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Bitterness Does Not Become You

Feb 6th, 2011 by Amy

Herodias wanted John the Baptist’s head on a platter.  She was an angry woman spurred on by the cancer of bitterness that permeated her entire being.  The NIV says she “nursed a grudge.”  She was not only offended by John’s confrontation of her sin, but she invested time and energy into nursing her wound and allowing her grudge to grow and metastasize.  Which ultimately ended in a head, literally, on a platter.

Bitterness is unbecoming.  It is ugliness personified.

I’m going to speculate that each one of us has been either confronted by the truth and didn’t like it very much, and found our feelings for our confronter to be less than warm, or we’ve been hurt deeply by someone, knowingly or unknowingly, and the pain of that wound has transformed into anger and mistrust.

Being confronted with a sin in our lives is uncomfortable, at best.  None of us wants to hear the truth from someone we love and respect, or hear a sermon that pinches just a little too hard.  It’s downright painful.  Even so, the bitterness that stems from this pain is wasted.  Seriously.  Confess your sins and God is faithful to forgive.  Then move on.  It is pride that makes us hold on to our grudge for dear life.

On the other hand, being hurt by someone is not the same thing.  Whether or not the blow was intentional, pain is pain, and it’s very difficult to simply forgive and get over it.  Bitterness is almost understandable.  However, it is still bitterness, and left unresolved, leads to death.  A nursed grudge over time becomes anger.  And anger leads us to do things we would never fathom doing in our right mind.

Herodias wanted to kill John the Baptist, but she couldn’t, at least not yet.  Eventually she found a way.  She not only succeeded in killing John, but she brought her daughter into her bitterness too.

Mark 6:22-28

When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.  The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”  and he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”  She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”  ”The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.  At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”  The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.  So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head.  The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter.  He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.

The Message translation describes Herodias as a woman “smoldering with hate.”  When I read this passage I was immediately convicted of the petty grievances I have held on to.  We are so easily offended, are we not?  We blindly get caught up in our offenses that we forget how to work things out with each other (Matthew 18:15-20).  Whether or not our pain is justified, bitterness never is.  It always lands back in our own laps.  I’ve been hurt, rightly or wrongly, so what am I going to do with this?  Am I going to allow bitterness to fester inside, and eventually spill out onto my children?  Am I willing to let the light within me die out?

God is aware of our pain.  He isn’t demanding something from us that he hasn’t already experienced.  He died so we wouldn’t have to.  He forgave us so that we would know how to forgive others.  I’ll be honest, I don’t want to end up like Herodias.  I don’t want my legacy to say, “Amy went down smoldering with hate.”  I want to be a beautiful testimony of grace and forgiveness, love and compassion.  I can’t be that and hold a grudge at the same time.

And what about you?  Have you been confronted lately and you would like nothing more than to see a head on a platter?  Or have you been hurt by someone, and all you want is to see them suffer the way you feel you have suffered?  Either way, bitterness does not become you.  Don’t nurse the grudge.  Do something productive with your pain.  Confess your sin, if you have sinned, and get on with your life.  Or confront that person who has hurt you, seek out reconciliation and get on with your life.

Don’t hold on to your grudge…hold on to freedom.

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Posted in Faith, Grace, Ministry | 1 Comment »

The Calm

Jan 31st, 2011 by Amy

Matthew 26 and 27 convey the story of Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion.  I was just reading these two chapters last week and was struck by all the chaos surrounding Christ in those final hours of his life.  An angry mob was screaming for his death.  His disciples scattered in fear and terror.  Peter, the rock, stung by the reality of his denial, found himself a broken man.  Caesar’s wife- disturbed by a dream- tried to persuade her husband to distance himself from this drama.  The world was coming unhinged.

And where was Jesus?  Standing quietly in the center of it all- Bearing the weight of his destiny, the sting of a thorny crown upon his head, and staring at the road of sorrow that lie ahead.

My mind wandered back to the time when Jesus and his disciples were on a boat.  A storm raging all around, the disciples were convinced they would drown.  Fear gripped them as a furious squall rose up, and they cried out to Jesus.

Where was he?  Wasn’t he aware of the gravity of the situation?  Lives were at stake.  Hope was awash in the swirl of violent waves.  Where was Jesus?  Sleeping.

Mark 4:38-40

The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet!  Be Still!”  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”

Sometimes Jesus calms the storm.  Sometimes he is simply the calm in the midst of the storm.  Either way, I believe he would say to us when the winds of uncertainty, fear, and trouble blow through our lives, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”

Christ prayed three times that God would change his destiny.  Three times he cried out for a different way.  And each time he relinquished his will and surrendered to that of his Father.  Death and separation from God was terrifying to Jesus, and if there could be an easier way to atone for the sins of the world, he would have gladly traded his cup in for a new one.  But deep down he knew that there could be no other way.  There could be no other sacrifice.  His death was our only hope.  And as he stood in the midst of the chaos and confusion, his heart was at peace because he knew this was not the end.  Victory was just beyond his death.  He was at peace with his destiny.  And he was the calm in eye of the storm.

God knows the purpose for each storm we experience.  Sometimes he hears our cries and speaks to the wind and rain and saves us from capsizing.  Other times he remains quiet.  He doesn’t stop the storm, but allows it to fully envelop our lives- and in some cases-  bring death.  He hasn’t left us, and he isn’t intending evil or harm to us, but he knows what we have yet to know.  He sees the victory after death.  He knows the path to freedom, peace, and true faith will only come through the pain of persecution, sorrow, and death.

And he never leaves us.  He never turns his face from us.  He is right there in the middle of all the chaos.  He is the calm in our storm.

Isaiah 43:1-2

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and you pass through the rivers will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Posted in Faith, Grace | 1 Comment »

It’s Been A Good One…

Dec 20th, 2010 by Amy

family2010

I could hear the squeals and giggles traveling down the hallway this morning.  The kids were awake on their first day of Christmas break.  Joel offered to get up and take care of breakfast.  I started thinking about making the coffee.  Then, before we jumped up to start the day, we remembered that my parents were downstairs ready to attend to the needs of our children.  Relieved, we rolled over and drifted back to sleep.

As I lay there, eyes closed, I began to reflect on the past year.  My thoughts lingered upon, and recounted,  all the blessings God has poured out on my family.  As the list grew, tears filled my eyes and spilled down my cheeks.  Overwhelmed by his graciousness, his faithfulness, and his mercy, I whispered a faint “Thank you” to the One who has made all things complete.  To the One who heard my spoken and unspoken prayers and pleas – to the One who heard the heart behind my words – and turned his ear to me.

One year ago I struggled to find joy in the season.  I found peace and contentment in the One to whom the season belongs, but there was nothing extraordinary that marked the passing year.  Thankful for God’s faithfulness, I wrapped up the year realizing that God was good even without a lot of fan-fair and magic.  Looking ahead to 2010, I honestly had no big expectations.  I never dreamed that so much could change in one year.

One year ago, I was simply grateful for the mercy and grace God extended to me.  A year later, I continue to be grateful for God’s mercy and grace.  This year, however, I have seen that God not only gives us joy in difficulties, or hope in dire circumstances, but he also seasons our lives with moments of unbridled happiness.

Happiness oftentimes gets a bad wrap because it is contingent upon our circumstances.  We are taught that the joy of the Lord is of greater value than fleeting moments of happiness.  Yet, this year has revealed to me something quite contrary.  God allows us to feel happy…genuinely happy…because he is that kind of loving Father.  He allows us to go through hard times, difficult seasons, and painful experiences, so that the depth of our faith is substantial and sound, and our joy is complete in God and God alone.  However, he doesn’t forget that a dose of happiness every now and then is as equally satisfying and fulfilling as a joyful disposition.  When my kids wake up on Christmas morning, eyes bulging from the pile of gifts and treasures under our tree, I take great delight in their uninhibited happiness.  God is the same way.  When happy moments come, and we enjoy them fully, I believe he, too, sits back and smiles with delight.

This year, I am feeling overwhelmed with not only the peace that passes understanding that God has poured into my heart, but I am bursting at the seams with sheer happiness.  God has not only satisfied my needs this year, but he has also satisfied the desires of my heart.  Today I am reflecting upon and enjoying these happy moments.

One year.  One God.  One moment to say thank you to the One from whom ALL blessings flow.

Posted in Faith, Grace, Life, Ministry | 1 Comment »

Peace On Earth

Dec 7th, 2010 by Amy

We decorated for Christmas last week.  In my mind I had envisioned Nat King Cole’s Christmas album playing in the background, the scent of hot apple cider wafting through the house, and my darling children giggling with excitement as I handed them their tree ornaments to place – gingerly – upon our tree.  I wanted to take pictures.  I wanted to document this marvelous moment of family bonding for all the world to see.

Needless to say, as boxes whizzed by my head and poor baby Jesus lost his swaddle, Christmas decorating at my house was a hurricane of garland, bows and nativity scenes.  Our tree now sits at a lovely 45 degree angle.  Once little hands were added to the holiday decorating mix it was all over.  A Christmas whirlwind blew through my home.  And I survived.  Without pictures.

Christmas is marvelous, with or without the warm fuzzy daydreams of a hopeful mom.  It is that time of year when anticipation and wonder fills the hearts and minds of children and adults alike.  We believe in miracles.  We believe in peace on earth.  But…the holiday, the festivities, the lights and carols only create a temporary illusion of peace.  When December is over, and down come the tinsel and garland, the magic evaporates into thin air.

And then…for those seeking inner peace, joy, and happiness…what comes next?  Perhaps a New Year’s party?  Or spring vacation and a week at the beach?  Or maybe buying something new?  Something to fill the void of the soul.  A void that will grow deeper and wider with time.  And no matter how much we search for peace in those fleeting moments of perfection, the void remains.

If we can point to a thing, a place, a person or day and give it credit for peace, then we are hanging our hopes on things that will vanish or disappoint us.  And always, we will be left with a longing.

Peace doesn’t come wrapped up with a bow.  Peace, as much as I’d like to believe, doesn’t last in a picture perfect family moment.  Peace isn’t about moments at all.  Peace - the kind that surpasses understanding, circumstances, financial strain, sickness, or death - comes from Jesus.  As long as we are searching the world over for those tiny peeks at joy and happiness we will miss knowing a Savior who doesn’t necessarily shield us from life, but steadies and holds us up through the storm.  Peace on earth begins with peace on the inside.  And that peace comes from Jesus Christ.

As I wake up on these short days in December, before my family has regained consciousness from their warm, winter’s slumber, I snuggle into my little spot in front of my perfectly crooked Christmas tree.  I treasure the fact that not all moments in my life will be peaceful.  But I know I can have peace in every moment that I live.  Centered in the peace that passes understanding.

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace on earth.

Posted in Faith | 2 Comments »

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow…Miraculous!

Nov 23rd, 2010 by Amy

A friend of mine has been going through a difficult season.  It seemed that when things couldn’t quite possibly get worse, well…they did.  Two days ago God did a miracle in her life.  He not only answered a prayer that would effect her present circumstances, but he took care of past issues that were holding her captive and even went so far as to insure the future need was already met.  He answered my friend’s prayer completely.  He met her need from yesterday, supplied for today, and gave her hope for the future.  That is miraculous.  That, to me, is God doing what God does best.  My friend will have plenty to share around her Thanksgiving table this year.

I was concerned my last post might have been a bit too extreme.  Then, my dear friend shared her miracle with me and I thought to myself, “That’s what I’m talking about!”  That’s it!  Now, to be sure, my friend has been going through a long desert season.  This answer didn’t come without months of tears shed, laying her heart and soul at the feet of Christ.  How, when, and why God moves and works in our circumstances is not for us to know, or even understand. God is a mystery, and many times what he wills and allows does not make sense to us.  But I am encouraged that, even if it takes my entire life, God will complete the work he began.  The prayers offered with a sincere heart do not fall on deaf ears.  He knows.  He cares.  And he is working in unseen realms to finish what he started.  He takes care of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He is a miraculous God.

I love Thanksgiving.  I love hearing about what God is doing in the lives of others.  I am encouraged in my faith when I hear others boast about what the Lord has done for them.  On that note, it is your turn to share what God has done for you.  What are you thankful for today?  What are you believing God to complete in your life?  Share as much, or little, as you would like!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in Faith, Life, Ministry | 2 Comments »

Complete

Nov 21st, 2010 by Amy

There are difficult seasons of life that God, in his sovereignty, allows us to walk through.  Loss, depression, fear, or sickness, they sneak up and shake the ground beneath us.  In moments of faith and clarity we speak beyond our circumstances and look to the hope that awaits us.  But sometimes those seasons last longer than we expected.  They linger.  They outstay their welcome, and we begin to wonder- uncomfortably shifting in our position of faith-  if perhaps there will be no end to the night.  We acknowledge that God is our Savior and that he can do all things, but maybe he has no intention of moving this particular mountain from our way.  Maybe this is as good as it will ever get.  We trudge along, living heavy lives with unmet expectations.

 

I am certain we can all agree that every good and perfect gift comes from our Heavenly Father.  I have only to look upon the precious faces of my three little ones and there is no doubt in my mind that this is true.  Looking back on all the ways God has provided for my family, spared us grief and heartache, and walked alongside us through difficulties over this past year, I am confident that my God takes care of me.  My God cares.  However, dissatisfaction has been growing over the past few months.  At first, this lack of satisfaction was directed towards God.  While he has answered some of my prayers, there were always loose ends that never seemed to be taken care of.  I thought God was a God who not only answered prayer, but also took care of the details.  Without sounding like an ingrate, I was really expecting more from God.  As the dissatisfaction grew, my heart became more and more stirred to look at the way I was praying and to what degree of faith I was believing.  It didn’t take long for me to realize that it wasn’t God who was neglecting to tie up the loose ends and complete the answer.  Rather, it was my lack of faith that God could really answer my prayers completely.  I was only believing for a piece-mealed answer instead of believing for a full-fledged miracle.  And I will admit, I have lived out this small and cynical faith most of my life.

 

God is the God of the complete.  He is not the God of half-hearted answers.  He doesn’t throw us a bone every now and then in order to keep us loosely tethered to his side.  God is the God who promises to deliver us, and that deliverance is final.  God is the God that promised to provide and supply all of our needs, and the supply he brings is an abundant one, overflowing.  God is the God who heals and leaves no trace of sickness behind.  God is the God of completion.

 

 

My faith has been about as big as the answers I’ve been given, and I believe God is stirring my heart to a bigger more adventurous kind of faith.  A faith that believes in complete answers.  A faith that believes in a complete God.

 

Judges 6:16 “The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.’”  God was speaking to Gideon, who was a lot like me in the faith department, and exhorting him that when Gideon stepped out to fight, God would complete the battle.  It wouldn’t be a piece-mealed victory.  It would be a complete victory.

 

I Chronicles 16:11,12 “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek His face always.  Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles and the judgements he pronounced.”

 

Isaiah 45:2-3 “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.  I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

 

Matthew 17:20-21 “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

I am believing for a complete answer to prayer.  I am placing my faith, not in what I can understand or conceptualize, but in a God who promises to do a complete work.  I am believing that God is the God of completion, and I am waiting in expectation.

 

So, what about those seasons of unmet expectations?  What about those years of God’s silence?

 

God allows us to drink the bitter waters of pain, sorrow, loss, and silence for one reason, and that is so we may be able to give God the glory when the sweet springs of restoration and healing pour into and then out of our lives.  Nothing happens to us, or in us, that hasn’t first passed through the hands of our Savior.  He never allows us to drink bitter waters without his permission.  And he never permits something that will not fit into the complete picture of his deliverance and answer.  Even the dark seasons serve a purpose in the completion of his victory.  And when the mountain that has blocked our way for too many years tumbles once and for all into the sea of our past, we will stand in awe of a God who has never left us, has been in constant contact, and not once took his hand from our lives.  And the glory belongs to him.

 

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

Believing God for bigger things.  Trusting his ways in the completion of the answer.  Never wavering, but always hoping.  And when it is done, it will be COMPLETE!

Posted in Faith, Grace, Ministry | 3 Comments »

God Is Good…Really?

Nov 2nd, 2010 by Amy

A few weeks ago Jackson went missing.  We couldn’t find him anywhere.  He had wandered off.  An army of us went out looking for him, and with every step I took I found myself praying, screaming out his name, and wondering if this was it. If this would be the “big one”.  You know, the story that defines my life, the detour from my set path, the heartache that would either drive me to God or away from God.  Because I was wrapped up in pursuit of my son, I did not track how many minutes went by from the moment we realized Jackson was missing to the moment my eyes caught a glimpse of him way off in the distance.  I was told it was somewhere around 18-20 minutes.

When Joel and I found Jackson, a huge wave of relief came over me.  I couldn’t even walk.  I had to sit down.  I needed to breathe.  Adrenaline and fear, desperate pleas to God and terror, nearly sucked the life right out of me.  Touching, holding, and kissing my son was surreal.  And I thanked God with a shaky voice and shaky hands.  Over and over and over again, gratitude and thanksgiving spilled from my lips like a waterfall.  Thank you, God!  You are so good!

Later, when I was quiet and alone and had time to think and recall the events of the day, I wondered “what if”.  It was bound to happen.  I couldn’t help but consider what would life be like if I hadn’t found Jackson?  What if he had been taken by someone?  What if he had been hit by a car?  What if…?  It isn’t healthy to sit and stew on the “what if’s”, but I think the biggest question I had that haunted me was “What if…something bad had happened…would I still believe that God is good?”

This is the question I have been pondering for several weeks now.  It is easy to say “God is good” when life is good, or we get the answer to prayer we have been hoping for, or we get the primo parking spot at the mall, or the sun is shining, or right after we’ve booked tickets for vacation, or in that first sip of our favorite Starbucks indulgence.  Mmmm…God is good.  I wonder if my faith, my view of God, is perhaps a little out of whack.  I wonder if we get a little too narcissistic?  The minute one little kink in our plan arises we suddenly think the world is coming to an end.  And I wonder about those individuals who have truly experienced tragedy, and somehow, someway, have been able to utter through tears and pain that “God is good”, know something about God that I don’t know yet.

For days I was unable to acknowledge God’s goodness because I doubted my ability to find him good if Jackson had not been found.  I honestly wondered if I could still believe God to be good had I lost my baby boy.  Then, one morning as I was reading the Word and meditating on all of these crazy thoughts I’d been having, I came across a Psalm.

Psalm 30:8-10

To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit?  Will the dust praise you?  Will it proclaim your faithfulness?  Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help.”

It isn’t that God’s goodness is contingent upon circumstances.  He is good regardless of which direction my life goes.  I believe that my happy ending in finding Jackson when he was lost and nowhere to be found, was God’s mercy in my life.  I can’t define it.  I don’t deserve it.  And I can’t explain it away to someone who’s pain and grief of a lost child are with them daily.  For whatever reason, only known to God, he extended mercy to me, to my family, on that day.  In the grand scheme of our story, there would be no gain from this devastation.  That doesn’t mean that difficulties will never come my way, or that I am somehow excluded from the harshness of life, but this was not it. This would not be my “big one”…my one defining moment.

God had mercy.

One of the many things that I love about Psalms is that there is always an upward focus.  Regardless of circumstances, the writer looks to God, places complete trust in God and gives all praise and thanksgiving to God.  Our hope, no matter what we may be going through, is that God’s goodness will see us through anything and everything that this sinful world throws our way.

The final verses of Psalm 30 says this:

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

In plenty and in want, there is hope and assurance that God will take our wailing and turn it into a beautiful dance, a garment of joy and unending songs of his goodness, graciousness, mercy, and love.

Yes, God really is good.  Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way, but he is.  He sees our pain, our challenges, our joys, and sorrows, and through them all, he is good.

Posted in Faith, Grace, Motherhood | 6 Comments »

Everything I Need

Oct 11th, 2010 by Amy

Sometimes I want something new.  Sometimes I want lots of new somethings.  Sometimes I don’t even know why, there is no real necessity, but I just gotta have new stuff.

I’m not going to project my weaknesses onto all of you, so I’ll just assume that this is something that I alone struggle with.  (Although, something tells me that there are others who have to battle out the urge to splurge too.)

This weekend I received an e-mail from one of my favorite shopping boutiques.  Forty percent off of already marked down sale items…this weekend only.  Something leaped within me.  I need.  I want.  I must have…  These thoughts continued to monopolize my mind all through Friday.  And then again on Saturday.  I started scheming and planning out my attack on Ann Taylor Loft.  When could I steal away a few hours to shop till I dropped?  How could I finagle the finances to satisfy the consumer craving of my soul?  It seemed the only day that would remotely work out in my favor (and I would have to really squeeze it into our already over-stuffed schedule) was Sunday.  Late Sunday.  With a twinge of conviction tugging deep, deep down in my soul, I set my sights on a Sunday afternoon shopping spree.

Then, because I have to believe the Holy Spirit – who is forever looking out for my very best and could see I wasn’t acknowledging His subtle nudgings – decided to speak up a little louder.  In my quiet time Sunday morning I read Psalm 23.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

The first verse stopped me in my tracks.  I shall not want.

The Message translation says this: God, my Shepherd!  I don’t need a thing.

Gentle, but clear, I was reminded of the abundance I have received from the Lord.  Yes, I have everything I need.  Whatever void I was feeling – emotional, spiritual or simply materialistic lust – would never be filled will a new blouse, a new sweater or a new pair of jeans.  That void, that urge to splurge, was a soul calling out for God to come and satisfy in a way that only he can.

Without shame or condemnation I turned the direction of my focus on the Shepherd, the One, who has given me everything that I need, everything that a girl could possibly want (and then some), and poured out a heart of thanksgiving and gratitude.  Rather than catch the final hours of the sale, I found rest in the peace and contentment of God’s constant and complete provision.

He is everything I need, even when forty percent off is desperately calling my name.

Posted in Faith, Grace, Life | 1 Comment »

Hide Me

Oct 4th, 2010 by Amy

For the past few weeks I’ve been working my way through Beth Moore’s Bible study Breaking Free.  With each new day of homework a new challenge is laid out before me.  Am I willing to delve deep – to the most inner parts of my heart and soul – allowing God to open up old wounds, new hurts and daily struggles in order to walk away from this ten week study fully embracing freedom and grace?  It’s not been an easy task.  I find myself longing to run and hide; hide from people, hide from uncomfortable situations, hide from the truth inside.  However, each time I feel the temptation to run in the opposite direction of true freedom and liberation, I sense the Holy Spirit gently pulling me back and whispering words of comfort to my soul.  He is urging me to stop running from the junk hidden behind walls of false peace and protection, but rather run and hide in him.  As he reveals those areas in my life that are holding me back from fearless abandonment, he also reveals to me the shadow of his wings, the covering of his presence and the peace of his protection.  There is no fear in deliverance because God is always there to watch over and hide me in his shadow.

Psalm 17:8

Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 32:7

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 91:1

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Wherever you are in your journey, remember, God is with you.  His eye is forever upon you.  When your feet are two steps away from running as far from your mountain as they can possibly take you, remind yourself that there is no better place to run and hide than the shadow of the One who loves you more than life itself.  His wings will hold you firm and secure, and he will protect you from unnecessary harm.  He will give you the grace and strength to face your biggest fears and conquer your mountain once and for all.  Run to him…hide in him.  Know freedom in the secret places of your soul.  Find refuge in the shadow of the Almighty.

Posted in Faith, Grace | 2 Comments »

Mr. Amy

Sep 19th, 2010 by Amy

First, I just want to commend and acknowledge the working moms out there.  I have always had the utmost respect for you and all that you do, but now that I am working (part time, mind you), that respect has doubled…no…tripled!  How you do it all, I don’t know.  You are the true super heros, in my opinion.

As we are working on getting into a nice groove with our new schedule, I’m afraid my poor blog has received the short end of the stick.  It pains me.  Truly, it does.  As I lay my head on my pillow each night recounting all the activities of the day, the one thing that looms overhead is how negligent I’ve been with this blog.  I’m still working on finding balance.

While I don’t have the brain cells to articulate what God’s been doing in my heart and mind over the past week, I thought I’d jot down a few of the highlights:

  • Allergies to cockroaches are nothing to laugh about.
  • Sometimes empathy is all you can give.
  • There is no sitting down on the job when you work at a preschool – there is no time to sit down.
  • My son calls me “Teacher Mommy”.
  • I have surprised myself at how much I can actually do in a 24 hour period.
  • God’s grace truly is sufficient, and his power is made perfect in my weakness.
  • Waking up before the rest of the world to be in the Word and pray, as difficult as it is some days, pays off when someone asks for prayer, and there is a pool of spiritual strength to draw from.
  • God isn’t expecting perfection, just willingness to try.
  • I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
  • And finally, I have grown quite fond of being called “Mr. Amy” by the little three-year-old boy in my Friday class.  It comes out more as a “Mith-ter Amy”, and my heart melts.

The lunches have been packed and prepared for the rest of the week, book bags are sitting by the door, clothes set out, and the coffee pot ready to brew at 5:15 am.  Mr. Amy will be getting back to work in the morning, ready to take on a new week.

Posted in From The Mouth Of Babes, Fun Stuff, Grace, Life | 3 Comments »

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