Mary’s Response

December 12, 2010 in My Creator and Savior by sar | No comments

That was the title of our bulletin today.  When the angel came to Mary to announce the incredible work God was doing in her life, Mary could have responded in a number of ways.  She could have denied it.  She might have run from it.  Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let is be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)  She decided to gratefully be a part of God’s work.

What is my response to God’s work in my life?  When I have a burden in my life, do I see it as an opportunity for God to do something awesome?  How many times do I stand in the way of God?  My pride is an awful thing.  It wells up and becomes an idol in my life.  Pride in myself, pride in my ability, I even have pride in my troubles.  “My trouble is too much for God to handle.”  Too much for God? I hold my troubles close to my heart as I begin down the path of replacing God.  I even go so far as to search out others who might help to fuel my dependence on myself.  I am clothed in anger and bitterness and become a martyr in service to those I am called to love.  Thus, I step further and further toward removing God in my life.

How does God handle my “problems”?  I do not think He sees them as “problems”.  They are opportunities for Him to be glorified.  James says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  Do you not see that His “grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9)?  For as unsolvable as your problem might be, imagine the glory God can receive in doing a great work through it.

That patience He produces is a feat all in itself, don’t you agree?  Imagine having patience?  In my case, that would truly be a miracle!  One only He can accomplish.  How often I decide things are not being fixed fast enough and decide to pick up my burdens again.  God promised that He would never leave me (Joshua 1:9).  When is the last time He made a promise He did not keep?  All through history, God has kept His promises.  Do I believe what He has said?  Every time I pick up the burden and try to solve it myself, I am telling Him I do not believe what He promised me.

Luke 1:46&47:

“And Mary said:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior”

Lord, what does my soul magnify?  Does it magnify my self-centeredness, anger and bitterness?  How could my spirit rejoice in you when I cannot magnify you?  Lord, help me to believe what You have promised me.  Help my response be the response that you can use.  You call each of us to you.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

What a beautiful truth.  How I long to find rest for my soul.  Oh Lord, do not pass me by.

Where do You Stand?

December 11, 2010 in My Creator and Savior by sar | 1 comment

Does Christ lead your life, or are you standing in His way?

Where Has The Time Gone?

September 8, 2010 in Life by sar | 2 comments

I went shopping for a baby shower gift last week.  I didn’t think a lot about it because it is always fun to give someone a gift.  As I strolled through the store toward the baby and toddler section, it occurred to me that I was in foreign territory.  I had a sudden realization that the baby isle was an area of the store I had not been to in a long time.  There was a time when I never entered the store without a trip to the baby and toddler section.  I remember when my shopping list was started:

1. Diapers

2. Wipes

…and so on.  I never realized how long it had been since I bought diapers.  Wow, do things look different in that section of the store.

Things look different in my section of life, too.  My babies are young women only a few years from possibly starting families of their own.  I remember when my first was born.  I was told over and over again, “Hold her close, the time goes so quickly.”  In the middle of diapers and burp rags, it was hard to see that.  Now, on the other side of that mountain, the time has gone quickly.  So quickly.

Would I want to turn back time?  Not a chance.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved the baby years.  The funny things they did during their toddler years, even the crazy things my almost 8 year old son says.  I wouldn’t trade that for anything.  But, I wouldn’t want to go back.  As much as I loved each of those stages, I love the people my children are becoming.  I love seeing the world through their eyes.  I love watching their faith grow and Jesus becoming their Savior and Lord in more than word only.  Discerning His will for their lives and how He  wants to use them to His glory.

These are the blessings of parenthood.

Fashion Show

August 28, 2010 in Just For Fun! by sar | 1 comment

My 15 and 11 year old daughters were in a Civil War Fashion show today.  There were over 40 participants.  The dresses were so beautiful!  My 15 year old had so much fun talking with all of the ladies about their dresses.  Because she made her dress, that gave her a commonality with the ladies.  They even announced that she had made her dress when she went up on stage.

My 11 year old wore one of my dresses.  It was the first dress my mom had ever made me for reenacting.  She was beyond excited as she loves everything that has to do with drama and wearing big, fancy dresses!  You really do feel like a beautiful princess when you wear those dresses.

I had one more princess at home.  My darling 13 year old held down the fort while I was gone.  She fed her brothers and dad lunch and supper.  She cleaned the kitchen, mowed the yard and made sure daddy had enough water so that he didn’t get heat stroke.  I love when my daughters get the opportunity to “be mom” for the day.  It boosts their confidence in so many ways!

A Stoll Down Memory Lane

August 25, 2010 in Homeschooling by sar | 2 comments

I was working with my oldest on her Algebra today.  Ah, yes, I remember those days.  I was not homeschooled, at least not homeschooled the way my children are homeschooled.  I went to the area public school to receive my education.  I was going over the problems she got wrong and remembered sitting with my Dad doing the same thing.  There were times that I was sure I was actually hearing his voice coming out of my mouth.  As we went through each step of the equation, I would ask her a leading question and she would answer rather uncertainly.

Back in the day, my dad would sit down with a sheet of paper and we would each work the problem separately.  Then we would compare answers to see who came up with the right answer and why I got it wrong.  I often use those same techniques with my children, but today we worked them together on the board.

You know what is really neat?  I can do Algebra!  I understand it for the first time.  Is it maturity?  Nah!  You all know me…I think it is being the teacher.  I have always said that the best way to learn something is to teach it.

Hey Dad!  I finally got it!!  Better late than never!

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