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!