Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

The new year is a time to reflect on the past and then make plans for the future. Writing our annual Christmas letter each year gives me an opportunity to remember all that occurred throughout the past year, to reflect and compare my expectations with reality. Last January, for the first time in several years, I didn’t have expectations. I worked at going through each day, living for the Lord, and not worrying about my career. I had finally come to be at peace with where I was and what I was doing.  I was content.  In previous years I always had expectations and plans. When they didn't pan out as I had anticipated I would be disappointed, and even frustrated, questioning my choices and decisions. But last year, I went into 2015 knowing God’s plans, not mine, are best. 

So when an opportunity came up to teach a computer class to 600 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders in March, I was caught off guard. I applied, was called for an interview, and was given the position in a few short weeks. I absolutely love what I am doing. But, this was never in my plans. And that makes me smile. All along, it was in His plans for me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Always be joyful. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (Living Bible TLB)

October was a fun month for Kansas City baseball. It was easy to be joyful when the games finally ended, and when we won the World Series Championship.  I can go on to say that we need to be joyful, even when the Royals aren’t winning (which has been much of my lifetime).  But I am actually wanting to look at someone else’s exemplified joy. 

When the MVP was announced, I was ecstatic.  Yes, Salvador Perez deserved it because of his catching and hitting abilities during the series, but to me, Salvy was MVP because of his character, his joy.  Always. 

I want to be just like Perez…not a great baseball player, but a person who exudes joy like he does.

1 Timothy 4:12-15

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 1 Timothy 4:12-15

Caleb turns 18 next week.  He will officially be an adult.  With adulthood comes serious responsibilities that require maturity, like signing up for the draft (boys) and registering to vote. But with age, maturity doesn’t just appear the day you wake up as an eighteen year old.  Life lessons (and your godly reactions to them) give you the fruitful growth desired by God, which is actually true maturity.

This fall, Caleb’s progress has been evident.  Has he had hiccups? Yes.  We are all working together on guarding our tongues. But while he’s had to deal with injustice in the area of sports, he’s learning how to handle it like a godly mature adult.  Progress in other areas of his spiritual life has also been evident, through his leadership in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) that the kids attend each Wednesday morning before school, through his diligence in reading the Bible, praying, and also through discussions we have had with him after church services and Sunday school. 

I pray that God continues to guide him, build him up in his faith, and bless him; and that he will have a very enjoyable 18th birthday. 

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler^[a]
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

¹⁴ “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91

I read Psalm 91 this morning and realized that because it is so ingrained into me, the knowledge of God and His sovereignty, His care for me and His watchfulness over me 24/7, I have confidence in decisions that I make and in everything I do.

Yesterday, I had two young children at my house.  We began the morning jumping on our trampoline.  I held the toddler’s hands because she was too scared to jump without holding onto me. We then walked through a field and along a fence line that was a few yards from the roadside.  I held their hands, knowing I needed to for safety.  We visited our family business next door before heading to my parent’s pool for a swim. As we went through the building saying hi to everyone and petting the dog, our insurance agent (who happened to be there talking with my dad) skeptically asked me if these two children knew how to swim.  I said they didn’t, but that we had a lot of floating paraphernalia. Once at the pool with swimsuits and floating gear donned, we swam and enjoyed the refreshing water.

I thought about all that I do to be responsible regarding safety, but I also reflected upon my own awareness that God does protect us.  I was able to relax and have fun without fear, knowing that He watches over me and keeps me in all my ways.  

Proverbs 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.

She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31

I’ve often heard women say that they feel inadequate when they read this passage.  I actually love it.  It reminds me that in all of time, mothers have been busy.  But who are the ones who notice?  Her husband and her children.  If we were to leave our work places, we are easily replaced.  However, if we were to leave this earth, we would be dearly missed by our loved ones, our husband and our children. 

This Scripture text helps me to keep my priorities straight, to put my family first.  To say “no” to other things outside the home so that I can have the energy I need to do what I love the most, to be a wife and a mother. 

Happy Mother’s Day. 

Psalm 31:15

My times are in Your hand; 

Psalm 31:15

I had twenty-three people for dinner tonight. I've been serving the same meal every Good Friday for about eight years. I should know from experience the order of what needs prepared and at what time so that we can eat at five o'clock in order to leave by six-thirty for our Good Friday evening church service. However, my timing is always off. Either I'm rushing around trying to get the food done or I'm having to keep it warm in the oven, with the possibility of it drying out or even burning. 

God's timing, on the other hand, is perfect. Thankfully. As we were taking Luke to soccer practice on a windy evening the other night, we came upon a huge tree in the middle of the road. I had just driven the same road thirty minutes prior. And, we had only a few minutes before that passed my dad and Hannah going home from her soccer practice. All of us had barely missed getting hit by that enormous tree. This made us well aware of and very thankful for His perfect timing. 

Psalm 125:1-2

Those who trust in the Lord

Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever. 
Psalm 125:1-2

Last week, parents of students in our school district were notified that a 10th grade student in the high school had a handgun at school in the beginning of January.  

My daughter is in 10th grade.  

Later that evening, I found out that the said student was in her World History class.  I then learned that that particular classroom is on the second floor and has no windows.  The more I was finding out throughout the day, the more my heart was being gripped with fear.  I bombarded my kids with questions about how they would react in various "shooting" scenarios. They told me not to worry. As if. 

It was getting late, time for bed. I opened up a Bible and turned to the book of Psalms. 125 to be exact. I usually read a whole chapter but stopped after the second verse. I took in a deep breath, closed the Bible, and began praying, thanking God for His faithfulness, for His protection, that this student didn't use the gun (didn't even have it loaded). 

It took all I had not to cry. It was such a relief to be quickly reminded that He is in control of all things and that I do not need to worry.

On a lighter note, we had to reprimand Tigger...revenge is wrong. Poor "Baby."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

I just finished reading through the Bible in one year.  Wow.  I am so glad I did it.  And, I plan to do it again…but not this year.  While it was extremely beneficial to see “the whole picture" in the span of just twelve months, there were times I wanted to jump off the train and take a closer look at the landscape.  The book of Romans was one of those times.  Yes, I know, I could have done that this year, but it wasn’t until the end of November when I came to Romans.  At that point, I thought that I’d just do a lengthy study once the new year began.  

I have also found a few books on my bookshelf that I need to read through.  The Valley of Vision (Puritan Prayers), and a couple of devotional books by Corrie ten Boom and Elisabeth Elliot.  

                                     

While I am stronger in my faith than I was a decade ago, I still need encouragement.  In today’s age, we are very reluctant to admonish others, even if it’s with godly gentleness.  But I need it.  As I was thumbing through my books, these godly people, whom the Lord gave wisdom to write, were giving me what I needed.  While I will still be reading Scripture texts each day, I will be also be reading more books that will build up my faith. 

Psalm 139:1-10

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:1-10

A couple of weeks ago, my seventeen year old son thanked me for not letting him or his siblings believe in Santa Claus (or the Easter Bunny, or even the tooth fairy)....he went on to explain that in “not” doing that, I raised children who are less prone to be gullible.  He made me chuckle.  

The reason I didn’t have my children “believe” in those characters is because I didn’t want to go through the deception (or force them to follow along with younger siblings) for years and then later have to say, “Oh, by the way, they aren’t real.”  To me it was deceit that would spiral into more and more lies.  Why bother? Way too much useless work would be put into that farce.

This year, however, (I’m sure through the working of the Holy Spirit) I came to a more profound awareness.  Being in a building of around 500 children who range in age from five to seven, and listening to various conversations about Santa, broke my heart.  They were talking about him as if he were God…The God of Psalm 139.  

My immediate thought was, “Thank you, Lord, for giving me wisdom in how I dealt with the story of Santa Claus with my own children.”  The verses in Matthew, Mark, and Luke are grave reminders of how we are to raise our children.  

Matthew 18:6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mark 9:42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

Luke 17:2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

The subject of Santa is not to be taken lightly.  God is a jealous God.  Listening to our sermons on Sunday evenings from Deuteronomy and Joshua have made me even more aware of that truth.  So to my own kids: Put your efforts into this (not Santa Claus, Elf on the Shelf, the Easter bunny, or the tooth fairy)…teach my grandchildren about God and His love and mercy, His redemption of His people through His Son, Jesus, who came to earth in the form of a baby, died, was buried, rose from the dead, and went into heaven, who now sits at the right hand of God, who will come to judge all people one day.  Teach them about heaven and hell.  Teach them about forgiveness and how we are to live for God out of thankfulness for all He has done.  That is what is truly “real.”

Colossians 1:9-12

We have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12

This is my prayer for my children every day. When I begin to worry about them (their grades, upcoming ACTs, their friends' influence, their choices they make, their driving, their work ethic, their activities...), I need to just stop, read these verses, and pray.