An Encouraging Word

This was posted today on Second RP's Facebook page.  Since I'm the originator of the artwork, I thought I would post the image here as well.  Very fitting and helpful for me; I hope the same for you, too.

Family Time

It was good to have a visit with Kathy and Nathan last week.  I was grateful to be able to take off two days from work to soak up the rich fellowship and heart-to-heart sister talks.   The nieces and nephews enjoyed the time as well, and we grabbed the opportunity to take a family photo with everyone who was there.

Grandpa's jokes got everyone smiling.

A winter storm dumped six 6+ inches of snow over the weekend, so I enlisted Nathan's help in clearing our driveway and the neighbor's even though I know he was looking forward to a break from shoveling the white stuff.  The weather also offered the perfect opportunity for me and Kathy to do a little baking together.

It was special to have Nathan preach at Second RP during the morning worship service on Sunday and have Isaiah baptized as well.  A very refreshing day in God's house.

My heart is a little sad now that everyone is gone.  Praying for more special times together in the near future.

The Strength of Waiting

I’m sure we’ve all been there at one time or another.  You’re running late to work or some other important engagement and hop in the car to make quick time only to end up behind the slowest moving vehicle on the face of the earth.  Having to refrain from trying to push the driver in front of you to get going, you inch along with a growing sense of panic realizing that the clock is outdoing your best efforts.  There’s nothing you can do to get around the obstacle though everything inside of you instinctively wants to step on the gas and go.  The inevitable becomes very clear:  your only option is to resign yourself to reality and wait for the circumstance to somehow change.

The New Year has dawned and perhaps you’re still waiting for something, something for which you have been asking the Lord for several months or even years and yet which still remains unanswered or unfulfilled.  These seasons of life can be disappointing and wearying for the soul.  Will it ever change?  How much longer will I have to keep asking?  Why isn’t God answering my prayers?  In times like these, it is helpful to remember that God is doing far more than the eye can see and that there’s a beautiful strength that comes through waiting.

The Unseen Driver

Though it can often appear as if God isn't working at all in our lives especially during seasons of little fruit or unanswered prayer, the truth is that He is.  The Enemy, however, would have us conclude otherwise and believe that action and progress will only come as we take control and sit in the driver’s seat of life.  

But God tells His people not to push.   Contrary to our perception, the "unseen Driver" is directing our course and all that takes place, and every apparent obstacle is divinely ordained by Him.  It takes eyes and hearts of faith to see and understand what is beyond our comprehension.  If we grow impatient and question the wisdom and ways of God, more sin abounds.  Joy is lost.  A thankless heart is born.  The work of the Spirit is quenched.

The Passenger

So what should be the attitude of the one sitting in the passenger's seat?  Panic, fear, impatience, and doubt are real and natural responses.  But consider for a moment the attitude expressed in Psalm 131: O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.  But I have calmed and quieted my soul...

The Strength of Waiting

The passenger is called to wait in quietness and trust.  Waiting is impossible unless we anchor our hearts in grace and faith.  The grace that God gives enables us to wait rather than push on ahead of Him.  The faith that He develops in us undergirds our souls to persevere to the end.

Waiting requires patience, and patience is a rare virtue... Waiting, holding oneself to His lead - this is the secret to strength.  (Oswald Chambers)

The Promise

God gives those who wait some precious promises.  

• "Indeed, none who wait for youshall be put to shame..." (Psalm 25:3)

• "Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God?  Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary...But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength..."  (Isaiah 40:27-28, 31)

• "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him."  (Isaiah 64:4)

2019 just might be another year of waiting for you.  As you ride in the passenger's seat of life, practice the secret of strength and rehearse the promises of God.   You will not be ashamed.  God will renew your weary soul with an enduring strength you thought impossible.  He will show you more of Himself.   And He will powerfully act on your behalf in the perfect time and with the perfect means.   

Our God is faithful, and not one of His words will fail.

"...if we let ourselves be governed by the good pleasure of divine providence, we will easily learn how to persevere in prayer, and how to wait on the Lord with patience, deferring the fulfillment of our desires to the hour set by his will...God will never abandon us, for he cannot disappoint the expectation and patience of those who are his."  (John Calvin)

This post was recently published on Gentle Reformation

Christmas 2018

Christmas 2018 will go down in the books as a different one.  Thankfully there was no emergency appendectomy or a death in the family or a violent assault and robbery.  Nothing earth-shattering or alarming. 

Just different.

Different because of the all the changes 2018 brought our way with two marrying and moving away.  And change isn’t always easy.  

But even though it was different, I’m grateful for the time God did give us with those we were able to be with.  And technology is wonderful in bridging the gap of hundreds of miles and making ones feel closer than they really are.

One particular highlight for me was joining the Turner family for their Christmas and watching all the children both give and receive from one another.   As I sat on the sidelines and watched it all unfold, it was both amusing and encouraging to see the personalities and characteristics of each person be expressed in a unique setting that brought much joy and laughter.  So this post is written from that perspective in an effort to capture for memories’ sake the varying dynamics of each child that created a fun and memorable holiday celebration.

Essie

The oldest in the Turner clan, Essie functioned as the “gift distributer” so that all the precious bundles under the Christmas tree were given to the appropriate recipient in an orderly rotation.  It truly was quite the scene with nine eager children excitedly opening their treasures. It was good to have someone provide a little order and direction.  Essie is gifted in leading  “the pack” with decisiveness! 

Benjamin

What do you do with someone who tries to avoid the camera?  Benjamin lovingly gave me a challenge that turned into a fun game between the two of us.  Even with his back turned to all the action, I still managed to capture his excitement and pleasure – all the while dodging wrapping paper balls being playfully thrown at me.  We’ll see if next year is any easier…

Sarah

She’s grown up with the nickname “Sweet Sarah”.   Helpful and sensitive with a tender heart towards the Lord.   She sticks close to Benjamin (even when he wants to stay in a corner), and the two make a dynamic duo.  

Hannah

Hannah snuggled up close to me while opening her gifts.  She has a unique way of making one feel loved and accepted.  She was especially excited about her white horse.

Grace

Grace is gifted with a sharp mind and expresses herself in ways that are beyond her years.  As we were setting the table for dinner that afternoon, Grace took some stationary that Sarah had made for her and wrote notes to me, Grandpa, and Grandma that she left on our plates to find.   Mine landed in my gratefulness journal to keep forever.

Samuel

Being the dramatic little man that he is, it was quite entertaining to see Sam’s exuberance in opening his gifts.  I couldn’t get over the sheer delight written all over his face the entire time.  And he was also one of the two who gave me a huge hug in appreciation for all the Christmas treats I baked and served that week. That affectionate squeeze will last me all year.  

Katie

Little Katie quietly opened her gifts with great carefulness.  So dainty and gentle with the sweetest smile.   You just want to look into those precious blue eyes and hug her all the time.  But you have to be quick before she scurries away!

James

Christmastime can be a little challenging for a 16-month-old when the desire to have what everyone else is enjoying takes over. J   Thankfully the toys he received early on brought a welcomed distraction.  I’m sure next year will be even better!  

Isaiah 

Baby Isaiah “opened” his gifts from the safe haven of his mommy.   There were many eager hands to help him enjoy what he received.   One has no trouble getting smiles from the little man.  He’s full of them and gladly shares them with anyone who will stop and take the time to talk and play with him.

Rachael & Eric and baby Bessie arrived at our door later that night.  The cousins were delighted to finally meet each other, and Bessie didn’t lack for love or attention the entire week.  

We had the whole crew at our place on Wednesday night for dinner. It was a packed house, but oh, the memories made!   I hope there will be many more of these gatherings in the future.

So yes, Christmas 2018 was different, but it was a good different.    As a new year is now upon us, I am more than confident that the God who carried me in 2018 and shepherded my soul through its changes is the same God who is with me now as I enter the year 2019.  My prayer is that if I’m given the opportunity to reflect on 2019, I’ll see more change that reflects a greater understanding of who God is and a deeper love for those He has placed in my life.