For Such A Time As This

Wow!! I am am continually amazed at the ways God speaks to me. I find it awesome. I have been asking God to allow this to sink deeper into my heart. I want God's will to shine in my life and not just my own wills and wants.

This is the 4th Chapter in the book 'Voices of the True Women Movement' By Nancy Leigh DeMoss. If you miss the first 3 Chapters and would like to read them can find the links here.

'For Such A Time As This' was written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. And she bases the story on Queen Esther. (I have always loved the story of Esther, and love the new lessons I have learned from it.)

In the Book of Esther, there are 2 stories going on at the same time, 2 perspectives, 2 world views, 2 ways of looking at life. There's the drama you see and then there's the drama behind the drama. There's the obvious plot as well as the plot behind the plot.

The first plot is the visible-human one. The 2nd is the heavenly drama. The human one is built on a foundation of self while the heavenly one is God using man to fulfill His eternal purposes through event on earth.

So 'We, as True Women, playing out our individual roles in the story of our times, must keep our eyes on what is unseen, knowing what our God is doing in the background is higher, broader, and more eternal then anything we can see with our natural sight.'

As the story of Esther unfolds, we see her become Queen, to a selfish arrogant King. And not really a place that she wanted to be.

But, 'We need to view the turn of events through different lens. And see that this story is really about God and His agenda, God and His aims, God and His purposes.'

'Esther is not the star but simply a player in the heavenly drama being acted out on an earthly stage.'

I am placed here for God's kingdom purposes. And not my own. (How I want that thought stamped deep in my heart!!) Even though I may not like my present circumstances. God understands but He has a much bigger plan, a heavenly drama, much bigger then you or I could ever see or understand.

No matter where God has placed me or what God has given me to bear, I don't want to be asking, 'How will this circumstance affect me?' or 'How will it fulfill my wants and needs?' The right question to ask is, 'How does God want to use my position, my season in life, my place at this moment in time to fulfill His Kingdom purposes in the world?'

At times, life may seem so 'unfair'. There maybe moments when details seem 'trivial' & 'insignificant'. But God sees the eternal span when all we see is the here and now.I just need to remember to 'Wait on the Lord, be patient and He will act in His way and in His time!'

Then there are the crisis moments, such as Esther's, when her Uncle asked her to petition the King. God was willing to use Esther, if she was willing to be used. Mordicai asked 'Who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?'

Whether it was Esther then or you/me today, only God knows-and only time will tell-why He has sovereignly placed you where you are right now, at this moment in history. You have been given a role to play, and no one else can fill it.

God can use each one of us, no matter what our gifts and abilities are or where we are in this season of life.

Esther didn't act alone. She called every one to fast and pray with her. 'Praying and fasting were preparing her heart and preparing the way for her to move forward with God's intervening blessing on her behalf and on behalf of her people.'

We all know how Esther's story turns out, her life was spared, as were the lives of her people.

While we may not feel like we have such an important role in life, we need to remember 'We are each a tool in the hand of God, being applied to situations that may just feel like 'everyday life' to you but are actually backlit stages where the purposes of God  are being put on display from your street address. And He knows the audience He's playing to, whether it be members of your family, church friends, random acquaintances-whoever needs to see His power at work in a surrendered heart-like mine and yours.'

As we are in the Battles of Life, our weapons are different, we use heavenly weapons & tactics. God's play will not fail and through faith and obedience, we can be part of God's plan. There is no situation so desperate that God can not redeem it. We must not judge the outcome of the battle by the way things look right now.

'In every situation and circumstance of your life, God is always doing a thousand different things that you cannot see and you do not know.' -John Piper-

Oh, that I would be willing to be used by God, in whatever way He sees best, in whatever way He needs me to move, in whatever way I can best be used to further His Kingdom!!!

Blessed is the Woman

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~who has~

A Sparkle in her eyes

A Song on her lips

A Spring in her step

A Warmeth in her touch

A Depth to her Beauty

A Purpose to her life

A Joy in her faith

A Hope in her breast

And a Love in her heart!

Author Unknown

This poem has been hanging on the inside of my kitchen cupboard for a while now. It has blessed me many times over, so thought I'd share with you while my baby goes to sleep in my arms.

Reflections of Me

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God has blessed me with 3 little boys!! Little ones He has given me to raise, to guide. I have 'Hearts to Nurture', to train and teach. God has given me a responsibility in these souls He has placed in my hands for a few short years.

Why then is it, that I feel like I am the one being taught?? Why do I feel like I am the one in the 'School of Hard Knocks', so many days?? How is it that they are teaching me???

When I ask them to do a job, why do they so often grumble and complain?? Do I grumble that much?? (I know it is partly a childish, sin nature.) When I hear their bad attitudes, their fights and squabbles, when I see them hurting each other, in listening to the tones of their voices... I realize they are picking up things from ME!! They are a reflection of WHO I am!!

I know parents who are soft spoken, slow to respond, and just calm in nature. Their children, more often then not, are the same way. But those who respond quickly and with sharpness, will have children who respond the same way. And when you multiply that by 2, 4 or 6, what does your house sound like?? I know for myself, just having 2 in the talking stage and 1 in the squealing 'until-I-get-what-I-want' stage, it doesn't take long and the house can sound a very unpleasant discord!!

My desire is to teach my children to be loving and kind, soft spoken and slow to anger. But for some reason, it seems they are teaching me more then I am teaching them. So I guess we will learn together!! Oh, that I can be a Reflection of God to my children.

Commentary on Psalm 23

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The Lord is my Shepherd ~ That's relationship!
I shall not want ~ That's supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ~ That's rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters ~ That's refreshing!
He restoreth my soul ~ That's healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness ~ That's guidance!
For His name's sake ~ That's purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ~ That's testing!
I will fear no evil ~ That's protection!
For thou art with me ~ That's faithfulness!

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Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me ~ That's discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies ~ That's hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil ~ That's consecration!
My cup runneth over ~ That's abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life ~ That's blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever ~ That's Eternity!!!

My mom found this at my Grandparents place the other evening while we were there. I didn't read it 'til a couple days later. And it just spoke to me. Often Ps. 23 is read at funerals, and knowing my Grandpa will be passing into Eternity any time, made it hit home really hard. My Grandpa has lived a full, and long life, but it doesn't make it any easier to say 'Good-bye'. He is leaving behind a wife, of 60+ years, 11 living Children (my namesake, died at 11 mths.), 60+ grandchildren and 90+ Great-grandchildren. (I'll get exact counts later.) I am so Thankful we have Heaven to look forward too!!

God Gave To Me A Child

God gave to me a child – and then I knew

The precious gift of life, the beating heart,

The little hand that clings in childish trust,

The shining eyes that are so much a part

Of every moment in a parent’s day;

A language that no words could ever say.

God gave to me a child – and then I knew

The joy of love fulfilled, the quiet peace

Of home and fireside where, with strife denied,

The heart can calmly rest in love’s release,

Can gain strength in knowing angels stand

Around little ones with guarding hand.

God gave to me a child – and then I knew

The parenthood of God, the eternal care

Of He who keeps the night watch and never sleeps

Who, when His children need Him, is always there.

I sought His kingdom for so long a while,

And then I found it in my little baby’s smile.

 ~James B. Singleton ~

 

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there!!! What an awesome calling we have in life!! As I fill the role God has placed me in, I admire my own Mother more and more. She has qualities in life that I hope will grow in mine. I hope my own sons will look back one day and see that, though I am not perfect, I loved them. I had their hearts in mind, I had goals for them to reach, I had time for them, I listened to all their stories, I cared deeply for them, I tried to understand what goes on in their minds, That I am pointing their hearts to God... Oh, I could go on... My heart is full of love for my boys. As I watch them grow so fast, I realize I don't have much time to mold their tender hearts. Time is short. Am I doing all that I can be, should be?? Will they be able to look back and say those things, I as a Mother, dream of hearing one day?? I pray for strength in this journey of Motherhood, that only God can give me. Only He can see me through those rough days, only He can give me wisdom. And for that I am so Thankful!!!

 

He has given me a wonderful life!! No, it's not perfect. But it is filled with the people who are helping me, shaping me, and guiding me. And one of them is my own Mother!! She means the world to me. And I am so glad to have her as a very close Friend. Mom, I love you!!!

You are called...

Have you answered??

'Wordless Wednesday'

Linked to

• Extra Ordinary Mothers
• 5minutesformom

I'm A Queen

I'm the Queen of a beautiful kingdom
God gave it to me for my own.
My castle's a rambling old farm house
And a low rocking chair my throne.
My subjects are dear little children
Who willingly come at my call.
The king is the husband and father
Who furnishes bread for us all.
Sometimes when I mend little stockings
Or hear a short prayer at my knee
I marvel that God in His wisdom
Presented the kingdom to me.
I feel so weak and unworthy
To guide the little feet that roam
To keep them all safe and contented
In our beautiful kingdom of HOME.
~Author Unknown

This past Friday and Saturday my Mom, sisters and I had the privilege of attending a Ladies Retreat. I must say I was greatly Blessed to be there. It has been an amazing journey God has been leading me on, and I was so Blessed to see God work in my life in ways I would NEVER have believed could happen in a few days. I should never underestimate the Power of God, but so many times we forget just how powerful God is. And it is so amazing to see the Miracles in lives happen.
The main speaker spoke on "I Am a Queen". We as women often wish for our lives to be different, that we could be like 'So & So'. If God wanted us to be 'So & So' He'd have made us 'So & So'. As long as I try to be and live like someone else, I will live in frustration. Do we look in the mirror and see ourselves as a Kitten, when really there is a Lion sitting there?? How we look at ourselves affects how we look at and live our life. God bought us with His life. Why do we look down at ourselves and try to change what we are. God doesn't hold our sin against us, He has forgiven ALL, before we even made our first mistake. We tend to live like a pauper and not the Queen God made us to be.

I don't feel like I can do justice to what all she shared... All I can say it has changed my life. And I am excited to see where God will lead me from here.

Think About It...

I received this as an email from a friend. And it is very thought provoking... Let's pause in the busy moments of our lives and remember to just ENJOY LIFE!!!

READ THIS VERY SLOWLY... IT'S PRETTY PROFOUND.

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain'. And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get 'Steve' toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-deck-er. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to... not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask 'How are you?' Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi'?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

'Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!'

F.A.M.I.L.I.E.S

Father's
And
Mother's
Illustrating
Love
In
Everyday
Situations


I seen this acronym today and it blessed me. And it is so true!! Our families today are not what they used to be... so many homes are torn apart. The children are left to figure life out for themselves. And the parents are hurting, taking it out on each other and the little ones. There are so many tears being shed in this country that only Jesus Christ can wipe away. Only He can heal those wounds. May we reach out to those hurting around us.

Character Marks

"Ummm, wonder where this mark came from??" I mussed while scrubbing my kitchen chairs. Soon I was noticing lots of pits, scuffs, bumps, and dings all over my chairs. One spindle is even cracked and being held together with a piece of string.

"Wow, these chairs have sure acquired a lot of marks in the past 7 years." My mind went back to the day we bought these chairs and matching table... It was a chilly fall day. But excitement was high for a certain Bride-to-be!! I didn't seem to notice the long wait, or the many people at the auction. I had my Handsome Groom-to-be with me and we were enjoying our day!! I had dreams and plans for this table and chairs, they looked so nice and new, and I wanted to keep them that way!!

BANG!!! My attention was quickly brought back to the present. Another tractor had hit it's target-the center of a chair. Another ding was added to the many other dings now covering my chair. Another reminder that I have 3 boys. And another reminder that they no longer look so nice and new.

I love my chairs-and I am learning to love each and every ding and the stories that they tell. Oh, the conversations that they have heard, the feet that have used them as stools, the meals that have been eaten on them... the list goes on.

As my mind thought of all the different happenings around my kitchen table, I thought of something else. All those dings marking up my chairs are giving it character. Each chair has it's unique shape, each acquiring it's own looks.

We are much like those chairs. We were at one time a perfect, innocent child, no marks in our life. But as we grew, we chose our own paths, we made mistakes, we fell down and we got 'marks'. But it's all in how we choose to let those marks heal that determine how we look-beautiful or ugly. If I can allow God to use those character marks for His purpose, He will make something very lovely out of it. It's the things that happen in life that forms us, it's what makes us who we are and who we will become.

Oh, that I would have beautiful 'Character Marks"!!

Be STILL...

Photo Credit-My own!

God has been doing a great work in my heart... I don't even know how to share it, and I wonder if I really do want to. I mean, this is the World Wide Web, and who knows who is out there that may read my ramblings!!! My only prayer is that it will bless and encourage others who may read it. Anyway-back to what I started with...

God!!! Many of us are scared of that word and what all it implies... or maybe I should say, we fear giving all of ourselves to Him!! We fear what He may ask of us, should we totally and completely turn our life over to His control. We fear where He may take us, should we hand over the reigns of our life. We fear the hurts we may suffer, for His name and in His name. We fear what others may think of us. We fear the failures we will face. And the list could go on and on...

I've been there. And many times still do fear!!! But like I said God has been working in my heart, drawing Himself closer and closer to me. Or maybe it's me allowing God to get closer to me. I'm letting Him into those deep dark corners of my heart, where those secrets are that no one knows about.

For me I've 'lived a good life'. I'm one of those girls who rarely got in trouble. I seeked to please my parents, and not do anything that would displease them. (That's not to say though that I never did anything wrong!!! Or didn't do something I knew I shouldn't!) But God lately has been showing me the areas of my heart that still have not been given completely to HIM!!! Areas of Contentment, Total Thankfulness, Peace that Passeth Understanding, Submission to my Husband... those little areas that others may not notice, the areas that are easy to hide from others.

Sure I'm 'content'-I have a lovely home, 3 handsome boys, very loving and wonderful Husband, I have enough money to live comfortably, I have a Mom and 2 sisters just down the road and a Mother-in-'love' and 2 sisters-in-law kity-corner to me, I have a nice vehicle to drive...ect, ect... But how many times do I find myself grumbling... if I would have just grown up in a different home, I would not have some of the struggles that I do in life. If my Dad would have treated me differently, I would have a better view of God. If my son would not be so strong willed, it would be so much easier to train him. Am I content with 'Who' I am?? Many times I wish I was more like, so n so. I am discontent with my physical features. Do I realize I am 'slapping God' by not loving who He made?!?!?!?! I am discrediting the artist!! I am realizing contentment goes way beyond the literal meaning-it is a heart issue!!!

Thankfulness-yes, I'm Thankful for ALL that I have, but how often do I wish I had 'a little more'. Am I thankful that I can get up each morning?? Am I thankful for that glass of water?? And how much food do I have stored up?? I looked at this post yesterday and felt jealous of her awesome well stocked pantry!!! Why?? I have a pantry half that size and money to keep it in stock, even though it may never be as large as hers is. Am I thankful for my family even on trying days?? Or are there days I wish they would just leave??

Peace--wow!!! What a word!!! What comes to mind when you think of that word-P.E.A.C.E.? I invision a setting at a cabin with a lake just outside the door and it is totally calm, no ripples on the water-all is peacefull!!! You can hear an occasional bird twitter in the trees somewhere above you. And way off in the distance the mountains rise majestically!!! Is it that way in my life?? All to many times not!! I'm like a duck on that lake-not making a ripple on the water-just floating along 'Peacefully'. But what you can't see is that underneath, I'm paddling like mad!! I am worked up about a decision that he has made, but try to show him I don't care. I get upset about little things-a child spilling OJ. And it doesn't take much to ruin the peace and harmony of the home.

I feel like God is showing me so many things... and I wanna just jump in with both feet. BUT at the same time I am scared silly. Yes, I fear where He may lead me, fear what all He may ask me to do, and fear the pain I may have to go through just to reach that deep 'peace that passeth understanding'!! But oh, I know it will be so worth it... So many times I wish I could just attain all that He is asking of me. But I do know then that I would not have had the experience of going through troubled waters, holding tightly to God's hands, and KNOWING He WILL carry me through. I will not have had experienced the faith it takes to 'Let go and let God'!!

I want to just sit and be STILL and KNOW God!!! I want to carve out time in my day JUST FOR HIM!!! So often I feel like I don't have time for Him. But how often do I make time to check my email, my facebook, read a blog here or there?? And I can't MAKE time for God?!?!?! It is hard for me to admit this... but my time online many times takes priority of the things that should be priority in my life!!! Even though I maybe be reading inspirational blogs, I am not making my time count where it needs to in--My Time with God and my Time serving my family!!!

I'm just so glad God still loves me-one that fails and makes mistakes!!! And God loves you too!! No matter where you are in life or what you may have done. And that is so comforting to me... I'm excited to see where God takes me in this journey He has started me on.

White as Snow

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

Tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow;

Tho they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

What as awesome God we serve!!!! He has created so much beauty...

The past two mornings we've had a lovely decoration of 'Hoarfrost'.

I think God's been having fun with His paint brush.

I stand in awe!!!