Monthly Archives: June 2013

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All in God Time

Something very frustrating has happened since Father God gave me the desire to blog–the demand of Father Time.  The Lord keeps me supplied with ideas, and I love to sit and write about truths He reveals to our family.  However, the one missing piece is the time it takes to put it into my blog.

Have you been in my shoes, and felt certain God had gifted you, supplied you, and called you to something, only to leave an obstacle keeping you from carrying it to completion?  I’ve been meditating on this question for 2 weeks, “Lord why have you given me the desire to do this, when it’s obvious I would have to neglect other things to do it?”  And I think today I heard His answer, “Time.”  

I love Sarah Young’s daily devotional, “Jesus Calling.”  On June 21 and June 27, the devotion speaks of the limit of human time and how we can learn to trust God within it.  I feel like God used these two specific devotions to guide me and build my faith in His sovereignty.  If we understand two things about God–His omnipresence and His sovereignty–we can find peace and security as we wait for Him to fulfill dreams He’s given us.

Scripture teaches us of God’s omnipresence, that is His timeless nature.  The Lord declares in Revelation 1:8 what he already revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “I am the God who was, who is, and who is to come.”  God doesn’t dwell trapped by the constraint of a 12 month calendar, He makes eternal plans that have no deadline and no expiration date.  God doesn’t panic like we do, trying to hurry up and accomplish something.  If He’s put a dream in your heart, it was formed before you were born, and if it’s needed to further His Kingdom, He’ll see to it that it is fulfilled.

I adore the second part of Revelation 1:8 which reads, “I am sovereign strong.”  The sovereignty of God ensures us that He has complete authority and rule over all things.  All things.  Psalm 115:3 confirms God possesses all power in heaven and on earth and that nothing can thwart His plans.  To say God is sovereign means He governs everything.

God’s done some serious heart-probing in me, because quite frankly I was bound up in anxiety worrying how I was going to find time to do all the things I feel He’s asked me to do.  These are some thoughts that helped me line up my desires with God’s word and make sure I’m not barging into territory that’s not mine.

  • Paul says to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:23) that although “all things are permitted, all things are not beneficial or edifying.”  I’m no theologian, but to me this says, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
  • Is my family in second place, so I can pursue something, even something ‘good’?  If you have a family, that is your first ministry, and as life seasons change that ministry-picture also changes.  But for young families like mine it looks like this: mama begging God for wisdom to”build up her home with her hands,” Proverbs 14:1.
  • Lastly, I keep coming back to this pride-killer: am I keeping my eyes on the root of why God has asked me to do this?  When I start getting overly concerned my grammar is correct, or daydreaming about this blog having hundreds of followers, the Holy Spirit is faithful to simmer me down.  I pray that each time I lose sight of the why, God would humble me back to His purpose.

Friend, you don’t have to live in a state of panic and anxiety, worried you won’t find time to complete something you feel called to do.  Hold loosely to the dreams God gives you because you are limited, but He is limitless.  His plans won’t be thwarted just because He’s asking you to proceed slowly or even wait.  I believe He loves us enough to let us help Him bring His Kingdom, all in God time.  

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June 30, 2013 · 1:32 am
June 13, 2013 · 11:29 pm

Running Track

Feet pounding on century-old hardwood floors make a distinct “thud, thud, thud”,  just ask my father.  Some childhood memories stick out and some just blend in.  But the echo of his voice as I ran down the hall–“Macie, when you are old enough I’m gonna make you run track!”–will never blend in.  As a young girl I was many things, but athletic was not one of them.  For some time I had nightmares of myself donning a Lady Cobra track uniform, eternally running to an unseen finish line.

Even though he never made good on that half-hearted threat, Daddy gets the last laugh.  The good Lord has a way of paying us back for sins against our elders, therefore He granted me the blessing of a runner.  I’m convinced my oldest is genetically incapable of walking in the house.  And as luck would further have it, we are now living on hardwood floors.

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Future Track Star

A few weeks ago, the kids’ memory verse for the week was Hebrews 12:1-2.  It reads, “Let us throw off what hinders us and run with endurance the race that is before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who will perfect our faith.”  When my husband chose this verse I almost vetoed it being taught in my home.  I mean, I think we have the running nonsense mastered.

As a parent, it’s a balancing act to guide and train young children without quenching their enthusiasm for life.  Exactly how does one encourage passion while instilling self control?  I’m doing the best I can to allow my children the freedom to explore life’s joys within appropriate boundaries.  After all, they are created in the image of a passionate God who wants them to be fulfilled with pleasure as they serve Him.

On my own I’m at a loss, and I desperately need God to teach me how to maintain the balance.  I believe what I can do as a parent is hem them in on every side with God’s truth, so that one day they’ll be wise enough to ask themselves, “Am I running just to run, or is this a race God’s given me that will lead to a perfected faith?”

Until that day, I’ll continue to pray and yell, “Bradley, when you are old enough, son, I’m going to make you run track.”

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Filed under General

June 6, 2013 · 2:58 pm

Mere Wishes

I wish this blog could read like a book with unfolding lessons I’ve learned in some sense of order.  But quite honestly, I don’t have the energy to assemble it as such.  And, even more honestly, with my memory I would have to make stuff up.  My goal is to post once a week, but I’m a realist and can’t make any promises.  Folks, low expectations are easily met, and met expectations bring about much satisfaction.  So posts will be simple, sporadic, and will unfold like my life–all. over. the. place.  With that disclaimer, let’s talk about what many of us are doing right now, which is throwing together teacher gifts for the last week of school.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore creating, making and giving teacher gifts.  I’m the goober that sends in ‘a little happy’ for every occasion.  It’s just that right now, my infant has hit that stage where I can’t do anything for more than ten minutes, and even then I better be hiding.  So I ditched a bunch of cute, time-consuming  ideas and went back to a quick oldie, but goody. I’ve been making this featured teacher gift for years, because for years I’ve had ample empty formula cans.

DIY Planter

Mint DIY Planter

As promised, you can make this with things you already have: any empty large can, scrapbook or wrapping paper, tape, and twine or ribbon.  I wish I could paint the can, then effortlessly design a trendy pattern, only to finish it off with a hand-lettered note–but, not so much.  I wish I had the talent of a “real” artist, but I’m what you call an “Idea Artist.”  I’m constantly thinking of creations, but don’t necessarily have the knowledge or talent to carry them out.  So I do what only comes naturally–I fake it or I beg a talented friend to complete the project on my behalf.  This would fall under the faking-it category.

There are many gifts I wish I had, like singing or painting flawlessly.  Regardless, I decided a long time ago, I’m not going to let mere wishes keep me from blessing others with ‘a little happy’.  A favorite verse of mine is Proverbs 3:27, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, if it is within your power to do it.”  So although it isn’t hand painted, and I dug the mint up from the garden of this rental house, it was in my power to do this for whom it is due.  And I will not withhold it, especially from those to whom it is due.

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Things to remember (ie: let me save you the headache)

  • Be careful when filling your can with dirt. Although I love an ‘antique’ look, dirty just isn’t the same.
  • Be sure you poke holes in the bottom of your can for proper drainage.  Set the recipient up for success!
  • Other plants I’ve used: Dill, “You’re a big DILL, teacher!”; Strawberry, “You’re the BERRY Best!”, Ivy, “Preschool today, IVY League Tomorrow!”

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Filed under Make Your Own Happy