Thanks-Giving

Happy Thanksgiving! I trust that each of you will find a way to remember the Lord on this day and the way He led the early Pilgrims on the Mayflower to America, as well as the way He leads today's pilgrims (that's us) in this journey of life. Rejoice in Him - His provision - His protection - His peace - we all have so much to be grateful for. In the classic autobiography, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of the time she and her sister were forced to take off all their clothes during Nazi inspections at a death camp. Miss ten Boom stood in line feeling forsaken and defiled. Suddenly she remembered that Jesus hung naked on the cross. Struck with wonder and worship during that seemingly forsaken moment, ten Boom leaned forward and whispered to her sister, "Betsie, they took his clothes, too." Betsie gasped and said, "Oh, Corrie, and I never thanked him!"
Thanksgiving does not require having everything--just recognition of what our Savior has already done! And what He has done for us is amazing! Whatever you do, make this a time to remember - a time of looking back - a time to give thanks - a time to celebrate what a mighty God we serve. The majority of America just celebrates and does not even know why they do. They get a day off of work and school and never even consider what this holiday is about. It is about “Thanks-Giving” - giving thanks - make sure your family knows! God bless each of you as you prepare, travel, read to your children, watch the parade, sing songs of praise, cheer for a favorite team, and just enjoy the time off. Take time to rest, relax, and be thankful!

YOU ARE INVITED...to rest

Rest, now that sounds like a great idea - we could all use some of that - well I found a secret place to get rest. It's in a person - Jesus invites us to come...take...learn. He wants us to come to Him - not religion, not a book, not a place, not a relationship, not a ritual. In fact, the one thing that makes Christianity different than all other religions is that it is based on a personal relationship - none other can offer that. What a difference it makes to be invited to know "someone" instead of "some thing." I like that! Rules and working our way through religious stuff will never bring us rest - it only makes us more tired. He invites all who are "weary" - that's us - to come...weary from working hard to find fulfillment, working hard at life - working to overcome - working at difficult relationships - working to be perfect - whatever it is that we are working toward. He even invites the "heavy-laden" - those with an extra heavy burden on top of their weariness - I have been there - He invites us to come so that He can give us REST. Burdens are a part of life, that is for sure. But He has rest for us - we just have to respond to invitation number 2 - take my yoke - get in - He leads - it's a team approach to life with the One who created life, so He should know the way to navigate it, huh? He says it is easy - not life - but the yoke - it's because it means it is custom fitted just for you and me - not one size fits all, but fits you perfectly so it will not be difficult to wear. It is light because we are connected with Jesus, who will carry the load of life with us - when you are in the yoke you are definitely not alone. I like this team idea, that Jesus has chosen us to be on His team - we just have to get in the yoke! The third invitation is to learn from Him - let Him teach you - that can happen much easier when you are in the yoke - you just walk together, work together, love together, and learn - talk about mentoring!! God wants you to have rest - Now it did occur to me that we have an enemy who offers the same three invitations - "come, take, and learn from me," he says - so be careful where you go when you are invited. The results can be devastating...and eternal.

God promises rest for your soul, if you respond to the invitations. So RSVP and Come on in to Him - get in the yoke - learn from Him - if you are looking for me today - you will find me there.

Moms are amazing! My daughter-in-love cares for a little one year old who is suffering with seizures right now, while also caring for 2 other awesome little preschool age boys. She trusts by faith for God to see her through this time. Another friend has just had a new baby, when her house is full of little ones already - she is rejoicing, and so are we for her. A single mom continues day by day to faithfully minister to, guide, and care for her 4 children in a very difficult situation. A mom's light never really goes out; her heart is always tuned to give her life away. God's idea for moms goes way beyond what any of us have to offer, but not beyond HIS. He gave us such a powerful "mom's heart" when he made us. The first mom, Eve, was called "mother" before the first child had been seen or even imagined. She was called "Mother" before there was one...now that tells me something big! It was a calling - a destiny - a mandate on her, and therefore, our lives.
It may have been a hard day, a taxing day, a frustrating day for you. You may have gotten bad news or found out you were moving... or it may have been a glorious day at your house. All I know is that God wants us to embrace this calling of motherhood, knowing that He has given us everything we need to accomplish it...not in the way that the world might do it, but the way He would have us do it. Hug your children, value the relationships you have with them, call on the Lord to walk with you as you are a mother after His heart. Do not try to do it all - just do the "mom" part and rest well tonight because you have lived in your calling!

Never give up - keep moving forward

One thing I have come to in recent days, is that the circumstances of our lives can often lead us to times of being on pause, or hold. I have experienced that in recent years, where I just could not see what God was doing with my life and what He wanted me to do in response. I continued to do the daily things and took care of my family, but I withdrew and was quiet in my soul for a time. Quiet times are not bad if we contine to seek Him, the lover of our soul. They are rebuilding times; just like muscles take time to rebuild, so our hearts need the same. Hearts need time to replenish and rebuild. They must rest, rejuvenate, and be refreshed. I sense a new season coming my way as the winds have blown in Florida even the last day or so. How about you? I do not fully see it, but I know that there are parts of my heart, that have been dormant for a while, that are being restored and are coming alive again. Life includes many starts, much disappointment along the road, before we start again. It is a journey - not a sprint, but more like a marathon - with sharp turns, breakdowns, steep mountains trails, inclement weather, low valleys, but also sunny days, smooth roads, gentle breezes, and rolling hills. Stay on the path - keep on going - you may need to slow down but keep moving - that is what the Lord has shown me. I must keep moving ahead, watching for Him at every turn. He is there - in fact, He is traveling with you...he never leaves you, never forsakes you...never disappoints those who hope in Him - the journey with Him is different from other journeys. He brings joy to the journey - don't miss it - it might be rain, a flower, a child, a friend, a provision, a hope, a truth, a smile, a hug - watch for it - He is there - His joy is your strength for the next step you must take, but you are not alone in it!

they get it!

It has been one of those weeks where I have had the privilege of realizing that amazing things are happening in the hearts of my growing children (12-26). The eldest 7 are boys - teens and early twenties. I can truly say along with the writer of III John 1:4 when he says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." I have listened to their hearts, prayed for them and with them, and seen growth in them that just touches me deeply. Lights are going on and words are becoming heart realities to them. Details seem unimportant, but I will say that this crop was planted many years ago and has required constant attention through those years. It has come with great cost - sacrifice - tears - staying the course when no one was with us - staying in the game when they were not getting the game plan. I want to just say, "Thank you Lord for planting in my life through my parents - thank you for giving them the idea of raising a family who loves the Lord - thank you for the whole idea of family - and now thank you for continuing the work in these children you have allowed us to nurture." You really are perfect, Father - the one from whom we learn and receive all that we need to stay in the game.
Now friends, don't give up in the process of planting and tending your vineyards. There will be a crop one day...down the road of this journey called life. Find the joy in it.

Joy in the journey...

Today is my first blogging moment. It is fall, my favorite season, even though it does not look like fall in Florida. I just have to rely on pictures of my years in Tennessee to remind me of what fall looks and feels like...the leaves...the colors...crisp morning air...outside play...sweatshirts and jackets...football...hot apple cider...all reminders of how blessed I am with the family and life that God has given me. And so are you! No matter where you are, what is going on in your life, how many children you have or don't have, what type of job you or your husband have or don't have, the kind of place you live in, the type of car you drive, God is good and He loves you and me. Fall is a great time to reflect on His greatness and His love for you. Picture a great big pile of leaves (that you have already raked up), and jump into the pile with your husband and kids. Celebrate all He has done in your life and will do in the future. Whatever you do...find joy in this journey called "life."