LOL Devotions

Normally I'm a proper and dignified mother. Really.

I've even been known to serve brussel sprouts to my family. I may not be president of the Parent-Teacher Association, but I do show up for parent-teacher conferences. I may not diligently nag my kids to floss their teeth, but I do take them to the dentist.

I'm not supermom, but I pretty much have things under control.

Usually.

I think that's why everyone was so surprised when it happened:

We had finished dinner and I turned to Hosea 3. We'd read chapters 1 and 2 the nights before, and you'd think the outburst would have happened then, while reading about the sensitive topic of adultery—and it would have been immature teenagers who got out of line. But it was the raisin cakes that got me.

"The LORD said to me, 'Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.'"

I started laughing. When I tried to explain what was so funny, I realized I simply had no explanation, and so began laughing even more. "Sacred raisin cakes!" is all I managed to sputter. The kids smiled a little, and looked at my husband to see if he were secretly dialing for help from strong men in white coats.

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Words

Words matter. What we say and read and hear affects our beliefs and attitudes and behavior. That's why I tell my fellow twits, "You are what you tweet," and why one of my favorite quotes is, "Words are a form of action, capable of influencing change."*

We can't just say the right words though; we have to get our heart right so the positive words will come naturally. ("Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."*)

We can't just happen upon the right words to read; we have to seek out material that will challenge us and inspire us. (I highly recommend the Bible. It is full of the most exciting, challenging, inspiring, helpful, interesting, life-giving words you'll ever find. Seriously.)

We can't just tune out destructive words; we have to avoid them. (That may mean turning off some music and not watching some shows; it may even mean changing friendship circles.)

A big fad lately is to use word art to decorate walls. I love that idea! (Out of the overflow of the heart, the walls speak?) My latest home decor purchase is word art. (Actually, it was another gift from DaySpring). Larry and I carefully selected the words that best reflected the passion of our hearts. It's a wonderful reminder for us to persevere no matter what the circumstances.



What words have affected you?

Look, Mom!

First I made my own earrings and necklace (long story), and now I made my own Christmas cards. I'm getting to be a regular artist. Not bad for someone who can't draw stick figures. I admit I'm not quite as talented as some of you who make your own cards by cutting out paper and using beautiful handwriting, but this is a pretty good step for me.

As a blogger for (in)Courage (a division of DaySpring), I was given the opportunity to design my own Christmas card at an incredible savings (okay ... free!). It was so much fun! A bit addicting, actually. There are so many beautiful designs and fun clip art to choose from.

Here's the good news for you, besides the fact that you might get a pretty card from us this Christmas*: You can do it too! DaySpring is offering my readers a coupon for 15% off your purchase with coupon code: CHILDREN15 (expires Dec 7).

The BEST part is that 6% of the sale goes to COMPASSION automatically!

Check it out at www.studiodayspring.com.

*disclaimer: we send cards only to people who do not live nearby us (or to people we can tweet)

Newlyweds

I woke up early this morning. A silent house in the wee hours feels sacred somehow, doesn't it? Usually I'm scrambling to get my Bible study homework done between chaotic moments (and it's amazing how God speaks even then), but this morning I took a bit more time to soak it up.

This week's unit is about knowing God's will as a church, and I just had to share this profound thought with you:

"When God speaks to people about the church, they should relate to the body what they sense God is saying. As members tell what God is saying, the whole church body goes to God in prayer to discern His will. In His timing God confirms to the body what He is saying. Individual opinions are not that important. God's will is crucial. No single method can be given for discerning God's will as a body. Pastors, other church leaders, and members are to have such deep relationships with God and the church body that spiritual guidance is the outcome. When Christ guides each spiritual leader and member of the body to function properly, the whole body knows and is enabled to do God's will." (Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God.)

I love the church. (That includes Fall Creek, of course, but I'm speaking about the church universal here.) I find it thrilling to be joining others as the Bride of Christ. Larry and I often say that we still feel like newlyweds because we're so crazy about each other; and that's how I feel about the church too. It's exciting to be in a love relationship that is healthy and strong and life-giving. When we are a church united in our desire to know and act on God's will, we are in the most beautiful love relationship of all.

I think I'll change my ring tone to "Going to the chapel, and I'm gonna get mar-a-aried..."

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7

It's Much Happier to Be Happy

The first thing I did when I got the frantic call, "Come quick! Your husband got hit by a car on his bike!" was to write a facebook status update. Well, not the first thing. First I grabbed my keys and my phone, and drove the one mile in about 3 seconds flat ... and then watched helplessly as the medics lifted him into the ambulance. That's when I used my blackberry to tell everyone I knew to pray.

The good news is that Larry didn't have any internal injuries. (Plus he hadn't been hit by a car.) The bad news is that he had several broken bones and would be in pain for about six weeks.

I continued the facebook updates from the hospital room for the next several days, and everyone was so gracious; but I realized how quickly I went from caring for others to caring for us. My mind was entirely preoccupied with helping Larry, managing the kids, and surviving on minimal sleep myself.

When in a crisis, we should take care of self, of course. We're not much good to anyone if we're not well, so getting better is our number-one responsibility. During our few weeks of difficulty after Larry's fall, we had meals delivered to us, cards sent, words of encouragement given constantly—and it was all wonderful.

But we don't need that kind of care anymore, and I'm glad. My world became much smaller when it was all about me (or in this case, us). Once I could turn my focus towards others again, I was much happier.

I know a few broken bones is nothing compared to what some people are facing right now. If you're in a crisis, you have all my compassion. But let the analogy work for you. If you're in a crisis—whether it's a medical issue, a relationship problem, an addiction, too much work to do, spiritual unrest—look for the light at the end of the tunnel, and head toward it! Be intentional about making things better, and ask others to help you. Take steps toward healing. This is your happiness at stake. Fight for it!

It'll be worth it. Because as soon as you can take care of others again, it'll feel like 70 degree weather in November. Even better.

Note: Some people are in perpetual crisis by no choice of their own. May the Lord bless you with an extra measure of perseverance.