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Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Luke's Legs

Luke has a hereditary Protein C deficiency that makes him susceptible to blood clots.  He has had a number of them in the past, but one in particular has given him trouble in his leg.  It has recently led to an ulcer that will simply not heal because of the lack of blood flow to that are of his leg.  So he went in for surgery yesterday, and it was rough, to say the least.

The doctor said it was basically the most complicated and difficult vein reconstruction he had ever seen.  They typically work on two or three veins at a time, but he had to stop at five veins because the body had already undergone so much trauma.  Also, pain medication doesn't affect someone of his size the way it does the rest of us.

He is home in bed and I am taking good care of the patient.  We are praying for a speedy recovery and that things go better in two weeks when he goes back for work on the other leg.  We know that we love a mighty God that is the healer of all things and we have entrusted this situation to Him.  Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Way God Speaks to Us

First of all, yes- God spoke to me.  Little old me.  And I don't think I have ever heard anything quite so clear.  Secondly, I do not tell this story to pat myself on the back, say "yeah me," or act like I am a perfect servant of Christ.  Because I am not.

With that said, here is my story of how God spoke to me last week. 

It was Thursday after work, on my way home, which given my new schedule puts me about 2 miles from the house around 6:25pm.  I was talking to my friend Anna about a wedding shower I am helping some girls host for one of our sorority sisters, Melissa (who also happens to be one of my favorite peeps- and if she had a blog, I would totally link it here because it would be hil.ar.i.ous! But she doesn't, oh well).  I knew there was this meeting at my campus church from 6-8 called "Vision." 

It was supposed to be for those people who had expressed interest in leading a small group for the Fall semester.  Someone had asked me to host a group of women at my house to clip coupons one night a week, nothing major.  I love pretending to be Betty Crocker and Sara Lee, so why not.  I agreed.  But the small group leader training would take place on Sunday mornings, and when I am not attending the worship service, I am serving in the Nursery/ Preschool.  So a Thursday night meeting really did fit my schedule best.

One more thing before I return to my story is that I drive by my campus church every day.  You can't really leave my house and go anywhere without passing it.  On the way to work.  On the way home.  Even to the grocery.  There it is.  Pass it all the time.  Nothing new here.

So I'm driving home, talking to my friend Anna, and started to think that I was too tired for the meeting... I could attend another night... It started at 6 and it was already 6:30... I didn't want to walk in late... No one would even know that I wasn't there.  Excuses, I know, but I was laying them out left and right.  And then I got closer to the church.  It was approaching on the right, and I planned to pass it right up.  Just like I do all the time.

But the Lord had different plans.  He spoke to me and told me not to pass it up.  Clear as day.  "Gini, don't pass up the church."  So, I pulled in the parking lot (still on the phone), sat there for a minute, then turned the ignition off, and walked inside.  I finally hung up the phone walking down the hall as I was deafened by the sound of what seemed like a hundred screaming kids.  I planned on passing them as well and heading into the auditorium, but somehow I ended up opening up the Nursery room door and asking the other ladies if they needed some help.

Do you ever drive somewhere, but then when you think back you can't really remember the ride over?  No, well at least humor me.  Because, really, that happens to me all.the.time.  Probably because I always have so much on my mind and I take driving time as a way to escape and talk to the Lord in prayer.  So anyway, that's how I felt.  Like I had arrived somewhere with no recollection of the journey.

But I have no doubt in my mind that it was God at work in my life.  He did not ever intend for me to attend the meeting.  His purpose for me not passing church and actually pulling into the parking lot was to serve Him... Allowing those parents to attend the meeting while their children were being cared for.  Those parents may make the choice to lead a small group this fall and help bring people to Christ. 

I think that is why He spoke to me and told me to pull in the parking lot.  And I think it was Him who led me down the Nursery hallway and through the door.  His purpose for me was not to attend the meeting, but to serve Him so that others could.

Some people things things happen for a reason, but I believe things happen for His reason.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Mommy Fail: Earthly vs. Eternal

I would like to be the kind of mom that always has everything together.  We all would like to never forget the cupcakes for church small group, the team t-shirt for Highlands Kids, to bring a meal to the family with a new baby, and the list goes on.  But I have come to find, that with two girls this Summer, I don't have my stuff together.  I just don't.  At least not as much as I would like to.

On the first Wednesday night of each month, Highlands does a baby dedication with the family of these new precious angels, giving and dedicating their lives to the Lord.  I had been waiting for July 7th since Claire was born.  It would be the only first Wednesday of the month that we would have Bella with us until Claire would be nearing 18 months old.  We would go up on stage- as a family, the four of us- and dedicate Claire to Christ.

Well two nights ago I walked into the Wednesday night service, running late of course, to see that baby dedication taking place.  Only, I was not on stage with my girls and their father.  I was standing in the auditorium doorway sobbing.  Mommy fail.

How could I forget?  How could I let this slip my mind.  I had remembered to pack flossing sticks for Bella because the string is too hard for her when she went to my in-laws the night before, but I had forgotten the night I had anticipated for nearly nine months!

I just.broke.down.  Saying to myself that these girls deserve a mother who remembers these sorts of things.  Not the one that remembers the Highlands Kids blue team is behind, needs every point they can get and remembers to grab the blue team t-shirt.  But they deserve the kind of mother who doesn't forget the single day in a year when her family would be together for this oh-so important night.

Not the one who let her husband do the dishes because he knew it needed to be done despite the fact it would make us late. But the kind of mother who lets dirty dishes lie because some things (church included) are more important than clean sinks. Mommy fail.

If I would have remembered.  If we would have been on time, we could have just joined the other new parents and babies up there at the last minute.  I was sobbing.  I have failed as a mother.

Luke had no idea what to do.  He had no idea that this was the only first Wednesday of the month we would have Bella.  I'm not even sure he knew baby dedications only took place on the first Wednesday night of the month or had calculated that this was the one and only for us this year to all be together.  These are the things moms are supposed to know, and moms are supposed to remember.  Mommy fail.

He just held me.  Let me cry.  And then an usher led us to two seats in the far-right upper balcony, because that's all that's left when you get there late.  I cried through worship.  I cried through prayer time.  I'm about to cry just tapping this out.  I will likely be dedicating my baby without her big sister.  Mommy fail.

Alot of people have been telling me lately how "together" I have everything.  Unpacking and repacking for all of these trips.  Never letting the ball drop on a home-cooked meal or at work.  Remembering birthdays, anniversaries, making all the appropriate phone calls and never forgetting to send a card.

Well, I don't have it together.  Not where it counts, and that is about to change.  Never again will I let Earthly things get in the way of Eternal things.  Never. 

So God, was this was the lesson you wanted to teach me?  If so, well done Teacher.  Mission accomplished.  I get it now.  Point taken.

I have been trying really hard lately to have it together.  I mean, really!  To maintain some semblance of a home, excel and move up at work, while finding time to watch my girls grow.  But I have let the idea of having the Earthly things "together" take over, and that is not what's important.

Would I have loved to dedicate Claire to the Lord with her big sister there? Yes.  Would I have loved Bella to be on stage in front of the church that has prayed so long and hard for her sweet, and recently saved, soul?  Of course.  Would I have liked to have been seen as the ideal family of four with a house and a dog and a mom who has it all together?  Well, that doesn't seem so important anymore, does it?

No folks.  It's the Eternal, not the Earthly.

It's okay to want Earthly things (though we've already talked about contentment).  But go after the Eternal.  Don't sob through worship- Raise you arms, clap your hands, sing louder than the person next to you.  Don't sob through prayer time- Get you hiney down there, find a prayer team member, and let them believe with you in prayer, even if you're not sure what you actually need prayer for.

It was a Mommy Fail.  I had failed my girls as a mom in teaching them the importance of the Eternal over the Earthly. 

But I am back, realigned and refocused.  And the devil should be scared!

PS. Thanks, God.  I now know I needed that lesson.  Even if the people sitting in front of us were a bit weirded out by my sobbing.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Home With Jesus

Today, my sweet Grammie went home.  I knew this was coming, but it still hurts.  I hate that my girls won't know her, her sweet smile, her amazing banana bread, her witty attitude and love of life.  I hate that my mom and dad are in such pain right now, and I just pray for peace over them.

We all know she is resting now and no longer in pain.  We all know that she is in Heaven with my Grandfather and with the Lord.  But it still hurts.  I am so thankful for three days of bereavment leave at work, since I've only been at my job for four months and have barely any vacation time built up.

It looks like the wake will be Wednesday night and the funeral on Thursday.  Claire and I will go to Huntsville, but Luke will stay here with Bella.

But something wonderful did happen today, and I can't wait to tell you all about it.  As soon as I can type more clearly through the tears.  Please keep my whole family in your prayers during this really difficult time.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Contentment

I'm going to start this with a disclaimer.  Okay two.  First, my faith- our family's faith- is priority number one.  Hasn't always been the case, but it is now.  If you don't know it by now, we love our church.  Love is an understatement.  It is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me.  (Yes, my salvation is better than Luke and my girls.  You may disagree, but this disclaimer is getting long-winded- no surprise, huh?)  Second, I don't claim to be a money expert or a life coach.  If you have questions about this post, please leave a comment or find the link down to the right to email me.  Ok, here goes...

Don't we all wish we were content with our lives?  Sunday's message at church was the third in a Q&A series (which I love) where our pastors are addressing questions that the church had submitted over the past few months. One of those questions was about desiring to be rich.

Is it wrong? Doesn't everyone want to be more wealthy than they already are? Is it bad to want a nicer car or bigger house or live in the better part of town?  Doesn't the church want us to have more money so we can give more money? Here is the answer- and I love that it comes directly from God's word.

I Timothy 6: 6-10 (NIV) says...

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

So "godliness with contentment is great gain."  I think that is a great answer!  Those people who spend their paychecks on lottery tickets and gambling (I know this is a touchy subject in Alabama and I'll address it at some point if I have time) ... but don't those sound like the people "who want to get rich" and "fall into temptation" and "into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction" ??  I don't know about you, but I pray that I never desire wealth to the point of falling into temptation that will ruin my life.

And I love verse 10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."  Isn't that so true.  How many homicides have you read about in the paper that were the result of robberies, some over as little as $10!  What is the leading cause of divorce in our country?  Money.  Money problems and money fights.  People desire money and wealth so much that their relationships and marriages suffer.

Have you seen the TLC show "The Lottery Changed My Life" ??  Very few of those stories come out with happy endings.  People no longer speak to their friends because they wouldn't share the winnings.  People killed by their family so as to inherit the winnings.  People losing their homes and everything they own because they weren't prepared to handle their winnings.

I'll admit we buy a scratch off ticket every now and then when we are driving through Tennessee or Georgia.  And while we wouldn't turn down any winnings that may result (which we would more than likely use to pay down our debt, not go crazy with a vacation or new car or anything), I think you know that's not what I'm talking about.

And for the part about the church wanting us to have more so we can give more, Highlands says... "We will never ask you to give.  We only ask you to ask God.  Follow His direction and give according to His will."

As for us, we do tithe.  And we tithe 10%.  It's what the Bible asks of us, and until we feel led to give differently, that's what we'll do.  Sometimes it's hard.  When I was laid off, it was really hard.  We weren't sure if we'd have enough money at the end of the month.  But we never doubted our continued decision to tithe.  We always knew that God would take care of us.  And there were times that we shouldn't have had any money left at the end of the month, but we did.  And we were content with no dates or dinners out to eat.  We knew that God's plan for us was greater than anything we could imagine.

Along those same lines of contentment, Pastor Billy Hornsby (who is Pastor Chris's father-in-law and an amazing communicator) spoke about being content with the season of life you are in. Don't be in a hurry to get married because all of your friends are engaged.  Don't rush into children just because you don't want to get left behind.  Be content in your season of life.  You may never be in this season again.

For Luke and I, we went from engaged straight to a family.  Literally.  We got married in June of 2007 and had Bella sleeping in between us for our first two months as husband and wife.  We never really had the "just us" time.  Hopefully we'll live long enough to see our children grown and creating their own lives and we may just get that "empty nest."

But being content doesn't mean that you can't want or pray for things.  The Bible says that we should be specific in our prayer.  Although the Lord knows the desires of your heart before you speak them, you can ask for things.

When we decided to ditch the birth control and try for a baby, it was a decision we made together and one we reached after much consideration and prayer.  Not because we weren't content with our lives.  But because we wanted to expand our family and raise godly children.  Thankfully, the Lord answered our prayers when He gave us Claire.

And we continue to pray for things.  Big and small.  But instead of praying for a pay raise or to come into some money, we pray to be provided for.  God is our provider, so ask Him to provide for your family.  That doesn't mean that you aren't content with your salary or the things you have.  But don't let those greater desires consume your life. 

If you feel like you have been worrying about money, make the decision to be content with that, knowing that God will take care of you, and pray for provision in the form of new friends or mentors.  Pray for more time to spend with people you love.  Pray for the opportunity to minister to someone and share the Gospel.  God provides many things to us, not just money or wealth.  Before you know it, your heart is lighter, free from that money worry.

Ever heard the saying "can't take it with you when you go" ??  That's how we are living.  Things we have now are just earthly things.  And our reward in Heaven is greater than anything here.  Focus on what's really important.

So I'll step down from my soap box.  (But I may get back up soon.  I'm letting a few things brew in my mind about debt, but we'll see.)  It was incredibly difficult for me to hit "publish" on this one, but I feel like it's something I needed to put out there.  What about you?  Do you feel content with your life and what you have?  What are content with but still praying for?