{a reason for thanks}

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is is good,

for His steadfast love endures forever!"

Psalm 107:1

We've heard it before, probably over and over again.  It may have become so familiar that we don’t really think about its meaning.  But I encourage you to stop right now and go over it slowly.  Savor each word.  What does it mean?  Do we believe it?  And what are the implications for our everyday lives when we do so?

God is always, only good. And His covenant-keeping, faithful love lasts forever.   

But what about those times when the burdens weigh heavy?  When the diagnosis is bleak?  When the heart is breaking?  What about the times when the money doesn't seem to stretch and the prodigal is afar off and the storm winds are battering down upon your world?

Speak this truth to your heart, dear ones.   Whatever you’re facing,

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,

for His steadfast love endures forever!

Linger in Psalm 107.  All throughout the chapter, we see examples of trouble and desert experiences and sickness and storms.  As Nancy Leigh DeMoss pointed out at the recent True Woman ’14 Conference, the pattern throughout this passage serves as an example for you and me. 

There’s trouble.  We cry out.  God delivers.  We give thanks. 

Oh, we know the very real pain of this broken world.  In His grace, God uses the pain to draw us to Him, for it’s there that we finally realize how desperately we need Him.  And so we cry out (v.6, 13, 19, 28).  Now He may not provide the desired outcome immediately.  He may not change our circumstances.  But we keep crying out, for in so doing, God will be changing us, bringing about the real deliverance we need.  He alone is our desired haven (v. 30), not a different set of circumstances.   God will always deliver in a way that brings Him the most glory and makes us most like Him.  And our response?  Hearts spilling forth with thanksgiving…

“Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love,

for His wondrous works to the children of man!”

Psalm 107:8 (15, 21, 31)

“A soul redeemed demands a life of praise.” 

~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss

thanks...right here

I was tremendously blessed to read this blog entry earlier this year, and even more blessed to worship with Shannon Wexelberg at the Revive '13:  Women Helping Women Conference last month.

As we transition into this Thanksgiving season, we're so prone to thank God for physical and relational blessings, for answered prayers, for things going our way.  I am so challenged and encouraged by this beautiful reminder that even in the midst of the pain, the difficulty, and the situation we never would have chosen for ourselves, we can give thanks.  Right here.

For in the dark hours---in the valleys of infertility and loss and change---God has drawn me so close to His heart.  I've come to know Him in ways I never had before.  I'm so very mindful of all I would have missed had it not been for those hard times.  He's here, dear one.

Read Shannon's blog post, download her song, and be blessed!

Oh, and here's a short video featuring a bit of her song and her story:

Thank You for the Pain

I wrote my 2011 reflections back in November.
And as these final hours of 2011 tick down,
I can say with absolute joy and certainty that
my God is faithful.
And He is good.

*** Year end reflections ~
originally posted November 10, 2011***

Sometimes life hurts.
And 2011 has had its share of heartache.
It's been a year of loss and change and letting go---
and it's likely not much different from yours.

As I hung my crisp new calendar last January,
I had no idea what awaited.
The days back then were still empty, white squares,
just waiting to be filled.
I couldn't know that early in that first week of the new year,
our church family would experience a devastating,
unexpected loss of one far too young.

As the winter snows melted into spring
the robins returned with their song.
Though the world seemed to be coming alive again,
we were reminded---time after time---that
our bodies are passing away.
Our hearts ached as we bid farewell
to two beloved neighbors---one on either side of us---
who lost their courageously fought battles with cancer,
both within a month's time.
In the midst of those losses, and without warning,
we held the hands of friends who received the diagnosis that no one wants to hear.
Only one month after the diagnosis, he was home with Jesus.

A week after his homegoing, our cheeks still wet with tears,
I received the phone call I'd never dreamed in a million years.
My precious friend had, unexpectedly, passed away from complications due to her cancer. 

With a still aching heart,
the end of June brought the day I'd been dreading since February.
Another dear friend was moving away,
only this time it wasn't to heaven---
it was just a mere 80 minute drive away.
Still---just too far.

The dry earth of June mimicked our hearts.
We were dry and parched and thirsty for God.
We needed Him to meet us...to fill us...to rain down with His comfort and peace.

The summer months brought additional change and transition---
good change, mind you, but change that
rearranged our lives,
left us feeling somewhat lost and vulnerable,
and brought an increasingly familiar heartache.

When the questions swirled
and our hearts laid raw,
there was still indescribable hope.
joy.
quiet assurance.

Not one moment of these past months has gone
undetected, unnoticed by our God.
He's seen each tear and hurt;
He's heard each cry and plea;
He's felt our anguish and grief.

And in the center of each trial,
He has been there,
carrying us,
sustaining us,
comforting us;
investing the ache and the pain
to make us look more like Him
and captivate
our hearts,
our attention,
and our affections.

Even through days and seasons of pain,
our hope is firmly rooted in Him.
He is our joy.
And this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful.

*Below is a song that has greatly ministered to me over the past couple of years. I pray God uses it to sing truth and comfort over your life.
***Please pause music at bottom of page if you wish to view this video.

Thank You for Change

As much as I've talked (or ranted or complained) about change here in my little corner of Blogland, God is faithful.  While He's been at work on this stubborn heart of mine for quite some time, I've often been unwilling to budge and give Him the freedom to have His way in me.  I've resisted.  I've fought hard against new seasons.  Oh, I'm so thankful He doesn't give up on me! 

Several months ago, I was contacted about speaking at our church's homeschool group in October.  Within days of that request, I received another request to speak at our young moms' group last Friday.  Now, those of you who know me in real life KNOW that this is SO NOT ME.  My husband is the up-front guy. 

I'm a background person. 

Support person. 
Comfortable-being-unseen person.
I like it that way.
I write here at my keyboard, safe and cocooned. 
That's about as "out there" as I get. 

Yet in the midst of our role transition of these past months, I couldn't help but notice that God presented me with two requests to speak. 

My first instinct was to turn them down cold. 
Resist. 
Plead busyness. 
Ineptness. 
A case of the measles. 
Anything. 

But as I prayed about it, I couldn't help but strongly sense it was of God. 
A God who loves me.
Sees me.
Knows what's best for me.

I couldn't do it.  And that's exactly where He wanted me:  a place of utter dependence, not on my own ability, but on His alone.  I remember crying out, "God, I so can't do this!  This isn't me.  This isn't my gift!  You're going to have to do it!"  I think I'm finding He delights in those prayers.  So much of my life, I've rested and relied on my own abilities or strengths.  How our Father longs to knock us out flat before Him, crying, "God!  I've got nothing!  Use me!" 

And so, yes, I've most often struggled with change and new seasons.  I've bucked.  But I'm discovering gracious reminders that He doesn't send us off into new seasons or uncharted waters without His presence and a plan.  I see little glimmers of hope all around me.

These current months are still very much a time of transition.  We still often find ourselves with one foot in youth ministry and the other in adult ministry.  And sometimes I'm afraid to let go; to make that final leap.  Last night as my husband and I returned home after a full day, we began recounting recent days.  As I recalled my time with the "young moms" on Friday, tears filled my eyes, for God used that out-of-my-comfort-zone morning to give me a vision and a hope; a reminder that "...the God who has been sufficient until now should be trusted to the end." ~ Charles Spurgeon

And I'm thankful.
Thankful for change.

[thanks with my whole heart]

• the warmth and coziness of home when the temperatures dip outside
• the pink sunrise on the lake
• singing "Sleigh Ride"---loudly and poorly---with our youngest son
• Starbucks runs with our oldest son
• seeing our middle man-son lead with conviction and passion

Great Is the Lord

The Lord is gracious and merciful...

...good to all...

...faithful in all His words...

...kind in all His works...

...righteous in all His ways...

...near to all who call on Him...

...preserves all who love Him...

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord.

~ from Psalm 145

We Gather Together

I love worshipping and sitting under the teaching of the Word with my church family each week.  As I consider Thanksgiving blessings this year, my heart is quick to thank God for the church family with whom we get to share life.  While I love loving them, serving with them, and doing life with them througout the ordinary days, there is something extra sweet when we all gather together at our annual Thanksgiving service.

Everyone from the youngest babies and toddlers to the stooped over grandmas and grandpas gather together in our sanctuary.  Our pastor usually begins by reading William Bradford's Thanksgiving proclamation of 1623---I love that part.  Microphones line the aisles.  And then our church family is invited to give testimony as to how God has worked over the past year.  One after another, our brothers and sisters approach the mikes.  It is a precious, tear-stained time of rejoicing and thanksgiving. 

There is beauty in the little ones---and the big ones, too---hearing the stories of the gray haired lady who has walked with Jesus for many, many years.  There is richness as they hear those older than them point to the Giver and recount how God has been actively working in their lives.  All these testimonies give our kids---and us---a picture of what God is like.  We hear how He's supplied real needs and sustained through real trials.  We hear the absolute joy and overwhelming thankfulness in knowing and walking with Jesus.  It strengthens our faith and pours hope and courage into our hearts.

It's a poignant, beautiful reminder of Psalm 78:4...

"We will not hide them from their children,

but tell to the coming generation

the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might,

and the wonders that He has done."

Great Is His Faithfulness

We've heard the story all our lives. 

The abbreviated version:
The Pilgrims came to the new world seeking religious freedom.
After trying, difficult months aboard the Mayflower,
they sighted land and established a colony.
They befriended the Indians
and God graciously used them
to teach the Pilgrims how to plant crops.
They threw a feast in celebration of God's bounty.
And, of course, they gave thanks.

While I've always known that many lives were lost in that first winter of establishing Plymouth Colony, it wasn't till this week that I've truly undertstood the picture of this in its fullness.

Despite the loss of half of those who originally arrived on the Mayflower,
despite their frequent lack of food,
despite the uncertain relations
with neighboring Indian tribes---
they gave God thanks.
And it wasn't just for "stuff."
It was thanks for God's care and guidance and faithfulness.

God has seemingly wanted to impress this on my heart,
as He's been sending me example after example of this in recent days.

My friend and I are doing a Bible study on the life of David.
David, the one God sent Samuel to anoint king,
was on the run again.
He was being hotly pursued by the unstable, enraged, jealous
King Saul who sought his life.
While fleeing from those who would seek to do him harm,
he wrote Psalm 54.
"With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O Lord,
for it is good." (v.6)

And then there's President Abraham Lincoln who declared a day of national thanksgiving and praise IN THE MIDST of the Civil War.
That was a broken, painful time for our nation.
But in the midst of the pain,
President Lincoln knew the importance
of directing thanksgiving and praise
to our Almighty God.

In each of these examples,
eyes and hearts were firmly fixed on Jesus.
Even when life was painful and difficult,
they remembered God's
character, wonders, and provisions.
They believed that even in the trials,
He was faithfully at work and would not abandon them.

What a beautiful, convicting reminder for us in 2011.
No matter the circumstances or seasons of life,
our hearts can and should spill over with sincere gratitude
for His past mercies and faithful love.

All we've needed, His hand has provided.
Great is His faithfulness.

Learning

There is an incredible comfort in the words Paul wrote in Philippians 4.  I'd glossed over them for most of my life, but then God imprinted them indelibly on my heart. 

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."  Philippians 4:11-12

I have learned.

Thankfulness is not our natural response.  It's not our default setting, especially when facing the everyday hardships and trials of life. 

But our friend, Paul, speaks words of hope to my heart:  thankfulness can be learned.  Even...

• on Monday mornings when everything is going wrong
• at the end of the day when our strength is spent
• when we receive the phone call that changes everything
• when there's not enough money to pay the bills
• when the child we love more than life itself tries to deny that love
• when the diagnosis is bleak....

We can be---we can learn to be---thankful.

Whether low or abounding,
filled or hungry,
abundant or needy,
we can rest...be still...rejoice...be thankful:

thankful for His grace...faithfulness...love.
thankful that He's in control when everything's out of our control.
thankful for promises of new mercies...presence...strength;
peace...forgiveness...victory.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7

grateful heart

• crunching through crisp autumn leaves
• hot spiced cider with a friend
• the knowledge that the next day brings a reunion of friends too far apart
• baking to my heart's content
• texts that bring big ol' smiles to my face

bountiful thanks

when life is changing,

when there are doubts and uncertainties,

when there are seemingly more questions than answers,

grab hold of this truth.

remember:

"Return, O my soul, to your rest;

for the LORD has dealt [bountifully] with you."

Psalm 116:7

I can rest,
for He's never, ever failed me.
[And I'm thankful].

a thankful heart

• God's hand of provision and grace all over the place as we traveled to New Orleans
• sweet, precious tear-stained circles of prayer
• a personal, intimate God who knows just what my heart needs
• the warm golden hue of September, right before the trees burst into their autumn glory
• people with whom we do life, all over this globe

[count your many blessings]

• bike rides on sunny days
• long walks with my beloved
• teenage boys around my table, eating tons of pizza
• family reunited after 2 years apart
• tea party with 4 little ladies

...I will thank Him forever...

I'm thankful that my God
calls me out...convicts...shows me where I'm wrong.
I'm grateful He reveals the selfish motives of my heart,
unveils the jealousy and bitterness that too often reside there,
and loves me too much to let me stay that way.

I'm thankful that, as a gentle Father,
He lifts my chin, my eyes to His.
He whispers His words of Truth and Life over me,
reminding me that He died and rose again
so that I don't have to be enslaved to sin.
I can walk in freedom and fullness of joy.

In Him is grace,
forgiveness,
true, abundant life.

Thank You, Father...

...each day overflows with You...

• peace amidst change
• growing, flourishing boys who want to be like Jesus
• raindrops that remind us of grace upon grace
• glorious summer Saturdays
• fresh produce, blooming flowers, and homemade products at the farmers market

with gratitude

• the Body of Christ living, working, serving, and aching together
• the promise of heaven for all who repent and put their faith and trust in Christ
• sweet scented lilacs delivered to my door
• yellow roses singing the promise of friendship
• grieving with hope
• a friend named Liz

give thanks

• falling asleep on the couch with my head on Jon's lap
• the servant's hearts of our boys
• growth and milestones, even when it aches
• my small group of girls---daughters!
• God's grace and all-sufficiency in hard times

Be grateful...

• long-awaited visit from one who had been away so long
• surprise latte from a friend
• picking up right where we left off
• lilac-scented lotion when the blooms seem long in coming
• the sight of clothes hanging on a clothesline

Thankful: Boy to Man

Sometimes I still can't believe it.

I spy him from across the room,
this tall drink of water
with the strong jaw line,
the ready smile,
the bright blue eyes.
He's capable,
engaging,
talented;
positive,
loyal,
respectful.
He quietly serves,
humbly leads.
It's evident he loves Jesus.

Somehow, this amazing man before me is my son.
My son.
My little boy grown up.
For so many years,
I'd believed it was me teaching and shaping and discipling his heart;
training, directing, and redirecting.
While that is the task God entrusted to me,
I'm realizing that He has used this man before me to mold me, too.
He's used the varying seasons and stages,
the new experiences and changes
to teach and shape and disciple my heart;
to train, direct, and redirect  it to look like His.

I marvel at the mystery and the beauty of it all.
And I'm over-the-top thankful that God has given me
the glad pleasure of carrying this baby boy beneath my heart,
doing the stuff of life with him these 17 years,
and basking together in His outpouring of grace
as we both grow up.

Happy 17th Birthday, Drew.
Words don't begin to sum up our love for you.
We love you so...XOXO

always thankful

• morning coffee with hazelnut creamer
• whiskered sons in need of a shave
• 12-year-old son snuggling ever closer
• cheap coffee and great conversation at the lake with my best guy
• safety to trust
• all my boys home