Month: January 2011

retracing pages of days gone by

Maybe you do this from time to time: see a photo of yourself and wonder how could that have been you?  Or read something you’ve written and say: I recognize the writing… but how could I have forgotten that!?!

Recently, while putting away fresh laundry, I stopped and looked up at photographs I see — but don’t really see  — every day.  And so there I stood a long time — gazing at the framed photographs that hang on the wall above my husband’s dresser.  I was sort of transported back in time and was so longing for those days.  And then I sort of mentally calculated just how much time had passed from those days to these and just had to marvel at all that’s transpired.   I thought, I know the girl in the photograph is, or was, me.  I know the babies are, or were, mine — my husband seems so much the same  — but I can’t believe that face of that girl in the photograph is the same face this old girl sees in the mirror each morning.

I continued on my cleaning and sorting of papers and books, journals and photographs… marveling all the while… still thinking about the swift passage of time.

And then I came across a thin notebook I used during the time we lived on Orcas Island… now it seems at once such a long and such a short time ago.   The children in the photographs were one and three years old.  As I read the notes from sermons, prayer groups and Bible studies, it was as if I was reliving those days and as if no time had passed from then till now.  I could almost feel the the wood of the pews in the old church building and could almost smell the scent of the foods served in the different homes where meetings and gatherings took place.

I tearfully rejoiced that I believed then what I still believe today — so thankful I relied upon and trusted God then and yet more so today.  But then I tearfully regretted that I haven’t live out that reliance and trust fully each day from those days till these.

I’m so glad I took so many notes — a practice I’ve kept through the years.  But reading through the pages, I noticed a lack.  I’m now painfully aware and so regret that I haven’t kept my own advice to others: regularly writing down the things my children have said and done.  O, how I wish I had recorded the things I was so absolutely certain I’d never forget.

How could I possibly forget that great thing, that wonderful achievement, that dear request or that cutest ever comment?


Saturday Morning Funnies

My mama sent me an email this morning… I laughed at the different quoted comments and thought I’d share them with you.  As I type this, I find myself stunned that I am old enough to hear such questions or statements from my own dear children *and* grandchildren.  My-o-my, How did I get so old without growing up!?!?

JACK (age 3)  was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister… After a while he asked: ‘Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?

MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was.. Granny replied she was so old she didn’t remember any more. Melanie said, ‘If you don’t remember you must look in the back of your panties.  Mine say five to  six.’

STEVEN (age 3)  hugged and kissed his Mom good night. ‘I love you so much that when you die I’m going to bury you outside my bedroom window.’

BRITTANY   (age 4)  had an ear ache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle.  Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she’d have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: ‘How does it know it’s me?’

SUSAN (age 4)  was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. ‘Please don’t give me this juice again,’ she said, ‘It makes my teeth cough..’

DJ (age 4)  stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: ‘How much do I cost?’

CLINTON   (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried when his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, ‘I don’t know what’ll happen with this bed when I get married.  How will my wife fit in it?’

MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: ‘Why is he whispering in her mouth?’

TAMMY(age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy  looked at her for a while and then asked, ‘Why doesn’t your skin fit your face?’

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: ‘The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.’  Concerned, James asked: ‘What happened to the flea?’

The Thing About Blogs

You know how you read that “lead in” sometimes?  The thing about _______ is_______.  Well, I’m seeing disclaimers or comments about bloggers and/or  blogging more and more frequently.

So, I thought I’d write today a bit about blogging — or if I may be so bold, bloggers.  It seems that every blogger, now and then, writes a post about why they blog or why they’re not blogging — apologizing for not doing so and explaining how life’s gotten in the way.

So, here’s mine.  I blogged for a number of years — pretty much every day or so, early on.  I, too, thought life got in the way of blogging when I wasn’t able to blog.  I apologized for it from time to time.  But last year, right about this time, a very sobering reality hit me over the head like a ton of rocks.

The reality was that blogging had gotten in the way of life — not the other way around.  Blogging, reading, researching — reading, reading, reading — looking, looking, looking at stuff everywhere online got in the way of living.  It got in the way of real learning and it got in the way of real loving.  And so, today I can genuinely say: The thing about blogging is that it’s filled with unintended consequences.

From the beginning, I wanted to be a good blogger.  I wanted to both inform and entertain, encourage and inspire.  I still want those things.  But I want them to be  products of inspiration not compulsion.  And so, when I blog, you’ll know it’s inspiration and not compulsion.  Though I just might occasionally feel compelled to write something. ~wink~

Bloggers often feel a measure of guilt for not living up to a preconceived notion that blog writers have an obligation to produce something witty and informative every morning.  There’s this unspoken expectation that bloggers be at once fascinating and creative while writing blogs that appeal to the masses.  Every blogger soon discovers that one cannot possibly do that — at least not for more than a week.

Better blogs have enough personal anecdotes to fulfill readers’  desire for authenticity and personal identification — but enough generalization to assure anonymity of the blog subjects.  People want to identify with or see themselves in blogs — so long as no one else does.

Then there’s the great skill of mixing  reality and humility, a bit of sorrow, a bit of humour — with  a bit of cheeky cynicism thrown in to add spice.   In the end, all these are integral to a really good blog.  Trouble is, most of us are too busy living to spend enough time blogging to be that good.

About those New Year’s Resolutions

It’s about now that the resolve for NewYear’s Resolutions is tested.  Or forgotten.  It’s right about now that most of us have either ignored, forgotten or revised this year’s resolutions (especially if we give in and confess they’re too arduous for us to keep).

In reality, they’re probably not too arduous or difficult to keep — it’s just that our constant companion proves to be a more formidable foe than we realize.  This constant companion, Self, is usually pretty convincing.  Usually always. Self will never be satisfied.

And, truth be told, most of us make a whole list of stuff to do that really has little to do with what matters most in life.  We usually make all these plans and goals and set a course of action without first consulting the Lord — and then we ask Him to bless the resolutions.  All this instead of coming to Him with a blank slate and an open heart ready to yield to and obey His words and directions.  O, that we could just receive from and follow Him instead of continually asking Him provide for and bless (or clean up) the plans (or messes) we already made.  O, that we would seek that He would speak to us and guide us. First.

Reading today’s entry (January 5)  in My Utmost For His Highest, I smiled…

” …No matter what changes God has wrought in you, never rely upon them, build only on a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the Spirit He gives.

All our vows and resolutions end in denial because we have no power to carry them out. When we have come to the end of ourselves, not in imagination, but really, we are able to receive the Holy Spirit.  “Receive ye  the Holy Ghost” — the idea is that of invasion.  There is only one lodestar in the life now, the Lord Jesus, Christ.”

In addition to there being “nothing new under the sun,” I take great comfort in the fact that no matter what I think I want to do, that traveling companion, Self, is a relentless reminder of my need of Jesus and His redemptive work and power.

So, wherever you’re at on the NewYear’s resolutions deal… still pressing on, fallen off the wagon — or even having resolved to not resolve, the heart of the matter is: Jesus is calling.  Follow Him.  On the journey, it may not look like things are working out — but you can know this for certain:  because He said, I will never leave you nor forsake you, regardless how your circumstances appear, you can rest assured that everything is going to work together for good.  Your good and His glory — bcz all His ways are only good.

[by the way, it’s not too late to start reading through the Word this year.  Read a few chapters a day, every day, and a couple of extra chapters from time to time — and by the end of the year, you’ll have read through the Bible. Snap, just like that. :o) ]

Could this be *the* year for you?

Could This Be *The* Year For You?

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”
—John 14.15

O, sisters in the LORD—could this be *the* year for you?

This is when the real change will occur… when we finally seek to know and to live the truths of God’s Word…when we lay our lives at His feet, when we give Him everything we’ve held on to: hands down… when we accept and apply the teaching of the Lord Jesus—demonstrating our love for Him by our obedience to Him…  When we finally reckon with: If you love Me you will obey Me.

Could this be the year that you really get down on your knees and confess before the only Holy and Righteous LORD, who loves you endlessly, that you’ve been trying to “go it on your own” and that you are indeed willing that He would use you in whatever way He would choose and that, the Holy Spirit being your guide, you would willingly submit to His will and His ways?  Could this be the year that you allow the Holy Spirit free reign in your life?  Could this be the year that you would seriously begin to regularly rise early to drink from the rich well of God’s Word? Could this be the year that you would resolve to live in obedience to your husband—not because of what you will gain, but because of the LORD’s command that you do so? Could this be the year that you would cherish the blessings of the LORD: your children?

Could this be the year that you would redeem the time, that you would study the Word for yourself—that you would become a woman of the Word, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Could this be the year that you would wisely choose the activities in which you would become involved, making sure that they are in line with your husband’s aims for your family, that they are Christ centered and Christ honouring?


Could this be the year that you would weigh very carefully the books you read, the places you might go and the decisions you might make? Could this be the year that you begin consulting your husband before you begin new projects, from attending a Bible study to following the leader of a weight control program, ordering from a catalog, accepting an invitation to another home-party, or taking on another women’s ministry?

Could this be the year that you come home—I mean really come home—to serve your husband? Could this be the year that you daily anticipate and prepare for the return of your husband each day? Could this be the year that you take up those tender things and tender ways you used to do and be for your husband? Could this be the year that you “fall in love all over again” with the man the LORD created
and “fitted” you to help? Could this be the year that your husband will never forget?  Could this be the year that you look forward to meeting his needs? Could this be a year of fresh loving romance for you two? Could this be the year that you anticipate meeting his needs by getting enough rest, ordering the evenings, eating properly and exercising so that you are refreshed for him?  (“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.” -Proverbs 5.18-19)

O, if your love for your husband has decreased, if your desire for him has gone… pray the LORD will help you delight in him once again, pray He will love your husband through you and that you will once again desire him.  God is a God of miracles, nothing is too hard for the LORD.  (Jeremiah 32.27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”)

Could this be the year that you would determine to be a contented wife, I mean really contented—content with him, his salary, your home, your  automobile, your possessions? (Hebrews 13.5) I have heard many many times, there is nothing that pleases a man more than a contented wife… he can deal with a little clutter from time to time, he can deal with a little overweight, he can deal with delayed dinner, a forgotten appointment—but a discontented wife closes off the spirit of the man and drives him away.

Could this be the year that you come home—I mean really come home—as a servant to your family?  Could this be the year that they know without doubt that you love them and *desire* to serve them, teach them, help them, prepare a home for them, are not inconvenienced by them, are not tired of them, are not waiting for them to hurry up and grow up so that you can get on with your life?  If you’re a mama… this *is* your life.  Could this be the year that you will *enjoy* what God has designed for you?  (“He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.”—Psalms 113.9)  O, if your gladness or desire has waned, pray the LORD will restore your love for the children… pray that He will help you see them as He sees them—as blessings. He loves children… and He will help you love them… (Genesis 18.14 “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?…”)  You can trust Him to help you love them the way He wants you to love them and care for them as He would have you to care for them.  He can restore your love for them — for motherhood and for your home.

You know, my sweet sisters in the LORD… this could be *the year* for each one of us. This could be the year that we all come home… and *do* those things we know that the LORD has directed in His Holy Word.

2Timothy 3.14-17
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Could this be the year of obedience—regardless of what others say or think or do?

Once again the Lord Jesus said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” —John 14.15

As we embark on another year,  I pray that you would join me in seeking all the above — that you would join me in truly seeking to be an obedient woman, keeping the commandments of the Lord Jesus, following Him, delighting also in Him: earnestly seeking Him.

With love to you, In Jesus—pamela spurling


Reprint… originally written in 2000, revised 2006 Letters to my Sisters

On the second day of the new year…

my true love gave to me:  His Word.

As I was praying this morning I recalled a passage of Scripture that has been so meaningful to me — and especially today as I was seeking the Lord for His blessing on this new year, for His direction and provision.   So I read through Psalm 65.  One verse, in particular, is my prayer for this year.

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness;
and thy paths drop fatness.
psalm 65.11

And so, I do pray the Lord will crown this year with His goodness, and that His provision will be evident.  You have to know that I am refraining from commenting on “dropping fatness.”  Sort of.

I’d sure like to try and make that happen too, though, by the way.

God bless you and yours in the coming year.

1.1.11

Another “New Year” is upon us… fresh and clean, unblemished and new.  There’s something marvelous and hopeful about a new beginning — a fresh start.  And so, with this blog entry, I pray for, and wish for you as well,  a year of great hope, joy, peace, faithfulness and steadfast walking with the Lord.  I pray for the peaceable fruit of righteousness and faith for each day.

21  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

–Lamentations 3.21-26

with love, pamela