Walk By Faith

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

The Lord reminded me of this verse this morning when I received an unexpected phone call. On Monday I had gone for my annual mammogram. I was told that if there were any issues with reading the films I would hear back in a couple days. This morning as I walked with my walking partner I shared that I guess everything went okay because I hadn't heard anything from the clinic. Within minutes after returning home from exercising I had a call from the health center stating that I needed to come back in for additional x-rays.

I must admit that a small part is apprehensive since both my mother and maternal grandmother were diagnosed with breast cancer within months of each other. They both made it through treatments and are cancer free today. So on Friday I face yet another mammogram.

I am choosing to walk in faith and not by sight. I know that there is no guarantee that I will get the all clear, but I know that I serve a Heavenly Father that I can trust. If for some reason I face cancer in my future, I know that it is part of God's plan for my life and He will help me each step of the way. What a reassurance I have that what comes into my life is filtered through His hands when I am choosing to follow and serve Him.

Take Time for Rest

Last night I was telling my husband how tired I have been lately. Our schedule has been pretty intense the past couple weeks. I have felt overwhelmed with all that needs to get accomplished. When I have too many things I'm trying to do and am not getting enough rest, my body responds with headaches and chest pains. Each day for the past couple weeks I have been experiencing at least one of those symptoms.

As I was conversing with my hubby I realized that I have been trying to do too many things lately. They have all been good things, but I just can't do it all. You think I would realize that by now! :) It seems that whenever I have too many days of having to be away from the home because of various activities, my body responds accordingly.

Today God has been whispering to me the need to slow down and that there are times when I need to say no, even when it is a good activity. God made a point of resting on the seventh day after He created the world. Jesus often made a point of getting away from the crowds for some time of rest.

This afternoon my time of rest will include our annual Fall hike to the mountains. Ever since our boys were tiny, we have tried each year to go to the mountains once the leaves start changing colors. Many years we have collected a variety of leaves and then came home and made festive place mats. We take a picnic supper to enjoy before we do some hiking together. It is an event that we all look forward to doing.

It will be a shorter trip this year because my husband still has been experiencing back problems and won't be able to walk very far. It also is starting to get dark quicker, so our time will be limited. But I look forward to glorying in God's presence and the beauty of His nature. When we return home the guys will be having a special "guys" movie night. I hope to just have some down time and get caught up with things that have been weighing on me.

I plan to look at my schedule and see where I can carve times of rest into each week - perhaps even each day. How are you doing with having a time of rest? Are there some areas that you need to change in your life?

Good Samaritan

On Saturday my husband and I were able to attend Homecoming festivities at the college where we graduated. It was easy to do that since we live in the same town as the college. Our boys were busy serving at a local camp for the day so we had the day to ourselves.

After enjoying the free breakfast, watching the homecoming parade, taking part in some tailgating activities, we decided to stop for lunch at the Chick-fil-A which had recently opened on campus. We entered the food line and reminisced about the "good old days". We picked out two sandwiches and a large waffle fries and placed it on the tray and then went to the register to check out.

My husband pulled out his wallet and discovered that he had not brought along the type of credit card that we needed to pay for our food. We had no cash, and I had left my wallet at home. We did not even have a MAC card. Of course we were a little flustered, but said that we would just have to put the food back since we were unable to pay for it. To our surprise the cashier piped up and said that she could cover it for us. My husband had mentioned that he works on campus. She told him that he should just come over on Monday and pay her what we owed.

We were shocked by her generosity. She had no guarantee that my husband would actually pay her back, she just did it for us with good faith that we would pay her back. (We did go back home immediately and got the money and paid her right away). God used this cashier - Molly - to speak to my heart. God reminded me of the story of the Good Samaritan. Molly did not know us, but she still chose to help us out. She performed an act of kindness for us and we were truly blessed by it.

When was the last time you performed a random act of kindness for someone you know, or for a complete stranger? There are many ideas of things that you can do: pay for the person's meal behind you as you go through the drive-thru; rake leaves for a neighbor, write a note of encouragement, take a meal to a shut-in, take a basket of goodies to a local business and let them know how much you appreciate them... The list goes on and on of ideas of how we can be a Good Samaritan in someone's life. Ask God this week to show you someone that He would like you to minister to. He will point out someone and will also give you an idea of what you can do to be a blessing to that person.

Holding Hands

Hebrews 8:9-10 "It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

This scripture was part of my devotion reading this morning. I was struck by the phrase, "when I took them by the hand." I thought this was an awesome picture of how God leads us if we allow Him to do so. The more I thought about this image, the Lord reminded me of when I was a senior in college. I was involved in a Christian fellowship group on campus and was growing tremendously in my spiritual walk, was recently engaged, and felt very close to the Lord. One day as I walked to campus and attended my classes I could definitely feel God's presence with me in a physical way. I even could feel His touch as He held my hand. It was something I had never experienced before.

There have been other times in my life when I have been very much aware of God's presence in my life. I remember the unexplainable peace God filled me with as my husband and I watched our then five-year-old son being lifted into a helicopter to be rushed to Hershey Medical Center after he fell from his bunk bed and completely fractured his spleen. As he left we did not know if he would be alive, in surgery, or what would happen to him. But as the helicopter prepared to take off I had an overwhelming sense that no matter what happened (whether he lived or died), that God was in control and I could trust Him.

Holding hands reminds me of a small child that grasps the larger hand of their parent. They have complete trust in their caregiver. I also think about holding hands with my sweetheart. Even after almost twenty years of marriage I enjoy holding my husband's hand and know how much he loves and cares for me. As much as I love holding hands with my husband and occasionally with my sons, I want to be a woman that is holding hands with God. Holding my "Daddy's" hand requires that I place my trust in Him and allow Him to lead me. After all, He knows what is best for me and knows the direction I need to be going.

When was the last time you held hands with your Heavenly Father and allowed Him to lead you?

Chicken Soup for the Homeschooler's Soul

Is this a book that you'd be interested in???
Please stop by Apples of Gold and see what great idea she has!

Free Candle

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Rainy Day

Some people are depressed when there is a rainy day. I always enjoy whether we have a rainy or sunny day. Today we are having a rainy day. Originally I planned to walk early this morning with a dear friend, but we changed plans because it was pouring at the time. This allowed me an opportunity to get a little more rest this morning, which was an unexpected blessing.

As I thought about the beauty of a rainy day, God also reminded me about the importance of letting Him reign in my life. It must be a daily choice and decision to allow Him to be in control of my life. I desire for Him to always be in the center of my life.

I was struck by a couple sentences in Priscilla Shirer's book, He Speaks to Me this afternoon. She said, "When God wants to do something out of the ordinary, can He look to you or me? Or will He have to bypass us because we've become too set in our ways?" I don't know about you my friend, but I desire to be a woman that says "Yes!" to God. I don't want to become so set in my ways that I don't allow the Holy Spirit to move in my heart. I desire for each day to be a "Reigny Day" where Christ reigns in my heart and life.

Treasured Moments

This past weekend we had the pleasure of having my in-laws come for a visit. For a number of years they lived in the Midwest so we would only get to see them once a year when we took our family vacation. Those days held lots of joy and happiness as we had hours of family time together driving in the car, but also visiting my husband's parents. These vacations were some of the most memorable for all of us.

Several years ago they were able to move to our side of the United States, just a couple hours drive away. But because of various circumstances we have not been able to see them often and rarely just the two of them. In my heart, I often prayed that God would somehow make it that we could have some of that alone time with them again, hopefully before my two sons were grown and left home.

We were pleasantly surprised to recently receive a phone call that just the two of them would be able to visit this past weekend. This has been rare since they have moved into the area for various reasons. One of the main reasons is that my mother-in-law has been battling cancer for a couple years and her health has been poor. She currently is in remission and is regaining her strength. Praise God!

Saturday found my husband, two sons and father-in-law participating in an all day scouting event at a local military post. With the guys gone, my mother-in-law suggested a day of shopping together. This is something that we have been unable to do together for quite a number of years. We spent over five hours shopping, trying on clothes and just re-connecting. I was pleasantly surprised with the purchases that she made for me. As much as I am enjoying the new clothes that fit me nicely(Thanks Mom! :), and make me feel better about myself, I would have to say the moments we spent together is what I treasure the most.

As I wrote in my journal that evening, God reminded me of the prayer that I had been praying now for over four years - to be able to spend time alone again with my in-laws. I realized that I finally was seeing a glimpse of that answer to prayer. I praise God for this weekend that we shared. It is a treasured moment to me.

As I pondered writing about this, it made me think about the time that I spend with the Lord each day. How much of that time is a 'Treasured Moment'? Do I take the time to really enjoy being at the feet of my Heavenly Father or am I just going through the motions so I can cross it off my "To Do" list? Do I glory in His presence as I watch the sun rise? Do I praise Him as I go about my day, teaching the kids, doing laundry, meals, chores, etc. Am I treasuring each moment I have with Him?

How about you? When was the last time you treasured the time you spent with Jesus?

Writing Club

I don't have anything deep and philosophical to write today :), but thought I would share with you a home school idea. My boys are in 8th and 11th grade this year. At times they like writing, when they can choose what they want to write about, but not so excited when it is an assignment.

Because of my love of writing I decided to teach a writing club for home school students in our area this year. Nothing big or extensive. We meet once a month. Today was our first time to meet and only one adolescent came. We geared it for 6th - 12th graders. This first month each of the boys (all we currently have) brought along stories/poems that they had written and shared them with the group. They all enjoyed reading their own writing aloud, and hearing appropriate feedback.

Next we talked about the assignment which will be due next month. For their first assignment I chose something fun for them to do. They are creating a comic book that has to feature four different people. Two heroes, a helpless victim and an antagonist. Since we had a small group and were finished with readings early, I allowed them time to start brainstorming about their comic books. I pulled out paper and colored pencils so they could start sketching ideas.

They were excited and so was I as I saw them get interested about the project. Most home school moms I have talked with do not feel confident with teaching writing. I don't know that I do either, but I figured what was important was that they had some guided projects to accomplish, as well as a safe environment where they could share their ideas and be accepted. I have learned that it does not need to be elaborate.

What new endeavor is God calling you to do? Don't be afraid to step out and say "Yes" to His calling.

Hint of Evil

A couple times on Christian radio recently I have heard various speakers talking about the importance of staying away from even the hint of evil. I think as Christians we don't often realize how much we flirt with the world and flirt with just a hint of evil.

We perhaps watch a TV program that may be completely fine except for that short scene that displays an illicit affair. Or we joke with co-workers and don't say anything when an off-color comment is made. Even as Christians we aren't immune to this. How easy it is to listen to the latest piece of gossip, or perhaps even spread some. What secret sins do you hide in your heart?

The Lord reminded me of this as I was walking this morning from 6:30 - 7 AM in my neighborhood. It was a cool, dark misty morning. The sun wasn't even up yet. As I walked I viewed a number of houses with Halloween decorations.

Now I know this is a controversial topic when it comes to Christians. When I grew up we celebrated this holiday and even went around as kids to get candy like everyone else. I never thought a whole lot about it until my husband and I were stationed in Germany. Where we lived there was a large population of practicing witches in the area. It was halloween and we did not have any children yet. We didn't want to participate in handing out candy, but choose instead to go to a movie on the military post. As we walked to the movies you could see kids going around in all kinds of costumes, and your first inclination was that it was cute. But yet, we also could feel an almost physical oppression that night from the spiritual warfare that was going on as well. We somehow knew that on the surface things looked like just a fun time for kids, but also knew for the demonic world, it was a totally different realm. Because of that, we never have chosen to celebrate halloween with our children.

This morning as I walked the Lord reminded me of this occurrence again. As I was getting exercise and praying, I saw multiple houses decorated with witches, ghosts, and bats. The Lord spoke to me about the importance of staying away from even the hint of evil. 1 John 2:15 talks about not loving things of this world. When we choose to love the things of the world, we don't have God's love inside us. So are there any things that you are holding onto that are of this world? Let's join together and choose to be separate from this world so that others see Christ in us.