May 16, 2010

Bill, Miri and I took a fun day trip to Mount Airy, NC to see the town that was patterned after Mayberry, which was where Andy Griffith actually grew up. We started our day taking a tour in a patrol car, then had lunch at Snappy's, then off to the Andy Griffith Museum. It was a wonderful
day!!

May 3, 2011























I was quite unprepared when Taylor announced yesterday morning that it was his last day of regular college classes. Finals are next week, then college is completed. Where has the time gone? I want to soak up every last bit of time with him...I want to slow time down!! In 8 weeks he will be married and not here to offer my daily "vitamins" (hugs), or to draw me out about my day, or encourage me to keep my eyes on the Lord. I will so miss his joy, his singing around the house, his drumming and our jamming :), his counsel...his friendship. Tears mixed with joy and sadness flow as I write this. Letting go is hard- isn't it?! It's hard but it is a part of God's plan...so it is also very good. :)

A few years ago I penned some thoughts when it was Jon's last day of college and he was moving to Florida. I've rewritten it for today...for Taylor and for other mom's who are also facing the finish line.
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I'm reminiscing a lot these days as our second born is ready to graduate college and leave home to marry his beautiful Stephanie in just 8 weeks. I need to be very careful reminiscing because I'm learning that spending time wishing I could re-write history bears fruit... but not often the fruit I desire. It can sometimes produce guilt and regret. Instead, as I look back, I am looking to learn. Miri is now 13. We have many years ahead with our girl, and Lord willing, grandchildren in our future, so I pray this musing serves!

If I could turn back the clock- I would:

Hug and kiss them more!

Remind them faithfully of the promises of God all throughout life.

Always remind them that they CAN trust God even when they cannot trace Him!

When confronting their sin- I would more faithfully remind them (in kindness) how glorious Jesus is and tell them again of the love Jesus displayed on the cross for them. I would tell them that we desperately need the power of the Spirit to live this life in a manner that pleases the Lord. I would make every effort to leave them with hope and not discouragement when addressing them. I would make sure to evaluate my own heart. What is surfacing in MY heart when they sin? Am I as eager to tend to my own heart and believe the promises of God?

I would remind them more that we need to love His presence...spend time in His presence...listen to His voice while in His presence.

I’d realize that no matter how they conform on the outside- their hearts are the most important. I realize it’s so easy to spend one’s whole life focusing on the ‘frame’ and less on the picture.

I would offer them many more opportunities to serve the needy. It’s so easy in this culture to become self-focused.

I would have prayed with them and led them to scripture more often when needs arose. I fear I displayed self-sufficiency too often.

This is a big one...I would have trusted my Savior more. He has indeed proven to be oh so faithful!

By His grace!

Last day :)

"Should it be according to your mind?" Job 34:33

We are prone to be fretful, to complain of the dispensations of Divine Providence, and to reflect harshly upon the Lord's dealings with us.

We want our own way.

We wish to carve for ourselves.

We would be treated as God's favorites.

We want our ease, and prosperity, and pleasure, consulted in all things. And if this does not appear to be done--if our wills are crossed, if our schemes are frustrated, if our purposes are broken off--then we stumble, think ourselves badly treated, and look for everybody to sympathize with us.

Under these circumstances, God comes to us--as we sit among our broken cisterns, surrounded by our dethroned idols--and puts this question to us: "Should it be according to your mind?"

Are you wiser than God?

Are you kinder than God?

Are you holier than God?

Are you more just than God?

Are you better informed than God?

May not your mind be dark, or selfish, or foolish?

Should it then be according to your mind?

Should you reign--or God?

Remember that God acts in the highest wisdom; His motives are grace and justice; and all His purposes are worthy of Himself.

The least the Christian can do is to submit--and to prefer God's wisdom, way, and work--to his own. Seeing God has so arranged all events, that all things must work together for the good of His people--they, at least, should daily say, "Father, mayYour will be done!"

O my soul, seek grace from God, not only to submit and be resigned to the dispensations of Divine Providence--but to acquiesce in them, and be pleased with the whole of them! Your good is consulted--your best interests are secured; and soon, very soon, it will be seen that infinite wisdom and mercy, grace and goodness, have marked out every step of your road!

"Jesus replied: You do not understand what I am now doing--but someday you will." John 13:7