February Faith

Well... three posts in and I've already neglected my little blog!! Well... I feel like I haven't had much of anything worth throwing out there until the last few days.

My sweet mommy, Ann, started theme words for each month. So far January was "Joy" and February was "Forgiveness." I think the word God has given me is February "faith." (Of course I'm just now learning my word and it is the last day of the month!)

Ephesians 5:16 "Redeem the time because the days are evil"

Now, more than ever, is this ringing in my ears. I know there are a lot of people going through difficult things right now. Our family is battling with cancer, death, drugs, financial hardships, and these are just to name a few. It's heart breaking when I sit down and think of the people I need to be praying for that are going through something really really hard. Maybe there has been a difficult diagnosis of a loved one. Maybe your husband or wife has left. Maybe you have lost your job and are not sure how your bills will be paid. . . God is in control. I know it's hard to trust that in the face of a seemingly impossible or hopeless circumstance.


“God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; He does great things, and we cannot comprehend. (Job 37:5 LEB)


This verse struck me as I read it. Yes, God is majestic and powerful. Yes, He does great things. But the fact that we don't comprehend those great things is really what stuck out.

When I think of great things I think of things that people do in the name of humanitarianism. The great philanthropists... Oprah giving away a car or a college scholarship... Extreme makeover rebuilding a family's home and paying off their mortgage... These things you look at and say "Wow! That is a great thing!!"

Now, if God is the Leader and Head of all philanthropists, then wouldn't it be right to see the things He is doing and know they are good? It should be obvious, right? It should be something off our wish list on Pinterest or something that would clearly make our life easier ... or money! We all neeeeeed money.

But we do not comprehend. We see what He is doing and we fight against it.

... We fight: like Peter, we slice off the ear of those who have come to take away Christ, not knowing His capture would bring salvation to all. (Luke 22:47-51)

... We doubt if He really knows what He is doing: Like Samuel, when he was told that David, Jesse's youngest and scraggliest son was chosen to be Israel's king. (1 Samuel 16)

... We complain: like the Israelites after they were freed from slavery. (pretty much all of Exodus)

... We disobey His calling: Like Jonah, who ran the opposite way when God asked to minister to the meanest, vilest people of his day. (Jonah)

... We take matters into our own hands: like Abraham, who (twice) told people his wife was his sister in an attempt to keep his family safe. (which did not work BTW... Genesis 20 and Genesis 27) OR the time he tried to fulfill God's promise on his own by trying to conceive a son though a servant girl (Genesis 16) ... Really Abraham!? You're giving us lots of good examples here...

... We walk away: like the rich young ruler, who thought that the cost of following Christ was too much for him to sacrifice. (Matthew 19:16-30)

"We cannot comprehend." It's like God is telling us... "It's ok guys. You're not going to get it. Just trust Me!"

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord . “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8, 9 NLT)

He's not trying to say we are stupid... He's reminding us that we are little tiny baby sized ants on this big giant world. We cannot see the big picture! (I'm picturing myself like one of the kids in "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" trying to trek my way through this backyard of mud and bugs and giant water drops.)

Today my eyes were opened to this big picture when my husband said to me that he can relate to a child being brought up in an abusive household. It is tragic for any child to have to experience abuse. But to see that Ricky can reach out and help one of these little ones because he himself has traveled this road before really got to me. What a view of grace... to see that God really uses people's hurt and can turn it around for a glorious story of people helping other people! (And yes, God did an amazing work in Ricky's parents, both of which are two of the most loving people I have ever known.)

Often, it's a rainy day. The storms of life are heavy and the constant downpour can be overwhelming. It's so easy to get discouraged!! But remember God's promises when the rain doesn't stop, friends...

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the L ord ’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.” (Isaiah 55:10-13 NLT)

The rain will bring forth fruit and crops and flowers! It won't be in vain, friend! Hold fast to God and remember we probably won't understand the "Why" now... But it will always be for the benefit of us and of others.

Please, friends, let me know if I can pray for you. There is no need to carry your burdens alone.

Sincerely,
Jen

Happy New Year!

Well... It is the first official day of 2013. There is something so refreshing about a new start. 

God sure has been putting a lot on my heart lately, and one of those things is this blog. So here we go! 

I've spent a few days praying about what God's direction is for this blog. What exactly does He want me to share? What is the theme? or even the name!? In the midst of praying, there were a few things that stuck out in my head: 

GROWTH: 

"God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do."  Psalm 1:1-3 (CEV)

I definitely feel God has been growing our family over the past year. He has directed us in multiple ways, and we have listened, and He has blessed us as a result. I feel as if our family is that tree and we are planted by the river, constantly being nourished, producing fruit and foliage. 

ORGANIC:

We were worshiping together as a church a few weeks ago and as the band started into the musical part of the bridge, the congregation just started singing the words without any prompting or leading: "My heart will sing no other name, but Jesus, Jesus!" It was so sweet. One of those moments you can't catch your breath and try to squeak out the song along with the others around you, fighting back tears. It wasn't rehearsed. Our worship leader didn't say, "Okay you guys, right here I'm going to back off and you guys sing really loud..." No. It was true. It was organic. It was from the heart. 

This is what I feel God is wanting from me. 
To be real. 
To be sincere.

I know we have some difficult roads to travel ahead of us this year. We have friends and family going through so much difficulty, sickness, deep pain, loss. So I will try my best this year to just be sincere throughout it. Honest and transparent. 


"The King is the friend of all who are sincere and speak with kindness" -Proverbs 22:11 (CEV)  





Our first day of 2013: 

We went and played at the park 

... and a triple grande vanilla latte, too (of course)

(Running with daddy)

This was my favorite part of the day: Jovee has been sick and quite cuddly. At lunch, she rested her head on big sister, Charlemaine. Charlee stroked her hair for a few moments. It was the sweetest moment of sister interaction I have yet to witness of my little ladies. (Jovee is NOT fond of loving or being loved by Charlee.)  

I was able to get some OCD cleaning done today and start this blog! :) Now we're winding down the day together watching Josie and the Pussycats. (a classic, duh!) 

_____________________

Lord, Thank You. Sometimes that is all we really need to say. I don't think we say it enough. We have a home, we have our health, we have each other, and we have You. I know that none of these are promised to us tomorrow besides You. I don't want to take any of these for granted. Thank you for them and thank You for You. Thank You that we can rely on You to be our steadfast.

_____________________

Lastly, you HAVE TO check out this song. I cannot get it out of my head. The words and truths contained have been so encouraging and inspiring:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY0Vz8fvIhE

"I am the Lord your God,
I go before you now.
I stand beside you
I’m all around you
And though you feel I’m far away
I’m closer than your breath
I am with you
More than you know

I am the Lord your peace
No evil will conquer you
Steady now your heart and mind
Come into my rest
And oh, let your faith arise
And lift up your weary head
I am with you
Wherever you go

Come to me, I’m all you need
Come to me, I’m everything

I am your anchor, in the wind and the waves
And I am your steadfast, so don’t be afraid
Though your heart and flesh may fail you
I’m your faithful strength
And I am with you
Wherever you go

Don’t look to the right or to the left, keep your eyes on me
You will not be shaken, you will not be moved

I am the hand to hold, I am the truth, I am the way
Just come to me, come to me
Cause I’m all that you need"

Wishing you the best this year, whatever that may be for you and your family. 

Sincerely, Jen.