"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:5-8, NKJV)
Years ago when I started working with children, I taught a lesson from these verses that became sort of a signature with me. I usually asked a youth leader or pastor to be my guinea pig when I taught and this was no exception.
After the person joined me on the platform and I asked that they begin reciting all the verses they had ever memorized while doing a few small things. The first one was first sit on a chair (while reciting), then walk around the aisles (while reciting). Next they were to lie down on the floor (while reciting), then they rose up (while reciting) where they began the process all over again. At the end while they were still reciting I had them begin to write the verses on a sample of a door post I brought up on the platform. Oh, and before they began this whole cycle I tied a small square box to their left hand and also one on their forehead above their eyes. These boxes contained small scrolls with scripture on them called phylacteries.
The children enjoyed this process immensely. They laughed when the pastor or leader couldn’t remember the Scripture or when they had a hard time getting up off the floor. But when I began to relate to them why I was doing all of this they became alert to the thought behind it all.
Parents have a tremendous responsibility to give the Word of the Lord to their children. They should be implanting it in everything they do with them from getting up in the morning, sitting down to eat breakfast, walking with them through the day, and lying down next to them at night to say prayers. Everything a parent does should reflect God in some way. What a huge responsibility for their parents! What a large, all-encompassing, life-filling job they have!
What about you? Are you living the Deuteronomy 6 challenge every day as a parent? Where do you fall short? What’s keeping you from doing your job and fulfilling this Scripture? Take a second look at your busy schedule and don’t just fit it in, make it a living part of all you do every day. You will be amazed at how your children change when they see the pattern you’re living right in front of them. Let God help you. He can do that, you know.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Stones of Remembrance
There are many references in the Scriptures about stones. There are burial stones, stone tablets, stones used for stoning people to death, and more. But the ones that impact me most are the ones mentioned in Joshua 4: the stones of remembrance.
When Joshua had become the leader of the Israelites, they were at the end of their wilderness journey and about to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Much like their crossing of the Red Sea, God opened the waters of the Jordan so the entire tribe could cross over on dry land. There were no soldiers chasing them at this point and no armies were killed by the crashing waters after their crossing. This was a quiet, peaceful journey, but the Word of the Lord had to be followed explicitly.
When the priest carrying the Ark of the Covenant touched the waters, they parted. Then the priests stood in the middle of the dry riverbed until all the people had crossed. Joshua then commanded that each tribe appoint a man to carry a stone from the riverbed to be placed in a commemorative place. Also, he placed twelve stones into the midst of the Jordan where the feet of the priests had stood. So there were really two piles of stones that were to be reminders of what had happened there.
The stones that they had brought from the river were actually carried eight miles to the city of Gilgal, where a permanent place of remembrance was set up. This is what the Lord said to tell the Israelites: “…this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it crossed over the Jordan. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:6-7, NKJV)
What are we leaving to our children as stones of remembrance that tell of our lives? You may think that leaving money and houses and trinkets are what matter most, but those won’t last. It won’t make an impact when our children think about it. The real stones they need are the foundational stones of a fundamental believer’s life. Give them the memories of a father or mother or grandma or grandpa who lived a Christ-centered, unselfish life, giving of themselves in the service of their King, Jesus. Like those old stones that stood so many years ago, your life will be long remembered when you concentrate on godly character and living.
Don’t waste your time gathering earthly possessions for the journey ahead. Plant your feet on the real Cornerstone, Jesus, and build from there. You’ll be placing your foundation on the most secure future and leaving a legacy that’s rock solid!
When Joshua had become the leader of the Israelites, they were at the end of their wilderness journey and about to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Much like their crossing of the Red Sea, God opened the waters of the Jordan so the entire tribe could cross over on dry land. There were no soldiers chasing them at this point and no armies were killed by the crashing waters after their crossing. This was a quiet, peaceful journey, but the Word of the Lord had to be followed explicitly.
When the priest carrying the Ark of the Covenant touched the waters, they parted. Then the priests stood in the middle of the dry riverbed until all the people had crossed. Joshua then commanded that each tribe appoint a man to carry a stone from the riverbed to be placed in a commemorative place. Also, he placed twelve stones into the midst of the Jordan where the feet of the priests had stood. So there were really two piles of stones that were to be reminders of what had happened there.
The stones that they had brought from the river were actually carried eight miles to the city of Gilgal, where a permanent place of remembrance was set up. This is what the Lord said to tell the Israelites: “…this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it crossed over the Jordan. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:6-7, NKJV)
What are we leaving to our children as stones of remembrance that tell of our lives? You may think that leaving money and houses and trinkets are what matter most, but those won’t last. It won’t make an impact when our children think about it. The real stones they need are the foundational stones of a fundamental believer’s life. Give them the memories of a father or mother or grandma or grandpa who lived a Christ-centered, unselfish life, giving of themselves in the service of their King, Jesus. Like those old stones that stood so many years ago, your life will be long remembered when you concentrate on godly character and living.
Don’t waste your time gathering earthly possessions for the journey ahead. Plant your feet on the real Cornerstone, Jesus, and build from there. You’ll be placing your foundation on the most secure future and leaving a legacy that’s rock solid!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Missions 105-The Trip Home
Almost everyone was ready to go home when the time came. The bad thing about coming home from a mission’s trip is this: some people want to know how you did but very few want to take the time to listen! It’s true! When you pass someone in the church hallway they ask you, “Hey, how was your trip?” But do they ever stop to listen to what God did in your heart during that time? And what about your church? How long did they give you in the service to tell about the two weeks that just might have changed everything you thought you had planned for your life into what God really wants for you? Most of the time it’s 5-8 minutes. Oh my! That part always upset me a little, even though I knew that churches have so much to fit into their schedules. I often recommended that the students have something after church for those who had prayed for them and taken part in their ministry oversees financially. Those were the folks who wanted to hear every detail and hear your heart.
One trip home I will never forget. We were sitting in the airplane on the runway taxing into the right spot and one of the girls leaned over to me and said, “Hey, Momma Ritchie, I’m going back!” I said, “Good for you Sara, I hope you do.” She said, “No, I’m going back. I signed up for another trip back for 2 years!”
WHAT! Did she just say what I thought she said? After much more conversation I knew God had gotten hold of this young lady in an amazing way. I’m so glad I got out of the way and let God do what He did best in her life. Here’s the story on that one:
When Sara first came into the interview room at college I thought, Oh no Lord, not this! She had Goth from one end to the other, piercings, tattoos—you name it. That alone scared me to death! But I had this five-star system that guaranteed she probably wouldn’t make it on the trip anyway. If, by the end of the interview she had answered all the questions and received all five stars, she was in. I really didn’t know how to pray for this one.
Well, during the course of the interview I found out some amazing things about Sara, and also about myself. I found out how she was saved in a backyard Bible club. How she had brought her Mom (Lutheran) and her Dad (Catholic) to church and they had both been saved…and so the story goes. By the end of the interview Sara had all five stars and I was dumbfounded. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to not go on first impressions! I could hear her heart.
Sara literally changed her whole life on that second trip. She had become enamored with a little baby girl names Luiza on the first trip. On the second trip, that little one became attached to Sara. Through several more trips back Sara decided to live in Romania for 7 years until she could legally adopt Luiza. Today, Sara is married to a Romanian, lives in Detroit working as a social worker and has another beautiful little girl. My, my, my God can work miracles!
So have I convinced you to try missions yet? Do you have an upcoming opportunity this spring or summer to take part in a mission’s trip as a student or even as a family? Just do it! You do not know what blessings God has in store for you that you may miss completely if you stay home. Broaden your world view. Open your heart to the Savior who wants to do ‘exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think’! You’ll never regret it!
One trip home I will never forget. We were sitting in the airplane on the runway taxing into the right spot and one of the girls leaned over to me and said, “Hey, Momma Ritchie, I’m going back!” I said, “Good for you Sara, I hope you do.” She said, “No, I’m going back. I signed up for another trip back for 2 years!”
WHAT! Did she just say what I thought she said? After much more conversation I knew God had gotten hold of this young lady in an amazing way. I’m so glad I got out of the way and let God do what He did best in her life. Here’s the story on that one:
When Sara first came into the interview room at college I thought, Oh no Lord, not this! She had Goth from one end to the other, piercings, tattoos—you name it. That alone scared me to death! But I had this five-star system that guaranteed she probably wouldn’t make it on the trip anyway. If, by the end of the interview she had answered all the questions and received all five stars, she was in. I really didn’t know how to pray for this one.
Well, during the course of the interview I found out some amazing things about Sara, and also about myself. I found out how she was saved in a backyard Bible club. How she had brought her Mom (Lutheran) and her Dad (Catholic) to church and they had both been saved…and so the story goes. By the end of the interview Sara had all five stars and I was dumbfounded. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to not go on first impressions! I could hear her heart.
Sara literally changed her whole life on that second trip. She had become enamored with a little baby girl names Luiza on the first trip. On the second trip, that little one became attached to Sara. Through several more trips back Sara decided to live in Romania for 7 years until she could legally adopt Luiza. Today, Sara is married to a Romanian, lives in Detroit working as a social worker and has another beautiful little girl. My, my, my God can work miracles!
So have I convinced you to try missions yet? Do you have an upcoming opportunity this spring or summer to take part in a mission’s trip as a student or even as a family? Just do it! You do not know what blessings God has in store for you that you may miss completely if you stay home. Broaden your world view. Open your heart to the Savior who wants to do ‘exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think’! You’ll never regret it!
Missions 104-Teamwork
You can hardly prepare someone for this kind of trip not because of the physical toll it takes on you but the emotional one.
In preparation for the trip we did preparatory exercises that helped us work together as a team in the hospital. We learned to trust each other during this time and we became close. We learned what it took to work as one unit accomplishing the same purpose. Our daily activities usually ran like clockwork. While one was bathing a baby the other was changing the sheets on the cribs and cleaning the beds. Another was gathering the dirty clothes into large bags that were taken to the mission house where they were washed to bring back the next day. Teamwork was extremely important. When one person was missing because of illness or visiting an orphan care home, it put more stress on the others.
I have vivid memories of one person who refused to take part in what we were doing once she found out we were changing diapers, bathing babies, and working hard. She was used to trips where you go in, drop lots of presents for the kids, receive the glory and go on to the next place. At the end of the trip I felt tremendously sorry for her that she had decided to stay in the apartment instead of working with our beautiful babies who needed love. It was a missed blessing for her.
Everyone pulled their weight at the apartment, too. You see, my husband and I had rented a place in Bucharest for our teams. Going four times a year was expensive enough without having to rent a place for all our team members every time. We could sleep 8-10 so that’s how big our teams were. The responsibilities at home were just like they would be at your house. Someone had to cook, clean, and do laundry so that’s what they did. We had 10 minutes in the shower and if you weren’t done, we turned off the hot water or stood yelling at the door or whatever it took to make you come out. It was fun, crazy, and wonderful all mixed up together.
I developed some pretty close relationships with the girls on the trips that are still going today. I became entangled with their families as well and it was always a good thing. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about how I need to keep my mouth closed and let God work. That’s a lesson learned the hard way but needed nonetheless.
In preparation for the trip we did preparatory exercises that helped us work together as a team in the hospital. We learned to trust each other during this time and we became close. We learned what it took to work as one unit accomplishing the same purpose. Our daily activities usually ran like clockwork. While one was bathing a baby the other was changing the sheets on the cribs and cleaning the beds. Another was gathering the dirty clothes into large bags that were taken to the mission house where they were washed to bring back the next day. Teamwork was extremely important. When one person was missing because of illness or visiting an orphan care home, it put more stress on the others.
I have vivid memories of one person who refused to take part in what we were doing once she found out we were changing diapers, bathing babies, and working hard. She was used to trips where you go in, drop lots of presents for the kids, receive the glory and go on to the next place. At the end of the trip I felt tremendously sorry for her that she had decided to stay in the apartment instead of working with our beautiful babies who needed love. It was a missed blessing for her.
Everyone pulled their weight at the apartment, too. You see, my husband and I had rented a place in Bucharest for our teams. Going four times a year was expensive enough without having to rent a place for all our team members every time. We could sleep 8-10 so that’s how big our teams were. The responsibilities at home were just like they would be at your house. Someone had to cook, clean, and do laundry so that’s what they did. We had 10 minutes in the shower and if you weren’t done, we turned off the hot water or stood yelling at the door or whatever it took to make you come out. It was fun, crazy, and wonderful all mixed up together.
I developed some pretty close relationships with the girls on the trips that are still going today. I became entangled with their families as well and it was always a good thing. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about how I need to keep my mouth closed and let God work. That’s a lesson learned the hard way but needed nonetheless.
Missions 103-The Journey Begins
I knew nothing about leading a mission’s team. I’d never been on a mission’s trip before; only trips with our teens on camp-outs, and leading a group of grade school/middle school kids on tour with a traveling choir. Missions—out of the country travel—was a whole other story! I knew a little about the money exchange and something about the airports but those eight college students trailing behind me like ducklings was something else!
God knew that, too. He helped me prepare a devotional that I used on those first trips that took me deep into His Word. I had never led a Bible study before this time. I had gone to plenty of them at our church but had never been the leader, the researcher, the one who was supposed to know the most about the Bible. “Help me, Lord” was my cry for most of that first trip. And He did.
We used the book of James on many of those trips. All the lessons about profiting from trials, loving God under trials, qualities needed in trials. These were lessons I would never forget and the students would testify to the very same thing upon their return. Many, many lives were changed as our daily trials would uncover parts of each person that they did not know existed. I saw faith with works that put me on my knees and brought me to tears. I saw students change their whole walk with Jesus and their majors in college to follow Christ. It was and continues to be a source of joy every time I think about it.
The beginning journey with students caused adults to wanti the same experiences. Moms and Dads would see their kids’ lives changed to the point that they wanted to understand what happened. They needed to go to the field to experience that change.
Every trip had a closing day when we had to walk away from those little babies we had grown attached to for two weeks. There were many tears and many sad goodbyes. The main purpose of our evening devotions that last day was so we could unload our emotions before we went home. We needed to say what was on our hearts while we were with our team and so we did.
I had one father that came along with his wife and daughter on her second trip. He was a fire fighter from Detroit. To look at him you’d think he was a rough and tumble sort of guy but that night, everything changed. He sat in our group with tears in his eyes and said something I will never forget. “I’m a fire fighter. We save people and animals and all sorts of stuff from fires all the time. But I can’t save these kids from this kind of life.” He knew he had to leave those kids in God’s hands because his own hands could not rescue them. It was so moving to hear this.
God knew that, too. He helped me prepare a devotional that I used on those first trips that took me deep into His Word. I had never led a Bible study before this time. I had gone to plenty of them at our church but had never been the leader, the researcher, the one who was supposed to know the most about the Bible. “Help me, Lord” was my cry for most of that first trip. And He did.
We used the book of James on many of those trips. All the lessons about profiting from trials, loving God under trials, qualities needed in trials. These were lessons I would never forget and the students would testify to the very same thing upon their return. Many, many lives were changed as our daily trials would uncover parts of each person that they did not know existed. I saw faith with works that put me on my knees and brought me to tears. I saw students change their whole walk with Jesus and their majors in college to follow Christ. It was and continues to be a source of joy every time I think about it.
The beginning journey with students caused adults to wanti the same experiences. Moms and Dads would see their kids’ lives changed to the point that they wanted to understand what happened. They needed to go to the field to experience that change.
Every trip had a closing day when we had to walk away from those little babies we had grown attached to for two weeks. There were many tears and many sad goodbyes. The main purpose of our evening devotions that last day was so we could unload our emotions before we went home. We needed to say what was on our hearts while we were with our team and so we did.
I had one father that came along with his wife and daughter on her second trip. He was a fire fighter from Detroit. To look at him you’d think he was a rough and tumble sort of guy but that night, everything changed. He sat in our group with tears in his eyes and said something I will never forget. “I’m a fire fighter. We save people and animals and all sorts of stuff from fires all the time. But I can’t save these kids from this kind of life.” He knew he had to leave those kids in God’s hands because his own hands could not rescue them. It was so moving to hear this.
Mission’s 102-Exploration
In any business venture you really need to explore all the possibilities before you make a decision. So it was with my journey into missionary trips. I first had to take the baby steps into exploring the field I felt God calling me—which really happened through my husband.
Tom was involved in pro-life ministries here in the states and his layman’s work involved exploring areas to begin crisis pregnancy centers in Eastern Europe. His first country was Romania. I did not go on that first trip but came at a later date after a couple of the centers were already started.
On my first trip in 1999 I was introduced to a ministry that served abandoned children in a government-run hospital in Bucharest. Going with their leader into that hospital literally changed my life and redirected my heart for 4 ½ years. I entered rooms with little ones rocking back in forth banging their heads on their cribs. They had soiled cloth diapers and blank expressions. They did not expect to be picked up because that was never what the nurses did. They had terrible diaper rashes and sores on their bodies. They hardly cried because they knew it wouldn’t make any difference; they would remain in their beds. The lack of baby-noise was deafening to me.
The way they handled the process of drawing blood from these little ones was pretty much too disgusting to tell here. It was inhumane in many ways. After that first trip we began bringing medical supplies to help train the nurses with smaller needles and a better process.
The nurses were non-pulsed with these children and literally abandoned them in their cribs to feed themselves. Small newborn babies were propped up in bed with a scalding hot bottle of milk to gulp down alone. All of these things literally moved me to tears for days. In fact, I never quite got over everything that happened on that first trip. I know that’s what God used to change me from a selfish, indifferent person to who I am today.
I was an adjunct instructor at a local Christian college and was lead to ask our mission’s leader if they would ever consider letting some of our students come to Romania with me and help this fledgling ministry working with abandoned babies. His immediate answer was, “When do you leave?” I was floored! Oh no! It was really happening. I was becoming a missionary!
Tom was involved in pro-life ministries here in the states and his layman’s work involved exploring areas to begin crisis pregnancy centers in Eastern Europe. His first country was Romania. I did not go on that first trip but came at a later date after a couple of the centers were already started.
On my first trip in 1999 I was introduced to a ministry that served abandoned children in a government-run hospital in Bucharest. Going with their leader into that hospital literally changed my life and redirected my heart for 4 ½ years. I entered rooms with little ones rocking back in forth banging their heads on their cribs. They had soiled cloth diapers and blank expressions. They did not expect to be picked up because that was never what the nurses did. They had terrible diaper rashes and sores on their bodies. They hardly cried because they knew it wouldn’t make any difference; they would remain in their beds. The lack of baby-noise was deafening to me.
The way they handled the process of drawing blood from these little ones was pretty much too disgusting to tell here. It was inhumane in many ways. After that first trip we began bringing medical supplies to help train the nurses with smaller needles and a better process.
The nurses were non-pulsed with these children and literally abandoned them in their cribs to feed themselves. Small newborn babies were propped up in bed with a scalding hot bottle of milk to gulp down alone. All of these things literally moved me to tears for days. In fact, I never quite got over everything that happened on that first trip. I know that’s what God used to change me from a selfish, indifferent person to who I am today.
I was an adjunct instructor at a local Christian college and was lead to ask our mission’s leader if they would ever consider letting some of our students come to Romania with me and help this fledgling ministry working with abandoned babies. His immediate answer was, “When do you leave?” I was floored! Oh no! It was really happening. I was becoming a missionary!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Missions, #1-First, You Stand
As a young teen I remember hearing about missions from someone. I can’t remember if it was a missionary or just a pastor preaching. I never really understood why people would leave their homes and go far, far away just to tell someone about Jesus. My heart was young and not yet tuned into what God wanted me to do, but what I wanted to do. The tragedy of the selfish human heart.
Later on I remember hearing missionaries speak in my father-in-law’s church. They often came over for dinner following the service and it was there that the little seeds of missions were planted in my heart.
I was young, married, and had a child already before I was even 20 years old. Surely all dreams of becoming a missionary were laid aside as I gained motherhood with 3 more children. But as God would have it, His plans were not my plans. My husband and I were able to travel to many foreign countries during the years we were starting our family business. It was through those travels that the little seed for missions began to grow.
As I think back on the long wait between when I first thought of becoming a missionary and the time it took for my journeys to begin, I’m not surprised God waited so long. I had so much growing up to do! Mercy! It seems like there was always something I needed to learn.
The first thing to learn was that I needed to stand up. Not just to be counted as a missionary but for the things that really counted in my life. My faith in God, my dependence upon a Holy God, and my subjection to His will for my life. I needed to proclaim to those around me that He was my all-in-all. That took guts because I knew some of my family wouldn’t understand any of this. They would ridicule and question me until I questioned my intentions myself! How can things be turned around so quickly in my head? The reasoning I had settled on to begin with wavered as they badgered me not to follow God’s leading. Who would win? What final decision would I make?
It’s amazing how much power you feel when you put your heart and mind in God’s hands. Speaking to my relatives, to my pastor, and to churches filled with people became an experience I always looked forward to. It strengthened my relationship with an Almighty God and gave me more fervor for the mission.
Later on I remember hearing missionaries speak in my father-in-law’s church. They often came over for dinner following the service and it was there that the little seeds of missions were planted in my heart.
I was young, married, and had a child already before I was even 20 years old. Surely all dreams of becoming a missionary were laid aside as I gained motherhood with 3 more children. But as God would have it, His plans were not my plans. My husband and I were able to travel to many foreign countries during the years we were starting our family business. It was through those travels that the little seed for missions began to grow.
As I think back on the long wait between when I first thought of becoming a missionary and the time it took for my journeys to begin, I’m not surprised God waited so long. I had so much growing up to do! Mercy! It seems like there was always something I needed to learn.
The first thing to learn was that I needed to stand up. Not just to be counted as a missionary but for the things that really counted in my life. My faith in God, my dependence upon a Holy God, and my subjection to His will for my life. I needed to proclaim to those around me that He was my all-in-all. That took guts because I knew some of my family wouldn’t understand any of this. They would ridicule and question me until I questioned my intentions myself! How can things be turned around so quickly in my head? The reasoning I had settled on to begin with wavered as they badgered me not to follow God’s leading. Who would win? What final decision would I make?
It’s amazing how much power you feel when you put your heart and mind in God’s hands. Speaking to my relatives, to my pastor, and to churches filled with people became an experience I always looked forward to. It strengthened my relationship with an Almighty God and gave me more fervor for the mission.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Ever Want A Do-over?
If you had one opportunity to do something over in your life what would you choose? Would you choose to re-do your childhood or your teen years? How about a job you had or a love you lost? What would be the most important thing you’d like a second chance at doing again or even fixing?
I know I’d like to re-live my young married years. Motherhood was difficult at first. I was married when I was just eighteen and only nineteen when I had my first child. I had never changed a diaper or hardly held a baby growing up. I had never even babysat! It was a wide, wide learning curve for me. If it hadn’t been for my mother-in-law, I don’t know how I would have gotten through. She taught me everything about raising babies and kids.
There is something about holding that first child that brings a strange awakening inside of you. Looking into their scrunched up little faces, their delicate little toes and fingers, and all of a sudden it hits you—this little person is relying on me for everything! Good grief, now I have to be a real adult! A mother!
Yes, I’d re-do those years not because I think I was a failure at them, but because they were the happiest of my life. Watching my four children grow from little babes to grade school to graduates was amazing. All the bumps, bruises, hurts, and joys they brought were what made me who I am today. My husband and I had to make decisions that affected their lives on a daily basis. Was there enough money to pay the grocery bill this month? Could we make it one more week with the gas in the car? Could we afford to get those Christmas or birthday presents we wanted to give them? It was all a part of my kids growing up and my becoming a responsible wife and mother. Looking back now I realize how precious those days were.
So what would you like to do over? Anything you’d like to re-live or repair?
I know I’d like to re-live my young married years. Motherhood was difficult at first. I was married when I was just eighteen and only nineteen when I had my first child. I had never changed a diaper or hardly held a baby growing up. I had never even babysat! It was a wide, wide learning curve for me. If it hadn’t been for my mother-in-law, I don’t know how I would have gotten through. She taught me everything about raising babies and kids.
There is something about holding that first child that brings a strange awakening inside of you. Looking into their scrunched up little faces, their delicate little toes and fingers, and all of a sudden it hits you—this little person is relying on me for everything! Good grief, now I have to be a real adult! A mother!
Yes, I’d re-do those years not because I think I was a failure at them, but because they were the happiest of my life. Watching my four children grow from little babes to grade school to graduates was amazing. All the bumps, bruises, hurts, and joys they brought were what made me who I am today. My husband and I had to make decisions that affected their lives on a daily basis. Was there enough money to pay the grocery bill this month? Could we make it one more week with the gas in the car? Could we afford to get those Christmas or birthday presents we wanted to give them? It was all a part of my kids growing up and my becoming a responsible wife and mother. Looking back now I realize how precious those days were.
So what would you like to do over? Anything you’d like to re-live or repair?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
It’s My Turn Now
Do you ever read the newspaper or watch news events on TV and say silently to yourself, “That’s so sad, but I’m glad that’s not me.”
We all seem to look at our lives every day like they should be filled with normal events on a continuum cascading one into another. One day looks like the next, and the next, and so on. Well, God’s plan for our lives doesn’t have any resemblance to what we believe is normal.
In James 1:2-4, and again in 1 Peter 4:12-13, we’re told that we will suffer as believers. That doesn’t sound like a “normal” life to me! I don’t want to suffer, do you? Although looking at the disciples’ lives, you can see their suffering as plain as day. John was beheaded, Paul was stoned, and Peter was imprisoned. That’s definitely suffering!
In God’s master plan for each of us there is a plan for reliance on Him—and that involves suffering of some sort. Currently for me it’s watching the aging process suck the life out of my parents. At 86 and 87 their minds are losing control of thoughts and they have faltering steps that lead to falls. I’ve seen their weight shift from working hard muscles to the transparent skin and fragile bones of the aged. It’s a pitiful thing to watch those you love go through this portal of time. I suffer along with them in their loss of ability. Soon, they will lose their freedom to pick up and go whenever they want when their keys are taken away.
Decades of hard work and providing for their family are about to come to an end as hospital visits increase their suffering. Oh, how my selfish heart longs for this to be someone else’s parents, not mine. I pray fervently, Dear Jesus, take the pain away from their fragile bodies and bring back the smiles from their youth once again even though I know this prayer is futile.
But through this process and into my own later life experiences I need to remember it’s all part of God’s Master plan for me. Reliance upon Him. Dependence upon others. Oh, BOO! I don’t like that part!
We all seem to look at our lives every day like they should be filled with normal events on a continuum cascading one into another. One day looks like the next, and the next, and so on. Well, God’s plan for our lives doesn’t have any resemblance to what we believe is normal.
In James 1:2-4, and again in 1 Peter 4:12-13, we’re told that we will suffer as believers. That doesn’t sound like a “normal” life to me! I don’t want to suffer, do you? Although looking at the disciples’ lives, you can see their suffering as plain as day. John was beheaded, Paul was stoned, and Peter was imprisoned. That’s definitely suffering!
In God’s master plan for each of us there is a plan for reliance on Him—and that involves suffering of some sort. Currently for me it’s watching the aging process suck the life out of my parents. At 86 and 87 their minds are losing control of thoughts and they have faltering steps that lead to falls. I’ve seen their weight shift from working hard muscles to the transparent skin and fragile bones of the aged. It’s a pitiful thing to watch those you love go through this portal of time. I suffer along with them in their loss of ability. Soon, they will lose their freedom to pick up and go whenever they want when their keys are taken away.
Decades of hard work and providing for their family are about to come to an end as hospital visits increase their suffering. Oh, how my selfish heart longs for this to be someone else’s parents, not mine. I pray fervently, Dear Jesus, take the pain away from their fragile bodies and bring back the smiles from their youth once again even though I know this prayer is futile.
But through this process and into my own later life experiences I need to remember it’s all part of God’s Master plan for me. Reliance upon Him. Dependence upon others. Oh, BOO! I don’t like that part!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
They're Mighty Men!
I’ve raised three sons to manhood along with having a husband who was a mighty man. Believe me, it wasn’t easy being the only woman in the household sometimes. I was elated when the Lord gave me a daughter! But the fact of the matter is guys/boys are different than women to the MAX!
I heard a great explanation about this on Focus on the Family today. The speaker said something along these lines:
If you have a hardware store that advertises classes for women about how to use power tools, the next day at the office all those women will be bragging to each other, “I learned how to use a band-saw last night! Whoa!”
But if you have a craft store next to the hardware store and it offers classes, you’ll NEVER hear a man say the next morning at the office, “Last night I learned how to crochet a pillowcase slip cover.”
HA! I laughed so hard when I heard this I almost drove off the road. Men do not do the crafty, flowery stuff of life so don’t expect them to notice bouquets on the table, candles lit, or the new fluffy pillows you bought for the couch. They have a hard problem giving responses to questions like, “Do you like this color?” That’s not a man question! It doesn’t rescue the damsel in distress or ford the next stream to safety. Men are hardwired to talk about Tim the Toolman things! Hoo! Hoo! They share stories of hunting and fishing and providing for their families. They want to be the lifesavers, the protectors, the strong and mighty manly men because that’s exactly how God created them to be.
So when your man gives you a Valentine’s card this year that has a ten-point buck on it that says, “Huntin’ around for the best card and I found this one!” just smile and take it for what it is—a mighty man card he bought at the grocery store because it was in the aisle right next to the frozen hot-wings. Love the guy to death and beyond. Make him feel like you love and appreciate whatever he does for you and your family. Tell him he’s the best provider and protector ever. Do whatever it takes to give him the assurance that he’s the only mighty manly man God created for you!
I heard a great explanation about this on Focus on the Family today. The speaker said something along these lines:
If you have a hardware store that advertises classes for women about how to use power tools, the next day at the office all those women will be bragging to each other, “I learned how to use a band-saw last night! Whoa!”
But if you have a craft store next to the hardware store and it offers classes, you’ll NEVER hear a man say the next morning at the office, “Last night I learned how to crochet a pillowcase slip cover.”
HA! I laughed so hard when I heard this I almost drove off the road. Men do not do the crafty, flowery stuff of life so don’t expect them to notice bouquets on the table, candles lit, or the new fluffy pillows you bought for the couch. They have a hard problem giving responses to questions like, “Do you like this color?” That’s not a man question! It doesn’t rescue the damsel in distress or ford the next stream to safety. Men are hardwired to talk about Tim the Toolman things! Hoo! Hoo! They share stories of hunting and fishing and providing for their families. They want to be the lifesavers, the protectors, the strong and mighty manly men because that’s exactly how God created them to be.
So when your man gives you a Valentine’s card this year that has a ten-point buck on it that says, “Huntin’ around for the best card and I found this one!” just smile and take it for what it is—a mighty man card he bought at the grocery store because it was in the aisle right next to the frozen hot-wings. Love the guy to death and beyond. Make him feel like you love and appreciate whatever he does for you and your family. Tell him he’s the best provider and protector ever. Do whatever it takes to give him the assurance that he’s the only mighty manly man God created for you!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Got your ears on, good buddy?
My parents are 86 and 87 years old. They often say, “What did you say?” Their hearing isn’t what it used to be and it’s frustrating for them when they’re misunderstood or they can’t hear something.
I wonder if it’s that way with God when He’s trying to talk to us. I imagine He grows pretty frustrated with us for never paying attention to Him or only hearing what we want to hear. He’s constantly trying to lead us in the right direction, but we don’t want to hear Him. He says;
“Don’t go that way; it’s a disaster. The consequences will be hard for you!”
“Stop, that’s the wrong decision!”
“I have the best of plans for you but you’re walking away from me.”
Yes, He’s talking to me alright. I sort of hear Him in the distance and often feel him pushing me in a direction, but I ignore Him like I never heard Him say a thing. Why do I do that?
Selfishness, pride, thinking I know what’s best. No wonder He’s frustrated with me!
Lord, help me listen, really listen for Your voice. Help me hear You while the fracas of life whirls around me. “Turn us back to You, oh Lord…” (Lamentations 5:21) “You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” (Psalm 31:3)
So got your ears on, good buddy? Are you listening? He’s calling out to you!
I wonder if it’s that way with God when He’s trying to talk to us. I imagine He grows pretty frustrated with us for never paying attention to Him or only hearing what we want to hear. He’s constantly trying to lead us in the right direction, but we don’t want to hear Him. He says;
“Don’t go that way; it’s a disaster. The consequences will be hard for you!”
“Stop, that’s the wrong decision!”
“I have the best of plans for you but you’re walking away from me.”
Yes, He’s talking to me alright. I sort of hear Him in the distance and often feel him pushing me in a direction, but I ignore Him like I never heard Him say a thing. Why do I do that?
Selfishness, pride, thinking I know what’s best. No wonder He’s frustrated with me!
Lord, help me listen, really listen for Your voice. Help me hear You while the fracas of life whirls around me. “Turn us back to You, oh Lord…” (Lamentations 5:21) “You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” (Psalm 31:3)
So got your ears on, good buddy? Are you listening? He’s calling out to you!
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