Pursuing More

It’s almost Christmas and naturally I find myself turning to Luke 2 for my bible reading this week. The story is familiar as I read it, but 2 words seem to jump from the pages and land on my heart. Treasured and pondering. Luke 2:18-19 “…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:51 “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Mary was placed in a very unique one-of-a-kind situation. Literally. A visit from an angel. A virgin giving birth. The mother of the Savior. The Messiah born in a manger. Prophecy fulfilled. More Angels. Shepherds. Amazement. And then later, her 12 year old son goes missing and tells his parents “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”    Mary kept this information, this knowledge, this truth. She thought it through, reflected on it, and preserved it in her heart. She treasured it. She did not store it away like Christ...

I received the most exciting news this week! Our son and daughter in law are expecting a baby! By early July, I will be cuddling my very first grandchild! This baby will be the 1 st great grandchild for my husband’s parents and the 40 th   great grandchild for my parents. I’m calling him/her “Baby 1-40” for now until we have a better name. This grandma thing is going to be great! The excitement builds each day. The girls and I found instructions online to make chew toy necklaces, so mommy can be both stylish and provide teething fun at the same time. There are visions of cuddling, ice cream, slip n slides, games, puzzles and so much more dancing in my head. There are so many fun things I want to do with my grandchildren (I started an idea file years ago). Though I have been borrowing young children for some time now so I would be all practiced up when the time came, I feel it’s just not the same really being a grandma. This granny thing is all new for me. Think of all the ways ...

Have you ever asked “Why is this happening to me?”   For most of us that question in one form or another has been on our lips at at least one point in our lives. Suffering comes in all colors and sizes and in varying degrees and it leaves us filled with questions. To be able to see a purpose in suffering is like a light at the end of the tunnel. It is a gift. For if there is no purpose in it, we can be left empty and alone.   But to know that we are a part of a divine plan laid out in heaven brings a ray of hope. Sometimes the purpose in our suffering is for our own growth. Psalm 119:67 “Before I was afflicted   I went astray, but now I obey your word.”   The purpose is all about me, my need for growth and the opportunity to respond to God’s call. At other times, the purpose is not about me, but for others. Psalm 119:74 “May those who fear You rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.”   My obedience, faith and trust in my Father through ...

Just wanted to share a pic of the newlyweds! Such an awesome couple (even if I might be a little biased)! And a testimony to God's view of marriage. They had his wedding ring tattooed on. Marriage is a permanent relationship. Amazing how the husband-wife relationship can be reframed in our mind  when we take the "D" word out of our vocabulary. Or better yet, don't ever let it in in the first place. It may not always be "Happily Ever After" but with God's grace, it can be "Ever After".

Our kids are almost all grown now and often my mind reflects back on my job as a mom. While there is laundry load of things I would do differently if given the opportunity, I am grateful to my Father for His grace in the task.   A while back an ad on the Yahoo home page for the Chevy Traverse claimed to have the answer to one of the biggest parental headaches. It showed a brother and sister in a car.   He was irritating her and she had this attitude and of course got upset.   Over and over….You’ve probably experienced this scene as many moms have in their own cars. Then the traverse shows up in shining armor and they can now sit separately.   The caption says “Finally You Can Separate Them.”   The idea is that more space will fix the problem.   Keeping them away from each other will result in sudden family harmony. And it might. But what would it profit them?   What would they learn?   What character trait would it grow in them?   And mor...

I have been praying and asking and waiting…and praying and asking and waiting...(with the occasional whining mixed in)…and yet still I sit. The For Sale sign outside my house sits as well. A friend’s house that is for sale showed yesterday. Today our son and his wife’s house will show at 9:30. And ours sits. Its hard not to be envious. Its hard not to get bitter or desperate.   I am glad for our friends and kids, they need to sell their homes too, but I feel left behind. As I sit here praying this morning, a verse I have scribbled at the top of my prayer list catches my eye. Psalm 119:164, “Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.” The praise I give too often tends to come from what God does for me. “Thank you for that great parking spot on a rainy day…Thanks for a safe trip…Praise God for that pay raise…” Not bad things to give thanks for, but the Psalmist doesn’t look for what God does but at Who He is and His righteous laws. This totally takes the “me” out...

WARNING: Content is girly chick-stuff. I see parallels in everyday life that serve as excellent examples of my spiritual walk with God. Many times I don’t post these because they seem a bit superficial and girly. But I was encouraged this morning while talking with my daughter about a parallel she saw in nail polish (more on that later). So, I decided to share my most recent insight with you. The story begins with me and my girls in Walmart. We are chattering about white legs, summer and sunless tanning lotion. We decide on a product, make our purchase and happily apply it all week. It works and we are elated. Fast forward 3 weeks… I have tired of the “chore” of applying the lotion evenly each day and find myself skipping days in a row. The conversation in my head goes something like this: “You better put it on, as soon as a hot day comes, you will wish you had tan legs when you want to wear shorts or go to the lake…” “It’s so much work, and it’s chilly today, I’m going to wea...