You are here: Home / Practicing Faith

When We Collapse In His Arms ~

July 6, 2010

He ran towards me with wild eyes, screaming, “Mommy! Mommy!!! Help me!"

There was only about twenty yards between us, but it felt like two hundred. Finally, he collapsed in my arms.

“He was hitting me, Mommy! And he threw a stick at me! It hit me in the head!”

I already knew what had happened. I’d seen it all from the kitchen window. Still, I let him continue to talk as I rubbed his head and held him close, my heart breaking that a mere five year old child could feel so much distress over a situation he didn’t have much control over.

Then, with earnest eyes, he looks up at me. “Mommy, next time you hear me screaming like that, you have to come right away, alright? Don’t wait. Come as fast as you can. I was calling for you, and…”

I hugged him tightly again and whispered in his ear, “I did come right away! I heard you calling! It took me a minute get from the kitchen to the back door, honey, but I came as fast as I could.”

“But Mommy, I was calling you…and you weren’t there…”

Sometimes, in my naivety, I have conversations like that with God.

“God, I was calling You, and You weren’t there!”

“God, I needed Your help! Where were You?!”

“Why didn’t You come right away when I called?”

And then I collapse in His arms and He wraps His arms around me, speaking these words into my heart:

”Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4

He is my Sustainer when I’ve done all I know to do.

He is my Rescuer when I am wild-eyed and frightened.

He is the One Who carries me when I’ve fallen at His feet.

And I am reminded that, despite His perceived silence at times ~ despite my absolute blindness at times ~ He is always there, always at work for my ultimate good.

  In Passionate Pursuit,
post signature

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like what you read here? Subscribe for free and get each new post tucked into your email.
{Hear from other mamas at WFMW, Gratituesday, Tuesday Tips, and Tuesdays Unwrapped}

holy experience

Filed Under: Biblical Womanhood, Nurturing Family, Practicing Faith 27 Comments

He Picks Me Flowers

June 21, 2010

These flowers have become a favorite around here; my oldest son picks a new little bouquet for me nearly every day.

Walking in the door from playing outside, he proudly exclaims in a sing-song voice, "Mommy!  I have more flowers for you!"

One of the neighbor kids has been inspired by his picking.  She recently picked from among my flowers to create a bouquet for her mama.  I don't mind!  There's plenty to go around. 

Isn't it sweet?

post signature

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First time here? Get each new post tucked into your email.
Join me for Gratituesday and Tuesdays Unwrapped!

Filed Under: Hospitality, Nurturing Family, Simple Pleasures 3 Comments

The Two Men in my Life

June 17, 2010
My husband and my father together

I have two men in my life, my father and my husband.

My father is one of the most committed, dedicated men you'll ever meet.  For over thirty years he's pursued God, loved the same woman, worked the same job, and supported his children.  As a child, I would wrestle him, chase him, and run from him, giggling all the while... now my children - his grandchildren - do the same.

"Papaw, get me!  Get me, Papaw!"

"Let's play, Papaw!"

"Wanna wrestle, Papaw?"

Sometimes, there are no words; it's just D I V E --- and then, T A C K L E :o )

My father and I

Once, a long time ago, my father said to me, "Thank you for being my daughter."  It seemed a little silly at the time, but it has stuck with me through the years.  Really, I am the one who should say, "Dad, thank you for being my Dad."  I know that being a dad - especially a good one - isn't an easy task, but he always made it seem so effortless.  He loves us, and it shows.

My mother and father and I in the 1970s

My father works hard, but he always makes time for fun.  We took a family vacation every single year, pinching pennies if need be.  We went camping.  We went fishing.  We went canoeing.  WE DID THINGS.  Together.  As a family.

Now that I am older, I hope for the same experiences and memories with my own family, my own children.  And you know what?  I have the most amazing man to plan it with. 

The man I married is, like my father, committed and dedicated.  He works hard to care for his family.  He loves us tremendously.  He cherishes our time together.  And sometimes, I wrestle him, chase him, and run from him, too :o ) 

This man is one who never witnessed a successful marriage in his family.  He was born to a single mom, raised by a poor single aunt, and then finished his teen years in a foster home.  His childhood was not an easy one, and so it is a HUGE statement when I say that he is an AMAZING husband and father.  You see, it was never modeled for him.  He didn't have that life.  No father, no committed mother, no Papaw to wrestle with.  None of that.

How can a man come from such a background, having such a bleak history with no male role models to speak of, have an adoring wife, an enduring marriage, and be a exemplary father to his children?  I'll tell you:

He has a relationship with THE Father.

He has committed his life to the passionate pursuit of Christ and devotes time to prayer and the Word.  God has transformed his life and renewed his mind. 

Though he has nothing to refer back to in his past when he ponders the meaning of family, he has God directing him, guiding him, showing him the way.  And, being the wonderful man that he is, he follows... so that he can, in turn, help guide us.

I love this man more that words can say.  We've been married over ten years now, and I'd do it all over again.  I pray we have at least fifty more together.  Pierre, you are a treasure, and I am beyond blessed to be your wife.

Happy Father's Day to the two most special men in my life.  I love you both.

    With Much Love,
post signature

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First time here? Get each new post tucked into your email.
 
This post is linked with Walk With Him Wednesday @ Holy Experience and Finer Things Friday.

Filed Under: Nurturing Family, Practicing Faith 10 Comments

Priorities, Guests, and Sick Babies

June 9, 2010

Monday we welcomed an out-of-town (actually, out-of-country) guest into our home for the week. 

Monday also happened to be the day our youngest son was sick with fever.

At four o'clock this morning, my oldest son awoke, screaming from a nightmare and burning with fever, too.

Needless to say, I may not be posting here much the next day or two; my apologies in advance.  I do have so much to share but priorities must be, well... priorities.

In the meantime, I invite you to check out Generation Cedar's recent post on modesty, and my dear friend June's series in-progress titled "She Looketh Well."  Both are thought-provoking.

Now, back to being mama, aka nurse :o)  Have a blessed, sunshiney day!

         Warmly,
post signature

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First time here? Get each new post tucked into your email.

Filed Under: Hospitality, Nurturing Family 1 Comment

Studying the Word; Need Inspiration? {+Video}

June 3, 2010

This week, we are studying about the Word.  Why should I read it?  What should it mean to me?  What can I gain from it?

A couple of years ago, we found a wonderful video series by Dr. Howard Hendricks, the first being "Why Study the Bible?"

In this six minute video, Dr. Hendricks discusses three reasons for Bible study:

  1. Bible study is essential for spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2)
  2. Bible study is essential for spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:11-14)
  3. Bible study is essential for spiritual effectiveness (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

If you are joining me for this week's Bible study, you may find this brief video inspiring.  You may also view the rest of the series here.

Looking for more?  I've also been inspired by Dr. Hendrick's book, Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible.

How have you been doing this week?  Any thoughts to share?

For those of you who are not joining in on our study, what you are reading in your Bible right now?  I'd love to hear about it.

In Passionate Pursuit,
post signature

(Isn't studying the Word a Finer Thing?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First time here? Get each new post tucked into your email.

Filed Under: Books Worth Reading, Practicing Faith, Reading the Bible 3 Comments

I’ll Be Studying about the Word of God this Week; Will You Join Me?

May 31, 2010

I have been blessed with a very sweet husband.

He bought me a new bible.  For Mother's Day.  The one I've been dreaming about.  You know the one.  Turns out, it was in stock after all...

For the past month I've been running my fingers over its cover, perusing through the pages, smelling it, enjoying it.  I'm thankful for it and I treasure it.

He asked me what I'd been reading in it lately, and I felt ashamed to say that I'd been dancing around quite a bit ~ a portion here, a chapter over there.  No rhyme or reason.

This week, though, I've decided to focus on a simple inspirational study about the Word: what it is, what it should mean to me, how I should respond to it.

Would you care to join me in studying this week?

Here's what I'll be contemplating and using as a guide:

 The Bible is the Word of God ~

It is holy, inerrant, infallible, and completely authoritative. (Proverbs 30:5-6, John 17:17, Psalm 199:89)

It is profitable for teaching, reproving, correcting, and training me in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

It matures and equips me so that I am ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:17)

It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

It brings me stability during the storms in my life. (Matthew 7:24-27)

If I believe its truth, I can be set free.  (John 8:32)

If I hide it in my heart, I will be protected in times of temptation. (Psalm 199:11)

It is the powerful, living, discerning Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12)

It is the Sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:17)

It is sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold. (Psalm 19:10)

It is forever settled in heaven.  (2 Corinthians 13:7-8, Psalm 119:89)

It is absolutely true with no measure of error.  (John 17:17, Titus 1:2)

It is absolutely true about God.  (Romans 3:4, Romans 16:25-27, Colossians 1)

It is absolutely true about man.  (Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 8:4-6)

It is absolutely true about sin.  (Romans 3:23)

It is absolutely true about salvation (Acts 2, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9)

It is absolutely true about heaven and hell. (Revelation 21:8, Psalm 119:89)

That's it.  Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.  Will you join me?   From the comfort of your own home?

Please let me know if you are planning to participate by sharing your thoughts in the comment section.

UPDATE 6/3/10:  If you are late in joining us, that's just fine... you may also want to check out today's post for more inspiration.

      Truly,
post signature

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First time here? Get each new post tucked into your email.
 
Also be sure to visit Internet Cafe Devotions, WFMW, Tuesdays Unwrapped, and Heavenly Homemakers. 
 

holy experience

Filed Under: Books Worth Reading, Practicing Faith, Reading the Bible 12 Comments