Devotionals – Page 9 – The Welcome Home

So, why does stuff happen?

Do you find yourself asking the “why did that happen?” question?

Why in the world did that happen? Or, why did this happen to me? Or, how could this have happened?

We all ask some such question from time to time. Even when we don’t mean to bring up our doubtful questioning in conversation, our comments betray us when we say something like, I don’t know how that could have happened, or some similar statement.

I think we all seem as though we’re surprised when things happen — as if we’d missed something in our vigilant attempts to prevent all problems. Truth is, we cannot prevent things from happening any more than we can make things happen.

When we’re going through hard times, it’s especially common for us to question why the thing is happening — not because we can’t believe it, but because we can’t believe it’s happening to us!

The Word tell us in 1Peter 4.12-13

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

In recent years when hard things have happened, I’ve been quicker to consider that the trial or the hard thing has been allowed of the Lord for my good. This is just one of the great blessings of a long walk with the Lord and it’s one of the great blessings of age and experience. The longer we live and the longer we walk with the LORD, the more we tap into the reservoir of His ways in our lives — it doesn’t mean that God is going to answer us the same way twice — for we know that God is not obligated to repeat Himself — but that we have a bounty of ways He did answer and it bolsters our faith that He *will* answer.

God allows “stuff to happen” in our lives so that we will depend on Him, so that we will yield to Him and so that we will have something to give to others who find themselves in situations similar to what we’ve experienced.

You know how that goes… someone’s going through a trial and they confide in you because they know you know what they’re going through. They wouldn’t be able to lean on you, confide in you or glean from you if you hadn’t first gone through the trial or experience or “all that stuff.”

Many times in recent years, when facing difficulties — or hard stuff, I’ve consciously thought: Omy, this is so hard, God must be in it… I’m going to need this!

I’ve been keenly aware that He only allows things for my good and His glory — and so He’s taught me that when I’m going through hard stuff, He’s at work. Sometimes for my strengthening. Sometimes for my chastening. Sometimes for my lack. Sometimes for wisdom. Sometimes for identifying with Christ. Sometimes for pride. Sometimes for my worship… but always for my good and His glory.

Last year, the most sorrowful year of my whole life, I was keenly aware, time after time, that God was allowing all these things for my good and His great glory. They were hard things. Very hard things. Why did they happen? They happened so that I would *know* that I can trust God in *all* things. He is only good. All the time.

Don’t send opportunity away

What do you have in your hand? Are you wanting to send opportunity away?

Most of the time, that’s the basis for our willingness to obey the Lord… our willingness to obey or our willingness to serve is based on what we’ve got in our hand or what we think we can do. Our response to the prompting of the LORD generally goes through a process of reasoning. We think, well, it looks like this situation is doable; or, yes, I think I can do this because I have enough time, money, experience, etc., etc.

The real testing of faith comes when what the Lord prompts us to do seems “impossible” or, more often, when we reject the prompting due to our apparent lack.

Matthew 14.14-16
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”

This morning as my husband was closing our time of Bible study he was saying, How many times do we send opportunities away?

We were considering how the Lord has plans for whatever comes our way and yet our response is based on what we see — sort of the “what do we have in our hand?” or what are we able to do here? We don’t often stop and think: Hmmm, this situation looks impossible… I’m sure the Lord wants me to stay and do something here. More often we stop and think: Hmmm, this situation is hopeless, I’m out of here (or , at least that ‘s what we feel like saying/doing).

How often do we send opportunity away because it seems impossible to us? Or, because it seems impossible, how many times do we miss opportunities to see God work?

The disciples wanted to send the people away because of the “obvious” lack of provision. But later they would see and experience that with God, nothing’s impossible.

Do you have an impossible situation in front of you today? Don’t look at the obvious… don’t send opportunity away seeing or thinking that you lack resources. For, in fact *you* surely may apparently lack resources. But watch what God will do with what you have in your hand or what He will bring. For with God, nothing’s impossible.

Be ye not troubled

Reading today in the Word…
Over a cup of coffee with you.

Mark 13

7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

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

stuck like glue…

I read a letter from a dear sister and at the end of her letter she enclosed a quote: “Self-pity is like super glue from hell that keeps us stuck to the past.” (Love & Thank you, Jenny)

As I’ve worked in our home today I’ve been mulling this quote over in my mind. I’ve been thinking of other angles on this one and I’ve come to see another angle on what keeps us stuck in the past — it seems to me that guilt is the “super glue from hell” that keeps us stuck to the past. Even confessed sin, repentance, a turning from whatever it was, somehow guilt links us and keeps us stuck to, or in, the past like a super glue.

Guilt’s a heavy thing. Guilt keeps us stuck and then other stuff keeps us stuck like glue to guilt! Even when a debt’s been paid, an infraction’s been forgiven, a problem’s been solved – we sort of keep the deal messed up by rehashing and feeling guilty about it all. Other things keep us stuck on guilt, too. Sometimes it’s other people. Sometimes it’s regret or sorrow. Sometimes its just our own stupidity revisiting done deals. Stuff haunts us when we least expect it and then the ugly event washes over us all over again and we’re buried in regret, super-glued by guilt.

Guilt — and by guilt I don’t mean what is, in reality, shame and deep conviction of living with unconfessed sin. I’m not talking about that true guilt… I’m talking about guilt as an emotional response or a sense of being plagued by a problem that was confessed as sin, that was dealt with, that was forgiven. This guilt plagues many of us — and it’s got a few companions, too. Guilt doesn’t travel alone. No… it travels well with shame and regret. It travels well with grief and doubt. It travels well with anger. It travels well with pity: self-pity (thus the quote my friend had in her letter).

Sometimes the trapping of guilt comes from other people — sometimes well intentioned, sometimes not. Whatever the case, I must/we must determine to be not allow someone’s criticism or condemnation to trap us for what we were or what we’ve done, we need to reject it and not allow ourselves to wallow in the condemnation. If we do, inevitably, guilt or shame or regret will overtake us. It’s got to be a red flag to us!

Get unstuck from that super glue from the pit — flee that trap — it’s not from the Lord, it’s from the devil. And here’s why:

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8.2

Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5.1

It is for freedom the Lord has set us free!

There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8.1

I’m praying about different things that have me “super-glued” to a past problem — seeking the Lord for His mercy and guidance. Maybe you’re dealing with stuff, too. I’m chiming in to say: No matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been or what’s happened: you’re not too far from the Lord. He’s seen it all — been with you through it all. In Him there is rest.

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4.11-16

Thinking Thankfully

I know you might be snickering at that title — as if it were written: “[She’s] Thinking. Thankfully!” Well, I am working diligently at really t-h-i-n-k-i-n-g before I write, t-h-i-n-k-i-n-g before I speak and even t-h-i-n-k-i-n-g before I think on things. If I’ve learned nothing else in the past year it is to t-h-i-n-k. Think. Think. Think… before I do or say anything. Still, I don’t get things right.

But tonight the thinking I’m referring to is thankful thinking — or, thinking thankfully. Just as it’s very hard — almost impossible — to praise and complain at the same time, it is also very hard to think thankfully and yet be ungrateful at the same time.

During this month, many of us are preparing for Thanksgiving Day. I don’t know what a lot of people do in preparation for Thanksgiving, but I know, as mothers, we spend the month (or at least a couple of weeks) planning, shopping for and preparing foods for the big feat big feast on Thanksgiving Day.

But this month can be, and really should be, devoted to much more than thinking about the Thanksgiving Day meal. And so that’s what I’d like to encourage you with this evening: thinking thankfully.

Do you think thankfully? I know I’ve given this a lot of thought and today, in particular, I’ve been asking myself this question: am I thinking thankfully? When I’ve taken the time to measure a fleeting thought passing through my mind I’ve asked, was that a thankful thought? Was that thought inspired by a thankful heart? When I’ve been working on tasks, I’ve asked, am I thankful for this?

Thankfulness (like it’s near kinsman: gratefulness) is a decision… it’s intentional… it’s a choice. We can choose to be thankful in whatever circumstance we face. We really can learn to: “Count it all joy…” (James 1.2). Sometimes a situation seems to be anything but favourable and we feel anything but thankful — and yet! we can decide to. be. thankful. In fact, we’re commanded to be thankful.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”
–Psalm 100.4

There are numerous other mentions of giving thanks in Psalms alone. And, it’s God’s will that we give thanks.

In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.
–1Thessalonians 5.18

Still not feeling particularly thankful? I’ll help you: Go get a pen and a sheet of paper – or your journal. Start a list… and work on it — or add to it — every day this month. Start writing down every single thing you can think of for which you are (or ought to be) thankful. You might number the list from one to one-hundred and fill it in until you can’t think of new things. Set it aside and come back to it later to add more. You might use the calendar date to prompt you to make lists — for example, tomorrow is the 14th; make a list of fourteen things. The next day, fifteen things, and so on. Soon, you will be thankful for those things for which you ought to be thankful!! Start inward and work outward or start outward and work inward. Thank the Lord for the opportunity of your own life. His gift of salvation. Jesus and redemption. Your eyes to see, your ears to hear, your mouth to sing, your feet to walk to the water… your hands to hold your daily bread…

If you’re still having a hard time thinking of original entries, then, as I previously mentioned, go to the Psalms — particularly Psalm 30, 105, 106, 118, and 136. Let the Psalms be your prayer.

And then, Consider Jesus…

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
–Hebrews 12.2

O, there are so many, many things for which to be thankful — regardless our personal situations or feelings, we could never thank the Lord enough for His mercy and loving kindness to us.

God bless you. I’m thankful for you.

for the woman in the mirror

Facing the woman in the mirror… and getting her to do what she ought: O, what a challenge, sometimes!! I know this. I know this painfully well.

And so… I want to share with you some things you might do to help the woman in the mirror. Don’t “muddle” through life… there is help and there is hope.Your tomorrows do not have to be like your yesterdays.

I’ve sometimes thought, with dread, that things will never change. I’ve sometimes thought, again with dread, that I will never change… that I will never get a handle on this or that struggle.Every now and then, when things seem to be going swell — it seems that all of a sudden, like a strong gust of wind or a wave: personal failures flow over me — accusations level me, fear grips me, other people’s opinions blast me. In such times, I’m once again faced with the strong, overwhelming thought: I will never get past this. You know, God is not the author of such a thought – the devil is the author of such a thought!! Experience has taught me that in such times, I need to face the trial, attack, guilt, fear, etc., etc., and ask what part do I have in it? What does the LORD want me to do? And then I must yield to whatever He leads. No matter how daunting it may seem — or how humbling.

If you’re facing troubles, dilemmas, trials, hurts, hopelessness, fear or whatever… You may need to make some dramatic changes. You may need to set or reset some boundaries. You may need to completely change how you’re currently handling things. — your thoughts, your self-talk, your schedule, your computer time, your reading materials, your food, your exercise, your conversations, etc., etc. You’ll probably need help implementing changes.

PRAY!! Talk with the LORD. Talk with your husband, talk with a trusted friend. PRAY!! Study the Word *and* journal your studies! Study up on the problem you’re dealing with, get help — don’t go it alone — you need to be careful to not get in a trap of defeat, of hopelessness, of worthlessness, etc. If people have let you down or if situations are troubling you or if you’re facing depression… talk these things over with your husband and/or trusted friend. Trust the Lord with all these things.

If there are things in your life, patterns of living, etc., that don’t bring glory to God or honour to your husband and family — confess those things as sin and repent of those things . Set your mind to CHANGE THOSE THINGS. Get off that path a day at a time, a step at a time.

Make a list of things you need to do. Add to that list the things you want to do. Arrange that list into a daily routine. Print that list out and follow it. Everyday: consult the list in the morning, check off the things you accomplish and review what’s left to do; set about doing them at the first opportunity. Determine to not be deterred from doing what you know the Lord has called you to do. Others may do things differently, others may mock you, the enemy may mock you, others may question what you’re doing – you may even be or feel rejected… but if the Lord has called you to do something, do it heartily – as unto Him.

Do good things: good things for your husband, good things for your family, good things for you. Doing good will require sacrifice and will likely require repentance. Doing good may be painful or even lonely at first. Whatever the “good” is that you’re called to do, you can be assured if the LORD has directed it, He *will* supply for you.

If the Lord is speaking to your heart today — touching on things that need to go or things that need to be done or changed — TODAY is the day to take your first step of obedience to the Lord and yield to His call on your life. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to start doing the things you know you ought to do. Follow the Lord today.

Seek the LORD — seek wisdom.
You will find Him and you will find peace and joy.
Things might not seem to change right away.
Things might take time to set in order.
Your life will not always be the same as it is today;
There will be another chapter.

The Lord will work all these things together for good.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
Lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and
He will make your path straight.

Stones

Significant to me are the milestones in my life that were either turning points or celebrations or decisions. Some of the turning points were simply changes in direction of thought or action; simple things like: from this day forward, I will________. I have marked many of the “I will’s” in my Bible or on stones in our garden or in journals I’ve kept over the years. Sometimes I didn’t realize that specific decisions would have such strong or lasting implications—nor, did I realize that God would use decisions as springboards for others. But I do now. Only looking back do I see how some of the actions or decisions were used; decisions that were really insignificant at the time were used as the basis for some great changes or great work.

I recall the day I decided to always —everyday— without fail: make my bed the very first thing in the morning. Insignificant, maybe, but the LORD used a woman (when our first two babies were very small) to help me through a difficult time. It was that help that would lead to countless other personal disciplines and/or decisions. I felt overwhelmed. Yeah—I know—only two children at the time! Phew! But in my state at that time, I was overwhelmed and under-inspired. There were very few “hands-on” helpers in my life at that time bcz of where we lived and the work that it required and bcz of my mindset, I suppose. But then the LORD began to show me that there *were* helpers, there *were* encouragers, and He was walking with me — I just needed to open my eyes to those facts and I needed take what was being offered to me — and to stop looking for or wishing for something else — whether it be advice, actual physical help or simply to watch what they were doing and *emulate* that in my own life. It was a tremendous period of time — it was a turning point in my life — a major turning point.

Another turning point was when I realized that God had a marvelous plan for my life and that He was and had already been working everything together for good (Romans 8.28) and that no matter what things looked like or how they seemed, He was in control and all those things mattered to Him and would be for my good. I couldn’t always see it. I didn’t have faith to believe it—but then I began to pray for faith—faith to believe what I couldn’t see and faith to trust what I couldn’t understand. It was in those days that God would begin to show me a glimpse of His purpose for my life as a wife and mother. I knew at that time that He was truly LORD of my life, LORD of my marriage, LORD of my home and LORD of my womb. Even if I wavered in faith, God never changed—He was and has been utterly faithful. (Romans 3.3 “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”)

Then, another stone was set in place… the stone of faith. There was another turning point time when I knew that the LORD has His hand on me—on my life—on our family. I don’t mean that in a particular sense of a mark or a calling or whatever. I simply mean that it was a definite time: a demonstration of His “ownership,” if you will, of all that we were or would ever be. He called us to faith.

Hebrews 11.6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

It became apparent that He would continue to work in many similar ways through the years. He would bring about circumstances that would both challenge and inspire our faith — circumstances that would set us in awe of His magnificent glory as He demonstrated His “watch-care” or provision in our lives. “Last-minute” provisions became or are so “normal” or frequent, that I feel like I practically stand at the window watching for His provision. I know my help/our help only is of His Hand. All the weights of the bag are His work—He alone is the balance. He is utterly faithful and the pile of stones marking His faithfulness is becoming as a mountain at the gate of my heart.

He taught us to walk and work in a manner as to totally yield our hearts to Him—trusting for every day, every provision, every child, every need, every dollar, every sunrise, every sunset. In our marriage, He’s brought to our remembrance our commitment of trust—trust in God and trust in each other. The stones in my rings are as stones of a monument of trust—no matter how things look, seem or feel at the time. God has worked and reworked our hearts to be to each other what God has designed. It is in faith that we demonstrate this toward one another: love followed, emotion followed, romance followed and faith is strengthened by years. Reading through the Word and coming to the book of the Song of Solomon, I was reminded over and over again that married love is timeless; the wonder of it being old is that it can yet feel fresh and new as Spring and yet as solid and secure as an old oak. The diamond in my ring reminds me of the strength of God and the gold: His refining power. The eleven different stones in another ring I wear are constant reminders of the great blessing each of our children are — and the enduring faithfulness of the LORD to us and to each of them.

I have stones — rocks — in different gardens around our home. There are dates or sayings or notes on the different rocks. Now, rarely does a child come to me and say: what mean ye by these stones, mama? But every once in awhile one of the children asks the significance of a particular quote or the meaning of a few words printed on stones or rocks in the garden. The children love seeing their names and birthdates on stones. They love seeing dates on stones — anniversaries of significant dates and events. I do this so that they won’t forget. I do this so *I* won’t forget.

More stones have been added this year than in any of the previous years… so that we won’t forget… the faithfulness of God.

encouragement for prayer

As I was reading my Bible, I began to pray specifically for one of my boys. This often happens as I am reading along and am inspired by the text to stop and pray or to make personal application to a particular situation or for a particular individual or family.

Well, the other day as I was reading and praying, I was greatly comforted by God’s gracious love toward us and how, though occasionally quite painful or difficult, the Lord works all things for our good and His glory. Each trial or difficulty seems (perhaps not till long after the fact) to be specifically arranged and ordered that maximum benefit and growth can be realized — and a deepening life message is continually written.

I often pray Colossians 1.11 for my husband and children, praying: “[O Lord, that they might be] Strengthened with all might, according to [Your] his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” And then I might continue praying more specifically for a particular situation or need. I write these things down in my journal so that when rereading them later, I might be able to make a note how the Lord answered that particular prayer or need. I’m amazed through the years all the different things the Lord has brought to pass in such marvelous ways — ways I’d never have asked or imagined. He only does well… His ways are only good… all the time.

So I was praying for that boy…

Philippians 1.9-11 “… And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” And my prayer continued from there…

You know, as mothers, we often don’t know how to pray or what to pray about a particular situation or need and I think it’s in such times that we really do gain deeper love for the LORD and a greater appreciation for His Word — as in it we find loving consolation and Truth. I’ve found through the years that when my mind wanders in prayer I lose site of the reality of the presence of God — and the instant remedy is to return to His Word — no sooner do I begin reading than He meets me right at my point of need. Delightfully, my need is not what I initially thought it was.

In this weary, sin-sick world, we’re in such need of Truth — there are so many deceptions, so many subtle lies and distractions — O, that we would have the mind of Christ and the desire to see Him and the will to obey Him.

Wherever you are, whatever you do… He’ll be there.