Thinking Strategies

My sweet four year old deeply loves his naps…still.  As he prepares for the afternoon slumber, he can hardly contain the giggles motivated by excitement.  Nothing soothes like a cuddle quilt and a window with a perfect view of the northwestern evergreens.  Rain or shine…it’s a cozy place. 

On this particular day, my mind swirled and tossed and drowned in thoughts.  The thoughts brought my heart to a state of depression.  On and on…showing no mercy…my thinking took over my soul.  And before I realized it, my day had become a “Woe is me!” kind of day.  Tucking in little Benjamin, untouched by his joy and excitement of nap time, my heart broke.  “We’re so far away from his grandparents and cousins and aunts and uncles.”  “I can’t handle another ‘on call’ day on my husband’s schedule.”  “The WHOLE family is gathering for Easter…everyone except for us.”

Without a word spoken, my eyes must have screamed out the ache in which I felt.  For out of the blue, completely unprompted, Benjamin raised his tiny finger to the sky, pointing upward, and simply said, “Trust in him.”

“You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” Psalm 8:2

In a most tender and quiet moment, with three words spoken in a whisper from a child, God silenced the enemy.  The truth Benjamin spoke penetrated into my soul transforming my heartbreak to strength and peace.  The Holy Spirit reminded me that we “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Strategically, the enemy creeps into our thoughts without our knowledge much of the time.  We must pray that God will reveal to us the areas in our thinking where we have become POW as a result of the enemy’s schemes.  What thoughts are seemingly harmless or insignificant just might be stealth bombers in this spiritual warfare which surrounds us daily. 

Yet, there is hope.  And I leave you with God-inspired words of strength and power.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” – Jesus Christ

I've Made My Choice

To explain the choices I made today, one must take a look back to the evening prior to this day to view the beginnings.  It was a late night for my husband for he came home from work as the hour hand of the clock approached 11:00 pm.  Exhausted from his day and my day, straight to bed was the right move. 

A choice was handed to me and I chose: I'm so sick of these late nights.

Yet, 11:00 was a bit late before a 5:00 am alarm.  And, sure enough, against my wishes, the morning came. 

I made my choice: I hate alarms.

Not much further into the morning, the house began to dance and hop and run and shout all from the beautiful children that inhabit this home.  Yet, if you have ever lived in the same vicinity as myself, you will completely understand me when I tell you the choice I made:

My choice:  Be quiet!  It's morning!  (FYI: God did not gift me as a natural morning person.  I arise only out of complete necessity.)

As mid morning approached, about the time my brain began to arise, I found myself sitting in the waiting room of the orthodontist office.  I'm sure, by this point, you can probably guess the type of choice that was mulling around in my head...

For goodness sake!  At the orthodontist with an 8 year old!  There are NO other children that young around here!

I'm sad to say, the rest of the day continued on this same downward spiral of self pity and doom.  Woe is me!  I feel so sorry for myself...all choices I made completely on my own.  At a single moment in the afternoon, the house rested and all was calm, even if only briefly. I fell into my over sized chair to attempt to focus on some Bible study.  At least this was a choice headed in the right direction, for once today!  After being instructed to find a verse in Philippians, I found myself reading verses that had nothing to do with the question I was to answer.  I began to realize I landed in the wrong chapter.  However, it became quite clear that God was speaking...specifically to me...about the choices I had wrongly chosen. 

"Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Remember, the Lord is coming soon."  Philippians 4:4-5

Oh, I get it!  Joy is a choice!  We choose joy...for the Lord is coming soon and nothing else matters compared to this truth!!

How my heart wishes I could rewind this day and choose once more.  But then again, maybe I'll try...

I'm thankful my 8 year old is getting an early start with his orthodontist care.  At least it will help him down the road...and spread out the cost, too!  ;)

Sure those kids are loud but isn't it lovely?!  And what a gift to rise on this early and beautiful, rainy day!

Yes!  The alarm!  Another day to serve the Lord!

I'm so thankful my husband works hard, is helping the sick and hurt, and that he arrived home safely!

We have a choice to make: self pity and doom...or joy.  I choose joy!!

Wisdom From The Ark

I did not compose this and neither do I know from where it comes. But I thought it was great and wanted to share it with you. Blessings!

Wisdom from the Ark – Genesis 6-9
1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float awhile.
10. Remember the ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

Ouch.

The eventful week ahead begins to bombard my thoughts.

Do the kids’ school work…keep the house decent…don’t get behind in the laundry…balance the budget…and this and that, here and there.

Completely distracted by the “to do’s” of the upcoming week, I become oblivious to all those surrounding me and all the happenings taking place beside me. There are even times that I quietly sneak out a scrap of paper, dig for a workable pen and jot down the nagging notions running wild in hopes of finding some relief.

My mind may not be present but physically I am right alongside of everyone else, doing the right thing. Humbly, I must admit that my heart scarcely can take in a moment for the distractions overwhelmingly take control. I look good. I’m doing my part. Yet my heart is not in it.

But suddenly something eventually rips me away from my thoughts. Maybe it’s a change in the melodic key or a favorite song or perhaps simply an instruction, “You may be seated” coming from the stage.

And then I remember I am in church.

I am in church doing the good deeds, doing my part…yet it’s all an empty sacrifice.

The Lord stepped on my toes this week as I read His Word:

“I hate all your show and pretense – the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”

Amos 5:21-24

Ouch.
Oh Lord, forgive me.
Rid me of showy rituals.
Prepare my heart for true worship through righteous living.

Eileen...my hero

Over the river and through the woods...and that truly was the drive to Grandmama Eileen's house. Eileen, the truest depiction of a lady, was my hero in many ways...

After surviving the curves of the TN mountains, it was always a relief to see the sign read "Sunset Drive" for we knew the aroma of fantastic southern cooking awaited us along with the firm yet loving squeezes and hugs of our sweet Eileen. Nothing beat that single moment. Even today, my mind can take me back at any moment, to that precious home and experience it all over again...and in my mind it will always be, even if only in my thoughts. Eileen took charge in her kitchen as much as an experienced and well-trained chef would. Her arthritic hands could create the most beautiful desserts, divine mashed potatoes and most amazing fried chicken. Her talent and attention to detail ran every recipe and her ability to make a "pretty party" (as my mom says) always made for the most memorable family gatherings. Her oblong table, which seemed to dominate the dining room, never went without a beautiful and starched white table cloth. Fine china and crystal goblets surrounded the table and beautiful silver pieces decorated each setting. And after all her hard work, family gathered around to tell stories of old. Eileen would sit at the head of the table, ever so quietly, smiling and soaking in every single moment of her family all together.

Eileen, a true lady, soft spoken, shy, quiet...will forever be my hero.

I don't recall much of her speaking of her faith, however, there was never a deep necessity for her actions spoke all we needed to hear. Church attendance regularly occupied her weekends. She remained loyal and respectful to her husband. Her entire life focused on serving others. She gave and gave, never thinking of herself...gave of her time and talent. Her Bible always sat in plain sight and wore an aged and used appearance.

Eileen, a true servant of our great God, a follower of Christ...will forever be my hero.

My lovely hero lived her last day on this earth this week. She now resides with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet Eileen will always remain my hero. I will forever treasure her and remember her. And I hope and pray I can pass on the legacy she handed down to me as beautifully and elegantly as she did.

Eileen, resident with Christ in eternity, living in final peace...will forever be my hero.

Mighty Triumph

"Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.  With God's help we will do mighty things for he will trample down our foes."
Psalm 108:12-13

Enemies haunted David throughout his life.  They wanted nothing more than for David to be rid of and forgotten forever. (Ps. 109:15) 

However, David sought the Lord.  In all things, he desired God to be glorified.  And although the enemy's goal was to destroy, God had mightier plans.  The enemy desired David's name never to be remembered, God trampled over the enemies and his kingship lasted.

Despite the evil plot against David, he is remembered even today.  Countless people learn of David and his life all over the world.  He has never been forgotten, thanks to our great God!

 

David by Michelangelo in The Gallery of the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence

I know the same enemy attacks me daily.  Pride...fear...selfishness...they all fight for control in my life.  But I must believe that God, and only God, will help me overcome in mighty ways.  He will trample...and triumph!

"But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising him to everyone.  For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them." 

Psalm 109:30-31

I hope...

Christmas...sometimes just the word stirs my heart...makes my heart skip a beat.

The whole year long, I plan...

Anticipating the gifts and the candy and the food and the parties...and the list goes on and on.

Yet when the time arrives, the excitement only falls to the ground with anticlimactic feelings.

Stress.

Rushing.

Crowds.

Money.

Is it all really worth it?

I put my hope in gifts only to find the excitement smothered like the clouds smother the January sun.

I hope to impress my guests so I plan and cook and labor on my feet in the kitchen...

 hour after hour...

 only to crash into bed at night wondering, "Was it really worth it?"

And, oh, the decorations!  Hopefully they will be perfect...

maybe a lovely hint of Southern Living

or as chic and stylish as HGTV.

In and of themselves, the things for which I hope are not so bad.

However, it is my prayer that those hopes fade next to the manger.

I desperately hope the worldly things diminish next our Lord.

I hope my hope is heavenly.

"We are merely moving shadow,

and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.

We heap up wealth, not knowing who will reap it.

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?

My hope is in you."

Psalm 29:6-7