Tuesday, June 24, 2008

From Chaos to Takeoff

Whew! What an amazing 8 days it’s been.

Poor Tom worked his butt off trying to get everything finished on time. He didn’t make it to E’s until almost 10 p.m. last night—completely spent but finished. I headed over there around 8:00 to see the kids before bed and to get some laundry going (we sold our washer and dryer on Friday!).

Looking back on it all… only God could have pulled this off. We packed, sold, and moved our entire house in eight days. That’s miraculous by any measure. Just two weeks ago, we were in tears, overwhelmed by the thought of only having three weeks to prepare—and now here we are.

Right now, we’re sitting at the airport, waiting for our flight to California and soaking in the sheer relief of not having to pack or move anything. Just being still for a moment feels like a gift.

We've already had four offers from people offering us a place to stay when we return, so now we’re praying about where God wants us. I’m leaning toward K and M’s, since there’s so much ministry potential there—but Tom and I want to seek the Lord together and get His confirmation.

When we share this whole journey with people, they get so excited about what God might do while we’re living with others. It’ll be like a live-in couples retreat—we’ll get to pour into others and help out however we can: around the house, with meals, with kids. Our prayer is to be more of a blessing than a burden.

So here we are—butterflies now. Free to go wherever the Lord leads. How cool is that!?

Lord, I pray that we stay grounded and rooted in You at all times. Help us not to get swept up in the wave of worldliness as we step out of our element and emerge from our cocoon. Amen.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Resting, Waiting, Trusting

We’re now at Mom and Dad’s, and yesterday was a very restful day.

Even so, we still can’t seem to sleep much—probably because our bodies are used to the nonstop pace of last week, staying up late and waking up early. Honestly, it’s been nice getting up early. It’s given us time to be with the Lord and catch up on emails before Mom and Dad wake up.

I had been hoping we’d talk to Tom’s parents about everything yesterday, but it didn’t happen. Instead, the night was filled with a different kind of news—A sent out an email announcing he got married to C, and that took up most of the conversation.

I trust the timing of our conversation with Tom’s parents will come—not in our push, but in God’s perfect moment.

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Lord,
I pray we give You this day and resist the urge to take control of it ourselves.
Help us to be a blessing, and to walk in full obedience to Your will and Your way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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June 26 – Oswald Chambers
Drawing on the Grace of God — Now

“But working together, we also call on you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” —2 Corinthians 6:1

The grace you had yesterday will not be sufficient for today. Grace is the overflowing favor of God, and you can always count on it being available to draw upon as needed. ". . . in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses" --- that is where our patience is tested (2Co_6:4). Are you failing to rely on the grace of God there? Are you saying to yourself, "Oh well, I won't count this time"? It is not a question of praying and asking God to help you --- it is taking the grace of God now. We tend to make prayer the preparation for our service, yet it is never that in the Bible. Prayer is the practice of drawing on the grace of God. Don't say, "I will endure this until I can get away and pray." Pray now--- draw on the grace of God in your moment of need. Prayer is the most normal and useful thing; it is not simply a reflex action of your devotion to God. We are very slow to learn to draw on God's grace through prayer.

". . . in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors . . ." (2Co_6:5) --- in all these things, display in your life a drawing on the grace of God, which will show evidence to yourself and to others that you are a miracle of His. Draw on His grace now, not later. The primary word in the spiritual vocabulary is now. Let circumstances take you where they will, but keep drawing on the grace of God in whatever condition you may find yourself. One of the greatest proofs that you are drawing on the grace of God is that you can be totally humiliated before others without displaying even the slightest trace of anything but His grace.

". . . having nothing . . . ." Never hold anything in reserve. Pour yourself out, giving the best that you have, and always be poor. Never be diplomatic and careful with the treasure God gives you. ". . . and yet possessing all things" --- this is poverty triumphant (2Co_6:10).

Friday, June 27, 2008

Grace in Conversations and Connections

Today was a great day. Mom and Dad took us out to the Pancake House for breakfast, and then we went to Torrance Beach for a short walk. On our way home, we drove by P and N’s house and saw they were home, so we stopped in to say “hello”—and ended up staying until about 3 in the afternoon!

During that time, we were able to share with them about A and C’s marriage and also about where we are with the Lord and our current house situation. The good news? They didn’t “commit” us! We were able to give them the very abridged Reader’s Digest version of the story. I also offered to share my journal with them so they could read how all of this has transpired.

I can only imagine how strange or even concerning it must seem to hear and see where we are right now—without having the benefit of walking through the process with us. That process has been everything. Tom’s family is so gracious, and we’re incredibly thankful for their ability to listen and love even when things don’t totally make sense on the surface.

Thank You, Lord, for Your grace, Your wisdom, and for Your perfect timing in every conversation and every connection.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Rest, Reflection, and the Grip of God

So far, this has been a very restful time visiting with Tom’s parents—and we so needed it! Yesterday, I was able to work out in their workout room, and it felt good to get on the treadmill again.

I did receive some interesting news from one of my girls, though. She said our house situation has been really difficult for her. She views losing our house as a failure, and because of that, she’s begun to question our judgment and ability to minister to others. She told me she needs to distance herself from me (and us) for a while.

That was a surprise, and it took me a few minutes to process. The more I think about it, I can understand her point of view—but I also know too much about her and her situation. As disconcerting as our circumstances may appear, I wonder if she might be using this as an excuse not to face her own healing journey. It may be easier for her to shift blame than to take responsibility for her part. That said, if I were in her shoes, I might have the same questions and concerns.

Here is Oswald’s devotion for today—so fitting, as usual:

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June 28

Held by the Grip of God

“Not that I already received or already have been perfected, but I press on, if I also may lay hold, inasmuch as I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. “ Philippians 3:12 –

Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you "turn aside to the right hand or to the left" (Deu_5:32). We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has "laid hold of" us. And once He has done so, we never have this thought, "Well, I’m really not suited for this." What you are to preach is also determined by God, not by your own natural leanings or desires. Keep your soul steadfastly related to God, and remember that you are called not simply to convey your testimony but also to preach the gospel. Every Christian must testify to the truth of God, but when it comes to the call to preach, there must be the agonizing grip of God’s hand on you --- your life is in the grip of God for that very purpose. How many of us are held like that?

Never water down the Word of God, but preach it in its undiluted sternness. There must be unflinching faithfulness to the Word of God, but when you come to personal dealings with others, remember who you are --- you are not some special being created in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace.

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do. . . I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phi_3:13-14)

Monday, June 30, 2008

Family, Baseball, and the Travel Shuffle

Monday morning—the last day of June at P and N’s.

Saturday, Tom’s party was wonderful. The Honsowetz clan came, along with R and ME, and J and JR. It was such a blessing to catch up with everyone. We stayed the night here at P and N’s, then woke up early to go to E’s All-Star baseball game and watched his team win the championship! How cool is that!?

Afterward, we came back to P and N’s, and I completely hit the wall—I needed some serious downtime. While P and N hosted a celebration party for E’s team and the parents, I rested, read, and napped. It was just what I needed.

I really miss our regular “routine” at home, but I’m also soaking up this time with family. I’ve been trying to keep up with the group and emails, but it’s just not the same as being there.

We’re staying with P and N one more night, and then D is picking us up to bring us to her house. After that, we’ll stay with R and L from the 2nd to the 6th, and then return to D’s. After that… I think we’re headed to M and L’s, and then we’ll finish up our visit back at Mom and Dad’s.

Whew… I’m tired just thinking about it! But I’m also so excited and grateful to have this extended time with everyone.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Change of Plans and Seeking His Guidance

We had a change of plans yesterday. D called and said that her kids (R and N) have head lice, so we decided to stay with P and N one more night before heading over to R and L’s house. L is picking us up around 12:30 today and taking us to the aquarium.

I woke up this morning and realized that I haven’t been praying about where we’ll be landing when we return. So I took a few minutes to bring that before the Lord.

This morning’s Spirit of Prophecy was especially timely—it felt like it was directly addressing our situation:

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns -- July 2, 2008:

As you stand face to face with situations and possibilities that you never could have imagined, your inclination is to make decisions based on how you feel. But, that is not your best recourse. Do not be impatient or hasty. Take the time to really seek My face for wisdom and guidance. Come to the place of peace in your soul so that you can actually be led by My Spirit. To do otherwise will only create more chaos and confusion. Trust Me to direct your steps, says the Lord.

"Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2 

Lord, I pray that we would seek Your face in this (and all) situation(s), and not make decisions based on how we feel or what we think should happen!

We’ve had such a wonderful time with P and N and the kids. This is the first time we’ve really had this much quality time together, and it has been so nice. 😊