In Celebration

I love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.  Robert Munsch

She sang outside my study window. I wondered what made her so happy. Then one day when I was outside, I saw her fly out of a decorative pot of foliage. Peeking in I discovered a nest containing four speckled eggs. And then I knew -- she was rejoicing over her children yet unborn.

I remember those days of joyful waiting.  Nine long years of wishing, hoping, then tears of disappointment.  Over and over.  Disappointed so many times that my friend, Janet, had to tell me she thought I was expecting. 

Throughout the last 
couple weeks we peeked in on those eggs often.  We celebrated when one bird hatched. And let me tell you, baby birds are not nearly as cute as I imagined. It took them a while to grow their feathers but oh, are they ever adorable! And our Momma sings her song of rejoicing -- this time over children born.

I, too, sing over my children born. I celebrate who they have grown to be. I look at them and see little girls with Shirley Temple curls, black patent  shoes, and happy smiles. I see Melanie reading her Bible with little sister beside her, reading hers upside down. I see report cards, baptisms and piano lessons.

All those have been rejoiced over. Today, I look at them and see girls earnestly seeking God's best.  I see Melanie's daily choice to put family and home first. I see her reaching out to others and teaching her children by example. I see the results of memorized Scripture and Debi Pearl's Created to Be His Helpmeet and To Train up a Child. I see other books underlined and prayed over as she seeks to be a missionary right in her home, guiding her children to heaven.

I see Emily's joyful spirit and servant heart. I see her creativity and diligence in every college project. I see her "putting first things first" as she waits to begin a life with the man she loves. I see how she accepts life's difficulties, using lemons for lemonade. I see how fiercely she protects and nurtures her friendships.

Isn't that what mothering is all about? Celebrating daily the children entrusted to you? As life changes, I continue to celebrate. My heart rejoices as I see them grow in grace.  Because I have no greater joy than to know my children are walking in the truth (3 John 1:4).

The bird and I are on opposite ends of the mothering spectrum. Yet if you paused at the door of our home, you would hear happy chirping on the outside and slightly-off-key singing on the inside. With the mother of our Savior, I'm keeping all these things to [my]self, holding them dear, deep within [my]self (Luke 2:19).

Linking to

Say it Saturday

Spiritual Sundays

Why I Write

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

Sarah Morgan
Photo by Kayla Graf

When I was young, I wanted to be an author -- a secret desire not many knew about. How could I be a writer when I struggled with spelling and tended toward passive voice? As a young adult I bought writing magazines and marked them up, dreaming -- yet not believing -- I'd publish one day.  

One day I realized that nobody but me could make my dream come true. And that realization led to a folder full of rejection letters. But even that couldn't deter me. I'd just write something else. Because somewhere between "I want to be a writer," and "I am a writer," my focus changed from me to my reader. My goal of publication was still a personal desire, but not the end goal -- writing truth and sharing my Savior with the world.  Out of that my mission statement was birthed. 

Photo by Kayla Graf

I will strive to fulfill my life calling from Jesus Christ, the Author and Provider of my salvation. I will seek opportunities to convey the gospel of Christ through communication venues available to me. I intend to exemplify my personal love for and obedience to God and His Word. I will seek to provide resources for instruction and inspiration. I intend to maximize teaching responsibilities to selected audiences. My ultimate goal is to inspire positive change in family, colleagues and readers through verbal and nonverbal development of Christ-honoring media.

Morgan
Photo by Kayla Graf

Throughout this time of a partial blog break, I've been thinking about that mission statement. It's still the mission of my life, and I hold each piece I write to its words.  But I wondered the why of what I write. What purpose do the words that appear on my computer screen hold? Yesterday in the middle of research it came to me:  "I write because my heart compels me; I write so others can read and learn." 

Photo by Kayla Graf

Reading has always been a part of my life. From Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking to Jack London's White Fang, I fell in love with reading. From Charles Sheldon's In His Steps, my heart was open to the truth reading offers. From Florence Littauer's Silver Boxes, I found that reading can connect with my passion. From Henri Nowen's The Wounded Prophet I learned that one's pain can heal another's.  

Photo by Kayla Graf

Since my childhood yearnings of a writing career I have embraced spell check. I've learned all about passive voice and know that if it sneaks in my writing my husband will catch it. My mission statement continues to be the heart of my writing. But this week, I learned why I write...I write so others can read and learn.

What books impact your writing?

Linked to:

Say It Sunday

Spiritual Sunday

Soli Deo Gloria

Wanting God's Better

Disappointments are just God's way of saying, "I have something better in mind.  ~unknown

My daughter, Melanie, and her husband planned a fun Friday night family 4-wheeler ride. They just knew the kids would be so excited -- and they were! Melanie's next door neighbor has a landing strip and it's the perfect place for races.

All three machines gassed up and the family ready to ride, the quiet hum of engines caught their attention. Looking up they saw the neighbor's airplane ready to land. Watching the landing excited the kids, but it turned out even more exciting when the neighbor asked if they wanted a plane ride.

Melanie said, "We thought we had the best activity planned for the kids, but it turned into something so much better."  Upon hearing this, the Lord spoke to me very plainly, "You thought you had the best plan for me to answer prayer -- but I had something so much better in mind."


True, I thought I knew just how God could "fix" things. Do you ever tell God how to answer your prayers? "God, if you would just...then..." I wanted God to move the players around like the men in a chess game.  But He didn't, because He had something so much better in mind.  

The enemy of our souls is happy for us to cling to our game plans.  He loves hearing us lament God's methods. But in the midst of Satan's glee, the Sword of the Spirit slashes through his one-man-celebration with, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

In my amazement at how God works, I look around and say, "So. Much. Better." I am in awe of His leading in our family. Paul so plainly tells us, 

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 

Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

I wanted God to "push people around." Instead the Holy Spirit worked in me, deeply and gently. My wildest dreams could not have brought me to the place I am today. All I can say is "Glory to God." His better surpasses anything I could think. Glory to God! Oh, yes!

God had something better than what I had planned.

God had something better by His Grace I stand.

So if you're tired of searching for that joy you can't find.

Remember God had something better in mind.

~Janene Dubbeld~

 Linked to :

Say it Saturday

Spiritual Sundays

Unite

Soli Deo Gloria

A Vacation of Sorts

The Sheltering Tree is taking a vacation until June 1st.  My Sunday posts will be written, but Share the Shelter and Gifting Books will return in June. Robert Orben said, "A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in." That's sounds amazing (although I feel quite certain I'd be bored before one day was up) but I do have travel, guests and a June 1st deadline for a large writing project scheduled. I'll be around to visit you all as time permits.  


      Joyfully,

Bringing Beauty to the Ugly

May God break my heart so fully that the whole world falls in.    
                                                                             ~Mother Teresa 

There it stood. Not in a flower bed, but in the middle of a dirt pile. Straight and tall with all its golden sunshine splendor. Bringing beauty to the ugly. Growing in the midst of nothing but dirt.

Until, of course, you remember God used the dirt to create man. Man who could walk with Him in the cool of the day. Man who was made in the likeness of God Himself. Man given the choice of right or wrong.  

Sometimes I feel like the lone tulip in a dirt pile. Oh, not beautiful in the physical sense. But beautiful through the blood of the Sacrificial Lamb. Beautiful because of grace. Beauty claimed daily in my walk of faith.

Photo by Janet Hetrick

Inniswood Metro Gardens in Columbus Ohio

But still, the dirt. In the midst of standing I see those who live and work and play. Those who haven't chosen, although not choosing is really choosing the wrong. I see them out my window delivering packages. I see them at the grandboys' games. They pack my groceries and lean out their window to hand me drinks in foam cups. They fill my prescriptions and put gas in my car. Men and women packed in the dirt of life. People who need grace.

I look around me and see the evilness of Satan. See him stepping on dirt, surrounding me in a victory dance of sorts. But I stand straight and tall with all my SONshine beauty. Growing in the midst of nothing but dirt.  

Photo by Janet Hetrick

Inniswood Metro Gardens in Columbus Ohio

I was first planted as Pamela, but replanted as Daughter of the Son. Sent to a world longing to flower but trapped in the dirt.  "I find myself standing where I always hoped I might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting my praise" (Romans 5:2). 

I'm alone, but seeing the vision of a garden of tulips. Tulips ready and willing to find their own plot of dirt.  Tulips standing in all their SONshine beauty. 

There are many tulips to plant and not enough planters. Pray to the owner of the tulip gardens that He will send workmen to gather his harvest.  (Paraphrase of Luke 1:10).

Linked to:

Spiritual Sundays

Soli Deo Gloria

Say it Saturday
Unite

Gifting Books: Inspired You & Giveaway

If our highest priority is walking in faith and loving our families, we'll find joy in the sofa stains, the scratches on the dining room table, and the pile of shoes by the door.  ~Marian Parson

Shelter a friend with the gift of a book

In the flyleaf of "Inspired You:  Letting God Breathe New Life into Your Heart and Home," Marian Parson writes, 

Homes don't have to be magazine material to be special, comfortable and inviting. The goal you're working toward is home. Not a perfect home. Not an "impress the neighbors" home. Just home -- one whose walls and rooms tell the story of the family who lives there.

My sister's home does look like magazine material. It's a gift from God. But the beauty in her home is not the perfection, the beauty is in the feeling of warmth the minute you walk through the doorway.
It's the tea light candle tucked in a china cup, the stack of old books waiting to be read. It's in the family pictures which grace her grand piano and tabletops. It's in the joy banner her daughter made her which hangs over her kitchen table and speaks clearly of the the joy in her heart and home.  

Melodie's touches

Marian says, "Almost anyone can create an amazing space with a limitless budget, but it takes a lot of creativity, resourcefulness, and patience to put together a space with limited funds." Melodie's antique basket, overflowing with hydrangeas.(Basket cost 50 cents at a yard sale.

I loved reading this book, but viewing the pictures inspired me, too.  I can't wait to see who wins it. Leave a comment, either here or on Sheltering Tree's facebook page if you'd like to be entered to win. 

Click to see larger

One of the projects in the book is a framed chalkboard. Any frame will work and a thin board sprayed with chalkboard paint. It is a great way to gift this book. I wrapped it with a paper sack, wrapped it with twine and tucked chalk into the twine. The tags are below for you to print.

I leave Miss Mustard Seed's final words with you.  

Hopefully you'll create an inviting home for your family, you'll find increasing joy,

and you'll discover the inspired you.

 Click for Marian aka Miss Mustard Seed's blog.

Karen from Pink Parsonage won Homemade with Love.

 Linked to:

Sarah and The Homemaking Party

Mama Bear and Thriving Thursdays

Jessica and Thoughtful Thursday

Jesus' Final Gift and Share the Shelter Linkup

Peace does not dwell in outward things, but within the soul; we may preserve it in the midst of the bitterest pain, if our will remains firm and submissive. Peace in this life springs from acquiescence to, not in an exemption from, suffering. ~Francois Fenelon

When my husband worked in Southern Indiana, we lived on a church campus.  I could stand at my kitchen door and see across the parking lot to the school. I enjoyed hearing the school children on their breaks and recess, knowing my children were among them, getting exercise, socializing, and having a great time.

On one day, I had a migraine and was lying down. It was then I realized that the basket ball hoops were only a few feet from my bedroom window. Each bounce of the ball echoed in my head. 
Needless to say, the "break's over signal" 
made me happy, and still today I can still feel the relief of silence.

Many times my heart is in distress as I feel pain from the frenzy of life. There's too much to do, friends are hurting over the unfairness of daily living, death comes to the young, and evil seems to be winning this war of life.  I feel each bounce of  phone calls, text messages or e-mail echo in my heart.  

It is then I need to remember the final gift Jesus left with His disciples. “I am leaving you with a gift -- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give" (John 14:27).  

It is into the devil's recess of life Jesus promises this peace. This peace-gift that Jesus gives not only brings calmness to our own hearts, but it enables us to live in peaceful relationships with those around us.  Paul urges us to "Work with living in peace with all men" (Hebrews 12:14).

How I'd love to pluck peace fruit and stand on the street corner shouting, "Peace," while offering the luscious fruit to those passing by.  Hawaiians use peace as a greeting -- "Aloha."  Jews use "Shalom," which also means peace, and even Jesus used the expression "Peace be with you" when greeting His disciples.  Yet, Jeremiah tells us that men call, "Peace, peace, where there is no peace."  

Why?  We must grow this peace in our own hearts, exchanging our fears and anxieties with trust. "Now that we have been made right with God by putting our trust in Him, we have peace with Him. It is because of what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us" (Romans 5:1).

This peace is beyond our understanding.  How can we feel peace at the same time our world is full of fear and sin? We can because Christ lives us in. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages: "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

God wants us to have the Spirit's fruit of peace, plant it, cultivate it, and as it grows, harvest it to share with others.  

Fruit of the Spirit Posts
Love
Joy

 Share the Shelter

Share the Shelter is open to everyone. I love variety so link your craft and recipes ideas we can use for sheltering. Link your posts that encourage us in our walk with God. We're a family here at the Sheltering Tree so make sure you visit the link before yours. Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comments if you or someone you love needs prayer.