Answered Prayers

God is good to answer the big and small prayers of His children. I was reminded of this over the past week as two very specific prayers–one big and one small–were answered. We’ve prayed for months that God would provide someone who could help ease the CPA work Kevin is often inundated with. Indeed that is his profession, but when you need to grow and run the business, the actual business can keep you from managing the workload. It’s a bit daunting to list an opening…who knows what you’ll get. But after much prayer, God sent a person who is qualified and off to a good start. We trust this will continue to prove the right decision and if it isn’t, that God will reveal that quickly.

In the small category, my parents bequeathed us their piano 4 years ago now. I have wanted to provide the kids lessons many times over, but finding an affordable, eager teacher willing to come to our home has proven difficult. I committed to pray that God would provide someone who would meet these qualifications and anticipated when and how that would come about. Just this week, I’ve seen those prayers realized. God sent a Senior in our area who is planning to major in music at a nearby university next year. She was looking for lesson work, but didn’t know where to start. She prefers to come to our home, is very affordable and seems like a great first teacher for our children.

Our older two boys are starting now and hopefully the others will follow. There is a possibility she may want to keep us on even as she attends university next year and beyond. We’ll see. But for now I am rejoicing in a God who is intimately acquainted with all that we need and desire. It’s not that we get everything we ask for, but it’s often that we don’t have because we don’t ask (James 4:2). I am renewed in that truth this week and have been encouraged to remain on my knees interceding for the both the big and the small.

Dying to Self

That caterpillar went straight to work weaving; intent to do the next thing in the process of his transformation.  Within days, he hung in a glycine leaf bed shimmering and dangling.  Unaware of the intricate detail and delicacy which only another eye could appreciate.  He knew to make it strong and secure; make it able to weather the storm of change.

After a week or two, it seemed death had come.  Dark and gray, shriveled and dried up, unrecognizable from the lush green cocoon a mere days earlier.  We waited it out not know what would come of it, and soon deemed it a failure again.  But we were wrong.  To our surprise he had prevailed and he wanted to fly.

How similar is our sanctification in Christ.  Behold old things have passed away. We enter his rest and become a new creation.   At times we hunker down for the storm, tucked in the cleft of His wing, intent to do the next thing in the process of our transformation.  We are woven by His Spirit, for His glory, into a magnificent work that our own eyes cannot behold.  It seems death comes to our souls as we walk through dry and dark trials.  Perhaps the pain is caused by the dying of self, knowing that change hurts.  Crucifying the flesh that fights vehemently to live another day.  Yet bit by bit we gain victory as we obey first in the small and then in the big.  We emerge from each trial, if we persevere, more glorious than we were when we went in.  And by His power, we too reach new heights.

Manic Monday

I am overwhelmed this Monday morning. I wonder how many of my personal journal entries begin that way. It is a continual cycle of strength and weakness from week to week. Yet in my weakness, I am made strong through Him.

I come in prayer today for all I cannot do or acquire. I’m left holding a pittance in my hands without your provisions, Lord. So I lay my cares before your feet and come in prayer today–knowing that you are where I need to begin and end.

Sheep without a shepherd

Scripture so often refers to Christians as sheep.  Sheep are not quite the exemplary group in which to be compared.  Why aren’t we likened to a noble steed of horses?  How about loyal dogs?   Clever monkeys?   The Lord clearly has his reasons, and time and again, the scriptures call us just what we are…sheep.

Sheep follow the leader.  They are easily led away and enticed.   They are quick to fall prey to a lurking wolf.  Sheep become stranded and lost, bleeting for help when they cannot loosen themselves from the cliff.  Sheep are not independent thinkers.  They are followers.  They are led.  They need to hear a shepherd’s voice.   A little reflecting shows that indeed sheep are closer to us than we might care to admit. 

The beauty of being a sheep in God’s economy is that we have an infinitely Good Shepherd.  It is our delight to hear his voice and follow.  It is our healing balm to be led by his staff and rod.  He came to seek and save the lost.  He laid down his own life for his sheep. 

In Mark 6 we see the Good Shepherd’s heart.  After ministering to the crowd all day, Jesus is tired and weary so he attempts to steal away for some down time.  Yet the crowd pursues him.  If it were me, I surely would have thrown a fit at the thought of my rest being infringed upon.  I can think even now of “fits” I’ve thrown when my baby wouldn’t sleep, or my child asked for more help when I thought I’d given enough.  How often I view their needs as impositions on my time and energy.  Yet Mark 6:34 says, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  So he began teaching them many things.”

As a Christian mother, I am an ambassador of the Shepherd.  He has given me charge over my little flock, and while I am home caring for them, I take note.  Like Christ, I need to have compassion on them.  Tangible shepherding is when I serve and love them sacrificially by ”teaching them many things” [about Him].  

Somedays this seems like an impossible challenge for the mom of young children.  Yet I find great comfort  in Isaiah 40:12 ”He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”  Our Good Shepherd is gentle with the lambs while at the same time gently leading those that have young.  Indeed, He is infinitely good!

The Daily Post

I was one who often let my little ones rest to Mr. Rogers’
Neighborhood.  His calm demeanor and his simple style are a delightful
understatement for our modern sensibilities.  You could always count on
learning something interesting.  Like how traffic lights are made, or
how a graham cracker assembly line works.  These are the things my
older children will comment on still today.

Last week we toured The Wall Street Journal with Gabe’s Tiger Den.  It was fascinating. I was in the mind of Mr. Rogers the whole tour.  I think it was the wonder of learning something
new.  Seeing how a common object is made in such an uncommon way.

I was simply amazed by good ole’ American ingenuity.  It made me pause
at both the vast machinery and the minute technology that make the
printing press what it is.

I have to admit feeling a little patriotic at the same time.  Wanting to see these seemingly waning days in our country turn a sharp corner and start to wax ingenuity once more.   Wanting to tell these boys that they can, by God’s grace, become men who will make meaningful contributions to their communities for future generations.  And to encourage my own sons to set their sights on things above–to live for a prize they cannot yet see; but one which will be worth every ounce they sacrifice to attain.

I know…all of this from a newpaper tour?  Well it was a really BIG press!

A Most Honored Guest

There are times when our household is in great order. The kids’ clothes are switched out for the seasons. Everyone has the right sizes in their drawers, the laundry is folded and put away; and hamper levels are low. Dinner is simmering in the crockpot and my bathrooms are sparkling. Homemaking at its best.

But I should take a picture, because inevitably we run out of milk, the vacuum breaks, or someone outgrows their jeans. A day of sick children and appointments requires a leave of absence from the laundry room. The backlog builds quickly.

My friend has a plaque in her kitchen which reads: The house was clean last week, sorry you missed it. How many busy women can chuckle at that. Life in general, and life with children, can get messy pretty quickly.

I’ve been thinking this week about preparing…my home, a meal, my heart.
Preparing for a special guest starts well before their arrival–shopping, cleaning, organizing, and eliminating excess.  If we have been diligent in preparing, we are ready when they arrive and able to appreciate their coming.

We’ve been talking in our Pathway about numbering our days. I’ve been considering how I am preparing for the most honored guest. Just as I prepare my home for special company, I need to be preparing my heart for my king, Jesus.

This passage has been resonating this week:

Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!” Mark 13:35-37

As I consider my days, am I preparing my heart for His return?  Do I live with the thought that He may pop in unexpectedly? I recall several times being embarrassed upon a visitors’ arrival. What seemed like trite housekeeping mere hours before suddenly became a glaring reflection  of what I chose to ignore.  In their arrival, it became very clear what I had left undone.

This is not the old idea that cleanliness is next to godliness.  But rather the analogy that good stewardship gives us a picture of how we ought to keep our hearts before God. Will He find my sink filled with dishes?  Will He notice I haven’t dusted in weeks?  What refreshments will I have to offer Him?

Sin backlogs quickly until bitterness takes root.  1 John 1:9 reminds me to keep short accounts with God to remain in pure fellowship with Him.  Do I haplessly live for myself or am I serving others?  How little it takes to interrupt my daily time in the Word! Our schedule seamlessly clutters the day if I don’t deliberately pursue and protect my quiet times. And what if He finds me sleeping? Do I love rest more than prayer and worship?-not recognizing He is my rest (Hebrews 4).

He will return!  While my heart will not be fully pure till my sanctification is complete,  I pray all of my homefires are burning upon His return (Matthew 25).  I want to be found ready for his arrival rather than fast asleep, never considering He would drop in unexpectedly.

Haiku for the Body Politic

Praise God for the Day.

Song is not sustaining breath.

Sing to He who Is.

Pray where you are

The first days of a fresh year are gentle and still ones around here.  Our parents sometimes take our children for a night or two, (Bless them!!!) and in their absence I find myself alone with my thoughts…something rather scarce in this season of my life.  I took the time this morning to put them to paper.

Each year I like to annal the highlights in a special  journal.  As I sat down to do that today I realized my last entry was half-done (which I remembered), but I was startled to find that it was recounting 2006! (which I thought would have been 2007).

Somewhere I had let not only one year slip by, but two! What takes me aback the most is that I vividly remember leaving the entry unfinished and it seemed like a blink ago.

So time marches on.  I tend to shy away from specific resolutions like losing 20 pounds…though I want to, or quitting coffee…I wouldn’t dream of it!  But I do feel a strong urge of resolve this time each year.  I make aim to try specific, new things in the year ahead; to love my husband and children more and more; but my highest objective is to grow in my knowledge and faith in God.   If I do nothing else in a year, my one desire is that I’m closer to my Savior in this year than I was in the last.

As a means to that end, I am compelled to make 2009 a year of prayer in my heart.  I am stirred to stand in the gap for our country, my husband, my children, and our loved ones as needs arise.  I hold to this familiar passage this year:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.                               
2 Chronicles 7:14

My goals as a mother and wife are covered by the “closer to Him department.” He is the vine, I am a branch. Apart from Him I can do nothing. (John 15)

My personal objectives are to learn at least 2 songs on my guitar (I’ve always wanted to play) and to blog more consistently.  Incidentally the blog is one year old now. It’s been a good exercise for me and I will definitely keep at it.
I am also excited to take a ceramics class (my Christmas gift from my mother in law!) 

I would love to hear what you are aiming at in 2009. Happy New Year to all!

Smiles

Today was filled with color. The morning, by God’s grace, was spent at a brunch with women I admire and love. The evening was spent in fellowship at our Pathway’s Christmas party. Both events were filled with lots of laughter and good moods. Not an ordinary day where people are in varied states of mind.

Instead the mundane things were set aside and the heart was made glad.  These colors made me smile today too.

Last night we had a talented Scout dad set up his keyboard in our living room for our den meeting.  He played beautifully.  As I looked around the room, I noticed our house was filled with smiling faces.  It was wonderful.  Music makes the heart glad.

Luke and Gabe recently told me they don’t see me smile enough.  I have to admit that it made me pause to realize how often my brow is  furrowed and concerted throughout the day as I tick things off my list.  It’s not that I am upset usually, but it’s just not my natural disposition in the midst of busy days to smile.

Maybe I should be more intent on following the lead of these little dimples. Whatever the case, there was no need to work at it today. It was just a day of smiles. Thank you Lord!

kitchen poetry: 7

My prayer.