by April | Feb 19, 2010 | Celiac, Encouragement, Food Allergies, Gluten
So, I recently read a book about gluten allergies, The G Free Diet by Elizabeth Hasselbeck . Even though we’ve been going down this road, making our home an allergy-free domain, I was very surprised by some things she had to say. It was well written, so if you are wondering if it’s worth buying, I’d do so-if it’s for you, or if you want to empathize better with someone in your family that suffers from food allergies. But not only that, she got me looking at areas of my house I never thought to look at. Like wooden spoons and rolling pins. And cutting boards that have been used prior for wheat and cheese items. And colanders–you really can’t get them all the way clean. Needless to say, we’ve spent some cash replacing old items with a lot of new stuff lately.
So I picked up this food packet to feed a little water pet my son recently got and read the ingredients: made with wheat. Crud. My eyes snapped down to the cat food. No, it’s a grain free version…but it is made with eggs. CRUD part two. I occasionally say “hey, son, would you feed the cats?” Now I always have him wash his hands–that’s just healthy–but it only takes a miniscule amount to hurt him. And if you’ve never looked at boy’s fingernails, they get dirty just sitting still. I mean, I never asked my daughter to go clean her fingernails, not once that I remember. HOWEVER, my son, who might not leave the house all day, will turn up with the most disgusting gray matter under his nails. He’s like a dirt magnet.
It’s a hard thing to feel like the world is out to get you. Pantene shampoo just introduced a new line of healthy hair products made with wheat protein–their commercial made me groan. We are discovering that it comes in soap, lotions, hair spray. And don’t lick those envelopes–that sticky glue comes from wheat. And yesterday I learned that sugar alcohols, like sorbitol and mannitol that are found in sugar-free products whose alcohol content can be made from rye (gluten) or corn. So there’s another label ingredient we’ll have be diligent to call on.
I’ve felt pretty overwhelmed lately, as you can imagine. My son is going through a flare up, and despite our diligence, we are at a loss as to what is ‘getting’ him. So, I pray for peace in all circumstances. These verses are a comfort, I hope they will be to you, too.
Psalm 116: 1-2 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
Romans 8: 26-30 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
by April | Feb 14, 2010 | Encouragement
Well, that title might not sound very comforting to some. And it might sound extremely comforting to others. Or maybe you find yourself in the middle–some days the trials of life seem very hard, but on others you find contentment in the here and now. I think a little looking forward to be a great comfort. Although, years ago when I heard that my days were numbered, I felt that to be a threat. I wasn’t ready to cast off this life for the next. “I have things to do,” I said shaking my fist bravely at the unknown. Lately though…
I’ve had a rough year of illness. When I say ‘year’, remember, I’m a homeschooling mom, so my year starts in September. I’ve had one cold after another bringing me low. And last year it was a rough year of illness for my son. Anyway, it’s hard to get stuff done with short bouts of good health breaking up the monotony of coughing and wheezing. Mind you, keeping a good attitude about all this has been a challenge for me. I mean, I’ve cleaned everything I can think of in the house that might be causing an allergy flare up and bringing my immune system low. I’ve officially thrown up my hands in defeat and would run to buy shares in Kleenex and those little clear bottles of hand sanitizing gel if we had extra cash laying about.
Maybe it’s age (my dear friends keep reminding me I am forty), or suffering–or seeing my loved ones suffer from pain or illness, but the other day when I heard that statement, “our days are numbered”, instead of intimidation or fear, I felt great relief. No other word for it than that. The suffering of this broken sinful world will come to an end one day. The day-to-day suffering of our loved ones, and ourselves are limited. But after the initial comfort I felt, I heard a challenge. We must use the days we have left–which are only known to the Lord our God–to His glory. I don’t mean keeping my eyes so far forward locked on heaven that I miss the tasks tripping my feet (these include the day to day tasks of caring for the gifts given me in the form of my children and spouse). Rather, I mean to realize I have but a little time left to complete the tasks He sets before me-both big and small. So, the million dollar question is, am I working hard as to the Lord? Or are am I distracted by the temporary things of this world?
Psalm 39: 4 Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
Colossians 3:24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
by April | Jan 9, 2010 | Encouragement
Waiting is the hardest part.
Those lyrics have been going through my head lately, as I wait for God to move in my life. I think we all must suffer from a form of impatience at one time or another. I looked up the lyrics of that song only to find multiple web pages dedicated to ‘waiting’ songs. Most of them have to do with waiting on love, but the sense of impatience, of futility and frustration is still there, burning bright.
We had to get rid of our second car recently, it was beyond our ability to repair it, and waiting for God to supply us with the means to get a new one is hard. We are greatly blessed to have a tight-knit group of friends who offer rides, who we can count on—but that doesn’t take away that edgy, trapped feeling I have whenever I think of running off to the store to pick up something we are out of, or making a doctors appointment. When I go outside to get the mail, there’s that gaping empty spot on our driveway reminding me we are stuck.
It’s gotten much easier to say no to activities (see earlier post Just Say No). But, it sure wasn’t in MY plans to do it this way!
We’re all waiting for something—a medical test result, healing from illness, a better job, any unmet need—and it’s not an easy thing. Over the course of last year we learned to wait while my son was being treated for intestinal bleeding. We still don’t have a diagnosis, but we can usually control it through diet. A habit I’m trying to form is not only patience, but also an understanding that the waiting is also part of the answer from God.
Romans 5: 1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Isa 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
by April | Dec 24, 2009 | Encouragement
I’ve been really looking forward to Christmas Eve services at our church. It’s a time to come together with family and worship God, giving him thanks and praise for the timeless gift of His Son. It’s a peaceful, quiet time to ponder the mercies and wonders of His love. God gave us Jesus to bridge the gap of our sinfulness so that we can approach Him. It fills me with a sense of awe when I think of how God desires a relationship with us.
What does it mean to worship God, and why should we do it? The dictionary defines worship as reverent honor and homage paid to God. Our worship shouldn’t come out of a sense of duty, or habit, but come out of love for our creator, who went to great lengths and thousands of years of planning for our redemption through his Son. What a gift that is.
Jesus is our salvation, sovereign Lord, the King of Kings. He is also our comforter, companion, shepherd, and our doorway to the Holy of Holies –the great I AM. What a privilege for us to be able to go into His presence and worship. What a blessing it is to thank God for the gift of His son. And how greatly we are blessed when we stay in communion with Him.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
by April | Dec 18, 2009 | Encouragement
From the title, you might expect this to be about drugs. Not exactly. Although, it could be argued it is about a kind of addiction that American women, moms in particular, are falling into: busyness.
Nearly every mom I know is suffering form the three O’s: over-scheduled, overtired and overwrought. We are stay-at-home moms, homeschooling moms, some work outside the home (as well as in), some have moved on to the title of grandma—but we all have one thing in common—we are overdone.
What are we all doing? We’re simply taking advantage of opportunities. Our country is a ‘land of opportunity’. We have options open to us that no other country has—more than we know what to do with—and therein lies the challenge.
For generations our ancestors worked hard, night and day, to earn us the freedoms we enjoy. Our parents didn’t have all these choices, and maybe we didn’t even have all these choices, but our kids have every avenue of learning and entrainment open to them. There are camps for all ages—all year long; musical instruction; art lessons; sports for every season; reading programs; after school programs; church programs and the list never ends. However, with great blessing comes even greater responsibility.
Now, I’m certainly not advising saying “no” to everything and live in seclusion (although right now seclusion may sound mighty tempting). We are to be out in the world, being witnesses for the Lord. But follow me, if you will. When we don’t say no enough, we fall into a trap of our own devising. This trap can keep us off kilter with ourselves, out of sync with our family, and most importantly out of communion with God. Those three things add up to one ugly word: STRESS.
“But,” you might say, “I want my child involved in the community. I want to be in touch with other moms, and be part of the action. I don’t want them to miss out.” I think it’s that last part that really niggles at our minds.
To be honest, it’s hard for me to say no. I don’t know why, but a welling sense of guilt begins to build in my gut when I tell my child no. Their eyes fill with longing and a little voice in my head whispers, “They might not get this chance again.” Sometimes I give in and add yet another thing that my schedule really can’t handle.
Lately though, I’ve felt convicted to protect my family. That’s what I’m likening this to: protection. We can’t be all we are supposed to be if we are stressed out, disconnected from our families and separated from the One who gives us strength to face the day. And if we never stop, if we are always on the go, we won’t hear His still, small voice that speaks to us, guides us, empowers us to make it through our day, and we might just miss out on an opportunity God has planned for US. So I’ve decided to pray about every opportunity, and ask “Even though this is good, will it keep us apart as a family? Will it cause undo stress? Will other relationships suffer because of it (my relationship with the Lord, my husband, my children)? And if the answer to any of them is “yes,” then I’m going to ignore my guilt and just say “no.”
I’ll let you know how I’m doing!
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
by April | Nov 15, 2009 | Encouragement
I’ve been pondering our need for happiness. There’s a lot to be said of happiness in our part of the world. Will the right relationship make us happy? The right job? The right amount of money? The right appearance? Obedient children? Good health? We strive after all these things in our western society, often conveniently forgetting that the greater part of our world actually lives in poverty and degradation that we can’t even begin to imagine. And yet we still yearn for happiness and wonder what will bring that often elusive sense of completion and contentment. I’ve come to the conclusion that temporary happiness is a poor replacement for true joy. True joy only comes through a relationship with Jesus and thus, a relationship with God the father. Because trials will come, and do come. Pain comes, illness comes, death comes in our fallen world. We need to have something to hold onto that will not fade, falter or fail us. That something is Jesus, through the Holy Spirit indwelling in us, lifting us when we fall, near to us when we call, who saves us when we cry out to him. He is the comforter who will love us, strengthen us, and provide us with true joy and a secure salvation.
Psalm 145 14-21
14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.
So, I recently read a book about gluten allergies, The G Free Diet by Elizabeth Hasselbeck . Even though we’ve been going down this road, making our home an allergy-free domain, I was very surprised by some things she had to say. It was well written, so if you are wondering if it’s worth buying, I’d do so-if it’s for you, or if you want to empathize better with someone in your family that suffers from food allergies. But not only that, she got me looking at areas of my house I never thought to look at. Like wooden spoons and rolling pins. And cutting boards that have been used prior for wheat and cheese items. And colanders–you really can’t get them all the way clean. Needless to say, we’ve spent some cash replacing old items with a lot of new stuff lately.