Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

The last day of November.  Finally!  My favorite month of the year starts tomorrow.  Is it yours too?

As I wrote earlier this week, many Advent devotionals begin December 1st.  Are you ready?  


The words “let every heart prepare Him room” are familiar Christmas carol lyrics.  Have you ever given them much thought?  Yes, if we have received the gift of salvation, we have salvation through Christ,  Jesus in our hearts.  But, have I prepared room in my heart for the coming of Christ?  Is their room in my heart for Him daily to move around at His will, to transform my thoughts, to rearrange my behavior to center around Him, etc.?  I wonder…

Thomas Kinkade answers the question, “How do we prepare Him room?” 

“By cleaning out our inner lives, deliberately putting away the resentments and the distractions that clutter our hearts and minds, and by giving a priority to forgiveness and reconciliation in this season of relationships.  By rearranging our obligations to make sure there’s room for prayer and reflection in the midst of all the busyness.  By decorating our hearts with thoughts and attitudes that are worthy to welcome a king – love and joy and peace – and by decorating our lives with loving deeds.

Most of all, by setting aside the time and the space for inner preparation – time to read and listen, time to pray, time to ponder.  Time to reflect on what it means that the One whose name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace…still came in the form of a tiny, vulnerable human child.  Let every heart prepare Him room.”*

In John 8:37, Jesus spoke the following to His accusers, “You are ready to kill me because you have no room for my Word.”  How I would dread hearing those words.  I ask myself, “Do I have room in my life for His Word?”

In the Message, Col. 3:2 reads, “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you.  Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is.  See things from His perspective.”

2 Tim. 4:8 says that there is in store a crown of righteousness for those who “long for His appearing.”

It is my prayer today that you and I would become like Mary and the shepherds in Bethlehem.  Max Lucado in his book, God Came Near suggests “God goes to those who have time to hear Him – so on this cloudless night, He went to simple shepherds.  At this point in history, the human being who best understands who God is and what He is doing is a teenage girl in a smelly stable.”  What about in December 2012...who among us has time to hear him?  Who among us understands best who God is and what He is doing?  Something to think about.

As we enter the busy days before Christmas, let’s make room for God.  Let’s make time to hear Him.  God rarely speaks to those who aren’t listening.  Pray that He’ll open your ears and eyes to find Him this Christmas.  He will give you time to sit before Him if you ask Him for it.  He’s out there, waiting to be sought.  I believe that when we do seek Him and He is found, that He is smiling and anxious to surprise us with His gifts, which by the way are better than anything that can be bought in any store (even Target!).

Here are a few good passages to ponder:

Isaiah 9:2-7 – the proclamation!

Luke 1-2

Isaiah 61:1-11 and Luke 4:16-21 – Jesus’ job description written first in OT – fulfilled in the NT.

Read them over and over until they are engrained on your heart! 

*Christ, Light of the World

My Most Favorite Thing about December

 "Advent is a season, not an event; a spiritual discipline, not a calendar date."

It's finally come...the most wonderful time of the year!  By far, last week was my favorite week.  The anticipation of family being together (this heightens when you have one child away at college), the refrigerator stocked with holiday food, the boxes of Christmas decorations begging to be opened early, the lists of what we are grateful for bulging at the seams, and permission to get on with Christmas.  My expectations were exceeded by God's gracious gifts of love, fun, friends and family.

Which brings us today - only a few days from what is without a doubt my most favorite month, December. We've had a little snow this week which makes it especially anticipated. Why so excited you ask?  For many reasons, really, some mentioned above.  To the cynic, there is too much fluff at Christmastime that clouds what lies beneath, the "real meaning", God sending His only Son Jesus into our world to walk among us and eventually die in order to save us from our sins. It is true that we can get caught up in the shopping, baking, wrapping, party hopping, list-making and more.  But to the seeker, God is never more present, in my opinion, than in December. I believe that people are more open to listening to the Gospel of Christmas than they are any other time of year.  Just listen to the sacred songs played freely on the radio or at public concerts.  It's inescapable, Christmas is Jesus.

The real thrill for me is this season of Advent.  While December and Advent are happening simultaneously, they are not synonymous; very different in fact.  "December brings all the outward preparations, all that we have to do to prepare for Christmas.  Advent is an invitation to an inward preparation, calling us to listen to, to attend to the preparation of the heart.  Advent calls us to stop - however briefly - all of the frenetic doing and invites us to come into an experience of the holy.  Advent is a season, not an event; a spiritual discipline, not a calendar date.*

For you, advent might be a church word from your past that you've long since forgotten.  Revisit I beg you. "Historically, a time of rich tradition and meaningful reflection within the Church, the word advent comes from a Latin root that means 'coming'.  Advent is an experience of anticipation, an invitation to prepare for the coming of the light of Christ into our world."*  Jesus used the word 'come' many times as He engaged with would-be followers in His short time on earth, always beckoning us to draw near.  Homework - do a little word search in the Gospels - you will be amazed!  We are all invited to come.

"Answering the call to come in Scripture almost always results in faith.  Luke 7:16 says, 'God has come to help His people'.  God has come. This news is the crux of my faith - the glad tidings of great joy the angel proclaimed to the shepherds.  The coming of God to His people.  Advent.  The gospel in a word. Because of Advent, I came.  I come still.  And I hope you will come too.  And eventually through God's coming, His children will all come - back to the cradle, back home, back to where we belong."**

Every year I take my own journey through the season of Advent even as I attend to the demands of December.  It can be done.  I set my mind to it.  It's a discipline, but a most enjoyable one.  A big part of this comes in the form of Advent devotionals (most urging a December 1 start date).  This is my favorite kind of pleasure at Christmastime.  Over the years my collection of these special and often gorgeous books has grown.  However, my first love will always be Thomas Kinkade's "Christ, Light of the World".  Year after year, I read through this book, trying to limit myself to one chapter a day which is not always easy to do.  I can't even tell you how many of these I've given to friends I love for the express purpose of guiding them into the very best of Christmas delights - God Himself.

I sit quietly in the morning in my red chair near the twinkling lights of our tree and read and let my heart wander through the Christmas story - the Nativity. I simply can't get enough of the Gospel and prophetic accounts in the Bible and the thoughts from these devotionals. Jan Richardson writes, "Advent is a dance set to the rhythm of waiting.  We wait for the holy, we wait for the birth, we wait for the light....Advent reminds us that we are a pregnant people, for God calls each of us to bring forth the Christ." See what I mean? I'm waiting. Waiting for God. I want Him more than any other gift.

I want you girlfriends to experience the inner watching and expectant waiting; to listen with your heart; to be attentive to the presence of God within even the most mundane moments.  As I do, ask God to "show up" this year in your life in a new, previously unexpressed way.  I'm not talking about extra-Biblical revelation, I mean becoming more sensitive and aware of His work in your life and the world around you. Let Him thrill you.  Truly, we are all looking for something at Christmastime.  We are all longing.  What we may not realize is that it's God Himself that we ache for.  He can do this in any number of ways.  He is the Creator after all.

In my experience, He has never let me down.  I've never gotten to New Years and wondered where God was.  Every year a new part of His story becomes relevant and awe-inspiring to me, invoking even more robust worship as I sing along to my favorite Christmas songs or just sit and stare at my nativity.  And it can for you too.  For example, one year, the word "believe" stuck out in my Bible in Luke 2 as if it were highlighted just for me to notice.  Elizabeth believed, Mary believed, the shepherds believed....in application, "will I believe"?  There are so many nuances to the Christmas story it will take you a lifetime of Decembers to appreciate each one.  Why not grab an Advent/Christmas devotional to lend aid?  Have so much fun as you do! You can even borrow one of mine if you like.

Here are a few options that I love:

*Christ the Light of the World by Thomas Kinkade

Love Found a Way by Ron Mehl
The Power of Christmas Prayer by Stormie Omartian
Wonderful Counselor by Larry Libby and Steve Halliday

 Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin, Jr.

A Promise Kept by Chuck Swindoll - a beautiful, pictoral coffee table book

God Came Near by Max Lucado - this was one of my 1st faves...a must-have classic
**The Gospel of Christmas by Patty Kirk

Giving Thanks Looks Different This Year

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day!  My mind and heart are all abuzz with preparations.  I'm busy making lists, dreaming of how to set the table, deciding on recipes, buying our favorite foods, cleaning the house for guests and early in the morning, considering gratitude....what God deserves from me this year.

If you've read previous posts recently, you know that I keep a daily list of what I'm grateful for (and encourage the four people who live with me to do so as well), so how can Thanksgiving Day be significant, different, special?  

Everybody's talking about it.  That tiny little phrase we see everywhere all month long....Give Thanks. I've placed reminders all over the house.  We probably agree that it's easy to give thanks when the sun is shining and our world is all as it should be. We quickly think of our families, our friends, our health, our stuff, our faith. All good things but what if it's not all good?  Perhaps you, like me, can reflect on this last year and ask "what went wrong?".

For us, this year has been very different than previous ones.  It's not been easy.  Our family has adjusted to many changes, pretty drastic at times.  Traumatic, even. So as I spend quiet moments this week seeking to present God with a grateful heart, I know what I need to do.  This November, I will practice giving thanks for the things I don't want.  You read it right.  The things that have invaded my typically smooth, happy, and predictable life.  The stuff I didn't "sign up for".

This kind of gratitude is not for wimps and if I'm honest, I'm pretty wimpy most of the time.  However, even in the face of this glaring weakness, I don't want an opportunity to be lost.  Everything is an opportunity. Have you heard that growth occurs more often in the valley than on the mountaintop?  That growth in the garden comes after a hard rain (storm)?  These truths roll right off the tongue when we're not experiencing that sort of pain. 

"Gratitude follows grace as thunder follows lightening — and the storm is grace and this is the grateful harvest: whatever drives us into God"*

Storm - check.  Driven to God - check.  Now the grateful harvest.  I want to see the harvest.  I want this life, this family to reflect the harvest of God's faithfulness.  God really is good all the time.  We will give thanks in all circumstances.  When we do, we are telling God that we trust Him.  No matter what.  Kind of like wedding vows...in sickness and in health....for richer or poorer.  We belong to a great God and loving Father who deserves our trust and praise. I can speak for the Burtis family when I say He's got ours.

So we list the things we received in 2012 that we did not ask for, expect or even want, frankly. Trials. Confusion.  Heartbreak.  Endings.  Loneliness.  More change.  When we bring it to God with thanks, He takes the sting of what we could perceive as negative and turns it to positive.  He assures us everything is going to be ok.  Did you get that?  When we say "thank you" to God, He hears "I trust you" then He comforts and blesses. 

I've been quite overwhelmed these past few weeks with God's gift to us in the form of encouragement, strength, and grace.  Often it comes when we least expect it, but most need it.  He has used people, His people to be His arms and heart showering us with unsolicited, undeserved love.  I chose those words carefully (because I love words, remember)......encouragement, strength, grace, love, showering, unsolicited, undeserved, love - mirroring God Himself.  These gifts have come in wonderful ways.  Notes, meals, visits, calls, provision, specific Scriptures, friendship and prayers.  I love the last three so so much.

This might sound a little hokey but sometimes I see it in the eyes.  Lately, when we spend time with people we love, I've noticed it.  It is the way they look at me and the way I see them looking at Scott eye to eye that speaks so much without words.  This is the stuff that matters and makes me cry a little. I see God's handprints all over it.

The only answer to God's unending grace is my unending gratitude."*

So I guess Thanksgiving for me this year is about receiving with thanks that which I don't want and what makes me (us) feel loved.

I pray you will have a similar experience. That no matter what you've lived this last year you can give praise to God for all of it....the good, the bad and the ugly. Dig deeper.  As you do, you will be able to see all the ways He shows His love to you.  Then you can give thanks for that too.  No wonder He has commanded that we give thanks in all things....it's because everything is Him and He is everything!  Don't be too busy to notice.

 A Thanksgiving Song (my favorite parts):

The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing your song again
What ever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
 Bless the lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship his holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name
You're rich in love and you're slow to anger
Your name is great and your heart is kind
For all your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find**

Happy Thanksgiving. 

*Ann Voskamp
**10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

Top Ten Must Have Christmas CDs and Proof that "Christmasing" is a Word

One of the first components for a meaningful holiday season is to saturate yourself with the music of Christmas.  This is the only time of year we hear songs w/sleigh bells ringing in the background that make us want to build a snowman. And Christmas carols make people happy.  Unless you're a Scrooge.  You're probably not a scrooge or you wouldn't have clicked on this blogpost.  So read on!

Yes, I know it's only November, but I'm going to be busy cooking and baking next week.  No worries, I do try to obey rules regarding timing.  For example, some insist on no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.  I used to be religious about that.  But alas, I'm weakening with the years. The reason for this backsliding is that four weeks is simply not long enough to Dream of a White Christmas or Dash Through the Snow or sing Gloria In Excelsis Deo.  The Christmas season is too short. Must make the most of it!

At this stage of my life, I will allow tuning in to any radio station that is all Christmas all the time whenever that begins.  I also listen to the instrumental cds or some I only midly like but am unwilling to get rid of. Why these compromises?  Because once I dive into my cherished cd collection....that's all I play, nothing else gets air time.  Don't write me off yet, I do have some standards.  I insist on waiting until the Friday morning after Thanksgiving to indulge. After all, I understand the value of delayed gratification!  Just one week from tomorrow and these babies will make their appearance.  I can hardly wait.  But I will.  I hope.

So in case you are starting your own collection this year or just need a few new suggestions - please find my Top Ten Go To Christmas CDs below.  I am fiercely loyal to these.  Just ask my family.  We listen to them over and over and over and over and over again. I cannot live without them.  In fact, Burtis tradition holds that the family is woken up Friday morning to my favorite pick (see #1).  LOUDLY.  (and repeatedly)  They love it.  Well, I love it.  And I'm the mom, so there! 

 Ok, here's the list.  I hope you like what you see, find it helpful & inspiring, and maybe even give a few a try.

1.  Obviously MercyMe!  It's not only fun and joyful but also incites worship and worshipping the baby Jesus is what we should be all about.  I wore this cd out last year and had to get another.  

Totally. worth. every. penny. Both times.

2. We've had this cd since the kids were little. If you like a high tenor like I like a high tenor, Bryan Duncan is your guy.  The Form of Man will bring tears to your eyes.  "God's thoughts and ways are not our own, I can't understand why He wrapped His love in flesh and blood and He took the form of Man.  God the Father sent His son and we held Him in our hands."  I've got to go get a tissue.

3.  No Christmas is complete without Karen Carpenter.  That voice is so soothing, like syrup. Sweetness just oozes over you.  Rumor has it that when this cd is playing really loudly and I sing along, I sound just like her. 

So what if I started that rumor?  It's true...I think...I hope.  Does it really matter?  Anyway....one song introduced the word that I most often use in December...Christmasing.  Scott doesn't think it's a word.  Trust me, it's on this cd.  It means doing anything Christmas. Crafting. Wrapping. Baking. Decorating. All of it.  I have already started Christmasing this year.  Merry Christmas, Darling. 

4.  I love Matthew West!  Amazingly smooth voice.  The first song "Come On Christmas" is so fun.  This cd came out last year and we love it.  Who can resist the cover?  It's snowing!!

5.  I'm not usually a fan of choir type singing but one December Ben's 2nd grade teacher invited us to the mall to hear her church choir.  I didn't want to go.  I was tired.  I had lots to do.  But you see, every year I invite God to show up. To show Himself in a different way.  To give me a new insight into the Christmas Story according to the Scriptures that maybe I haven't noticed before.  He showed up that night at the mall.  The songs and arrangments give Him glory and that's what I want to do not just at Christmas, but everyday.

6.  Trav.  Beth Moore's worship leader.  His voice is so good.  You will not only love this cd, but you will wish it was snowing out and you're sitting by a fire while you listen to it.

7.  The only soundtrack on the list.  Whitney at her very best.  And a bonus suggestion - watch this movie! It is our family's favorite.

8.  Michael Buble....need I say more?  I used to hate the song "All I Want For Christmas Is You" until Mr. Buble sang it.  :)  This is new too - came out last year.  Get it.

 9.  Christmas Carols of the Young Messiah. If you have been a fan of contemporary Christian music for more than 10 years, you'll know all the artists. 

10.  Another oldie but a goodie.  Great harmonies....as if I know what that means ( I heard somebody say it once).  I just like how they sound together.

PS...last year my beloved 2nd born son put all my cd's on my ipod so that all I had to do is "shuffle".  What a great kid!  I recommend this - then every song gets your attention at some point.  Oh and I continue to listen long after Christmas because I CAN.  So can you.  Let it last. 

Here are some honorable mentions:
The Time Life Treasury (all the songs they play on the radio)
An Evening in December (accapella)
Josh Groban's Noel
Harry Connick Jr's Oh What a Night
Kenny G's Faith A Holiday Album

Because We All Love Ideas....The First in a Series of Holiday Posts

This last week it seems I've been spending  a lot of time in the passenger seat.  We've been on multiple road trips to soccer games, etc. I try not to waste a minute of this sitting still time.  Sometimes I read and sometimes I knit. Yesterday, I dug out a collection of holiday magazines I've been saving through the years.  I'm forever looking for yet another idea to make the holidays more special and meaningful, with a homemade touch.  While gazing at all the festive pictures, I got an idea.

Ok, some of you are thinking "It's not even Thanksgiving yet".  I know!  I'm sorry if that offends, but one must start preparations early if one is to experience stillness and peace during the busy month of December.  That is priority. 

For years I have been speaking at womens events particularly MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) groups.  This time of year, the request was always for a message on How to Navigate a Stress-Less Christmas Season, Entertaining for the Holidays or, my favorite, Celebrating the Holidays with Meaning.  So I have a lot of material.  Which brings me to my idea.

I'd like to use this blog to share some of my holiday ideas, traditions and pursuits that we've both experimented with and perfected through 22 1/2  years of marriage and 20 1/2 years of parenting.  Sometimes it might even mirror Oprah's Favorite Things.  Other times I'll share favorite Christmas music, books, gifts to give, and so much more!  Like traditions that have stuck with us through the years - that are expected.  What do you think?  Interested?

Let me pause for a minute and address my male readers.  I know there are a few of you out there.  You are thinking "I'm outta here".  Don't throw in the towel yet.  There might be something here for you - especially if you're married and want to be your wife and kids' hero. And you DO want to do that, don't you?  Of course you do. Give me a chance.

Back to you ladies, before I start, you have to make me one promise.  You must not, ever, even for one minute feel like it's more than you can do it, that you aren't good enough or are less of a mom, wife, hostess if you don't want to do any of these things and your ideas are totally different.  You don't have to!  No competition.  No comparing.  Deal?  This is just for fun! However, if you like what you read, feel free to take the ideas.  They are up for grabs!  The truth is, even though I can't remember where I first heard most of these ideas, they likely have come from someone else.    Yup, I'm a thief.  I borrow and I steal and then I tweak to make it my own.  In my book, this is totally acceptable.  I mean, what is Pinterest after all?

So, all that said and speaking of "my book", I will start today with one of my most favorite things.  This is my Little Red Book.  I bought this blank book 8 years ago.  This little baby travels with me from about now (early to mid November) until after our last Christmas celebration or when my after-Christmas shopping (bargains for the next year) is complete - whichever comes first.  We are inseparable.  Coincidence that the book is RED - I think not!

What's in the book you ask?  I'm so glad you did!

1.  I start out jotting the name of each person I will be giving a gift to.  I start w/Scott and my kids and then move outward to extended family and friends leaving ample room for gift ideas. I write what they want, what I think I want to get/make for them (if it's different), and where to get the best price. Sometimes I give ideas to our parents as to what to get Scott and the kids - I keep a record of that too.  I always start out writing in pencil (a sharp one - see it sticking out of my book).  I write what my recipients desire and what I think I want to get/make for them in addition.  Once it's purchased or a "done deal", I erase and rewrite in pen. 

2.  I list all the parties I'll be attending and what I intend to bring.  Food and gift.  This is especially helpful for white elephant type gifts - you don't want to duplicate from year to year.

3.  I list the events I will be hosting.  Here I brainstorm theme ideas.  I like themes.  Actually, I LOVE THEMES. Recipes, table settings, gifts, invitations, etc.  I will explore this in detail in a later post.

4.  I list what I would like to receive for Christmas.  Dont' judge me.  There's nothing wrong with this.  Haven't you been asked, "What do you want this year?" and then can't think of anything off the top of your head?  No problem if you write down ideas as they come to you.

5.  I write my Gift Du Jour for the year and continue to add the names of those who receive it.  This is usually homemade or it's a favorite new holiday book - I keep a large quantity wrapped under my tree (one of them) ready for any gift giving emergency (like if you get invited to dinner at someone's home and you want to bring a gift - or for teachers, etc) and to give anyone who visits our home during the year.  I'll get into this more in a week or two with specifics.

6.  I list decorating, wrapping, homemade gifts and entertaining ideas that I'd like to try sometime and don't want to forget. I forget sometimes.  More often than I used to it seems.

After Christmas:

7.  I record the gifts I received - and from whom.  This helps me be thankful. :)

8.  I record all the bargains I purchase after Christmas at the clearance sales.  Buying hostess/children's gifts at 50-90% off is a budget pleaser!  Love finding great stuff cheap.  And I am especially delighted the following November when I look into the book and see what I already have - ready to wrap and give!

Can you spell T-Y-P-E- A??  I hope that doesn't turn you off.  It's really so freeing to be organized this way.  And so fun to look back through the years and see what everyone was into.

Then I put the book on my Christmas shelf until the next year.  Oh, and my family know that if they dare to look in that book - well, the consequences will be unbearable - take my word for it.

Until next idea....happy planning!!

My New Favorite Word (and a few others)

I have admitted recently that I'm a nerd.  Mostly it's because I've been accused. I love words.  I love reading.  Lots of words.  Lots of reading.  And it makes me giddy.  Guess that makes me a nerd.  No biggie.  I don't mind. I'm ok with it.  People who love reading and love words will understand this post.  Not that you are a nerd too....that's not what I mean...oh nevermind.  Read on.

The word that has captured my attention this morning is resilience.  Thought about that one in a while?  Me either.  Usually when I do it's in the context of something that started out shiny, has become dull, and ultimately shines again...resilient.  Like a kitchen floor or piece of jewelry.

Check out this definition from Merriam Webster Dictionary:  Resilience is an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

That's a totally different ball game.  It speaks to me.  At times change is exciting and we eagerly embrace it.  Like when we graduate high school or college, start our first job, get married or have a baby. But other times it is an unwelcome intruder that interrupts the status quo we've come to expect. After losing her beloved husband of nearly 30 years, a special friend of mine put it this way, "My life reeks of change". Today, this very day, I can identify with misfortune and change. We all can at some level during certain times of our lives, can't we?

What do we do when change and/or misfortune rocks our world?  Well, I could take up your whole day attempting to answer that question because there are myriads of suggestions but right now I'm thinking about resilience.  Can I recover from or adjust easily to that which has interrupted my life?  A better understanding of God's character and sovereignty is certainly the place to start.

Here's the thing.  So many well-meaning friends and family give encouragement and advice based on their empathy and love for us.  We appreciate this and even seek it. I've got to admit though, some of what I've been given recently is tricky to receive.  The reason is because I'm trying to base all of my actions and reactions and thought processes on what the Scripture says about it, about me, and about God.  I'm sure when you've gone through something hard, a change or changes you didn't want, you may have heard some of these things too.  Check it out:

"God doesn't want you to suffer."
"God won't give you more than you can bear."
"God is preparing something better for you."
"Something awesome will come from this experience."

To be honest, these statements have not helped and quite frankly didn't bring the comfort intended. Not because they weren't given by people who love and care - heavens no! - it's just that I'm not sure they are true.

Here's what I mean.  First of all, if God doesn't want us to suffer then what do we do with verses like, "Count it all joy when you suffer trials of many kinds" (James 1:2) and "Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Rom 8:17)?  I want to share in His glory, which means I must share in His sufferings.

As far as God not giving us more than we can bear, this is the verse we apply: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)  I love that verse and have lived it over and over, but girlfriends, that promise is out of context.  If we have a heart that wants to obey, indeed He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.  But we are talking about surviving a season of suffering, not being tempted to sin.

Still with me?

How about this one?  God is preparing something better for you.  Well, indeed in John 14:2 Jesus says, "...I am going there (to my Father's house) to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I'm going."  This is awesome and I look forward to this more than I can say, but it's a future promise about heaven, eternal life. Not necessarily one that's going to help me through the next 24 hours.

Is it fair to say we would like to believe that the next stage of life, when the storm is over, is going to be better?  When I hear that, I wonder... how can we be sure?  Who said?  Where is that written in the Bible?   The truth is, it is not. Many of you know this from experience.  You've had one trial land on top of the other until you're buried underneath.  I have too.

Back some years ago, we entered a season of suffering/wondering where God was and what He was doing with us.  We were living in Michigan far from family when it began.  I discovered the 20 week old baby inside me was no longer alive and I had to deliver him.  Two days after that, Scott came under heavy persecution in his job.  A week later, Scott's parents split up.  Next, we didn't get to buy a house we had hoped for.  Soon after, Scott was unemployed.  Are you ready for more?  We moved in with my parents.  If you've had to do this, you know how fun that is! Finally, Scott got a job, but it wasn't we envisioned him doing and it didn't pay enough.  We moved into a tiny apartment with our then 2 year old son.  I had another miscarriage.  Scott took on a second job.  We rarely saw him during waking hours.  Blah blah blah...you get the picture.

I think I might have punched someone who said "God's got something great for you right around the corner".  It sure didn't look like it to me.  Every time I turned a corner it seemed like bad news was waiting for me.  Let's be honest, sometimes the next thing that comes is not our dream come true.  But our hope is that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isa. 55:8)  He disciplines.  Sometimes He calls us to suffer.  This world is not our home. We mustn't try to find all of our satisfaction here.

Now, I know some of you are thinking of Romans 8:28 and for sure it says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  The 'good' is found in the next verse..."to be conformed to the likeness of His Son."  That is a wonderful promise.  God can work all things into my becoming conformed more to the image of Jesus. I'm counting ont hat!  But t does not mean, that good, according to our estimation of good, comes from all things. 

As I neared my breaking point nearly twenty years ago, a wise mentor lovingly confronted me with this: "I'm worried about you. That you may be becoming bitter."  Yikes, that stung.  My pride was hurt because I would've considered myself a good Christian girl at that point.  It was kind of harsh, but someone needed a wake up call...me (and I'm better for having received it).  Bitter was something I didn't want attached to my resume or reputation, so I knew I had to make some changes.

"We want to believe that the Christian life is all about our comfort and happiness; surely it's never about suffering or working hard or bearing up or being resilient.  It can't be about God's disciplining us or growing us."*  That's small thinking - we must adjust to God's thinking.  "Who are we to think that God should be in the business of relieving our pain, particularly when the pain has significant meaning to us?  He presses us, disciplines us for a season...."* but we would rather skip the lesson and prefer the pleasures of this world.

Get this...Hebrews 12:6 says, "The Lord disciplines the ones He loves."  The truth is "God puts us through more than we can bear.  He does.  Why?  Because after we journey through those places, we learn resilience. There's my favorite word again.  And that resilience brings the ability to joyfully live in the moment despite our circumstances - a holy paradox. He doesn't remove, He brings us through.  We may live ordinary lives, but we are indwelt by an extraordinary God who can bring light from darkness, joy from despair.  He desires that we develop resilience, such a simple, yet powerful trait."*

As I wrap this up, I want to address those of you who are smack dab in the middle of something hard.  I know how dark and difficult this can be to navigate.  I'm living it too but now isn't the time to cower back.  It's important to keep our focus on the One Who is in control of everything and remember His unrelenting love for us. That's where resilience settles onto a life.

Let's not overlook 1 Peter 4:12,13 "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."  Don't be surprised....rejoice!

How?  By focusing on verses like this one:  "But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction." (Job 36:15)  Makes me think of a favorite quote I heard once, "God is better than He has to be."  Yes He is!  He will be with us all the way.

In the meantime, we are all going to suffer, no doubt about it.  The bad news is that we will not all be resilient.  A recent sermon from Andy Stanley comes to mind.  He said something like - whatever difficulty you're going through right now will end.  You will land on solid ground eventually.  When you do, this becomes just a story you will tell.  That's what we all do - tell stories from our lives.  The cool thing is that now we can decide how we want to tell it later and live it so it happens that way.  Can I get a "Wow, that's good."?

"God is our future and our hope.  He is the place we go when this heavy world presses in.  He enables us to grasp that elusive resilience.  He doesn't remove us from pain.  He uses the pain in our lives to discipline us, to make us ready to love Him more and bring more folks to His footstool."*

Now that gives me hope to make it through - not try and go around.  You too? Let's be resilient together. Request and reside in God's presence.  Read His Word (often) and understand the context of His promises.  Believe them.  Cast your cares and burdens on Him.  Trust Him with your heart and future.  Refuse to let your enemy win.

*Everything by MaryDeMuth

Why Journal? Some Steps That Have Worked For Me

 A friend asked me recently what I journal.  How does one get started?  So I thought I'd answer it here in case any of you are considering giving it a whirl. Back about eleven years ago I was a journalling wannabe.  I heard countless women whom I admired teach that one of their secrets to spiritual growth and intimacy with God was journalling.  Well, I'm always up for that!  However, like other disciplines, I found this one hard to begin and was not confident I'd stick with it.  You see, I had tried before but if I didn't follow the unwritten rules of writing in it everyday and recording every detail, it seemed like a fail.  I had plenty of books started.  None consistently finished.

All these years later, I have this collection.

I must have shared this with a friend at some point.  You know like when girlfriends all sit around and confess the things they stink at and the others laugh and say, "me too"!  While on a women's retreat soon after, this friend presented me with a beautiful hardcover blank paged book (see pic on left) and said, "Start writing".  I loved the look of the book so much (I can be enamored with the superficial from time to time) that I took the challenge.


I guess I also have believed the notion that the more times you review something the better you remember it.  So, if I write something down that I've heard or read or lived, the chances of it staying with me longer than that moment is significantly increased.  It's true.  And I can go back and review as desired.  I can measure growth.  I can be reminded of all that I have to be thankful for.  I can remember the Lord's faithfulness and trace His hand and footprints through every area that I've recorded.  It's a good thing.  I recommend it.  A discipline?  Sure.  Hard?  Maybe at first.  But it is definitely valuable and worth your time.  Try it and see. There's lots of ways to journal, not just one and I'll venture to say I don't think there's a wrong way. 

Sometimes it's not easy to remain consistent because of the actual content and experience of your life situation.  Trust me, I've lived this one.  Not only did I give this blog a break for some weeks this Fall, but I also laid my personal journal aside. That's kind of a big deal.  I find joy from jotting down my thoughts. It sort of gives validation somehow.  I don't do it everyday but I try to record the highlights of my life a few times per week.  I write the good and the bad.  The failures and the successes.  I write prayers.  I copy quotes.  I jot what makes me laugh and what makes me cry.  I write how I feel God has spoken to me as I read His Word and pray.  Mostly I write what I don't want to forget.

So naturally, when I take a break there are gaps in the storyline.  Many significant events of the last weeks remain unrecorded.  Sometimes the pain is too deep to write down because it requires a re-living of sorts and quite frankly, I haven't wanted to.

That said, something else has been missing.  A big space not filled.  Like a piece of me is not being used or nurtured.  Like I might unknowingly be holding part of myself back from God.  Not good.  I sensed God's nudge the other day to get out my latest pretty book and continue. I was nervous and a little gun-shy.  I didn't look behind me and record the past but started with that very moment.  (No rules in journalling - write how you feel led to.)  Surprise surprise!  I wasn't that rusty after all.  I sat for over an hour and the pen flowed freely.  I felt invigorated (again).

I was going to share here some of what showed up on the page that day but this post is getting way too long and I know some of you prefer bullet points!  Paragraphs can be too cumbersome.  So, I think I'll wait and save that for another day and another post...like tomorrow or the next day.  Deal?  Will you come back?  I hope so.

In the meantime, if you want, head on out to a bookstore or giftshop.  You'll find an awesome assortment of beautiful empty books.  One will suit your personality.  (Kind of like my favorite commercial by Pier 1 Imports: "Find what speaks to you."  Haha!  Cracks me up everytime.You can watch it here.  Sorry about that little detour.)  Find a cozy spot in your home in a comfy chair, get a cup of hot coffee or just go camp out at Starbucks, and quietly begin to write your thoughts.  A little or a lot.  No matter.  You'll get the hang of it.

One last thing, often what I write I wouldn't want anyone else to read but other times I have in the back of my mind that one day my husband and children and perhaps grandchildren may read these volumes.  That sort of excites me. I can leave a record of God's faithfulness to them that might shed some light on their journey of life and point them to God should they lose their way.  Not a bad heritage to pass down, do you think?

P.S. Today is Thursday, November 1st.  Three weeks until Thanksgiving Day.  Why not start or resume your journal with all you are thankful for?