Lori's Blog

Deadlines! We all have them. Work, school, bills, tasks etc. My son has big deadline coming up - high school graduation. I can hardly believe it. As he works hard towards the end, I think we feel it as much as he does and pray fervently for his success over the next five weeks.

Have you ever asked God for a deadline? I know people who have prayed that way. I sometimes wonder how God feels about it. I guess it is something I would do carefully. We often pray for God's perfect timing - but then in our mind want God to hurry up and answer. I guess that is an "unofficial" deadline. If God doesn't answer on our timetable does that mean His answer is "no"? Not necessarily.

I have recently asked God for answer to prayer by a certain time. I tread on this ground carefully and fearfully. One I think because I'm afraid He won't answer by the time I asked for and two because I'm afraid I won't get the answer for which I'm praying. I know...chicken. But at the same time I understand Proverbs 13:12,"A hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." I believe my longing is within His will for my life so now I wait for an answer. I also pray for Him to increase my faith and help me keep my eyes on things above and not the date below.

I have seen God work in my life in unusual timing circumstances. Sometimes He reveals my next steps in great advance of me taking them and sometimes He has reveals them at the 11th hour. I know He will once again give me an answer - "yes", "no" or "wait". Now I pray that I will be obedient and patient in Him while He sets His own "deadline".

For the people who know me, they know I hate to clean house. There are some jobs I don't mind (cooking and laundry) and some I despise (mopping and bathrooms). It amazes me though that no matter how much I vacuum, pick up and organize there are things hiding. For instance, with four boys I am forever finding little Lego pieces. With the girls, it is usually a hair clip or favorite lip balm. And of course, these things are always in some obscure corner of the house or furniture and how they get there is a mystery.

I believe that sin, habits, and secrets can be like these little pieces. No matter how often we pray, go to church or read our Bible, there can be these little things that keep cropping up and are tucked away in dark places in our heart. God is always coming in to clean them out.

Recently I went though a major heart cleansing process. Things that I kept giving over to God and then taking back control over, He finally helped me release - for good. Sometimes this process is easy, especially when we give up control easily and not take it back. Other times it's painful so that we never take it back. And yet when the process is over He brings such peace, healing and restoration.

We talk about brokeness in the Christian life and yet, be careful what you pray for - He will bring it. I prayed for it in the summer and by fall I felt it coming and then it did. Now, a month later, I am so content and at peace that defies understanding. I am now looking forward to what God has planned next. I believe that He is preparing me for the next journey - whatever that may be.

So as often as I have to clean the nooks and crannies, so does God. Surrender to the process and be amazed at the transformation. God bless.

Isaiah 40:31
"yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."

This was the verse my pre-school through eighth grade school used as its theme. I've song the song, the new chorus and everything in between. But what does it really mean?

This week I am finding it out. Never before have I had to really "wait" for a long period of time. Yes I've had to wait for an answer from Him, or for something to change or for that next paycheck, but never like this. Now I am waiting for something very significant and I have no idea how long I will have to wait.

I really like the Brenton Brown/Chris Tomlin/Lincoln Brewster versions of "Everlasting God". It has a cool groove and can be sung quietly or loudly depending on the mood and need of the time. But now it is even more precious as I sing it day after day as I wait. I pray and seek God's will for each day and wait. I go about my work and home and family - and wait.

But this time is different. I have clung to this verse and as God's word is always faithful - my strength is renewed. Renewed to wait, to go about my daily work, to continue in His will, to be faithful to His call and again, to wait. I know the time will come when He will let me soar and I will run without becoming weary, but the time is not yet. I am still waiting.

What are you waiting for - a spouse, a child, money, an education, a home, a place to serve, acceptance, love... Whatever it is, give it to God and then wait - in Him not your own strength. We are like verse 30,"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;"
But He is all we need. He will give us strength but we have to stop doing it on our own.

Well, I'll continue to wait and I'll let you know when the waiting is over. In the meantime trust and rely on Him.

God bless!

This past Sunday I sang a song by Rebecca St. James, (and a few others who have done it) called "I Stand In Awe of You". It is based on the scripture Ecclesiastes 5:2,7. As I sit today, tired from an insane week and an even busier weekend I just can't help but wonder how often I stand in awe of Him and His work.

This week God has already done some awe inspiring work. I don't know why I am always surprised - it certainly is not the first time. It got me thinking of all the things, small and large, that He does for my family, friends and me. I could spend endless hours writing about all the things He has done. The problem is I see them in retrospect.

My prayer is to develop more forward thinking and vision. Instead of always being awestruck with the work He has DONE,I want to stand everyday in awe and expectation of what He WILL do. This really requires out of the brain thinking. What I mean by that is that sometimes I am so wrapped up in the moment, day, schedule or whatever that I am not seeing past the day (and sometimes the next hour). To really stand in awe of Him I need to get out of my head and look for those things that He could be doing. I want to add one caveat to this - it is not an expectation that He will do things the way I hope and pray for. Sometimes He does it His own way. I think that's what is meant by verse 2 when it says,"For God is in heaven and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few." Don't tell God how to do it - just wait in His presence.

So this week, watch for what God is doing instead of waiting until next week to see what He did. Then thank Him for it. God bless.

Lori

So, let me continue with the list I started yesterday on parenting.

5. DATE NIGHT! When we were younger and poorer, we could not afford dinner out even once a week. But, we found plenty of 'free' things to do, like hike, people watch at the mall, work out, stroll, visit friends and other ideas that didn't cost money. We now do go out once a week for a "date". The best thing any couple can do to have a happy family is to have a strong, romantic, secure marriage! My kids fuss when we go out but in the long run, we are happier and more peaceful with them. They also learn that the world does NOT revolve around them - something I think is lost in today's society.

6. PRAY,PRAY,PRAY,PRAY! I pray for all my children and husband every day. They need Jesus and they need His help and presence every day at school.

7. MODEL,MODEL,MODEL! This is where we as parents fail the most. We need to model Jesus to our children, to our spouse, and to the world. I am certainly not perfect, but I try to keep this in the forefront of my mind. We also share with them everyday scripture that relates to their lives.

8. Talk with others. We all have things our children do that embarrass us or we are ashamed to tell others about. And yet, many of us are or have been through the same thing. We should seek wise counsel and listen to one another without judgment and build up one another as parents. We should then pray for each other.

9. Give many opportunities for spiritual growth. Our children attend a charter school and so it is even more important for us to share Jesus and the Bible with them every day. They also hear political, social, scientific and other issues that we don't agree with and they need to learn critical thinking. They also need to know what the Bible says about these things. Church is also a requirement not an option.

Well, I'm sure I could go on and on but these are the biggies. Again, they are my opinion and what works in our family. Kevin and I desire first and foremost that they grow up to be Godly men and women who serve Him, and educated, good citizens of this country.

God bless!
Lori