Keeper of the Light

The storm raged like a starving lion eager to devour anything in its path. The wind howled through the chimney. Waves crashed onto the shore. Lightning flashed, followed immediately by an ear-piercing clap of thunder, causing five-year-old Abigail Stevens to tremble and scurry into her mother's arms.

"I'm scared Mama."

Melissa Stevens smoothed her daughter's red hair, as she pulled her onto her lap. "There's nothing to fear my dear. God is with us. Remember what we memorized in Psalm 56:3 this morning?"

Abigail nodded as she recited, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."

"That's right Abi. God doesn't want us to be afraid, but to trust in Him," Melissa said reassuringly.

"What about Papa and Andrew? Can God take care of them too?" Abigail asked, curling closer to her mother.

"Even though your brother and Papa are in the tower tending the light, God still sees them and cares," Melissa comforted.

"But why can't Papa be here with us?" Abigail asked in a small voice, ducking under her mother's arms, as a brilliant flash of light pierced the darkness.

"You know that Papa needs to be making sure the light is shining brightly. It's important for Andrew to start learning how to help Papa. On a stormy night like this one, we need to be able to warn ships about the hazards if they would happen to get closer to shore. Your Papa has a crucial job as lighthouse keeper," Melissa said.

"But, why can't I help too? I'm the same age as Andrew," Abi said with a frown on her face.

Melissa smiled at her. "You'll have your turn to learn too, dear one. God has called each of us to be a keeper of the light."

"I never knew how right you would be Mama," Abi murmured years later, as she lovingly placed wildflowers on the graves of her parents and twin brother. She wiped a tear from her cheek. "How am I ever going to manage the lighthouse on my own now?"



On July 30 - August 1, 2010 speakers, writers and women's ministry leaders will descend upon Concord, North Carolina to attend this year's Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference. I would love to be one of the ones blessed to be there. Cecil Murphy is offering a full scholarship for one person. To learn more about the contest and conference, check out Lysa TerKeurst's blog, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministry.
http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2010/03/she-speaks-scholarship-contest.html.
http://www.shespeaksconference.com/

The competition is tight for this contest. Each woman expresses her desire to attend. Some cite the rough times encountered in 2009. Others convey their passions to speak, write, or lead women. I fit both of these categories. I have a calling and passion to be a writer and my family has undergone its share of difficulties too. This past year we experienced a debilitating ski injury, complications from surgery, months without work, a leaky roof, and I endured months of physical illness. While each of us is unique, every participant hopes to be the one picked for this scholarship.

After six weeks of spiritual renewal, God has reaffirmed His calling in my life to write. This passion has been a part of me since I was a very young girl. Until now, something else has always taken precedence. I prayed throughout the past couple months, seeking God's discernment. I was open to writing nonfiction, Bible studies, articles, fiction, or whatever He desires of me. While vacationing in Georgia at the beginning of March, God surprised me with the idea of writing a fiction trilogy on lighthouse keepers. This era of history is fascinating, and often overlooked. I would love the opportunity to pitch my idea with a publisher this summer, and to step out in faith in my calling to write.

How Is Your Walk?

"Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him." Deuteronomy 8:6

I really enjoy walking. I am not a runner, but I do enjoy a leisurely and even brisk stroll. I find it beneficial for my health as well as spiritual growth. Most times I walk, I also pray, experiencing two benefits.

Lately walking and being on my feet has been painful. For about a year and a half I have been experiencing heel pain. It first started in my left foot and now is experienced in both. Most days I do not have much relief from discomfort. It has come to the point where I may soon need to go to a doctor to discover what is occurring.

Even though I often experience pain, I haven't given up walking. I haven't been walking quite as much, or as far as I used to, but I still try.

I can't help but think about my husband's inability to walk for three months after his ski accident a year ago. He could have no weight bearing on his left leg due to his fractured pelvis. It was a rough time for our family, since it meant over three months of being without our only source of income.

But yet we still chose to walk with our Lord - placing our lives in His hands, and trusting Him to take care of us. The future was shaky and uncertain, but we continued to trust and believe that He would provide for us. Times were hard - our stove died, we needed new tires for our van, our pantry was thinning, medical bills kept coming, and our roof was leaking. In the midst of the unknown we felt God's calling our son to participate in a short-term mission trip to China. We couldn't see from where the answers, money, and help would come.

God provided for each of our needs. We had a temporary patch put on the area that was leaking, and now almost a year later, a local church will soon be supplying a completely new roof. We have continued to walk and trust God for our needs.

I'm reminded that even when we may struggle physically with walking, we can always be active in our spiritual walk of following our Master. He has a path that is marked out for us; we need to just walk in it.

Research and Catch Up Day

Mondays are usually my re-group day. It's the first day back after having time with my family over the weekend and traditionally entails homeschool and laundry. I try and catch up with things that have been put off over the past couple days. Today has been a mix of all of these things, along with trying to do some research about lighthouses.

I previewed a documentary video on various lighthouses this afternoon. I find that the more I see, read and learn about this time period in history, the more I am enthralled and inspired. Many ideas for what I feel God is calling me to write has been stirring in my brain. I juggle with trying to find time to get them on paper as well as dealing with the demands of daily life.

Then there also is the home school article that needs to be written this next week. It too demands my attention. Laundry is sitting in the dryer awaiting me, soon supper will need to be prepared and consumed. Today I feel like a juggler, trying to keep the balls spinning in the air and not dropping any to the ground.

Free

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

Can you believe it - the first day of Spring already. It's been another beautiful day in PA, with temperatures in the low 70's. My guys and I had errands to run, and were gone for most of the day. While we were out and about, we stopped off at Rita's for free Italian ices. This only occurs on the first day of Spring. It isn't very often that you are able to get something for free. It was a real treat to have a special dessert today.

I have been thinking about things that are free. Many times we have the opportunity to be blessed by other people, but we have to be willing to accept what is given. We learned this morning that a local church has graciously offered to put a new roof on our house. They hope to have it completed by May. We were overwhelmed by their love and generosity of reaching out to us in this way.

We feel incredibly blessed and unworthy. As wonderful as it is to be receiving a new roof, which we drastically need, I can't help but think of the free gift that God has given us. He provided a way for us to live and be forgiven, through the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins. It is a gift of eternal life that He freely gives to us - all we have to do is accept it. My prayer for you is that you willing accept God's free gift.

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength!

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7

It is a beautiful sunny day in PA. In a short while, I'll drive to pick my son up from work. The afternoon will be busy with his working on his school work, and I need to do some home school planning during that time. For now, I am just relishing in the joy of being where God has me at this moment.

There are pressing things, as always - paying the steep deductible to get our van fixed from an accident, an expensive physical therapy bill, the cost of regular maintenance on our van, etc. Even though we are faced with some big expenses at the moment, I still cling to God's directing me to soon start taking a writing course. At this point, I'm not sure where the money is going to come from, but I trust God's direction and leading in my life.

I am excited about where He is leading me. He gives me joy each day, and that joy gives me strength. I relish in the love of God.

Thirsty for God

I am reading a book by David Jeremiah entitled Signs of Life. He says, "as Christians we should be making people thirsty for God." I think it is important to examine our lives routinely to see how we are doing with this. Some questions to ask:

"Am I encouraging others in their Christian walk?"
"Is it evident to those I meet that I am a follower of Christ?"
"Is my speech honoring to God?"
"Are my deeds evident of my motivation as Christ's child?"

Think of a hot summer day when you have been working outside for a few hours. You take a break and relax in the shade, drinking an iced cold glass of tea, lemonade or water - something that refreshes and quenches the thirst. This is how we should be to the people we meet - a cool drink in a dry and thirsty land.

How are you doing with making people thirsty for God?

Contentment

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:11-12

I finally had the opportunity to do a little housecleaning today. There still is a lot that needs to be accomplished. I ran the vacuum, cleared off the dining room table (except for one pile) and also swept the kitchen floor. Piles are still waiting to be gone through, counters cleared, bathrooms cleaned, dusting, etc. I don't know how it always happens, but it can be many months after Christmas, and I still find tree needles that have been hiding somewhere. I vacuumed some needles today, and they still had that fresh pine scent.

I am in the process of trying to get better organized here at home, so I have time to work on the things that God has called me to do. I desperately want to figure this out soon, so I can get on to the business of researching and writing. I also am trying to finish reading two books that will soon be due at the library (and won't renew), as well as work through one that I need to blog a book review. Then there is the home school article that needs to be written and submitted by April 1st.

Then there also are the daily chores - Homeschool, cooking meals, laundry, taking care of bills, dishes, etc. Also throw in two birthdays in the past several days, teaching a Bible study, and I'm not sure what else! Isn't it something, how we can get so caught up in the things that are pressing, that we get stressed by them?

I have been striving towards not being stressed by my 'to do' list. Some days I am successful and do great with keeping things in proper perspective, other times...not so great. Today would probably classify as in between. I was thankful that I was finally able to get some things accomplished, but it just never seems that I move fast enough. I have high hopes and motivation, but something seems to happen between the planning and the execution. Perhaps I could chalk it up to 'getting older.' I don't know what else to call it! :)

My mind goes back to the scripture written above - the importance of learning to be content no matter what situation we face. I pray that God continues to drill this into my heart, until it becomes a natural reaction and response in all that I say and do. I pray that Philippians 3:13b-14 will be characteristic of my life. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Happy Birthday Honey!!!

What an incredibly blessed woman I am to be married to my beloved husband. Today is his 44th birthday. Here is a poem to celebrate him.

My Beloved One
Smiles and laughter,
Joy and tears,
Hard times and good
Treasured time with you.

Newly married,
Army life,
Moving and moving some more.
Tour of duty in Germany.

Joy of expecting,
Sorrow from loss.
Uncertain joy,
When expecting again.

First boy to join the fold.
Learning as new parents,
Enjoying each day,
Three years later another dear one.

Trials and tribulation,
Ups and downs,
Smoke damage,
and ski accidents.

Through all we have faced,
You are always there beside me.
Holding my hand
And lifting me up.

My best friend and lover,
The one I hold dear.
Hope your day is a special one,
Happy Birthday my dear!

Shining Like Stars

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:12-18

I remember a summer night last year when our family was away for the weekend. We were in a secluded setting, with very little light from the surrounding community. It was a beautiful starry night. We were amazed at the amount of stars that we could see that evening. Where we live there is a lot of light pollution, so we are unable to see all the stars. Even though we can’t see them, they still are present in the sky.

The stars shone exceptionally bright that evening, or at least it seemed so to us as we lay on a blanket observing them. We had the privilege of viewing several shooting stars as well. It was a night that I still remember.

The portion of scripture written above is subtitled in my Bible as, “Shining as Stars.” It tells us how we can be set apart and different from the world around us. One of the first things that I noticed as I read it was obedience. The believers were being praised for their following what was commanded, whether or not someone was watching them or not.

They were encouraged not to complain, argue or grumble. Sometimes it is so easy to fall into this trap. We say, “I’m tired,” “I wish so and so didn’t do such and such,” “I wish it would stop raining,” etc. Our list of complaints is often endless. This is something we often hear in our everyday lives.

If we are different from the world, as believers, then we should be the ones who are being grateful, encouraging and making a point to get along with others. When we choose to do this, we too can “shine like stars in the universe.” This theme has been on my heart recently. It is an area where I am trying to improve and be different. Have I succeeded? No, I’m still far from that example. But I can’t help but remember that even a very dim light can be seen from far away. So in the process of learning to be that bright star, I pray that God uses me, even when I am just a dim light. I desire to learn and grow to be the bright light that He desires for me to be!

Happy Birthday Joshua!

It seems hard to believe that nineteen years ago at this time in Heidelberg, Germany I was in labor with our first child. I remember as my husband and I headed to the hospital. We weren't sure if I was in labor or not. I continued to have back pains every 20 minutes or so. This was not how our childbirth class described it. We called the doctor, and they recommended coming, just in case.

I was not due for three more days. The hospital was an hour away. My husband and I decided to stop by the PX for film for our Polaroid camera, just in case I actually was in labor. We took our time getting to the hospital. When we finally did arrive, I was pretty far dilated. Within a few hours afterward, our nine pound son entered the world.

It was a cold day when my son arrived. I also remember, three days later when we headed back home to Heilbronn. Spring had sprung while I was in the hospital. I recall remarking to my husband about all of the flowers that were opened, and how beautiful it was. I'm afraid it was a quiet and unusual birthday for my husband that year (March 16).

Today, I can't help but be reminded of the joy that came into our lives nineteen years ago. This is our first birthday to not be with our son, since he is away at college in Florida. We praise God for you son. Happy Birthday!! We love you and miss you!