Bittersweet Christmas

As I enjoy the beautiful hymns of Christmastime and think about the miscarried baby boy we kissed goodbye two years ago today . . . I pray this re-posted poem will be a blessing to you.  May the Lord gently hold all of those for whom this holiday is truly "bittersweet".

Bittersweet Christmas

By Kristen Kelley

2014

So many lost their loved ones;

This year held many tears.

But those now gone are peaceful,

Without life’s toils and fears.

Though holidays without them

Will never be the same,

They sing now with the angels,

And praise the One Who came.

These will spend their Christmas

With Jesus, up on high –

Our grandmas never suffer;

Our babies never cry.

“Baby’s 1^st” for some will be

Without the toys and lights.

They sweetly smile at Jesus,

And gaze at heavenly sights.

The voices are now silent,

Of friends upon the phone;

They live in glorious mansions,

And stand before the Throne.

Mothers who once baked and laughed,

And told the Christmas story –

Now they walk the streets of gold,

And share in Heaven’s glory.

Grandmas who once read God’s Word,

Now see Him face to face.

And to those of us still here below,

God giveth us His grace.

We think of those we lost this year,

As on our knees we fall;

And then we praise the Savior,

Who came and died for all.

We know that we shall see again,

The ones we held so dear,

And that they’d wish this holiday,

For us, be filled with cheer.

We thank God for His loan to us,

Of those who are now gone.

We rise another morning,

And greet another dawn.

The Top of My List - Dinner #93

As young children, we often thank God for the tangible:  “My parents”, “my toys”, “my house”.  But as we grow older – particularly as we grow “older” in our personal walk with the Lord – we begin to see beyond the tangible.  We start to develop a deeper gratitude for the things we cannot touch with our hands.  We thank the Lord for LOVE, for FREEDOM, for MEMORIES.  We give praise for those things we know to be true about God – His mercy, His faithfulness, His comfort. 

I trusted in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior when I was 7-years-old.  Back then, my Thanksgiving list would have been filled with the typical “Mom, Dad, sisters . . .” childhood answers.  But time quickly passes, and before we know it, whole decades have gone by.  During a recent church service, I began to do the math and suddenly realized that I have been a Christian for 25 years . . . Wow! That is a truly incredible thought! 

And while I am sincerely grateful to God for the PEOPLE in my life – my wonderful husband, our four beautiful daughters, the loving pastors and church members who have chosen to support us on this deputation journey . . . There is something on my 2018 Thanksgiving List that may seem rather unconventional.  

Helen Keller, both blind and deaf, once wisely declared, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” 

The top-most “heart thing” I thank the Lord for this year is SORROW. 

Psalm 119:68 and 71 declare “Thou art good, and doest good . . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”

 

There are so many things in this life that we cannot learn on the mountaintops.  There are so many lessons that God wishes to teach us through tears.  In the book Hinds’ Feet On High Places, the most meaningful part to me is when little Much-Afraid finally enters the Kingdom of Love, and she nearly begins to cry for the loss of her faithful companions Suffering and Sorrow.  It is then that these friends suddenly reappear – no longer as Suffering and Sorrow, but as radiant Joy and Peace.      

Isaiah 61:2-3 “. . . to comfort all that mourn . . . to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness . . .”

If it had not been for sorrow, I never would have known the depth of God’s comfort and peace.  If it had not been for sorrow, I never would have known the precious camaraderie there is with other miscarriage mamas.  I never would have written “A Letter In Your Loss”.  I never would have felt the burden to share God’s love with the bereaved in the hospitals of Virginia.  I never would have seen how God could take my small endeavor and multiply it to His honor and glory. 

But once further removed from a tragedy, the pains of grief can often take us by surprise.  This week, I felt for a moment as though I couldn’t breathe when the strains of holiday carols met my ears.  My heart nearly stopped at the sight of the memorial ornaments on our Christmas tree.  The thought of Thanksgiving brought with it the memory of scheduling a doctor’s appointment, last year, and of hearing a baby’s heartbeat – a little life now gone to Heaven . . .   

Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart . . .”

Oh how beautiful is the nearness of God! I have walked the road of baby loss twice during the last two years.  But how many times over have Suffering and Sorrow brought God’s Joy and Peace! This Thanksgiving 2018, I THANK my Lord for the grief and the tears that I have known – for the valleys He has brought me through. 

In Matthew 5:4, Christ proclaims,“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” 

Though I would not wish it upon others; though I would never ask for it again myself; I believe in my heart that I am truly blessed for having known the sorrow of miscarriage.  With sincerest gratitude, I thank God for this plan He had for my life.

Romans 5:3-5 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope; And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts . . .”

Skilled For The Savior - Dinner #92

Earlier this year, I remember speaking to a Christian gentleman concerning “finding the time” to write.  I had a strong burden to write for other ladies, but I was also a busy home schooling mama, just starting to travel full-time in a missions ministry with my husband.  “Consider it to be like daily exercise,” this gentleman told me. “Dedicate just ten to fifteen minutes each day to writing SOMETHING.  Before you know it, you may find yourself writing for 20 minutes every day, or maybe even an hour!” 

I embarked on the project of publishing my book, began to write occasional articles for the Guild of Baptist Writers, composed our family’s prayer letters, and sought to contribute to my own blog more faithfully.  And what satisfaction – what joy - there was in doing so!  How on earth was I “finding the time”? It was just as the gentleman had said – dedicating a little bit of time any day I could.  I began to travel with a small clipboard by my feet, in the van.  I’d jot down verses and ideas as I’d have my personal devotions.  I found an amazing resource at Barnes & Noble that stretched my skills and made me feel as though I was getting a mini “writing course”.  For the first time in several years, I sought to DEVELOP the talent that the Lord had already given me. 

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in the book of I Chronicles, where David is excitedly gathering the materials and the workers for Solomon to build the Temple.  In I Chronicles 28:21 David says “ . . . and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of service . . .” These people were taking their skills - their talents – and offering them willingly to the Lord. 

As we have ministered in various churches across the U.S., this year, one of the joys for me has been seeing the results of other ladies using their talents for Christ.  Quilts, bath scrubs, stationery, flower arrangements, piano specials, poems, meals . . . This past week, I observed as a mother of three took the time to compose music, and fashion various art and furniture projects for her home.  About a month ago, a mama with several little ones and another baby on the way, was sharing with me how she was endeavoring to learn Hebrew, for her own personal Bible study!  How inspiring!

I Chronicles 29:5 “ . . . And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?”

In the business of life, it is so tempting to fall into the trap of declaring, “I just don’t have the time!”  Do you realize how very much can be accomplished in just 15 minutes? 20 minutes? Half-an-hour?  If you’ve ever potty-trained a toddler, you probably know what I’m talking about!  You’ve set that timer, and it’s time to wash as many dishes or fold as many pieces of laundry as possible before the next visit to the bathroom. SMILE! 

What is YOUR God-given talent or interest? Perhaps you have several!  Are you exercising those today? Between the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning, and perhaps even the educating of your own children, what simple steps could you take to develop your skill?

Though there is truth in having to set some things “on the shelf” during the busier stages of life, God also states for us the importance of “redeeming the time”.  Our Savior does not wish for us to forsake those gifts that He has given to us for His glory.

I Chronicles 29:9 “Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD . . .”

I pray that you’ll read that article, sign up for that online class, or pull out the paints and the brushes, this week! And when you do, may you offer your talent to the Lord for HIS work, and see whose lives He allows you to touch.  God Bless!

October Awareness

As some of you know, October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month - a cause that is very dear to my own heart.

I would like to ask if any of you would join us in a very special endeavor, this month? There are so many sorrowing mamas in our communities, every day. If the Lord would lay it on your heart, would you be willing to purchase ONE COPY of our bereavement resource and drop it off at your local OB-GYN or hospital Labor & Delivery floor? I have attached the link below.  

You can email me (dinnersready123@hotmail.com) at any time, and I would be happy to send you an information letter for medical personnel, to accompany the book.

Would you also please PRAY as we continue to reach out to several hospitals in our state of Virginia? God is providing for this ministry in amazing ways! Thank you very much!

https://www.amazon.com/Letter-Your-Loss-Through-Miscarriage/dp/1980441561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538623475&sr=8-1&keywords=a+letter+in+your+loss 

Autumn, Please Don't Come

I mentioned in my book, “A Letter In Your Loss”, how grief can feel like the waves – the tide coming in and rolling out.  Both of our baby losses were in the month of December, and though the spring and summer have been “good to me”, I have recently been shaken by the realization that the colder months are coming around again.  In my prayers for grace to make it through the upcoming holidays, I composed this poem. Perhaps it will resonate with others who have walked the road of grief. 

Isaiah 26:3 – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: 

because he trusteth in thee.”  

Autumn, Please Don’t Come

By Kristen Kelley

September 2018

I love the color pumpkin,

Apple red and gold,

The smell of Autumn’s flavors

Baking in the cold,

The leaf that catches sunlight,

Mountains quite ablaze,

Corn rows, saffron yellow,

Growing in a maze,

A glimpse of charcoal hunter,

Furry, fierce, and wild,

The calm of foggy morning

Sleeping like a child.

“Awake now, Golden Season!

Harvest, sing your song!”

And yet my heartbeat whispers,

“Autumn, please don’t come.”

The chill brings sorrow’s mem’ry

Piercing through my soul.

It hints of winter weeping

Tears beyond control,

Of trees soon leafless, grieving

Moaning in their pain,

Dark days and longer shadows,

Howling wind, and rain.

The rose sings, “Farwell, summer!

Garden days are o’er.

Be gone ye wildflowers;

Petals smile no more.

Arrive now blust’ry season.

Thunder beat your drum.”

And thus my heartbeat whispers,

“Autumn, please don’t come.”

I can’t hold sunshine captive;

Heavens blue and white;

Can’t keep October waiting,

Cowering in my fright. 

I need you, Dearest Jesus!

Savior, please draw near.

You’ve held me through each heartache,

Days both bleak and drear.

I’ve known your precious Presence;

Comfort, healing, peace.

I’ve felt Your gracious hand when

Sobbing would not cease.

This change I cannot welcome -

Nor sing sweet Harvest’s song -

But by God’s grace I’ll whisper,

“Come now, Autumn, come.”

GUEST BLOG! - Flowers From Tears

It isn't every day that one is given the opportunity to "guest blog" . . . I was truly honored by the privilege.  

Thank you, Mrs. Erin Ulerich!  It is a sweet blessing to have another from-the-heart writer in the family.

To read my article entitled "Flowers From Tears", please follow the link given below:

http://www.erinulerich.com/?p=3957

Majestic Creator - Dinner #91

Our deputation travels through New England will always hold a few treasured memories for me. 

Being a descendant of Hungarian immigrants, I had tears in my eyes seeing “Lady Liberty” for the first time.   Standing in the “Great Hall” at Ellis Island made my heart stop in awe.  I imagined my relatives – my own grandmother not much smaller than our Charlotte - standing in those massively long lines, reaching out for freedom.  That moment for me was pretty incredible. 

It was Bar Harbor, Maine, however, that truly captured my imagination. I have been in 28 states on the continental U.S., and, for me, nothing compares . . . The blue-gray water and magnificent pines.  The dense fog.  The rocks of various hues.  The miniature sea shells and colorful tide pools.  We took beautiful photographs, and even the photographs didn’t do it justice. 

Our surroundings are often a blur, following a deep sorrow.  Now 8 months since our second miscarriage, I feel as though Maine was the “wake up” moment for me.  Look! There is beauty and majesty in the world! The sun is shining! The sky is blue!  The trees reach to the heavens!      

Psalm 104:24 declares, “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom has thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

Do you ever stop to stare at the stars?  When was the last time you paused to watch a butterfly or captured a sunset in your mind?  When was the last time you waded in a creek or picked a bouquet of wildflowers?  When was the last time you dwelt upon Our Heavenly Father as Creator of the entire universe?    

Psalm 104:34 “My meditation of him shall be sweet. . .”

When we see God for Who He truly is, every trial and difficult circumstance we face pales in comparison.

Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee . . .”

 

Why do we worry and doubt?  Our God is more magnificent than the grandest mountain; more powerful than the raging sea; more brilliant than the brightest star . . . And our help is IN HIM!

Psalm 124:8 “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

As the school year begins, I encourage you to take hold of these final days of warm summer and EXPLORE – SEE – OBSERVE the natural world around you – and MEDITATE on the goodness and the glory of our Creator God!   

The Blessing of Sisterhood PART II - Dinner #90

THE BLESSING OF SISTERHOOD

Part II

“All girls?!”  I have heard it all my life.  The truth is, I went from having only sisters, to now having only daughters!  Four daughters, to be exact.  They are our beautiful little “stair steps”, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.  I daily find myself in a world of pink and purple, dolls and dress-up, hair accessories and tiaras.  But it’s what I’m used to.  It’s all I’ve ever known.  God has surrounded me with female relationships, and in so doing, He has given me a rare perspective on the beauty and the blessing of SISTERHOOD. 

You see, the blessing of biological sisterhood is very special.  The blessing of Christian sisterhood is sacred.  We’re adopted into God’s family.  We’ve been bought with a price.  Our hearts are knit together by a common salvation.  And we each have a special purpose in the body of Christ. 

Romans 12:4-6 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us . . .”

I Corinthians 12:4-6 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administration, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

My girls are quite close together in age, but each one has a personality entirely her own.  God intends for it to be that way!  The same is true in the body of Christ. 

I Corinthians 12:17-18, 20-21 “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him . . . But now are they many members, yet but one body.  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.”

It is so easy for us to look at each other and compare. To complain when other members of the church don’t appear to be doing as much work as we are.  But perhaps Sister-So-And-So doesn’t possess the gift of service, as you do.  Perhaps she won’t be the lady overseeing nursery Sunday after Sunday.  She has been given the gift of exhortation and is writing encouraging letters.  Or she has been given the gift of prayer and is interceding on the behalf of every person in the church directory.  Who are we to judge and say, “You aren’t doing your part” . . .  “I have no need of thee”?

Do sisters sometimes squabble? Certainly!  But God desires that, as His daughters, we seek to be at peace with one another!

I Peter 3:8-9 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that she should inherit a blessing.”

Colossians 3:13-17 “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” 

The Scriptures call for UNITY among the brethren.  How much could our loving Heavenly Father accomplish in this world, if His girls would only WORK TOGETHER?!

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

Philippians 2:1,2 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

“She hit me!” . . . “She won’t share!” . . . Perhaps our disagreements don’t sound so childish as grown women, but we are prone to aggravate and annoy one another, nonetheless.  This is true, even in God’s family! 

 “The decorations for the Ladies’ Fellowship are horrendous!” . . . “Did you see how short her skirt was on Wednesday night?!” . . . “She doesn’t immunize her children!” . . . “Why am I the only one baking cookies for Vacation Bible School?!”

Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Philippians 2:3,4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Caring about one another.  Praying for each other.  Rejoicing with those who are rejoicing, and weeping with those who are weeping.  (Rom. 12:15) 

I Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today. . .”

Why? Why put forth the effort to “get along”?  Because we are the body of Christ! 

I Corinthians 12:25-27 “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

The word “schism” in that verse means “a rent, as in a garment, a division”.  Imagine a beautiful wedding gown - the beads, the embroidery, the sparkles - but when you lift it out of the box, you find there is a giant rip right down the front.  It’s enough to bring any young bride to tears.  May the Lord help us as we seek to “hold the stitching together” . . . As we seek to live in harmony, doing our God-given part in the body of Christ. 

There is something so beautiful about watching my little girls ENJOYING spending time together.  Whenever I happen upon those scenes where the four of them are engaged in some fabulous imaginative play, or where two are snuggled together on the couch reading a book together, I immediately feel the need to grab my camera. Such moments never seem to happen often enough!  How much more must God feel that way about us?  How must HE smile, when He watches His daughters greeting each other pleasantly in church, painting the backdrop for Vacation Bible School without complaining, kneeling in prayer together . . .

Psalm 133:1 tells us, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

I encourage you to do those things that tend toward UNITY with your sisters in Christ, this week! 

The Blessing of Sisterhood PART I - Dinner #89

THE BLESSING OF SISTERHOOD

PART I

Ironed uniforms.  Taps at sunset.  The ear-splitting sound of jets taking off.  Airshows.  Commissaries.  And moving boxes. 

We lived in 8 different houses through the course of my military childhood.  My parents treated each new duty station as an adventure.  Across state lines, the scenery, the brand names, and the accents changed, but my immediate family stayed the same.  We were quite close, my two younger sisters and I.  People often referred to us as “The Guthrie Girls”.  As sisters, we were not only family, but friends and classmates, too.  Homeschooling brought a sense of stability to our constantly changing lives, and we loved it. 

My sister Jessica is nearly 3 years younger than myself.  Being the middle child, my mom used to refer to her as the “Oreo filling.” She was the peacemaker in the bunch.  She was enamored with horses and cowgirls, and could definitely look the part.  Her outstanding feature was her long blonde hair.  Until the time she went off to college, it only saw healthy trimmings.  I had thick bangs and waves that went every which way.  Jess’ hair curled up and frizzed up in humidity, and tangled horribly in water and wind, but she resembled a Medieval princess with a long rippling sheet of blonde down her back when her hair wasn’t braided.  Jessica was lovely.  She’s still gorgeous, by the way.  But, most important of all, she was sweet.  She prayed beautifully.  She read Scripture beautifully.  She often played the role of peacemaker.  And she was nearly always willing to participate in whatever playtime idea her bossy big sister concocted next.  All in all, she was pretty amazing.  Whether it be Barbie “Olympics” or “orphan trains”, elaborate dress-up story lines or Disney karaoke, Lincoln logs or toy soldiers, Jess was my closest friend. 

Ashley was the baby in the family.  She’s in her late 20s now, but forever an adorable curly-headed preschooler in my mind.  Some of my earliest recollections of our homeschooling days include her sitting at the dining room table with us, coloring or playing with the Math-U-See blocks while we did our school papers.  She was learning about “Leif Erikson” and “Erik the Red” right along with us, and for a period of a year or two she had “Luke Skywalker” for an imaginary friend.  She was a little firecracker and consequently the one who got annoyed and pestered the most by her sisters.  Quite special to me is the fact that our sisterly relationship grew stronger in the years after I got married.  Ashley was the member of my family who visited the most often.  She came to help me after every baby was born.  She was the one who took the beautiful newborn photos, the one who helped get lunch on the table amid the toddler wails, the one who sat on the couch and had long talks while I waited for my husband to arrive home from selling cars.  She jumped wholeheartedly into her role of “Auntie”, sending cards for every birthday and holiday, and buying presents to go with every birthday theme her nieces and their mother came up with. She’s a pretty strong and fabulous young woman, and I love her dearly! 

Jessica and Ashley are my biological sisters.  We memorized AWANA verses together, tent camped together, canoed through alligator-infested waters together, survived eating Mom’s “mush-mush-crumble” together . . . We’ve made hundreds and even thousands of memories, while walking hand-in-hand.  Sisters.  There’s no other bond quite like it on earth. 

But it doesn’t stop there.  Our loving Creator has taken a relationship so special and precious – the bond of SISTERHOOD – and has allowed that concept to spill over into the spiritual realm as well.  How tremendously beautiful that we can also have Sisters in Christ!  We can be members together of GOD’S family!

No two ladies are exactly alike.  God has created us with unique personalities, weaknesses, strengths . . . If we are His children, then He has given us certain spiritual gifts as well.  We may be as different from each other as night and day, and yet, God in His infinite wisdom has woven us together in a beautiful tapestry of grace; members of one body - the body of Christ.        

I Corinthians 12:12, 14 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ . . . For the body is not one member, but many.”

How is this possible? Because when we place our trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are adopted into God’s family! 

Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

No matter the race, the nationality, the background . . .

Colossians 3:11 “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

Are you a believer in Christ?  Have you been adopted into God’s family? Then you, Dear Lady, have sisters! – Beloved sisters in Christ!  Do you realize how very special that is?!  There are women and girls from every country around the globe united by the redemption that can only be found in the Lord Jesus.  Do biological sisters, by nature, love each other?  How much more should sisters in Christ love one another!

I John 4:11,12 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. . . If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love . . .”

I pray that as you finish reading Part I of this devotional, you’ll thank God for the beautiful blessing of SISTERHOOD. 

Hebrews 13:1 “Let brotherly love continue.”

Return To Candidate School - Dinner #88

The truth? Last year, I sat at missionary candidate school and I cried as I asked my husband, “Can we really do this?  Can we really do this to our kids?”  You see, deputation can be a daunting task.  Missions conferences all over the U.S., late nights, long drives, strange beds...

Yesterday afternoon, I found myself at BIMI’s headquarters, sitting in the same exact bedroom we had last year.  I’ve often thought about the 2017 training session where Mrs. Snyder had all the second-year candidate school ladies share lessons and blessings from THEIR first year of deputation . . . Now, here I am, myself.  We’ve only been “full time” since January, but oh how our lives have changed since this time last summer! 

What would I say to those following along behind us?  What would I share with the missionary mamas who are just about to embark on this deputation journey?

--------------------------------------

There will be “fewer” – fewer movies and TV shows, fewer possessions that you feel are “must haves”, fewer evenings alone with your husband . . . But there will be “more” too – more restaurants, more opportunities for creative romance, more road trip photos, more friends than you’ve ever had before, more preaching from God’s Word . . . Don’t be afraid to embrace the changes!

Psalm 65:11 “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness. . .”

You’re going to swap overwhelming “Mommy tasks”. Piles of dishes and meals to prepare will turn into packing, unpacking, and re-packing, and organizing things to occupy your children in the car for hours on end.

Psalm 61:2 “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Education for the children will switch from “at the kitchen table” to clipboards, and missionary encounters, and totally awesome field trips along the way.

Deuteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, 

and when thou risest up.”

Be prepared for days you want to jump out of the van and leave your husband behind - LOL, and moments when you realize you’ve never been closer together as a family in your life. God’s blessings are always there if you look for them. 

Psalm 26:3 “For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes . . .”

Open your heart to love and be loved by ladies in churches all across America.  Open your heart to love and be loved by fellow missionary wives all over the globe.

Psalm 26:12 “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.”

Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

Don’t let your guard down in thinking that 15 or 20 “church days” in a month is “sufficient” or “enough” – You’re going to need your PERSONAL time with the Lord like never before.  You’re going to need some special-to-you deputation verses to cling to, as well.  God is the Only One Who can see you through this journey!

Psalm 119:2 “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

It is vital that you “love on” your children daily – hugs, snuggles, books, audio adventures, art projects (even in hotel rooms), puppets, funny songs in the car . . .

Genesis 33:5 “. . . And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.”

Be ready to use some God-given creativity.  You may be making peanut butter sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls, when the sliced bread is running low.  You may be laying your kiddos crossways in order to fit three to a bed, or placing a sleeping bag on top of a deflated air mattress for added cushioning.  Make sure you have plenty of Bible songs, and coloring sheets, and washable crayons in your “back pocket”.  Ask the Lord to help you be flexible! 

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is 

stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.”

Your children are going to love it more than you ever thought they would!  Sure, they’re going to have days when they admit, “I want to go home!”  You are too!  But most of the time they’re going to be begging to be the next one to push the elevator button, and asking if they can have waffles at the continental breakfast.  They’re going to be excited to sit beside the pastor’s wife at the missions banquet, and inviting other children to look at their display table.  They’re going to be telling others about cool places they’ve visited, and requesting to see your hostess’ talking parrot as soon as they wake up in the morning.  Deputation can be a childhood adventure they’ll never forget!

Isaiah 54:13 “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD;and great 

shall be the peace of thy children.”

God can take care of any and every financial difficulty you’ll face.  You can truly leave every need and every want in His care.  You might be running low on gasoline or “Goldfish” crackers, needing a date night with your husband, worrying about how worn your girls’ church shoes are, or thinking how pleasant it would be for them to have a new book to read or a doll to share this journey with them, and the Lord will suddenly provide! Sometimes from a corner you never would have expected . . . When you’re doing God’s will, He truly DOES take care of you! He shows Himself FAITHFUL – again, and again, and again, and again . . .

Matthew 6:32 “ . . . for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

Are you about to “step out by faith”, as they say? Is the “road to missions” laying before you?  Rest assured that the Lord is by your side!

Psalm 121:8 “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

May the Lord bless you, Dear Ladies, as you seek to serve Him with your lives! 

A Thought On Marriage

1 Peter 3 starts by speaking of the husband and wife in their individual roles, and then groups all together as they are in Christ - BRETHREN. Verses 8-11 were no doubt written for all believers, regardless of their marital status, but I believe it would do couples good to read this passage and to think of it as an ongoing discourse on marriage. Having compassion and courtesy, not seeking to “get even”, keeping our tongues from evil, pursuing peace ... We live in a day when Satan would like nothing better than to destroy our homes - May we “seek peace, and ensue it.”

Weary Pilgrims - Dinner #87

My husband purchased the classic Pilgrim’s Progress for my birthday this year.  It is a work that has long been on my “need-to-read” list.  As the main character makes his lengthy journey, I find myself wondering, “When is he going to reach the Celestial City? Shouldn’t he be nearly there by now?”  But author John Bunyan accurately portrays the Christian life – it is a series of defeats and victories, of valleys and mountaintops, of weaknesses and strengths.  Any number of things tries to hinder the pilgrim on his way – the Slough of Despond, lions, Apollyon, the Valley of the Shadow of Death . . . and so it is with us. 

It isn’t always easy to travel from one missions conference to another.  There are times when I feel the weariness in my very bones. 

“I didn’t volunteer for this,” my heart sometimes wants to say.

“Yes, you did,” the Lord whispers in return. “Don’t you remember that day as a teenager, when you kneeled beside your bed?  You told me you surrendered all your life to Christian service and that you would do anything I asked of you. This may not feel like ‘missions’ yet, but answering questions, sharing your testimony, riding in a vehicle for long hours at a time, packing, singing, home schooling on the road . . . this is the ministry that I have given to you, right now!  Are you still surrendered? Are you still willing?”

God reminds me of my book on the subject of miscarriage, as well.  “You’re listening to the tears of others who are hurting. You’re sharing the Gospel and the comfort that is found in Christ.  You’re in the business of rescuing souls from the power of Satan’s darkness – Do you think you won’t be fought?!”    

How about you, Dear Sister?  Do you, too, feel the battle raging?  There are days when we all wish to quit – our jobs, our ministries, our role as “mom” . . . “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall . . .”  Do you recall the remainder of that verse? “ . . . but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31)

God desires for us to “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” (I Chronicles 16:11) The truth is, we can’t live even the “easy” days without Him! We need THE LORD if we are ever to “ . . . run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1) 

There’s an old hymn that reads:

“He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater.

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.

To added affliction He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half-done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men,

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth and giveth and giveth again.”

In Galatians 6, Paul writes “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 

Have you been struggling with “continuing on”, as I have in recent days? Have you found yourself weary, even in the midst of doing GOOD things - the RIGHT things?

May we allow the Lord to help us and enable us as only He can do!

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (II Cor. 12:9-10)