During our morning devotions this week, we are studying about being a devoted woman. . . Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.  Leviticus 19:32

I want to share the beautifully, inspired words of my children, as they express their thankfulness of having grandparents.  I have several fond memories of my grandmothers, but we didn't get to visit them as often as my children visit with their grandparents.  It is such a joy and blessing to have grandparents to share memories with.  We are so looking forward to next year when we will be within a days drive of each of our families.

My Rubber

I'm thankful for my grandparents because:

they tickle my back

they play outside with me

they take me to a hotel so that I can go swimming

they visit me

they love me

My Juggler wrote that she was thankful because:

They are still living

They tell funny stories

They tickle my back (this seems to be a recurring theme)

They take me swimming

They play in the yard with me

They help me to sew

They take me to fancy restaurants

They tell us stories of the past

They visit me

Little Woman wrote a very extensive list

Their wisdom, even if it is unsolicited

Their stories about my parents or their past

Their ability to tickle backs (I see where this is of extreme importance to all)

That they love me

They will write me letters

To take naps with

Be read to

Clean with

Taking us to eat at places we never get to go

Spend time at fun places

Sharing vacations with us

Share good cooking skills

Makes earrings for me

May you remember to honor and revere your parents and grandparents as God designed it to be.  Enjoy every minute that you have with them!

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I awoke early this morning, before the glorious sun peeked it's way into my window, andI felt the pangs of the start of a cold coming on.  I'm afraid my dear Juggler has passed on her sore throat and stuffy nose.  Even in the midst of my pains I'm reminded of this verse, In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul.  Psalm 94:19    I can hardly stand to wait another day before I can order more elderberries so that I can make our elderberry tincture again which helps to boost our immune systems. 

When Little Bear was born last year I struggled with not producing enough milk and began enjoying an infustion of mother's milk tea every morning in the attempt of increasing my supply.  While, I'm not sure whether it worked or not, I did receive a rather surprising revelation; I enjoy hot tea. . . .

This is a blessed thing for when one becomes ill, hot tea is the most relaxing and soothing comfort for a sore throat.  I can infuse so many different herbs into my teas to assist in the cold fighting process.  I've added honey, lemon, lime and sometimes ginger.  Colds tend to make us tired and weary, but God will never leave me weary or downtrodden.  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, II Corinthians 1:3.  How I love how He strenghtens my body during times of illness or trouble.  The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.  Psalm 9:9

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Awake in the still of the night with Little Bear, restless from an ear infection, she snuggles close to me while she nurses herself back to sleep, while finding peace and comfort in her momma's arms.

Unable to sleep well this last week, within the darkness I find peace and comfort during these times by turning to my Heavenly Father.  I snuggle close in His warmth and security.   He reminds me to let go of my selfish desire to sleep and to turn to Him, giving Him my prayers, thoughts, dreams, hopes and desires.   Here I find a quiet place to rest in His peace, comfort and love.  It is here I realize that He provides me all the strength that I need to make it through the day.

Jeremiah 29:12-14          Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  And I will be found of you, saith the LORD

God is at work, everywhere I look and in the quiet moments He gives me I find Him.  My heart longs for Him and He finds me.   All around me I find His wonderous creation and blessings; my husband, my children, my home, all of the belongings we've collected over the years which we fondly treasure.  

May I rest in His love and may I always be lead by His gentleness. . . . . . . . .

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Titus 2: 3- 5

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

   That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

   To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Today I spent the morning teaching one of the teenage girls in our church how to use her sewing machine to sew button holes.  She made a beautiful black/green flower dress for the pastor's daughter who is having her baby shower on Saturday.   

We had a wonderful morning of fellowship with her, her mom and two sisters, while we sewed button holes, and fancy stitches, all the while discussing our daily lives.  It felt wonderful to be able to share a talent that I learned as a girl her age, and then to envision the trend continued when she'd share the same skill with her daughter someday.

Have you blessed someone lately with one of your talents?

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I just finished reading "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell.  This book had some provoking issues that became instilled within my spirit.  Have you ever had a book take root in your life (of course in addition to the Inspired Word of God!) and convict you of areas in your life that you are falling short in?  When I read the Bible sometimes it isn't as spelled out for me, as when I read it in the context of someone else's walk.

My “vision” has certainly changed over these past 13 years of marriage. I cannot even recall a purposeful set pattern during those early years, especially our beginning years that were extremely rough. As time moved on, God changed our hearts, and children were added to our home and then as the homeschooling movement began to form, so did a new vision, one that God formed from all the things I mentioned above. God is still molding me into His image each day of my life.

The hardest issue that I've struggled with is dying to self and the hard work that being a mother, wife and keeper of the home entails.  Teri describes this as the "no free rides" syndrome.  If we kick back and ignore everything for one or two days, it still will meet us face on when we resume, coupled with even more!  Each day I struggle with wanting time to myself.  Being a mother and wife is a 24/7 days a week job.  Little children require constant quantities of time.  We may not have that time to just "sit back and relax."  Add in homeschooling and I have to ask myself, "Am I willing to give up myself, for a selfless investment in the future of my children?"

Luke 9:23

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

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Quite frequently I struggle with the "What Ifs" and the "If onlys" that rule over my life and drown out God.  It causes my heart to be anxious and full of uncertainty.  God encourages me to keep my eyes fixed on my Sovereign Lord in Psalm 141:8:

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD;
       in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

In our WIC (Women in the Church), we are reading Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.  We are on Chapter 10 which is entitled "Trusting God With the What Ifs."

Jeremiah 17:5-8:
    ⁵ This is what the LORD says:
       "Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
       who depends on flesh for his strength
       and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

    ⁶ He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
       he will not see prosperity when it comes.
       He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
       in a salt land where no one lives.

    ⁷ "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
       whose confidence is in him.

    ⁸ He will be like a tree planted by the water
       that sends out its roots by the stream.
       It does not fear when heat comes;
       its leaves are always green.
       It has no worries in a year of drought
       and never fails to bear fruit."

This passage stood out to me in a BIG, BOLD, way.  My tendency is to control and "help" God out.  Waiting is hard and painful and beating myself up over my "If onlys," just causes disaster for me, giving me a dry, dull, appearance to my life. 

My "What ifs" come in the form of "What if God doesn't give me anymore blessings which I so, so want?  What if I fail at homeschooling my children?  What if I fail as a wife and help meet for my husband?"  My "If onlys" come in the form of "If only God had changed my heart sooner, I wouldn't have lived so many years in the dark, and I could have had more children, a stronger relationship with the Lord, etc."  

I'm tired of trusting in my own strength.  I want my roots planted deep by the river and I long to be content with my surroundings and situation instead of anxious and waiting for "What ifs" or "If onlys."

I remember years ago, when I was struggling with my weight and other life issues, a kind woman showed me the Serenity prayer.  Linday Dillow also mentions it in this chapter that we are studying.

May it bless you today as you let go of your strength and lean on God.

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What is your perspective on the Kingdom?  A sermon from our pastor addressed this issue.  One of his quotes really got me thinking and pondering.

"The visible things will pass away, but the invisible is eternal."

Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

The "visible" that he refers to is the mindless and useless things that we consume ourselves with.  It's those things that shove God out of the way and put US in control.  The "invisible" those things that we do or think on, that bring us in alignment with God and His commandments.   God commands us to invest in souls to build up the community, the Kingdom of Christ.  But what does that look like in our lives and how do we carry it out?

Let us start in our homes where we spend the majority of our time.  First and foremost I need to invest my time in my husband and my children.  I'm reminded to lift them up in prayer, and in my words and actions, never speaking to them harshly or in haste, to encourage them, to push them farther than they would push themselves, to assist them and to love them.   As a help meet and mother I could write forever on the daily tasks that I complete for each of them.  But in each thing that I do for them I MUST remember to do them with "JOY" in my heart. If I don't do them with joy then I'm just another "Martha" and I'd rather be a "Mary."  We teach our children "Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last - JOY.

Each day I want to tell my girls how much I love them, how precious they are to me and how much God loves them.  I attempt to be a support to my husband who does such a wonderful job for our family.  He is a strong leader in our family.  While I try with 100% effort, I always seem to fail - never believe that you can be perfect.  Just pick yourself up, repent and move forward.

I'm reminded to "train my children in the ways of the Lord and they will not depart from them."   Training takes consistency and when I lack in my consistency, I'm forgetting to invest in the souls of my children.  We only get our children on a temporary loan from God.  I want to make sure that every minute with them counts.  "Never put off till tomorrow what you should do today," was written by Thomas Jefferson.  If I lack in my training today, then my children will show the signs of that laziness later in their lives.

We also need to invest in our friends and neighbors lives, so that their souls are part of the community.  How wonderful it will be to be surrounded in heaven by all of our brothers and sisters in Christ!  I'm not one to be out and about openly preaching salvation to those around me.  I tend to take a quieter approach.  Perhaps it looks like this, bringing a meal to a neighbor who is ill or just had a baby, or sharing our family values with another family who is starting on their journey with Christ. 

There are numerous other ways to invest in souls to build up the Kingdom.  I must always remember that I am just a tool in this process.  God commands me to be active in this search for souls, but in the greater scheme of life, only the Holy Spirit can lead a person to the cross.  What are you doing to invest in souls?  Share your thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Jocelyn, at Amusing Reflections, has created a blogroll for those ladies who are in agreement with the Titus 2 mandate.  I qualify for both requirements of the mandate.  One, I am a mother to 5 beautiful maidens, entrusted by God to raise them into Godly women.  Two, I am getting older (even though I don't want to consider myself old) and must assist in teaching the younger wives as it says in  Titus 2:4 - 5

Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

I can't imagine a better job than the one that God has entrusted me to do.  Check out the other participants in the blogroll by scrolling down my page to the image above.

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I like this post from  Clothesline Alley:

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost," Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou.
I was a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow.

~Maya Angelou

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As I was working through my devotion and quiet time tonight, I was struck with such awe - He Picked ME - out of all the mire and muck - He chose ME!  Nothing I did counted, nothing earned me extra favor.

Isaiah 11 begins by describing the devasting state that Judah had allowed itself to get into with King Ahaz.  The privileged sons of David were described as nothing more than tree stumps, having been chopped down.  But, in spite of this judgment on Judah, the Lord was still going to preserve His remnant from the dynasty of David.

Isaiah 11:11

. . . . . . . "In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush,  from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea"

I was more focused on the word "second."  How wonderful that the Lord gives us abundant love and mercy even when we don't deserve it the 500th time, let alone a "second" time as it is described in this verse.  He will gather us together, the dispersed of Judah, from the four corners of the earth.

Lord, thank you for chosing me to be part of Your remnant.  I don't deserve your mercy, loving-kindness and grace.   Your Son came to fulfill the role of King, and Almighty Savior.  As I reflect on my birthday today and the Easter season, thank you for the journey you have walked me on, thank you for my husband, my children and my family.  Thank you for bearing my sins on that cross and dying for my benefit so that I might have eternal life with my Savior, my Lord!

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Our devotion for tonight was on John Newton, the author of "Amazing Grace."  Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite hymns.  This particular version is sung by Chris Tomlin.

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

I didn't deserve one ounce of God's love, mercy and grace, yet he chose me out of the midst of mire as His.  His promise is sufficient for me.  Have you dedicated your life to God and allowed His sufficiency to rule your life?

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Can we hide things from God?  Are we hiding things from God?  Are we afraid that if God or someone else found out this something about us that we would be loved less?  This devotion stems from our sermon last Sunday.  It starts in Romans 2: 5 - 16, where Paul is warning us about the judgment day when God will judge all:

(v13)There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; ¹⁰but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

For the sinners who haven't fled to the cross, shame will be revealed and sin exposed for all of eternity.   Sin causes us to flee to others or other things so that we don't have to think about God.  We always think that we can keep something hidden because we are afraid it's so terrible, no one not even God would understand or forgive us for it.  God keeps an account of all of our sins - nothing can be hidden from him.  Even our most innermost thoughts He already knows. 

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

So, how do we bare all to our Father, when we are filled with fear?  How do we say that "We are at peace?"  We need to be able to first sit in a room with utter silence, without picking up a book to read, or without turning on the tv to drown out the silence.  We need to put away the ipods, stereos and anything else that distracts us and simply just reflect on our God?  We need to seek Him in the silence, being honest by asking "Search me O God, see if there is anything wicked in me, see if I've tried to hide something from you, remove it and lead me to righteousness?"  As women, we are constantly multitasking, so this really pierced my heart.   I have an extremely hard time sitting still without attempting to do several things at once.  My DH just laughs at me because he says that I can never just sit and relax; I could be nursing my baby, blogging and correcting school work at the same time.  (Isn't this normal???) 

Now I realize this is my excuse for not getting close to God.  So, how will I find this "silent time" filled with a house of 5 girls, always needing my attention at some point in the day? Lately, my quiet time with God seems to happen around 2 a.m. when the baby gets up for her first feeding.  I find myself wide awake talking to God, praising Him, thanking Him and petitioning Him for my requests or the requests of others.  When the baby decides to finally sleep through the night, well then, in the quiet morning hours is when I will find my solace.

O dear brothers and sisters, let us keep our gaze upon God.  Christ is our righteousness and He knows every intimate detail about our lives.  Let us not be afraid to open up and share our innermost fears and secrets with our Father.

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I recently finished reading Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman, by Anne Ortlund, one of the books listed on My Winter Reading Challenge from Trish's Website A Joyful Heart.   This book gives practical, specific suggestions for managing a schedule, maintaining a wardrobe, organizing a personal notebook, prayer, and meditation.

God has specific plans for our lives, but many women simply take "life as it comes."  Are you living your life horizontally, "just one day at a time," merely, drifting down the lazy ol' river, or are you living as Psalm 42: 1 - 2 instructs us to live:

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.   My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?

According to Ortlund, as you are sculpting your life, be sure to remember "God first!"  "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you - Matthew 6:33." 

Our looks are important.  When you look at Proverbs 31, the entire description only describes how good the woman looks once.  But she "looked" great.  All of the other attributes stands out above her physical beauty.   We should focus on our beauty, but it shouldn't be all consuming.

Organization is key to our lives so that we don't waste away our precious hours and minutes.  Specific goals and strategies are essential to show visable proof of what you have been doing with your time.  As women, we are drawn toward "doing it all," doing many things at once or multi-tasking whenever possible.  I can nurse a baby, cook dinner and grade papers  all in the name of getting things accomplished.  While this isn't bad in the short run, if we don't allow ourselves time to renew, we can become drained and unfocused on what our goal in life really is.  Some great organizational tools to getting yourself on track are a personal notebook, and key goals to accomplish.

The best laid plans are the ones that usually don't get implemented.  Take it slow.  Don't try to rush into changing and organizing everything about your life in one setting.  She recommends starting with God - shut your eyes to the mess and humbly surrender yourself and your life to God.  After you've done this, bit off bits and pieces one step at a time.  Remember your journey with God is a work in progress, not an immediate success story.

I enjoyed the book and I felt that she had some great insight into focusing on some areas in my life that are in need of some work.  I really appreciated her thoughts about relaxing and allowing God to change my life, one step at time.  I have become complacent in many areas of my walk with Christ.  This book only reaffirms that I must take a more proactive approach to my walk with my savior.

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Out of the mouths of babes comes the hardest questions that a parent will ever have to answer.  What wisdom and explanation can I give my 4 YRO DD when she asks, "Why can God see us, but we can't see Him?"

Faith, according to the dictionary, it is a firm belief in something for which there is no proof; and/or complete trust in God.  If we could see God, would our faith be as strong?  Would it be strengthened each day that we get closer to heaven?  I would say, "No," simply because I have no proof that God is standing there, but in my heart, I just know that He is standing next to me, watching over my every move, everyday of my life.  Without that knowledge, what hope do I have?  It takes that "Faith" in order to believe in something that I cannot see, feel and grasp.

Psalm 65:5
You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,O God our savior.You are the hope of everyone on earth,even those who sail on distant seas.

He alone is God, omnipotent, and all mighty, alltogether worthy and deserving of praise.  I have seen the miracles God performs, yet I don't have the need to see the image responsible for them?  I am constantly reminded day in and day out of the blessings He has placed before me.  All I need to do is look around at my immediate surroundings and I realize God is always present in everything, everywhere.

Deuteronomy 10:21
He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes

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Dear Ladies,

The girls and I are reading through the book of Psalms for our daily devotion time in the morning.  We just completed Psalm 136 today which resoundingly calls out "Give thanks to the Lord, For His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 136

    Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.  His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the Lord of lords:  His love endures forever.  to him who alone does great wonders,  His love endures forever.  who by his understanding made the heavens,
       His love endures forever.  who spread out the earth upon the waters,  His love endures forever.  who made the great lights— His love endures forever.  the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever  the moon and stars to govern the night;  His love endures forever. to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt   His love endures forever.  and brought Israel out from among them  His love endures forever. with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;  His love endures forever.  to him who divided the Red Sea  asunder  His love endures forever. and brought Israel through the midst of it,  His love endures forever.  but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;  His love endures forever.  to him who led his people through the desert,  His love endures forever. who struck down great kings,  His love endures forever. and killed mighty kings—   His love endures forever.  Sihon king of the Amorites
       His love endures forever. and Og king of Bashan— His love endures forever.and gave their land as an inheritance,   His love endures forever. an inheritance to his servant Israel;
       His love endures forever. to the One who remembered us in our low estate
       His love endures forever. and freed us from our enemies,  His love endures forever. and who gives food to every creature.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the God of heaven.
       His love endures forever.

So I challenge you to make a list, be it long or short of all the things that you are thankful for.  Here is my list, not even close to being exhaustive:

My salvation

My husband

My children

My home and personal belongings

The world around me

My friends and immediate family

Our country and our leaders

A newborn baby asleep in my arms

My Bible

The smell of fresh flowers

The new fallen snow, untouched by human feet

Listening to the rain

The quiet, peaceful moments in my home when all the children are asleep

My one on one time with the Lord

What does your list look like?

Blessings,
Michelle

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