A Little Further
“I think it’s time you went a little further,” my sweet husband Marty said to me as I laced up for my evening run. Looking at him with a “let’s not get too crazy” look on my face, I was not exactly on board with his big idea. Still, I decided that perhaps there was some merit in the words “no pain, no gain.” My runs had been getting easier. Maybe it was time to step things up a notch.
I set out with my expectations low. Truly, I didn’t expect to be able to run all that much further. After all, I have only been running a few weeks. Surely, my endurance was not that much stronger. The road stretched out before me and my pace remained strong. Before long, a new attitude filled my heart. As my feet steadily pounded the pavement, I found new energy. I was not tired. I did not grow weary. I had run further than I imagined I could. And I was invigorated! Just then, I was reminded of one of God’s great promises:
“But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV.
Before long, my run was over. With the sun setting quickly, I returned back to my driveway and shared my triumph with Marty. Renewed and encouraged, I wondered just how far my legs might have taken me if I had more time to run that night. Every part of me felt alive and ready for more! Marty was right all along. I WAS ready to go a little further.
That’s how it is with God. When we think we can’t go on, His love fills us with hope and offers renewal. It’s true with running. It’s true with life. Sometimes we just have to go a little further to experience His great work in our lives.
Ouch!
With brand new running shoes, I set out for my run in the cool night air. It was late. It was dark. And I was psyched! As I sang along with my favorite music, my pace quickened. Then it happened. Mercilessly, the uneven sidewalk silently ambushed me. In one graceless movement, I tripped over a raised section in the sidewalk. While my left knee and ankle turned underneath me, my right leg scraped violently against the cement. Just moments before, I had been gliding effortlessly down the street. Now, every part of my body screamed, “OUCH!” as I sat wounded and crying in the middle of the dark and empty sidewalk.
Slowly, I hobbled home and pushed open our front door. How relieved I was to see my sweet husband waiting to greet me! “How was your run?” he asked playfully. As tears streamed down my cheeks, my sobs seemed to now grow louder. “Are you crying because you are hurt or are you crying because you are embarrassed?” Marty probed further. “YES!!!” I wailed indignantly.
Marty smiled, took me by the hand and led me to our bedroom where he affectionately assessed my wounds. Gently, he cleaned and dressed my scrapes and applied ice to my ankle and knee. Certainly, my husband’s tenderness touched my heart deeply, and in his care, I slowly regained my perspective on all that had transpired. Yes, I was hurt, but I was going to be ok. Though the pain was searing, there was no permanent damage done. In a few days, I would be running again. A little slower, perhaps. Probably not in the dark. Yet, with a little rest, I would recuperate and be on my way.
Sometimes in life, we fall. One moment, everything seems to be going well and then out of nowhere, we stumble. It hurts. A lot. And we need help to pick ourselves up again. Truly, we must have a safe place to rest while our wounds heal. But, we must keep our Biblical perspective. Despite our pain, we are assured that God will be there, even when we stumble. In heartbreak. In trial. Regardless of how hard we fall, we must return to our Savior. His love awaits. And we will surely find comfort in His arms, for “he heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 NIV.
A Few Good Men
My daughter trusts her Savior. One of the most powerful reasons for her belief in Christ’s redemption is because of her Daddy. Loving, playful, gentle, and firm, Marty is the head of our home and the earthly example of Sofie’s Heavenly Father. Through Marty’s consistent and dependable love, Sofie has come to embrace the affection of her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Each of my children are blessed, for their Daddy is a good man. But, more than that, Marty is a Godly man. Daily he places himself before the LORD and prays for wisdom and strength to honor God in Fatherhood. With his priorities firmly rooted in Biblical truth, my husband understands that he is irreplaceable to his kids and that “his children are a gift from the LORD. They are a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3 NLT.
Unfortuantely, there are many who do not have such a Father. For some, Father’s Day is a painful reminder of being abandoned, forgotten or unloved. Still others, emotionally splintered, fill the day with empty gestures of gratitude rooted in obligation. Then there are those like Sofie, fortunate to have a Father truly deserving of her honor. Unquestionably, there are still a few good men out there. Together with God, they are building a legacy secured in faith. Day by day. These Daddies invest their time, their efforts, and most of all their prayers into their children. For they know that “Unless the Lord builds a house,the work of the builders is wasted.” Psalm 127:1 NLT.
Like the Israelites who sang Psalms of Ascension as they traveled to Jerusalem for Feast, Godly fathers grasp that the journey with their children is to be savored and cherished. And along the way, they rejoice. For these wise men understand that a day will come when this long pilgrimage shall end.
This Father’s Day, I am sad for the men who have chosen to abandon the post of Fatherhood. One day, those same men shall face their creator and answer for the selfish ways they misrepresented God to their hurting children. I am grateful for those Dads who nobly step into broken families and fill empty shoes of Fatherhood. Indeed, their sacrifices, will change the lives of the children to whom God has appointed them to serve in love. And I am grateful that there are still a few good men. Those God-fearing men who strive to be the arms of Christ to their fragile offspring. Though they tire, these men understand the commitment of Fatherhood. Truly, they recognize, that “children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!” Psalm 127: 4-5 NLT.
Most of all, I am grateful for our Heavenly Father, who changed my life with His grace. Because of His great sacrifice, allowing Christ to take my place, I know redemption as I rest in His grace. I praise Him for His radical love that changed my life and healed my brokenness. My heart is filled with awe as I continue to witness his restoration in my life. Daily, I praise Him daily, for he has blessed my life with a few good men.
Tough Love
“I give up! Some people are so hard to love!” my heart screamed. As tears rolled down my cheek, the ache in my heart turned to anger. Deeply wounded from the careless words hurled at me from another, I tossed the series of unfortunate events over in my mind and concluded that some people are just unlovable. With burning eyes and a broken heart, I decided life would be easier if I just stopped trying so hard to love the difficult people in my life.
Still, there wasn’t time to sulk properly, for the responsibilities of a busy mom simply don’t wait for heartbreak. My son had a Taekwando class scheduled and we had to leave in a few minutes. Momentarily setting aside my pain, I pulled myself together and drove Jack to his Taekwando school.
Having promised my son that I would stay and watch, I sat down and waited for Jack’s class to begin. Meanwhile, a lower belt class was just finishing up and their faces reflected discouragement. Looking at their expressions, I could feel their frustration and it was a feeling close to my heart as well.
In that moment, the lead instructor called the group to “take a knee” as he offered validation and encouragement. “I see your faces. You are right. This IS hard,” he said frankly. “Earning a black belt IS hard. It is suppose to be hard. Most things worthwhile in life ARE hard,” he continued wisely. “But, you have a patient teacher and I am here to help you. Just don’t give up.”
Though the teacher was not aware of the way God was speaking through him, I knew God was talking directly into my troubled heart. All at once, I didn’t hurt so much. The words, filled with wisdom and truth, acted as a healing balm to my troubled spirit. God had seen it all and he understood my pain. Loving IS hard.
Then, a scripture crept quietly into my mind and has challenged me ever since. For God has called his children to love the unlovable.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:40-48 NLT.
Our ability to love has little to do with our own abilities. For love is not a feeling, but an act of worship. The sad truth is that some people are indeed unlovable. Love them anyway!
His Story
A gift for my birthday, I got my first Bible when I was five years old. My favorite place to read it was while I rode in the car on my way to my grandparent’s house. My heart swelled with love for my Heavenly Father,as I studied the pictures in the stories with wonder. Intrigued by the characters, I listened intently as my loved ones read the stories of Noah and Moses. Learning from their experiences, I admired these characters deeply, as their faith became woven into mine.
As I grew, I soon discovered a painful truth. The road of life is difficult. When I encountered a flood of tears, I failed to recall the obedience of Noah. In the fires of adolescence, I did not have the courage of Daniel. As I wandered through the desert of early adulthood, I did not possess the same trust as Moses. It soon became clear that it was time for me to leave the “stories” of childhood behind. It was time to “grow up” and become part of His story.
Rather than reading the Bible for entertainment, I resolved to study it passionately. Instead of casually passing through each story, I carefully meditated on the truths within the scriptures. In time, the men and women of the Bible became as familiar to me as old friends. For, they were ordinary people facing real challenges, just like me. Their lives had been recorded by God so that I might learn from their mistakes, grow through their adversity, and walk faithfully with God.
A love letter written from God’s heart, the Bible is filled with unshakable truth. In its pages, we find tangible evidence of God’s limitless compassion and faithfulness towards His people. As His children, we must never stop maturing in our faith. To the contrary, we must continue to study our Bible as we allow God to grow us in wisdom and truth. For we are told that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.2 Timothy 3:16 NIV.
Today, I have another Bible. With notes in the margins and scriptures marked for memory, it is a recording of all I have learned with God. When storms of adversity rage in my life, my Bible gives me the courage to be still and trust that God is in control. As the fires of persecution blaze around me, it is God’s word that gives me the strength to stand firm. And when temptation is all around me, my Bible helps me choose obedience.
Life has come full circle. For, I have been blessed with three children, and it is my task to teach them the truth in God’s word. Daniel. Esther. Adam and Eve. Each of my children relate to different characters they meet as we read together. While we discuss the stories together, we apply them in our everyday lives as well. And as we study His word, my children understand that this book is more than just a bunch of stories.
It is the Bible. The living word of God. A revelation of His unchanging character and record of His amazing, sacrificial love. It’s truth marks a path of righteousness, for “every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him is His gift to His children.” (Proverbs 30:5) God’s gift to His children, the Bible points the way to eternal life with Him. For, we are part of His story.
Caring for His Temple
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20
How often do we hear, or see, this verse but don’t stop to really think about what it means? What does “honor God with your body” really mean and what does the Bible say about it?
In today’s society, the focus is most often on being thin and not always on being healthy. God created us, and He loves us in just the way He made us. But, it is up to us to take care of the body He gave us. We only have one body, one life, one chance to live the way He wants us to live. We need to be conscious of what we are putting in our bodies and what we are doing to our bodies.
Being healthy isn’t easy and it most certainly does not come naturally to any of us, myself included. It is a choice. We can choose to eat “junk food” or we can choose healthy options. This doesn’t necessarily mean cutting out everything that isn’t healthy. It just means controlling what we eat – being mindful of what we are eating and how much of something we are eating.
These days, everything is processed, greased, fried, baked, and slathered with extras we don’t need. Chocolate, peanut butter, ice cream, fries, fried chicken, greasy burgers, cake, cupcakes, cheesecake…I could go on forever here! Is any one thing by itself unhealthy? No. Is a diet based solely on these types of thing unhealthy? Yes. The question we have to ask ourselves is this: why do we choose to put that junk in our bodies? Because it tastes good. Because we know it’s not good for us. Because we’ve bought into Satan’s lies that our food of choice will make us feel better.
So, what does God have to say about this? The Bible refers to any person who is an “excessive eater” as a glutton. Excessive eating could be anything from continuing to eat when you’re already full to eating things that you know are not good for you.
Proverbs 23, verses 1-3 and 20-21 say this: “When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; And put a knife to your throat, If you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food…Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.”
“Put a knife to your throat…” How powerful is that phrase?! He literally wants us to take action against our appetites! He knows how tempting it is to eat such “deceptive” food, and wants us to protect ourselves against it so much that He tells us to put a knife to our throats! I believe that we have the power through God to combat our desire for unhealthy foods. He is so much stronger than we are, and He alone can help us.
He can help us combat our eating problems, our struggles with weight loss, and our battle with exercise. He doesn’t want us to lie around all day eating and wishing we felt good enough to “do something” about it. “How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep – So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man,” Proverbs 6: 9-11. Only God can give us the strength to get off that couch and move. And let’s face it – it does take strength to get up and exercise, even if it starts with a walk around the block. Everyone has to start somewhere.
About a year ago, I was the heaviest I’ve been in my life. I’d been married for less than a year and gained about 25 pounds. I know, 25 pounds isn’t much but I felt the full weight of it on me. I have asthma, which worsened with the added weight. I could barely make it up the stairs in our house without groaning. And running? Don’t even think about it. Even though I worked a job where I was on my feet, the weight wouldn’t come off. Why? Because of what I was putting into my body and then not even attempting to work it off.
Reality hit me when my husband enlisted in the Army. We were both nowhere near where we had been before marriage and he had limits to meet with the Army. We joined a gym together and worked out together. Having him there to push me when I thought I couldn’t go another step helped so much more than I anticipated. Sure, there were days when we talked ourselves into staying home. Everyone has those days. The important thing is to pick it back up the next day.
When he left for Basic Training last July, I had every intention of not going back to the gym. I went back because my husband asked me to, but more importantly I went because I needed it – my body needed it. I haven’t lost many pounds, but I have lost inches. I have lost 3 pant sizes in the last year. I’m not quite where I want to be, but I know that God will give me the strength to get up and take care of my body which is ultimately His temple. He lives inside of us – our hearts, our souls, our bodies. Our bodies are His temples, His way of reaching others. I think Paul said it best in I Corinthians 9:27: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
It is important to remember that what works for one person (or one family) will not always work for someone else. God created us all differently – we are all unique! So, each of our lifestyles will be different as well. Going to the gym, running on the elliptical, doing Pilates and counting calories is what works for me. It may not work for you. Find something that works for you – something that gives you energy and keeps His temple healthy and fit. God doesn’t want us to feel uncomfortable in our bodies. He wants us to use our bodies, our thoughts, our life for Him.
So, wherever you are in your journey of life, remember that the body you have is your Savior’s temple. If you struggle with this, as I have, ask Him to help you to get motivated and to restock your fridge and pantry with healthier, wiser options. Ask Him to give you the strength to get up and walk, run, or take a class at a gym.
“Life is more than food and the body is more than clothing…” Luke 12:23.
God’s Lullaby
Photo Credit: izzatnizam
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV.
Packing. Cleaning. Moving. And to top it off…a six year old with a newly broken leg. A stressful end to a hectic weak, left me unable to sleep. It wasn’t that I was worried. Just exhausted. Mentally and spiritually bankrupt, I had allowed the events of recent days to consume my peace. Now, over-stimulated and a bit stressed, my body refused sleep. For hours, I tossed and turned on the couch. As I listened to my wounded daughter whimper in the next room, I sighed. No doubt, it was going to be a long night. Quietly, I remained still in prayer, while I hoped to find rest. Then I heard it…the gentle sounds of my wind chime filled my ears with a beautiful melody that made my weary heart smile. In that moment, I felt the LORD’s presence near, for I knew my God was singing over me.
My wind chime has been a precious communication tool between me and God for quite some time. It started when my youngest child was born. When my newborn daughter cried late at night, I would hold her close and listen to my neighbor’s wind chime sing us to sleep. When we left that town home and moved into a new house, I desperately missed the chimes, and hoped to one day have some of my own. Still, I never got around to buying myself a set. Diapers, formula, and other miscellaneous expenses took precedent in our budget. Somehow, wind chimes seemed like more of a want than a need. While other responsibilities competed for our limited cash flow, a set of wind chimes, no matter how lovely, just didn’t seem very high on my list of priorities.
Years later, we were in the midst of another move following a difficult season in our life as a family. We had come to a crossroads, and in many ways we were in need of hope and healing. As we moved our things into our new home, I was delighted to find an old wind chime, weathered and left behind from a previous tenant. My heart sang, for I knew it was God’s house warming gift to me. On difficult days, when my broken heart was in need of refuge, the chimes played music that lifted my soul. And I took confidence in God’s assurance that He was in control and I would see brighter days once more.
I still have those chimes. They are old and even a bit rusty, certainly nothing much to look at really. But, I love them that way, for they remind me that imperfections are part of everything beautiful. Countless days and nights, those chimes have spoken to me when I desperately needed to hear from God. When I hear the song of my wind chimes, I remember to stop and praise God for He is as constant as the wind.
So, here we are. Another move is upon us. This time I brought my old chimes with me to our new home, and they bring me an instant sense of peace. Once more, I turn my heart to my God, as the gentle breeze allows my chimes to quietly play just for me. As always, God has heard the cries of my heart. In the chaos around me, My Heavenly Father sings me to sleep once more. It is a song I know well. It is God’s lullaby and I rest in His arms as He sings over me.
Stay Hungry
Morning had faded into evening, and I was midway through my commitment to fast for a friend who was serving on a mission trip in Bolivia. With three hungry children, I dutifully prepared dinner. As the aroma of chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese filled the kitchen, I prayed for strength to remain hungry.
Hours later, the house was still and quiet, but my stomach was still growling. While chocolate pudding taunted me mercilessly from the fridge, I turned my thoughts towards God. Hungry and tired, my heart pondered my place in His kingdom.
In between hunger pangs, I considered the many changes my husband and I had embraced to allow me time to pursue my dream as a writer. Many sacrifices had been made so that I could serve the LORD with words. “What if I am wrong? What if this is all for nothing? Then what?” Hungry for spiritual fruit, I took my questions to God as He led me to seek nourishment from His word.
Scripture tells us “the laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.” Proverbs 16:26 NIV. My hunger for His divine work in my life will not be satisfied immediately. In fact, it is God’s will that I remain hungry. For I must be willing to give up the comforts of today to see the glory of tomorrow.
With hearts bent towards instant gratification, we live in a society of abundance and self-satisfaction. In work. At play. Within every facet of our daily lives, we rarely deny ourselves even the simplest of pleasures. Consequently, many of us lack self-discipline and fall into gluttony. God wants more from His servants. He desires for us to be driven by His divine work in our lives.
I awoke the next morning and rushed to the kitchen. I waited with anticipation for my toast to spring out of the toaster. My fast was over. Still, I resolve to stay hungry, for “”blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:15 NIV.
The Bridge Of Grace
A few years ago, a wise friend of mine posed a simple question that both amused and challenged me at the same time. In the midst of a conflict, she asked, “Is this a bridge you want to die on?” Over time, this inquiry has become my “reality check”, while I prayerfully serve God as a mother.
Imagine you are standing on a bridge that represents the road of life. On one end you see the challenges of today charging towards both you and your children. At the other end is the future, unseen, but full of promise. While spiritual war rages around you, worldly desires and distractions cause the bridge to sway. Therefore, a wise mother must remember to tread prayerfully, walking securely in grace.
Furthermore, we do not walk alone. Marked by motherhood, we have been given the divine task of leading our children as well. Truly, the responsibilities are heavy and much is at stake. For life has two paths. While one bridge leads to life, another leads to death. To be sure, the road we travel with our children deeply matters to God. Noticeably, His path is marked by grace.
Biblically we are advised, “do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 NIV. In short, we are to shower our children with grace, so they may grow strong in the Lord. As mothers and women of faith, we must guide our children in grace that they might grow to follow His commands. Christ is the bridge that leads to life. And where we lead, our children shall surely follow.
I was reminded of this truth one morning last week. Weary and coffee deprived, I nearly stumbled into a trap set to separate me from my eight year old future fashionista, Lily Grace. Wearing turquoise skinny jeans, a royal blue tunic, and brown sandals, Lily held her head high as she strutted into the kitchen and confidently sat down at the breakfast table. Seeing this mismatched clothing combination as fashion triumph, my daughter looked longingly for my approval.
My first reaction, however, was to order her to find something more suitable to wear. By suitable, I mean something more to MY taste. With God’s help, I kept my pointed criticisms to myself. Rather than go to war over my daughter’s apparel, I overlooked her fashion experiment, and offered grace instead. With a few tweaks and accessories offered in love, Lily stepped out the door beaming. More importantly, I had not allowed my daughter to be separated from me through conflict. Wisely, I had bridged the gap between us with grace.
Though this one battle may seem insignificant now, there are others looming in our future. Persistent and cunning, my enemy (Satan) wishes to isolate my daughter from my wisdom. As she grows, Lily will surely encounter many snares of style. Dutifully, I must faithfully lead her along the bridge of grace. Continuously, I must remember that the steps I take with Lily today shall determine the level of trust she places in me tomorrow.
Armed with truth and love, I must persistently lead my daughter to the One who bridged the gap of sin through Christ. For it is on the bridge of grace that Lily will find her place in God’s Kingdom. Marked by grace, it is the bridge that leads to life. Luke 2:40 NIV.
A Year of Family Worship: Lessons in Nature
This past weekend we took our church youth group (Pathfinder Club) on a camp out. I love camping and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. I love waking up to the fresh air and a warm campfire. I enjoy worshiping God outside – which made me think. If we can worship God outside on a camp out, why can’t we worship God outside for Family Worship?
Why not take your family outside in the backyard or even to a beautiful park on a Sabbath afternoon and sing songs of praise and other thoughtful activities? One of the requirements our Pathfinders had was to go out in “nature” and find three things that represented God.
Some of the things kids came back with:
- water – “Jesus is the Living Water”
- a rock – “Jesus is the Rock of our Salvation” or We should build our house on the “Solid Rock”
- a heart shaped Redbud leaf – “the heart of God” or “God’s love for each of us”
- a three leaf clover – “The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”
- a vine – “He is the vine, we are the branches”
There are so many expressions of Christ in nature! This activity is fun for kids and adults of all ages. This week, when the weather is nice, why not go ahead and have Family Worship in the backyard and see how creative you can be finding the character of God all around you?
I am currently reading the book, Lessons Jesus Taught by Ellen White. Yesterday I read the following passage and felt it fit so well with this idea of worshiping in nature:
“So through the creation we are to become acquainted with the Creator. The book of nature is a great lesson book, which in connection with the Scriptures we are to use in teaching others of His character and guiding lost sheep back to the fold of God. As the works are studies the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into the mind…
We should study the Saviour’s parables where He spoke them, in the fields and groves, under the open sky, among the grass and flowers. As we come close to the heart of nature Christ makes His presence real to us, and speaks to our hearts of His peace and love.
And Christ has linked His teaching, not only with the day of rest, but with the week of toil. He has wisdom for him who drives the plow and sows the seed. In the plowing and sowing, the tilling and reaping, He teaches us to see an illustration of His work or grace in the heart. So in every line of useful labor and every association of life, He desires us to find a lesson of divine truth. Then our daily toil will no longer absorb our attention and lead us to forget God; it will continually remind us of our Creator and Redeemer. The thought of God will run like a thread of gold through all our homely cares and occupations… We shall ever be learning new lessons of heavenly truth, and growing into the image of His purity.”
Isn’t that what we all desire? To see the face of God, to feel His presence all around us? Teach your children about the Creator. In doing so, you will both be drawn closer to Him.
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Each Wednesday, we will add a new post for A Year of Family Worship and you can do the same. Share your goals, experiences, and ideas for family worship with the rest of us!
If you don’t have a blog, you can add your comments in the comment section! You can join A Year of Family Worship here. And you can see the 52 Weeks of Family Worship here.
If you do not have a blog… you can either post your ideas here in the comments or even join our Proverbs 31 Sisters Network and get a free blog that way!
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