Can Christmas really be only 2 months away?
It is not even Halloween yet and I am exhausted...so are all of my friends.
Yes, this is the busy season of my life.
I feel like it is passing so quickly that my vision is blurred by it.
These past two weeks have been unusually busy for me...kid's getting sick....school parties...costumes to wear...gifts to buy....my gall bladder acting up....dinners to fix...bumps and bruises to kiss...oh yeah....and don't forget to love the Lord your God with all your heart...and have an amazing marriage....and raise incredibly grateful and disciplined kids.
Scary, isn't it!!??!!
We act like this isn't really how our lives are. But it is.
And let me be the first to tell you that I have fallen----hook, line, and sinker----for the devil's scheme. I have put down God's Word and put off my prayer time in exchange for what I thought was some peace of mind.
Doesn't the devil tell you that?? You need some "you" time.
Actually the "you" time usually turns into "doing" even more and stressing out over all the isn't done. That is how it has been for me.
In reality, I am exchanging His peace for my pleasure. Two totally different things.
The truth of it is....being peace filled takes time. Time we don't act like we have. Time that we act like is too precious to use on useless things like peace.
The enemy is sly. He knows just how to sell it to us.
Anyway, my confession is finished. I have acknowledged the lie I believed.
I can't run through the express aisle with God expect to be filled to overflowing with all that He has to offer. I want to though. And if I could I would.
The question is will I MAKE TIME when there seems to be so little of it?
Lord, sometimes I am scared when I think of how easily I put down the things You think are important because I am busy, or because my children get sick. Those are the times I need you most. Please help me stay diligent. Help me prioritize my time with You. Help me to know that it is more important than my marriage, my children, or any duties in my life. Please forgive me for letting my life get too busy for You. I know me and I am sure this will happen again...pull me in close quickly. Don't let me be okay with going days without You.
Walking By Faith
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
We want to act like...
the Bible is just for us...Christians that is.
We don't say that, of course, because saying really does sound absurd. But we do think it.
How would you feel if you saw a murderer, robber, molester, or any other unsavory character holding that blessed book?
Would some protective instinct in you rise up?
Would you want to yank it from their hands?
A part of me would. A part of me would not want anyone nasty, perverted, or evil touching the Word of God. They seem too unworthy.
So, what am I saying? That because I clean up nice, smell good, and act like I don't sin in my heart every day that I meet the "worthy" qualification to hold that book.
Now that is absurd.
God said if you hate someone in your heart...then you are a murderer.
Well, He showed me that this weekend.
I got wrapped up in the story of the missing Florida girl who was snatched away by someone while walking home from school. Whoever this was, did horrible unspeakable things to this baby girl and then dumped her in a land fill. I am sure that this story resonated with me and so many others because we have baby girls.
Anyway, I hate whoever did this. In my heart...the deep places....I hate them. Why would God hold back his wrath? How could someone do such a thing?
Then, God illuminated my thoughts and showed me something in His Word.
1 Timothy 1: 8-10
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
We also know that law is made not for the righteous
but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful,
the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers
or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts,
for slave traders and liars and perjurers-and for whatever
else is contrary to the sound doctrine"
Well, is someone you hate mentioned on that list?
This person who did this heinous crime is on this list.
He is described perfectly....murderer....pervert....
But God says His law is for this person.
Did you know that I made that list too? Where it says "righteous"...that would be me...but not in the good way.
Self-righteous would be more appropriate.
As I finish these thoughts I pause at just how prideful I can be. There is a verse in Micah that God has had rolling around in my head. I think He is preaching a 3 point sermon to me.
Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
1. Act justly
2. Love mercy
3. Walk humbly
Those seem so simple....but I guarantee you I will screw that up even today. But, I will try. I don't want to hate anyone really. I just need to hate WHO is behind all of the sin. He is evil and shrewd.
But for the grace of God go I.....
We don't say that, of course, because saying really does sound absurd. But we do think it.
How would you feel if you saw a murderer, robber, molester, or any other unsavory character holding that blessed book?
Would some protective instinct in you rise up?
Would you want to yank it from their hands?
A part of me would. A part of me would not want anyone nasty, perverted, or evil touching the Word of God. They seem too unworthy.
So, what am I saying? That because I clean up nice, smell good, and act like I don't sin in my heart every day that I meet the "worthy" qualification to hold that book.
Now that is absurd.
God said if you hate someone in your heart...then you are a murderer.
Well, He showed me that this weekend.
I got wrapped up in the story of the missing Florida girl who was snatched away by someone while walking home from school. Whoever this was, did horrible unspeakable things to this baby girl and then dumped her in a land fill. I am sure that this story resonated with me and so many others because we have baby girls.
Anyway, I hate whoever did this. In my heart...the deep places....I hate them. Why would God hold back his wrath? How could someone do such a thing?
Then, God illuminated my thoughts and showed me something in His Word.
1 Timothy 1: 8-10
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
We also know that law is made not for the righteous
but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful,
the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers
or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts,
for slave traders and liars and perjurers-and for whatever
else is contrary to the sound doctrine"
Well, is someone you hate mentioned on that list?
This person who did this heinous crime is on this list.
He is described perfectly....murderer....pervert....
But God says His law is for this person.
Did you know that I made that list too? Where it says "righteous"...that would be me...but not in the good way.
Self-righteous would be more appropriate.
As I finish these thoughts I pause at just how prideful I can be. There is a verse in Micah that God has had rolling around in my head. I think He is preaching a 3 point sermon to me.
Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
1. Act justly
2. Love mercy
3. Walk humbly
Those seem so simple....but I guarantee you I will screw that up even today. But, I will try. I don't want to hate anyone really. I just need to hate WHO is behind all of the sin. He is evil and shrewd.
But for the grace of God go I.....
Friday, October 23, 2009
Stargazers
This is a picture taken by me of Shep and myself staring at the stars on Wednesday morning just before daylight. We got snuggled in some warm clothes, took a blanket and laid in our driveway at 5:50 a.m. We wanted to watch our Creator God do His thing and enjoy the meteor shower. 
It was fun! We wanted to see a lot more than we did but we got to see a handful of shooting stars.
I think what I enjoyed more than the stars was just being quiet and snuggled with Shep. There was something too cool about being out there when no one else was...kind of like the world around us hadn't woken up and we didn't want it to.
Of course, I should know better than to ask God to help me overflow with thankfulness.
What was I thinking??(my last blog entry!!)
I have been to the doctors office 5 times this week.
Me-twice (possibly gall bladder issues)
Zeke- double ear infection
Ava- severe sinus infection
Caroline-dentist appt. (very difficult with her)
On top of all of that....life continues to just be hard. I wish there was another word that accurately describes it but "hard" is probably best.
So, in my best attempt to be thankful and not lose my mind during my present circumstances...I am going to be thankful for God's Word.
Ps. 18: 16-19
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of the deep waters,
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me."
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The key
Shep and I have been talking about contentment a lot lately.
Are you content?
I feel like on any given day I whine about so much I want or don't have.
Anyway, Shep said to me the other night that he felt the key to contentment was thankfulness.
As God often does.....He confirmed this with scripture.
I am mentoring a girl about 8 years younger than me and she had suggested that we memorize Colossians 2:6-7.
See if you get the message too....
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving."
Dang that is good!
Those verses could preach all by themselves.
I try to be very transparent on this blog. Live out my faith so to speak....
Man, I have got questions. Big ones.
But I believe God is handing me a key here.
Andrea, continue on in Me...
Be rooted and built up in Me..
I can strengthen you in faith by My Word...
Could you just do something for me???
Overflow.
Overflow with thanksgiving. Overflow because of
salvation
grace
peace
My Presence
My pursuit of you
Shep
Caroline
Ava
Zeke
your amazing family
your enduring friends
the roof over your head
the transportation you have
the food you eat
Need I go on??
God, help me overflow for you today!!
Are you content?
I feel like on any given day I whine about so much I want or don't have.
Anyway, Shep said to me the other night that he felt the key to contentment was thankfulness.
As God often does.....He confirmed this with scripture.
I am mentoring a girl about 8 years younger than me and she had suggested that we memorize Colossians 2:6-7.
See if you get the message too....
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving."
Dang that is good!
Those verses could preach all by themselves.
I try to be very transparent on this blog. Live out my faith so to speak....
Man, I have got questions. Big ones.
But I believe God is handing me a key here.
Andrea, continue on in Me...
Be rooted and built up in Me..
I can strengthen you in faith by My Word...
Could you just do something for me???
Overflow.
Overflow with thanksgiving. Overflow because of
salvation
grace
peace
My Presence
My pursuit of you
Shep
Caroline
Ava
Zeke
your amazing family
your enduring friends
the roof over your head
the transportation you have
the food you eat
Need I go on??
God, help me overflow for you today!!
Friday, October 16, 2009
AMAZED AND PERPLEXED!!
In the past few months I have felt an overwhelming sense of loss. Loss of faith...loss of what I want to be...
It has been like a death to me. I hate it. The truth is...(my mom pointed this out to me) when everything is going good-then I trust God. When things starts to veer off the projected path and the days become dark-I don't trust God.
It is just that simple.
Shame on me. But I do admit it.
I have felt like a balloon that was once full (full of hope, faith, promise) to a balloon that is losing air everyday. Deflating .....a little at a time.
Last week, I felt a surge of new air and new life when I found out that Caroline had walked on her own in the gait trainer. ( You all don't know the extent of this but we have tried for years to get her to walk in that thing at home---with no luck) And for her to do it by herself and walk approximately 40 feet was thrilling to me.
Today, I had another surge of new air and new life. Frankly....I am still (hours later) amazed and perplexed.
Caroline has participated in some standardized testing this week. Due to her limitations, she requires a lot of one-on-one time in order to be tested accurately. Today her teacher called and told me how she had done on her reading comprehension...
Let me remind you in case you don't know...she cannot speak...she cannot eat...she cannot eat...she cannot walk....but today she defied my expectations...
She read and answered questions on her own. (mouth open and still reeling)
Her teacher told her that the test was 5 paragraphs and 20 questions. She asked Caroline if she wanted to read it herself. Caroline shook her head "yes". Melissa (her teacher) had already told Caroline that she thought this would be too hard for her but relented and let Caroline try her best.
They put the paragraphs up on a computer screen and highlighted a sentence at a time. Caroline would verbally make sounds as if trying to read each sentence. When she finished she would look at Melissa to highlight the next one. She came to one word she didn't know and looked at her teacher. Melissa asked her if she was having trouble with that word and Caroline indicated "yes". The word was everyone. After Melissa told her the word, Caroline continued reading.
After each paragraph Melissa would ask her questions and give her multiple choice for the answers. She would answer using a button that she pressed when the correct answer was given.
She could only know the answers if she had read the paragraphs. Her teachers DID NOT help her read them at all. They also did not help her with any of the answers.
So, is it safe to guess that my girl can read???? Who knew??
I don't know what to say or think or feel. I am a little bit in shock.
I sat in the car and prayed trying to find words to say to God Almighty. I just kept saying...."No way. This was a fluke. She can't really read."
What I kinda heard back was..."Do you believe I am going to do extraordinary things through this girl or not???"
If I am this stunned at learning she can read....what will I be like when she speaks, or stands, or eats, or walks or runs?
It reminds me of that song, "I can only imagine"
Surrounded by your glory
what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for ya Jesus,
or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing alleluia
will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine......I can only imagine....
It has been like a death to me. I hate it. The truth is...(my mom pointed this out to me) when everything is going good-then I trust God. When things starts to veer off the projected path and the days become dark-I don't trust God.
It is just that simple.
Shame on me. But I do admit it.
I have felt like a balloon that was once full (full of hope, faith, promise) to a balloon that is losing air everyday. Deflating .....a little at a time.
Last week, I felt a surge of new air and new life when I found out that Caroline had walked on her own in the gait trainer. ( You all don't know the extent of this but we have tried for years to get her to walk in that thing at home---with no luck) And for her to do it by herself and walk approximately 40 feet was thrilling to me.
Today, I had another surge of new air and new life. Frankly....I am still (hours later) amazed and perplexed.
Caroline has participated in some standardized testing this week. Due to her limitations, she requires a lot of one-on-one time in order to be tested accurately. Today her teacher called and told me how she had done on her reading comprehension...
Let me remind you in case you don't know...she cannot speak...she cannot eat...she cannot eat...she cannot walk....but today she defied my expectations...
She read and answered questions on her own. (mouth open and still reeling)
Her teacher told her that the test was 5 paragraphs and 20 questions. She asked Caroline if she wanted to read it herself. Caroline shook her head "yes". Melissa (her teacher) had already told Caroline that she thought this would be too hard for her but relented and let Caroline try her best.
They put the paragraphs up on a computer screen and highlighted a sentence at a time. Caroline would verbally make sounds as if trying to read each sentence. When she finished she would look at Melissa to highlight the next one. She came to one word she didn't know and looked at her teacher. Melissa asked her if she was having trouble with that word and Caroline indicated "yes". The word was everyone. After Melissa told her the word, Caroline continued reading.
After each paragraph Melissa would ask her questions and give her multiple choice for the answers. She would answer using a button that she pressed when the correct answer was given.
She could only know the answers if she had read the paragraphs. Her teachers DID NOT help her read them at all. They also did not help her with any of the answers.
So, is it safe to guess that my girl can read???? Who knew??
I don't know what to say or think or feel. I am a little bit in shock.
I sat in the car and prayed trying to find words to say to God Almighty. I just kept saying...."No way. This was a fluke. She can't really read."
What I kinda heard back was..."Do you believe I am going to do extraordinary things through this girl or not???"
If I am this stunned at learning she can read....what will I be like when she speaks, or stands, or eats, or walks or runs?
It reminds me of that song, "I can only imagine"
Surrounded by your glory
what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for ya Jesus,
or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing alleluia
will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine......I can only imagine....
Thursday, October 15, 2009
I O P FUN
We got to spend a long weekend with Shep's family on Isle of Palms. It was too fun!
This has become a yearly tradition. We try to plan it over the kid's fall breaks.
Mr. and Mrs. Helton find a house that can accommodate 22 people...over half of that number being kids...Lord help us.
The weather was cooperative all except for one day. The other days were perfect. A light breeze, blue skies, and warm water.
Zeke especially enjoyed the beach...or should I say the sand???
He baptized his face in it on each visit to the beach.
Caroline and Ava loved it too!
It was our last taste of summer fun before fall and winter truly set in and it was worth it!
Hope you enjoy the pictures of my beautiful family.
I sure am smitten with them!!
Gracious God..thank you for these gifts. Each member of my family adds delight to my life. Grant me grace and wisdom to be the best wife and mother I can be. I treasure this role more than any other in my life and I want to leave a lasting legacy in my children's lives. Thank you for the blessing of marriage. Thank you for giving me this man, my best friend to just be with all the time. I get to see You and Your handiwork through them all the time and I am so grateful.
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