Place of Refuge

In Joshua 20, God's word teaches that there were cities of refuges set up specifically for those who had accidently with out malice killed someone.  A place for them to flee and be free from the revenge of anyone.  A safe place.  Today as I skimmed thru my journal a thought occurred to me.  This was a beautiful picture of God's mercy.  He made clear rules regarding taking someone's life, then He provides a place of grace.  Can you imagine the guilt you'd feel after accidently taking the life of someone else?  Can you imagine the brokenness that must consume?

  God in His absolute love, is still in the business of providing a place of healing for those who find themselves broken.  Sometimes we are wounded by the acts of another and we find ourselves surrounded by people who cheer for us, and minister to us as we heal.  Other times we find ourselves broken by our own actions, and there is a tendency to have a "well, you made your bed" mindset, and we can feel completely alone.

  However, in Joshua 20, I see that God provides a place of healing for the second group!  These people made a bad decision and the result was terrible.  And yet, God lovingly provided a safe place of healing for them.  A place that had people who truly understood the path you were facing as they had walked it.  A place where your pain and sin was clear, and yet you could find rest and peace and comfort.  A place where people understood clearly that mistakes can cost much and burdens are heavy.

  We no longer have actual places of refuge,  instead we have a Person of refuge.  God's word say that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble Psalms 46:1"  He is the one we run to and find strength and help.  Even when we have caused the mess we find ourselves in!  I am so thankful that the goodness of God isn't dependent on the goodness of me.  God's love for me is not changed by my actions or decisions.  God's faithfulness is steadfast and long suffering.  There is nothing I can do that will cause God to not love, because He IS love.

 The problem is sometimes we think if you love someone you let them do whatever they want and protect them from any bad consequences.  THIS IS NOT LOVE!  This is enabling someone to stay on a path that leads to destruction.  Love doesn't lead to destruction.  Love leads to truth, healing and forgiveness and restoration.  God is a redeeming God, who searches long and watches intently for those who are His. 

I am so thankful for the love of my Heavenly Father and for the people He has placed in my life that teach me of His love.  My husband, Tim, has taught me much about this kind of love.  He had the privilege of growing up in a Christ centered home where this love was lived out daily.  Where being a Christian was not something set aside for Sunday but lived out daily.  A place that wasn't perfect, but grace flowed.  And I am blessed because he has brought this into our marriage and home.  He does a great job of reflecting the love of God on his family and friends. 

Blessed beyond belief and absolutely blown away the great love of my God!

Seeing Truth.......Filled with Joy!

I try very hard to remember that NO person is perfect.  NO person!  Not a single one!  Including, my kids.  They aren't perfect, but they are priceless treasures!  I am so thankful for the is journey of being a mama.  Not just a mama, THEIR mama!  It moves me to tears to think that God allows me to be a mama.  I love that in Him I can do this job well.  I take this responsibility very seriously.  I know that I have a few short years to invest in their lives, and I want to invest well.  It isn't easy, but TOTALLY worth it!

My days are filled with repeated task and words.  My nights are sometimes filled with wake-up calls and staying up late to make sure they home safe and sound.  It isn't glamorous, but it is glorious!  It isn't monumental, but it is meaningful!  It isn't always blissful, but always beautiful!  It is my favorite job ever!  It is hard!  It is tough!  It is tedious!  It is painful!  It is COMPLETELY WORTH IT!

I believe that God knows this job of being a parent isn't easy. Since He loves us with an endless, undying, perfect love He encourages as we walk this journey.  Today this happened to me again.  Little glimpses of understanding, that all those repeated words and task pay off.  Our kids hear, and see and learn.  And, it is BEAUTIFUL!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3John 1:4"

Today God allowed me a glimpse of this joy!  I went to our children and shared my heart.  It was regarding being obedient with a good attitude.  It was a teaching moment.  It was repeated words, spoken with the hopes of truth sinking deep into to their hearts.  It was TRUTH, it was necessary, not exactly pleasant, but as a mama I knew it needed to be said.  And, they listened, and it was BEAUTIFUL!

A few minutes later, one of those blessings came to me and said, "mama, I am sorry for how I treated you when you told me to do something at the pool." And then later in his prayer he prayed and asked God to help them all obey without complaining.  And, I blinked away tears of pure joy and this verse, that I had hidden in my heart came to mind.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3John 1:4"

God word is completely true, there is NO greater joy!  NONE! 

Imperfect Progress.....happening now.......

"I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13

Sometimes I forget this verse applies to everyday stuff.  In my mind I save this verse for super hard times.  I have come to the conclusion that I need this verse for the every day mundane stuff as well as the earth shattering stuff.  I had gotten so discouraged lately in my daily life that I have felt powerless and defeated.  I am learning that this verse is a daily verse, not a stick in a drawer and pull it out in the tough times verse.  I can do THIS day well, if I do this day through Christ who strengthens me!  This is the day that The Lord has made for me.  I will make a choice to walk this day in His strength.  This revelation won't make all my problems disappear, or be instantly solved.  This revelation will  allow me to see each trial as an opportunity for God to show His mighty love for me and my family.  It is my goal to have an attitude like Paul , and this truth gets me one step closer to living this life content in whatever state I find myself.  It allows me to take a deep breath and know that God is in complete control, even when I have NO answers.  I have been reminded that if I stay connected to my power source, He will supply what I need to do this day well!  I am forever grateful for God's unfailing, ever pursuing love for me!   It is my hope that if you are struggling today with unbelief that you too will be encouraged to know that God is in the business of doing the impossible! 

You are deeply loved........

Empty

We were not able to get Easter baskets and goodies for the kids this year.....and my heart was very sad!  Empty basket sitting dusty on the shelf in our pantry made me want to cry.  This has never happened before.  We have always been able to get them alittle something.  We have always been very careful not to make it about the bunny, basket or candy, but we have always had a few treats as a gift of love for them.  But not this year.....and I was sad.  In fact, I spent quite a bit of time yesterday and last night wiping tears.  This morning, I awoke to more assaults from the enemy saying "you aren't making memories with your kids, you are letting them down, they will be SO disappointed when they come in and see no baskets...and on and on"  I immediately closed my eyes and shouted (in my heart, cuz Tim was still sleeping) these are ALL lies! and I will not believe them to be truth!  I will remember the very best gift ever given is EMPTY!  For in an empty tomb, I find HOPE for this day and each day that will follow.  So, I got up and continued to pray that God would help me choose joy, and remember that this day is a celebration of HIM CONQUERING DEATH! not candy, bunny, dyed eggs, new shoes or clothes.  So God in His gracious way began to bring songs and scriptures to my heart and mind as I made a special breakfast of homemade biscuit and chocolate gravy with sweet tea.  The devil was really determined today to discourage me, but greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world (1John 4:4)  My usually fluffy biscuits didn't rise...I was so disappointed and for a second, satan started again.."well, look a there, you can't even make a good breakfast for your family" but The Holy Spirit was right there with me and whispered..."your biscuit didn't rise, but Jesus did!  Praise The LORD!" So I smiled, and thanked God for this reminder is such a sweet simple manner.

So I called all the kids in for breakfast, each had one plastic egg on their plate.  Beginning with Ashley, they opened the egg and shared their part of the message that  was inside:

                     HE IS NOT HERE!

Josh said our blessing, thanking God for our risen Savior.  I shared with them what God had laid on my heart and we ate.  Not one word of disappointment was spoken.  What I did hear was laughter and "oooooohhhhhhh we get chocolate gravy!" and sweet fellowship with my family.  It was simple and unrushed and a blessing!  I am so thankful for our kids teachable hearts, and for my husbands constant and unwavering leadership of our family as he seeks God's will.  I am overwhelmed and amazed by God's unfailing love for me and my family.  I am so thankful that God emptied my heart of all the hurtful words from the enemy and filled me with love, joy, peace, patient, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. But most of all I am thankfull for the empty tomb!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" 3John 4:4   This truth helps me to remember that it is my hearts desire to see my children walking in the truth, and today I saw a glimpse of this and I can testify there is NO greater joy for this mama!

                 HAPPY EASTER FRIENDS

Lesson Learned

18 YEARS!!!!!!  WOW!!!!!!!!18 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our 18th anniversary.  It has flown by.........I am so thankful for the wisdom I have been taught.  I have learned many lessons over that past 18 years of marriage to my amazing husband Tim.  I have had and still have some wonderful godly counsel in my life, who  mentor me on how to be the wife and mom God called me to be.   I thought I'd share some of them with you today...................

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18.. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY...  I'm listing this last, not because it is unimportant, but because sometimes we wait until all else fails before we run to The Father.  I pray Col 1:9-11 for Tim regularly.  He is worth it!

17.  Forgive QUICKLY... 1 Corinthians 13 reminds me that love keeps NO record of wrong, and love forgives.  One of the sweetest parts of our marriage is that neither of us chooses to be a historian.  Once it's over, it's over....learn a lesson, cover wrongs with love and move on (Col 3:13)

16.  Hold hands.....this lets me know that Tim still chooses and I still choose him.  I love walking hand in hand with him.  Although, I must admit now, I share this hand holding time with our two beautiful daughters....and I'm ok with that. 

15.  Remember you are the first example of true love for your kids.  NOT what Hollywood, or the world says true love is, but TRUE love.  Love that says " I choose to put you first".  It is a choice, made each day.  True love wants only what will be best for the one loved.

14.  Put Him first......now, don't get all in a tizzy, if you are both doing this life is beautiful!  He is always looking out for my best interest, and I am always looking out for his.     It is what God's word tells us to do,..to esteem others above ourselves  (Phil 2:3)

13. Keep first thing FIRST, don't neglect your time with The Lord.  You need badly, each day, to sit at the Master's feet.  Hide God's word in your heart.  It is a comfort and help in your daily life. (Ps 119:11)

12.  Don't complain....it won't help, instead pray (I stink at this sometimes!  I allow the enemy to trick me with his lies, that these problems are going to last forever)  Tim is GREAT at reminding me to pray. (Phil 2:14)

11.  Say I Love You, every day, many times during the day.  You NEVER know when you will speak for the last time to this precious gift, make sure to end on a kind note.

10.  Think before you speak.  Your words have such impact, choose them wisely.  Always season your speech with grace.(Eph 4:15a)

9.  Don't pick fights. Try to the best of your ability to live a peaceful life with all you are around
 you.  Remember that sometimes you have to lead your heart, and NOT allow emotions to control your actions.(Romans 12:18)

8.  Remember you are NOT his holy spirit, that position is filled, and won't be available any time soon.  Pray for your husband, and encourage him to seek God's will (which won't always be yours :-0--TRUTH)

7.  Submit to your husbands leadership.....He is the head, and he will one day stand before The Lord and give an answer for how he lead y'alls family. (Eph 5:22-23)

6.  Remember you are on the same team.  You are in a battle for your family, but NOT with your husband, remember who the enemy is....fight together...it is easier to fight with a friend. (Ecc 4:9-12)

5.  Remember and speak aloud good qualities.  He knows his faults, he doesn't need you to point them out.  Do you need a reminded of your faults?  Probably not so much, neither does he.  (Eph 4:31-32) 

4. Greet him, with a kiss...not a list.

3.  Abide in The Vine....it is where you will get what you need to do this day well.  It is a beautiful place to live. (John 15: 1-12)

2.  Guard your time!  Without even realizing it we get so busy and we sacrifice what means the most to us.  The first union that God ordained was FAMILY......guard it, it is worth it  Remember life is a filled with seasons.  This is your season to raise your sweet children and teach them to love God.(Ecc 3:1-10)

1.   Don't expect your husband to complete you, or be your everything!  That is a burden too great to carry.  You are not his everything or his completer either.  That is a God sized task.  Your husband  doesn't get a manual on how to fix everything on your wedding day.  he is learning on this journey just like you are.  Encourage him, pray for him, love him, and let him be molded by God.
remember that He that began a good work in you (and him) will complete it,  (Phil 1: 4-6)

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These are just a few of the lessons God has taught me throughout the years so far.  Some of them are WAY easy to remember and do, others take a daily laying down of my own will.    I am so very thankful that I get to walk this life with Tim.  He is an amazing husband, beyond anything I could have hoped or dreamed.....but isn't that just how God works! Eph 3:18-21