Gospel Living

Mar
12

where I am….

I've had a rough couple of weeks. That happens to me sometimes. I wish it didn't, but it does. And it stinks.

I've spent way too much time over the past few days crying buckets of tears for no good reason. Well, I thought I had good reasons at the time, but I can't seem to remember them right now.

I really hated the thought of airing my dirty laundry here (oh, I just remembered one of my good reasons: dirty laundry), but I have a feeling that I'm not the only one who has the occasional grumpy day (or week....or two weeks...). Just maybe other women struggle with out of control emotions that make them seem like a crazy person from time to time. Maybe?  Anyone?

While I would love to blame my hormones, my family, and that pesky dirty laundry for all my troubles, I know that the real problem is my heart. It always is.  At church this week, God used His Word to convict and correct me.

I often struggle with having contentment right where I am. I long for a world without sin. I want a life where everyone loves me perfectly. I want the kids to obey, the dishes not to pile up, and the laundry to fold itself. I want things to be easy. I want a life God did not give to me. Of course, I don't want a different husband or kids, I just want my circumstances of the moment to be different.

And then God says, "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him..." (1 Corinthians 7:17). He goes on to talk to those who are slaves. SLAVES. He tells those who are in the worst situations possible that they have freedom through Him and that they should live their lives fully right where He has placed them, whether they are slaves or freemen.

Do I believe that God has placed me where I am?  Do I believe that the Lord has a sovereign plan and purpose in every situation? Do I believe it when the children are arguing? How about when the house looks like it's been ransacked? When everything feels like it's falling apart? I'd like to say that I believe it. As a matter of fact, if you asked, I probably would say that I believe it. But my actions and attitudes tell a different story.

I ignore the Truth. I get caught up in me and forget about Him. I think that if God would simply change my circumstances or the people around me, then I could glorify Him by living fully where I am. Then everything would be better. But like my pastor reminded us, we have Jesus. Things can't get better than that!

"So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, let him remain with God." (1 Corinthians 7:24)

I have Jesus. Right here, right now. In the middle of the piles of laundry and homeschool lessons and dusty furniture, I have Jesus.  When the people I love make loving hard, I have Jesus.  During those moments when everything seems all messed up and it feels like God has left me alone, I have Jesus.  Whether I believe it or not, I have Jesus.

I have Jesus, and it doesn't get any better than that.

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

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Feb
29

writing this Word

I like writing out God's words. On Sunday, I stumbled upon a passage that I'll be copying during the course of this week.


Actually, I didn't just "stumble" upon it; I was led to it. My bookmark had been tucked away in the chapter for an entire week after some verses from the opposite page were read at church, but I never looked two columns over until this Sunday. I finally saw the passage when I needed it most. Providence.

Here's a little peek (check out the whole chapter):

Psalm 86:1-7; 11-13;

"Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you-you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me.

Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God,
with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol."

Isn't God's steadfast love amazing and His sovereign, sometimes painful, plan full of mercy and grace? Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.....

Feb
21

real life

Sometimes real life is just so very......real. Earlier this month, I told you that I wanted to share some thoughts on challenges we may face during this month of love and ways we can bless others this Valentine season. I had a list of ideas with dates noted in pen beside each one. And I wrote. A couple of times (here and here). 

Then reality hit me. Reality can be uncooperative like that. The simple things in life suddenly can become very complicated, and I find myself hanging on by my fingernails. I have very short nails. 

Through all this reality, God has been teaching me things. He's been teaching me about love. He's taught me lessons that I thought I already knew. Lessons I don't really want to learn. Lessons that I'm stuck in the middle of and just want to get past. 

So here I am. I'm being refined (by fire, I think), and I hear that's a beautiful thing. 

Feb
14

happy {joyful} Valentine’s Day

We know that our husbands love us. They work hard so we can do important stuff like buy groceries and wear clothes. They occasionally do things like make the bed or wash the dishes, just because. And they make our kids smile in a way that we can only dream of.

Our husbands show love towards us in a million little ways.  On Valentine's Day, it's easy for us to communicate that all those little ways don't add up to a hill of beans. We deeply desire a romantic evening away from dirty laundry and needy kids. We want candy or flowers or jewelry. Sometimes, we don't even want anything in particular, we just want something.

On this lovely day, it is important for me to remember that the world is not about me. Don't you hate that?  This day really should be about me. I mean, my husband could care less about paper hearts or poetic cards. It's not exactly his "thing".

Still, I'm sure he would enjoy a short note of appreciation left on the seat of his car or some heart-shaped homemade treats. He would be touched by my going out of my way to make him feel special, no matter how small the gesture. If I'm busy thinking about how I can bless my husband, then I might not be wasting my time dreaming up new ways for him to bless me.

My husband deeply desires to make me happy, so today I will be joyful.
I will try to see my situation as part of God's plan and other people as objects of His grace.
I will resist the temptation to complain.
I will communicate how thankful I am for my husband and all he does.
I will let him love me in his own way, without expectations.
I will smile.

I will love him.

Feb
09

looking out

The fourteenth of February is a day set aside for love notes and flowers and dinner for two. Every girl in town will spend the evening staring into her sweetie's eyes and soaking up the love. Well, every girl except this one. I won't see my hubby very much on Valentine's Day. That's just how it is when you're married to a restaurant manager. 

There are many different situations that can leave us feeling left out on special days. My husband always works on Valentine's Day. Other brave women will spend the day changing diapers and disciplining toddlers while their husbands are deployed overseas. And some will be reminded constantly that Mr. Right still hasn't come knocking at the door. Maybe you can relate?

Just like on Mother's Day, it's tempting for me to throw myself a lonely little pity party. It feels like the natural thing to do. But lonely little pity parties are....well....lonely. Instead, I've found that it's better (and much more fun) to look out toward others instead of focusing in on myself. Imagine that. 

Here are some ideas for beating the I'm-alone-on-Valentine's-Day blues:

    BABYSIT
    Many couples would love a kid-free date, but simply can't afford the babysitting costs. Offering to spend the evening chasing a toddler or two is a fun (and distracting) way to minister to young parents. 

    DINNER FOR A FEW
    I know an older single woman who hosts a fancy dinner in her home for other single gals every Valentine's Day. Lovely. What a great alternative to the traditional pity party theme. 

    DINNER IN
    Being single, divorced, or widowed hurts, especially on a day dedicated to enjoying the love of your life. This kind of day can feel very empty for someone like my mom, who is still getting used to living without my dad. It's hard. I'm planning to invite her over for a simple meal and some cookie decorating with me and the kids. 

    BAKE IT UP
    Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays for baking. I love cutting things into hearts or coloring them pink.....cookies, brownies, cake frosting. The possibilities are endless. The neighbors will never expect a goodie bag filled with treats and love. Surprise!

So, what ideas do you have for showing some love to others?

Feb
07

a happy Valentine’s Day

Ahhhh.....love is in the air. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and I feel like the whole world looks a little bit pink. Just hearing the name "February" immediately turns my mind to pink and red and decorates it with hearts. I like that.

It's fun to think of ways to say the words, "I love you," and it's exciting to anticipate the ways I'll hear them. I'm thankful for an excuse to act a little too girly, use my collection of heart-shaped cookie cutters, and surprise my kids with something homemade that's only special because of the thought behind it.  

But this lovely day also can cause the dreaded high-expectations-and-low-reality syndrome.  It can remind us of the love we've lost (or haven't found yet) and can leave us feeling more blue than pink. Valentine's Day, like most other holidays, has its own unique joys and challenges, and it's important that we guard and prepare our hearts. 

Over the next few days, I hope to talk about some ways we can keep our own hearts on the right path and enjoy blessing the hearts of others as well.  Will you join me?

Cheap heart-shaped candy, optional.