Month: March 2023

Studying scripture with friends the other night, brought us to this interesting verse about two people “who have swerved from the truth…” (2 Timothy 2:18). Because of their swerving from the narrow path, they ended up upsetting the faith of others. This caused me to rethink my own intake of ideas and somethings I have listened to within the last year. While truth does not change, words spun creatively can attempt to add a side road here and there. We can easily take others with us.

So, what do we do? When you get a bit lost or turned around, go back to the simple gospel. God sent His Son, Jesus, to be born of a woman and He lived a perfect life, always listening and obeying His Father. God allowed Jesus to be nailed to a cross and die. Jesus’ dead body was placed in a borrowed tomb and a heavy stone covered the entrance. On the third day, the stone was rolled away and Jesus walked out, alive and well. His death and resurrection paid for my sin and yours. After forty days of living again on the earth, He went back to heaven, but has promised to return. This is the truth that is to be believed and lived by every human He ever created. However, we are given a choice, accept or deny. I chose to accept this truth when I was eleven years old. I swerved off and on many times, but God has never left me. On the narrow road I will stay and keep walking towards home. Too many precious ones are counting on me not swerving.

I love Sunday. I love gathering with others, some I know and some I do not. I love opening our Bibles together and keeping them open for the rest of the week. I love hearing others perspective and what is in their heart. I love lunch with our family and a restful afternoon.

Today we looked at a passage in Matthew and one particular verse stuck out to me. “…He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:32). Sunday helps remind us all of what is living, it creates a desire in us to respond and join in all that is living. Sin has the appearance of life, but it is death. Good news! Jesus died on the cross, rose again and offers everyone life. Who can deny such an invitation?

An interesting thing happened between one of the kids and I. To tell my side, I need to take you back to middle school. A popular test in the church was given, the results came back and I have believed/lived them up until now. It was by no means negative, just not correct. It had to do with the gift(s) we are given as believers. For years this “gift” felt uncomfortable, not easy and more like work. Fast forward to current day and we have one of our children doing the same thing as I did. Striving is exhausting at any age, but this has never been the plan. Like opening a custom made gift on Christmas, it is meant to be used and enjoyed. It benefits others and can help guide us in how or where we serve. Come to find out, this child had been using my gift and I have tried to live with theirs. In what felt like a gift exchange, we will both begin opening and using what has been in us all along. And a beautiful lesson comes to us all, that it is never too late.

We celebrated seventeen years of getting to know one of our kids yesterday! This child is quite unique and stands out without even meaning too. She works hard, always has, but takes time for whoever is in front of her. She has eyes to see the one who needs a friend and draws them in. Her determination to learn is admirable, but I can hardly wait until she is able to focus more on what interests her most. She is strong, but has weaknesses that are not often seen. To participate in this child’s story is a privilege.

Happy Birthday Anna Kate! I love you.

Turning into our neighborhood, late last night after a long road trip, my first thought was how much I love home. Our outside lights were shining a warm welcome, as we all piled out of the van and quickly fell into our own beds. Home at last.

Our home is a place, but it is also has an atmosphere. There is freedom within these walls to belong, to learn, to ask questions, to make mistakes, to try again, to forgive, to be imperfect, to be known, to be seen, to laugh, to cry and sometimes yell. I am often tempted to put demands on those within to measure up to an unobtainable standard, but realize it comes from my own insecurities and fears. I am learning to be approachable, honest and welcoming and it impacts our family. One of the many things I wished I would have learned earlier, but the God I know lets me start again each day.

We studied the subject of suffering in Bible study today, each one of us is not left out of this life experience. To measure, compare or put expectation on suffering seems like an added burden on already slumped shoulders. Then I walked outside and saw two sweet friends, arm in arm walking slow to the car. And right there in the parking lot I saw a beautiful picture of Jesus with us on this journey marked with times of suffering. May we be ones that model the same side by side.

One of the kids and I were talking about going through a time of pressing. This one said they didn’t think they had a choice and I agreed. Going through a time like this is never easy and I am finding it especially difficult when you are watching one of your children. However, this I know, they will never be the same and will take on more of their Creators likeness. They will also have more to extend to others, for there is no oil without a pressing.