The Joy that Lies Ahead

"Oh sure, I'll interrupt my regularly scheduled life and do what it takes to pick up and move my family to an island in the Pacific.  Why not?" - me, sarcastically, right now.

This is the second time in our Army career (my husband's career that I support as his wife) that we have had an unexpected assignment to a dream location on an island in the Pacific.  Our first assignment was to Schofield Barracks, HI in 2006.  We enjoyed 3 years there.  It was beautiful!

So our next assignment will be to Okinawa, Japan.  The people we know who have been there are assuring us that once we get there, we will have the most amazing time due to the beauty of our surroundings, the food, and the adventures of exploring the island and the culture.

But there are hard things.  I know that we will be separated from our oldest child who will stay in the US and attend college.  She does this with our blessing, because it is something she is ready for, and we are happy with the plans she is pursuing.  We have great friends and family who will be close to her to support her in our place.  I know we'll be distant from our parents and siblings and their families, so we won't see them very often for the next three years.  We like our family, so it will be hard, but we'll do our best to keep in touch through video calls and e-mail.  There are many decisions to make, such as whether to sell or store our two vehicles, my piano and all the little items that we own.  We have been doing a lot of mental sorting between what we will ship to Okinawa, what we will store, what we will sell, and what we will give away or discard.  There are a lot of things ahead of us to prepare to go, including medical appointments and lots of learning and a bunch of planning and paperwork.  And I have to do all of this extra stuff all the while managing our homeschool semester, including our three oldests' participation in volleyball for the next 8 weeks, and two of our children's drama rehearsals and performances, and our oldest's graduation and celebrations for that.

I see an analogy to my spiritual life here.  God promises that our eternity with Him will be amazing, with no more mourning, crying or pain, and we will enjoy His presence and a celebration, and we will worship Him in all his glory, see Him face-to face, and enjoy the New Earth which He will create.  With this hope, we press forward in this hard life among difficult work and painful experiences.  With this hope, we also press into Him and nurture our relationship with Him, because He walks with us through our life, good and bad, and He provides us with joy in the journey, even when our circumstances are hard and painful.  But all of the Kingdom work we do will be worth it.

I have already accomplished a lot in our preparation for the move.  We've sold and donated and discarded a number of things we knew we won't need.  I have found three good suitcases for pennies on the dollar at local thrift stores.  We've had appointments with our PCM doctor to update our vaccinations and medical records. 

I struggled pretty badly a couple days ago, overwhelmed by all that needs to be done.  But today, I'm back to being motivated to complete as many projects as I can this week.  Whatever I can get done now will lessen what needs to be done later.  I am confident that it will be worth it.

Thoughts on Finding Peace

     My typical weekday is spent at home with our five children, ages 4 through 17.  I have no quiet children.  And they are all very different.  And they’re siblings.  As a result, there’s a lot of noise.  Noise from general chatter, singing or humming while they work on school, practicing musical instruments, noise from me giving direction, correction, and trying to focus them on the task at hand.  What gets to me the most is the sibling arguments.  Sometimes I feel like a referee, arbitrator or judge and jury all day long.  Other times I’m so frustrated by their disobedience or their rotten attitudes that I start yelling.  (I hate yelling, but it seems nobody takes me seriously when I’m asking nicely.)  After school we have noise from the TV, playtime, and Dad arriving home.  During dinner, everyone talks at once.  By the end of the day, I’m ready for the kids’ bedtime.  Noise is everywhere.  I just want some peace!

     I long for peace and quiet, but I also long for peace in my mind.  The struggles in my mind are constant.  How do I handle certain situations as a mom, as a wife, as a friend.  What does our future hold?  What do our children’s futures hold?  Am I preparing our children well enough for adult life?  Is God pleased with me?  Will He intervene in the painful situations I’m praying about?  In the evenings, my husband and I usually watch the news, but much of it highlights tragedy and pain and fighting.  Sometimes it all just drags me down.  Where is God in all the suffering and war I hear about in the news?

     If you’re like me, you could use more peace in your life.  I’d like to talk about a few things that I believe help bring us peace.  We can find peace by guarding our hearts, by cultivating our relationships, and by focusing on Jesus.

     First, guard your heart.  Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  Consider whether you might be taking on burdens you are not meant to carry.  I know there are times when I choose to take a break from watching the news or keeping up with what is happening to my friends on Facebook.  There is plenty to cause worry, or to instill fear, or to make us sad.  Now, if my family and close friends are going through hard times, I want to know about it so I can support them and pray for them.  But with today’s technology, we’re able to hear, see and read about much more pain and sorrow from people around the world.  Sometimes my heart just can’t take it.  I believe we sometimes carry burdens in our hearts that we’re not meant to carry.  I can find peace by guarding my heart from excess burdens.  But I can also find peace by fully trusting God with the burdens I am carrying.  When I pray for people I love, I need to release their care into God’s hands.  God may direct me to act or speak to be a part of their care, but ultimately, my prayers should entrust them to God’s capable hands.

     Second, in order to find peace, cultivate your relationships: with God and with others.  Each of us is personally responsible to cultivate our relationship with God.

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” - 2 Peter 3:13-14

Our relationship with God was initiated by Him, but we have a part to play in cultivating it.  He can change us to better reflect Jesus only as we are willing to allow Him.  He can speak to us, but we need to be listening.  If we’re ignoring Him or disobeying Him in some area, we lack peace in our relationship with God.  So each of us must be personally responsible to cultivate this most valuable relationship.

    If we do this, we can draw from God’s strength, which enables us to maintain better relationships with other people.  He shapes our character and enables us to extend love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  While our human tendency is to react negatively when we’re offended, God’s strength helps us to:

• Overlook small offenses and extend love and grace to others, especially those who frustrate or hurt you.
• Confront more serious offenses with the Biblical model and prayer. (Matthew 18:15-17)
• Cope and forgive when apologies are not given.

Living a Christ-like life is a world-changer.  We can bring peace to our relationships through drawing on God’s deep, deep love and extending it to each person He has created.

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” - 2 Timothy 2:22-23

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” - James 3:16-18

     In a world where the evil one is seeking to steal, kill, destroy, divide, discourage and deceive, we reflect the glory of a God who gives generously, brings life, restores, unites, encourages and is truth.

     Third, we can find peace by focusing on Jesus.  In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  We have everything we need in Him!  When you’re bogged down by conflict or chaos, fix your eyes on your Savior, Jesus.  Soak in His Word as much as you can.  Talk to Him about it.  Remember His power and great love and the hope He has given us.  Sing or listen to songs of worship.

     Praise brings us joy!  Praise God in the midst of weariness, sorrow and pain.  Be reminded of His ultimate control and love, and His presence which is always with us.  Rest in His control.  If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, you have the Holy Spirit to help you know God through reading His Word.  What a rich blessing this is to have a Creator God who sent His Son to live among us and to show us what God is like, and who conquered sin and death, and now lives in Heaven to intercede for us, and for those who have made Him their Lord, have the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our thoughts and actions!

     It’s amazing to me how sometimes I come to realize I have entrusted God with the destiny of my eternal soul, but I forget to entrust Him with my day-to-day concerns.  He is working in me to change my response to my children when they frustrate me, and make me a better model of character to them.  He is showing me how to train them to work out their differences.  He is giving me insight on how to be a better mother, wife, friend, and disciple of Jesus.  He is showing me what work I can do to help grow His Kingdom and share His news of salvation and great love.  And He is giving me peace in the midst of chaos.  And my peace is a witness of God’s presence in my life that may draw others to seek Him also.  So guard your hearts, cultivate your relationship with God and with others, and focus on Jesus.  Let Jesus give you peace.

Be the Unifier in the Midst of Divisiveness

There are many times in the day-to-day we hear talk that divides.

It may be a leader, for example, who states something that he or she knows others disagree with. Perhaps the person feels genuinely strong in favor of a particular cause, and are hoping that by their statement, they and others who agree with them will convince others of the rightness of their belief.  But their approach breeds discord, even hate, among those who choose to be caught in the passion of the debate.

Whatever the person's motive for making that divisive statement, the rest of social media and the news reporters and those they interview erupt passionately with either criticism or support.  And in so doing, the division has been made.

But what really divides us?  A disagreement over something we each only know partially about?  Often most who join the raucous clamor on either side haven't even taken the time to understand the situation fully.

I propose that division is unnecessary.

There ARE issues that are important, and deserve passionate debate.  But there is a beauty in being able to have that debate with respect for the other person, learn the perspective of the other side, learn about each other in the process, and remain part of a mutually respectful community.  How I long to see this skill appreciated and practiced among my fellow citizens, and especially among more of my fellow Christians.

God made us to live in community - with Him, and with others.  But what is our community?  A select group of people we have found who agree with us on most everything?  People with whom we have much in common?  Being drawn to those who have things in common is normal.  But I don't think ignoring or avoiding those with more differences of opinion or different life experiences is healthy.

We can learn so much from each other.  We need each other.  As an example, I have dozens of friends from all over the country who have a commitment to Jesus Christ in common with me.  They are my spiritual brothers and sisters.  However, they are from different denominations of all kinds.  Some even hold different political views than I do!  (Gasp!)  However, because we agree that Jesus Christ is Lord, and He is worthy of our praise and our devotion, I find that it's very easy to worship with them, study God's Word with them, and pray with them.  I'm grateful for some of them who have prayed for me at the times I have needed it.

But what if there is a divisive issue on which we disagree?  Together, unified, we can work toward mutually beneficial solutions.  First, by praying together, asking God for direction, wisdom, understanding, and peace.  Second, by listening to each other, understanding all the hard parts of both sides of an issue.  Third, by reminding each other that this world is not our home, but that we are placed here to be a light in the darkness.  So whatever issues we may disagree on, we can agree that there are people who need God's love and salvation, and it is our job to tell them about it.

There are things that shouldn't be discussed on social media.

There are days turning off the news and choosing to pray about it is better than listening to everyone's opinions and stewing over it.

Jesus prayed for unity among believers.  This is the greatest witness we can have.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." - John 17:20-23 (NIV)

Don't let divisive leaders sway you.  Know what is most important.  Be a community of people who share life in love, grace and a desire to understand one another better.  And above all, keep your light shining bright into the dark places, so those without hope will find Jesus, the real Hope.

Learning Contentment

Last year, it was a struggle for me to be content.  I complained a lot about the Army making us move from a place we enjoyed to a place we expected not to enjoy.  I complained about the places I felt I had been thrust into volunteering immediately as a leader when I'd rather fill a supporting role instead, after taking plenty of time to assess where I would like to use my talents.  I complained about the limitations my life had on it because we are homeschooling, and how much time and energy it takes in my week.  I complained about the remote desert environment we live in, and the things I dislike about the military housing we were assigned, especially my side-by-side fridge.

Contentment can be difficult.  Life is never ideal.  Maybe for you, it's financial, or about your job, or something to do with broken or unfulfilling relationships.  My situation really hasn't been that bad off, and in spite of all I had to complain about, there have been multiple blessings.  I have had to continuously resolve to focus on those.

I expect it will continue to be a struggle for me to be content this year.  I certainly haven't mastered it.  I can still choose to complain about all the same things.  But I hope, with practice, prayer, and perspective, I will learn to focus on the blessings.

I am blessed to have a fantastic husband and great children.  I am blessed to have a home provided for me and a refrigerator that works.  I am blessed to have great friends living in the remote desert environment with me.  I am blessed to have a great chapel congregation with which to worship and study each week.  I am blessed to have extended family members who care about us through phone calls, mail, packages, and occasional visits, even though they live far away.  I am blessed my husband enjoys his work, and makes a steady living that provides more than we need.  I am blessed to be able to stay at home with my children and also be their homeschool teacher.  I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve in a couple of ways where I am needed and appreciated and can bring glory to God through my service.

Honestly, I'm pretty much spoiled rotten.

Bold Prayers

A couple weekends ago, I visited my parents' church, where a young man I know preaches.  His energy of presentation and vision of what God can do made a huge impression on me.  God surely spoke to me through him.

He began by describing how we typically pray for protection and safety, for people to get well, and not much else.  He asserted that perhaps God thinks, "yeah, I got that, but I'm BIG, so ask me for BIG things!"  He challenged us to bold prayers, as the Christians in Acts 4 prayed.  Even though they were in danger and being persecuted for their faith, these believers asked God for more boldness in speaking His words, and for more opportunities.  The preacher challenged us to pray that God would do big things through us, and that He would extend His miraculous power to change what we can't change ourselves.  We can still pray for protection and health, but let's not limit ourselves to those simple requests.

Truly, our God is able to do much more than we ask or imagine.  Truly He is powerful, mighty, loving, forgiving, just, righteous, pure, faithful.  I know His heart is that all people would come to Christ.  I was truly inspired by this vision of praying boldly for those in my own community and spheres of influence.  So I came up with 12 prayers for the coming year that I intend to pray regularly, and encourage others to join me.

Perhaps there are some bold prayers you can be praying starting today as well?

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21

Breathing Room

I have thoroughly enjoyed the past three weeks of break from homeschool and our busy weekly routine.  It feels like it's been so long since I've had so much time to let the girls just play all day long, and to let myself enjoy a good book.  I've enjoyed several good books on this break, and it gives me the itch to read even more!

Next week we will jump into school again, as well as the volunteer leadership work I do.  It fills my week completely.  Most evenings I am either spent mentally, and absorbing mindless television, or browsing facebook, unless I'm doing last-minute prep work for something due the next day.  Occasionally I'll have time to get out of town for a date with my husband, but not nearly often enough.  My schedule is more full than any non-type-A person should ever have.

Consequently, I have learned discipline.  I am not a naturally disciplined person.  I like freedom in my day.  I say that I am an idealist, wanting things done well, but I hate structure.  I value cooking tasty, healthy food for my family, homeschooling our children, volunteering at our church, and spending some time with friends building relationships.  In the last two months, I also chose to value getting exercise 3 times a week.  There is no way to accomplish all this without structure, so I have managed to create it and stick with it.  I wouldn't say I enjoy it, but the results of being structured have been motivating.

So I give all the glory to God for how He has trained me this year, and how He has blessed my human efforts for the benefit of others.  He prepared me for what I am doing now, and He has brought me through a year of growth while doing it.  I have a feeling this coming year, God will build on that growth.  I know I could use yet more discipline in some areas.

So before next week hits, I am really enjoying the breathing room.  It's been a time to prioritize, envision, read, pray, hope, reflect, organize, and enjoy.  I hope I can find a little time in the coming 52 weeks ahead for at least a little breathing room.  That time is really a part of my growth Spiritually as well.

Name That Hymn!

An old hymn popped into my head this morning.  When I was growing up, my family was part of a church which sang tons of hymns.  By the age of 13 I was a regular pianist for the church and got to know the music (and lyrics) really well, so I know a LOT of hymns.  (I'm pretty sure my Mom knows more though!)

When I started my first post-college job as worship director at a church (14 years ago), they were using some hymns and some newer "choruses".  It bothered me that the language in the lyrics of the hymns was so antiquated that maybe the younger generations might not even know (or care) what it all meant, and maybe the older generations had sung them so long, they may be complacent as to the meaning, but just enjoyed the song for nostalgia.  So I occasionally published an insert for the bulletin called "Know What You Are Singing".  I would put into my own words what the lyrics meant.  One time I did a mini research project on what "bulwark" meant and wrote that up for "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".  After service that Sunday, a WWII veteran came up to me and explained what a bulwark was even better than what I had explained on paper.  (At least then I knew someone was reading my inserts!)

So it was funny when this song from years ago came to mind as I started this morning's laundry.  It occurred to me that I really only remembered the first verse and the chorus.  It also occurred to me how archaic and somewhat funny-sounding the lyrics are.  So once the laundry was sorted and started, I looked it up in my hymnal to review the other verses.  Then I wrote them down and studied their meaning.  Finally I came up with this prose rendition.  I think it is a great way to think about how a song expresses meaningful thoughts and feelings about my relationship with God and what He has done for me.  Maybe someday I'll have time and creativity and put this back into poetic form and write a modernized version of this hymn.

Can anyone guess which hymn this is?  I really don't think anyone, except maybe my parents, can get this one!

(VERSE 1)

I've decided not to waste my time chasing after satisfaction and happiness through the pursuits this world has to offer.  Instead, I see clearly that what God offers to me now, and for eternity, brings true fulfillment and joy, and they are things of a higher and nobler quality.

(CHORUS)

Because of Jesus' free gift of forgiveness-- that beautiful saving grace, I am full of gladness and true freedom, so I run to Him, the greatest and highest One there is.

(VERSE 2)

I've decided to turn my life around-- away from loving sin and being defeated by a life of worry.  I now fix my eyes on Jesus--the true One, the just One, the One who has the words of life.

(VERSE 3)

I've decided to follow my Savior, being as faithful and true to Him as I can, every day.  I'll pay attention to what He says, and do what He wants me to do.  This is the way of life.

(VERSE 4)

I've decided to accept God's generous invitation into His Kingdom by leaving behind the paths of sin.  My friends may oppose me, and my enemies may attack me, but I will still be given the rewards of Heaven for choosing Jesus as my Lord.

We'll see what everyone comes up with!

When God first came alive for me

I'm working through a book called "Holy Conversation" by Richard Peace.  In the 2nd chapter, it challenges me to briefly tell a story about how God first came alive for me.

I remember attending a week of Christian camp in the Summer between 8th and 9th grade.  There, through the testimonies of the camp leaders and counselors of how God had changed their lives, God first came alive for me.  Having grown up in a Christian family who attended and served in church weekly, God was already part of my life and the lives of those around me.  However, I hadn't heard any life-transforming stories from the people around me.  Either they hadn't bothered to mention, or figured at my age, I wasn't interested.  But now, I was hearing firsthand from people who had experienced God as a real and personal change-agent in their life. 

Also, during that week, the camp leaders challenged us to daily read our own Bible and pray.  Soon after camp, I wrote to a friend and pen-pal my same age who had been a Christian herself for a couple years and asked her for some ideas on where to start when reading my Bible.  She wrote back with a list of some of her favorite verses, and some suggestions of where to start.  I then began to do my own Bible reading, sporadic as it was.  But I noticed that whenever I did, God always showed Himself to me through His Word.  I could see Him pointing out truths I needed to hear as I read that day's chapters.  I still find that today, as through the Holy Spirit, God teaches me about Himself, and myself, and helps me put life in His perspective. 

I'm thankful today for those camp leaders, and my friend who helped point me to God, and challenged and encouraged me to experience God for myself through study and prayer.  God is truly alive in my life every time I seek Him.