Please Join Me....

Having a million thoughts, and two blogs, one would think that I would be much more attentive to updating and uploading the million thoughts that I have.  However, my brain seems to work most at 3 and 4 in the morning, and crawling out of bed to type never seems overly inviting.

But for this post I am requesting prayer.  There is a little boy, a baby really, only 16 months of age, who has recently been diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer.  His big, brown eyes make my heart ache. The day after he was brought by medivac to Anchorage, he was hoarse from crying.  His weak voice and body were only the beginning of the days ahead.  His treatment will be awful, his recovery is questionable, but above all, his family needs Christ.

I sit in the comfort of my warm home, my kids off at school, participating in sports, work and music.  I am blessed abundantly.  My family has never had a trial like this to go through.  I, in no way, can began to relate to the fear of the unknown that this young family is facing.  But I do have something that they do not currently have.  Jesus.  Faith.  Belief.

It is my prayer that beyond any healing, that this family will turn to understand that Christ is the source of help in trial.  Peace in the storm and joy in tribulation.  God is the God of miracles, and I am confident that Jesus will be glorified in this situation.  

Thank you prayer warriors for joining me and many others in prayer for precious Ethan and his family.

The Sidelines

Recently, a friend mentioned that she hated to feel left out.  This caused me to think about the many times I have felt out of the loop, a bystander, a bench warmer or merely alone.  But before I dare complain about the moments where life has left me less than thrilled with adventure, camaraderie and excitement, let me say, I am complete in living the mundane.  I wash dishes.  I clean clothes.  I scrub floors.  I wax furniture.  I shop for groceries.  I cook food.  I assist with homework.  I dry tears.  I listen.  I smile. I laugh.  I encourage.

The life of a mom is an adventure like none other.  There are no quarterly bonuses.  I have yet to receive an award of accomplishment.  I have never been the guest of honor at a banquet honoring my achievements.  The board of directors doesn't congratulate me on my ability to cut costs.  And my 401K plan has no matching funds, nor am I vested in any such funds.

The job of mom, is hard.  There are times I cheer on my kids to find that it goes unnoticed. The day will come to an end and I get a nod with a "Good night."  I work daily for my kids.  I get up, make lunches, put on the happy face and try with all my might to send them out the door knowing that I love them, that God has a purpose for their lives and that, "This is the day that the Lord has made.  Rejoice.  Be GLAD."  I cannot honestly say that all of those things happen each morning.  Too often I become the irate mom, who is rushing the slow moving teenager, who begrudgingly drags themselves up the stairs, mopes about the lack of Eggo Waffles left in the freezer, frantically blames everyone for their lost homework, and then rushes out the door to drive or walk away in a huff.  But there are those moments, mind you they are quite few, but truly amazing, where each of the four children manage to wake up bright eyed and ready for the day.  Conversations happen over breakfast that make me grin.  Jokes cause giggles and the kids all leave the house with a smile on their face.  Those days I love.

Being a mom is quite like sitting in the stands of a sporting event.  You can cheer and yell.  Jump up and down and hang your head.  But the game is for the players.  They are in the thick of it.  There comes a time, where I am no longer a coach nor a ref or ump.  I am the cheering section.  I still take ownership of each of their ups and downs.  I would love to be in control and make each decision - take the hit, run hard, swing, block, spike..... but I'm not on the court or on the field.  I am the one left out of the game.  I am the cheering section.

There are no certificates that commemorate mom hood.  No achievement plaques, no hoopla, but I will cheer my children on in each venture they face.  I will cry when they struggle.  I will rejoice when they succeed.  I will counsel when they are confused, and I will certainly discipline when it is needed.

I love my role.  But it is truly lonely at times.  Fortunately, I have not sent my kids into the game alone.  God gave me four children for a little while.  It is my job to teach them, instruct them in the way of the Lord, then it is time for me to slowly begin to let go.  They will find their wings.  They will soar like eagles.  I will watch them, and pray with all of my heart that the wisdom they have heard will have penetrated their hearts and that they will succeed.  Earthly success is not my goal, but rather a success that brings about righteousness, holiness, sanctification.  That the Holy Spirit will dwell in their hearts.  That each day draws them closer to their Creator.

So as I sit in my quiet house watching one read ravenously at a book, one pound out some homework, one play a game, while one is off beating up people at football, not a word is being said.  Still there is an air of contentment.  A satisfaction in home.  It is comforting to me to be at home.  I have found my place.  It isn't on the front lines of any big business, nor is it getting attention for any certain skill.  I am a mom.  I sit on the sidelines.  Occasionally I am asked for my help, even my opinion, sometimes I have to rush the field because a situation has arisen that needs immediate attention.  But my days of running the plays and calling all the shots are coming quickly to an end.

Happy am I that I have an amazing team to root for.  Their colors are true blue.  The Captain of our team is the Most High.  And the trophy is unbelievable.

Let All Things Become New

Today I woke up and saw the beautiful blue sky, the sun shining through my windows, heard the birds chirping and thought, "What a perfect day to go into the House of the Lord and worship."

My thoughts were not unknown to the enemy it is quite apparent. Upon awaking I realized that I had snoozed after hitting the alarm, it was now 45 minutes till church started. Jumping out of bed, I nearly killed myself but then proceeded to be the happy, excited, "We can do this" Mom. The enemy did not prevail. The daughter who usually takes hours to get ready, did so in record time. We were out the door and I was sitting in a seat before the music started. My heart rejoiced!

But then, things took a downward spiral. As I sat alone, my heart became burdened that my son was far away, my daughter, whom I had asked to sit with me in church, quickly found another project to involve herself with, and that I am without a ministry to be a part of. Something is wrong with this picture.

I listened intently to the sermon and was deeply moved by the Holy Spirit. I have prayed for years that God would pour out His blessing on Cornerstone, but only when we were completely within His will. For a very long time, my heart has agonized over the church. We have become a carbon copy of so many other churches. Programs, small groups, music.... It's identical to half the churches in town. Where is the power of God moving amongst His people? Where are the hearts yearning to grow and learn? Why, when a prayer meeting occurs only a handful of people bother to attend? My hurt cannot compare to the anguish Christ has over His Bride.

We are His Bride and yet we act like we are single. No ties to anyone or anything. We do as we please. We are focused on entertainment. We seek pleasure over the pain of growth. And in the process we are reaping exactly what we rightfully deserve: Wayward children, broken homes, apathy for the lost and momentary happiness that is founded in the passing pleasures the world has to offer.

Change is coming. I am eagerly anticipating great things at Cornerstone. They begin now. With me. There is nowhere I would rather be this evening than seeking the face of God. God is answering the prayer of my heart. Tonight begins 22 days of prayer and fasting, worship and scripture, corporate and individual revival. May Cornerstone Church become a home to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, may we be a people passionate for the gospel, may we never be satisfied with the status quo but earnestly seek to become holy and blameless before our heavenly Father.

16 Minute Challenge

Be in the Word.  It isn't an option, it is mandatory for any Christian.  I confess, my consistency in this area has always been poor.  I love to read God's Word.  I am never disappointed when I take the time to search the scriptures. So why don't I devote more time to reading the Bible?

I am not referring to prayer time, devotional time, church, Bible studies or the like, I am talking about reading scripture.  Plain and simple.  Read.

So beginning today, along with a good friend, and maybe others, I begin the 16 Minute Challenge.  I wish I could say that the idea originated with me, but it did not.  I received an email from another church in town explaining what the challenge was.

http://www.keithferrin.com/2011/06/the-16-minute-challenge/

Count me in.  But in order to have the New Testament completed before the beginning of school, I am starting now, not in July.  The plan is simple.  Starting today,  read 16 minutes beginning with Matthew, and before school starts in August, we will be finished with the New Testament.

Reading scripture along with friends is a perfect way to have accountability, to learn, and to grow.  Please join me in taking 16 Minute Challenge.

Benediction

I love reading the letters in the New Testament and eagerly getting to the end of the letter where the personal side of the writer emerges. Though the book is oft wrought with doctrine, and exhortations, condemnations and rebukes, in the end, a tenderness slips out.

The other day I was teased by a friend that I might say my day has been awful in one sentence, but the next can be dripping with joy and happiness. I certainly would never want to seem insincere or trite in my exuberance over trials, but honestly, isn't that how we really need to face life? Rejoice in hardships and trials. What good does it do to dwell on the downside? There is always an upside, even if it may be in eternity, there will be an upside. So I'm sticking with my happy endings.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20, 21 NKJV)

Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:11-14 NKJV)

God Bless!