortunately some of those learnings will have to be "the hard way". It is my mama-bear instinct to protect him from all the world. Then God whispers in my ear, "Let him fly!" And let him fly is exactly what I must do! I have to teach him the skills he will need to know and use. And the next very important step...I must allow him to practice those skills. Just like a mother tiger teaches her cubs to hunt. The cubs perfect their new skills while romping, tumbling... playing. I too must let my little cub romp, tumble, and play. I too must watch as he learns his way in this big 'ole world...and I think I will watch while on my knees.
Happy Birthday Jellybean. I love you with all of my heart!
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Posted in Life at Home
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In a conversation with a friend recently, we discussed how so many 'youngsters' just starting out on their own these days are clueless. They don't know how to grow, store, prepare food for themselves or their families. They don't even realize all the farmers, workers, etc that it takes to get their favorite foods on their local grocery store shelf. If a time of tragedy or catastrophe should enter their lives...would they even know the basics of survival? It truly disturbs me. I can so vividly recall my Grandmothers lovingly teaching me how to can pickles, green beans, tomatoes...all to store up for the 'long cold winter'. My grandfather grew acres of fresh veggies...for both home use and as a business to sell to others. My other grandmother made sure I knew how to sew...simple, basic sewing...like a button, or scrap quilt. She also introduced me to more decorative embroidery...so I can make my house a more beautiful home for my family. Where have all the grandmothers, teachers, mentors gone? Are we becoming a society of people who would rather rely on others than ourselves? It truly disturbs me. I think I will go hoe in my garden and begin my preparations for winter while I ponder Proverbs 31. |
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His winnowing fork in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:12
My darling 7yos comes and looks at me with those big brown eyes..."I have a special early Christmas present for you mommy. It's in my pocket."
Hmmmm....wonder what it could be...so I inquire.
"Oh really? Can I see it?" "It's special. It's to help you make bread."
Hmmmm...special, to make bread...fits in his pants pocket....
"Oh, I see. What is it?" "Wheat."
He had collected the tops from some wheat straw we'd used at the garden. He was so proud. He was excited that he'd worked/labored to bring me something that he believed I could use. And he believed that his gift would 'ease my burden' by helping provide some of the wheat needed to bake "several loaves of bread".
"Thank you! It's beautiful. Will you put it on the kitchen counter for me?"
He did.
As I stood looking at and fingering my "special early Christmas present"...given to me with all the love of a 7yo, God spoke to my heart. Share the story of the wheat and chaff with him. So...I did. We looked at the pile on the counter as I explained that part of the wheat was called the chaff...and that part we needed to seperate to make the wheat usable. After several minutes of looking, poking, blowing...we came up with 7 kernals of wheat. The rest of the pile was "trash", I explained. My son looked at me in horror..."you mean we have to throw all that part away after I worked so hard to gather it?!" Yes, son...we do. "Well...these will be enough to make several big loaves of bread, right?" Nope. They're just a drop in the bucket. And then I explained...God wants us to be like the wheat.
Can you imagine this same conversation taking place between the Father and the Son? Close your eyes and imagine that each piece of chaff and each kernal of wheat are US? There seems to be so much...yet so few are actually of any use.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Psalm 1:4
I want to be able to be used. I want to be needed by my Lord for his purpose. I want to be His wheat.
Ahh...the beautiful lessons brought to us by our children. He was right...it was a special early Christmas gift that he brought to me. |
Posted in Life at Home
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Do you remember a day when you were a child...one of those AWE-some days that you knew without a doubt would be one of your best memories EVER? Have you ever seen one of your children have one of those days? The look of triumph on their face...the sound of inexplicable joy in their voice? I recently witnessed one of those days with my oldest son. And quite honestly...I think it was more exciting than having one of "those" days myself!! First...a little background into his complex demeanor. William is 9 yo. He's quiet...extremely shy around strangers. And very rarely will he allow himself to show his enthusiasm and excitement about something. In the education world he'd be labeled "gifted". The boy understood the concept of multiplication at 3 yo. His newest love is fishing. And he has approached the "art" of fishing much like he does everything else...he is analytical, discerning, and carefully contemplates all of his moves. Sometimes it seems like he's an old man in a little boy's body. Earlier in the summer he participated in a Kids' Fishing Rodeo at a nearby state park. He came home with the prize for the largest catch...a 6 inch bream. He was delighted. He was thrilled. And he had officially "caught fishing fever" after that! He made the announcement that now he'd "like to try a professional fishing tournament"!! Wow! That's pretty ambitious for a 9 year old! We, as parents, gave the usual encouraging remarks...all while secretly thinking 'yeah, right'. I am here to say...never...and I mean NEVER underestimate a 9 year old. While he didn't get to participate in a professional tournament yet, last Tuesday he proved that he could win one...he successfully out-fished every grown male figure in his family. Most of whom have fished all of their lives! And this was his trophy catch....be sure to take special note of that sly little smile creeping onto his face...
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Posted in Gods Grace
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Psalm 37:1-3 KJV Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwelt in the land and verily thou shalt be fed.
It could best be described as a panic attack. Fear gripped my heart so tightly I thought I would suffocate. The words rang coldly in my ears. "We have court next Thurs." It has been almost a year since that first "storm" rained on us...(see my first blog entry titled Raining Grace). It has not been resolved on this earth yet...though I believe in my heart it was resolved in Heaven some time ago...the pieces are just falling into place. We are fighting to keep custody of our 13 year old. She is my darling husband's child...my step-child. He has had custody of her for over 4 years with no assistance from the mother. And now she says she wants her back. Ideally...it would be great to say "yes! spend more time getting to know each other!" BUT...it is not safe to do so. There are lies, deceit, alcohol, drugs...they fill an innocent child's heart and mind with lies. And the agonizing part...the child wants to go! Lord...it seems so out of control. But I know Lord...that's when YOU are most in control! The thoughts of facing evil scares me Lord...I feel like a child in the dark waiting for monsters to jump out around the corners. The tears...pain filled tears of sorrow, grief, betrayal, agony, disbelief, fear, and desperation. Lord I can't control them. Help me. Protect that which is yours. Protect the heart and mind of a child. Keep the evil one away from her Lord. Fill her with YOUR spirit. Give her YOUR strength. You are merciful...you are just. Thank you Lord that I can rest upon your promise to "FRET NOT...". It is in your hands. Thank you for the peace. Thank you for the joy. Thank you Lord for being my best friend. |
Posted in Gods Grace
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Hmmm...it's September 13th. Maybe it falls under the "better late than never" catagory?
Let's see...in the past two weeks my husband & I have decided to make our daily devotional time a priority (yet somehow we're still just in the 'we need to do this' stage of nailing down the "best" time to "work it in"). In the past two weeks we've recommitted that we drop a few pounds. Now we do eat pretty healthy by the "norm" standards...but we do have our frozen pizza moments from time to time. And it doesn't matter how much wheat I grind and create yummy, healthy foods with it...it just doesn't 'undo' the icecream! So...I've been researching the Glycemic Index in hopes of deterring darling hubby from his "tried and true" no carb fad diet. There is so much information out there...it takes a while to weed through the good, the bad and the ugly. And finally...we've decided that in our Spiritual & Physical makeover...we need to be more active. Hubby made us a pathway all around our property, measured it and determined that 3 trips around equals one mile. Today is Wednesday...and so far we've consistently gone out after dinner, around 7 pm and walked our mile. Monday was a very pleasant day with a touch of autumn in the air. Tuesday...it was raining. BUT...never fear...we have ponchos! And off we went. Slosh. Slosh. Slosh. What a grand, glorious and ROMANTIC time! So peaceful, so refreshing. Just as we were heading back to the house my husband exclaims, "Now, wouldn't that have been even more fun if it was raining harder?!" Something so simple as walking in the rain. And yet that 30 minutes of time I will carry with me in my heart for as long as I shall live. So...is it too late for New Year's Resolutions? Too late to mend the err of our ways? Too late to improve our stewardship, devotion, and health? Too late to spend more quality time with our Maker and each other? Too late to help our children establish better habits? Better late than never! I tell you Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Lk 13:3 KJV |
Posted in Life at Home
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It's AUGUST already. WOW! Where did the Spring and Summer go? I guess I had my head stuck in too many boxes, unpacking from the move into our beautiful new home! I was reading an article today on "home-steading"...or leading a "home-centered" life. And I realized that the author of that article really put into words everything I have ever desired in my heart as Wife, Mother, HomeMaker/Keeper! I love my garden. It has been an interesting growing season...cool, wet spring and now a HOT, dry summer. My 5 little rows of Peaches & Cream corn produced a whopping 163 ears! Well, give or take a few. I did lose a dozen plants or so to the BEARS! Yep...bears. Pulled those plants right up by the roots, they did! So...by 8am the next morning I had all 163 ears picked, then had to shuck them, cut them off the cob and can them. It was a long...put VERY rewarding day. As I stood at the sink cutting corn...I was whisked back in time to my grandmother's sink when I was 10 years old. I could see her standing there, apron on...showing me how to put the knife blade at the top of the cob and gently cut straight down...taking off all the kernals in one motion. I was thrilled at being a part of something so "grown-up"...but also afraid that I would be in trouble when I returned home for having been "playing" with knives. But because of that day so many years ago...my family will have a wonderful bounty of corn to feast on this coming winter. I've also harvested and/or canned tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, broccoli, cucumbers, and squash. My okra is FINALLY blooming! Usually by this time of year we've eaten our fill of it...and here it is August 9th and I haven't picked the first pod. We may be the only Southerners eating fried okra on the Thanksgiving table this year! It does amaze me how the seasons change in what's seems just a blink. I can remember looking at my barren rows...wondering if those tiny potato sprouts would really ever take off and grow. And now here it's time to harvest the summer crops and plant the fall ones. I have corn stalks drying for my fall decorating. Time does fly when you're having fun! |
Posted in Life at Home
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It's cold out...well, cold for the South. I sit here in front of our first roaring fire, in our new home. It is heaven sent. A blessing that makes me sit in awe of the generosity of God.
I've mentioned in previous blogs about our blended family. It too is a blessing...most days. My husband is proof that God is merciful...and Jesus forgiving. Our relationship is our greatest testimony.
This new house...is OUR first home. While we've been married for some time...we either lived in the house my husband had purchased for himself and his daughter OR we were living with my dad after we sold that house in hopes of building our dream home.
And here I sit. And it's not a house...it's our HOME. To us...that has such a deeper meaning. Our home is a place to come to find respite from the world out there. It is a place to love and be loved for who you really are. It is a place to live, love. laugh and cry. What a blessing God has given us...He has given us a HOME.
The walls may be log. The floors may be pine. The fireplace may be brick. But this HOME is made out of love.
Thank you Lord for allowing us to Move Home. |
Posted in Gods Grace
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Dear Lord...the weather outside is "cold and frightful". The cold wind is blowing. The rain is pouring down.
But today...inside our home...inside our hearts...The Son is Shining brightly!!!!
For 9 weeks we've felt the cold bitter rain and now we feel the warmth of the Son. A few clouds still linger on the horizon...but Lord we trust that you will take care of it.
Our beautiful Red Head is HOME...here with us, where she belongs. She put up a good fight in the beginning...but in 5 short days...Lord you have worked a miracle!!
We thank you... We praise you... And we shout from the mountain top...Here IS the Son!!
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Posted in Gods Grace
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Isn't our Father amazing? I claim to be his daughter...and yet He still astounds and surprises me, why is that?
The rain still lingers...but now we are at least beginning to receive Pieces of Heaven. Pieces of the Puzzle that is...or that which is a puzzle to us...but oh so very clear to the Almighty!
We are beginning to see how the storm began to brew...and how it blind sided us with its cold stinging drops.
But now...there are beginning to be pieces of heaven that are being revealed. It is amazing to me that while I wander in my aimless state of oblivion...God is working 'behind the scenes'.
Thank you Lord for a break in the storm...still praying for Sonshine to rain down on us soon. The little ones are still hurting...they do not understand. The grown-ups are hurting...we do not understand either. Our words of comfort seem weak...seem so small in the vastness of the storm. Hear our cries...I still feel the rain Lord. |
Posted in Gods Grace
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It is raining today...not as hard as yesterday...and still not as hard as the days before. But raining it is. Funny...the local weatherman says it's the driest fall in North GA in years...but right here, right now it is raining. I don't see the drops...but I feel their cold sting.
The deluge began Sunday night...we thought we would drown under the weight of it. Have you ever had one of those days where you stop and think "surely this is all a dream?" Yep...Sunday was one of those days.
You know...it's funny...just last week I sat back watching our three children playing/working/laughing together...and thought to myself "Wow! They are getting along so great! And they have been such a blessing to each other! Thank you Lord!" Yep...it's pretty funny that I thought that...and then Sunday it started raining.
You see, we are a blended family...and with that comes difficulties, complications and blessings other families might not ever imagine. One of which is 'the other parent'. Now it all depends on the situation and who you speak to whether 'the other parent' falls into the difficulty/complication or blessing catagory.
Sunday morning...7am...what's that noise I hear?? Thunder?? Oh no...it's just the phone. Our beautiful red-head on the other end. Seems she's made plans with her mother/family 'up there'...and tells us she won't be home until Tuesday. What...was that lightening I saw streak by the window??? Her father tells her that is not the way it is...
It thunders several more times throughout the day. The bottom fell out Sunday evening..."Dad, I won't be there." Meaning she wouldn't be at the pick-up location. More thunder...more lightening...the first cold stinging drops of rain begin to fall. "Dad, can I get my stuff? Dad, I don't want to ever see you again." CRASH! The lightening flashed...the thunder roared...and the rain fell down so hard we couldn't see.
It's still raining...but the drops are a little smaller today. We can at least see the Light of Grace through the clouds. The shock of the flood is over...though the coldness of the rain still numbs our souls. What now Lord? Wait? Ok Lord...but that's hard to do...it's still raining out here. |