Thankful/ Disappointed/ Hopeful

Thanksgiving day is over and the house is almost back to normal. Actually it seems extremely quiet. The kids have all gone home, Mom is back in Indiana and Mark's parents are back in Clarksville. This past weekend was actually a dry run for Christmas. We do it all again in 3 1/2 weeks.

Thanksgiving dinner did not go exactly as I had planned. There was no quiet moment to reflect on the Lord or even mention something we were thankful for. In spite of my disappointment I was reminded of a lesson learned many times over. It is not our timing, but His. Life is not run by my hopes and dreams but by the Lord's sovereignty. I am only to trust His sovereignty.

I have to admit. I am really disappointed that there was no clear witness of our love for Christ nor of our thankful hearts. But I am very thankful that God is trustworthy. I will trust Him for the timing.

Christmas is mere days away and there is another opportunity.......

The Annual Day of Thanks Giving

I have been pondering a couple of things lately.

1. Why do we spend one day a year to catch up on all the things we don't give thanks to God. Should we not be thanking Him every day for every thing? I am ashamed to admit that days go by without even stopping to thank God for one single thing.

2. Can you actually name something that you are not thankful for? Even the most horrible of circumstances are used by God to mold us into the person He wants us to be. So even the bad is a good thing.

We will be having 16 family members for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Most will be staying for a few days. For the first time we are going to take time to tell God how thankful we are. We plan to spend time in worship, read some scriptue and sing together. Isn't that what the day is for?

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mother's birthday. She lives in Indiana so I don't get to spend the day with her. But I do want to honor her on her special day.

Many trials have come upon the life of Judy Sedruley. Some self inflicted and others thrust upon her. But each time I have watched her pull up her bootstraps and keep walking. She is a strong woman. One who does not "take it lying down". In the midst of life she continues to love her family.

I will never forget the night Stan died. Mom and I had mended our broken relationship. I simply called her and she came. No questions asked. There was no "It is late so I will come in the morning." I needed her and she came. That is what a mother does. She is a faithful mother and friend.

Mom in coming for Thanksgiving this year. I will be driving to Southern Indiana to meet my sister and pick up Mom on Monday. It is just too far for her to drive it alone. I can't tell you how thrilled I am! As you get older and somewhat wiser, you realize that just as your children, parents will not be here forever. Their days are numbered just like the rest of us. I pray this Thanksgiving Mom will feel comfortable in our home. That she will see her child rearing years did good. But mostly that she will see the love of Christ in our family.

I am thankful for my mom. I pray the Lord's blessings on her. Happy Birthday, Mom!

The Holiday Season

Here it is. The Holiday Season. I bought a new sign for our front door that was just too cute to pass up and it was only $4! "Gobble 'til you Wobble" That pretty much sums up the season. Doesn't it. Someone said the other day. "We start the eating season on Halloween. We eat the candy like we don't get any for the next 364 days and then move right into the Thanksgiving stuffing of our selves like we don't eat during the winter hibernation and then with Christmas we cook and bake and eat like it is our one chance to "load the hump". All I can say is, enjoy!

I love the holidays. I love the sniff of noses as they come in the house when I have been baking. I love the planning of meals and extra goodies to be left out and enjoyed at any hour of the day. Giving gifts that you have really put some thought into. All the family being together 24/7. (yes, even though I escape to my room now and then). But most of all I love the meaning of the season.

We hear it every year "Be Thankful for what you have". There is actually more to it than that. Be thankful for what the Lord has blessed you with. It is an entirely different meaning. If you are thankful for what you have, you are only thankful for what you have worked for or acquired in some way. But when we are thankful for what the Lord has blessed us with, we are grateful for not only the necessities of life but for the abundance of gifts that He did not have to give. God could stop with just the bare minimum, but He doesn't. He gives us far more than any of us deserve. Have you ever thought about what kind of friend would stick around and take the neglect that we give to God? We get our feelings hurt when someone forgets to thank us for a small gift. How about forgetting to thank God for your LIFE!!!

(Sorry I jumped up on a soap box, I'll get down now)

No matter where you are or how many family members you have or how many possessions you have acquired there is always, always more room to improve in our thankfulness to God. I challenge you to make a list of specific things that you are grateful for. That means you appreciate them and find value in them. That you understand the sacrifice it took to get them.

Then find a quiet place with no interruptions and read that list in prayer to God. You will be amazed at how thankful you really are and how loved and blessed you will be.

Another Day, Another Blessing

Well, today I begin the 5th decade of my life. It is my birthday and I am 49. For the first time. Really. I have already been accused of claiming 49 for the second time but not true. My children like to remind me that my life is more than half over. But in reality this is a great stage to be at. The body is not completely ca put, my husband is trained (just kidding, love muffin) and my kids are grown. I have even more time to serve the Lord.

However, the real joy in all of this is that I have a growing relationship with God. It is a great day to look back through my life and take account of all the things the Lord has blessed me with. Have there been trials? Duh! Some minor, some major, some completely life changing but He has always remained faithful to my family. I have a great husband, 3 children all serving the Lord, 7 grandchildren, a fabulous job and incredible church family. What more could I ask for? Oh, I could easily ask for more, but why? Outside of see Christ is there really any present that would make a true difference in my life? Not really. Well maybe more grandchildren, but even that falls short of being in the presence of Christ Himself.

Birthdays are always a day of reflection for me and with a resounding voice I shout.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW !!!!!!!

He has watched over me, blessed me far more than I deserve, and gives me the privilege of calling Him Lord. What more could you want for your birthday?!

Ephesians 5

The hardest thing the Lord asks us to do is to follow Him. It sounds like such a simple task but to do it "by the book" entails more that we imagined. The second hardest thing is to live Ephesians 5: 22-33.

There are several families that we know who are going through great difficulty in their marriage. Some will not survive the struggle, some with just hang on for the sake of the children and some will actually get it. They will cling to the Lord, repent of their sins and make a fresh start. It is not an easy task to clean out the closet of your heart and discover that you are sinful and selfish. We may make that discovery but do we clean it out? Do we confess our selfishness to God and to our spouse and then do our best to put their needs above our own? It is not easy.

"Wives submit to your own husbands as the head of the home, as unto Christ;

Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her."

Wives, do we submit in a godly manner to the authority of our husbands? Do we submit to them as we would to Christ? With pure motives?

Men, do you love your wife as Christ loves the church? Are you willing to die to self for her? To put your needs at the bottom of the list?

See what I mean? It is not easy. Not at all and if you think it is, you don't get it. You don't understand the pure joy of sacrifice for the benefit of another. If we truly understand selfless giving of ourselves, would we be not be more like Christ? Would we all not be rushing to be of service to others?

Pitiful Little Guy

JohnDavid called me yesterday morning. So pitiful! "Grandma, I frowed up 5 times. My tummy hurts." For a three year old this is heartbreaking. That means no playing today and playing is the life of any three year old. Our conversation did not last long but he made sure I knew all the details. He was laying in mommy's bed watching a movie and holding his ninja turtle. The turtles and/or spiderman go everywhere. Even to the bathroom to "frow" up.

It is these little moments of talking with my grandchildren in which I learn so much. I don't know if it is just old age or maturity, but I find such signifigance is many seemingly small things these days. The pleasure of comforting JohnDavid set the tone for my day. How wonderful to know that the sound of Grandma's voice could comfort a little one.

It is often the little things in life that make the difference. That one small thing you think about doing and then just pass it by. Life just gets so crazy that we forget that still small voice is sometimes the Holy Spirit nudging us to meet the need of another. Most of the time it not anything that grand. Just a little something to ease the care or the work load of another. Stop for a moment and listen to that voice. It could change everything.

As believers we are called to serve one another. To put the needs of others above our own. Sometimes this just means stepping out of our normal routine to give someone a call or drop them a note or just take a minute to listen. You would be amazed at what God can do with one minute of your time. Give Him one minute and then just sit back and watch.

Thankful For That Extra Hour!

Saturday night we did our annual "Fall Back" with the time change. Lord knew Mark and I needed the extra hour of sleep. Andrew and Crystal went on a retreat this past weekend and we kept the kids. Lanning is a precious joy! So relaxed and playful. You don't really hear from him until he is hungry or sleepy. Does not require much attention although it is hard to leave him alone. He looks up at you walking by and gives you that sweet toothless smile and you can't help yourself. You reach down, scoop him up and cuddle him. He just has a sweet spirit about him.

Haley is another story. Haley does not stop moving or stop talking unless she is asleep. Once you say good morning the conversation begins for her. Just because no one is answering her is no reason to stop talking, in her opinion. Something on her body is moving constantly. If she is not talking she is singing . If she is not walking or playing, she is running. And the faces! This child can make more faces than the professional mimes. I love that about her. She is very expressive. Her little brain is working overtime to come up with something to talk about. Then there are the "invisibles". There is always a puppy to pet that is laying on the rug by the front door, or a baby to feed that is crying and crying, or a jaguar to watch as it swims across the living room. Is this making you tired?

Now you know why I was soooo thankful for the extra hour. Our life tends to be hectic on a normal basis and when you add a 7 month old and a 3 year old things just require more energy. I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing on this entire earth that watching my grandchildren. I want them to remember their days at Grandma and Poppy's house. The saturday morning waffles would not be the same with out "What are you doing, Grandama? Can I have one? I want two waffles. Milk please. Come on Poppy the waffles are done. Lanning can't have waffles can he grandma? Waffles are for big girls. Poppy can have some. Do you like waffles Poppy? I like waffles................. All because we said good morning.

Thank you, Lord, for Caitlyn, Kylie, Dawn, JohnDavid, Haley, Cory and Lanning. Life would not be the same with out them.

The Refuge of His Wings

In a span of just 3 hours I talked with 5 different people who are going through a variety of trials. Days like this make you low on encouraging words. How comforting to know that we are not the first nor the last to endure trials. The words of David come to mind. "Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer, From the end of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Thy tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Thy wings. "

Trials are no fun. Whether sickness, family issues, heartache or discovering the sin that has been hiding deep in your heart, there is a Comfortor. God does hear our cry. He strengthens the faint of heart. He is our refuge in the shelter of His wings. Think about that for a moment. I think of a eagle with its young. High in the very top of the tree where the branches sway violently in the winds of the storm. We have wondered out on a limb. Alone. Realizing the danger and fear we cry out. He gathers us in from the storm. And there we are under His wings. Safe, secure, warm, loved. How incredible is that?! Can you think of anywhere else you would want to be?

But, O we fools. Thinking we can handle life on our own. There is no better word for it. Its just plain stupid. Why do we wander from His care when we know the world is ready, with baited breath, tallons drawn, watching intently? As soon as we turn our eye it snatches us into its grip. And there you have it. We are snatched up again!

This day with all its trials has given me opportunity to be thankful for our gracious Lord. Right in the middle of all of life...... the good the bad and the ugly, He is there, holding our hand, guiding us through, mending our wounds. At the end of the day when we come to repentance the peace He gives covers us like a warm flannel blanket. The cold hard world seems to disappear because God is there holding us in the refuge of His wings.

Annual Fall Festival

Wow! What a night! Our church had their annual Fall Festival and it was a blast! The kids were just incredible. If someone did not have fun I would find it hard to believe. People donate candy, we set the gym up with carnival type games and 2 inflatables go upstairs. The kids play the games and win the candy. There were 4 large totes full of candy to give away. Everyone registers for the 31 door prizes from toddler toys to gift cards for the adults. We have hot dogs, nachos, chili and homemade donuts. It is a wonderful opportunity to invite the community and just have fun!

The day after the kids all have a sugar buzz and the adults are exhausted. But every ounce of strength put into it is worth the joy on just one of those little faces. One little boy was ready to go home after just 13 pieces of candy! That is a lot for a 2 year old. He could not believe he could have more. The chatter among the adults was mostly lighthearted although the Lord allowed for several opportunities for spiritual conversation and building of relationships. I would definitely say it was a success! Thank you Lord for a great time of fun.