Happy 25th Anniversary!

My parents celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary yesterday! Original plans were for them to set out for the beach for a couple days, but God had other plans. The weather turned out bad, the water heater sprung a leak, and turns out the beach is closed due to a bacteria levels (because of all the rain). I'd say God was protecting them! They stayed home and celebrated with us!

Dad, the Romantic

It's hard to believe its already been 25 years! God has blessed me with amazing parents. My sisters and I could not have been shown more than or cared for as much as they have. They've shown us the love of Jesus and shared that love with us. Guiding us through our walks and trials in life. Teaching us everything from the moment we were born, from talking to reading and writing. Making friends and being a friend. Sharing and loving others.
All the things the Lord calls us to be my parents have taught me. I couldn't be more grateful to them for that and showing me Love.

As we were out eating lunch today, the waitress heard that it was my parents 25th Anniversary and you know what she said?

"That is just wonderful!" A real awe in her voice and sincerity. "You don't hear that much anymore in this day. People come here to celebrate their 5th or 10th, but their much older and it be their 2nd or 3rd marriage. Congratulations!"

That really touched my heart to hear yesterday. I know my parents will be together until God takes one or both of them home or comes to take us all home. But until then, they'll keep celebrating each year for the next 25 years until the end. I love my parents for setting such a great example for me and others out there that marriage is not easy but with Jesus as their center they can walk hand in hand all the way to the end!

Until The End

Be Still: Part I

It's been a little while since you've really heard from me, of my thoughts and my heart. Believe me when I tell you there's been a lot going on in both. The last couple of weeks have been a true test of faith. I won't bore you with details, but I am going to share with you some of the things I've learned. I'll separate them into two or three posts to give you all a chance to breathe between cake bites and milk, or tea if you prefer.

My family and I went to a book sale last month, we all had such a great time! I found so many books, for myself and my sister (I'm really good at iSpy, so my sister was really glad to have me around). It was a great start to a marvelous weekend. Usually I get a ton of books, but this time I decided I would keep it under $20 and sure enough once I had cut all the ones I didn't need or really truly want I got just under with 50 cents to spare! The rest of day was beautiful, sun shining and wind brushing across our cheeks so gently.

Saturday was just as fine a day. Our family doodled and doddled and cruised around town. Enjoying the lovely day as we may. I couldn't have had a better day, I thanked God. Well, you know how that ole Devil despises happiness and praise. And, he will do anything to shift our focus away from God.
That night we ate a local restaurant and all, except my mom praise the Lord, got food poisoning.
First my dad and younger sister got it so bad they both had to go to the emergency at 3am that night. The next day my youngest sister and I were sick, but thankfully we were spared from having to go to the emergency room, ours wasn't as severe. In fact, my sister had to go back again to the ER due to complications from the whole ordeal; her chest cavity was inflamed and she was having a hard time breathing. She's well now, thank the Lord! We are all well again.

First lesson from this story: watch what you eat! If the food looks
bad or doesn't seem cooked or is cold when it should be warm or is warm when it should be cold or something just plain doesn't seem right with even just one piece of food ...WALK AWAY.

Here's the thing though, even if you do get sick, whether its food poisoning, a common cold, or something much worse, don't forget that though your body may be weak your spirit is still strong. Cause that's what the Devil is really up to, he's out to crush our spirits by putting our bodies against us. But here's some wise words I'd like to share:

"The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?" --Proverbs 18:14 (NLT)

Seriously! When have you ever honestly heard of someone being able to bear a crushed spirit? They can live without legs and feet or hands and arms, but the spirit... It's worse to have a crushed spirit, believe me!
See these bodies aren't made to last (since sin entered the world) anymore, they are of this earth {Genesis 2:7} but God has new heavenly vessels waiting for us in Heaven.

"For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put in new heavenly bodies." -- 2 Corinthians 5:3

God has guaranteed it {2 Corinthians 5:5} by giving us his Holy Spirit. I'm honestly looking forward to it; excited to tell the truth. Since I know what he has made for me up there will be beautiful. The pain, the sickness, won't last forever but His love endures forever. It's easy to forget when your hurting and sick, I'm just as much at fault as anyone for doing it. He loves you, wants to help you; he does help you. But instead we say: "Just gotta let it run its course, I'll be fine." As if we are to bear, or are bearing, it on our own! Think about this a moment.
To anyone who's been helping you: fetching your water, a wet cloth, a bowl of chicken noodle soup, or keeping people from disturbing you as you rest, would you say, "It took a few days, but I got all better! I'm right as rain, fit as a fiddle, just had to give it some time"?

Wow.

If you were that helpful person, wouldn't you feel like you'd just been slapped in the face? You'd think "how ungrateful." Oh you know you would, don't fib sweetie. *wink* I know I would. I know I'd also feel like such a heel for not giving credit and my sincere thanks to the one who helped me get well. I wouldn't be able to look them straight in the eyes! How could I be so ungrateful?

Second Lesson: Remember to Thank Him {Psalms 136:1} even in your weary state. Even if its just a quick whisper, for He loves a thankful heart. And next time you're sick or weary from these earthly bodies, remember it is only your body that is ill, not your soul {Matthew 10:28}. Don't let that silly ole Devil get you down in the dumps, he can't win cause Jesus already has! Your soul is secure if you keep believing Jesus is your Savior and live for Him.

Alas this is only the beginning of the story. "Be Still: Part II" will be coming soon. I can't wait for you to come back, I really do enjoy our little chats. Sorry I couldn't offer you an apple but I'm afraid they weren't quite right. Maybe next time though, yes? Oh maybe you like pears, I love pears.

God bless you!

Kudo's To You?

I was reading "The Women of Christmas" by Liz Curtis Higgs (wonderful, inspiring author) today. In it she asked the reader to look up Proverbs 31:10-31 and choose verses that best describe how a godly woman (in biblical times) lived out her faith in the day-to-day, every day living. Quite a few verses made me think of women like my mom or women like my two great grandmothers that my dad is always telling me about.

"She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for servant girls." Proverbs 31: 13

I'm always listening about how my two great grandmothers were in the kitchen, cooking meals for their family, making sure no one went without food. But it was always a labor of love and one of many ways they honored their Lord and savior.

The verse that stood out to me the most though was the very last two.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." -- Proverbs 31:30 

I was just talking about that verse (though I couldn't remember it at the time) with my sister; talking about how charm can be deceiving. It's like putting on a cloak to either hide truths or deceive and distract others with vibrant colors. Like the good Lord says "Beauty doesn't last." So once its faded what do we want to be left standing with? I want to be left standing with the Lord our God.

I am supposed to serve and praise Him. Living my life honoring Him even in my day-to-day activities. If I go looking for people to praise my work and expect, demand, to be given a "job well done" as if it’s owed me then am I really seeking to give Him glory and honor? I don't want to be self-servant; it will never satisfy or curb the hunger deep in my soul. We all want to be told we've done a good job, kudos for our hard work.  But God says:

"Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise." Proverbs 31:31

That is what struck my heart most. "Let her deeds" -- her actions, her performances, her attitude and her works, her life and faith -- "publicly declare her praise." Not a word from her/my own lips, but by our good deeds does God say “well done.” That really speaks to me. We don’t need thanks from other people to fill our cup. We can find it by giving him the thanks we think we deserve. He’s the one who deserves it. And get this too. “He will reward us; we don't have to go searching for it.” God wants our actions to speak for us and then He will commend us "a job well done." We may not get it when we want it or think we should get it. But maybe that's the whole point: to stop expecting like we're owed something so we can appreciate the good things God gives us for doing good work in his name. Never taking the credit for it.

I want to be that kind of woman and have that kind of devotion. Cause no one else compares to Him and his approval of me.

Thankfulness

I think today is a good day to learn a little something on being Thankful. What better way then to watch "VeggieTales: Madame Blueberry!"

Pull up a chair or a mic (sing-a-long!) and enjoy the show!

Click Here to watch from Hulu.com