Popcorn and Grace

The few days before the next paycheck are always the most challenging and stressful, when it comes to preparing meals and to packing school lunches. The dinner table holds an array of leftovers, at times, but I've also been known to throw together some really odd combinations. The kids have opened their lunches to find a bag of mini marshmallows, a pickle, or saltine crackers. It gets really weird! Everyone breathes a grateful sigh of relief when we can finally go grocery shopping and get real food. I don't blame them at all.

This morning I popped a big bowl of salty buttery popcorn to add to their school lunch. It was a whim that just spontaneously tranformed into an act before I even really though about it. Almost like it was the Holy Spirit prompting, "Feed My children." I didn't argue, anyway. The kids were stoked and now I can allow myself the hopeful vision of my kids sharing their crunchy morsels of fluff with their friends, who are probably unfairly burdened with preservative-laden snackables and other processed packages of yuck. I want them to share, because they are just really good kids, and I'm that really cool mom!

Which reminds me of how God has always covered for me whenever I have only leftovers to work with, scraps of offerings to give, and really disjointed ideas because it's just been that kind of day, week, or month. God shows me that whatever I do isn't a big deal and He uses even tiny little things like a bit of time, a kind word, or even a simple prayer, and transforms it, like those hard yellow kernels of pocorn, into something exciting, fun, and totally yummy...in a fruit of the Spirit kind of yummy way. That's His grace and I am so thankful for it. And popcorn, I really thank God for popcorn!

Awakened!

Sometimes I feel dormant, in activity, in life, and in spirit. Days will go by and I feel very much asleep and comfortable in my bed of past achievements and experiences. I pull up the covers of complacency and close my eyes to the light of responsibility or opportunity. The reality of God's will seems too bright against my senses. And yet, despite my flesh and my fear of what lay ahead, I awaken.

I am coaxed out of my slumber like a tender sprout is coaxed by the sun's warmth and light. The seed that has lain resting and slowly germinating emerges as it is brought to life. Because all living things are drawn to its radiance and wonder. I long for it even when I don't feel ready or competent enough to do what God has purposed for me. Even my doubts cannot prevent me from responding to God's calling on my life because, in my search for Him and His truth, I am compelled to seek Him earnestly. I fight obstacles and hindrances just to get closer to Him and to know Him more.

And as my soul glimpses the glory of the Lord, I breathe hope, love, and joy afresh! The past becomes an imperceptible memory and I receive new eyes to behold Him and new ears to hear His voice. I am awakened! And He strengthens me and sustains me for the work of His hands. I am alive in Him!

Glory

Pursuing Intimacy

These past few days I have felt a stirring in my heart. It's unmistakable. My soul is longing for a deeper and more passionate relationship with Jesus.

In my quest I have sought out worship videos on youtube to find what I seek. There are multitudes of online Bible studies and email devotionals that I could sign up for. Just today I spent a good chunk of time sifting through the bookshelves at Goodwill hoping to find anything that would satisfy my search.

Why so much trouble over somthing God has made so simple? "If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me." Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

God must be the focus of my search, not other things or people, even those who love and serve Him. My entire being must be invested in this venture, without agendas or the wrong motive.

And I will find Him. Because He first found me!

A New Chapter

The haven has been quieter, these past couple of days. It will be even more silent next week. We will have all of our kids in school. And I haven't decided how I really feel about it.

We've been all over this thing. Homeschooling. Public schooling. Alternative schooling.

We know our ideals and what we've wanted to do. We want to be superhuman too. It's not going to happen.

But that's okay.

Lord, thank You for being with our children when they are apart from us, just as when they are with us. It's reassuring to know that You love them more than I ever could. This doesn't exactly make perfect sense but we do have Your perfect peace. And I honestly couldn't ask for more.

Lovingly Yours,
Glory