One Grace at a Time
My family recently watched The Genesis Code and as soon as it was over, Parker said, “approved!” It was a great, well made movie. My husband’s take was that it clearly portrays how so many colleges are in complete opposition to absolute Biblical truth. Not only are they in opposition, they go to great lengths to persuade students to put away their childish beliefs and embrace the new world. My husband and I both experienced times in college where our faith was belittled. What inspired me in the movie was that one of the main characters stood upon the foundation she knew to be true, regardless of what it was going to cost her. I love that in movies, it grows deep roots into the hearts of my children to see a faith that goes against culture.
This flick started out with quiet a bit of hockey playing and I was beginning to think, “oh great, another movie with more sports scenes than actual dialogue” but it wasn’t at all one of those. There are many struggles going on in this movie and it’s hard to give too many details without giving away the story but we all thought it was an inspiring movie that affirmed our faith, encouraged us to walk boldly and without compromise.
Another thing I love about this movie is that it addresses so many people’s stereotypes of Christians and people’s doubts about the creation of the world. Faith and Science…what if both are true? That’s the underlying theme in this movie and it was exciting to see a movie that captivated our interest and allowed two completely different beliefs come together as science only proved the truth of the Bible. Great flick!
Keep reading…I’m offering a chance to win this dvd……
About the Movie:
Kerry Wells (Kelsey Sanders), a college journalist and committed Christian with an effervescent personality, has been assigned to do a story on Blake Truman (Logan Bartholomew) the college’s newest and very popular hockey superstar. As a relationship between them begins to develop Kerry finds that Blake, who hides behind a tough and independent façade, is actually struggling through a difficult personal crisis and that he bears the cross of a secret he has kept hidden for years. Blake rebuffs Kerry’s suggestion that prayer might help ease his burden; he is convinced that modern science completely disproves the Bible, especially the opening verses of Genesis. Kerry — who is herself suddenly confronted with a challenge to her faith on another front — sets out to prove that science and Genesis are not in conflict and her quest leads to a startling revelation. Could it be that what science teaches us about creation and the Story as told in Genesis are both true!
GIVEAWAY
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The wonder and excitement our garden is bringing to our children is worth the mud squished between my toes in search of that itty bitty, new, green tomato that appeared through yesterday’s rain. The ant bite, the sticker, the weeds….all a reminder of God’s plan to turn ashes into beauty.
The overwhelming feeling of not just trusting that God is working in my life but the seeing it played out before my very eyes makes me feel as if my heart might beat out of my chest, or perhaps explode. The knot in my throat I have in trying to choke back tears because I know Almighty God loves me, not because of me but because of Him, makes it hard to breathe.
The last two months of our lives have been a complete walk of faith, trust and obedience. At times, I failed to give thanks, to focus my eyes on His bigger picture and I lost sight of the reason we do what we do, or did what we did. In those weak times of giving into my flesh, God was so faithful to keep me up at night to discipline me and get me back in line with His purpose and plan. It was the sweetest, hardest two months of my life.
The Lord put a call on our hearts, we said yes, then he ripped out our hearts, threw them on His potter’s wheel and it’s been spinning, spinning, spinning……as stupid (we don’t say stupid) as it sounds, I felt like Dorothy spinning in her house and instead of watching cows & farm equipment fly by, I watched my wants, desires, dreams, expectations, my comfort zone, my idea homeschooling situation, my time with friends, my vision for my family, MY life fly by me as if we were caught in an unending tornado. Ironically, inside our home nothing was crashing down around me, blessings were abundant, Heavenly promises were being fulfilled, growth was taking place in the individual hearts of my family members, trust & dependence on the Lord were higher than ever but outside……life was flying by at an unfriendly pace, me unaware because I was walking in obedience. Obviously these jumbled words can’t describe it adequately.
My awareness was heightened daily to how God was changing me. He was constantly planting new & pruning old convictions, slowly molding me into what I needed to be for the next leg of the journey. Opening our home to the least of these and bringing the world into our home among the children we are entrusted to protect was beyond the hardest thing we have ever walked out as a family but at the same time, the very best thing we have ever done as a family. I can truly see how God lead us to walk calmly through a raging storm. I was weary and torn but more alive than ever before. I was weak and burdened but full of joy and hope of promises fulfilled.
Today as I squished through the mud admiring what God has allowed to burst forth through our clay-filled garden, He reminded me that He alone is responsible for the growth that is produced…..I see the parallel in my own life. Yesterday’s raging storm has left much mud in our lives but he is the potter and takes the left over clay that doesn’t amount to much, he strengthens us to obey & trust him and He alone is responsible for the itty bitty, new fruit that has been produced in our hearts and lives and He alone is the one that will see to it that it grows into an abundant harvest.
The humming of the washing machine could be heard just as the clock’s hand ticked past 630. A mere four hours of sleep prompted worry in my soul, anxious about the day awaiting me. My peaked princess wrapped her sweet arms around my sleepy shoulders, breathing her vomit breath straight into my mouth.
Daddy stripped the bed, I cleaned the floors, he showered the princess, I braided her hair. He left for work, we snuggled.
Sleep screamed at me but my silent child needed me.
The Lord affirmed my mom heart as I held her tight. Truths I had forgotten but wanted to remember were brought back to me.
Her heavy eyes gave it up again at last.
I tiptoed across the hall to Crew’s empty bed. In my sleepless state I thought perhaps he went to work with his daddy or climbed in bed with a sibling. A second thought never crossed my mind, I was thankful all souls were sound asleep.
I worked my way upstairs, ears attuned to the muffled sound of children’s voices.
Work trucks outside bring delight to boys, I guessed he and his daddy hadn’t left yet. That couldn’t be. I supposed he was across the way at Mimi’s so I could go back to sleep, impossible, Mimi had left for the day. The neighbor kids…at school…my nephews, they weren’t here……suddenly the children’s voices were clearer, in the sound of shrill screams. Crew’s screams.
I quickly spread the blinds to find my baby in his skivvy doodles frantically trying to open Mimi’s back door, screaming and crying hysterically, I heard “Momma” in the most terrified voice my heart has ever heard from my children. Bolting down the stairs, sleep no longer had a hold on me…..
I ran to the street, beckoning Crew to me. At the sound of my voice, he turned, sprinted with arms wide open, leaped into my body and gripped me with every fiber of his being. He was trembling, shaking with terror, crying profusely, questioning me over my whereabouts.
I held tight, as if to never let go. My heart ached over his feeling lost and alone. My mind trailed to millions of children out there lost and alone. Words of love, protection and truth were spoken into his ear & heart but mostly I just held my baby, I loved on him and I assured him that I’m here for him.
Slowly but surely the sun crept over my neighbor’s trees and made its way to my front porch. Reluctantly, but also thankfully, I grabbed my empty mug and gently opened the door in hopes that children still slept soundly. Another reason to be grateful, an extra minute of solitude to prepare my heart to pour into all of theirs.
The Lord provided a very subtle, cool breeze this morning. A refreshing quiet time in search of my Savior’s plans for me. As I carefully tip toed down the stairs this morning to my quiet time, I pleaded that the Lord offer much clarity on what it means to walk in obedience.
I’ve been quick to give thanks to God for working so many big details out in our lives but the habit of giving thanks in all the tiny details has fallen off to the wayside for a few weeks now. Excuses bubble over but in reality, I haven’t taken my thoughts captive and been obedient to being thankful. Isn’t being thankful part of being obedient? In my knowing that I’m in the middle of God’s will for me in the overall scheme of things, my feelings and emotions have thrown my heart all out of sorts. It’s the obedience to the small details of life that offer much peace and contentment of heart. Regardless of how obedient we think we are to big things seen, it’s the unseen little corners of our hearts that truly reflect our obedience to Christ.
I’m thankful this morning the Lord reminded me to take time to notice him and give thanks in the smallest, most overlooked details.
As I prayed for the Lord to open my eyes to see him, open my ears to hear him and open my heart to be obedient to his guidance, I realized many heart issues of mine that need refining…the fruit of gentleness STILL hasn’t made it through an entire day with me, patience is the virtue I would like to dress in more often and self-control needs to look more like submission to His ways than mine. Giving thanks for his promise of one day making me a perfect reflection of his righteousness and holiness.
Thanks Offering
It’s easy to see the Lord in the everyday when I purpose to do so. I saw his love just now as Brandon offered me the hand cut rose. God put me on his mind as he walked past our rose bush, they both knew I would love it.
As I looked up from my reading in my rocker this morning I saw the Lord’s creativity in the hummingbird two feet from my face, in the four Blue Jays that searched for the promise of God’s provisions of nourishment and in the scarlet cardinal the Lord landed just for my pleasure and affirmation that he cares for me. The sound of the woodpecker, year after year, I believe to be a gift from the Lord, a gift to remind me he is constant.
We can choose to see the gifts. It’s much easier to see the bad the world has to offer…the weeds & stickers that cover my front yard. It’s much harder to take our thoughts captive and look diligently for the blessings God offers. Yes, my children must wear shoes to keep stickers out of their precious feet but what a blessing to see signs of life strung out across my yard. I took notice and purposed to be thankful for the scooter, plastic gun, two tricycles and three bikes left on the driveway, signs of childhood memories being made. Signs of a family that plays together. Signs and memories of Crew finding pleasure in his new bike tricks, in Brett being proud of himself for diligently perfecting his “no arms” riding, the thrill of Kate learning to “run so fast”, the memory of us being outside enjoying each other while Emily and Parker cooked dinner for the rest of the family because they desired to serve. The blessings trickle into every heart and life in this family when I take the time to see God’s hand in it.
The empty bucket, that once held all the sidewalk chalk that peppers our porch, accompanies empty bubble containers, a WD-40 can, ball & glove, rainboots, an extension cord, a lonely pinecone, an unwound paper towel roll, an emtpy cup, drying up honeysuckle vine……all with more blessings in each of those words than you care to read about….so much detail though that the Lord reminds me that his hand is all over my life and family…working out our lives for his good.
I’ll spare you the details but I won’t stop giving thanks for the memories each of these out of place items brings to my heart. I’m reminded today of what obedience looks like for me for today.
Holidays come, they go, they leave me wondering if people were fulfilled in their trivial pursuit of worldly materialism. I love Spring, I love Easter, I love Jesus and am thankful I serve a Risen Savior. I love pretty dresses, coloring Easter eggs, doing crafts and enjoying family. I wonder how many of our offerings are nasty, pungent aromas before our God as we live not just holidays out, but our daily lives.
I believe this may be my favorite Easter picture. I love the eagerness and determination on Brett’s face. He is in full pursuit of coins and candy. What the picture doesn’t show is Brett’s heart. God crafted this boy with a generous spirit and a giving heart. I’m sure the thrill of being the first one out of the blocks brings him sheer delight, his competitive nature is genetic. What I noticed as my boy searched to fill his bucket was that he was quick to guide his siblings to hidden treasures to fill their own buckets. I love that about Brett. I love that I notice that about him and I love that God puts in on my heart to affirm him and encourage him in that gifting. I love that in his day to day, without instruction from me, Brett chooses to put others first. He doesn’t even realize his offering is indeed pleasing to the Lord.
I look at this picture and again, see his sheer determination, his goal in mind, his eyes fixed on the prize and I long to be that way each day in my walk with Christ. Do I tackle the day with sheer determination to meet with my Savior? Do I have his goal in mind for my day? Am I ready to run the race with my eyes fixed on his promised prize?
The meaning of what it looks like to live in obedience to Christ is continually changing in my own heart and I wonder, I just wonder, if too many of us don’t even realize our own pungent aroma as we live complacent lives day in and day out, all the while believing we are living for Jesus. Lord, search me and know me!
