Family Traditions

Precious husband and Challenge son spend the day working at the fire station.  For Precious husband this has become a regular routine, a family tradition, that he works the holidays.   We have spent many holidays sharing a meal with the firefighters on duty and their families.

This year the rest of us gather and celebrate Thanksgiving a bit differently.  Darling daughter and dear son-in-love have had the opportunity to meet several international students recently.  Most of them are college students here in the States to further their education.   A few have been here for less than a year.

We have the privilege of sharing Thanksgiving dinner with these new friends.  Everyone enjoys the traditional turkey along with sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, and the other usual trimmings.  We listen intently as the conversation flows and we overcome the language barrier. 

We discuss cultural differences as well as those things we have in common.  We focus on the things we have in common.  Things such as families gathering and generations preparing and sharing a meal together.   They will miss those things in the upcoming year as they are far from home.

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have these kind people in our home.  I think we may have found a new family tradition.  Opening our home to celebrate with those who are far from home. 

Scripture Only Sunday

“So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters.  As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.”  Ruth 2:3

 

The King’s Table

Thanksgiving week dawns and through a study from the book of Ruth I take a new look at giving thanks.

“At mealtime Boaz said to Ruth, Come over here.  Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.  When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain.  She at all she wanted and had some left over.” Ruth 2:14

Ruth, a foreigner in Israel and from Moab a country considered enemies by the Israelites, is invited by one of the prominent men in Bethlehem to join in a meal.

“David asked, “Is there any one left of the house of Saul to whom I  can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?…Mephibosheth!…Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan.  I will restore to you all the land…and you will always eat at the king’s table…and he was crippled in both feet.” excerpts from 2 Samuel 9

Mephibosheth, one crippled in both feet, is invited to eat at the king’s table based on the favor the king has for another.

“Only when the forces of power and kindness come together will we be in a position to eat from the king’s table.” ¹

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean was given to her to wear…Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb”  Revelation 19:6b-9

“Though we are unworthy, we are invited to God’s table because of Christ’s kindness and authority.  …Like Mephibosheth, we are crippled in both feet, like Ruth, we bear the stain of Moab. …today is the day to be clothed in Christ’s righteousness.”  ²

Red and blue make purple, red and orange make yellow,
How is it red of my sin and red of Christ’s blood
Turns my spirit garments white?
Only clothed in Christ’s righteousness
Fine linen, clean and bright,
God’s power and kindness come together
At the King’s table invites forever to dine

Most of us gather around the table at my mother’s, Precious husband and Challenge son spend the day at the fire station, and we give thanks.  I close my eyes and imagine us all, one day, seated at the King’s table because of the kindness and authority of the Lamb.  I treasure these thoughts in my heart and with a truly grateful heart I say…

May your Thanksgiving be blessed and may you accept the invitation to sit at the King’s table for all eternity.

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¹ Ruth, Kelly Minter, P. 76

² Ruth, Kelly Minter, P.78

Scripture Only Sunday

“I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi?  The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”  Ruth 1:21

Teaching Treasures

We take a break from books to attend a local Veteran’s Day parade and join with others to honor those who serve our nation. 

Thank you and your families for your service and sacrifice!

Seeing Past the Crack

The windshield on the van is broken.  It has been broken for quite a while now.   While driving in heavy fog recently the only thing I could see was the crack in the windshield.  No matter how hard I tried to focus on the road, which was difficult enough with all the fog, the broken windshield became the focus.

Life seems to follow this pattern as well.  When things are difficult and the road ahead is hard to see or understand, the focus becomes everything that is wrong.  It is easy to lose sight of anything beyond the crack and the fog.

“But sin has so clouded the lenses of our hearts that we cannot see that other reality, the City of God, shining around us.  …   The visible becomes the enemy of the invisible; the temporal, of the eternal.” ¹

Later the same day I crested a hill and the view below is clear.  No longer am I drawn to the crack, just the scenery.  I took in the hills covered with multi-colored trees and the pale blue sky.  The crack seemed to fade away as I focused on the beauty ahead. 

“God and the spiritual world are real. We can reckon upon them with as much assurance as we reckon upon the familiar world around us. Spiritual things are there (or rather we should say here) inviting our attention and challenging our trust.” ¹

When life is flowing smoothly the beauty is obvious.  It becomes easy to focus on the blessings of each day.  Just as the fog lifts, my spirit rises and feels free to enjoy life.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The fact that there was more fog ahead did not escape notice.  I thought back to a text from a friend to the effect, have you ever noticed how the fog magnifies the light?  Everything in the circle of light becomes clear. 

“…we must break the evil habit of ignoring the spiritual. We must shift our interest from the seen to the unseen. For the great unseen Reality is God.” ¹

Whatever comes I must look past the crack.  Seeing the light magnified in the fog and living free focusing on the beauty and blessings.  There is far more to life – there is eternity to keep before me – and eternity is lived today.

“O God, quicken to life every power within me, that I may lay hold on eternal things. Open my eyes that I may see; give me acute spiritual perception; enable me to taste Thee and know that Thou art good. Make heaven more real to me than any earthly thing has ever been. Amen.” ²

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¹ Tozer, A. W. (Aiden Wilson) (2011-03-24). The Pursuit of God (p. 33-34). Kindle Edition.

² Tozer, A. W. (Aiden Wilson) (2011-03-24). The Pursuit of God (p. 35). Kindle Edition.

Scripture Only Sunday

“So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.  When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”  Ruth 1:19

Teaching Treasures

This has been a hectic few days on the farm.  Schooling this week has included biology.  It is time to mate our three goat couples.  Ma and Pa Goat were bred last fall and we kept the one kid.  The other two does are getting new mates this year.   We look forward to kids in the spring.

Scripture Only Sunday

“But Ruth replied, Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”  Ruth 1:16-17

31 Days–Week 4 and a few days extra

We have partnered together to pray for one another for the last seven years.  We meet sporadically throughout the year sometimes all six of us, sometimes a few of us. 

“I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6

Through the petitions of these prayer warriors those who have children and grandchildren, each name has been lifted to God’s throne.  One mother has seen God redeem her son from an alcohol addiction and now Jesus is his addiction.  Another friend has been undergirded as she walked through the last couple of years of medical school, first years of marriage, residency and board tests, and ultimately starting her medical practice.  Prayers have been lifted as many of us have made moves during these years.  Several of us have been covered in prayer through the loss of a father.  These are just a few of the prayers we have lifted toward heaven together.

Words of wisdom and encouragement have flowed back and forth between us.   Meals have been shared, hugs have been freely given, and the love of Jesus among us has been the cord that binds us together. 

I am humbled by the prayers each of these women have lifted on behalf of me and my family.   So this week, for days 21-25, I have opened cards and written a note for L, P, S, M, and M.  I am grateful for these pray warrior women who have my back!

There are also two other prayer warrior women whom God has placed in my life the last couple of years.   I am deeply grateful for their friendship and willingness to open their hearts.   They have prayed for me and offered encouragement.  For days 26 and 27 I drop a card to K and R, praying for them and being grateful for their prayers.

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Because I started a few days into October my card writing has carried over a few days.  For days 28-31 I feel led to write a note of thanks to the men and women God has chosen as leaders in my life.  One is the pastor and his wife of the fellowship we left in May.  His teaching has always been challenging and encouraging.   She has been an enthusiastic, fun leader for the children.  Another is a women’s leader who gave me the courage to step out and participate more fully.  I so appreciate her listening ear and then providing the opportunity for me to express God’s gifting.  The last two cards I feel led to send to the current pastor and associate pastor.  To pray for those who are in a place of leadership in my life right now. 

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As I drop the last of the cards in the mail the phone rings.  It is one of my long-time friends.  God has timed the cards so that she receives my appreciation and affection the day her birth mom passes away.   What an awesome God to care for her in such a tender way. 

This challenge has opened my eyes and stirred my heart to see the wonderful, amazing people-gifts God has placed in this life.  My life a string of knots and each individual a pearl on the thread. 

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  Hebrews 13:15-16

Teaching Treasures

Field trip!  The youngest two and I are constantly on the lookout for libraries, museums, and historic villages in little towns around our area.  Last week a homeschool friend and I met at a historic village about 30 minutes from our house.  The town has eight building that have been set up in a Depression era style. 

The curator took the children the around the museum part explaining how life was during the Depression.  She then informed us we were free to enjoy all the buildings for as long as we would like to stay.  Enjoy the buildings we did.  In the general store the children played checkers and took turns running the store and post office.  In the school house they took turns being teacher and students.   We all enjoyed the hands activities of each exhibit.  Their imaginations were really stirred.  I appreciate the books and glasses on the nightstand. 

Picture Developing, Part II

“Now he was a man wholly surrendered, a man utterly obedient, a man who possessed nothing. …he knew that he owned nothing, that his real treasures were inward and eternal.” 1

After days of struggle I return to my reading of The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer.  The very day after I publish Picture Developing I read as Tozer walks through the harsh experience of Abraham after God instructed him to sacrifice his only son.  I want to hold tight to the children (treasures) God has given, I am asked to let go.  To trust God while He is developing the picture of their lives.

“We are often hindered from giving up our treasures to the Lord out of fear for their safety; this is especially true when those treasures are loved relatives and friends. But we need have no such fears. Our Lord came not to destroy but to save. Everything is safe which we commit to Him, and nothing is really safe which is not so committed.” ¹ (emphasis mine)

It is so comforting when God sees me, where my heart is wrestling.  I raise my hands and pray – naming each child – they are safer in His hands than mine.  Tozer ends the chapter with a prayer.  It sounds like a consuming prayer to this soul seeking to be consumed.  

“Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus' Name, Amen.” ²

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¹ Tozer, A. W. (Aiden Wilson) (2011-03-24). The Pursuit of God (pp. 19-20). Kindle Edition.

² Tozer, A. W. (Aiden Wilson) (2011-03-24). The Pursuit of God (p. 21). Kindle Edition.

Picture Developing

It is the end of a long, rough week.  Earlier in the week, during the middle of the night I awoke feeling heavy pain in my chest.  My mind runs amuck with thoughts about heart attacks.  Thank God for a diagnosis or I would not sleep at all (though with the pain I don’t sleep well anyway).  The arthritis in the chest wall is inflamed.  It doesn’t bother often, but when it does it hurts. 

I wake up and fix a fresh pot of coffee and sit down at the kitchen table.  The night struggle with pain has left me feeling sluggish and weak.  I sit and ponder how I thought life would look by this point.  The reality is not exactly what I pictured when I was younger. 

I pictured children eager to be taught and learn, who would love being home together.  The reality is they fuss too often, I fuss too often.  The reality is, after struggling for months, this homeschooling mom enrolled child #4 in public school.  He desires to play sports, this is the best way we have to offer him the opportunity.   He is not able to focus or manage his time well, he needs more structure.  There are too many distractions at home.  This is the child who feels that libraries are too loud for studying.  Perhaps in a classroom setting where everyone is focused on the same subject during the same period he will find the structure he needs.

I pictured close relationships between parents and children as they moved toward adulthood.  The reality is, okay, with Darling daughter and Dear son-in-love it is sweet.  They are a blessing to this mom heart.  The reality is, with children #2 and 3, these two boys, stretching their wings and moving away from home.   As they are becoming men their decisions, choices, give this mom cause for concern and plenty of opportunity to trust God. 

I pictured as children moved out that the financial pressures would ease up.  The reality is, with everyone hard pressed in this economy, finances are still a struggle.  It seems Precious husband works harder for what seems to barely stretch far enough.  Our house project sits still on the hill – waiting.

Opening Scripture I read,

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”  Psalm 103:2

Why is it so hard to see the benefits?  Why does it feel like the benefits are so few?  Maybe because I tend to seek the tangible benefits.  I want to see how the picture will turn out and now would be a good time.  The greatest benefits are those that are not seen with human eyes but with spiritual eyes.  Benefits that are not temporal but eternal.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

who forgives all my sins – not just a few, but all my sins

who heals all my diseases – not just physical disease, but spiritual and emotional disease as well

who redeems my life from the pit – pit of death, pit of hell, pit of insecurity, pit of anger, pit of self-pity, pit of ____(you fill in the blank)

who crowns me with love and compassion – He sets a crown upon my head, a crown of everlasting love and compassions that are new every morning

who satisfies my desires with good things – His daily presence – manna, developing Christ like character, character takes perseverance, endurance to develop

so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s – ability to soar higher and see more clearly, stamina to persevere

When I picture my life through the lens of God’s Word I see, hear, feel the truth.  The Father daily loads me with benefits, but I must take the time to focus on eternity. 

In those moments where the cares of life threaten to choke out the Word I must pull the weeds giving room for the seed to grow.  I stop to SEE GOD in the midst of out of focus pictures.  For the pictures are not fully developed yet, they are still being processed.  Only God above knows how they will look in the end.   It is time for me to step back and watch a Master artist at work as He develops the picture He desires.