He Cares about the Small Stuff

We recently had a threat of ice in our area as a winter storm passed through. They even called for a little snow. Well, neither happened. I am thankful the ice didn't make an appearance, because we've lived through one horrible ice storm and that was plenty! We were hoping to see at least some icicles or a snow flurry or two! Snow is very uncommon in our neck of the woods. The meteorologists often tell us that there is a chance for snow, but a warm front usually comes up from the south and intercepts it with a blast of warm air!

While we didn't get snow or ice, we did get something. Something beautiful! We got a good, hard frost! The Lord laced our beautiful pine trees with frilly, fancy frost! (Sorry for all of the alliteration...I couldn't resist! ;) I quickly grabbed my camera and headed out to capture the memory!

The view from my dining room windows. When I opened my blinds, I gasped! It was so beautiful!

The railing of our deck is laced with beautiful crystals! Isn't God amazing? He is so meticulous!

A beautiful pine tree hovering over our deck. I just love it!

As I see the detail in each little ice crystal, I'm reminded that the Lord cares about details, the "small stuff". If he takes the time to see that each ice crystal is intricately formed and diverse, then He certainly cares about the details of my little life.

I appreciate this gentle reminder from my Heavenly Father. He reminded me that even during this time of "construction" in my life, I can trust Him with the end result. He works in His own timing, using His own methods, but the final result is always beautiful!

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Close the Door and Lock It

In my husband's Wednesday evening sermon, he made a statement in passing that I needed. It wasn't the actual topic of his message, but it really hit home with me.
The statement he made was "We need to forget the past. We need to close the door to the past and lock it, and never open it again." That is so true! Many of our problems could be resolved if we could close the door of the past and lock it!
My husband and I had some very bumpy first years of marriage. We were both young and dumb(we'd never been married before! :0) Thankfully, I've forgotten most of the details. They weren't big issues, but I remember making them big issues! I could keep re-living it, but what good would that do? People have offended me over the years. If I don't close the door to those memories and lock it, I will never be able to completely forgive and move forward. I have been hurt -stabbed in the back- by some people, but it's time to forget it! Our family suffered a terrible wound two years ago. It has been the most painful thing that has happened to me. I need to forgive and even be thankful for it.
I realize that I cannot forgive someone who doesn't ask for it, but I can have the forgiveness in my heart, ready to go, should they come to receive it. If they never come, well, the forgiveness will still be there.
I am doing my best to work through the past hurts. As Satan brings them to mind, I am placing them in the "room" and I'm closing the door and locking it. If I don't, then bitterness will take a firm hold in the soil of my heart. If that happens, I will be in terrible trouble spiritually.
I am the kind of person who DOES NOT need to be reminded that my children are growing up quickly. I DO NOT need to be told that I will miss these days. I am thoroughly enjoying my small children. Every time I have a fleeting thought that "I wish they would grow up!" The Lord reminds me that they are and fast! I have to stop myself from grieving over the fact that I have one child raised halfway to adulthood! I cried on my sweet Lauren's ninth birthday! The realization that she was halfway to eighteen hit me hard. I sometimes browse through old photos and weep over the fact that my older children's baby days are past. Yet, I did my best as a mother then, and I'm trying to continue doing my best today. I am a stay at home Mom. I was there for their first step, their first words, their smiles, their fevers, and yes, their first tantrums! I've been there for it all. Why do I look back and grieve? I think I know why. I believe it is because if I'm trapped in the past, I am helpless for the present. I can't enjoy today if I am re-living 2001! I must place those happy memories in the "room" and close the door. I don't need to lock this door, but I need to keep it shut. (I'm speaking for my own personality here. I'm the kind of person that can't reminisce too long or I get very sad!)
On my eleventh anniversary a few weeks ago, my husband and I had the privilege of having some friends from Illinois over to our home. The man is my husband's best friend from childhood. He was a groomsman in our wedding. We watched the wedding video and I spent the evening on the brink of tears! It had been eleven years, but it felt like eleven lifetimes! My Dad was in the video, looking a little downhearted to see his youngest leave the nest, but still cutting up and laughing! He is Heaven now. Terry's Grandfather and one Grandmother were decked out in their finest clothing for our wedding, and they, too, are in Heaven. His cousin was walking in the video, but he is now in a wheelchair. My photographer was walking and working in the video, but four years after that, he committed suicide! So many things have changed! Oh yes, it was a wonderful day in my life, but you see, I get sad thinking about how things have changed. I must be careful. I must look forward to what the Lord has in store for me today, for He has only the best planned for me.
I feel that I'm in a spiritual construction zone right now! He's got out His equipment and He's working to improve my infrastructure! I am looking forward to seeing the progress. Thank you for letting me journal my thoughts here. I believe it helps me to see His work more clearly if I write it down. I apologize for boring you with it all! But, you know I try to keep it real here.
How about you? Is the Lord wanting to do some renovating or remodeling on you this year? As long as we're breathing, there are improvements that can be made in all of us.

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Adaptability = Flexibility

I am amazed at how the Lord uses each and every thing in my life - whether great or small - to mold and shape me. I am usually looking for Him in the "great" things of life. I look for Him during the loss of a loved one or during financial reversal. I beg Him to show Himself strong during those times; to reveal the lesson I'm needing to learn so I can move on out of that trial.

The small things, however, are a different story. A child with a cold, one bill that is late, a vehicle with a flat tire or a dead battery. These things don't seem as powerful as the the more serious kinds of trials. In fact, they aren't that serious! Most children recover from a cold! Most people have been late on one bill without losing their houses! Flat tire? Dead battery? Big deal.

I began 2009 feeling parched and dry spiritually. I knew I needed the Lord to do a work in my heart. There was some bitterness taking root; there was some selfishness clinging to me like a sticky vine. There were harsh, unhappy words springing forth from the lips I once guarded so carefully. I tried to rid myself of it, but alas, I have not the strength on my own.

I asked the Lord to forgive me, to help me, to change me. I knew He would do the job.
Oh, no, I haven't "arrived"! I'm writing this while still very much in the midst of "construction." But, it's coming. Slowly, I'm learning. Steadily, I'm adapting.

I asked the Lord to help me to be more flexible. I often go headlong into a school day with four children and let my husband fend for himself. Yes! It's true! You can gasp in disbelief, it won't offend me at all! I've asked the Lord to help me be more selfless, and yes, He's working on that, too!

Most of you know that I have somehow injured my shoulder and that we've dealt with much sickness lately. These are not life altering problems, at least, not yet. My shoulder is healing. My children are well. But I am looking for the Lord. I am seeking His help; His divine guidance during this time.

He's teaching me to adapt. I am having to do many things with just one arm! I am cooking, folding laundry, cleaning, teaching, and diaper changing with one arm. I am left handed, or so I thought, but I'm finding that I normally do many things right handed! I am also finding out that I can do most of those same things left handed also! I didn't realize how I had adapted to the right handed world that I live in! I didn't notice until this injury. I didn't appreciate it until I had spoken with other lefties and heard their surprise at how many things I do right handed!

I'm learning that my Father has other areas in which He would like me to be more adaptable. Things like helping my husband, agreeing happily when the plans have changed, responding with a sweet tone of voice to clamoring children, etc. If I can adapt to being right handed, when my brain would rather be left handed, then I most certainly can adapt in my heart and mind to be what Jesus wants me to be.

He helped me to adapt physically, so He will have to help me adapt spiritually. It can be done, through Him! My prayers are being answered. The Lord is indeed teaching me to be flexible! Adaptability, after all, is a synonym for flexibility.

The children's song says "He's still workin' on me, to make me what I ought to be..." and that is still true for me today. I'm so thankful that He hasn't given up on me!

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6