In Light of It All

As a mother, it is so easy to become preoccupied with my circumstances. The screaming toddler who has decided to fight his naps and bedtime. The neverending pile of laundry, bills, and "to do's." The exhaustion of the day to day grind that can become overwhelming at times. The need to have a complete conversation without children interrupting every five seconds. The little arguments that brew when tensions are high and life gets demanding. Did I mention the exhaustion?

And yet, over the past day or so, I've been sensing that God is asking me to regain some perspective. To open my eyes to others' circumstances so that mine will pale in comparison. To get out of myself and get on my knees for people who truly have problems and difficult lives to bear. And so I pray....

• For the people in Myannmar who have lost their loved ones, their homes, and the support of their government.
• For the people of China who have lost their loved ones, their homes, and sense of security.
• For the people in Iraq and the soldiers who must be wondering if this will ever end.
• For the families of American soldiers hoping against hope that their loved one will return unharmed.
• For my friend Charity and her family who found out the cancer has returned to her brother, Dave.
• For our long-time friends, the Kempiak family, who recently learned that Jon's dad's cancer has returned.
• For Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, as they mourn the loss of their five year-old daughter.
• For Audrey Caroline, a baby who only lived two hours after her mother carried her to term. And for her family as they continue to place their faith in a sovereign God through it all.
• For the people in this country who are losing their homes because they can no longer afford their mortgages.
• For those who've lost jobs and are struggling to provide for their families.
• For anyone who feels their circumstances are crushing them and have given up hope.

Join me in prayer today for these people. Remember to thank God for your blessings.

Need to Piggyback on What She Said

So Lori at Glass Half Full must have read my mind today, because she said exactly what I have been feeling. When will the madness end? Why must we choose between gas in our vehicles or food on the table? It's getting harder and harder to have BOTH!

I have to say that we have learned trust and contentment in recent months more than we have at any other point in our lives. And the thing is, God always provides. It's in the smallest thing sometimes, but nonetheless, it's like a little kiss from God, a message from Him that reminds me, "I love you, child. You are mine and I'll take care of you!" He is truly our Provider.

And so, for now, we trudge on. We keep working hard, putting one foot in front of the other and doing "the next right thing." (Thanks, Papa, for those awesome words.) We work to keep our priorities in check, continue to evaluate "need" versus "want," and we pray for His provision. Most of all, we are learning to be content, whatever the circumstances.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Philippians 4:12

He is faithful, my friends. I can attest to that. He has always been faithful.

And that's worth more to me than a full tank of gas or a fridge full of food!

Perspective

This morning I was checking in with my Huskers and was surprised to find that there had been a shooting at a big shopping mall in Omaha yesterday. I am a native of Omaha, and I was dumbfounded to read that nine people had been killed when a gunman opened fire in a department store. Five more were injured, two of which are still listed in critical condition.

I don't know what it is about this time of year that leaves people so hopeless, so desperate.

I do know that what is most likely lacking is a heart that is full of the love and comfort that only Jesus can give.

This month, let's all try to do our very best to spread good cheer to those around us. It is so incredibly easy to get wrapped up in the chaos of this month. We must always remember that there are hurting people all around that need a touch from the One who can heal. Who knows, the words we say may be the very thing that help encourage that stranger in front or behind us in the mile-long line at the shopping mall.

May we be the vessels of His love and warmth this Christmas.

Eternity

You have often heard me speak about Joshua, a brave little boy who fought and beat cancer this past year. It has been a blessing to follow his story and that of his precious family. Their faith in the midst of such difficult circumstances has been inspiring to me.

Throughout their journey with cancer, they have had the privilege of knowing and coming to love some other families whose lives have been impacted by cancer. One particular girl, Paige, has fought a long battle with AML, and yesterday, she went Home. In keeping up with my friend Julie's blog about Joshua, I've followed Paige's story, and it has really had an impact on me. When I heard from Julie that Paige had gone on to be with the Lord yesterday, I visited her mom's blog and found this beautiful picture of her being baptized.

Is this not the most precious sight? Is this not what life is all about? Our existence here on earth, whatever our circumstances, is temporal. Eternity awaits each of us. We don't know the time nor place when God will choose to take us Home, but the fact remains that we're all one step closer every day. Lately, I've been really impacted by the thought that eternity awaits me on the other side of this world. I pray all the time that my life will be one that represents Christ well, reflects His love and light and ultimately gives Him glory. "More of You, Lord. Less of me." Some days I fail miserably. My earthly perspective and sin nature don't help! But, I leave those days in God's hands, knowing He is just and forgiving and that His mercies are new every morning. I trust Him to continue to grow me and make me the woman He would have me to be.

For today, I rejoice with Paige that she is now free. Free of the bondage that her earthly body could not withstand, free from the pain. And as she was the moment she asked Jesus into her heart, free in Christ. Now THAT is true freedom.

"For if the Son sets you free, then you will be free indeed." ~John 8:36

The moral of the story...

A wise man listens to counsel. A couple of weeks ago we were contacted by a lender to refinance our home. A refinance would greatly help us right now, and we were excited at the prospect of saving ourselves a chunk of money each month. We are somewhat ignorant about financial matters, so the deal we were presented with looked pretty good to us.

Turns out it's not.

After consulting a couple financial advisors from our church, I knew immediately this "deal" was not really a deal. We have now changed brokers and know that, this time, we're in good hands.

The moral of the story...always seek good, solid, Christian counsel when making a major decision. In this particular case, it saved us thousands of dollars.

PRAISE!

Hi everyone. I just had to share. God is so good...

I don't know if any of you keep up with Amy Wilhoite's blog. She is a phenomenal young wife and mother who has been in a fight for her life. Anyway, she was given news today that her leukemia is in remission. She still needs prayer for continued healing and of course, prayer that the cancer will not return, but for her intitial report after her bone marrow transplant, this is great news.

Also, my dear friend Debbie from college is also in remission after her battle with breast cancer this past year. She is currently undergoing reconstructive surgery after a double mastectomy, and she just had her final surgery this past week. She's doing wonderfully. Her hair is growing back, and she looks wonderful. She too is a young wife and mom and it's been amazing following her journey through the many emails she's shared with her friends and family.

I looked at my post from yesterday and suddenly it seemed so incredibly ridiculous. A rant about being slightly inconvenienced at Costco? I mean, really. In light of these two women...their courage, their faith, and their strength...what in the world does that post have to do with anything that means ANYTHING? These phenomenal moms deserve a post in my blog, not to mention their husbands and children who have had a very difficult 2006 and who are embarking upon a very hopeful 2007. This, my dear friends, is why I blog....not to rant about Costco!

Blessings to you all for a wonderful 2007. May your lives be filled with the knowledge that God is always good, always loving, and always faithful.

Perspective

Confession: This week I've found myself grumbling. Grumbling about the baby not sleeping. Complaining that the housework and laundry have once again piled up and that I can't seem to catch up...again. Missing the days when life was simple...just me to take care of! Getting angry when my husband didn't come home for dinner last night because he was out doing ministry. Selfish thoughts, I know. I'm ashamed of my attitude. Especially in light of what Jerry was doing this morning.

This morning, my husband sang for a funeral...of the father of one of his students. He was only 46, and he had three girls. He was a devoted father and husband who recently lost his five-month battle to pancreatic cancer. His girls wrote him letters that were enclosed in the program of the funeral service. One of them wrote, "Even though you were ill, you wanted to have the basement redone for us before you went up to heaven." Another wrote, "I will always remember that you came to the first homecoming game I cheered at. Even though it was very cold and rainy, you sat in the bleachers wearing Grampa's hat. Even though you weren't feeling good, you did it to make me happy. I appreciated that." On and on their letters went, full of memories of the love and devotion their father had shown them through the years of their short lives.

I can't imagine what this family is feeling tonight, or the overwhelming thoughts they might be having. I really can't imagine. But I grieve for them. I grieve for his wife who is missing her husband. I cry for his girls who will desperately miss their daddy.

And so tonight I thank God for my baby who won't sleep through the night. I commit to honor my role as wife and mom and do my daily housework with joy, acknowledging it is the Lord I serve everytime I pour myself out for my family. And I will be grateful for a husband who leads the choir at our church with the gifts and abilities the Lord has given him. Above all, I will remember that God poured out his blessing on me when he brought Jerry into my life all those years ago and for our beautiful boys who bring me such delight and joy.

May we all be challenged to have some perspective. Every day is a precious, precious gift.