In The Valley of In Between - DINNER #100

IN THE VALLEY OF IN BETWEEN

 Caught “in limbo” . . . Life on pause . . . Stuck in a holding pattern . . . Walking in The Valley of In Between . . .

A valley seems a strange place to be penning “Dinners In The Oven-Devotional #100”, but this is where you will find most missionary families, this summer.  These brothers and sisters in Christ are currently facing new challenges, either on their field of service, or here in the United States, or even in a different country altogether.  During this COVID crisis, they are uncertain and unsettled, and they need our prayers.

Who are they?  These “nomads of the pandemic”?  They are children separated from beloved pets and toys, friends and grandparents.  They are mothers missing their own kitchens, and churches, and photo albums.  They are fathers navigating cancelled flights and changing departure dates. They are large families in small spaces. They are preachers without pulpits, and ministers without meetings. They are furlough-waiters, longing for hugs and hamburgers.  They are deputation-completers, enduring the “final goodbyes” on an endless loop.  They are burden-bearers.

The Valley of In Between can be a lonely and discouraging place . . . I know because I’m here, myself; watching, and waiting; clinging to hope.  

This global pandemic is, indeed, a valley for many of us, and yet, even in a valley, there is no “height nor depth” that separates us from the love of Christ! (Romans 8:38-39)  As the prophet Habakkuk declared, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” No matter what.

As I dwelt on this thought, the Lord brought to my mind an article I wrote about Habakkuk 3:18, over 8 years ago:

We can put our trust in God to take care of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING we place before that “yet” in our lives!

In Habakkuk 1:5, the Lord tells His prophet, “Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.” God has plans for us that we wouldn’t even believe!

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We may not be able to see why certain things are happening in our lives, or why certain things are the way they are, but God is ever working . . .

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil . . .” Whatever you are going through, whatever you THINK you MIGHT have to go through, God is with you!  He is a God Who faithfully keeps His promises, and He has promised us in His Word, “ . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

And He IS with us, Dear Sisters in Christ!  Even in “The Valley of In Between”.

There may be much that we do not know or have the answers to, but God knows every doubt and concern of our hearts.  A friend of mine recently shared this beautiful thought: “Rest tonight knowing whatever is on your mind is in God’s hands.”

God has taught me much on the journey of missions and motherhood.  I close out this blog with great anticipation for what lies ahead.  I look forward to the next season of my life, when, Lord willing, I can write to you and encourage you from the other side of the world!  It may be this summer, or this fall, or even the beginning of next year, but “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me . . .” (Psalm 138:8)

God has a purpose and a plan – for me; for you. 

Thank you, sincerely, for always allowing me to share from my heart and from His Word.  God Bless!

Glorified Gossip - Dinner #99

I’m afraid we like to share far more than just family photos and delicious recipes, on Facebook, right now.  

During this time of isolation, we somehow feel the need to spread the latest news, as well.  “Did you hear?” Re-post. “This makes me so mad!” Re-post.  “How can they do this to us?!” Re-post. 

Social media is being used as a platform for angry accusations . . . and many of us are only adding fuel to the fire. 

Proverbs 26:20-22 declares, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire ; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”

Certainly, some political and COVID-19 Facebook posts are accurate, but many of them are nothing more than glorified gossip; fragments cut and pasted from an original document, or images twisting the truth.  In recent days, I’ve observed dear friends unintentionally sharing one inaccuracy after another regarding CDC requirements and government guidelines.  I’ve watched in sadness as good Christian people spread slander regarding politicians and pastors alike.  

“They lie! They lie!”, the internet articles howl. “They’re making our lives miserable!” “They seek to destroy us all!”  And in a moment of anger and frustration, others join the online mob.  With the snap of our fingers – or the tap of our Smart Phone – we tear down and we burn, without a second thought.

James 3:5 tells us, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

As Christians, we should be champions of TRUTH!  We should be the ones most cautious to check, and double-check before we ever re-post the sensational; before we ever share what somebody else supposedly said or did.  Our voice on social media is no different than our voice in tangible relationships.  Our ability to spread gossip is just as dangerous.  Whenever possible, we ought to go to the source itself for verification! 

Is that what the pastor meant? I urge you to take the time to re-play his sermon.  Are those the actual health recommendations?  Visit www.cdc.gov.  Did the governor REALLY say that? Listen to the recorded speech.  Read the information posted on the politician’s OFFICIAL website.  Check the date on the article. Earnestly seek to spread only the truth!

Psalm 15 encourages us to be, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.”

We must not allow ourselves to be so easily caught up in the “Did you hear?! He said . . . ! She said . . .! How shocking!”

We are apart right now, and, in many ways, the online platform is our loudest voice.  Dear Children of Light, may the information we share ring TRUE!

Ephesians 4:25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor . . .”

Renovations And Revival - Dinner #98

Who would have ever imagined such a global pause?  I look back at devotionals written during the stress and the business of life, and can hardly fathom the extent to which our world has changed. 

Social media is currently filled with photos of board games and puzzles; of crafts and creative family dinners - evidences of some really great substitutions for all the running-here-and-there that so often dictates our human existence.

Many stores are closed, of course, but during a recent trip to Ace Hardware, an employee remarked to my husband on the unexpected INCREASE in business. It seems like many folks are finally getting around to the house projects that have been on their to-do lists!

There is a renovation project on the way to our local grocery story, and it has been a secret pleasure of mine, watching the progress. Perhaps the owners are being able to sand and paint a little more than usual right now, because the front of the house is coming along quite rapidly. 

The truth of the matter is, through this pandemic, God has given us THE GIFT OF TIME.  Time to notice areas in need of attention - both in our homes and in our hearts. 

Psalm 119:59 says, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.”

Such a convicting verse.  Are we taking heed and thinking on our ways?  Are we contemplating the direction in which our life has been going?  There are things in my own life that I want to change; NEED to change.  Is it the same for you? 

Government officials are hoping to re-open our borders, soon; to return to “business as usual.” But, in all honesty, I don’t know if we’re ready yet.  Have you and I turned to God with our whole heart? As individuals, have we grown, through this difficulty? Are we learning the lessons that Almighty God wants us to learn?  This week, during an online service, I heard a pastor express it like this: “Normal is not what we need to get back to.  We need to get back to God and His Word.”

How grateful I am for the blessed promise of James 4:8, which says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”

Being more of a homebody by nature, I’ve probably delighted in this social distancing more than most people.  I confess, I’ve loved the consistent schooling, the extra cooking and cleaning, the crafts, and the crisp spring air! But in the midst of what is really good, I pray I might not lose sight of what is BEST.  I pray I might not miss this opportunity to grow in my relationship with God – to experience a personal revival in my soul!

Lately, I find myself hungering for the Lord.  It makes me think of the verse in Psalms that speaks of longing for God like a deer longing for water.  The story of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus also comes to mind.    

Do you long for Him, too, Dear Sister? Do you want more of God? What a significant soul-searching time this could be for each of us, if we’d only let it be so. 

Jeremiah 29:13 declares, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Driven - Dinner #97

“Mommy’s laughing!” 

I smiled, but deep down inside, the exclamation of our little 4-year-old saddened me.

I interact with people so frequently, as we travel.  I speak to others at our missions table.  I teach.  But, wow!  Do I really laugh so seldom?!  Her exclamation made me recall another recent incident – a game of chase in the backyard - when our 5-year-old giggled and cried out, “Mommy’s having fun!”

How convicting!  Do the pressures and stresses of life control me so? 

When I’m overworking, I can usually feel the achiness all over; even my wrists get sore.  Too often I push myself to that point.  After nearly a decade of marriage, my sweet husband has learned the warning signs, and tries his best to make me rest, but I can be rather determined.  My Grandma Trudy always used to say there was a “Guthrie Stubborn Streak”. I think that in myself that stubbornness sometimes manifests itself in the desire to finish something . . . or die trying.  The tunnel vision sets in and I can become DRIVEN.  Laughing Mommy goes out the door.  The wife who snuggles on the couch cannot be found.  And Kristen Kelley is suddenly blind to all else but THE TASK. 

It would take several pages to describe all that goes into missionary Deputation.  If you’ve ever packed for a road trip, a family reunion, or a week at camp, you understand the general idea.  The Deputation Mama does this same process over and over again.  Church clothes, travel clothes, school books, snacks . . . oftentimes for 2-3 years.  As this part of the journey starts coming to a close, all the preparations for an overseas move are then added to the still ongoing travels to churches. 

The last several weeks have found me here - surrounded by boxes, and bubble wrap, and packing tape. Sometimes in full-out frustration.  Sometimes in sentimental tears.

Why am I telling you this? Because, as wives and mothers, we can all become captive to the pressures of life. We can forget how to laugh, or even how to BREATHE.

I Peter 5:7 reminds us to be “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

For me it is every suitcase yet to be packed; every item yet to be purchased; every "goodbye" yet to be spoken . . . I can give it ALL over to the Sweet Master of my soul.  I can trust Him with every aspect. And I desperately NEED to.

In Matthew chapter 11, Christ says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

When the stresses of life threaten to strangle us, we must ask ourselves whose yoke we are wearing. The light one placed on us by Christ? Or a much heavier one of our own making?

It is CHRIST Who leadeth me beside the STILL waters.  It is CHRIST Who maketh the wind and the waves to cease.  It is CHRIST Who returns the peaceful CALM to my life. 

When I allow that calm to enter my soul, do you know what happens? I can laugh with my husband again.   I can look up from the folding and SEE my daughter when she speaks to me.  I can prepare for an international move without those preparations controlling me. 

In thankfulness to the Lord, I can rise from my knees, declaring, “I am no longer a slave to the task at hand. I am no longer DRIVEN.  I am FREE.”