Blooming Out of Season

I went on a short walk with my dog today, and noticed that all the flowering plants were blooming. It's barely February. It is winter. It is defiantly NOT time for flowers to be blooming. Blooming they are,though- and with gusto. It of course got me thinking. A common phrase I have heard in Christian circles is "bloom where you are planted". When I got this lesson, I didn't appreciate it because I was not happy where I was, nor accepting that it was where I had to be. Fast forward 17 years. I'm still here. I am not flourishing, but I am also trying to do my best to accept the fact that I live somewhere I don't want to. Here comes the next kicker...sometimes you gotta bloom out of season. When you remarry, you put the cart before the horse. The bloom of first marriage has long since faded, or been trampled on. The newness of a baby gets replaced by the reality of grown kids. Instead of spring, welcome to late summer. Or even fall. We come into a new marriage full of hope and love and rainbows and unicorns. Then the scalding barrenness of summer fries us around the edges a bit. It's a lot harder to be dropped into the middle of a hot summer when you want to enjoy the tender beauty of spring. It's a lot to deal with - kids who are not happy to be a part of a family they didn't ask for. Shifting orders of priority and birth order in the new family. The divorced parent being out of the picture, or constantly muddying the waters. Sometimes it's all you can do to survive the early years of remarriage. It's a time where you have to make sure you feed yourself and each other the Word, when you have to concentrate on being stable and letting roots grow. Sometimes, though, you need to bloom out of season. It's that extra effort. It's reaching down deep, finding that kernel of hope, and forcing the bloom. It's choosing to take a chance on being that vulnerability out in you, even if it's cold outside. Because blooming out of season brings fresh hope. It reminds us that spring is still there. It brings a smile to our face as we behold the beauty of our Creator, and what we are capable of. So go ahead. Take that tired, dormant heart and hand it over to God. Let Him shine His light of love and hope on it. And bloom, baby! LS

In Praise of the Gentleman

Today is the first day of November. I'm going to spend the month concentrating on being thankful, and on helping others. I'm immensely grateful that my husband is a true gentleman. I think that I get my true appreciation for it from my childhood example, my dad. Daddy was always a gentleman - he walked the walk in honoring his wife. And he still does. He expected us to respect my mother. He wouldn't tolerate anything else. He taught me manners, how to act like a lady - and expected me to behave like a lady. This was the example I had. And have. My husband has been a gentleman with me - he's the guy that opens the doors for me, car doors and any other door. He puts me first. He makes sure I order first at restaurants. When I see men ignore their wives and girlfriends, walking far in front of them and going in places without a glance back, I am glad my husband is always mindful of my needs. He doesn't have to treat me this way - he chooses to. I've been treated a lot worse by some real Neanderthals. I am thankful for a servant leader, gentleman spouse. LS

Mother's Day

It's 1am and I'm wide awake. 

It reminds me of times I was wide awake at this hour, and not because of insomnia. 

When I was 18, I was a naive young  mom to a new baby, awake and nursing my new son. Having my firstborn changed me from a teen into a mom. Now he's a great person, the image of his long deceased father, and he fills my heart with joy. He's talented, charismatic, and Called. 

When I was 28, I was awake with my middle son - trying to study for nursing school the only time I could. This kid would. Not. Sleep! He'd peek his head around the corner, grinning. He's still smiling - he is an extremely positive child. He lifts me up every time I see or talk to him!

When I was 35,  I was a single mom. I was awake doing what turned into seven years of night shifts. Yet every time my tired self hit the bed, I'd wake up to my precious blonde daughter, sprawled across me. She's a firecracker, a go getter, and the world better watch out because she's gonna make an impact! She keeps me real!

Nine and a half years ago I met the two  kids who would be enveloped into my army of children. They have expanded my heart as well as my home. They have challenged and humbled me. 

Three years ago I was awake wondering why I had to I give a child back to God. Those weeks of anticipation were exciting and miraculous. That pregnancy made me more compassionate...and infinitely more tender. 

Last year I reconnected stronger than ever with my brother's son, re-enfolding him into my brood, years after carting him around as one of my own. He's my son, too. 

My kids lives are expanding with two spouses I love, as well as a grand baby from my brother's son. 

My life is full.

At one a.m. on this Mother's Day in this quiet, empty house, my heart is full, too. 

I am blessed among women, indeed. 

LS

Help Is On The Way

I was reading my Bible last night, and came upon a passage in Daniel that reminded me of a rough patch in the past...and gave me hope for the one I am going through currently.

Do you ever fell like your prayers go unanswered? Or that God is for some reason withholding from you? 

There are times that I am dedicated to sincere, heartfelt prayer - and I'm not too vain to say that these times are often concurrent with a rather difficult trial. I want help/answers/relief, and I want it now!

After all, who likes to suffer?

I don't know why sometimes we get our prayers answered as almost as soon as they pass our lips, and sometimes it takes a while. A long while. 

It is not my job to know. Got is omniscient - He is all knowing. I certainly wouldn't want to be in charge of everything. Believe me, I try to handle it, but I quickly find that letting go was easier than holding on. 

So, back to the Daniel story. 

In Daniel chapter 10:10-14, Daniel had a visitor. Earlier in the chapter, to set up the story, Daniel explained in vs. 2-3 that "In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

Daniel was at his lowest low, and he prayed, and fasted, and had great devotion to God. He also was very disciplined! By human standards, one would think his answer and relief would be immediate. 

It wasn't. 

That brings us back to vs. 10-14. Look at this:

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

Verse 12 is SO KEY! As soon as Daniel humbled humbled himself, his prayers were heard and answered IMMEDIATELY!

There was great spiritual warfare, though, and the forces of heaven joined to reach Daniel and encourage him.

I had a Pastor once tell me the Spiritual realm is much more real than the physical one - we go by the physical one because it's what we can understand with our physical senses. 

 It is so important to press into the Word, and to pray, because it puts our focus back on the Spiritual - we may not understand, but He does, and He will comfort us, assure us, strengthen us, and give us hope. 

If you are not getting immediate answers to your prayers, humble yourself.  

Then, realize there could be a lot going on behind the scenes in your behalf!

LAS

Trust

Trust. 

Anyone who has been betrayed or been let down by people in their lives, especially in a major way such as with infidelity, abuse, or divorce , will flinch at the word trust. 

It is so, SO essential to healing, though. 

There's a moot caveat, though. Your trust must be in God. 

Step one! Are you mad at God? Disappointed at Him? Can't believe where you are or what you are dealing with? 

He says "Trust Me."

Don't for a second get involved with another human being romantically until you have dealt with this issue, because it is so all-encompassing. 

Cry out to Him - or yell at Him...but talk to Him. Just put it all out on the table. 

Search your heart - what do you need to confess? Where are you hurting? Lay it on Him. He can take it. 

Then, if you aren't doing it already, talk to Him daily, and read the Bible.  Don't have a Bible? Email us back. Find the Word and read it. It's alive, it's His loving and living epistle to us. 

Now you've set the ground work for trusting Him. You put the former things aside, you confessed your sins, you opened up. 

It's hard. The reality me though, is this - He has never let you down, He has never forsaken you. Even when we are sinners, He knows the entire path of our life. Nothing surprises Him.

Why am I in this mess, you may ask. He will show you- but you have to have an open heart. 

Often, we don't get the answers we seek.  

Trust Him.

It's another thing you have to apply on your life - like forgiveness. It may be a foreign subject to you. You may have put all your trust in an idea. A person. A family. 

Ultimately, people are people and will let you down - just as you have let others down...even let yourself down. Reference back to forgiveness. 

If you are repentant, humble,many trusting God...that means that no matter what the circumstances are saying, no matter how people are responding to you, no matter what- you trust that He knows. HE cares. He is omnipotent, all powerful, and He will take care of you. 

It's a relationship with God. He wants to hear from us.  He wants to heal us. He wants us to grow, so we can make disciples, and help heal others. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not upon your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."

If we lean on what we know, we are going off past hurts, and what we see and feel. When we trust God with all our hearts, the all knowing, all seeing God takes into consideration all that we don't know. And that's a lot! 

Joshua 1:9 have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever You go.

Psalms 9:10 and they that know your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken them that seek You. 

Psalms 20:7 some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 

Proverbs 28:26 he that trusts his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely, He shall be delivered. 

Look up "trust" in a  Bible concordance- there are many, many more verses!

Heading Upstream

I was recently fly fishing in a river out west.  This was my first time fly fishing, and my cousin and I had a guide to show us the way.  It was a beautiful day, and the river was low - we had our waders on, along with the other gear necessary.

As I stepped into the river, I was secluded in a nook, and as long as I stood there, I was fine.  If I stepped outside that little sheltered cove, the river- though low - would start pulling me down.  So I fished there for a while.

After some time, the guide asked if we were willing to ford the river to fish the tributaries on the other side.  I was willing, as was my cousin, and so we went.  We had to go upstream - the guide was on the leading edge, and my cousin was on the other side of me.  We locked arms, and started our careful journey across.

The guide had done it many times before, and knew the dangers in crossing the river.  We held on tighter as we moved into the deeper water, placing our feet carefully and circumspectly as the river rocks were slick and uneven.  As the water deepened to our waist, the force of the river intensified.  Each time I lifted my foot, the river would sweep it back.  It took great concentration to work together to make it across the river. 

Eventually, we were on the other side, all intact, ready for the next adventure.

I didn't have to wait long.

Buoyed by my success at crossing the big river, the guide and I now went to ford the smaller branch.  I boldly took the leading edge, and we crossed arms and began to move across.  Even though this branch of the river was smaller, the waters were still swift and the rocks were still slick.  Overconfident, my foot was not placed on a solid footing, and I found myself slipping.  Laughing, I went into the river - taking the guide with me - and found the back of my waders filling with ice cold mountain water.  We were laughing so hard, it was hard to get back up, but working together, we did manage to get up and move across to the bank. I took my waders off, dumping out at least a gallon of ice cold water, and putting them back on over my drenched feet and legs.  

Heading back as the day ended, I let the guide lead, and I took my time.  Fording the big river, we three crossed slowly and quietly, reminded of the force that could carry us away. 

We are all heading upstream.

If you are a professing Christian, never more has it been more apparent than now that we are in a hostile environment.  Land minds are everywhere, and we have to watch our step.  As a separated or divorced Christian, the world may look alluring - and we do live here, after all. But the Bible says we are to be in the world, but not OF the world. 

John 17:14-15New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

When I was with my guide and my cousin, I was in the river, but not a part of it.  I had my protection, my guide, my family, and we let the guide lead us.  When I tried to do it myself, albeit with the guide behind me, I landed in the river.

It's easy to get into trouble.  I didn't even have to let go of the guide and I still went down into the river.  If I had tried to go by myself, disaster would have surely ensued. 

It's easy to get overconfident in the times that things go well.  But remember 

"1 Peter 5:8New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because^[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. "

Let the Word and the Lord be your guide - hold on tight, let Him lead, never let go.  

Stick close to the Body of Christ, the family - let them hold you up, encourage and exhort you, and exhort and encourage one another.

We can make it upstream - but we have to do it together.

LS

Come, Just As You Are...But Don't Stay That Way

There is a term I learned back in my charismatic days of my youth. 

"Greasy Grace"

Basically it's using the grace of God to stay stagnant in your sinful state. The grace of God covers us - but not without a price. 

Grace is often described as God's unmerited favor. We can't do anything to gain it - or lose it. 

This is not an excuse to live like you want. 

Becoming a Christian means striving daily to be more like Christ. 

How do you do this?

Luke 9:23 "Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Christ carried His cross to Golgotha - and died on it. 

Died for all who would follow Him. Making that initial choice means taking up your cross...and choosing to die. Every day. 

Die to what? Well let me give you the list of what I have to die to daily. At least one, if not several, of the sins listed below. My spirit follows God - but every day there is a battle against the flesh, which looks like this:

The Seven Deadly Sins:

Lust (Matthew 5:28)

Gluttony (Proverbs 15:19)

Greed (Ephesians 4:19)

Laziness (Proverbs 15:19)

Wrath (Proverbs 15:1)

Envy (1 Peter 2:1-2)

Pride (Proverbs 16:18)

Every. Single. Day. 

Yeah, God loves me. But He HATES sin! Sin separates me from God! 

No one talks about sin. It's not PC. 

If you're going to follow Him, you have to deal with it. 

Not anyone else's. It's easy to point at the speck in someone else's eye and ignore the plank in your own. (Matthew 7:1-7)

The closer I get to God, the more my flesh rebels. The more I realize "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). 

So pardon me while I take my cross up. While I work on me. 

I don't intend to be the same tomorrow. 

One day at a time. Until He brings me home...

LS