Table of Olives

Growing up a journal was known as a diary. If you had one, a lock was a good idea. I had one off and on, but never quite felt compelled to spill my heart on the pages. I liked to write down smaller stuff, like who I had a crush on. Those days have passed and would seem repetitive since I have had a crush on the same boy for over 20 years. Now I have so many journals with pages filled with words. I actually got a bit worried that I would not be able to get another journal if stores closed. Where would all my words go? Only a few get shared on this space and the art of physically writing is something I very much enjoy. An incredibly small problem I know in light of all that is going on right now.

Some of my journal pages have tears that have dried, as I have written and worked out much. Other pages have so many praises that it was hard to write fast enough! There are verses and questions, quotes and lyrics recorded in ink. I do not worry about anyone reading them, but I do hope they would not read just one day. To understand the story, you would have to start at the beginning. To start at today would give the impression of a girl who has always had the Lord as her first love. I would suggest you go much further back and read day after day of the dying to other loves. It has been quite the journey and one that I already know the ending too. If I were a book, that might really spoil the in between; but as a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, it makes the daily living full of hope.  

Sometimes I think Christians have quite an advantage in these times. If we have read the Bible and let truth set us free, we have such peace right now. It is possible that we might still get sick, but it does not cause us to fear most of the time. I do confess I woke up at 2:00am and panicked my way through the thought of getting this sickness. However, in the light of day and being of sound mind once again, I go back to using discernment, we pray for protection and then we keep living. We see so much good and look for ways to help fight the bad. We stay home as much as we can and take the days a bit slower. More things that have been put off are getting done and new things are being tested out. Games are played, movies watched, a sewing machine buzzes and video meetings with teachers and classmates are taking place. Sometimes things get forgotten and that is ok too. Fear might be raging outside, but in our home it is not welcome. For fear is a liar, as the truthful song goes.

We must be mindful during this time, for people are watching Christians. If our foundations have been faulty or only given attention on Sundays, we will not stand. If our worship is a box to be checked when we have sung a few songs, we will be weak at best. And now we have been given time behind closed doors to do some heart work. There is no time like the present and excuses have been canceled. Can I suggest you get some pen and a diary or journal, whatever you want to call it, and pour your story out. You might think it will be too painful, but then again you might be surprised. What I have found is there is a lot of beauty among the ashes. And sometimes what you thought was true, turns out to be a lie you have believed your entire life. The enemy specializes in just enough truth to hide his most powerful lies in. Tell you what, write it all out and then offer it to the Lord. Let Him do the editing and see how your life reads. If satan whispers that this page cannot be forgiven, remind him of the cross, the blood of Jesus and the empty tomb. Your pages just might read a lot different when our doors open again.

I am praying that these will be days of revival. I am asking the Lord that hearts will be refined and much gold is revealed. I am asking the Lord that families will be made strong and that distractions will never be allowed again. I am asking that the Word of God will be read, planted deep and set as truth over all. I am asking that we will never again give our worship to that which is created, but only to the Creator. I am asking that unity is desired and lived out. I am asking that personal agendas be thrown into the fire, for now is not the time. And most of all I am asking our God to show His power, mercy, grace and fame. Yes, these will be days to write about in our journals. I just know it!

*Picture is of my most favorite journal by Dayspring.

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” – Psalm 51:7

Sometimes when you read scripture, it takes on new meaning by what is going on in your world. Passages that have been read a hundred times, now stand out. With all the world so focused on the coronavirus and washing our hands, maybe that is why this verse was highlighted today. Being clean is now being shouted from the rooftops. This is not a new concept for me. If you know my dad, you know that he is the cleanest person on earth. I have been trained very well – thanks dad!! My husband said this morning that my dad has been preparing for this for 68 years! It made us laugh and that is much needed right now. I hope you are able to laugh. If you need assistance, I have stories for days.

In the above verse, written by King David after he had been confronted with his sin, he is asking the Lord to make him clean again. He longs for their relationship to be restored to the time before he had sinned against our Lord. His words are so powerful and heartbreaking. He is real, honest and full of repentance. How sorry he is, not for being caught or found out, but because of the broken fellowship between him and God. Have you ever been there before? The cries that come from a repenting heart must sound like a song to our Lord. Have you learned to sing these beautiful songs?

King David asks to be cleansed with hyssop and that is not something we hear of today. When I checked the study notes in my Bible, it says that this was a practice from the Old Testament (see Exodus 12:22). When we look at this passage, we find out that it was a hyssop stalk the Israelites were to dip in the blood of a lamb and paint the blood over the doorway before the night that the Lord went through Egypt and killed the first born. This is what we are celebrating with Passover. And in celebrating, we remember that Jesus was the Lamb that died in our place. It is His blood that is now over our lives, our sin and we will live eternally with Him. We also see the extreme measures God goes to in order to rescue His children from slavery.

If the concept of being enslaved sounds foreign to you, I would say listen to the fear running its course through the world. Listen as idols are being exposed, things we were enslaved to as a society. Listen as panic is setting in because all that was secure has been shaken. Look at the empty shelves that have been cleared and stockpiled in homes. Are we not to be prepared? Of course we are, but to what measure? Normally, shelves have plenty of what we need because we only buy enough and trust there will be more. When fear and panic come on the stage, well, we see the result. It is like the fear of death has settled in like a dark cloud hovering over our world. Also, I wonder why we have not always taken seriously the warning found in Matthew 10:28. Why we have not have a reverent fear of Almighty God? “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Again, another extreme verse and the revealing power of our God, whom we should fear.

Perhaps we could ask ourselves a few questions. Could God use this horrible virus to clean my heart? Could He take this time to wash away, with His covering blood, the sin that has distanced me from Him? Before we leave this place of heart searching, I need to give you more to consider. Look with me at John 19:28-30. “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty’. A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished’. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  Do you think that maybe this virus could possibly stop if we too lifted up pure hearts to Jesus? Maybe during all of this we have repented and come back to our first love. Do you think if there is a massive wave of souring cleaning, He will say the virus is now finished?

I pray we all have actually found Him as we “shelter in place”. He never left you know, even when America turned its back on Him in so many ways. He is still here. Do we know Him and His peace and can truly say, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)? And if you are unsure about all of this, look for those who “will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2). They are shining pretty bright right now. Shining like new pennies that happen to read, “In God We Trust”. May we return to a nation that can truly say this! 

“For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.” Psalm 86:10

 

There is something about the word marvelous that I like and yet do not say. Maybe because the word seems reserved for what is not ordinary. When I read it this morning, I thought that our world is in need of a “great and marvelous deed” that only our God can do. The number of people getting sick and those dying keeps rising and rising. Will keeping our distance and staying home make it stop? Will the people in those jobs deemed necessary remain healthy?

We are in need of healing and are desperately asking God to do a marvelous deed in our day. He’s done it many times before, He can do it again. There was a time when Jesus was surrounded by a lot of people, but one man made his way to Him, “and when he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet.” (Mark 5:21). He was a synagogue leader and his little girl was not well. He made a bold request. “Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” (vs. 22). With all the people wanting His attention, He agreed to go to this man’s home. And I love that on the way, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years was also healed (vs. 25-34). I wonder what is being healed during our day as we journey towards the goal, ending this virus?

Before Jesus and Jairus got back to his home, news came that his daughter had died. Words of Jairus are not recorded, but Jesus’s are. He said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (vs. 36). This was a defining moment in my opinion. One where Jairus could stop believing and turn Jesus away or follow the feet he had just bowed before. He chose to follow. He would share being laughed at by the people who were previously crying outside his home. They laughed because Jesus said, “The child is not dead but asleep.” (vs. 39). How could their emotions change so quickly? Perhaps they did not know who they were laughing at, but they soon would. The perfect setup for a marvelous deed!

Just the parents and His disciples, that had come along, were allowed to see what would happen next. “He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum! (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).” (vs. 41-42). For all the years of this child’s life, the woman had suffered, but both were healed on the same day. What a day that had to have been! We could use one of these days.

After seeing such a miracle, I wonder how Jairus’ job was impacted at the synagogue? How could you go back to normal after you had been face to face with the One you worship? Also, what about this woman and little girl? How were the rest of their days lived out after such an encounter? I can only speak from being spiritually dead, but once you are born again, you are never the same. And when you have suffered, for what seems like a lifetime, but come to know Jesus in an even deeper way, you can say it is worth it. I would have to say, “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You.” (Job 42:5). He is so much more than I ever imagined, and closer than I can comprehend.

When I hear of people suffering today with the Coronavirus, I pray for their healing. I ask the Lord to give them another chance at living. For those who do not yet know Him, I ask the Lord to give them another chance. I ask for Him to let them borrow the breath that He breathed into them for just a bit longer. Give them enough time to fall at His feet, confessing that He was born, crucified for our sin and rose again. Believe that He will return, after He gets our home ready. I ask that today be a day of marvelous deeds. Will you join me?

*This is a picture of one of our boys who accepted Jesus’ invitation to be born again a year ago yesterday. This was indeed marvelous!

“Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites – Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth – became insolent and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.” Numbers 16:1-2

Often when you read scripture, it would be very easy to insert modern day people in place of the people written about. That happened this morning when I read through some chapters in the book of Numbers. During this time, tribes were established and each were given jobs to do. Each tribe had a leader and all were under the command of Moses. It is important to know, “…Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” (12:3). In my study Bible there was a note that said perhaps Moses was more broken than most. If God allows brokenness, then I think it is fair to say that humility can be the gift given in its place. It is also noteworthy that, “the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” (Exodus 33:11). Was it Moses’ humility that brought the Lord so close? I desire the same; for in the brokenness that gives humility, a close friendship with the Lord is acquired.

Moses and the Lord would meet and messages would be given for the people. Moses would report back to the people and it was their job to obey all that the Lord commanded. In response to their obedience, God made some amazing promises. He said, “I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God.” (Exodus 29:45). God had earlier promised Abraham, “Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:8). The Lord still longs to be with us because He loves us. So much so that, “…He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Our God never stops pursuing His creation.

I am getting ahead of myself and need to get back to the situation with Moses. The group that came to oppose Moses and his brother Aaron, who served with him, brought a pretty serious charge and revealed their hearts in doing so. “You have gone to far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” (16:3). And in true humility, he fell down with his face to the ground. Again, he must have been broken over the rebellion of this nation. Moses said some bold words and ended with, “…but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. It is against the LORD that you and all your followers have banded together.” (16:10-11). Moses also asked why they were grumbling against his brother too and made no mention of himself. Another mark of humility.

The Lord had appointed Moses to lead His people to a land He had marked out just for them. Are leaders not appointed by God still today? Should our response be rebellion, grumbling and trying to place ourselves in their position? Can we learn from those who have gone before us and correct our alignment? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16). In the days we are living in, I find it helpful to be in God’s Word often. Most of us have never lived through something like this before and we need direction. We can learn from those who have gone before us. We can read and obey God’s Word and keep our eyes focused and on Him. He is not one to go back on His word.

Oh, as for the group that spoke against Moses and ultimately the LORD? It did not end well at all and makes me fearful for rebellious people in leadership and our nation today. Korah, the two men with him and all of their household and possessions were swallowed up in the earth. And the 250 council men were consumed by fire (see 16:31-35). If this was not enough tragedy, there was more to follow. “The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. ‘You have killed the LORD’s people,’ they said. (16:41). While the grumbling continued, the Lord spoke to Moses again. God was ready to wipe out them all out, but Moses and Aaron fell on their face again. However, a plague had already broken out. This reminds me so much of our day with the impeachment trial and now the Coronavirus.

“…but Aaron offered incense and made atonement for them. He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who died because of Korah.” (16:47-49). Who is standing in the gap now? Will we be follow Aaron’s example? Before you decide, let me tell you the end. “Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, for the plague had stopped.” (16:50). What will we decided as individuals, believers, Americans? Would humility, repentance and returning to the Lord, our first love, stop this virus? Would being facedown on our knees, asking the Lord to stop the spread and death, rise like incense as prayers to Him? Would the lifting of our voices and hands in praise be a considered a sacrifice in the midst of the unknown? It is up for you to decide. “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).

*This is a repost picture, but I am holding a cup of coffee with the shop label on it. The coffee shop just so happens to the named SERVE.

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time.” Jonah 3:1

When we read the story of Jonah, we see that God is the God of second chances. Jonah heard the Lord speak to him, but ran away in disobedience and probably fear. But the Lord saw Jonah and did not give up His pursuit of him. Would a loving father ever stop going after one of his children? Of course not! And in a miraculous rescue that only God could do, He sent a large fish to save Jonah from the raging waters he was thrown into. And in the three dark days Jonah spent quarantined inside, he “remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.” (Jonah 2:7). Sometimes it takes being cut off from the outside world to remind us of who we were made to worship and obey. Could we be living in such a time?

Jonah prayed some powerful words during his quarantine and I hear them echo in my heart today. “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.  I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.” (Jonah 2:8-9). He saw in the running and worship of idols, he was actually turning away from the love of God. Friends, we have the same God as Jonah and He has not changed. When we turn from our idols, we turn back towards the love of God. Our response then is praise, willing sacrifice, obedience and telling the truth. On a side note, those who are broadcasting lies have turned away and seem to be worshiping idols and not the One true God. Be watchful and listen to those who are speaking words that aligns with the Word.

When Jonah prayed, “the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” (Jonah 2:10). God who made the fish and the shore was in complete control. He used that which He created to rescue his child. And the result? “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (Jonah 3:1-2). And having his heart turned back to God and given a second chance, Jonah obeyed. Because of the size of the city, it took him three days to walk through it, the same amount of days of his quarantine. The result of his obedience was the turning of more hearts, an entire city nonetheless. God also used the king to enforce Jonah’s message. “Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.” (Jonah 3:8). Reminds me of the national day of prayer our President asked everyone to participate on earlier this month.

Perhaps God is giving our country a second chance too. Our sins have been obvious as a country and individually. We have turned from the love of God to the idols of self and violence. Sin has a way of captivating us and tarnishing our worship of the One true God. Self makes a horrible idol. Violence leads to death of that which is innocent. May we start with our own hearts and then move to our homes, extended family, neighborhoods, cities, states and countries, praying for hearts to be turned back to God’s love. Let us follow Jonah’s example and spend our time praying, repenting and returning to our Creator. He alone is to be worshipped and may all our idols fall.

My prayer today is, “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2). As in the days of Jonah, do it again! I am eagerly watching to see you glorified by hearts turning back to You, our first love. Do it again, Lord! Do it again, Lord! -Amen.

P.S. If the word idol is new to you, let me give you the best definition I have ever heard.

Idol: “Anything I put before my God, is an idol. Anything I want with all my heart is an idol. And anything I can’t stop thinking about is an idol. And anything that I give all my love is an idol.” -Song by Jimmy Needham, Clear the Stage

While reading this morning, I came across an excellent devotional by Ann Voskamp. It was entitled “Why Love is Worth Breaking Your Heart”. It had my mind spinning and my heart opened a bit to understand why selfishness is often chosen over love. One look back over my teenage years and I see plenty of evidence to back this up. When selfishness is your life choice, you depend on yourself for everything. If you fail, then you are to blame and nobody else. Material things become far more important than they should and guarding them is added to your job description. Your kingdom of one becomes your place of safety. Love of self will not hurt you, or so you think.

In these days, kingdoms are being revealed. I know the Lord has been revealing somethings I have been blind too. Sin that I was not even aware of and places that I just could not see my way out. He has been patient and allowed me to share my heart. He never seems to run out of time to listen. His Word is uncontainable and seems to leap off the page. His glory is being revealed in big and small ways. It is a fascinating time. However, in the midst of the good, there is fear and grief going on in the world. Fear of getting sick, possibly dying. Grief over missing things and the normal way of life we have enjoyed. Can you even imagine the day when we get to gather back in our church buildings? I think I will just cry the whole time. What a sweet day of rejoicing that will be! May we long for that day of being at Home with Him even more.

I read a quote by George Muller recently and I find it to be the best advice for all of during these days. He said, “There was a day when I died; died to self, my opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren or friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.” Seems a bit upside down does it not? But only in the death of self do we find life. I would ask you, as I have asked myself, have you died to yourself yet?

One day during Bible study held at our church, our teacher talked about Queen Elizabeth. She flashed a picture up on the screen of her coronation day. In my heart I heard the Lord whisper, “That is how I see you.”  It was so real that I had to will myself to remain still and not distract from the teaching. This is how God sees me? How can that be? Oh, I have read His word, claimed my new identity, but royalty seemed too much when shown this extravagant image. Keep me at His feet yes, but anything more is too much. I am very aware of the scripture that says I have been chosen and now are part of a royal priesthood (see I Peter 2:9). To reconcile that in my heart is another thing. To live accordingly… how can that be possible?

The key is in the dying part. Death to your selfish, “safe” kingdom in exchange to His Kingdom and life. And then, dressed in your robe of righteousness, that puts even the most costly gown to shame, you take your place in the Kingdom. Then you begin to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9). Death and all of its demands no longer has ahold on you. You are no longer a captive to self, but free to love without fear. Yes, your heart will be broken and dreams will be dashed, but this is only temporary. And in the living you are given peace, faith, strength, joy, laughter and treasure that can never be lost.

Friend, today could be your Coronation Day! You could be welcomed into the royal family and your rags traded once and for all. What is the cost? It has already been paid on the cross by Jesus. You need only believe, accept and obey. Palace living, ruled by the loving King of Kings makes our own castles look worse than cardboard boxes. The choice is ours and time is not promised. Once your royal identity has been recorded in the Book of Life, the transaction is complete.

Maybe it has been awhile since you have remembered the King. Maybe it has been years since you picked up His Word and read words of love on each page. Even the pages that have discipline, there is evidence of His love. Perhaps you felt or judged the royal robe was a bit to confining and your prison rags were more fun. I pray they begin to feel like sackcloth and you run Home. Falling at your Fathers feet, may you hear Him saying to grab a robe and new shoes, and get a party ready! When the music begins, I pray you hear the angels rejoicing too. Until then, I will keep praying, talking to our King and asking Him to soften your heart. I will keep asking Him to make away for your eyes to be open and your ears to hear how much He loves you. I have found that He loves to answer the requests of His children.

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” Luke 8:39

 

I was praying this morning and asking the Lord to show me the work He would have me do today. Some of it I already knew, but I felt there was more. Just as soon as this had entered my mind I read, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” That is my assignment for today. And since we are all quarantined at home and the Bible says so, I think this is each of our assignments too. What has God for you? Do you find it easier to tell others outside your home, all He has done, than those who live or lived with you? I know I went through a time where this was true of me. Others would be impressed, but those at home, not so much. Others would say thank you and that sometimes goes unsaid from kids at home. However, there is the key to humility, do not miss it. We serve the Lord when we serve others. It is Him who will give us our reward and others kind words or actions should be considered a bonus.

Think of how encouraging sharing the faithfulness of God could be to those younger than us. Will it not show them that even through hard things, God is faithful and can be trusted? Will it not spur them on to keep going and trust that God is who His Word says He is and that He does not cancel His promises? I do not know about your heart, but mine could always use reminding. I seem to do better when my heart is trusting the One who, “existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.” (Colossians 1:17).

May this time at home be one we remember as hearing stories of how good God has been to us. May our homes be filled with laughter, praise, prayer and light. Yes, we have been given the task of teaching our kids their normal school subjects, but I think we would do well to add telling all that God has done for us. The generations behind us will come out of this quarintine spiritually stronger and healthier. And may each person you tell fall more and more in love with Jesus!

 

*In the middle of our table that has our Christmas cards/prayer cards, I placed a big jar. We write down things we are thankful for, things to remember and slips of paper that say, “Jesus, I trust you.” I am praying that this jar is so full, that we have much to tell for generations to come.

 

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over the earth.”           Psalm 57:11

 

I read this verse this morning and thought it was a perfect prayer. Simple words with such power. And since God created this earth and the heavens, He has full reign to show Himself glorious in these days.

Come Lord, I long to see You be exalted. The places that we have tried to push You out, come. In places of government, at all levels, come and take Your rightful place. May we be a nation again that trusts You. Cause our hearts to remember we are one nation under God again. Lord, there are so many healthcare workers that need your protection, please cover them. For those in education figuring out how to now be online teachers, please give them wisdom and encouragement. To the pastors who have fearful eyes of their congregations on them, give an abundance of peace and discernment. For parents that are now brought home instead of leaving each day for work, bless this time. Where hearts have turned away from each other or become distracted in families, turn them back to one another. Let the waters of forgiveness run over hearts, until all traces of heartbreak are wash clean. Bring families back to the table and to each other.

And for those who are now alone, be ever so close to them. May they find You to be their constant companion. I ask that every need be met in ways that only You could orchestrate. I trust You because I know Your heart is good. You did not stop the giving of Your Son to pay the price for the whole worlds sin, so I know You will be faithful even now. You see the battle that is raging in our land. People are dying and getting very ill from the Coronavirus. Many live in fear of getting this virus, financial loss, having enough food and supplies. Lead us gently by the hand into Your peaceful presence. For those who have been away for too long, open their hearts to return. I imagine the sound of many prodigals leaving lives of selfishness and returning home. May these be days of great family reunions. And when the grocery stores are restocked, I pray there are many celebrations. Yes, God, be exalted and show Your glory!

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.”  (Numbers 6:24-26)

*If you haven’t heard The Blessing by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, take a listen.

 

 

“He does not take His eyes off the righteous…” Job 36:7

Anna Kate, you turned 14 and this birthday celebration looks a bit different. You have had the best attitude. This confirms that we named you correctly, for your name means gracious. When talking about this whole staying home time, you said that you “were made for this.” So like you to see the good. Yes, you are a homebody and do not seem to mind this slower pace. Gives you more time to learn new things. Just the other day you were learning to sew and made a really cute bag. You are also going between career paths and planning your high school classes accordingly. It is exciting to see how the Lord is leading. You know He has plans for you and created you with special gifts to carry out His plans. You will bring Him much fame and glory. I am thankful to have a front row seat!

When I think back to before you were born, I remember how we were in a bit of uncertain times then too. We had just moved back to Texas and were so happy to be “home”. However, having never lived in this city with kids before, we did not know about doctors, preschools, activities and so much more. One day I walked into a business to order some things for our home. The owner gave me a list of everything I had questions about. I was so thankful and each recommendation was exactly what we needed. I learned then that it only takes one person to make a town feel less unknown. I have tried to do the same. I see this same desire in you, but you take it a step further. You look for the unseen and serve them in your own remarkable, quiet ways. Your attention to detail keeps your ears and eyes open to needs that go unnoticed.

I watch you serve with such compassion and gentleness. It is quite extraordinary. Your younger siblings notice and want to be with you. Even our dog was quite a fan of you. You sat for hours with him those last days. You seem to have been given an extra measure of kindness that you give to animals and people alike. Once someone has you as a friend, they soon realize what a treasure you are. I pray that when the day comes and people miss this, that the Lord will guard your heart. I pray He will keep you close to His heart and reassure you that you are precious to Him. I pray you will never forget that His eyes are on you, even when others are not. You are seen and known by Him. You are a treasure He considered worth dying for. Now you are seen as righteous when He looks at you, precious girl.

I have also loved watching your determination. Each race you run is well thought out and adjusted according to the last races results. You continue to want to get better. With this strength, I pray you never feel pressured to try and earn God’s love. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more than He already does. Nothing changes His love for you. The same is true with your dad and I. You are stuck with our love. Takes a lot of pressure off, doesn’t it? You respond well to unconditional love and acceptance. Most kids do. This does not excuse sin, but you can trust that any correction is done for the good of your heart. We confuse appropriate discipline with being unloved sometimes, but that is a lie from satan. Know I am still being disciplined by the Lord at my age and do not ever seeing that stopping until Heaven. More and more into the image of Christ, that is the goal at the end of our earthly race. The awards we will be given in Heaven will make any received earthy medals seem like cheap field day medals that are given to every participant.

When I look at your name in scripture, I see a woman who saw Jesus as a baby with her very own eyes (see Luke 2:36-38). She lived in the temple and worshipped day and night. Can you imagine the day when she actually saw in person who she had been worshipping?! She responded in thanksgiving and told of the redemption He would bring. I pray you never forget that you are now the temple that the Holy Spirit dwells in. His presence never leaves you. May your life be lived in response with worship, praise and thanksgiving. With this on your lips and filling your heart and mind, you will have no time for the popular gossip of the day. You will shine as a light in the dark world, burning with His fire. This will keep you stable when all around us is shaken like it is now.

And one more thing. When you look in the mirror and see your stunning red hair, may you be reminded of how rare you are. You stand out without even trying. When people see your outside beauty, I pray it is only enhanced by the consuming love of your Savior. This is the beauty that will last all your days. Keep Him as your first love and you will be stunning!! I sure do love watching you grow up! You just get more remarkable each passing year.

Happy Birthday, Anna Kate!

 

 

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”    Proverbs 4:23

I love this picture of the kids that we took at the beach years ago. It came up on Facebook this morning as a memory and had a quote attached to it. I do not remember where I read the quote, but it says, “Even in my best dreams, I never could have imagined each of you.” I just love that! It is so true. Sometimes we have dreams and God’s plans far exceed them. This is true and evident when I look at this picture and reminds me to continue to trust Him even when my dreams die.

When I look at this picture I am also reminded, because they are standing in front of a post office, that their hearts are like letters. Hearts are like letters that they will read for the rest of their lives to themselves and ones others will read as well. I do not fear what I will write today on their hearts because my heart has been written on by my Heavenly Father early this morning. I only fear taking the pen out of His hand and trying to make my own marks that will cause pain. Sometimes I look at the marks on my own heart and imagine a big line drawn through the painful words. In its place is the word grace. So, even if we do mess up, there is grace given by our Heavenly Father.

Yesterday, my husband was asked to show a precious family a home. He is a real estate agent and I love to come along. As we walked throughout the home, I heard the daughters making plans, as if the house was theirs already. The mom said, “Remember to guard your hearts, girls.” Such wisdom that leaves permanent ink on a young heart. As we were all leaving, the family was looking forward to what the Lord had in store for them. We read beautiful letters at that moment that the ink had not even yet dried.

Other days the letters have lists of dreams written on them that have seemed to have died. Perhaps the Lord did not speak, even though I was sure I had heard Him. Such was the case recently. Years ago, actually just before this post office picture was taken, I felt led to launch a business to help moms dress their children. I really like clothes and putting together outfits for kids. Being a personal shopper seemed like a great idea. So the dream of a business named Threads came into being. Reality is that moms do just fine picking out clothes for their kids and the business never took off and my dream was buried. The only evidence that it was ever a thought was the cute postcards and business cards that had been created.

Fast forward to the present and we happened to be given an abundance of upholstery fabric bolts. The number of bolts we have is overwhelming. As I looked at this gift, I tried to come up with a way to use them. Lots of ideas came, but never the right one. Until a dear friend and I were having lunch and I told her what we had been given. Immediately she told me the solution was simple, make fabric covered bulletin boards. As we talked through the idea, we thought of how most college girls have a cute board in on their dorm wall. How a lot of us moms keep boards with sweet notes, art work and encouraging words up in places we see often in our homes. And so these boards have been made and they are beautiful. They are being stored in our wine cellar just waiting for this new business to launch. And trying to come up with a company name was driving me crazy. I asked others, prayed, read scripture and asked again. Then the name came…Threads. A dream I had has come back to life. This time instead of focusing on outward appearance, this one focuses on the heart. I pray each item pinned on these boards speaks words of life. And each board will come with a note of encouragement. I plan on praying over each one and asking the Lord to choose a scripture that the receiver needs to hear. I got that idea from a jewelry company called The Crowning Jewels and loved it. I kinda picture these boards as 17X23 visible hearts for our homes. Let me know if you want one!

May the Lord continue to write on each of our hearts words of peace, comfort, conviction that leads to repentance and obedience. Let Him write your heart with the most loving hand that chose to be nailed to the cross for the whole world. May we all shine because our hearts have been inked with His holy script of grace. And may we remember many are reading our hearts during this time in history.