Growing in Grace -- To Offer Grace

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.

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.  

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).

 

Finding the Holy in the Mundane

We often let the big ideas, the majestic vistas of salvation, the grand visions of God’s work in the world, and the great opportunities for making an impact in the name of Jesus distract us from taking with gospel seriousness the unglamorous ordinary. Eugene Peterson

Let’s face it, sometimes life is just mundane. The young women are in college where life is a series of sitting in class, going to meals and completing projects. The young mothers change diapers and build block towers for their toddlers to knock down. By the time their child is in middle school, their time is spent in a vehicle, aka taxi cab. When the nest empties they putsy around the house and spend extra time on a new hobby. By then the hair is white, the step slow, and doctor visits occupy a vast amount of time. Is there ever time for the holy?

Daily life is just so “daily,” yet we have a place in our soul that cries out for the holy. It’s the place where God abides – the place from where He is constantly inviting us to come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest (Mark 6:31). For many of us a prolonged rest just doesn’t work. In those times we need to find the holy in the middle of our mundane. 

Steps to Finding the Holy

1. Obey Philippians 4:11

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. When our thoughts are pure and just, the holy can be found in a sink full of dishes and an unmade bed.

2. Extend Grace

The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Exodus 34:6-7). When your husband is late for the meal you lovingly prepared – extend grace. When your child spills another glass of milk – extend grace. When your teenager’s room displays all the attributes of a tornado – extend grace. When you burn the pan of cookies – extend grace. Extending grace doesn’t negate the need for correction and guidance. It does mean responding in kindness, and in the kindness we find the holy.

3. Sneak in the Holy

The Holy Spirit will teach you what you are to say (Luke 12:12). Talk about Noah’s obedience over animal cookies and milk. Tell the story of the Good Samaritan while bandaging cuts from a skate board accident. My Aunt Posie told me stories while she was ironing. Sing on the trek between the house and soccer practice. Tell the story of David and Goliath with Lego men. My friend, Anne, refused to allow me to help with the dishes after a recent meal. “Doing dishes is a time for me to pray.”

Don’t fall into the trap of mundane day after mundane day. When we strive to reach into our soul’s “God’s place,” we will hear whispered words, Take off your shoes, the ground on which you stand is holy ground (Exodus 3:5). 

Elizabeth Barret Browning penned these words:

Earth’s crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,

And daub their natural faces unaware...

We have to be waiting in our heart’s meditation, offering grace, and sneaking in the holy moments. And maybe, in anticipation, we can slip off our heart’s shoes, knowing that when we do our part, God sends the holy.

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Fashion Blunder Surprise

Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine. Oh, what blessed sweet communion! Jesus is a friend of mine. ~Joseph C. Ludgate

I had lunch with a friend today. One of those friends I can connect with in an instant. Between her schedule and my schedule it's been a long time coming. We laughed, we talked, we connected. It was just what I needed.

Eleanor is a fashion guru and she looked stunning as always. I thought I was pulled together okay.  I matched, navy in my top matching navy in my skirt.  Shoes went with the outfit. That's about as much as guru-ish as it gets with me. 

And then, after lunch I got out of the car at Michael's and looked down to discover my "pulled-together-okay" was suddenly not-so-okay. My skirt was as black as midnight. Which is what happens when you have the same skirt in two colors and you get dressed in a darkish bedroom. 

The best part of it? Eleanor didn't even notice! She just enjoyed my company as much as I enjoyed hers. She wasn't intent on picking apart all the negative things about me. We could just "be."

I think God must desire that from His friends, too. To just "be." To spend time without the questions, requests, and yes, even whining. He wants us to laugh, talk, and connect. To be unconcerned about petty things, but just enjoy being with Him.

Tweet: God desires time with us. To just "be." Time without questions, requests, & yes, whining--to laugh, talk, connect... http://bit.ly/1eShzxC

Eleanor and I grieved with each other when our mothers died, have shared disappointments, and carried each other's heartaches. God has cared for me like a father and encouraged me through life's hard times. But sometimes, like today with Eleanor, we need to just enjoy the friendship.

Saturday Soire

Christian Mommy Blogger

Radiant with Joy

When we acknowledge our need for help, God will help us. ~Ben Carson


Her face is lustrous, glowing with a brilliance which does not come from a bottled cosmetic. Francine Rivers is someone whose bright eyes and joyful smile beckoned me each day I sat in her classes and joined her at lunch. I didn't want the week to end. 

Does Francine Rivers' glow come from her RITA awards, her induction into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame, or the feature-length film version of her novel, The Last Sin Eater? Her novels have been translated into nearly thirty different languages, but even that doesn't produce her glow.

I believe her shining countenance comes from Psalm 34:4, Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy. Francine wrote for the secular market before Christ saved her. She realized she wasn't writing edifying material and worked hard to make sure none of the titles would be reprinted. 

She looked to Him for help --

Help to deal with a three year writer's block after her salvation.

Help to face her past abortion and to write The Atonement Child.

Help each day while Francine writes as a form of worship, challenging her readers to draw closer to God.

If you desire your face to be radiant with joy, go to God for help in facing each trial and opportunity God brings your way. Help for the grief in losing a loved one, or sadness dealing with the sins of one you love. Help with the pain in rejection or lost dreams. Help with fear as you step out in the ministry God gifted to you. 

 Look to God for help and your radiant face will draw others to the God who gives us joy. 

 

Decreasing...so God can Increase

If my thoughts revolve around myself...then I know nothing of Calvary love...If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or twentieth)...then I know nothing of Calvary love. ~Amy Carmichael


Self-promotion or self-denial...in Leslie's words, "we can easily become preoccupied with drawing attention toward ourselves instead of humbly pointing people to Jesus Christ."

As RB's musical talent became more and more apparent, his mother's mantra was, "Keep your talent dedicated to the Lord." I find even in my writing, I need to remember these words. While my mission statement expresses, "My ultimate goal is to inspire positive change in family, colleagues and readers through verbal and nonverbal development of Christ-honoring media," I need to keep every word dedicated to God. 

Questions to ask ourselves:

1. Am I doing this for God's glory or for my own applause?

2. When people observe this part of my life, are they drawn closer to Jesus, or are they merely impressed with me?

God blessed us with our talents. Charles Spurgeon said, "There is no beauty in any of us but what our Lord has worked in us." When we take the credit, we are counterfeiting what is His. The Psalmist said, You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you (Psalm 16:2). When we get out of the way and acknowledge God's goodness, it is God who shines through us.

Oh, I want to let Him shine!

Chapter Three: Accountability

Two are better than one...If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

How many of you have an accountability partner? Accountability is the ability and willingness to give an account to someone else of your actions and motives. It’s one of the suggestions Leslie makes in chapter three: Awake, My Soul. This year my friend, Sue, and I decided to read through the Gospels during Lent. I found it easy to keep on track when I knew Sue would check in to see if I was keeping up. And when I got behind a few days, it kept me from saying, “I’ve messed up; might as well quit.” 

If you are struggling in being consistent in your prayer life, I would recommend an accountability partner. Here are a few tips in finding or being a good accountability partner.

1. Choose someone you trust to keep your confidence. In return, you should keep your conversations confidential.

2. Choose someone who will spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). You want someone who will challenge you to be your best.

3. Be willing to accept gentle nudging and on the flip side, to be willing to give it, too. Never be harsh, but do be firm.

4. Be realistic. Don’t set high goals that are unrealistic. If you are praying for five minutes a day, Leslie suggests adding five more minutes. Adjust to that before adding five more.

5. Make the accountability a priority. It doesn’t take much to shoot a text message asking if they are on track. Send a quote to encourage, a funny related cartoon or a Scripture verse.

6. Offer grace. Don’t expect perfection. You will have days that you aren’t successful; so will your partner. Some days you just need to give grace, a hug or a cyber smiley face.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime/Godfer

These tips can be used for accountability in other areas of your life: breaking habits, self-control (anger, over eating, etc.), and procrastination. Don’t line up a list of areas in which to be accountable at one time. Choose one or two and conquer them before moving on to another.

Not only will an accountability partner help you improve in areas that defeated you before, but your friendship with your accountability partner will deepen as you work together on your respective growth needs. Most of all, your walk with God will deepen. Remember, As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another (Proverbs 27:17).

Chapter Three: Fragrant Love

Discussion Questions:

Today, read John 12:1-8

In chapter three of The Set-apart Woman, the author talks about true set-apartness and uses Mary of Bethany as an example. 

True set-apartness causes us to joyfully lay everything we have and everything we are at His feet without hesitation, simply because He is worthy.

Mary was extravagant in her worship, pouring expensive oil over Jesus' feet. No one suggested it; she didn't see someone else do it, but this act of worship came from her soul, out of a love for Jesus. And I love this next part: The house was filled with the fragrance (verse 3). 

Judas, however, was totally miffed. In his betrayal mind, Jesus wasn't worthy of such expense or praise. I've been meditating on that thought since last evening and asking myself these questions: Which attitude do I have in regards to worship? Do I give my very best praise and worship like Mary, fragrance shared with all I meet? Or does my worship stink in its half-heartedness? Do I hold back in fear of what other Judas' may say.

What about you? What can you do today to show the extravagance of your love for Jesus, of your proclamation of His worthiness? Have you held back, fearful of what others will say?

Listen to CeCe Winan Alabaster Box 

Caffeine for the Spirit

I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon. ~Ronald Reagan

It's the middle of the afternoon and you're starting to feel that slump coming on.  Unfortunately you still have a four-year-old who wants to bake cookies, or the line at the grocery store is longer than one waiting for the Kraken at Sea World and you still need to stop at the post office before heading home. The smell -- and promise -- of an espresso from the in house coffee shop keeps you standing upright or the gurgling of the coffee pot wafting the scent of the french vanilla coffee in a circle above your head gives you the oomph to smile and get out the cookbook.  For as Henry Ward Beecher said, No coffee can be good in the mouth that does not first send a sweet offering of odor to the nostrils.

I don't drink coffee (except on a cold day when a tall white chocolate mocha calls my name) but I do love to smell it while it's brewing.  But there are days I do need my middle of the day caffeine fix.  I find it in the double strength iced tea I make (or in a venti black shaken tea, no water or sugar added).  Oh how happy we are when our cup runs over!

What then can we do about the afternoon slump in our spirits?  You've just been on the phone with your mentor partner and, listening to the pain in her voice, feel like you were fighting the spiritual battle with her.  The kids have built a tent on the dining room chairs and piled it full of toys, books and every stuffed animal they own.   They're begging you to visit and read them books. On the floor -- in the tent -- with all the toys -- suffocated by stuffed bears.

You feel yourself getting weary and irritable. And then you see it -- the subway art you framed of Psalm 73:26: My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. It's like a shot of caffeine to your spirit.  Joy creeps back into your heart, peace is restored to your soul as you feel your weariness and irritability begin to fade.  Quickly you shoot a text message to your friend:  Read Psalm 73:26.  Then you lift the corner of the blanket and smile at the shouts and giggles of your littles.

This caffeine for the spirit is a trick I've used time after time.  The devil knows when I'm at my weakest.  When he can visit me with whispers of "Can you believe she said that?" to "You're not good to anyone."  He doesn't stay around long when I can pick up a verse from the promise box, quote Philippians 4:8, quickly read a Psalm, open my journal to an encouraging quote of someone who has traveled my road or reread the notes I took on my pastor's encourage message the week before.  It's caffeine -- and it chases the afternoon slump of the spirit away.

It's then that I realize -- my cup is running over.  My heart just gurgles like the coffee pot as the words I've memorized is quoted aloud: 

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.


What about you?  How do you chase away the afternoon slump of the spirit?  T.S. Eliot said, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons. I want to be able to say, I have measured out my life with Scripture verses. 

* * * * *

A Shot of Shelter: Coffee Gift Basket

I had such fun making this gift basket.  I had the sweetest friend in mind for it.  RB took some of the cookies to work today and shared them with the very person I had picked out for this.  Becky is such a special woman.  Her story is amazing -- raising two boys as a single mother and working to not only get her degree but her master's, too.  Becky has a heart for others and, in spite of her busy life, finds time to shelter -- I know, because I've been sheltered by her!

Sugar Cookies: 

2 eggs
1 tablespoon instant coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided

1. Mix together eggs, coffee and vanilla; blend well.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and 1 cup sugar; beat    in egg mixture.
4. Add flour mixture; blend well.
5. Allow dough to chill for 1-1/2 hours.

6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
7. Form dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in remaining sugar.

8. Press balls with decorative glass dipped in sugar.
8. Place on greased cookie sheets.
9. Bake at 375  for 8-10 minutes or until they have become golden brown.

1.  I downloaded this recipe card and typed out the recipe. 

2.  Filled the jar with cookies and used this printable coffee image. 

Delighting in the Holy

Remember that it is not hasty reading, but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian. Thomas Brooks

I was away for a week. Only one week. Seven days. But when my littlest grandboy saw me, he jumped into my arms, hugged my neck, giving me an exuberant kiss on my cheek. Did I feel loved? Yes! Did I think Camron was delighted to see me? Yes! His sweet boy arms and excited “Mamaw” made my day!

So often God speaks to me through His favorite people – the little ones – the ones Jesus rebuked His disciples for sending away. The ones He gathered to Him and prayed blessings over. The ones who listened as He told story after story. 

God spoke, and I was left with the question, How excited are you to see me? Sometimes when I listen to the words of Scripture, I have to bring my wandering mind back. Sometimes I am blessed by the words I hear. But excited? Hug-your-neck kind of excited? 

It was in those moments I heard the promise of Ezekiel 37:5, I will breathe into your dead bodies and you will come to life. Don’t you just love how God speaks through Scriptures we have memorized as a child? Every promise comes with a condition. God can’t breathe new life into me if I’m not there to accept it.

So there I’ll be each day, Bible open or audio cued – waiting excitedly to hug on God, as I meditate on the holy and heavenly truths.  

The Shredded Heart

Don't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain, and if you do know, ask yourself, why am I telling it? ~Johann Kasper

Did you hear about the church sign announcing the Sunday morning sermon? Gossip. Underneath was the title of the song, "I Love to Tell the Story."  We can laugh about that, but it's not funny when we are the object of gossip.

It shreds your heart, even if it's spread by someone who isn't a close friend. It's human to wonder, Who heard it and who believes it? In the study, I define the difference between gossip and slander, although either one is difficult to process. 

One reason people gossip is that they don't have enough to do. 1 Timothy 5:13  tells us, Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. If you are caught up in this sin, find something to focus your time on -- something true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8a).

To help deal with gossip, start a gratitude journal. Think of things that are excellent and full of praise (Philippians 4:8b). Write down your praise; it will change your attitude and your obsession about the affairs of others. This is a great exercise when we are dealing with gossip about ourselves. The devil would like us to dwell on what others have said.

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The Discipline of Solitude

The fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity and compassion for others. There comes a new freedom to be with people. There is new attentiveness to their needs, new responsiveness to their hurts. ~Richard Foster

I get tired of noise. And it's not always the outward noise -- although my spirit gets tired of that, too: The clamor of the radio. The yammering on social networks. But inward noise makes me weary. The noise of ideas banging around in my head. The constant mutterings of "Oh, I need tos." The clanging of words from the books I'm reading and the don't-forget-about-me yelling from writing deadlines. It. Never. Stops. 

Sometimes I just need some solitude and silence -- some God-time. Time when I'm not asking, just quietly worshiping my Heavenly Father. Time when I'm not reading or studying God's word. Time when my mind stops and I can just sit in His presence -- to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

Being silent in solitude is a spiritual discipline we often skip. Mother Theresa said, 

We need to be alone with God in silence to be renewed and to be transformed. For silence can give us a new outlook on life. In it we are filled with the grace of God, which makes us do all things with joy.

I need silence and solitude. I need the space it makes in my life. I need it to hear the voice of God. And in the fulfilling of these needs, I find myself able to rejoin the noise, bringing the Lord with all His grace, peace, wisdom and joy to my interactions with others.

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The Cup of Blessing -- In Remembrance

The Lord’s Supper is a gift to you. The Lord’s Supper is a holy invitation. A sacred sacrament bidding you to leave the chores of life and enter his splendor. He meets you at the table.

One bite of the elderberries my mother served the last time I was home took me back to the old farmhouse my grandmother lived. The one within walking distance of my grandfather's coal mines -- where we walked at lunch time to share the black licorice Granddad always had in his old tin lunch pail. Where hand-crocheted doilies graced the back and arms of the living room couch and chairs. Where dangling prisms hung from the matching lamps in the guest room. Where we ate stewed elderberries in a pink-handled bowl. 

My mother didn't have the pink bowls, yet with each bite I could envision my beautiful Grandma Cessna and remember.

RB was writing a paper this week. Forty pages on the Lord's Supper. It was huge and took most of the hours of two days. He set up a table in the living room, spread out his books and papers...they spilled over to the cherry coffee table. We closed the French doors and let him work, poking our heads in every couple hours to see if he needed food or coffee. 

I did a bit of research, comparing how we commemorate the last supper of our Lord before His crucifixion. Common cup, individual cup, or in these throw-away days, disposable cups with the bread attached to the top. Unleavened bread, small crackers, or a common loaf of bread. Once a month, a quarter, or as in the church I attend, the opportunity to partake individually each week and on the first Sunday of the month as a body.  

However we observe, we all have one objective -- it's in remembrance of the One who died for us. This Christ who came to earth as a baby. The One who lived among us, preaching, working miracles and then giving His life for all mankind.

It's a time of remembrance of the time Jesus' blood was spilled so that we can cup our hands and receive grace, blood drop by blood drop. We can remember the body that was broken. We can peer through the darkness, feel the earth quake and hear the swish of the temple curtain tearing in two. 

It is through this remembrance that the light from the resurrection begins to shine. Yes, we remember the broken body, the spilled blood. It is dipping our sins in the fountain of blood that we are forgiven. But without the resurrection Jesus was just a man whose blood had no meaning. It is in the death, burial and resurrection that we receive not only salvation, but the hope of our own resurrection. 

My heart is bowed in worship to my Heavenly Father who gave, my Savior who saves, and the Holy Spirit who lives in me, making it possible to live each day with faith, grace and joy. And through the supper of our Lord I am reminded of what makes my worship possible.

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Sheltering on Roller Skates

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia

I remember Melanie helping Emily learn to roller skate. Melanie was a pro by the time Emily was three and and asking for roller skates. She could fly around the blacktopped campus, yet slowing down long enough to help her sister, holding hands to steady her and pulling her up when she fell. Now it's Melanie's Ethan slowing down long enough to help his brother Camron skate, holding hands to steady him and pulling him up when he falls.

Solomon in Ecclesiastes tells us that if someone falls when he's alone, he's in real trouble. Two people are better than one...If one person falls, the other can reach out and help (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). 

I think the easiest way for Christian women to fall is in the area of discouragement. Our lives are filled to the brim of expectations -- from ourselves and others. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and to look at ladies who appear to be able to "do it all." Add to that the pressure of perfection, and we often fall under the load.

How beautiful to have a Christian friend who understands. I have a couple friends whom I can text for prayer when I'm down -- When the house needs cleaned, laundry is piled up, hours of writing calling and a migraine is starting. Other times I need to focus and a few words of encouragement or a listening ear refuels my I-can-do-it determination.


Here are a few ways to pull up a discouraged friend:

1. Pray. Stop what you are doing and pray immediately. 
2. Listen. Sometimes we just need someone to hear our heart.
3. Deliver a Starbucks. Just go to the door, hand it over and leave.
4. Text a prayer. RB has a friend who responds with a written prayer, and he treasures them. 
5. Give verbal praise.  In our discouragement we tend to focus on what we perceive to be failures. We need to be reminded of the ways we are succeeding. 
6. Give chocolate -- Dark. Smooth. Chocolate! 

Pulling your friend from discouragement doesn't require a grandiose gift or action. It doesn't even have to talk a lot of time. It's just the knowledge that someone cares. That makes the biggest difference. John Holmes said, "There's no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting others up." And we all need the exercise.

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Rx: Laughter

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.                                                                                     ~Woody Allen

Blue lights. Bright blue lights. LED bright blue lights.  RB loves them, and unfortunately Emily chose a man a lot like her pops. I used to have the winning vote. Now we are deadlocked, and I find them sneaking up on me. I figure if I can keep them relegated to Christmas it's pretty close to a win.

When I saw the electronic pillar candle set with its twelve colors (and remote!), I knew this was what I needed to feed RB's blue light addiction. I was excited the day they arrived, and put them in my lantern, turned them to blue and waited until RB walked through the door.

He's a man who notices. A new dress, a small decorating change, new candle scent--he notices. So I wasn't surprised he saw the candles immediately and crowed with Jonathon over the blue lights. I waited an hour and turned the candles to pink -- with my nifty remote. 

All evening I changed them from color to color. He blamed me for changing them and Emily and I blamed him. We had him wondering...and maybe he still is, since I never admitted to him I was doing the changes. (Although he'll know now when he proofs this post!) It was fun, and still makes me belly laugh when I think of it.  [Proofreader's note: "You got me good, Baby! Payback is on my agenda!"]

Solomon, to whom God gave great wisdom, said that laughter is good for our health. Life is sometimes oppressive. Yet when we can laugh in spite of it all, it relaxes our body and dispels tension.

One day after we lost our Sarah, I asked RB what would happen if I started screaming and couldn't stop. He just looked at me and said, "They have places for people who do that." I laughed--really laughed, and it felt good! Was he grieving, too? Of course. It didn't lessen the pain in our hearts, but it did give us a momentary break in the heaviness. 

If you are struggling today, find something to laugh about and feel the medicine take hold of your body. It won't solve your problems, but it will jostle things around in your heart, allowing a moment to remember God's goodness.  

It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,

when God returned Zion’s exiles.

We laughed, we sang,

we couldn’t believe our good fortune.

We were the talk of the nations—

“God was wonderful to them!”

God was wonderful to us;

we are one happy people.

Psalm 126:3

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Dressed for Battle

Beware of lazily giving up. Instead, put up a glorious fight and you will find yourself empowered with His strength. ~Oswald Chambers

Blogging is such an honor. I'm so often blessed just thinking about God calling me to this place. It's completely out of my comfort zone -- this laying my heart out for all to view.

There are so many bloggers I admire. It's easy to pick out the ones who blog with authenticity. And there are more than you realize. It would be impossible to mention them all, but Jennifer from Finding Heaven: Opening to Jesus, Finding Grace and host of the Soli Deo Gloria, wrote a post that spoke to me today. It's a short post and well worth reading. 

I suspect I'm not the only one who fights the enemy daily. Fighting the constant reminders of the times I've failed. This is how Jennifer wrote it, Doubt upon doubt, drop by drop, until I am awashed in a sea of unbelief and self-criticism. I know it's the devil reminding me of yesterday's failures and failures of years gone by. He wins when he can get me to relive the failures and keep me from living victorious.

Jen's urging of putting on the armor of God really will defeat the devil. God's Word promises, Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm (Ephesians 6:13-16).

The belt of truth
    The breastplate of righteousness
          Speedy shoes to tell the Good News of the Gospel
               The shield of faith
                    The helmet of salvation
                          The sword of the spirit

Satan fights when we are weary. He fights when life brings extra joys. He fights in the middle of the ordinary. I remember once years ago when the Enemy just wouldn't let up. I was weary of the battle. I started each day mentally putting on God's armor. It was amazing what happened. Satan could not penetrate the armor! 

Reading the truth
      Brandishing the sword by quoting Scripture 
          Praising God for my salvation
               Telling others about my God and the peace He gives
                    Claiming victory in faith
                          Doing all I can to be obedient to God

Dress in God's armor. March through your day and claim the victory! 

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