Acts 15:31 says "When they read it aloud, the people rejoiced at its encouragement."
Reading at our house is not fun. Dyslexia is doing its best to steal the joy that can come from sitting quietly and being transformed through the words of a book. This struggle affects every area of our life. Having mixed up letters (or numbers) changes not just "reading". It makes a math problem a challenge, instructions become difficult, a recipe becomes something to decode. Most things that people consider normal and easy are made harder.
As I sit with her each night and listen to her try and try to read and to make sense of these jumbled up letters, I turn my head so she can't see my chin start to quiver and a tear fall. I wipe the tear and give her an encouraging smile to keep going. Watching her work so hard and for it not to be getting easier makes this mother's heart ache.
So, when our family committed to do a Christmas Advent exercise that involved reading and writing scripture each day, I never dreamed this would be something she would be excited about. I praise Him that I was wrong. John and I had been doing the reading aloud and we each started a journal to write down the verses. After a few days, she said, "Can I be the one to read the Bible?" I almost said No. In the back of my mind thinking, "Oh this will be too hard, it will take too long....it is much easier for us to read it, these words are hard and some unfamiliar! I want this to be a special time, not a frustrating time!!" But, wanting to encourage her - I gave in. I passed her the Bible and told her the verses...Isaiah 11:6-10...What came next was so moving that even five days later, as I write this, my page is marked with tears.
It was beautiful. It was confident. It flowed with ease. Her voice proudly reading His word. I had told her to stop at verse 10, but as she neared the end of that verse she just kept going. I tried to interrupt - nope, she kept on.
I was amazed. We read simple and hard books and with each one we struggle. Yet, she was able to read the Word of The Lord with confidence. May I have the same hunger for His Word. May I be so confident that I keep reading far past the "required" portion. Lord, I do not question why my child faces this struggle. I believe it is part of your perfect plan. I praise You that of ALL the books that could come easily - that you have opened her eyes and her heart for Your word. Thank you for unscrambling the letters for her. If she never loves another book - continue to give her a love for Your Word. Amen
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
The Story of my Life
About 12 years ago, my sister and I were chosen to speak at the Baccalaureate Ceremony at our High School. It was a huge honor and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to speak to the seniors about the next phase of life. What could we tell them that we wish we had known at the time? We looked and looked for ideas and prayed about inspiration. We landed on a theme of "The Story of Your Life". A reminder that each moment, each decision, each day will be combined to create your story. You are moving to a new chapter and should approach it as an opportunity. Does your story need a plot twist? I remember very vividly a moment in college when I looked in the mirror and the Lord was so gracious to bring the book of James to my mind...."Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." James 1:23-24. I did not want my story to go down that road - so a plot twist was needed.
As I was preparing for my most recent speaking engagement this theme once again came to my mind. Reflecting over the passages of my story that have already been written and how the Lord has used good and bad moments to draw me closer to Him. I prayed and prayed for the Lord to point out moments that others might be able to relate to in their own lives.
When I finished and read through it for the first time I thought, WOW - this story is a tear jerker! It is filled with ups and downs - twists and turns. Chapters centered around death of loved ones, learning to be married (and stay that way), infertility, miscarriages, and the many trials of parenting. Sounding like a downer??? If you focus on just that it might, but that is just a piece of it. I can look back on each of these painful moments and see how God used and continues to use them to shape my story. God has turned these horrible events into moments to Glorify His Name. There have also been many moments of laughter, celebration and blessings woven in to make the story complete.
Like every story, there are some moments that I would like to cover up with White Out (young people won't even know what that is!!!). Unfortunately, in earthly terms those moments are a part. I am thankful that because I accepted Christ that He not only used White Out - he erased them completely from His story. Like everyone, I am not proud of some chapters - but am learning how I can use them to make the next chapter better.
There are many chapters of hilarious moments - one chapter includes me knocking a bag of candy corn on the CEO of my bank. As he got out of my car he had to take his shoes off to pour out the remaining kernels. Or when Mary-Peyton was little and John would turn on the vacuum cleaner and she would stop crying. I would sit and cry and just knew she would become a vacuum cleaner addict. I can assure you she has no addiction to the vacuum and feels no need to use one to this day :)
I am thankful to see how the Lord has and is using my life. How the funny, the hard, and the in between are woven into my story. I am most grateful that while I gave my life to Him 35 years ago - it is the moments since then that have built my testimony. I am also thankful for YOU - if you are reading this you are a part of that story. My story can be called a drama, sometimes a comedy, but mostly a reality show full of grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, thru faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph 2:8-9
As I was preparing for my most recent speaking engagement this theme once again came to my mind. Reflecting over the passages of my story that have already been written and how the Lord has used good and bad moments to draw me closer to Him. I prayed and prayed for the Lord to point out moments that others might be able to relate to in their own lives.
When I finished and read through it for the first time I thought, WOW - this story is a tear jerker! It is filled with ups and downs - twists and turns. Chapters centered around death of loved ones, learning to be married (and stay that way), infertility, miscarriages, and the many trials of parenting. Sounding like a downer??? If you focus on just that it might, but that is just a piece of it. I can look back on each of these painful moments and see how God used and continues to use them to shape my story. God has turned these horrible events into moments to Glorify His Name. There have also been many moments of laughter, celebration and blessings woven in to make the story complete.
Like every story, there are some moments that I would like to cover up with White Out (young people won't even know what that is!!!). Unfortunately, in earthly terms those moments are a part. I am thankful that because I accepted Christ that He not only used White Out - he erased them completely from His story. Like everyone, I am not proud of some chapters - but am learning how I can use them to make the next chapter better.
There are many chapters of hilarious moments - one chapter includes me knocking a bag of candy corn on the CEO of my bank. As he got out of my car he had to take his shoes off to pour out the remaining kernels. Or when Mary-Peyton was little and John would turn on the vacuum cleaner and she would stop crying. I would sit and cry and just knew she would become a vacuum cleaner addict. I can assure you she has no addiction to the vacuum and feels no need to use one to this day :)
I am thankful to see how the Lord has and is using my life. How the funny, the hard, and the in between are woven into my story. I am most grateful that while I gave my life to Him 35 years ago - it is the moments since then that have built my testimony. I am also thankful for YOU - if you are reading this you are a part of that story. My story can be called a drama, sometimes a comedy, but mostly a reality show full of grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, thru faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph 2:8-9
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Keep Praying!
Proverbs 16:1-3
How many times have you prayed for something and not gotten it? Or not gotten it quickly? Doesn't the Bible tell us that we should "Ask and it shall be given to you?" But, how many times have you prayed and prayed and still gotten no answer?
When John and I decided we wanted to have a family we thought it was that easy...we prayed for over 900 days for a child before we were blessed with MP.
Years ago, We had prayed for years for a promotion for me and were answered with a rejection. Easy to say 700 days of prayer went into that request.
So now, as I look back it is much easier to see the "Why?" in God's plan. Many of my prayers I know I won't understand God's response until I get to Heaven, but some He has shown me glimpses of the "Why?"
With the baby prayer, why did it take so long? In that time I was able to work hard at my job, learn and prepare for a new role. I was able to serve as President of Junior League which was a huge blessing that I could not have done with a new baby. It was one of the first times when John and I were both seeking the spirit like never before and I know we needed that time to grow in Him before we were blessed with a child. But, for 900 days we were told No. 900 days to be told No wasn't easy. But, in God's time it was perfect. Many days we both wanted to give in and stop praying. But looking back His timing couldn't have been better.
With the job news, we found out only two short months later that mom was sick. So sick that we weren't sure how long she would be with us. With a new baby and that stress....think of how I would've been pulled in a million directions if I had gotten that job. The job that would require more travel, more work. I needed to be home with my baby and my mom. I was able to work from my laptop at the hospital many days as we worked to help mom. The Lord knew that it wasn't time to add more stress. But, in my little view I thought it was.
It is always easier to look back. But for those of you who may be on day 899 of a prayer that hasn't been answered, keep praying! I can count many days when I was angry, disappointed, sad, exhausted and wanted to stop praying. I believe it is how we as believers respond on day 899 that sets us apart. We must keep the faith. We must keep praying. We must commit our path to Him.
It was once explained to me how small our view is compared to His. God may be preparing you for something you have no idea about. He knows what is best for you! That isn't always easy on those days when you've prayed so long and haven't heard the answer. Keep praying! Don't rush it...He is the master architect when it comes to our lives. We see this tiny spot, yet he sees how it is all woven together. It is exciting to me as my prayer list continues to have a few unanswered items...what will be next because I know the timing will be PERFECT!
Proverbs 16:1-3 says, "To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person's ways seem pure to them,but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. "
How many times have you prayed for something and not gotten it? Or not gotten it quickly? Doesn't the Bible tell us that we should "Ask and it shall be given to you?" But, how many times have you prayed and prayed and still gotten no answer?
When John and I decided we wanted to have a family we thought it was that easy...we prayed for over 900 days for a child before we were blessed with MP.
Years ago, We had prayed for years for a promotion for me and were answered with a rejection. Easy to say 700 days of prayer went into that request.
So now, as I look back it is much easier to see the "Why?" in God's plan. Many of my prayers I know I won't understand God's response until I get to Heaven, but some He has shown me glimpses of the "Why?"
With the baby prayer, why did it take so long? In that time I was able to work hard at my job, learn and prepare for a new role. I was able to serve as President of Junior League which was a huge blessing that I could not have done with a new baby. It was one of the first times when John and I were both seeking the spirit like never before and I know we needed that time to grow in Him before we were blessed with a child. But, for 900 days we were told No. 900 days to be told No wasn't easy. But, in God's time it was perfect. Many days we both wanted to give in and stop praying. But looking back His timing couldn't have been better.
With the job news, we found out only two short months later that mom was sick. So sick that we weren't sure how long she would be with us. With a new baby and that stress....think of how I would've been pulled in a million directions if I had gotten that job. The job that would require more travel, more work. I needed to be home with my baby and my mom. I was able to work from my laptop at the hospital many days as we worked to help mom. The Lord knew that it wasn't time to add more stress. But, in my little view I thought it was.
It is always easier to look back. But for those of you who may be on day 899 of a prayer that hasn't been answered, keep praying! I can count many days when I was angry, disappointed, sad, exhausted and wanted to stop praying. I believe it is how we as believers respond on day 899 that sets us apart. We must keep the faith. We must keep praying. We must commit our path to Him.
It was once explained to me how small our view is compared to His. God may be preparing you for something you have no idea about. He knows what is best for you! That isn't always easy on those days when you've prayed so long and haven't heard the answer. Keep praying! Don't rush it...He is the master architect when it comes to our lives. We see this tiny spot, yet he sees how it is all woven together. It is exciting to me as my prayer list continues to have a few unanswered items...what will be next because I know the timing will be PERFECT!
Proverbs 16:1-3 says, "To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person's ways seem pure to them,but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. "
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