"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." Proverbs 16:31
Oh, how I laughed the first time I read Proverbs 16:31! All this month I have been reading one chapter from the book of Proverbs each day. I read from the New Living Translation so that I may better understand, and thereby apply, each verse. I don't know if this is okay to admit, but I've actually found many verses in Proverbs to be quite humorous...especially the verses about gray hair (the bible talks about gray hair?!?).
Even in my early 30's, I seem to be adorning a few, well...MANY gray hairs. I like to think that I've earned them (I am NOT making claims of righteousness here; I am referring to all through which we've endured). Just this morning as the girls were brushing their teeth, I found myself combing through my "crown" pulling as many little gray fellows as I could find. I chucked to myself trying to remember the verse about gray hair being a crown. The blessing is...I didn't have to think long.
After everyone's teeth were bright and shiny, I swung through our office to check e-mail (sometimes my seemingly only connection to the outside world) and took time to read my daily devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Would you believe that the verse for today was Proverbs 16:31?!?!? (Check it out at http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/.)
God knows me oh so well. Psalm 139 reads, "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord....How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!"
God knew what I was thinking this morning. He knew what the verse would be today in my devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries. God orchestrates events like these to reveal Himself to us. I can hardly explain the humility I felt this morning as I read my devotional, knowing that was the verse I was searching for in my head just moments before.
Thank You, Father, for revealing Yourself to me. Thank You for knowing me, deeply knowing me - and for loving me anyway! Thank You for the gray in my crown; for adorning me with a crown...of splendor!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Faithfulness
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much..." (Luke 16:10).
Tonight I have a story not from myself, but from a sister-in-Christ; one who also happens to be my sister in life...
Recently, my sister and her family chose to make a small monetary contribution to an organization that translates the bible to those in need. Several days later - out of the blue - my sister received a phone call from the local school district informing her that a certain dollar amount had been allotted to provide my niece with speech lessons. My niece has received speech lessons at the school in previous years but since deciding to home-school, my sister assumed the lessons would cease. Not only will the school district continue to support my niece with speech lessons, - now, get this - the dollar amount that was allotted for the speech lessons is exactly 100 times more than what my sister's family donated to the bible organization...exactly 100 times more...down to the penny. And no, I do not make this stuff up!
The Lord knows our actions. He is always watching. I fully believe it was not the dollar amount of my sister's donation to the bible organization by which the Lord was pleased; it was the state of heart from which it was given. God saw what was done. He loves each of us so immensely that He is desperately waiting to not just meet, but to exceed our greatest needs, highest hopes, and largest dreams in every possible way when we prove ourselves faithful to Him. "For God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:4).
Thank you Lord, for your faithfulness to us. Thank you Father, for revealing Yourself to my sister and her family in a way that was unique to them; in a way that only they would know it was You. Little sis, thank you for sharing the greatest gift with your children (Psalm 78:4) and for letting me share in your sweet blessing.
Tonight I have a story not from myself, but from a sister-in-Christ; one who also happens to be my sister in life...
Recently, my sister and her family chose to make a small monetary contribution to an organization that translates the bible to those in need. Several days later - out of the blue - my sister received a phone call from the local school district informing her that a certain dollar amount had been allotted to provide my niece with speech lessons. My niece has received speech lessons at the school in previous years but since deciding to home-school, my sister assumed the lessons would cease. Not only will the school district continue to support my niece with speech lessons, - now, get this - the dollar amount that was allotted for the speech lessons is exactly 100 times more than what my sister's family donated to the bible organization...exactly 100 times more...down to the penny. And no, I do not make this stuff up!
The Lord knows our actions. He is always watching. I fully believe it was not the dollar amount of my sister's donation to the bible organization by which the Lord was pleased; it was the state of heart from which it was given. God saw what was done. He loves each of us so immensely that He is desperately waiting to not just meet, but to exceed our greatest needs, highest hopes, and largest dreams in every possible way when we prove ourselves faithful to Him. "For God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:4).
Thank you Lord, for your faithfulness to us. Thank you Father, for revealing Yourself to my sister and her family in a way that was unique to them; in a way that only they would know it was You. Little sis, thank you for sharing the greatest gift with your children (Psalm 78:4) and for letting me share in your sweet blessing.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Power of Christ
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19
Young children believe their parents have the power to do anything. I am humbled any time my children ask me to do something extraordinary, such as...
One day my children will realize I have no special powers. My prayer is that they come to know the One who does. God has the power to do anything. Don't take my word for it, read the bible.
I can testify that He has the power to heal the sick (look at my perfectly healthy 14-week premature twin); the power to set free those held captive by grief; the power to uphold those who, because of life's circumstances, have become filled with doubt and unbelief; the power to provide; the power to forgive sin; the power to restore hope.
Can't see a way for God to make things right in your life? Good! As Morgan Freeman's character says in The Bucket List (a great movie which the hubby and I stayed up way too late watching last night), "That's why it's called faith."
God may not always use His power to do things the way we would like. Isaiah 55:8 reads, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." However, we must trust that He knows best. In Matthew 7:11, we read again the comparison of an earthly parent's love for their child and God's love for us as His children: "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Don't have children? Then read 1 Corinthians 2:9 for inspiration: "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."
Want to experience the "incredible greatness of God's power...the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead" (Eph 1:19-20, NLT)? Need help believing? Just ask (Mark 9:24). Like my children, make your requests known (Psalm 5:3, Philippians 4:6). "Be fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised" (Romans 4:21).
Young children believe their parents have the power to do anything. I am humbled any time my children ask me to do something extraordinary, such as...
- A host of weather-related requests: "Mommy, will you make the sun shine over there so my swing set will not be hot?" "Mommy, will you make the rain stop so I won't get wet?" "Mommy, will you make the wind stop blowing my hair?"
- The requests to defy laws of gravity: "Mommy, will you make this picture fly all the way up to heaven?" "Mommy, will you reach way up into the sky and get my balloon (the one that I accidentally let go)?"
- The most recent: "Mommy, will you pause the TV?" (Which with the use of modern technology like TiVo might actually be possible, just not in this house).
One day my children will realize I have no special powers. My prayer is that they come to know the One who does. God has the power to do anything. Don't take my word for it, read the bible.
I can testify that He has the power to heal the sick (look at my perfectly healthy 14-week premature twin); the power to set free those held captive by grief; the power to uphold those who, because of life's circumstances, have become filled with doubt and unbelief; the power to provide; the power to forgive sin; the power to restore hope.
Can't see a way for God to make things right in your life? Good! As Morgan Freeman's character says in The Bucket List (a great movie which the hubby and I stayed up way too late watching last night), "That's why it's called faith."
God may not always use His power to do things the way we would like. Isaiah 55:8 reads, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." However, we must trust that He knows best. In Matthew 7:11, we read again the comparison of an earthly parent's love for their child and God's love for us as His children: "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Don't have children? Then read 1 Corinthians 2:9 for inspiration: "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."
Want to experience the "incredible greatness of God's power...the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead" (Eph 1:19-20, NLT)? Need help believing? Just ask (Mark 9:24). Like my children, make your requests known (Psalm 5:3, Philippians 4:6). "Be fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised" (Romans 4:21).
Friday, September 11, 2009
Come and Get It!
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5
I once believed that a deep relationship with God was only available to those consecrated in ministry; that I was somehow not worthy or "high enough" to enter into an intimate relationship with the Creator. I recently heard a friend make the same type of remark...hence this full confession from me!
Through the death of my daughter, God graciously invited me (invited me again, that is; somehow I missed God's original invitation to an intimate relationship with Him through my salvation) to meet Him at the cross. What does that mean exactly, to "meet Him at the cross?" To me, meeting God at the cross depicts the glorious fact that through the death of Jesus - on the cross - I am able to enter into a relationship with God. Without Jesus, I am not able to enter a relationship with God, because without Jesus, no penalty was paid for my sin, my sin is not forgiven, and a perfect God can not associate with my sinfulness.
Though God promises a life of goodness to those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9), I did not see how those things would hold true for me after enduring my daughter's death. However, after six months of wrestling with God, I felt the Holy Spirit saying, "Just trust me. Come to the table and let me show you the great feast I have prepared." I had no other hope on which to go. I guess you could say, I didn't have any other plans...my plans for my life were cancelled by my daughter's death. So this time, I accepted the invitation.
I came to the banquet empty-handed. I yielded all my expectations; I surrendered all my hopes, my plans, my ideas, and simply chose to seek what God prepared for me. Since seeking His will, His ways, His love, all hope has been restored...my cup truly overflows. Jesus once said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35)."
God extends the same invitation to each of us. Though it can be hard for some to believe, He longs for us - each of us - to enter into an intimate relationship with Him; to pull up a seat at His table. You are, in fact, worthy! He loves each of us so much that He sacrificed His own Son just so that we could join Him in His House.
Accept the invitation. Take a seat at His table. See what He has prepared for you. The great feast is ready. It is up to you to come and get it!
I once believed that a deep relationship with God was only available to those consecrated in ministry; that I was somehow not worthy or "high enough" to enter into an intimate relationship with the Creator. I recently heard a friend make the same type of remark...hence this full confession from me!
Through the death of my daughter, God graciously invited me (invited me again, that is; somehow I missed God's original invitation to an intimate relationship with Him through my salvation) to meet Him at the cross. What does that mean exactly, to "meet Him at the cross?" To me, meeting God at the cross depicts the glorious fact that through the death of Jesus - on the cross - I am able to enter into a relationship with God. Without Jesus, I am not able to enter a relationship with God, because without Jesus, no penalty was paid for my sin, my sin is not forgiven, and a perfect God can not associate with my sinfulness.
Though God promises a life of goodness to those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9), I did not see how those things would hold true for me after enduring my daughter's death. However, after six months of wrestling with God, I felt the Holy Spirit saying, "Just trust me. Come to the table and let me show you the great feast I have prepared." I had no other hope on which to go. I guess you could say, I didn't have any other plans...my plans for my life were cancelled by my daughter's death. So this time, I accepted the invitation.
I came to the banquet empty-handed. I yielded all my expectations; I surrendered all my hopes, my plans, my ideas, and simply chose to seek what God prepared for me. Since seeking His will, His ways, His love, all hope has been restored...my cup truly overflows. Jesus once said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35)."
God extends the same invitation to each of us. Though it can be hard for some to believe, He longs for us - each of us - to enter into an intimate relationship with Him; to pull up a seat at His table. You are, in fact, worthy! He loves each of us so much that He sacrificed His own Son just so that we could join Him in His House.
Accept the invitation. Take a seat at His table. See what He has prepared for you. The great feast is ready. It is up to you to come and get it!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Blessings in Disguise
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Blessings are everywhere…you just have to open your heart and mind to receive them.
Yesterday was “one of those days.” I wrote in my prayer journal that I was having a rotten day (I tend to write my prayers as I am sharing them with the Lord). And then I realized…the day was just fine. It was a perfect day, in fact; one that the Lord had made, which simply means, it was perfect in His eyes. It was my attitude that was rotten. I prayed that God would soften my heart before the kids woke up from their naps…in about an hour and a half.
The kids awoke and I felt better, but still not as joyful or as victorious as God calls us to live as His children. In fact, it went down hill fast, culminating with a certain little one having an accident on the way to the potty. I managed not to take it out on my daughter (after all, accidents are just that—accidents!) and, after a short prayer asking for self-control, chalked up the incident to just being part of my blessed calling as a mother.
As I began to rinse the soiled undergarment, red dye filled the sink. Stay with me here…my daughter had worn red Christmas undies; ones that are new to us. Because most children’s clothing is made of fabric which does not fade in the wash, I am certain I would have tossed the Christmas undies in the laundry with everything else. And you know what would have happened…later in the week, I would have likely ended up with an entire load of clothes that were the color of Christmas! Now, I love Christmas time, but I don’t need my children’s entire wardrobe the color of crimson!!
God did open my heart yesterday afternoon. Had I kept my hardened heart, I would have been mad, frustrated over encountering yet another mess to clean. However, I quickly became thankful for the “accident” because it saved me from a load of ruined clothes. The accident was…a blessing in disguise.
When you are having “one of those days,” rather than taking it out on those around you, take it to the Lord. He will not be influenced by our ugliness. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,” Isaiah 40:31.
Blessings are everywhere…you just have to open your heart and mind to receive them.
Yesterday was “one of those days.” I wrote in my prayer journal that I was having a rotten day (I tend to write my prayers as I am sharing them with the Lord). And then I realized…the day was just fine. It was a perfect day, in fact; one that the Lord had made, which simply means, it was perfect in His eyes. It was my attitude that was rotten. I prayed that God would soften my heart before the kids woke up from their naps…in about an hour and a half.
The kids awoke and I felt better, but still not as joyful or as victorious as God calls us to live as His children. In fact, it went down hill fast, culminating with a certain little one having an accident on the way to the potty. I managed not to take it out on my daughter (after all, accidents are just that—accidents!) and, after a short prayer asking for self-control, chalked up the incident to just being part of my blessed calling as a mother.
As I began to rinse the soiled undergarment, red dye filled the sink. Stay with me here…my daughter had worn red Christmas undies; ones that are new to us. Because most children’s clothing is made of fabric which does not fade in the wash, I am certain I would have tossed the Christmas undies in the laundry with everything else. And you know what would have happened…later in the week, I would have likely ended up with an entire load of clothes that were the color of Christmas! Now, I love Christmas time, but I don’t need my children’s entire wardrobe the color of crimson!!
God did open my heart yesterday afternoon. Had I kept my hardened heart, I would have been mad, frustrated over encountering yet another mess to clean. However, I quickly became thankful for the “accident” because it saved me from a load of ruined clothes. The accident was…a blessing in disguise.
When you are having “one of those days,” rather than taking it out on those around you, take it to the Lord. He will not be influenced by our ugliness. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,” Isaiah 40:31.
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