Die Empty

Imagine the day when someone (a relative, a friend, a stranger) comes in to your home and touches every single, solitary piece of paper that you have ever filed (or piled), every trinket you ever collected, every piece of furniture you dusted, every item of clothing and pair of shoes you wore (or never did wear), every journal you wrote, every picture you framed or put in albums or stashed in a box, EVERYTHING and decides what happens to it all. Eventually that day will come! It is not something we spend a lot of time thinking about…perhaps it crosses our minds periodically but we quickly dismiss it and act as if it doesn’t affect what we do now. Today.
 

There will come a time when someone WILL make the decision on everything you own, hoard, collect, etc. They will determine whether (1) to keep it. (2) Sell it. (3) Give it away—and to whom? To Goodwill? To a child? To a grandchild? To a friend? Or (4) throw it away.

Some of the decisions will be difficult and heart wrenching, others will be easy. Some decisions will lead to tears, others to laughter. Some will wonder why in the world you kept “it” in the first place, others will wonder how it could have lasted so long. Some decisions will take a very long time as they read what you wrote and look at your pictures, others will not take long at all. Regardless of the time it takes or the emotions that surface….the task must be done. Everything we own will be touched and a judgment will be made as to what should happen to it.

Why do I bring all of this up? Why am I asking us to ponder this? Honestly, for many reasons!! But for one....because I often “count what doesn’t count” and I forget to “count my days so my days will count”!! Because as David says in Psalm 39, my time on earth will be brief!! My days are numbered!! My life is no longer than the width of my hand and my entire lifetime is just a moment….a breath!! What am I focusing on? What I have or don’t have? What I want and/or think I need? Stuff? Trials? Or am I focusing on relationships? Memories? Eternity?

We get what we go after…Oh Lord, make what I go after matter!! Help me to count my days while I still have days to count!! Help me to die empty!!! Help me to do "that" now and not wait! Help me to say "that" now and not wait! Become "that" now! Love them now!! I don't want to wait and still have love or works or words left!! I want to die empty!!

Thank you Tara for switching blog weeks with me so that I could move my dad into a long-term care facility….touching everything he and my mom had….making decisions about each one….

A Free Opportunity for Ministers Wives from LifeWay

See information below.  Hurry, it ends on Tuesday.

Great blog post on Cindy Winters and Between Us ticket give away as well as Cindy's book.  http://blog.lifeway.com/womenallaccess/2013/07/26/free-friday-between-us/

 

Are you a minister's wife? Or do you love a minister's wife? Check out this neat opportunity → http://t.co/AaFqHmb1rl


Lana

Blogging, Blog Following, Blog Reader

Obviously, if you have been a long time follower of this blog, or have just recently found us, you are a Blog Reader . . .

I must confess, I am not an avid Blog Reader. I follow ours of course and will peak in on a blog that I see circulating around FaceBook. But, there aren't any that I never miss.

One of my girlfriends, Jessica, has several that she never misses a new post on. The other night, she another friend, Courtney, were discussing some of their favorites, when I walked up on their conversation. Courtney was disclosing that she was feeling led to start a blog and Jessica was encouraging her, that she had a lot to say and could say it in a way that would make want people want to "follow" her online. We discussed purposes and names. When we parted ways that evening, I knew it wouldn't be long until the debut of Courtney's online presence in the world of blogging.

Now, I have another blog to follow. . .

Courtney is a minister's wife here in Clarksville. She is the mother of a just-turned two year old and has a very real approach to her blog. She wants to be transparent as she seeks to apply Biblical truth and depth to her everyday life. She is honest. She is open. She is definitely worth reading.

Here is a link to her blog: She Smiles at Tomorrow - Seeing Christ. Finding Hope

So, fellow Blog Reader and Follower, what other blogs, (besides ours!) do you follow? Do you write one yourself? If so, where can we find it? Use the comment option to let us know what else you are reading.

One Way

Ladies, I know many women today face this same struggle. We have long to-do lists and way too many hats to wear. We use a variety of organizational tools an gadgets to attempt to keep "it" all together.

One of my daily prayers is that God would make me a good steward of all the blessings He has given me. This prayer includes our family's finances, home, and relationships, as well as my time. I recognize each day as a gift from God. He never promises me tomorrow and I know that each breath He gives me is a showing of His grace.

This morning, in my devotional time, I was confronted with this verse:

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul."
-Psalm 143:8

One word stood out to me like it never had before. The word that just stuck with me was the word "way."

I have so many "ways" I feel like I need to go each and every day. There are so many things I feel like I need to get done and be for so many people. I often ask God to set my priorities to help me get everything on my endless lists taken care of.

This morning it was as if God said "Stop. You are trying to go in too many different ways. Just follow me and I will let you know the one way you should go. I've got the rest."

How freeing! One way. His way.

I needed this this morning and thought maybe someone else did too.  

Away Here In Tennessee

I love living in the great state of Tennessee.

My mother was born near Knoxville, but at age three, she and my grandparents followed the available jobs to the Buckeye State of Ohio. My granddad worked on an automobile assembly line for over 30 years until his retirement, but he and my grandmother always considered East Tennessee home.

God brought me here to the Volunteer State after finishing my freshman year of college on summer missions. I never imagined that I would fall in love with the south and with the people of Tennessee. I literally married me a Tennessee boy and, though we have ministered in other states, we are so thankful that we have had this season to call Clarksville, Tennessee home.

This summer I have vacationed a little in Florida and visited family in Ohio, but there is something about hitting that state line and seeing the sign that just seems to have been put there to welcome me back to Tennessee.

This last weekend we traveled across the plateau and spent four wonderful nights and 5 great days in the Pigeon Forge area. If you have had the opportunity to spend ANY time in the Smokey Mountains, you don't need me to try and describe the great beauty and scenic displays of God's creative genius that surround the area.

We have made this trip annually for several years now. We stay with the same sweet family in the same cabin and share the same slow, easy-going pace. We have come to look forward to the respite and become dependent on this getaway.

Spiritually, this has been good for both my husband and for me. Just to get away, to get out-of-town, to be "unplugged." We sleep in, eat what we want and breath the mountain air deeply. We didn't spend a large amount of time in prayer or Bible study, but were constantly reminded of His provision, goodness and grace whether it was in majestic displays of rainbows over the mountains after a summer rain or in the blue tailed salamander that scurried down the sidewalk at the outlet mall. We found Him in our girls' laughter and in each other's arms.

My husband has always jokingly -yet seriously too, referred to Tennessee as the Promised Land. It has been in many ways for us. Part of that is being able to get away and be refreshed here in the beautiful state we love and call home.

As ministering families, we NEED this. We need to plan to get away and be refreshed. What kind of plans have you and your family made? Have you gotten away? Have you found a perfect retreat for you and yours here in the Volunteer State? Please share your special place, it may just be someplace that another one of us is close enough to to steal away to, to get away here in Tennessee.

Doodles

Last week I went Shreveport to spend a few days with my brother and his family and to visit my dad.  My college age niece was home as well.  One night as I was passing her bedroom I noticed a painting on her bed.  I entered the room and asked if I could get a closer look.  The details of the painting were impressive.  She then took out several other paintings she had done and I stood in awe.  Colors, details, shading, and creativeness oozed from the artwork. 

Later in my room I began to think of all the talented people in my family.  My dad, mom, brother, niece, oldest son and his wife, and my cousin can draw and paint well.  I thought to myself, “Where is my talent?  Why can’t I paint and draw like so many in my family?”  You see when I look at a blank canvas I literally see nothing.  Where people see 3D I see in one dimension.  I took art classes but shading and color scheme just did not click in my blonde brain.  Sometimes I think my only talent is eating chocolate.

Ministry is like a blank canvas.  Just like an artist doodles or splashes paint on a canvas to get an idea, sometimes we try different ideas until God gives us a glimpse of a bigger picture.  We have to “doodle” with an idea such as which direction children or youth ministry should go,  how to more effective reaching young adults, or should the church build more space.  Sometimes the process is slow and sometimes you must rethink your idea.  However, I firmly believe when you allow God to be actively involved in your ministry He will take the “doodles” and create a masterpiece.

 

Hmm, I wonder if God “doodled” His idea when He was creating me.

 

Seeking God’s Strength

As I write this blog, I am asking God for strength today.  A dear family member is facing some uncertainties.   We are all praying that God will provide our family with the strength we need to face this situation with grace and confidence.

 God has been gracious to my family many times over the years.  Last year was a lesson in His strength as we walked through the valley of death with my mom and then dealt with my dad’s health issues.  So many times God simply had to carry us through the day because we did not have the strength to make it.

 Maybe I am being silly here but I find it very hard to admit that sometimes I want to question why God does the things He does in our lives.  My family is a strong Christian family.  In our family we have deacons, pastors, missionaries, faithful church members, and even those who are dealing with the call to ministry.  Why should WE have to go through struggles?  Then God in His mercy and grace reminds me that no one escapes the struggles of this life.  His very own son, Jesus, suffered and faced uncertainties.  Jesus even prayed for strength as He faced his final hours.

 So girlfriends, I am asking that you pray for my family right now.  My heart is heavy for this precious family member.  We need our Heavenly Father’s strength and wisdom as we face what lies ahead.

 

How has God strengthened you during a difficult time?