C-a-t spells dog?

If you've ever taught a little one to read you know how exciting and frustrating it can be at the same time. One day they seem to sail through and the very next day they can barely sound out c-a-t. For the teacher it is a lesson in patience to be sure.

As I sat with little Emma today and listened to her struggle to sound out words that just last week she read fluently, I thought about my relationship with scripture. How often do I read something and really "get it", only to stumble on that same principle the next moment? I read and memorize scriptures on patience, only to become impatient with my kids. I meditate on the joy of the LORD, then turn around and grumble. As Emma practices her reading every day, she will become a better reader. As I practice looking more like Jesus every day, I will become more like Him.

I'm so thankful He is patient with me when I stumble. Remembering His patience helps me to be more patient with Emma on those days when c-a-t comes out d-o-g. She'll get there and hopefully, so will I.

Beth Moore - the hairbrush

Are you so filled with the presence and power of the LORD you'll do anything He asks? Are you so in tune with His Holy Spirit you are lead throughout the day by His promptings? I want to be. I want to walk so closely with Him that I draw my very breath from Him. Imagine what He will do with a life lived in such a way.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch this short Beth Moore video. In the world of quick sound bites and short e-mails, sometimes it's worth taking a few extra minutes to be truly encouraged. I guarantee this one will be worth your time and leave you wanting to hear from the LORD.

Hospital stays and God's inexplicable ways

No matter how much we plan, life often takes unexpected detours.

We have been planning for the last couple of months in anticipation of our church's inaugural service. Directing the kids ministry is an exciting opportunity and we couldn't wait to see how it all came together. We had planned. We had organized. We had worked and we had PRAYED, all along imagining how it would go.

Saturday night I ended up in the hospital and missed our first Sunday service. I'll spare you the details except to say I'm fine...and I do NOT make a good patient!

Now normally something like this would have sent me into an absolute tailspin, but thankfully the LORD has used the events of the last few years to grow my faith. If you've been reading for awhile, you may remember Fred and all his visit taught me. Because of faith lessons learned, I never had a moment of stress or worry about missing the service. Granted I was disappointed, but I knew the LORD's hand was in it all the way. My sudden trip to the hospital, though surprising to me, was not surprising to Him in the least. He knew it was coming and had allowed me to get everything done before getting sick. Everyone at church pitched in and it all went off without a hitch.

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will
succeed." Proverbs 16:3

We had committed this ministry to Him from the outset, praying for guidance each step of the way. If the ministry was fully committed to Him, then this was part of His plan for its success. I don't know why He allowed it to happen when He did, but I trust His plan for my life and for the life of our new church....but being the curious person I am, I sure wish He would let me in on it!

My devotion on Monday summed up my weekend perfectly.

Even when God's ways are inexplicable, His love is reliable."

Amen to that!

Heavenly intersections

Have you ever been a part of something you know is from God? Something you could not have orchestrated on your own strength no matter how hard you tried?

Being in that place, at that moment is the most amazing feeling. It's as if heaven and earth intersect, even if only for a moment, to create something special. God doesn't have to use us to get the job done. He's quite capable of making things happen on His own, but He chooses to allow us to be a part of His work here on earth. In His wisdom He knows it is part of our growth process. Those eternity making moments mold and shape us to look more like Him.

I don't know about you, but I want more of those moments in my life. I want to daily stand at the intersection of heaven and earth and be a part of creating something special. The only prerequisite is that I'm available and obedient. Some days I do better than others, but I know His work is not dependant on my personal failures or successes. In fact, it may be that my failure brings me to that very intersection where someone is waiting for help.

So how about you? What heavenly intersections have you experienced today?

What a sucker!

Life has been a bit hectic around here lately making school more difficult. Finally today we have nothing on our schedules until this evening....sigh of relief. Just as we're hitting the books the kids decide to play the guilt card on me.

"Mom, it doesn't rain very often in Texas. Can we PLEASE go play in the rain? You always say we need to get more exercise. We promise we'll be perfect ALL DAY! P.L.E.A.S.E!!!!"

Great! So I'm faced with being a drill sergeant or the fun mom. Care to guess where my kids are now? Yep, their singin' in the rain. We can always do school later.

Yes, I'm a sucker...but not a big enough sucker to believe the "perfect" part.