Layovers

I am in the process of planning a family vacation. My biggest headache right now is arranging transportation for our family. We have decided that an airplane is the way to go, however, will we be able to arrange a nonstop flight for a decent price? It’s not looking good.

So, what’s the big deal about a stop or two along the way? For starters… time. We want to make the most of every single moment and that doesn’t include travel time. Also, hauling carry-on luggage and three young children from one plane to another in an orderly fashion seems next to impossible and not very vacation like. And as if these issues were not enough, there is always the problem of feeding everyone during the trip.

When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, it wasn’t a direct flight. God, the travel agent specializing in unique trips, had planned a very important layover… in the desert. The Israelites were not thrilled. When would they get where they were going? How would they manage all they had and get all they needed during this annoying route? And what about this whole desert thing? Why the desert?  I had never really thought about this last question. They were in Egypt heading to the Promised Land and the desert was in the middle. However, after reading God’s recounting of Israel’s liberation from Egypt in Ezekiel 20:10-11, I saw it. This desert layover was perfectly and precisely planned. God had an important purpose for this inconvenient stop. “Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the desert. I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them.” 

God brought His people, the Israelites, into the desert to teach them how to live. He had wisdom and direction and rules that were meant to set this people apart from all other nations. These commands were for the good of His people, shaping and molding them into children of God and the desert was a perfect setting to deliver this instruction. The past was behind them, the promise was before them. The Israelites were now in a distraction free zone. All they had to do was trust that their travel agent had their best interests at heart—that He knew what He was doing and would take care of all the details. But we all know how that turned out!

I am learning to love what God does in my deserts. Although they aren’t always pleasant at the time, I have seen the heart of my travel agent and I’ve come to trust his itinerary for my life. Now off to check on those airline tickets and ready to embrace a stop or two along the way.

Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths… Psalm 25:4

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Psalm 119:35

Big Deals

McDonalds Playplace. I hate to think of the germs that lurk there, but tonight something special happened. A tearful mother walked to our table and explained the huge victory her son just experienced. “You might not think this is a big deal, but my son just asked your son to play.” This proud momma went on to explain the struggles her 7 year old son experienced due to autism. We celebrated with her and enjoyed watching the boys interact.

I wish I could take credit for my children. I wish I could say that I taught them whatever they needed to know to create this special moment, but I can’t. As a matter of fact, recently, I have been trying to shape and mold my children in ways that might hinder this kind of interaction in the future.

Tonight I was reminded that it is not my job to make my children fit a certain mold. My responsibility and privilege is to train up His children, the children God has created in His own image and for His own good purposes. You might not think this is a big deal, but I learned a lot about being a parent tonight. Now who’s the momma with tears in her eyes!

Tooth Fairy Fail

You know the new moves I was just writing about? Well, tripped up a bit the other night. Yesterday morning I was awakened at 6:03am by a very sad little boy. "Mom, my tooth is gone, but there is nothing in my tooth fairy pillow!" Um, can you say epic tooth fairy FAIL! Dad jumped out of bed and amazingly enough found the tooth fairy's gift laying on the floor next to the bed. A tooth fairy miracle! I'll just leave it at that.

Rhythm

I call Iowa my spacious place. God picked me up and moved me 4 1/2 hours west. He also moved me away from everyone and everything I had known for the past decade of life. Although relocating can take you away from difficult people or situations, it also removes the daily rhythm of relationships and routines to which you have become accustomed.

After my first few weeks in Iowa, I came to a realization. Life here was going to be different. Mind-blowing, huh!  I had to find a new rhythm. I needed to develop new relationships while learning to adjust old ones. I needed to figure out how to get through the day by myself with 3 boys. I needed to decide what stores to shop at and how to organize my house. I needed to figure out a schedule for getting a shower!!! At times, this process felt awkward and overwhelming. I stumbled around and had a lot of missteps. I was always trying to plot my next move, but my choreography was off.

Then something happened. I started tuning into the music that was playing. I took note of my surroundings and my circumstances. Although I might not have chosen the tune, I could certainly embrace this new rhythm and move to the music. My new moves include making our house a home through learning how to make a cleaning schedule and buying everything I see on etsy. It includes putting more time and effort into raising my boys. It includes meeting new people and going new places. Of course it still includes many awkward moments and missteps, but at least I am starting to feel the rhythm (and even starting to like the music)!

I'm planning to use this space to document some of my new moves. Although I am not trying to be perfect or turn my life into one big pinterest board, I am trying to find my rhythm. Sometimes it will work and sometimes... it just won't. Should be an interesting dance!

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. 

Psalm 30:11-12

The New Girl

Here I am again, the new girl. This is the second time in my life when I have had to dig up some deep roots and start completely over. My first experience with newness was as a newlywed. Not one thing in my life was the same. New name, new roommate (of a new gender!), new state, new school, new church, new job, new grocery store, new EVERYTHING! This was a tough time in my life. Although I was a Christian with a growing relationship with the Lord, I did not really understand who I was in Christ. When all the sand in my life started shifting, my feet were not firmly planted on the solid rock. I was sinking. It was dark at times. I often felt alone, isolated, and just plain sad. Those in my life during that time would probably say they had no idea I was feeling so lost. These are the kinds of battles that are often waged behind closed doors.

I vividly remember lying in bed alone one night. I turned my head and noticed my Bible gathering dust on the nightstand. I knew it was my life raft. I knew the power that book could wield in the midst of my struggle. Yet I was weak. I felt so weak and so hopeless; I couldn’t even physically lift my hand.  So, how did I regain my footing? One step at a time. Although I couldn’t lift a hand, I kept moving my feet. I showed up at church. I signed up for retreats. I tried small groups and eventually I landed in a Bible study with 2 women just a smidge ahead of me in life.  As I continued to seek my God, the God I had grown up learning about, I began to find Him. I found Him in relationships, I found Him in His Word and eventually I found Him in my everyday life. In the process of finding Him, I was finding myself.

As I once again experience the sands of my life shifting, I still falter from time to time. Just last week I had a mommy meltdown at the pediatrician’s office, a grumbling session at the grocery store, and a less than stellar attitude as a wife and mom. However, I have not completely lost my footing. There is a solid rock on which I now stand. He sees me, He knows me, He cares for me.  He knows my past, my present, and my future.  He is more than enough and I trust Him with all my heart.

Lord, You make all things new. Help me to embrace this season of newness to be Your hands and feet wherever You have planted mine. 

Psalm 40:2-3 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

Benefits of a Storm

After a night of listening to heavy rain and thunder, I decided to do a quick google search on the benefits of a storm. I landed on a weatherman's blog about tropical storms. Here is what I learned:

1. Storms can bring much needed rain not only to the affected area, but to many surrounding areas as well. As many of us have learned this summer, rain is very important! Rain does more than just keep our yards looking nice and green, it causes our food to grow which causes animals to be fed which causes prices to remain stable and on down the line.

2. Tropical storms are critical for coastal islands to remain afloat. The winds and waves of these strong storms make islands taller and wider by moving the sand. Without these storms, islands would become thinner and smaller and eventually disappear.

3. Much of the destruction done during tropical storms is to structures along the coast. Builders have gone to great lengths to build structures closer and closer to the water. The techniques they have used not only put people in harms way, they actually contribute to the massive damage done during storms.

We all experience storms in life. Some are mild, some are of hurricane proportion. Although storms are not pleasant at the time, there are benefits. Storms can cause us to grow. Not only do we grow, but we are able to care for and encourage others in new ways. Storms build our foundation. When we are hit by the storms of life, a lot of not so important things are washed away and we clearly see what is important. To minimize the damage sustained during our storms, we need to remain in God's word and allow it to guide us away from things that will harms us and into truth and righteousness.

Miscarriage: Our Journey

In the midst of our chaotic summer, we were blessed with a unique opportunity to share our journey through miscarriage with the great people at Group Magazine. This fall, Group will be launching a brand new digital magazine called Unfiltered: Helping Youth Workers Thrive in Life. Our story is part of the premiere issue. For any Group or Unfiltered users finding their way to this blog, I wanted to give a list of links to my blog entries that directly relate to miscarriage or it's aftermath. The journey is often dark and lonely, but God also lavishes His peace, joy and never ending grace on those who seek Him.

Heaven
In this world...
Expecting
My Psalm
Christian
He Does
Offering
Routine
Trust Jesus
Walking on Water
Spring is Coming
Baby Boy
Waiting in Expectation
I Trust You
Lessons from the Shunammite Woman Part I
Lessons from the Shunammite Woman Part II