Oh Alex P Keaton how I loved you so, with your preppy sweaters, great bangs and nerdy friend Skippy.
But that's not what this post is about. ..although it would be fun to reminisce about all our favorite 80's characters. . . .
This past week I've had not one but two dear friends come to me with some extremely emotional and life changing events going on in their families lives.
And others who are dealing with the stress of 'blended' families-feeling like they were going more through the blender than anything else.
And others just dealing with the day to day struggles of raising kids and all the obstacles that can bring.
I just finished up Beth Moore's James Bible study and one of the things that really has stuck with me was the family dynamic in Jesus own personal family.
Let's just say, NOT ideal.
And as I've been mulling that over and over in my brain what I can't shake is, his own brother was not a believer until AFTER Jesus death and resurrection and basically thought he was either a rebel or crazy -how that must have broken Mary's heart.
As, those thoughts have been going over and over in my mind and at the same time the friends coming to me hurting, what has struck me was this: Of course, Jesus didn't come from a 'perfect' family (Really there is no such thing). He came from a 'blended' family-he's brothers and sisters were not his full siblings. Sibling rivalry overflowed that little house in Nazareth.
But, really, of course he would do that for us-Walk through the same trials and hurts as so many of us.
He didn't have to do it. Could have skipped the whole family dynamic part of humanity. But, in his infinite grace, love and wisdom chose to live in a small town, where everybody had to know his brothers couldn't stand him.
If you are going through 'family stuff' right now, I pray that comforts you somehow. That you have a Savior who knows EXACTLY what it feels like to be in a family that isn't easy.
A verse that can bring so much comfort when you're walking through something you think no one, especially Jesus could ever understand is Hebrew 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Whatever difficult thing you're going through right now, KNOW that Jesus has walked that road before, He understands and you can trust Him.
Angie
I got a desperate call from a friend facing life changing decisions.
Another friend who's husband is facing cancer square in the face.
Another who needs a job and NOW.
I was reading about the 9 year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, and no matter how you feel about it politically -the phrase 'war is hell' is so true.
Everywhere I turn it seems like someone is going through something and it's major.
Even in my own extended family that trouble that seems on the horizon is unmistakeable, at least in my human eyes.
I was thinking/praying about these situations as I was driving the Princess to preschool and coming home today.
We are in the midst of some rainy days and grey skies in here in Kansas.
And those grey skies seemed so appropriate as I was reflecting on the trouble all around.
But, as I was driving I was noticing the spring trees all in bloom and the tulips popping up.
Their bright colors a stark contrast to the grey skies.
And it occurred to me how much like the Lord that is picture is. . .
The grey skies of humanity are the backdrop to His glory.
So, that's what I began to pray. . .
"Show me your glory, Lord. In the middle of all the hurt and confusion and 'grey' of this world' show me your glory."
I know so many who are going through such deep trouble and pain right now, but don't be afraid to pray that too. He will show you.
In Zephaniah 3:17 it says: The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Another friend who's husband is facing cancer square in the face.
Another who needs a job and NOW.
I was reading about the 9 year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, and no matter how you feel about it politically -the phrase 'war is hell' is so true.
Everywhere I turn it seems like someone is going through something and it's major.
Even in my own extended family that trouble that seems on the horizon is unmistakeable, at least in my human eyes.
I was thinking/praying about these situations as I was driving the Princess to preschool and coming home today.
We are in the midst of some rainy days and grey skies in here in Kansas.
And those grey skies seemed so appropriate as I was reflecting on the trouble all around.
But, as I was driving I was noticing the spring trees all in bloom and the tulips popping up.
Their bright colors a stark contrast to the grey skies.
And it occurred to me how much like the Lord that is picture is. . .
The grey skies of humanity are the backdrop to His glory.
So, that's what I began to pray. . .
"Show me your glory, Lord. In the middle of all the hurt and confusion and 'grey' of this world' show me your glory."
I know so many who are going through such deep trouble and pain right now, but don't be afraid to pray that too. He will show you.
In Zephaniah 3:17 it says: The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Do you realize that not only does it say God is with you (and He is) and that He is mighty to save (and He is) it says that He DELIGHTS in you and that He is singing over you.
In the middle of your grey skies and trouble that is surround you, the God of all, Creator of the universe the I AM is signing His song over you -and if you'll let Him, He can quiet your spirit with His love.
I know times are hard and there may seem like there is no sunshine in your future. . .but hold on and listen for his song.
Praying for each of you,
Angie
Like most holidays, St. Patrick's Day has been taken over. . .and instead of crass commercialism, it's green beer and shamrocks.
Neither of which the real St. Patrick was about. (I actually had someone ask me on time, if he was an actual person -the answer to that is yes, btw.)
In the midst of all the craziness of today, I thought I'd post the prayer of St. Patrick that speaks so deeply to my heart:
Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ in me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right
Christ on my left
Christ where I lie
Christ where I sit
Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man
who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man
who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me
Salvation is of the Lord.
Yes Lord and Amen,
Angie
Neither of which the real St. Patrick was about. (I actually had someone ask me on time, if he was an actual person -the answer to that is yes, btw.)
In the midst of all the craziness of today, I thought I'd post the prayer of St. Patrick that speaks so deeply to my heart:
Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ in me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right
Christ on my left
Christ where I lie
Christ where I sit
Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man
who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man
who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me
Salvation is of the Lord.
Yes Lord and Amen,
Angie
The warm ray of sun upon my back
The gentle breeze that touches my cheek
The robins sweet song
and the flowers just beginning to bloom
Children's laughter carried on the breeze
All reminders of your love for me.
When days are hard
and plans go wrong
people get hurt and do the hurting
Those are the gentle ways
You tell me you see me and have not forgotten.
You see our struggle down here
And your sweet reminders call our hearts to home
And tell us that it won't be long now.
Or I could have titled this post
R E S P E C T
(sock it to me)
In all seriousness though it seems as if women are all over the news the past few days.
Or perhaps more correctly, names women are called are all over the news.
Rush L. called a women a derogatory name.
Bill M. called Sarah Palin a Bimbo and such a vulgar name it hurts my brain every time I think of it -so cringe worthy.
What in the world is happening??
Of course it's nothing new, right?
A friend of mine the other day was called 'A Girl' while disagreeing politically with someone.
Really?! A Girl . . .so it's that bad to be a girl? That's the worst insult you can think of? Or at least the most socially acceptable.
Then you have Jay Z who recently announced that since the birth of his daughter he will no longer be using the 'B' word in his lyrics.
He's been lauded and praised from one end of the spectrum to the other.
My question would be; Did you not have a Mother before? A sister? A wife?
Aren't we all somebody's daughter?
So, since I can't change the whole of society what's an on ordinary girl like me to do?
Well, it begins in MY home.
I teach my boys (along with The Hubs, of course!) that women/girls are not 'less than'.
God made each of us equally. Different rolls to fulfill but EQUAL.
And what about my daughter? In a world that wants to marginalize her, demean and tell her she is nothing more than her sexuality how do I (we) fight that? Because make no mistake-it's a BATTLE!
Well besides the example her grandmother (my mother) who is one of the most amazing, hard working, creative people I know, there is her great grandmother, who in a day when child support was unheard of much less enforced did what it took to raise six children alone in the inner city.
Her Great Aunt who works hard for what she has, but would also give you her last meal if you needed it.
Her Great Great Grandmother who helped work the land from sun up to sundown all while caring for her family and community.
But, then I open my Bible and I tell her of Queen Esther who saved a nation.
Rehab who was so brave she that she saved two spies and helped form a nation.
Mary who knew a secret direct from heaven. It wasn't shared with anyone else first but her-A Girl.
And I tell her about Jesus. Who meet the woman at the well, who was so intrenched in her sin she thought that was WHO she was instead of WHAT she did. And he loved her.
The women he saved from stoning because He called out the Men for being exactly like her only hiding it better.
Jesus who let Mary sit at his feet in a room full of men where society said she didn't belong.
The examples could go on and on.
I will say to my beautiful, smart, funny Girl, the world may insult you and call you names and tell you being 'A Girl' isn't much and maybe even something you should be ashamed of or at least embarrassed by, but your Creator, God of the universe, formed you, breathed life in you and said "YOU are wonderfully made".
R E S P E C T
(sock it to me)
In all seriousness though it seems as if women are all over the news the past few days.
Or perhaps more correctly, names women are called are all over the news.
Rush L. called a women a derogatory name.
Bill M. called Sarah Palin a Bimbo and such a vulgar name it hurts my brain every time I think of it -so cringe worthy.
What in the world is happening??
Of course it's nothing new, right?
A friend of mine the other day was called 'A Girl' while disagreeing politically with someone.
Really?! A Girl . . .so it's that bad to be a girl? That's the worst insult you can think of? Or at least the most socially acceptable.
Then you have Jay Z who recently announced that since the birth of his daughter he will no longer be using the 'B' word in his lyrics.
He's been lauded and praised from one end of the spectrum to the other.
My question would be; Did you not have a Mother before? A sister? A wife?
Aren't we all somebody's daughter?
So, since I can't change the whole of society what's an on ordinary girl like me to do?
Well, it begins in MY home.
I teach my boys (along with The Hubs, of course!) that women/girls are not 'less than'.
God made each of us equally. Different rolls to fulfill but EQUAL.
And what about my daughter? In a world that wants to marginalize her, demean and tell her she is nothing more than her sexuality how do I (we) fight that? Because make no mistake-it's a BATTLE!
Well besides the example her grandmother (my mother) who is one of the most amazing, hard working, creative people I know, there is her great grandmother, who in a day when child support was unheard of much less enforced did what it took to raise six children alone in the inner city.
Her Great Aunt who works hard for what she has, but would also give you her last meal if you needed it.
Her Great Great Grandmother who helped work the land from sun up to sundown all while caring for her family and community.
But, then I open my Bible and I tell her of Queen Esther who saved a nation.
Rehab who was so brave she that she saved two spies and helped form a nation.
Mary who knew a secret direct from heaven. It wasn't shared with anyone else first but her-A Girl.
And I tell her about Jesus. Who meet the woman at the well, who was so intrenched in her sin she thought that was WHO she was instead of WHAT she did. And he loved her.
The women he saved from stoning because He called out the Men for being exactly like her only hiding it better.
Jesus who let Mary sit at his feet in a room full of men where society said she didn't belong.
The examples could go on and on.
I will say to my beautiful, smart, funny Girl, the world may insult you and call you names and tell you being 'A Girl' isn't much and maybe even something you should be ashamed of or at least embarrassed by, but your Creator, God of the universe, formed you, breathed life in you and said "YOU are wonderfully made".
I like thousands-are I say millions- of ladies everywhere received some beautiful flowers from my Sweetheart on Valentines Day.
They we beautiful, and even after 20 years, I'm still delighted when the doorbell rings and there are flowers being delivered on the other side.
My man has yet to forget a Valentines Day and I've never heard him once call it a 'made up holiday'. Love that!
A few days later though this is what I saw. . . .
Back to reality. . .laundry, and work crowding out the romance.
It got me to thinking that not only is it like in our married lives, but it can also become that way in our Spiritual lives as well.
We are on a 'romantic' high (don't get freaked out by that word-God is wooing you). . .perhaps a special meeting at church or a retreat or some 'Yes' to a heartfelt prayer.
But, then day to day life starts creeping in and the 'romance' gets cluttered.
Not because God moved. . .but because we let Him get crowded out.
See my flowers there? They are in the same exact spot as where I put them when they were delivered . . .they didn't move. . .I just let my everyday stuff crowd them out. They were opening and becoming more beautiful while I was letting the stuff of life over crowd them.
So, just like in marriage when we must push the everyday stuff aside and get back to the romance, I must do that in my Spiritual life as well.
I've got to take the time to be alone with God-to seek His face and approval only.
Doesn't mean that life won't be hard or days won't be difficult, but it will mean I'll remember who I'm making it through those days with.
Find the time to be alone with God today.
I promise you, the laundry will always be there, the dirty dishes in the sink can wait. . .
but your heart needs to reconnect with it's first love.
Otherwise, just like marriage, it's to easy to look the other way and even stray.
They we beautiful, and even after 20 years, I'm still delighted when the doorbell rings and there are flowers being delivered on the other side.
My man has yet to forget a Valentines Day and I've never heard him once call it a 'made up holiday'. Love that!
A few days later though this is what I saw. . . .
It got me to thinking that not only is it like in our married lives, but it can also become that way in our Spiritual lives as well.
We are on a 'romantic' high (don't get freaked out by that word-God is wooing you). . .perhaps a special meeting at church or a retreat or some 'Yes' to a heartfelt prayer.
But, then day to day life starts creeping in and the 'romance' gets cluttered.
Not because God moved. . .but because we let Him get crowded out.
See my flowers there? They are in the same exact spot as where I put them when they were delivered . . .they didn't move. . .I just let my everyday stuff crowd them out. They were opening and becoming more beautiful while I was letting the stuff of life over crowd them.
So, just like in marriage when we must push the everyday stuff aside and get back to the romance, I must do that in my Spiritual life as well.
I've got to take the time to be alone with God-to seek His face and approval only.
Doesn't mean that life won't be hard or days won't be difficult, but it will mean I'll remember who I'm making it through those days with.
Find the time to be alone with God today.
I promise you, the laundry will always be there, the dirty dishes in the sink can wait. . .
but your heart needs to reconnect with it's first love.
Otherwise, just like marriage, it's to easy to look the other way and even stray.
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