My husband and I have faced many difficulties in our 37 years of marriage. Most people who have lived as long as we have, have faced many difficulties. We have found that God is faithful. He has walked with us in the valleys, and on the mountaintops. He has not let us go. He loves us with an everlasting love. He loves you with an everlasting love. May we all learn to receive that love, and dwell in His presense. God bless you all!
May We Be Encouraged!
In honor of writing this blog for 7 years, I’m sharing a blog I wrote 5 years ago. It is very short, and mostly has pictures of a Hibiscus Tree I had pruned that had started to bloom again. It also has links to a few other blogs within this one–that are much longer. I thought it appropriate to share this particular blog, as I feel like I am starting to bloom again, after a period of being pruned. I hope if you are in a season of being pruned, that this will give you hope for the blooming that is to come.
May We Be Encouraged!!
If you could do anything in the world, what would you do? There was a time when I would have said that I would want to travel. To me, that sounded like paradise–having adventure, excitement, experience.
On one of our family trips down to Florida, we were asked to sit through a marketing session for vacations and timeshares. Our kids were fairly young, and it sounded really amazing—wonderful resorts, beautiful scenery, fun things to do and see–I was so tempted to sign on the dotted line. Fortunately, my husband was not such a soft sell, and we did not sign on the dotted line.
Seven months after Sean died, our family took another trip to Florida. We went in the month of March. I remember thinking in the cold, wintery months of January and February–that I just had to hang on until March, and then I would be in sunshine.
That trip did help get us through that winter. But I learned a really important lesson on that trip–I was still taking “me” on the trip, and “me” was really grieving. The trip could only do so much–it did provide a measure of escape–but I could not escape from myself. I could not escape from the fact that my son was dead.
We went to Sea World on that trip, and every sight was a reminder that Sean was not with us, and he would have loved it all.
The realization that a “trip” could only do so much really helped me a great deal. I used to long for trips–thinking that they would be the key to happiness and fulfillment. Now I know they are not.
In fact, realizing that has helped me find a measure of contentment. When Covid hit, and travel was very limited—I was content.
Even now, when I think about traveling, and going to many places—I don’t have the motivation I used to have. I know that the trip is not going to bring me that which will fill me.
“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Tim. 6:6-8
I love these verses, because they tell me what my heart knows to be true—things, trips, money–these things and the desires for these things will never satisfy me–but God–He will, He does, and He is the only One who can.
May We Be Encouraged.
I have been loving this song–and I wanted to share the song and the lyrics with you. Would love to hear what you think of it….Colton Dixon – Build a Boat [Official Lyric Video]
…Lyrics to: I’ll Build a Boat
I’ve been wandering through the desert
Ain’t seen a cloud in forever over me
But I believe Your rain is coming, mm
Yeah, I’ve been hanging onto high hopes
‘Cause You’re the one who’s making dry bones come to life
You’re the light I put my trust in
… Every word You say is gonna come true
You will lead me to the promised land
Everything You say is gonna happen
Even though I haven’t seen it yet
… I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains
I will stand up in faith, I’ll do anything it takes
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I’ll build a boat in the desert place
And when the flood and the water starts to rise, yeah
I’ll ride the storm ’cause I got You by my side
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I’ll build a boat, so let it rain
… You’re the map, You’re my compass
You help me navigate the currents underneath
Take the lead, I surrender
… Every word You say is gonna come true
You will lead me to the promised land
Everything You say is gonna happen
Even though I haven’t seen it yet
… I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains
I will stand up in faith, I’ll do anything it takes
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I’ll build a boat in the desert place
And when the flood and the water starts to rise, yeah
I’ll ride the storm ’cause I got You by my side
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I’ll build a boat, so let it rain
I’ll build a boat, so let it rain
… I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains
I will stand up in faith, I’ll do anything it takes
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I’ll build a boat in the desert place
And when the flood and the water starts to rise, yeah
I’ll ride the storm ’cause I got You by my side
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I’ll build a boat, so let it rain
Last month, I pruned my lilac trees. Lilac trees need to be pruned right after they have bloomed, in order to give them enough time to heal so they can bloom during the next season. Last year, I pruned one of my lilac trees in the fall, and it did not bear any blossoms this season, even though the foliage was thick and healthy, and its shape balanced.
My motivation for pruning is that the trees and bushes will be healthier in the long run, even though they are being hurt in the short run. I prune to cut off dead branches, or to shape the tree. I prune so that the foliage will be thick and the blooms or fruit plentiful.
I think that God—the Master Gardener—does this with me and you. It helps to know that God’s motivation is love when He prunes, but honestly, when I’m being pruned, I hate it. I doubt God’s goodness and His love for me. I look at my trying circumstances and I say things like, “I can’t endure this anymore. I can’t do this anymore. “ Sometimes, I am angry with my pruner–and I wonder why He is pruning me? Hasn’t He already pruned me enough?
So, how do I go on? How do I endure the pruning? I want my roots to go down deep, therefore, I go to God — in prayer, journaling, and reading scriptures. I ask others to pray for me, and I meet with others to receive their counsel, and to speak truth about my situation.
I ask God to speak to me and tell me what to do, and what He wants me to know. Many times He comforts me, many times He tells me He is with me, He will never leave me. (Hebrews 13:5).
When I don’t know what to do, God often tells me to–Love—love others—forgive others—and lean into Him to gain the power to do so. This is the fruit—the blossoms that God wants to grow in my life and in your life—and believe me when we are in full bloom—we are truly beautiful—and the aroma we give off—just like the scent of my gorgeous lilacs—amazing!!
May We Be Encouraged!!
Pivotal moments in life. Moments that change the entire trajectory of one’s life. I had some pivotal moments my freshman and sophomore years in college.
At the end of my freshman year in college, I began a relationship with the Lord. I accepted what Jesus did on the cross as the sacrifice for my sins. I accepted God’s forgiveness. I asked God’s Spirit to come into my life and make me the person He wanted me to be.
Wow, did He answer that prayer! Suddenly, when I went to the bar with the girls, and I was tempted to overindulge, I could sense God’s presence and guidance leading me away from those situations. As I spent time with the Lord, He changed my desires, and I didn’t desire to put myself in those situations anymore.
When I messed up, and did not yield to God’s guidance, I felt such guilt and unworthiness. I had walked away from the One, who loved me so perfectly.
I messed up majorly especially in the beginning of my walk with the Lord and experienced such remorse. I don’t think the guilty and unworthy feelings came from the Lord. I think they came from me, from Satan, and from believing the lies–Satan told me–first to draw me into sin, and then to beat me up–after I sinned.
In my fall term of my Sophomore year in college, I went on a Fall Retreat with the christian group that had been a part of me hearing the gospel, and trusting Christ to be my Savior. At that retreat, I was asked to be in a discipleship bible study, where I would be learning to share my faith, and I would also be learning how to lead bible studies. Eventually I would teach others how to share their faith, lead others in bible studies and teach others how to lead bible studies.
I felt so unworthy to be in this study. I felt scared to be in this study. I desperately wanted to be in this study.
I remember going off by myself to have a quiet time with the Lord, and asking Him what He wanted me to do. Now, I was a very young believer, and I knew God’s Word had the answers for me, but I didn’t know God’s Word very well. So, I prayed, “God, I don’t know what you want me to do. I am going to open this book of Yours, and just read whatever it says when it falls open. Please speak to me, and tell me what you want me to do?”
I opened to: ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:16-18
I can’t really explain what happened, but it was as if the Lord Himself was speaking to me through the words I was reading. The words leapt off the page, and I heard them being spoken in my head, but not by my voice. It was a voice of power, authority, and yet love.
This was a pivotal moment in my life–from which the rest of my life had direction.
I went on to be in that discipleship bible study. I went on to lead others and disciple others. I went on to go on full time staff with that christian organization, and then later volunteer on staff with it. I met my husband when I was on staff with this organization, as he was also on staff with it.
In writing this blog, I am seeking to fulfill God’s purpose that He gave me, so, so many years ago. I am seeking to tell my stories–because they point to Him. He is the author and perfecter of my faith. Hebrews 12: 2
It helps me to look back and see God’s hand in my life–to see that after all this time He has not let go.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27, 28
I hope this story encourages you to look at your own life, and see your own pivotal moments. I hope my story encourages you to remember that even though we may be tempted to feel unworthy and guilty, we have been given worth and forgiveness and love.
May We Be Encouraged!
Yesterday was my son Sean’s birthday. He would have been 29 years old. I spent the morning of his birthday with Sean’s 3 red-haired nieces, his older brother’s girls. They sang “Happy Birthday” to their Uncle Sean–making sure they included the “Cha-cha-chas.
Then, I had lunch with my mom, and lo and behold, there was a red cardinal in the yard. . If you don’t know the story of the legend of the red cardinal, you can click here to read my blog about it.
After that lovely time, I went home, and celebrated Sean’s birthday with my husband and other children and grandchildren. We had pizza, (mine was with a cauliflower crust) 🙂 And we sat around the big 10 foot table that we had inherited from my mother-in-law, telling stories, and laughing. Some of our stories were about Sean, and some were just about life. And all of it was good.
On Seans’ birthday, I cried, and I laughed—and once again thanked God for the gift of Sean James. (We named Sean—Sean—as it is the Irish way of saying John, and we named him James, after my Uncle Jim. My Uncle Jim is my Dad’s younger brother—also the third boy in his family, and he was so loving and kind—and that is how I hoped my son would be as well. And he was, and I believe that he still is.)
May We Be Encouraged!!
This week, I was at the store, shopping for my husband’s Father’s Day gift with my youngest daughter.
As we were walking towards the check-out line, I noticed these beautiful yellow roses. They practically begged me to take them home with me. I said to my daughter, “I’m going to get these yellow roses for your dad for Father’s Day. They are really for me, but I’ll tell Dad, they are for him. 🙂 “ My daughter laughed, and we picked up the roses, and proceeded to check-out.
While we were standing in line, the woman behind us commented on our beautiful flowers. I told her that I was getting them for my husband for Father’s Day, but they were really for me. 🙂 She laughed and said that this was the way her young son also shopped for Father’s Day. Her son was with her, and was probably 4 or 5 years old. Apparently he had gotten his dad a ball for Father’s day. 🙂
Then the woman commented on our flowers again, asking where they were, as she wanted to go back to get some. She told us that yellow flowers are the symbol for flowers connected with cancer and that she lost her 18 month old son to cancer.
I looked at her, and said, “I am so sorry. That is so hard,” then I paused before I said, ” I have also lost a son.” We both shared a look that parents who have lost a child share–that immediately bonds you, because you’ve both endured one of the worst things a parent has to endure.
Then I said, “Can I give you a hug?” She said “Yes.” As we hugged, I said, “We are going to see them again someday.” She said, “I know. I tell my sons they need to be good so they can see their brother in Heaven.”
I looked at her, and asked God to give me the words to say, to comfort and share the hope that is within, and from my mouth came these words, “At my son’s funeral, my husband shared about Jesus dying on the cross between two criminals. One of the criminals asked Jesus to remember him, when Jesus came into His Kingdom, and Jesus told the criminal that he would be with Him in paradise that day. My husband told everyone that the criminal hadn’t done anything to deserve heaven, or a relationship with God, he just received it as a gift.” The woman nodded her head, indicating she understood what I was saying. Ephesians 2:8,9
Then I told the woman, “I’m going to buy these flowers, and give them to you, they are my gift to you and your husband, in honor of your son.”
At first she said, “No, you don’t have to”, but then she received them gladly.
There were tears in my daughter’s eyes as we left, and when we were in the car she told me, “Mom, I wish I was rich, I would have paid for all of those woman’s groceries.” I told her, “After your brother died, people were very kind, and they gave us meals, flowers, money for Sean’s trust, and it was really, really wonderful to know people cared. But, God was the only One who could reach deep inside to our souls, and really comfort us. Let’s pray for that woman right now, that she would understand that God is offering her Himself—and a relationship with Him is a gift–that she just needs to accept, like she accepted our gift of the roses. She doesn’t have to work for it—she just has to accept it. God can comfort her, in a way, no one else can.”
And we bowed our heads and prayed. If you are reading this blog, I’m praying that if you haven’t accepted the gift of a relationship with the Father of all Fathers, and the King of all Kings–that you too will understand that it is not something you have to work for–it is a gift for you to accept.
Happy Father’s Day Everyone!! May We Be Encouraged!!
He loves like a Father Should!! Hallejujah!! Nothing can separate us from the love of God!! Romans 8:38-39 (These are all lines in this song, except Romans 8:38-39, where the line: Nothing can separate us from the love of God, is found.)
There have been certain seasons in my life when I’ve struggled with being content more than I have in other seasons. For instance, when I was 26 years old, I really wanted to be married and have children. Now, I was not even dating anyone when I was 26 years old. In fact, between the ages of 25-28 years old, I did not date anyone. (Since I had had a boyfriend from the time I was allowed to date at the age of 16—this was a new situation for me.)
So how did I deal with this season of singleness, and find contentment in it? I reasoned that God gave me this great desire to be married and have children, so He would meet that desire in His timing, and so I needed to choose joy in the moment I was in. So, when I got to wake up late on a Saturday morning, I would think….I’m going to be grateful that I got to sleep in today. Someday, I’ll be married and have children, and I will not get to sleep in. (I was right about that–by the way!! )
I would think this way about many things—any time I got to do something for myself—go to the library, take a walk—it could be something really simple—but I would thank God for that time, for that moment. I cultivated a habit of gratitude, of being thankful—and I must tell you it really helped. It helped then, and it is helping now.
I’m in a new season of life right now. I am retired, (from being a homeschooling mom and my husband’s partner in our construction company). I have grown children and small grandchildren. What used to give me a sense of purpose and direction –has changed. I’m in a new season of life. And, just as I did all those years ago, I am choosing gratitude as a pathway to contentment. I am living in the moment I’m in, and I am thankful. I am choosing to walk with the Father, and enjoy Him in the moment I’m in. It’s a good moment. It’s a good day. Life is all a great, great gift, from a good, good Father.
May We Be Encouraged!!
Encouragement for you!! 