Mosaics of our life... thanks to sweet Ellie!

Ellie is one of the most artist, creative kids I have ever seen.   Oh how I love this little girl!  She spends a large part of her day in "pretend" play.  Either with dress up or little people or dolls, she has a big story to tell.   She loves all kinds of crafts and often asks to paint.  You never know what Ellie will be wearing since she chooses her own clothes every day.  Ellie is not swayed by anyone!  She knows what she wants and she does not give up.   The prophetic word I received for her when she was born that that she is a Warrior of the Lord.  She would DECLARE and intercede and pray.  More than that, she would fight God's way.  She will still stand in high places and take back the land.  Yes, Ellie has the heart of this kind of warrior.  And she is clothed with compassion and mercy.  A perfect picture of a warrior of the Lord.  

Here is Ellie with a Magnetic Mosaic picture that we created today.  I just love the idea of creating a meaningful picture out of little bits that don't seem like anything until they are put together.   I was thinking of some of the amazing stained glass windows I have seen.  Amazing scenes are born out of broken pieces of glass, joined together in a meaningful way.    I love that Jesus takes all of the broken parts of our life, along with all of the good things and creates a beautiful picture of His plan and destiny for us.   He makes a "mosaic blueprint" and fits it all together perfectly.   It is such a comforting thing to know that He has created that blueprint for us.  Jesus can use all of the not so wonderful stuff that is hidden in our past, and then create something for His glory.  I know that I have lots of that hidden stuff and I love that Jesus is not only bringing that stuff out of hiding, he is turning it into something marvelous!   Looking at this picture above, I see all of the blessings that I have in those yellow, pink and white pieces.   I love that the red pieces remind me ...... especially this week.... of the great sacrifice of Jesus and His shed blood.   And each of those darker pieces, help me to not forget how much Jesus has done for me and in me.   Thank you Ellie for this wonderful picture that brought me to this place tonight. 

And just for a special bonus tonight, here is my sweet little Anna!   Can't wait to see her personality bloom!

Jesus, thank you for the lessons that we learn from children.   Thank you for all that you are doing in Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna.   Jesus, help us all to see the "big picture" mosaic of our life and to recognize what you have done, even in the dark and hidden places and to celebrate all that you are doing now.   Holy Spirit, thank you for revelation and clear pictures.  And thank you for the smiles of babies!   Amen

When a church sign makes me stop and think......

Last night I saw a great sign as I passed by a local church.  The sign read
"We plan, God's purposes prevail".  I loved it!  I was thinking about it all evening.  I realized that this was a shortened, re quote of Proverbs 19:21 shown above. 

This got me to thinking about all the times I make these great plans.  I am quite the planner.  I make lists.  I like to have things mapped out well ahead of time.  More than anything I like to have vacations planned and reserved months in advance.  Yes, I am a type A planner.  And then there was this sign...........

What a reminder.  How many times do I get irritate, perturbed, and downright angry when my plans don't materialize.  When things change or people change and the situation changes.  I confess that I have never stopped and considered that it might just be that Jesus had some other purpose that prevailed over my well thought out plans.  And truthfully, in the end, I am grateful that things did NOT go as I had planned.   I love the picture above.  Doesn't that photo bring a sigh?  I love sunsets, don't you?  I think that the reason this picture was chosen to accompany this verse is because at the end of the day, it is good to remember that God was in it all!  It was His plan and purposes that were worked out in the day.  And when we see these things in the natural world, we understand just how small we are in the big picture. 

Then I remembered seeing this picture on the internet last week.  This is called "the Hand of God Nebula".  The article said.in part about this photo.......

"....taken by Nasa’s Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array or NuSTAR and scientists are still trying to make sense of the nebula’s amazing shape."

 

So I will be remembering that my plans are just that...plans.  And I will also remember that Jesus has a purpose that will prevail over anything that I can try to plan.  And I will marvel at the wonder and beauty of God that is revealed in all of creation.  From the sunsets to the nebula's way out in space. 

 

Jesus, thank you for who you are.  Thank you Yahweh for your plan of creation, for breathing the Word - Jesus, and Holy Spirit for bringing it into being.  Holy Spirit, help me to hold my plans loosely and to celebrate your purposes.  Thank you for these amazing pictures.    Amen

 



Preparing for promotion day......

Here is my sweet Lia, way WAY back in 2009 when she walked across the bridge and "graduated" from 2 year old preschool to 3 year old preschool!  It was her first "PROMOTION"!   Today, at work, I spent most of the day preparing for promotion day.  You see, on Monday there will be lots of confusion and probably, lots and lots of tears.  This will be happening because Monday is "promotion day" at my school.  All of the kids who have had November or December or early January birthdays will be promoted to the older class. So even the littlest in the baby room will be losing some friends to the toddler room.  Today I was working in the 3 year old room.  There are 8 friends moving out of the 3 year old room and 5 friends moving INTO the three year old room.  This process requires lots of work for the teachers.  There are cubbies that need new names.  There are folders and charts and name tags that need to be changed. It's almost like the start of a new school year. Taking out 8 kids and adding 5 mean that you have a totally different group of 20 kids. Even the names on the rug in circle time need to be changed (If you think this sounds odd to have names on the rug so that the kids have an assigned spot, you have never witnessed what happens when three or four very active boys sit shoulder to shoulder during circle time.  Not good. Assigned spots allow us to "divide and conquer!") All this to say, it was a busy, busy day.  And I have been thinking about "promotions".

Several years ago I had many, many words about coming into a year of promotions. I remember the feeling of excitement and joy.  I didn't really understand what these words meant in the spiritual, because I was thinking in the natural.  I felt that I would be coming into a higher level - you know, the next grade up!  There would be new things and more to learn.  I remember also thinking about what it means to get a promotion at a job.  Usually a promotion means new responsibilities and a bigger salary.  But what actually happened in that next year for me did not fit my idea of promotion. Things did not go well that year. It was a time of shaking and in fact crumbling. I even lost my job.It really did not feel like a promotion in any sense of the word.  But now, looking back on that year, I can see all that the Lord was doing deep in my spirit.  There was a lot of junk that needed to be stripped away - and that happened.  I needed to have my priorities straightened out and they were.  I thought I knew exactly what I was supposed to be doing and where I would end up.  Boy, was I ever wrong.  This year of promotion was all about the plans and purposes and destiny of Jesus being promoted in me.  It was about Jesus being promoted over ME!   And that reminded me of this verse (actually the very old song that I was humming while typing this!).......

Galatians 2:20 -   I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ, liveth in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved and gave himself for me. 

And now, looking back at the last 5 years, I am beginning to understand exactly what Jesus was saying to be about promotion.  This has been a 5 year promotion process that has gone deep into my spirit and taken me to a much higher place, closer to Jesus.  And the process is not done.  The words that I have been hearing about "expecting the unexpected" and also drawing closer to Jesus are still part of that promotion that I heard about more than 5 years ago.  I am thankful for the reminder today, that Jesus is in the business of promotion!

Thank you Jesus for once again, using my day to day life to remind me of your plans, purposes and destiny.  Holy Spirit continue to work in me and bring me to the place you desire for me.  Bless all of those little ones being promoted on Monday.  Please help the transitions go smoothly and calmly.  Bless all of the teachers at this school and Jesus, help me to reflect your light and life to everyone that I work with.   And Jesus,  thank you again for Lia and all that you are doing in her life.  Amen

Day 17 - Thankful for a praying mom!

This picture was taken when Lia was just a couple months old!  I love this picture so much!  I am so thankful that we made the effort to have these taken. I got to thinking about this picture today because of an article I read yesterday on the Elijah List. You can read the article here  Doug Addison Article.  Near the end of this article Doug talks about babies that are not yet born.  All I could think about was my new expected granddaughter!  When Lia was born, she was my mom's 20th great-grandchild!  I suspect that some of my mom's 11 grandchildren and (now) 23 great-grandchildren would be surprised to know that she had real insight into the plans and purposes that Jesus had for each of them!  What a blessing it was that she really got to know each child.  After Lia was born we talked a lot about who she might become! I am so blessed to know that she prayed for me, for my children, and for my grandchildren.  How many times have you heard the story of a life changed because of a praying grandma? Well, I believe that is true for our family. 

I believe that this is an important part of parenting and grand parenting.  Once you get a vision for the direction that Jesus might have for your children and grandchildren, you can pray into them. I am so thankful that I saw my mom model this aspect of parenting.  She prayed for all of us.  She listened and cared about what was important to each of us.  She treated each child as an individual and saw the wonder and delight of the direction that each one went.  When some walked off a clear and straight path, she prayed that they would be protected and guided back.  She never judged or lost faith in any one of us.  She truly trusted us all to Jesus.  I believe that she understood the important fact that our children are only loaned to us -  really they belong to Jesus.

So, yes, today I am thankful for a mom that prayed!  And I am so thankful that I can carry on this amazing practice, as I pray for my own children and grandchildren.

Jesus, thank you so much for reminding me, of the many, many prayers of my mother.  Holy Spirit, help me to hold my children and grandchildren in prayer every day.  Jesus, speak to all that are reading this today, to see the importance of covering the children that they know, in prayer.  Thank you for the amazing plans and purposes you have for Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna!  Amen

The sky was silent, the church was full....

I was in an interesting position twelve years ago.  As a church secretary I was usually alone in the church office for the better part of most days. An elder care daycare group used part of the church facility to provide daytime care for senior citizens that could not be left alone.  A normal part of my early morning routine was to visit with the staff and the elderly clients, while getting my morning cup of coffee from the kitchen.   That day, twelve years ago, was not different to begin with.  I had my coffee in hand and the staff member turned on the TV to the Today show, which the clients watched every morning.  And then I saw it - the plane fly into the building.  Almost as it happened.  And then the second plane.  The clients did not understand.  But the staff did and I did.  I rushed to my office and started tying to call my family.  My daughter, Gwen, was in her first year of teaching and had only been in class for a few weeks.  What a hard start to a teaching career.  She got called to the Principal's office (scary enough) and then told the news.  The school was on "lock down" until they decided what to do.  The interesting thing about the school was that it was a mix of Muslim and Jewish children with a few others thrown in.  The school was almost across the street from a Mosque.  A very difficult situation to say the least.  My son-in-law was still in college, commuting into the city every day, so there was a concern about him actually getting home. I was able to finally connect with Ken and Doug also.  I talked to my mom that morning. She was very stoic about the event. She had lived through many big life events like this. What was on her mind, was "Pearl Harbor" day. She related that for her, that day represented the war happening CLOSE to her. And I realized that was exactly how I felt. Suddenly the terrorist activity was to close for comfort.

Then, an amazing thing happened.  There were people just showing up at the church.  They wanted to come in and pray.  I opened the doors, turned on the lights, lit the candles and began to welcome the people in.  For most of that day, there was a steady stream of people coming and going from the church.  I replaced the kleenex boxes several times.  Not much work got done that day.  People just wanted to talk and to pray.  By the time the Pastor showed up, the parking lot was full.  It had never occurred to me that there might be a problem with opening the doors.  I simply did not care.  The people needed a place to pray and they needed a place to feel safe.  And for those who were drawn to the church, that's what it was.  I did not care if they were members or just people passing by.  So, I will always remember the day as a time when the church was full - all day.  And the people were praying. 

When you have lived for over 40 years so close to the "world's busiest airport", you are used to the constant sights and sounds of airplanes in their flight patterns.  We actually get planes from both of the Chicago airports.  So the absence of the airplanes was eerie.  The sky was silent. 

Unfortunately, the full church didn't last long.  Actually, I was told not to admit anyone the next day.  There were plans made to do an "organized" service.  However, those plans never actually happened.  Some people came to pray the next couple of days.  But the word was out that the church was not "opened".  And the people went elsewhere to pray. For a few weeks there was an upturn in church attendance. But gradually, as the weeks went by, the numbers fell back to the pre 9/11 numbers.   And within a few days, the airplanes were flying again.  And life returned to normal.  The NEW normal.  The post 9/11 normal.

 

One thing that has changed and stayed changed, is that we have had a flag flying on our house for the last 12 years.  I really can't imagine our house without that flag.  It is an important symbol and a reminder that many people have given their lives to preserve the freedoms represented by that flag.  I loved seeing all the flags show up after 9/11.  And there are still many, many flags displayed on houses, commercial buildings and public places.  In spite of the many failings of our government in the last months, I am proud to have that flag displayed on my home.  I believe that the United States of America were established and blessed by God.  He has a plan and purpose for our nation, for our land and for all of us.  And his plans will be fulfilled. No act of terrorists will stop the plan.  

Just like my mom, I  have a list of "big events" that are those days that everyone knows exactly where they were when it happened.  Included on my list is the day Kennedy was assassinated, the Moon landing, the Challenger accident, and then 9/11.  I am so glad that I am not living in fear after 9/11. 
In fact, for me personally, the last 12 years have been a time of a great increase of peace and joy.  These have been wonderful years filled with family, love and growing in understanding of Jesus and His great plans.  And these years have been filled with Thanksgiving. 

Jesus, thank you for your great plan. Jesus, please comfort all those who lost loved ones on 9/11. Holy Spirit, release more of your peace and joy even right now.  Help us to see all of the things that happen from your perspective, Jesus.  Give us a truly heavenly vision.  Yahweh, there is much unrest around the world today.  Strengthen your people and give them courage and boldness to stand in the midst of turmoil. Remind us to stand with them and cover them with our prayers.  Holy Spirit HOVER over them today.  Amen  



The carrot, the egg and the coffee bean....

If I have learned one thing on this vacation it is to breath in during the horrible storms we have been driving through.  Ken and I were remembering one amazing vacation several years ago, when we drove over 3800 miles and never had one drop of rain!  This trip has not been like that.  We have had rain, RAIN AND MORE RAIN!  And of course, the worst storms always seem to happen in the cities with the most traffic!  Today I remembered to breath.  I remembered to pray.  I remembered to ask others to pray.  And then I picked up my phone and started looking at Facebook!  Isn't that a good way to take your mind off of the wind and the rain and the lightening?  Which brings me to the title of this post.   I saw a little story that has been on my mind the rest of the day.

The story compared hard and difficult times to a pot of boiling water.  The water doesn't change.  Just like our circumstances sometimes don't change.  So the question is...............  when you are in that pot of boiling water, are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?   The carrot starts off hard and solid.  But when dropped into that boiling water, it become soft and squishy.  It really doesn't hold up.  The egg has a hard exterior. It seems like it will be fine, but under those hot and boiling circumstances, the inside become hard. The coffee bean doesn't seem to change.  BUT the water changes.  Instead of being effected by the boiling water..... it changes the environment! 

I want to be a coffee bean!  How about you?  I want to stay solid and firm.  I don't want to get soft and mushy like that carrot.  And I know that I don't want to harden my heart like that egg.  And the coffee bean doesn't just change the water.... it releases a wonderful aroma that draws people in.   Once again I am in awe of Yahweh's plan for us.  He designed us to be able to not only get through difficult times, but we can actually change things in the midst of troubles and storms.  AND we can release a wonderful aroma of joy and peace at the same time.   The best part about this is that the coffee bean doesn't have to DO ANYTHING!!!!!  It just is!!!   It just gets thrown into that hot water and then just has to BE! 

So, I am going to think of myself as a coffee bean!  I will remember that I don't have to DO anything at all.  Those tough and difficult situations will happen, but in the midst of them, it is Yahweh's plan to release HIS presence and power that changes things.  And it is His aroma that swirls out as joy, and peace and love.  What a relief! 

Thanks to the person that posted that wonderful story.  It has given me much to think and meditate about.  The story helped me to relax and travel through the storm as we drove.  I love little things that help me to hold on to these concepts.  Today it is a coffee bean!

Yahweh, what a wonderful, loving, amazing God you are.  I am in awe of your plans and your purposes.  You reign over the heavens and over the earth.  You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Thank you for showing me your plan in the little things.  Thank you for the coffee bean! (And the coffee!).   Amen