A Little Friday Joy

Okay, so this video may be "so two years ago," but it never ceases to bring me joy.  I often wish that we lived in a musical filled with spontaneous song and dance.  Wouldn't life be more interesting?

In college, I dreamed of the day when everyone in the dining hall would burst into a coordinated musical number, but for some reason, it never worked out.  So, this is the closest thing I've got...

(E-mail subscribers, click to watch)




In case you're looking for some deeper encouragement, here are some of my favorite links from the week:

"Because He Asks Me To" by Lysa Terkeurst
 "The Call To Bless" posted on (in)Courage


Happy Friday!

Keep Coming Back

For the past week, I've been meditating on the lyrics to a song sung by Audra Lynn, based on the fabulous recommendation from Mary Goes Round.  I haven't been able to find it online, but the lyrics are below:

"Cast all your cares on Me,
for I care for you, I care for you.

For all your fountains are in me,
and I have everything you need. 

Just keep coming back to Me. 

And those who call upon My name
they will not be put to shame.

Just keep coming back to Me.

Cast all your cares on Me,
cause I care for you, I care for you.

Just keep coming back to Me."

Not only are these lyrics encouraging, but they're based on scripture:

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

1 Peter 5:7

"As they make music they will sing, 'All my fountains are in you."

Psalm 87:7 

"O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you."

Psalm 31:17

"In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

Isaiah 30:15

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters...Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live."

Isaiah 55:1,3 

(There are lots of versions about coming back to God, so I picked a few of my favorites)

No matter what season we might be facing right now, God has so much to offer us.  He cares deeply for us and longs to bear our burdens.  Let's take Him up on His invitation and keep coming back to Him day after day. 

Guest Post From Laura

Today, we get to hear from my older sister Laura.  She's the real writer in the family if you ask me. (Cally, you're fabulous too!)  She's also the proud mama to Little Lulu Bug.

Laura recently wrote a blog post for Changing Seasons, and I liked it so much, I wanted to share it here too.

The Race 

We looked around the starting line at the thousands of other competitors and two things became quite clear: most of them had been training hard for this half-marathon, and we probably could have trained a bit harder.  Of course, in some respects, my mother and I had been training for this day my entire life.

I don’t exactly remember our first walks together, but judging by my expression in the pictures, I was clearly having the time of my life.  My shiny bald head peeked out of her navy backpack, and my toothless smile lit up the idyllic mountain scene behind us of her beloved Vail. 

When I was a bit more stable on my feet, I would run around, enjoying my newfound freedom.  At times, I was a young colt, inhaling the soft spray of the Atlantic Ocean, my young legs becoming increasingly sure of themselves with each new step.  

Over time, I became a little mountain goat, trotting up the sand dunes of First Landing State Park as fast as my feet would let me. 

On the day of the race, roughly a quarter-century and one child later, I was feeling more like a beached whale than a spry gazelle.  But that didn’t matter much once the race announcer called our corral to the front of the line.  He blew the horn, and we were off.

We didn’t have any grandiose visions of finishing at the front of the pack, or even in the first 10,000 participants, but that didn’t matter much.  We were simply mother and daughter, trotting along, and somewhat oblivious to the other racers around us. 

While I was striding through the course, I was also running through my years of memories walking with my mother. Most frequently, we would walk along the loop in our Virginia Beach neighborhood, unraveling the problems of our world and admiring the exquisitely manicured lawns along the way. 

If I were awkward and upset when I wasn’t invited to a slumber party, we’d keep on walking.  When I would be frustrated by schoolwork and not know where I would go to college, we’d keep on walking.  Whether I’d struggle with decisions of roommates or housing or boys, we’d keep on walking. 

Of course, in the triumphant moments of new romance, dear friendships, successful weight loss, or exciting jobs, we’d keep on walking with an added spring in our step. 

In time, each issue would become a shadow of its former self until it ultimately faded into the distance behind us.  Moments of joy and sorrow would pass just the same, though we’d often cling to the joyful ones a bit longer.

We walked not only to shed the literal excess pounds, but also burn off the weights of life that are far better off in the hands of God than on our fragile shoulders.  Other times our walks were mere dances of joy. 

No matter the season in our lives, we walked together.  There were times when the dancing was a bit more like limping, and moments when I would have preferred her to scoop me up into the backpack of my childhood so I wouldn’t have to deal with problems like popped blisters on the bottom of my toes. 

Mile 10 of the half-marathon was no exception, and my throbbing feet were begging for mercy.  But that morning, like so many others, she didn’t let me give up or even slow down.  She simply walked beside me, and focused my attention on our ultimate goal.

The past exertion would pale in comparison to the knowledge of our achievement, and when I saw the flashing lights of the end of the race, and smelled the sweet, salty air from the ocean next to me, I felt the same sense of exhilaration as I did when I was a young girl after a successful ascent to the top of a sand dune. 

Like so many situations we had walked through over the years, we emerged a little sore, but ultimately stronger.

I looked past the throngs of racers and fans to see my four-month-old sitting contentedly in her stroller waiting for us at the finish line.  Her sapphire eyes gleamed more brilliantly than the finisher’s medal around my neck.  As her soft thighs melted into my hands, I smiled knowing that our racing days were only beginning.   

The Whole Truth

(This was posted yesterday, but for some reason the e-mail subscription didn't work, so we're going to try it again.  Don't let us down Feedburner!)

 

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
       and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

During seasons of pain, trials, or indefinite seasons of waiting, it's easy for me to focus merely on the facts and forget what is True.

The facts might be that my heart is hurting, things aren't working out how I planned, I don't see God, or God seems silent.

But no matter how grave the situation might be, the truth is always that God is good, God loves us, God has a plan, and God is near.

The Truth doesn't mean we won't face pain and trials, but it does mean that we will not be abandoned.

This morning I read Oswald Chambers and he talks experiencing joy in despair and being raised up by the mighty, majestic hand of God.  A touch where "you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ.  You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father.  Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it give inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength.  And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again."  

Today, I'm in need of that touch.  I long for the peace, comfort, support, provision, and strength that can only be found in the everlasting arms of my God.

The facts might be muddled, confusing, and hurtful, but the Truth is that God is near and He hears us.

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
       he delivers them from all their troubles." 

Psalm 34:17

El Arcoíris

First, I strongly recommend listening to the Mother's Day talk that Elizabeth mentioned yesterday. It was both entertaining and profound. And hearing Lisa talk about Elizabeth as a little girl gives some background into her leadership and vision today. She was a mover and a shaker at 5 years old (albeit a bossy one), and the Lord has developed those gifts as she serves him today.

I was rather hoping to finish up with the storms and suffering topic, at least in my personal devotional time. But only God’s timing is perfect. Driving around running errands yesterday I put on a sermon from Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I accidentally left the iPod on for a couple hours while I was at home and upon leaving again there was another sermon playing on Luke 7:11-17, about Jesus raising a widow’s son. The sermon snapshot from the website says:

“Jesus finds wrecked people. He pursues people who don’t ask for him and comforts people who don’t seek him. Jesus literally reaches into death and brings life, both for the dead son of the widow and for all Jesus’ people. Dead people do nothing to participate in their healing; it is solely a gift of grace. Jesus is an even greater risen son who conquered death for all the children of God.”

If you have 30 minutes or so this weekend, I recommend listening to the sermon. As we have experienced, suffering is an emotionally heavy topic, but it is one we cannot ignore. The pastor, Mark Driscoll, reviewed a lot of what we have looked at in the past several days. Suffering is an inevitability, but so is the final victory in Christ. The rainbow appears after the storms. We are called to suffer and weep as the widow did, to surround and support each other as her community did. We cannot hurry through the tough times. Mourn with those who mourn, but trust that resurrection is coming and the Greater Son is coming. He reaches down into death and has life.

We have so much to look forward to. Without jumping ahead of our struggles, we can still be encouraged by the promise of eternal life with our Lord. Reading Psalm 98 this morning was a snapshot of what kind of party God will throw when all this earthly suffering has concluded.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;

all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the LORD with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn—

shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy;

let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 98

Heavenly Father, I pray that I can live and love at your pace, in suffering and rejoicing. May I remember the joy and peace that I am promised, and seek you in every circumstance. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice and ultimate suffering. You have endured unimaginable pain and the greatest injustice for me. Even when no one else can relate to my heartache, you are there. You know me and you love me. Your thoughts and ways are higher than mine. You are in control. You have conquered death. You already won the battle!

Mothers and Daughters

(With my mom at a dress up birthday party...it doesn't look like it, but I promise the party was fun.  I think I was 
just "in character" for this picture)

How great is it to have Meg posting again?  I'm so glad she's made it through her first year of Law School!  In case you didn't know, I'm the president of the Meg Pittman Kelsey fan club, because I think it's important that everyone know how fabulous she is!  Did you know she was a professional soccer player in Argentina?

Anyways, if you haven't had a chance, be sure to read her last two posts.  I read them again this morning and was just as encouraged and challenged as I was the first time. 

Hurricane Season
Hurricane Response Team

Also, I wanted to let you know that on Mother's Day, my mom and I had the privilege of speaking at Spring Branch Church in Virginia Beach.  They posted our talk online, so if you're interested in hearing it, click here and then on "Mothers and Daughters: A Divine Duet."

That's it for now.  Happy Thursday!

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness...for he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry with goodness."

Psalm 107:8-9

Hurricane Response Team

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Romans 12:27

Yesterday we looked at acknowledging God's plan in the various hurricanes that come barreling into our physical, emotional and spiritual lives. We may not know exactly what that plan entails, but we do know that He is in control. By fixing our gaze on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, our priorities can be properly aligned with his. (Hebrews 12:2).

A large part of seeing God's sovereignty in all circumstances is having support from the body of Christ. Just as my church here in Miami has organized a hurricane preparation and survival plan involving all the members and their resources, we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to prepare for and endure difficult times. As even the lilies of the field are clothed in splendor, the Lord promises to provide all that we need. (Matthew 6:28). When we cry out, God promises to be with us in times of trouble. (Psalm 91:15). And oftentimes our Father chooses to meet our needs through the friends and family that surround us.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:10, 12, 13, 15

The entire chapter 12 of Romans illustrates and outlines what being a part of the body means in a very practical way, through the good and bad. Each one of us, as a part of the "Hurricane Response Team," can be devoted to one another by sharing of both time and resources.

Sharing Time.

I can always make an excuse for being too busy to do something. I am a fairly selfish person (marriage has helped magnify that flaw exponentially), especially with my time. For example, yesterday I went to the Miami-Dade courthouse for jury duty. And, even though I am studying the law and appreciate our legal system and understand the importance and constitutionality of this civic duty, I was still somewhat annoyed that I had to spend even one day of my summer reporting for jury duty. (I wasn't picked as a juror).

But time is something we can all give. While discussing Job this past weekend in our community group, it became clear that sometimes all you can do to comfort or support is just give your time. Just being with someone who is suffering, without saying a word or attempting to offer an explanation, is a gift. In our hectic society time seems like such a precious commodity, but it isn't ours to begin with. I find it is much easier to give away that which I realize I don't even deserve to possess.

Job's friends may have botched the loving support strategy once they opened their mouths, but their first response was an important model to follow. They went to be with their friend who was grieving immensely, and they sat with him, silently, for 7 days. (Job 2 :11-13). They gave days of their time to just be with Job. Love is being patient in affliction- whether it be your own or a friend's. As described by our pastor, God's love has its own pace, which may be an inconvenience to our busy schedules.

Sharing Emotional Capital.

I like to rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and graduations are easy to get excited for. I don't generally have the same enthusiasm, however, for attending a funeral or visiting a sick family member in the hospital. Just reading about Job's story this past Sunday in church was draining emotionally, not to mention hearing first hand stories of struggle from our new church friends in community group. But we are called to be drained, in a sense. To mourn with those who mourn involves connecting and entering in to the pain of another. This will be impossible to endure if we are not connected to the source of all love and life.

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,

streams of living water will flow from within him.

John 7:38

Oswald Chambers describes the impact of believing in God and being connected to the true Source:

If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.

I want to get to the point where I can fully love and connect with a suffering friend, without running out of God's love and wisdom to give. I want to be so seamlessly connected to my Lord, that my cup is continuously overflowing onto those around me!

Sharing Gifts.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

Romans 12:6-8

We each have gifts and a unique role in the body of Christ. Romans 12 gives examples of gifts, such as teaching, serving, prophesying, encouraging, giving, leadership and showing mercy. We don't all have the same function, but each function is essential.

I know that each person who reads this blog has a unique gift, a special way of reaching out.

I pray that we will be sensitive to God's call for us to initiate contact with a friend or family member who may be suffering. Jobs friends did not wait for Job to go ask for help, but rather went to him first. Job certainly went through more than I hope anyone I know has to deal with, but that doesn't mean our brothers and sisters don't need us tremendously. Whether it be offering a meal, helping clean up a house, lending a car, offering to babysit, treating a friend to coffee or just spending time with someone, we all can give something. We all can love practically with the time, resources and gifts we have been given.

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)

Hurricane Season

My first year of law school ended last week, and Sunday morning before church I got to catch up on a few of the recent posts. I enjoy the days when I can take my time reading through what the Lord wants to teach all of us through Elizabeth and the other fantastic women who share on the blog, but some days (i.e. exam week) I must resort to skimming. So, I went to church as a happy woman with newly appropriated "free time," having read about trusting in the Lord through storms, struggles and fear. I think the Lord prepared those posts as one part of a continuing lesson.

Storms are coming, literally! Our church service started with an announcement about the upcoming hurricane season, which is a big deal here in Miami. Our church has a special Hurricane Assistance Program for hurricane preparation, survival and recovery. Everyone is asked to fill out a bright orange form with a checklist of either the services you are able to offer or that you need help with, as well as materials/tools you could lend to a neighbor in need. What an important and resourceful ministry! As Scott and I were checking off items, it hit me how much we need community in the event of a major storm. Even though I have been through hurricanes in Virginia, the announcement was a wake-up call to how serious the storm season can be in South Florida. I felt supported just knowing we can get help in preparing for and facing a storm, that we could borrow a chainsaw, satellite phone or even a pick-up truck if needed. Plus, a potential benefit once the storm has passed was alluded to in one of the checklist items to share: "A party house while we are off work." Check!

Hurricanes can come in the emotional, relational and spiritual variety as well. The topic of the sermon and our small group discussion later in the evening was the all-consuming storm that Job endured in losing his family, home, and health. Both the sermon and the discussion were heavy emotionally. I found myself on the verge of tears as I heard the familiar story of Job's devastating loss as well as the new stories of people in our community group who have suffered and dealt with horrendous storms. Part of me wanted to skip to the end of Job's story and just celebrate the happy ending, his doubled blessings and increased prosperity. But storms are a fact of life. As Elizabeth said in Friday's post and yesterday, there is no question about if we will have trouble, but rather John 16 assures us that we will indeed face storms.

But WHY do we face these storms? Last week Anna Kate wrote about having questions and turning to the Lord in uncertainty. One answer that always rings true : God is in control. A recent Oswald Chambers' devotional said, "It is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh... Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is." I may not understand why I am facing a certain trial, or why a friend is being challenged by a certain storm, but we are promised that as our faith is refined in the fire of trial it brings honor to our Lord.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade... In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:3-7

Rather than an inward gaze, our focus should always be on the living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. In Elizabeth's case, an actual hurricane before her wedding readjusted her priorities. And the sun shining through the clouds upon leaving the chapel was a bright and beautiful testimony to every single guest in attendance of God's goodness and sovereignty. We all looked up to the sky in joyful disbelief!

But we don't always have a literal ray of light to draw our gaze upward. In the same Oswald Chambers devo mentioned above, one question made me slightly uncomfortable: "Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of 'myself' that I would have apart from Him?" When going through extreme adversity it is difficult to lift my eyes up. To cry 'Woe is me!" feels so satisfying. However, I must remind myself that self-pity does absolutely nothing to advance the kingdom of God. I cannot exhibit anything sweet without losing myself and seeking more of the Lord.

Some trials, such as the death or sickness of a loved one, do bring such grief that it takes time to process the loss, to regain a genuine hope in His good plan. Tomorrow we will look more into the need for the support of community in general and especially during trials. Just as the Hurricane Assistance Program is a practical, living testimony of the love of Christ here in Miami, how we, as the body of Christ, love and support one another in all circumstances will be a testament to others of "how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure the Son is."

This Tuesday, amidst storm and adversity, we can rejoice in our Almighty God. Embedded below is a great Hillsong worship song. Sing aloud (or, if at work, read in your head emphatically) the empowering cry, that our Lord is stronger through the storm and through the fire. Let His name be lifted higher!

There is love that came for us, Humbled to a sinner's cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness, You rose again, victorious

Faithfulness none can deny, Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free: Jesus Christ, who lives in me

You are stronger, You are stronger. Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, "Christ is risen". Jesus, You are Lord of all

No beginning, and no end, You're my hope and my defence
You came to seek and save the lost, You paid it all, upon the cross

So, let Your name be lifted higher. Be lifted higher, be lifted higher
So, let Your name be lifted higher. Be lifted higher, be lifted higher

The Uninvited Guest

(Photo by Patricia Lyons)

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
       and he brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
       the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,
       and he guided them to their desired haven."

Psalm 107: 28-30

Last Friday, I talked about the inevitable storms that we all face in life and the promise that at some point, the sun will shine again.  As I wrote that, I was reminded of a certain event in my life that was almost overshadowed by a storm, but ultimately the sun won out.

When I began wedding planning in March, 2008 I always knew that a Virginia Beach wedding in September could mean hurricanes, but I never thought that would actually apply to me...I mean, I'm God's favorite, you know.

Fast forward to the Sunday before my wedding and my mom came to me and said, "I don't want to alarm you, but there's a hurricane making its way up the east coast and there's a small chance that it could land here on Saturday."   

Excuse me?  Doesn't Hurricane Hanna know we have a wedding that day?  I'm sorry, but she'll just have to come back later.  

I once heard a woman at UVa speak and say, "Girls, each one of us has spent hours planning our weddings, but how many of us have actually thought about the marriage?"  During that week, all of a sudden, the planning, the details, and events didn't seem to matter.  I just wanted to be married.  

At our last marriage counseling session in Virgina Beach that week, the pastor talked us through the "contingency plan" in case Hurricane Hanna decided to come to the wedding.  To which I replied, "If Bernie and I have to row a boat to your house on Saturday, and it's just the three of us, that's what we'll do.  Wedding or no wedding, we will be married."

A few weeks before the hurricane, my mom stumbled upon Psalm 107 and had been praying over it in regards to some relational storms she was anxious about.  It never occurred to her that in addition to relational storms, there would be an actual storm at the wedding.  Throughout the week, she continually spoke Psalm 107 to me, "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.  They were glad when it grew calm and he guided them to their desired haven."  
 

As September 6th drew near, the weather report didn't change much.  There were lots of things we had to change and Plan Bs that were set in motion, and the wedding was far from "perfect" by a wedding planner's standards, but I think that even the imperfections were perfect.  I mean, what girl doesn't love a little drama?

The day of the wedding arrived and the wind was fierce, the waves were intense, and there were spurts of rain throughout the day, but September 6th was here!  Thankfully, when the guests were coming to the church the rain had died down, but it was still a bit stormy.

The ceremony began at 6:00 and lasted about 45 minutes.  As the ceremony ended and they opened the doors for us to leave as Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Williams, the sun came pouring into the church and light filled the sanctuary.  The sun was here!  I couldn't believe it!  We even got to take pictures outside the church and walk to the reception.

That week, I continued to praise God for how grateful I was that He was faithful to calm the storm.  In big ways and small ways, God was there throughout the entire week.  As I reflected over the week, I felt God tell me, that even in marriage, storms will come.  Being married doesn't mean that your life will be perfect and your plans will unfold right before your eyes.  Just like Jesus said, "in this world, we will have trouble."  Whether you're married or single, there will be trouble.
 

BUT when the winds seem like they won't die down and the sun is nowhere to be found, have faith that it will come.  When the storm feels out of control, He can and He will calm them.  We might not always know when or how, but they will be calmed.  

Though uninvited, Hurricane Hanna was a valuable addition to our guest list.  She shifted my priorities to my marriage, and taught me a valuable lesson about life's storms and the God who calms them.

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." 
Mark 4:39

       "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
       When you pass through the waters,
       I will be with you;
       and when you pass through the rivers,
       they will not sweep over you."

 Isaiah 43:1-2

Here Comes The Sun

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

For the past two weeks, Bernie and I have been working at the beach.  For the most part, the weather has been amazing, but two nights ago got a little rough.  What had been a sunny and beautiful day, quickly evolved into a night of intense thunderstorms. 

The rains came, the wind blew, and the thunder clamored.  The house shook and made all kinds of crazy noises.  I felt like it was about to be whisked away to Oz to see the wizard.  I was home alone and terrified; I didn't want to leave the house.  BUT, I had to get in my car to go pick my mom up from the airport.  What's a perfect daughter to do??   

Eventually, I worked up the courage to sprint to the car and drive through the torrential downpour.  As I started driving and the rain continued to pour down, I came to a bridge that overlooks the Chesapeake Bay.  What I saw across the water shocked me.  There, in the distance, the sun was shining, the waves were calm, and everything was at peace.

At that moment, I felt the Lord whisper to my heart, "in life there will be storms, even scary ones, but the sun always shines again."

I know that Noah had a season with a lot of rain, but as far as I can tell, it's never rained so much that the sun has never come back.  At some point, whether it's here or in heaven, the sun will shine again!

In John 16, Jesus tells us that here on this earth, each of us will face hardships.  He doesn't say, "In this world you might have trouble."  He says, "You will have trouble."  No matter what, each one of us will face different storms.   

But the gift we have in Jesus, is that He has overcome them.  No matter what troubles we find ourselves facing here, this is not where we ultimately belong.  The pain and trouble we face on earth, is temporary.  The sun will shine again!


The other beautiful thing about Jesus is that He loves us unconditionally, even when we're hurting.  The pain, heartache, and hurt is real to Him.  Our hearts matter to Him. 

He listens to us when we cry, when we have questions, when we're frustrated, and when we're tired of waiting for the sun.  He's with us—comforting us and helping us see that the storm might be dark, but the sun will come back. 

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
       and he brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
       the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,
       and he guided them to their desired haven."

Psalm 107: 28-30

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

Deuteronomy 33:27

It's a Cally day!

Today, we have the gift of hearing from another fabulous woman!  We get to enjoy another guest post from my younger sister Cally.  She's amazing!  In case you missed her Long to Love debut, click here to read her first post.  Here's Cally...  

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18

It is so amazing to think that Christ's perfect love can cast out all of our fears.  Fear that we're not good enough, fear about the future, fear about relationships, even fear about God's will for our lives.

I am most afraid when I think I am in control.  When I have to plan something, achieve something, or control a situation, I fear that I will do something wrong or mess up.  During the times of most fear, I seem to forget that the Lord is all powerful and that He loves me. 

The beauty of this verse is that when we love and trust Christ's perfect love, He drives out all our fear.  We can rely on the knowledge that He loves us and works all things for our good (Romans 8).  I much prefer Christ's love to a life where I think I'm in control and constantly in fear.

Guest Post From Anna Kate!

Today, I'm happy to announce that we have a guest post from my dear, sweet, wonderful friend Anna Kate Prum.  In the blog world, she's known for her baking blog Sugar and Stuff (I highly recommend the sourdough bread and poppyseed chicken casserole) and most recently, she joined forces with her twin sister Sara Beth as a contributor to the highly regarded "Idaclare". 

Beyond her fabulous blogs, Anna Kate has a tender, compassionate, encouraging heart.  She loves God and she speaks such truth and wisdom into the lives of those around her.  She deeply cares for the poor and those in need.  She's also working on getting her masters in counseling, which is going to be such a gift to the world.  It's already a gift to me as I feel like she gives me free therapy sessions through e-mails, phone calls, and cups of tea just by listening and loving me.  AND she's a fabulous writer.  Anyways, I'll stop talking now and hand you over to Anna Kate... 


I've been mulling over these questions for the past three months: How do I continue to pursue a God about whom I have lots of questions? How do I continue to believe in the love of God when much of what I look around and see—in my own life and in the world—is brokenness, sorrow, pain, and poverty? In some ways, I think these questions will "plague" me for much of my life. And yet, I want to keep knowing and pursuing God.

There is no doubt in my mind that He is with me, for me, and even guiding me. But many times, my questions seem to deter me from seeking Him.  It is so easy for me to stop pursuing God, and stop believing that he loves me deeply when I have big questions about Him, about my life, about the world.

But...I've also been mulling over this realization: God is big enough for our questions. He does not leave me, even in the midst of my questions. And more than that, these questions are somehow part of a beautiful story that He's writing for me. It is my hope and prayer that I would learn to seek Him and believe in His love, while also bringing my questions to Him. I picture a little girl, crawling into the lap of her father, crying over the pain she sees or feels, yet experiencing His comforting presence and love...even when she doesn't fully understand the situation at hand.

"Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?...O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more."

Psalm 10:1, 17-18

The Post With No Title

 (My Mom)

Happy Mothers Day!  To the seasoned moms, the young moms, and the moms-to-be.

I've been having a little bit of writers block lately and I never want to blog just to blog, so I give you three little things my heart has been meditating on lately:

Continue to Rest on this incredible promise from Isaiah.  It has been my lifeline for the past week:

"You will keep him in perfect peace,
      Whose mind is stayed on You,
      Because he trusts in You.
       Trust in the LORD forever,
      For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength...

O LORD, we have waited for You;
      The desire of our soul is for Your name
      And for the remembrance of You.
       With my soul I have desired You in the night,
      Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early..."

Isaiah 26:3-4, 8-9 (NKJV)

Listen to this song and allow it to become the pray of your heart.

Jesus, be the center
Be my source, be my light
Jesus

Jesus, be the center
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus

Jesus, be my vision

Be my path, be my guide

Jesus

(E-mail subscribers click here and scroll down)

Read these two incredible posts from Sara Hagerty.  I linked to the first post a few months ago, because it helped remind me of why I even started this blog.  The second post is about being confident in the truth that we are fully loved by our God.

I Spy With My Little Eye...

"My ears had heard of you
       but now my eyes have seen you."

Job 42:5 

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about the extent to which we see God on a daily basis.

Since then, I have tried to pray daily for eyes to see God and I have been encouraged and amazed to find that when I'm actively looking for Him, He shows up.  It may be in unexpected or nontraditional ways, but big ways and small ways, He's there.  

I have seen Him open my eyes to a verse in the Bible that I needed to hear or repeatedly lead me to encouragement on trusting Him when I thought I had learned enough.  I saw Him through a friend's encouragement when I felt completely overwhelmed and through finding a guest post in my e-mail when I had no time to blog.  I saw Him at dinner last night with three amazing women that challenged me, encouraged me, and left me longing for more of God.   

I've also seen Him through the beauty of His design and creation—a 4-year-old girl in church singing worship with her mom, the serenity of the sunrise while driving to a meeting at 6 in the morning, and the simple beauty of freshly cut flowers.

It's amazing when your eyes are set on seeing Him, how many different ways He's capable of showing up. It's not that these things wouldn't have happened without praying, but I'm learning as I pray and train my eyes to look for God daily, He gets a lot more credit.  And ultimately, isn't He worthy of all the credit anyways? 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

So tell us, where have you seen God lately?

Perfect Peace

"You will keep him in perfect peace,
      Whose mind is stayed on You,
      Because he trusts in You.
       Trust in the LORD forever,
      For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength...

O LORD, we have waited for You;
      The desire of our soul is for Your name
      And for the remembrance of You.
       With my soul I have desired You in the night,
      Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early..."

Isaiah 26:3-4, 8-9 (NKJV)

Stumbling Upon Trust

"...the need to trust is our invitation, over and over, to the place where we look into his face—and no one else's—and let ourselves be loved by him. We let ourselves be loved by God. Our hands release their grip on the reins of our lives and we stop trying so hard to be women with all the answers...letting ourselves be loved by God is the place where we stumble upon trust."

Paula Rinehart, "Stong Women, Soft Hearts"

I know I quoted this yesterday, but I read it again this morning and continue to be moved by her beautiful description of love and trust.  An invitation to let ourselves be loved by God, and in doing so, we stumble upon trust.  That is something my heart longs for. 

Don't you want to take God up on that?  Don't you want to be reminded of how loved you are?  Today, I pray that we will all allow ourselves a few minutes to simply let ourselves be loved by God.  When you pair trust back to understanding how loved we are by God, suddenly it no longer appears to be a struggle or an obligation, but rather a gift, a joy, and a delight.

Back in 2008, I wrote a post where I linked falling in love with God to an increased ability to trust Him.  I referenced something Lysa Terkeurst said at a women's conference, "God's love for us is so consuming, He can only have our best interest in mind.  Therefore, we have no reason to fear." 

We have no reason to fear and every reason to trust...as we continue on this journey of falling more in love with the Lord, I pray that we will begin to trust wholeheartedly in His abundant provisions.  Psalm 32 says that He will instruct, teach, counsel, and watch over us.  He will surround us with His unfailing love.  May we continue to rest and trust in His abundant provisions!  He truly has our best interest in mind. 
 

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.  Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him."

Psalm 32:8-10

 

Falling Backwards Into God's Goodness

Does anyone else ever feel like God sometimes has to hit you over the head again and again with the same message for you to finally begin to get it?  This morning, I began praying and reading and was feeling like it was time to move on from trust, only to open up the book "Strong Women, Soft Hearts"
to gain even more insight on my constant struggle of releasing control and learning how to trust. 

I mentioned this book earlier, but I have to reiterate that besides my Bible, this book has been my lifeline for 2010.  I'm reading it in my Bible study and I LOVE it!! (Thanks to the fabulous recommendation from one of my friends and heroes Catharine McNally!)  

Author Paula Rinehart has an incredible way with words and she is so gifted in speaking truth into the lives of women.  If you're interested in reading it, there's an online book club getting ready to start May 9th with videos, questions, etc. I definitely recommend getting some friends together to read it.

As I poured over Paula's two chapters on releasing control and learning to trust this morning, I wanted to copy everything she said on this blog because it's so rich.   Instead, I'll give you some highlights and hope that it encourages you to read her book.  I promise you won't be disappointed! 

Paula talks about our desire to hold on to the illusion that we're in control of our lives.  She defines control as, "the insistence that your life follow a particular path" and having a set agenda, for how your life should unfold.  Letting go of this control can be difficult, but it's only when we are willing to loosen the grip we have on our lives that we begin to learn how to actively trust God. Trust she says, "is allowing yourself to fall backward into the goodness of God." 

The most eye opening part for me was when she discusses the root of trust and ties it to our ability to realize how loved we are by God.  Without realizing how loved we are, trust she says, is just wishful thinking. 

"A major turning point in my life came when I realized that being able to trust God is grounded in staking the whole of my being on the reality that he loves me...Friends may leave, my children may turn out to be reprobates, the mountains may crumble—but if I am loved by God, somehow it will lead toward the light.  And apart from the reality that he loves me, trust is just wishful thinking—hopeful naïveté in the face of a cruel and capricious world...


...the need to trust is our invitation, over and over, to the place where we look into his face—and no one else's—and let ourselves be loved by him.  We let ourselves be loved by God.  Our hands release their grip on the reins of our lives and we stop trying so hard to be women with all the answers...letting ourselves be loved by God is the place where we stumble upon trust."

Don't you love that?  "Letting ourselves be loved by God is the place where we stumble upon trust."  I love how she challenges us to step out and trust, and beautifully links it to our understanding that we are deeply and profoundly loved by God. 

Even though your life won't be perfect and it might not necessarily follow the path you thought it would,  "your trust and willingness to take your sticky fingers off the steering wheel of your life rest on the risk that, in fact, the goodness of God will catch your when you let go.  What you don't know—and why the risk feels electrically charged—is how and when and in what manner you will experience his mercy.  You are simply and mightily assured that you will."

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

1 Peter 2:9