{Day 4} Interrupted by the Word

Oh friends, I am really tired tonight.  A weeknight baseball game followed by blogging and then a baby who had a restless night are working their sleepy-time magic on me at the moment.  So I will be brief, but hopefully coherent.  :)

This morning as I was praying, confessing my sins and also sharing with God my heart's concerns of late, which have mostly revolved around wondering what I "should" be doing for school, with our family, etc., He graciously brought this verse to mind:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33

Okay, I'm hearing you, Lord.  I get all tied up in knots about things and, while I may say I trust you, I'm setting You aside in exchange for worry.

I thought for a little while about how this verse might influence how I think about current concerns.  Then some other verses popped into my head as I thought about resting in God:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, inviting the weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest.  Boy I needed that this morning!  And to return to the thought several times throughout the day.  It particularly influenced how we started our day.  The kids were sluggish, having gone to bed late and being awakened early by the garbage truck - a Thursday morning tradition!  My natural inclination would have been to stick to the schedule and "get things done."  But reading of this tenderness of Jesus influenced me to move in that direction in relating to the kids.  We took our time, put a little "home" back into our homeschool, and still got our work done.  Hallelujah!

Today I'm thankful that God was so gracious to interrupt my "usually scheduled program" of prayer and Bible reading with some additional words that were just right.  God is so kind to us, is He not, when He gives us the "just right" right when we need it?

With that, I say to you, g'night!

{Day 3} Interrupted by Not Being Interrupted

It is late; we went to the Pirate game tonight!  It was freezing, but they won - yay!

Today the Good Lord interrupted me by His grace through my little boy, Brian.  For those who don't know much about me, my husband and I have three children.  Elizabeth is in third grade, Brian is in preschool, and Katherine is one.  We homeschool.

For a long time, trying to figure out what to do with Brian when I needed time to work with Elizabeth was challenging.  This year, in addition to trying to be more proactive with him, I've seen him mature dramatically in his ability to occupy himself when necessary.  Today was a magnificent display.  Most days, I work with Brian on something first thing during our school time, leaving Elizabeth to independent writing or math work.  But this morning I knew I had to work with Elizabeth on a couple of things, so I started with her rather than Brian.

> As an aside, we're all in the same room, it's just that one is getting more attention.  Katherine was napping, in case you were wondering! <

The work with Elizabeth took much longer than expected.  But in that time Brian uncomplainingly did everything I asked him to do or suggested that he do: dot-to-dots, cut and paste, coloring a little with me while Elizabeth wrote something, cleaning up the papers under his desk, folding some clean dish towels.  Then he spent a long while playing with some little Angry Birds toys.  I was flabbergasted at the whole scene and thanked God in my heart for such a blessing: not only the freedom to work with Elizabeth without ending up losing my patience with Brian, but also the relief of knowing he is growing up and out of his (very normal, but sometimes trying) more baby-ish ways.  Such a blessing to find myself interrupted by grace without being interrupted by Brian!  Ironic.

The day was going so well!

Not too much later, however, I was rude to Elizabeth and lost my patience with her about a math lesson that she was having trouble understanding, (terrible, I know).  Absolutely no reason to get frustrated and speak so loudly, but I did.  Reflecting on that and thinking about Brian and his increasing maturity gives me hope for myself, despite the long way I have left to go in the holiness department.  Makes me think of this verse:

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:6

Does that mean there is hope that one of these days I will be a patient math teacher?  Maybe by the time Katherine is in third grade!

Any grace interruptions in your world today?

{Day 2} Interrupted in My Fear

Preparations for today's interruption began yesterday, really.  I suggested to friends on Facebook that they share my page or 'like' it, so they could read along this month.

Some people did!*

Then the fear set in.

It sounded something like this: What if I don't meet their expectations?  What if I disappoint them?  What if there's a day I have nothing to write about?  What if?  What if?  What if?  WHAT IF I FAIL?

*     *     *

People, I am embarrassingly and shamefully controlled by what I think people think of me.  There.  It's out.  I write, and then wonder if someone's tearing me apart in their mind, criticizing my theology, my style, or my grammar.  But on the other side, in my faith-filled moments, I know that God is calling me to write and to speak.  I have testimonies of Him providing opportunities to speak and ways He has used this little space on the internet to hone my understanding of who God is and of who I am.

I fear.  I believe.  I fear.  I believe.  Is there a seesaw in my heart?

Is there one in yours, too?

*     *     *

As God would have it, He met me there today.  Right there in my fear.  Two interrupted by grace moments stand out.

Moment #1: My son, Brian, woke up to use the bathroom at 3am and got me.  (He does not usually do this.)  After he went back to sleep, I could not.  So up I got and when the hour came, I left my sleeping family and headed over to Starbucks, where my dear friend Emily was opening at 5, for some oatmeal, coffee, and reading.  I began a book called The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Henri Nouwen, in preparation for a potential speaking engagement, and came across this quote:

 When I hear that voice [God calling me His beloved], I know that I am home with God and have nothing to fear.  p. 39

As I read through the Prologue and first chapter of the book, it felt like Nouwen was telling my story!  We live apart from God in fear.  When He welcomes us home, fear fades as we hear His voice.

Moment #2:  Other than the occasional CD, pretty much the only thing I listen to in the car with the kids is K-LOVE.  They started a pledge drive this week and the deejays were challenging listeners to call in and make a $40/month pledge.  On the way home this afternoon, they were talking for a while about fear and how it paralyzes us.  But with God as our Father, we can be free to trust Him and step out in faith.  One of the deejays gave this acronym: False Expectations Appearing Real (F.E.A.R.)

Wow.  I live so much of my life in light of Eeyore-esque expectations, all doom and gloom.  What a terrible way for a beloved child of God to proceed through life!

Those two moments today were little whispers of assurance to me; this series is exactly what I should be doing this month.

Even if one day I have nothing to write about.

But you know what?  Knowing the God who loves me and who has so regularly interrupted me by grace in recent years puts that fearful expectation in its place, making room for the seesaw to tip back up toward "I believe."

How did God interrupt you by grace today?

*Thanks for putting my 'likes' over 70, friends!  I think that's swell.  Welcome, new readers!!

30 Days Interrupted by Grace 2.0

Hi friends!

Coming off of Easter, a pretty substantial lull in blogging (10 posts TOTAL in 2013, seriously?!), and a conversation with a fellow writer yesterday about the discipline necessary for writing, it's time to kick of a month-long series again.  Rather than try something new, I'm going to go back to last year's April series topic: Interrupted by Gace.  There are two reasons for this:

1. In the month following Easter, it will be beneficial to meditate on and look for God in our daily lives.  He is risen.  He is risen, indeed!  According to Scripture that means not only something for our past and our future, but also for our present.
2. This kind of writing doesn't require major preparation or study, just keeping my eyes, ears, and heart open.

Okay, so what's this Interrupted by Grace series all about?

Here's how I summed it up last year:  The general idea is this: the Holy Spirit dwells within us and can speak into our hearts throughout our days, but often we are far too busy or distracted to remember this reality, let alone listen for His voice.  Shortly after Katherine was born, I noticed that sometimes I'd have surprising moments of peace or joy where I felt prompted to just stop for a moment to reflect on the delightful fullness of life, the depth of Christ's forgiveness of my sin, or some other blessed thought.  I called this being interrupted by grace - Spirit-breaths of fresh air in the staleness of life lived on autopilot.

I believe these grace interruptions can take many forms, so I don't want to stifle the Spirit's creativity for reaching you.  But here are some ways the Lord might interrupt you with grace, in the midst of complete chaos/fear/pain, a fantastically perfect day, or somewhere in between:

• something a friend, family member, or co-worker says or does that leads you to reflect on God's love
• an edifying song that comes to mind "out of no where" that leads to repentance or simply encourages you
• feeling like you just need to stop for a moment and give thanks
• a call or letter at just the right time
• scripture coming to mind when you need it

Why should you read along?

The primary reason you should read along this month is to meet God.  My hope is that by testifying to God's on-going work in my life, you'll increasingly see His grace at work in yours.  Because God is alive and His Word is living and active, I wonder what this month will hold for us?  I hope to hear some of your stories in the comments!

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:16-17

Let's let the message of Christ dwell among us richly this month!

Heather

The Great Exchange ~ or ~ Why We Celebrate

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

I John 4:10

This weekend we remember the events that made "the great exchange" possible.  Christ died not only that we might be rescued from punishment, having our sins forgiven, but also to give us His righteousness in exchange for our sin.  (Crazy, huh?!)  We stand alone, dear Christian, on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling."

God the Father turned His back on His Son, that we might be able to turn back to Him.

That's good news.

GOOD NEWS!

Wishing you and yours a very happy Easter.

Holy Week Reflection: The Love of Christ

This morning we read the story of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume in The Child's Story Bible.  After finishing, I asked the kids why they thought Mary did what she did.  I shared with them that she really loved Jesus and it was a way of worshiping Him, to give Him one of her most prized possessions, to pour out on Him something so valuable, He alone being worthy of such a gift.

I commented, "Mary really loved Jesus."

Brian, my four year old responded, "Like you really love me, Mom."

"Yes Brian, like I really love you and Elizabeth and Katherine and Dad."

His comment got me thinking about why Mary so adored Jesus.  The short answer, I think, is that Jesus first loved her.  Her Savior knew her, called her, rescued her, taught her, and cared for her.  Mary was captivated by Him.  And she was as sure of Jesus' love for her as my little one is of my love for him.  The consequence was an extravagant display of worship and affection that brought disgust from some, but affirmation from Jesus.

I shared with the kids that we can worship the Lord in this way by giving Him all that we are, the very best of ourselves.

If you are a Christian, dear one, your Savior knows you, called you, rescued you, teaches you, and cares for you.  You've been adopted into a new family.  God's family.  You are no longer defined by your past, your sins, or even your strengths.  No.  You are now defined by your relationship with Christ Jesus, having been given a new and righteous identity.

We can worship the Lord,

responding to His sure and unchanging love for us,

by giving Him all that we are, the very best of ourselves.

Something to consider during this Holy Week, when we join Christians throughout the world in reflection on the Passion of the Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Here's what I wonder for myself and will ask you, too: What kind of response does the love of Christ elicit from you?  Oh to have even a small taste of the extravagant love Mary had for Jesus!

Lord, move in our hearts, especially during this week as we meditate on your Passion.  May our love for you grow with each passing day as your Spirit impresses upon us the truth of who you are, how you love us, and what you've done for us.  How good You are, Sweet and Precious Lord.  Amen.

Goodness Me, It's Been a While!

Hey all!  I wanted to debunk the rumors that I gave up blogging for Lent!  But if you've wondered, I don't blame you; last time I wrote was Ash Wednesday.  That was the middle of last month.  Goodness!  In that time baby girl turned one, we traveled to Omaha for my grandmother's 90th birthday (she and Katherine have the same birthday!), and February turned in to March all of a sudden.

I've been trying lately, to stay on top of things better.  Now that we're out of the first year of Katherine's life and I feel more like myself, I have the energy to be about my business here at home with the family and to get some regular exercise.  In addition, the husband has had a busy season at work, adding a little to my responsibilities.  The funny thing about actually devoting myself to my work, is that there doesn't seem to be much time left over.  Oh, how finite we are!  Each of us gets 24 hours a day and we need to sleep some of that time.  So where have I been? I've been wanting write, but needing to use my time other places.  I'm sure you know the drill.

The difficult thing is making peace with it.  Am I right?  Once one does, life is so much happier!  If we dwell in a grumpy place, cursing our responsibilities or (as I'm prone to) ignoring them, we're quickly embittered and/or consumed by them.  But if we look at life and say, Hey, this is the life I have right now, I'm gonna embrace it and learn to love it, well, life is a whole lot brighter.  At least that's been my experience.  I have done my share of cursing the darkness and refusing to light a candle, so to speak.  :)

This coming Wednesday I have a day mostly to myself; the husband has an all-day job interview and my (super cool) in-laws are watching the kids so I can tag along and check out the area.  I think I'll use some of that time to assess my weekly schedule and see if I can't plan better so I can write here with some consistency.  I miss it and have many I-want-to-write-about-that moments, but have to choose.  You know?

Okay, now that I've filled you in a little on what's been going on around here.  How are you?  Do you find yourself needing to choose these days?  How so?

And finally, some verses for your encouragement, because God's Word is where it's at.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

    my hope comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God;

    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people;

    pour out your hearts to him,

    for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:5-8