by April | Sep 22, 2010 | Encouragement
I’ve been going through a difficult personal trial in the past week or so—actually it might be longer come to think of it. Do you ever have one of those weeks (months, years, lives) that seems like it’s just snowballing and getting more and more out of control? And it’s nothing you did, necessarily, but that makes it somehow worse.
I like control. Some people look at whatever their life situation is and shrug and walk away, letting themselves get distracted by whatever comes along. I’m not one of these kinds of people. I like things to go smoothly, to be understood, and have everything kept in nice neat piles that give me peace. Quit laughing. Seriously.
So anyway, for the past week, or two, or three, there’s been all these little nagging things that keep happening—that frankly, by themselves wouldn’t be such a big deal. Did I mention the snowball? It’s more of a snowplow right now, and the thing is, I can’t see the driver—but I have a good idea who it is, and he never plays fair.
My life can be going right along find and then WHAMO. The snowplow comes along and knocks me right off track. If you’ve ever driven on a snowy road and been passed by a working plow, you know what I mean. All of a sudden, that clear view of the road is completely obscured, and you are just white knuckling the steering wheel, praying that God will keep you on track.
When those days come, sometimes I get so caught up gripping that steering wheel, I forget to pray about it. I forget to search His Word. When I finally get a clue, though, I’m kicking myself for forgetting that I’m not alone in the battle.
If you type in DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED into the search bar at BibleGateway, you’re going to get more verses than you can count, but here are a couple that spoke to me tonight.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
by April | Aug 31, 2010 | Encouragement
We took a recent day drive over to the coast. Even though we live within two hours of the beach, I can honestly say it’s been years since I’d been there. Life so often gets in the way of planning outings. The school year is often a panicky rush from one activity to another—and summer is another big rush to catch up on all the things I didn’t get done during the school year.
I think we all have a place we feel closer to God—mine is the beach. I grew up beside the ocean, first in Southern California, then Northern (the real north, way up past San Francisco). On days I couldn’t think straight, I’d take my dog out to the beach and we’d walk and walk. It’s a place of peace for me, even on stormy days. The feel of the salty spray from the booming waves as they crash on the shore, the damp mist hanging in the air, the sweet and sour smell of seaweed baking in the sun, the sand working its way into my shoes—even the fog—are all part of who I am.
Some people feel lonesome at the beach, and I admit I find I do too at times. It can make me feel small and insignificant in comparison to its vastness and power—like I’m part of all that flotsam and jetsam rolling in with the waves. I’ve felt that way about God at different times in my life. I’m always growing in my relationship with Him, and as in any relationship, we have our ups and downs. But even that insignificant feeling turns to awe when I think of the vastness of my Father. God is bigger than my imagination, and just like the ocean, I can’t fit Him or His glorious ways all the way into my head.
Unlike the ocean, unpredictable in its power, I’m thankful I can know God through His Word. Even though I might feel insignificant in this world of billions of people, I know I’m significant and important to God because His Word tells me I am. He has a plan for my life, and for that, I’m truly grateful.
Psalm 57:1-2 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalm 138:6-8 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.
Ephesians 1:4-6 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
by April | Aug 10, 2010 | Encouragement, Uncategorized
20 years ago…no wait…23 years ago, I fell head over heals for my husband. He was then my very good friend, who turned into my best friend, who turned into my husband. That’s a lot of turning. After three years of courting, we finally got married. And we didn’t have a clue what we were in for. But, who does?
I’m very grateful to have my husband. When I say, grateful, I mean to God, the orchestrator of our lives. Looking back, it’s so funny to see where we came from. We met in high school, a turbulent time for most teens. We were very competitive in a business computer class. He almost always won (he’s now thinking, what do you mean almost?) at whatever we were doing, and that infuriated me! He was silly—I need silly. He was dedicated—I love dedicated. He was headstrong and compassionate at the same time.
When my daughter asks me (or more often than not, I’m telling her and my son what to look for in a spouse) about dating and marriage, I say, “Marry your best friend. Marry the one you can imagine yourself being dirt poor with—because that will most likely happen at one or maybe multiple times in your marriage. Marry the one that you want to tell your secrets to, and whom you know will KEEP those secrets. Marry the one you think of first when something wonderful happens, and too when something awful happens. But first and foremost, marry a person who has given their heart to the Lord.”
I mean, troubles come—we know they do. But, when we both keep our eyes on the Lord, then we are less likely to have our eyes on our troubles, or to be overtaken by those problems.
Happy 20th anniversary to my best friend and the love of my life. It’s been an amazing adventure so far—I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years hold.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
by April | Jul 31, 2010 | Encouragement, Writing
For the past two months, I’ve been working like crazy to get my second novel boosted in word count in order to submit to a publisher at the Oregon Christian Writer’s summer conference. I’ve been working nights, and in between being homeschool mom and wife (and whatever other titles I carry that I can’t remember right now). I’ve just about finished polishing it up and feel pretty confident about it. My proposals are turned in and all I have to do is wait for Monday and have a great time at the conference. Or so I thought.
Last night, my son came down with the stomach flu. This has thrown a kink into my plans. I’m pretty susceptible to…everything it seems. I don’t know where I was when the immune systems were being handed out, but I definitely missed mine.
In order for me to make this conference, God had to work out some pretty difficult things: money, transportation and childcare, as well as the time to boost my story, and to edit it. I have several folks holding me up in prayer, and as all these things were all worked out, I registered and got to work. I trust that He has a plan, and I’m moving ahead in faith. Yet one eye is on my son, who hasn’t turned the corner to wellness, and I’m wondering if I’ll go down in the battle.
It’s hard to keep my eyes ahead sometimes. It’s difficult not to look at my current circumstances and feel overwhelmed when I’ve had very little sleep, washed bedding and clothing all day long, and keep running my child to the bathroom every hour or so. But God calls us to do just that—keep our eyes on Him. So, that’s what I’m choosing to do, and to God be the glory.
Hebrews 12: 1-3
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
James 1: 2-8
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
by April | Jul 9, 2010 | Encouragement, Writing
The other day, while talking with a friend, I mentioned how much hard work went into writing. They responded quite surprised. “Work? I thought it was fun.” At that moment, I got a little twitch in my eye and completely lost my train of thought.
I’ve been funneling all my energies into getting a manuscript ready for submitting at the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference this summer. I’ve been working nights after my kids are in bed, pouring over words and sentences and forms, getting things just right. Just so. Dare I hope-perfect? Probably not the latter—as I’ve discovered, I can go over and over the same sentence and still find something to change about it. Sometimes you just have to say, “Enough!”
Fun? Developing a storyline, an idea, and characters that flow through it is an amazing experience. My characters make me laugh and often make me cry (and not just because they aren’t doing what I want them to, either). When you write with God in mind, you also have the best mentor in the world to bounce ideas off of. I’m not saying I get direct feedback (that’d be cool)—but what wonderful company to keep! Yes, writing is fun—if you love it. And I do. Hours pass and suddenly it’s 2 AM and I really should be getting to bed.
But, writing is also a lot of hard work. Those creative times don’t end when the story is complete. I know there are writers out there that pump out a story, call it good and get it published—more power to them. But for me, rewriting often creates more depth in theme and character. Maybe some day I’ll get to the point of doing it all perfect the first time through—but I have my doubts on that. Now, as I sit and stare at my first few chapters and find yet another thing I can tweak, another facet I can develop, I wonder if I’ll ever feel done. Eh…the clock says so…but tomorrow is another day.
Here’s a favorite Bible verse of mine on perseverance:
Romans 5: 1-5 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
I’ve been going through a difficult personal trial in the past week or so—actually it might be longer come to think of it. Do you ever have one of those weeks (months, years, lives) that seems like it’s just snowballing and getting more and more out of control? And it’s nothing you did, necessarily, but that makes it somehow worse.
