Talent for the Task

     The Good Morning Girls at Women Living Well are reading through the book of Exodus during the months of February and March.  I am joining them on this journey.

    You can read my other Exodus posts here:

• Exodus 1-5  The Burning Bush 
• Exodus 6-10  Great Lengths
• Exodus 11-15  Brave Grace
• Exodus 16-20  Support on the Hill

     This weeks reading is all about the construction of the Tabernacle and the items that would go into it.  I was impressed with the level of detail that God provided in His instructions on building the Tabernacle.  God gave specific materials, lengths, and designs for each item that went into it.   The lampstands were to be made of gold and look like flowering branches.  The ten curtains were to be skillfully woven of fine linen in blue, purple, and scarlet bordered with cherubim.  The frame of the structure was to be made of acacia wood overlaid with gold.  Even the priests sacred clothing had about six different parts.  It all sounded extremely complicated.  I was rather glad that God didn’t ask me to build His tabernacle.  I just know it would be lopsided and unworthy of Him in every way.  But then I noticed, that God gave the ability and talent to the workers who were asked to complete the Tabernacle.

   Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.  ~Exodus 28:3

     I peeked ahead to Exodus 31 where God tells Moses that He has chosen and given Bezalel the talent to do the work required.

   Then the Lord said to Moses,  “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—  to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,  to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.  Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:  ~Exodus 31:1-6

     When God had directed Moses from the burning bush to speak to Pharaoh,  Moses had hesitated and questioned whether he had the skills necessary.  He told God that he was "slow of speech."  So God supported Moses with Aaron.  In this instance, God reminds Moses that the talent has already been provided.

     While you and I see all of our many failures and lacks, God sees the potential that He has tucked inside.  He has graciously provided the skills to do the tasks He has set before us.  He will give us understanding, knowledge, and wisdom to do the work that He has assigned us.  He has filled us with His Holy Spirit.  This knowledge helps us to step out of our comfort zone and risk failure to try something new.  God gives ordinary people, extra-ordinary talents for His glory.
      What has God asked you to use your talent for?

Brave Grace

     God uses people to accomplish His purposes.  Plain, old,  ordinary people.  Like you and me.  Isn't that amazingly scary?
     The idea of being used by God was so astounding to Moses that he suggested that God use someone else.  Moses thought that his story was one of failure and shame.  He hesitated to let God use him.  Of course, Pharaoh was reluctant to listen to Moses to let the Israelites go.  And now that the Israelites were free, Moses was leading them into even more peril.  What did God expect?  Moses had killed an Egyptian and then spent forty years on the back side of the desert.  God could have picked someone else.
     Moses knew that rescuing the people of God was an undertaking fraught with difficulty.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’  And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this.  ~Exodus 14:1-4

     God deliberately placed the Israelites between the sea and the Egyptian army.  Through Moses, God gave them specific, step-by-step instructions.  Instructions that were leading them down a path to apparent ruin. Turn  around and camp. Camp there. On that particular spot of sand. Right there, before the entrapping sea. Yes, right there in that impossible place.

     The Lord occasionally does the same with us, leading us into hardship, bringing us to a particular point or allowing us to be in a circumstance not of our choosing. Our initial reaction may be panic and alarm.  (When I was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago, I lay on the couch for three days.)  God gently reveals the depth of our faith to us.  He teaches us wisdom and shows us His ways.  And then we learn to lean into Him.  To rest securely on the only One who could ever save us anyway.  The One who holds us gently in His arms.
     Moses and the Israelites learned that the same God who led them in, would lead them out.  The problem was not left to Moses.  It was God’s dilemma to solve which He chose to do through Moses inadequate hands.  Moses stretched out his arm over the sea.  The waters parted and the Israelites were brought through to safety.
     Sometimes, like Moses, we think that our story is one of shame, failure, and inadequacy.  But you know, it doesn’t have to be.  Our story can be a story of grace.
     It is a brave grace that saves.  A grace that fixes broken lives.  A grace that heals broken hearts and restores sinners.  It is a brave grace that looks beyond what we have done and sees what we can be.  God does not count our sin against us.
     God exhibits grace and mercy so that we might experience forgiveness and healing.  So that, like Moses, we can see that we are capable of being used to further His glory.   Thank God for His brave grace.
     This post is part of a series on Exodus.  I have been joining the Good Morning Girls at Women Living Well.  My other Exodus posts may be found here.
Exodus 1-5  The Burning Bush
Exodus 6-10  Great Lengths
     This weeks assignment Exodus, chapters 16-20.

Day 19: The Looking Glass

     Pat will tell you that I have a difficult time in the mornings.  I do not wake up feeling refreshed and ready to greet the world.  It's more like trying to claw my way out of a deep pit.  Still, my alarm goes off each weekday morning at 5:00 and after hitting the snooze alarm once, I roll out of bed, stagger down the stairs and exercise.  I confess that I sometimes sleep in my exercise clothes so that I am more motivated to exercise if I am already dressed for it.  My poor husband.  I also know that getting up at 5:30 is not any easier than getting up at 5:00.
     I exercise with a dvd for about half an hour.  When I am finished, I am, for the most part, finally awake.  I head back upstairs to take a shower.  While the water is running to warm up, I brush my hair and glance in the mirror.  Oh, baby!  It is not a pretty sight.  I'm red and sweaty from exercise.  My hair is sticking out like straw in a haystack.  There is a smudge of mascara that didn't get washed off from the night before.  I am a mess.  I climb into the shower and begin the transformation into a person that people would be willing to entrust their precious children to.
     I am reminded of this verse from James.

     Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.   ~James 1:22-25

     It is important to listen to what God's word says, but it is much more important to obey it.  To do what the Bible says.  The person who hears, but fails to act upon what he hears, is like "a man, or woman, who looks at his face in a mirror and goes away and forgets what he looks like."
     The mirror is God's infallible Word, a true mirror of the soul.  Sometimes we look into the mirror and see ourselves as the sinners we are in God's holy presence.  Then we look away and live for ourselves. If we are honest with what the mirror reveals and obey the light, then there comes a transformation of our heart and life.
     Second Corinthians says "we who reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into His likeness."
     Are you being transformed today?
     This post is Day 19, yes, this messy girl is behind,  in the 31 Day Series: Welcome to My Mess.  You can read the other posts here.

21 Graces: Week 9

1. 31 Days of Welcome to My Mess!
2. A beautiful day in Albany.  The sun was shining and the trees are beginning to show off their colors.  A lovely day.
3. The pictures I took at the school BBQ came out even better than I thought they would.  
4.  I solved the problem where my comments disappeared.  Well, at least I think I did!!!
5. The trim around the new window in our bathroom looks awesome!  It was our practice window.  Now we only have, well, I don't know exactly how many windows, but a lot left.
6. I will be walking as a Survivor at a Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday.  It is wonderful to see so much pink in the month of October.  It is encouraging and inspiring.  I wrote about my journey through breast cancer here.
7. The delicious aroma of pulled pork simmering in the crock pot when I came home from work.
8. Walking on the Walkway Over the Hudson twice this week!   Once with good friends and then again with my family.
9. Connor told me that I was awesome.  A compliment from an eleven year old is pretty special.
10. A midweek date with my husband for dinner.  
11. My boys had wonderful midterm report cards from their teachers.  They have worked very hard.  We are so proud of them.
12. An unexpected treat at work.
13. The trees are displaying their Fall colors.  They are just beautiful against a clear blue sky.
14. A very kind word from someone I admire.
15. My Dad is celebrating a birthday on Sunday.  
    
    
    
16. I'm grateful that I was able to send a gift to my Compassion Child, Jimi, for Christmas.  I love to imagine him opening a present and knowing that we care for him.
17. Connor won a raffle at the dentists office.  He was so excited.
18. I'm reading A Million Little Ways:  Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live, by Emily Freeman.  I love this book.  It is inspiring and amazing.  You can find it on Amazon.

19.  Picture Day at an Elementary School which includes tiara's, sparkle shoes, puffy dresses and elaborate hair styles for the girls.  And for the boys denim jeans, tuxedoes, hoodies, bow ties, and sweater vests.  Adorable.

20.  Still feeling grateful for coffee.  Daily.  

21.  Making s'mores with the kids over a campfire in our backyard.

Day 12: What Kind of Character are You?

Brothers, on an ordinary day, revealing their character.

“Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”    ~Zech. 4:10 

     I’ve been in school for most of my life, as a student and as a teacher.  I’ve seen the Dick and Jane McGuffey Readers, the nightmare of ITA in the 60’s, whole-language, phonics, No Child Left Behind, Reading First and balanced literacy, and now Common Core with literacy blocks and differentiation.

      During the literacy blocks, our children are frequently asked to complete graphic organizers like this one.  (This is a link to This Reading Mama which is a wonderful resource for homeschoolers and teachers.  She offers free printables.)  The students need to list the character, recount the setting - which is where everything takes place, state the problem, and finally explain how the problem was resolved.
     I was working with a group of fifth graders this week discussing character.  Character is not simply writing the name of the person in the correct spot on the graphic organizer. The word character is also used to describe a persons traits, attributes and abilities. The famous character, Dumbledore in the Harry Potter Series said, “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are.  It is our choices.”  The character of a books’ character is revealed through their actions and words over time.
      My character and yours is revealed in the same way.  Our life and character are not usually defined by great heroics, but rather by the ordinary decisions we make as we go through our ordinary day.  Our smallest actions, our choices, our attitude, tell the story of our life.
     In John 10:25, Jesus answered the religious leaders of His day,  “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words.”  (The Message)
     Jesus said, what I say and what I do, reveal who I am.
     As we seek to clothe ourselves in the character of Christ, our daily actions, no matter how small, should serve to validate what our heart values.  Our actions may be baking cookies for fellowship after church, planning a children’s service, honoring our parents, or washing the dishes at the kitchen sink.  God can do a lot with a little and multiply our faithful actions for His kingdom.      
     And if our actions have been less than they ought, take comfort in this.

     Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.   ~Carl Bard

     What do our choices tell others about our character?
     This post is Day 12 in the 31 Day Series: Welcome to My Mess.  You can read the other posts here.
http://holimess.blogspot.com/2013/09/31-days-welcome-to-my-mess.html

Day 7: May the Lord be Your Banner

    Last Sunday, the congregation prayed for our Pastor regarding his upcoming shoulder surgery.
     When you have pain in the shoulder joint, movement is hindered. It’s painful to lift your arm, and in fact, you really can’t lift it at all without supporting it with your other arm.  While praying for our pastor God reminded me of Exodus 17.
     Let me set the scene.  The Israelites were in the desert after fleeing from Egypt.  They have been having a rough time.  God has provided them with water and food, but they are about to be attacked by  the Amalekites.  The Amalekites made their livelihood by raiding other tribes, taking their possessions and selling off the people as slaves. When they saw the newly freed Israelites, they expected a quick and easy victory.

Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.  And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."
 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.  He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.”  ~ Exodus 17:8-16

     Joshua was given the responsibility of leading the battle in the valley.  Moses, on the other hand was to go to the top of the hill.  Moses chose the warriors Aaron and Hur to go with him in the battle to come.  Aaron’s name means “strength;”  The name Hur means “liberty.”
     As long as Moses was able to hold his staff up, the battle went well for the Israelites.  But when his arms grew weary and began to fall, the Israelites began to lose.  And that is what God reminded me of - the support of Aaron and Hur.  Strength and Liberty.
     Moses’ hands became heavy, because sometimes the burden you carry is too heavy for you to carry alone.  Moses was in a physical battle, but he was also in a spiritual battle.  Aaron and Hur stood beside Moses and provided support, not because they were asked, but because they recognized the need.  They even dragged over a rock for Moses to sit on to make him as comfortable as possible.  Because of the support of the two warriors, Moses hands were able to remain steady for as long as it was necessary.    
     And maybe we are someone’s warrior.  Maybe we are the one that God is asking to pray or shoulder the burden for someone.    Most of us are fighting battles in an area of our life.  It is important to know that warriors are placing our names before the throne of heaven. Prayer changes us.  Prayer changes the ordinary man or woman and makes them extraordinary.
     Max Lucado said, “When we work, we work, but when we pray, God works.”
     May the Lord be your Banner today.

Day 6: Details

     Ever had one of those days?  Ever had one of those weeks?  You know where your prayers are more like “Honey do lists,” flung up to God. “Lord, let my car start.”  “Father, can I just make that traffic light, I’m already late.”  “Lord, please let this child sleep through the night, I’m so tired.”  “God help my son understand his fraction homework.”  "Oh Lord, please help me to straighten out this mess."  I’m sure that you’ve prayed one or more of these prayers on occasion.
     Not all of the time, but sometimes, my prayers are just about me, my life, my family, my home, and what I deem to be important at that very moment.  I know that there are much bigger problems in this world than the minutia of my day, but I feel better when I tell God what I need, even when it’s silly or trivial.
     I am not saying that we can skate by on missing worship, sitting in God’s presence, fellowship, or Bible reading.  I’m just sharing that I often have a conversation with God in my head which is not necessarily spiritual.
     I was reading in 2 Kings recently and came across the passage about a floating iron axe head. This takes place right after Elisha has healed Naaman of leprosy and right before Israel’s army is delivered from the Arameans.  Elisha and Naaman were important men and the war was certainly an important event.  But the floating axe was really only important to one unnamed man who found himself in a bit of a mess.

     The men who were following Elisha were cutting trees by the Jordan River to build larger quarters to accommodate their growing numbers. One of the men broke the top of his axe handle and the iron axe head fell into the river. He couldn’t work and to make matters even worse, the axe had been borrowed. When Elisha heard the man cry out he asked him where the axe head had fallen into the river.  The man showed Elisha the place. Elisha cut a stick, threw it into the water, and the iron axe head floated right up to the top where the man could reach down and pick it up.
     The man was obviously not a big, important person like Naaman, after all we don’t even know his name.  He didn’t even have enough money to buy his own ax, but had to borrow one. He also wasn’t performing some big, important task like fighting in Israel’s army.  But he was doing what God had called him to do – building a home so that God’s Word and work could be furthered.
     As we go about our every day lives in our kitchens, going to work and school, we sometimes don’t feel we are important or that we are accomplishing anything important.  But we are. We are building God’s kingdom in our little corner of the world.  And God cares about the details. He wants to hear our little prayers. He cares about our worries and concerns.

 Cast the whole of your care, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.     ~ 1 Peter 5:7 (The Amplified Bible)

     Many times God will use our trivial little prayers and the answers He gives us to teach us about Himself and His purposes for us. All we need to do is ask for the lesson in the midst of the mess we find ourselves.  God will use our everyday life circumstances to draw us to Him, to build our faith and ultimately change us into His likeness.
     The next time you feel your prayer or need is silly or unimportant; remember the floating axe head and that God cares about the details of your life.

One Person. One Child. One Action.

“Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”       ~Esther 4: 14

     One person.  One simple ordinary person.  A mother.  A father.  A sister.  A brother.  Busy.  Enthusiastic.  Dedicated.  Courageous. Willing.  Game playing.  Not famous or rich.  Hard working.  Wanting to be more.  To do more.  Ordinary.
     One person with a desire to make a difference.  With a vision for change.  Willing to take the challenge.

One child.  One child in need.  Innocent.  Living in poverty.  Dragged down. Lacking clean water.  Needing an education.

     Willing to risk believing that some one, someone they have never met,  could care.  Hesitantly going to a Compassion Center.  Turning their faces to a camera in hope.  Breathing a prayer of need.

One action.  Sponsoring a child.  Changing lives forever.  Spreading hope.  Making a difference.  Showering love.  Answering prayers in an envelope.  Breaking the cycle of poverty.  Recognizing the potential of the onel.

     See what God can do through one person willing to respond to His call, to be used by Him in love.  Are you that one?  Visit Compassion International.

21 Graces - Week 3

     I've always admired those faithful people who are counting a thousand blessings.  I thought about attempting it from time to time.  But,  recording 1,000 blessings seemed a little overwhelming.  I'm good at accepting blessings, but to write them down was another story.  That's why when I saw the idea behind 21 Graces, I was excited to jump in.  Everyday I note three things which blessed me.  That's it, just three things.  At the end of the week there are 21 Graces.  So simple.  God always blesses me with far more than three each day.

     Friend, you are welcome to join in on the fun.  Visit Jordy Liz Blogs to link up or to find out more.

1. A wonderful family reunion.  It was so fun to catch up with everyone.  To admire the babies and exclaim over accomplishments.  A beautiful day.
2. Finally, getting the slide show together for the church VBS.  Love those adorable children.
3. Hearing that one of our laser etched pictures on granite, that I painted is such a favorite with a family friend that he has used the picture he took of it as a screen saver for years!
4. Starting to get my classroom ready for the new school year which begins on September 3.
5. Working on our entry closet makeover.  It's starting to come together.
6. Early morning quiet time.
7. My 18 year old daughter uttered the words, "You were RIGHT, Mom."  And the heavens opened and the angels sang!
8. New slippers.
9. Pat picking up the chicken feed so I wouldn't have to.
10. Going for a walk at the Walkway over the Hudson.
11. The smell of sheets hung outside to dry.
12. Fresh tomatoes.
13. I drank water out of my 11 year old son's glass by mistake.  "Mom!  You just took my glass!"  Oooops.  Well, I hope you didn't spit in it.    "No,  If there was any spit, it was ON it and not IN it.  That one little letter makes all of the difference!"  Yes, it does.
14. A perfect summer day.
15. Walking on the Walkway Over the Hudson.  So peaceful.
16. Not running out of gas.
17. Knowing that my classroom is ready for the first day of school.
18. Time to dream.
19. A good book and time to read it.
20. A compliment from a friend.
21. Watching Around the World in 80 Days, starring Jackie Chan, with my family.

     Look here for Week 1.
     Look here for Week 2.
     How has God blessed you this week?

Jack In the Box

     Have you ever noticed that many children's fairy tales and nursery rhymes star a young man named Jack?  There is nimble Jack who jumps over a candlestick.  Vegetarian Jack Sprat, who eats no fat.  Jack and Jill; poor Jack gets a concussion in that one.  Carpenter Jack who built a house.  Then there is Jack and the Giant Killer, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Jack Horner, Jack Frost, Jack-o'-lantern, and of course, Jack in the Box.
     Like a Jack in the Box, bursting suddenly from obscurity, Jack stories usually begin with a naive, but honest, young man who makes what appears to be a very bad decision, which somehow turns out exactly right, not only for him, but for everyone around him.  Jack is the hero who somehow saves the day.  Jack brings a new perspective to the situation.  Jack is the person who thinks "outside of the box."
     In John 6, we read an account about the feeding of the five thousand.  The feeding of the five thousand is mentioned in all four of the gospels.  Here is the story, edited for time.
     Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee...and a great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.  Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down  with His disciples.  The Jewish Passover feast was near.  When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"  He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.  Philip looked at all of the people, considered the amount of money they had, and told Jesus to tell everyone to go home.  They could not possibly feed all of them.
     In the midst of that huge crowd of thousands of people - rich people, important people, grown-up people, Pharisees, Saducees and fishermen, was a little boy.  The boy had tucked into his lunch box "five small barley loaves and two small fish."  Andrew brought this small boy to Jesus.  Andrew and the boy were certainly thinking outside of the confines of that lunch box.  They came to Jesus with the expectation that He could do something with the little they had.  They did not set a limitation on what God can do with what He has been given.
     The little boy and Andrew were not disappointed.  Jesus told everyone to sit.  He broke the bread, blessed it and handed it over to the disciples to feed the people.  In the end, there were twelve baskets left over.  The crowd wanted to make Jesus their earthly King.  Jesus, however, wanted to be the King of their hearts.  He wanted to be the King of their future.
     Sometimes we limit what God can do.  We put Him in a box so that we can understand Him better.  I stand impressed by a simple child's faith and my Saviors willingness and ability to supply for all of our needs.  Imagine what would happen, if we, like that little boy, put our limited resources into the hands of Jesus.
     I wonder if the boy's name was Jack.

21 Graces - Week 2

If God doesn’t rule your mundane, then he doesn’t rule you.                                     Because that’s where you live.  -Paul Tripp

     21 Graces is based on writing down three moments of grace or blessing each day.  At the end of a week you have documented 21 Graces.  Look here for my first week.  You are welcome to join us at Jordy Liz Blogs as we link our lists.

1.  Visiting an old friend of my Father-in-law's in the hospital.
2.  Making an eight foot tall balloon tree for Vacation Bible School with friends.
3.  Worship music.
4.  A nap on a Sunday afternoon.
5.  Washing feet at VBS.
6.  Re-organizing our entry closet to make things easier and prettier when school starts in September.
7.  The smell of freshly cut lumber.
8.  Blueberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and green salad.
9.  New school supplies.
10.  The sincerity of a child's prayer.

11.  Warm rain on a summer morning.
12.  Taking pictures at our church's VBS.  The sweet love the children show for each other.
13.  S'mores!

14.  A purring cat on my lap.
15.  Having access to medical and dental care, when so many do not.
16.  Watching the children at VBS serving others by bringing in donations for a local food pantry, writing notes to the Compassion child we sponsor,  and filling shoe boxes with goodies for Samaritan's Purse.
17.  Chickens squawking to announce the arrival of an egg.
18.  Dishwashers!  Washing machines & Dryers!
19.  Going to Ikea to buy a set of drawers, only to find the very one we wanted - as a perfect floor sample - for less money -  already put together!  Win!
20.   Ice cream sundae's.
21.   Cookies warm from the oven.

Five Things I Learned in July

    1.  Lisa Jo Baker wrote the most beautiful post about love,  When You Think Your Love Story is Boring.

    There is a rumor, an urban myth, a fiction, a fantasy, a black and white screen cliché that love looks like the mad, romantic dash through airports for a last chance at a flailing kiss.And then the credits roll.And the lights come on.And we must go back to our real lives where we forget that love really lives.

     Extraordinary love in ordinary days.  Go read it.  It is worth the two minutes it takes.

     My love story is boring, too, and I'm okay with that.

2.  When a 12 year old boy is diagnosed with AML Leukemia, the Yankees will step up to bat for him.
     Caleb Gaylord is an athletic, musically gifted, 12 year old boy from New Milford, CT.  Caleb plays 3rd base for his travel team.  Caleb's dream is to one day wear pinstripes as a New York Yankee. 
     Caleb's life was forever changed on June 13th, when his Mom brought him to his pediatrician for strep throat. Thankfully, his pediatrician was suspicious and sent his bloodwork to top oncologists at Children's Medical Center in Hartford. Within hours the family was hearing the words no parent ever wants to hear, "Your son has leukemia." A couple of days later, Caleb started the first of four rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, to be administered over a span of six months. It is an inpatient treatment. To add to the difficulty, the family was in between insurance companies at the time of Caleb's diagnosis. 
     If God puts it on your heart to make a contribution to help Caleb, you may do so here. 
    The Yankees generously sent Caleb a Get Well gift basket.   Caleb was very excited to receive an encouraging phone call from pitcher, Mariano Rivera.
     Hats off to the Yankees.

3.   We are big fans of the Harry Potter Series in our house.   

     Our youngest son, Connor received his letter from Hogwarts on his eleventh birthday.  I made him a letter and scrapbook about Harry Potter. 

      Now Diagon Alley is on Google Street View.

4.  That it is worth it to get up very early in the morning to watch hot air balloons take off over the Hudson River.  You can read about it here.

5.   I love the Minions Banana Song.  It makes me smile, every time.

     What did you learn this month?  Linking up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky.

Wedding Anniversary, 33 Years

     Today my husband and I are celebrating our thirty-third wedding anniversary.  When I spoke with my parents earlier, they asked me again, "What were you thinking getting married in January?"  I answered, "I was too in love to wait for warmer weather."
     Thirty-three years.  12,045 days ago.  On a freezing cold and windy, but brilliantly sunny day, Pat and I married in a church filled with Christmas poinsettia and candles.  Both of us wobbly-kneed and looking back, so very young.  I stood, face blurred beneath a veil, breathless with anticipation and pledged forever.  Pat's eyes locked with mine, and he promised forever in return.

Posing with my Mom and Dad and brothers.

     We were positively certain.  We said, "I do," not really knowing what we were getting ourselves into - just knowing that we wanted whatever life would bring, to meet it together.
     During our vows we pledged to take each other.  Pat was mine and I was his.  To hold each others heart in our own.  To know each others needs and wants.  To know what makes the other laugh and cry.  To know the past and to hold each others future.  We promised to love unconditionally.

Posing with Pat's family.  

     Nothing in life is more valuable than a loving relationship with your spouse.  There is honor is serving them.  In performing a chore, washing socks, preparing food, changing the oil in the car and in going to work each day.
     Sometimes, Pat has to decide to love me.  There are times when I am not particularly lovely.  Even the children know to give me space until I've had my morning coffee.  Pat has loved me through vacations, pregnancies, car trouble, surgeries, pets, and cancer.  He has loved me through arguments, lost keys, driving in snowstorms, times of great loss, and dangerous boat rides.   I've loved him through computer glitches, stock market ups and downs, mud puddles, and cozy nights.

     The relationship a married couple have with each other is the same relationship God desires with each of us.

     But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!  When you walk through the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  ...  you are precious to me.  You are honored, and I love you. ~ Isaiah 43: 1-4

     So, to my dear husband, you are precious to me, and I love you.

Redeeming the Time

The clock at Grand Central Station.

     As we move toward the New Year of 2013 many of us wonder at how quickly the time flies.  It feels like just last week we were celebrating 2010, 2011, 2012.  My parents have always said that the older you are, the faster the years go.  When I was younger, I didn’t understand that, but I have lived enough years to realize that they are right.
     I few years ago, I bought Pat and our son, Brian, a digital clock/ipod charger for Christmas.  I may have given the clock to Pat, but the truth is, that as long as we have had it, it has been on my side of the bed.  The alarm beeps loudly and irritatingly at 5:15 each morning and after hitting the snooze, I drag myself out of bed.  At night the clock had glowing numbers which meant that I could wake up, glance at the clock and know how much time I had left to sleep.  The clock worked pretty well until we got back from camping last August.  That was when I noticed that the night time display no longer worked.  But it was summer and not really necessary. I found it easier to sleep without the glow from the clock. When September rolled around with earlier wake-up times the alarm still beeped so we didn’t replace it.  Then in the fall, we realized that the clock no longer charged the ipod.
     Pat thoughtfully bought a new alarm clock for me for Christmas.  Our son Brian, the electronics whiz, was home.  He noticed the new clock under the tree and asked what had happened to the previous one.  We explained about the light and the inability to charge the ipod.  Brian laughed, “It sounds like your clock isn’t plugged in.”
     “Oh, no.” I argued,  “That isn’t possible.  The time was always right and the alarm went off.”            
     Brian explained that our clock has a backup battery which would keep time, but go into a mode which saved electricity when there was a power failure.  The night light wouldn’t work, nor would it charge the ipod.  I dismissed his idea because I could not imagine that a small battery could last for months.
     Pat went upstairs to plug my gift in.  That was when he discovered that Brian was correct.  The first clock had not been plugged in.  It had continued to faithfully wake us each morning and loyally keep the time without the benefit of being plugged into a source of electricity since August.
     Paul tells us in Ephesians to walk circumspectly, redeeming the time.  As we look ahead to a new year I ask you to consider the time.  Consider the moment and season you are in.  Consider who you are and who you belong to.  Immanuel, God with us, and within us.  The Great I Am, in our past, our present, and our future, meeting us exactly where we are.  He knows our every need.

Today is the day that the Lord has made.  

Lord, you have been our dwelling place


    throughout all generations. 

Before the mountains were born
    

  or you brought forth the whole world,
    

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

A thousand years in your sight
    

  are like a day that has just gone by,
    

  or like a watch in the night.

Teach us to number our days,
    

  that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ~ Psalm 90:1-2, 4,12

     A back up battery of faith will only work for so long.  Now is the time to plug into the power of the Holy Spirit.  Reset your clock.

God Is In The Details

A heart found in a patch of dried mud.

     Ever had one of those days?  Ever had one of those weeks?  You know where your prayers are more like “Honey do lists,” flung up to God. “Father, can I just make that traffic light, I’m already late.”  “Lord, please let this child sleep through the night, I’m so tired.”  “God help my son understand his fraction homework.”  I’m sure that you’ve prayed one or more of these prayers on occasion.
     Not all of the time, but sometimes, my prayers are just about me, my life, my family, my home, and what I deem to be important at that very moment.  I know that there are much bigger problems in this world than the minutia of my day, but I feel better when I tell God what I need even when it’s silly or trivial.
     I was reading in 2 Kings recently and came across the passage about a floating iron axe head. This takes place right after Elisha has healed Naaman of leprosy and right before Israel’s army is delivered from the Arameans.  Elisha and Naaman were important men and the war was certainly an important event.  But the floating axe was really only important to one unnamed man.
     The men who were following Elisha were cutting trees by the Jordan River to build larger quarters to accommodate their growing numbers. One of the men broke the top of his axe handle and the iron axe head fell into the river. He couldn’t work and to make matters even worse the axe had been borrowed. When Elisha heard the man cry out he asked him where the axe head had fallen into the river.  The man showed Elisha the place. Elisha cut a stick, threw it into the water, and the iron axe head floated right up to the top where the man could reach down and pick it up.
     The man was obviously not a well known person like Naaman, after all history doesn’t record his name.  He didn’t even have enough money to buy his own ax, but had to borrow one. He wasn’t performing a big, important task like fighting in Israel’s army.  But he was doing what God had called him to do – building a home so that God’s Word and work could be furthered.
     As we go about our every day lives, in our kitchens, at work or at school, we sometimes don’t feel we are important or that we are accomplishing anything important.  But we are.  We are building God’s kingdom in our little corner of the world.  And God cares about the details. He wants to hear our little prayers. He cares about our worries and concerns.

  Cast the whole of your care, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 (The Amplified Bible)

     Many times God will use our little prayers and the answers He gives us to teach us about Himself and His purposes for us. We simply must ask for the spiritual vision to see the lessons. He wants to use our everyday life circumstances to draw us to Him, build our faith and ultimately change us into His likeness.
     The next time you feel your prayer or need is silly or unimportant; remember the floating axe head and that God cares about the details of your life.

Letters for Compassion

Dear God,
     I know that You know my name, but let me tell you anyway - it is Bonifasius Cendy Putra Yohdanstie.  Even for my parents that is a mouthful.  They call me Cendy.  God, as I write this, it has begun to rain.
     Each day as I carry water, I look up at the sky, and I think of You.  I know You because at the Anugerah Student Center they tell us about You.  My friend Jimi goes there, too.   At the center we learn and are safe.  Jimi and I play soccer together.  As we kick the ball, he tells me about his sponsor Mama Donna.  Mama Donna writes him letters.  She tells him about her life.  It must be very different where she lives.  He has a few pictures of her.  She even sent him stickers and coloring pages.  The family treasures her letters.  They keep them is a box.  Because of a sponsor his life is better in so many ways.  He smiles now.  Sometimes when I am at Jimi's house I touch Mama Donna's picture.
      It was a great day when our pictures were taken for Compassion.  So much hope was in the air.  I put on my best clothes.  I had heard that it takes longer for older children to get sponsors and I am 13.  Some of the younger children have been sponsored, so I guess that is true.  I have been waiting.  I have been waiting 275 days now.
     God, I go to church and learn about You.  I go to Center and learn about You.  I saw the description of me.  It says, my performance at school is average.  Well, it is average, You know that.  But I do not feel average.  I think that someday I could be more.  That I could do more.  That I could be more.  Just more.
     God with each drop of the rain I am praying to You.  Please send me a sponsor.
               Cendy

     For the month of September, Bloggers have been united to find sponsors for 3,108 children like Cendy.  As of September 24 the sponsorship was 2,297.
     Cendy is a real boy.  He can't speak to you.  The letter to God was written by me in his voice.  It is what I imagined he would say.  You can find his information at Compassion International.

• Age: 13
• Birthday: February 26, 1999
• Gender: Male
• Location: Indonesia
• Center: Anugerah Student Center
• Child ID: IO7570345
• • Waiting: 275 Days for a sponsor.
  • 
    
  Cendy makes his home with his father and his mother. Carrying water, helping in the kitchen and running errands are his household duties. His father is employed and his mother is employed. There are 2 children in the family.
  
  For fun, Cendy enjoys soccer and bicycling. He attends church activities regularly and is in primary school where his performance is average.
  
  Please remember Cendy in your prayers. Your love and support will help him to receive the assistance he needs to grow and develop.

          Thank you for your prayers for Cendy.