A Love Story

Recently, a man by the name of Pat Robertson made national news when he declared that it's okay to divorce your spouse if he/she suffers from Alzheimer's or Dementia. He justifies his stance by stating that these conditions are "a kind of death". This idea is in direct contrast with the picture of marriage we find in the Bible. At the heart of a Christ-centered marriage lies the vow to remain faithful "in sickness and in health".

Let me share with you a beautiful story that portrays this truth.

A very dear friend of mine has traveled the heartbreaking journey through dementia. His wife was diagnosed with vascular dementia nearly five years ago and from beginning he has been the picture of what it means to honor your spouse. My friend cared for his wife as much as possible, until the disease reached a point where outside help was needed. 

His wife was eventually placed in a nursing home where she could receive the care she needed.

While this time of his life has been the hardest he has ever faced, it has allowed his love for Jesus and for his wife to shine, even through the darkest days. 

My friend made a promise to his wife on their wedding day many years ago, and he has kept that promise- even amidst the loss caused by dementia.

The Bible instructs husbands to "love your wife as yourself" and I've never seen this lived out quite like I have with my friend. Despite the pain of seeing his sweetheart gradually declining, he never left her side. He could have justified leaving- or not visiting her so often- because it was so painful, or because she didn't recognize him. In doing so, though, he would have been putting himself first. In a marriage, your spouse comes first and my friend knew this truth. He put her needs above his regardless of the fact that his heart broke daily for the love of his life. 

I've watched my friend navigate life without his love by his side. I've seen his heart on the many morning runs we've had as he shared his struggles, yet he never once considered leaving her side. You see, when he made that vow so many years ago, he didn't know this battle would one day come. He vowed to love his wife regardless of what the future held, and that is exactly what he has done.

My dear friend lost his precious wife last week. He honored her until the very end. He loved her to the fullest. He did so much for her even though she had no way of knowing- at least not on this side of heaven. She now knows the depth of her husband's love and devotion to her, how he honored his promise to stay by her side even during her darkest times. 

 

I know she is smiling down at the man who truly loved her as he loves himself.

In a world where marriage is no longer sacred, love stories like this give us hope and set an example for the way we are called to love- deeply and regardless of what life may bring our way.

Finding Canaan

The last year has been a rainbow of so many things. While they were not all pleasant, they were still so very beautiful because of what they have blossomed into. I treasure this past year more than any other in my life. It was a year of growing deeper in my faith, of being at home with my most precious blessing- Mary Grace, of letting Jesus be the balm to heal my heart and set all things straight.

God began calling me to deeper waters with Him in January of 2011. While I loved Him and served Him, there were so many areas of my heart and life that were off limits.

My career, for instance, was one of them.

Oh, how I wish I could sit with you over a cup of coffee and tell you about the last three years... or even more so the last two months.

I would tell you that after wandering in the desert for so long, unable to see the solution that was right in front of me, after chasing and chasing, I finally gave it all to Jesus and vowed to follow Him in all areas of my life. I would tell you that I am now crossing over Jordan.

I prayed last Summer for the Lord to give me faith. A deep faith that is steadfast, unmoveable.

He heard my prayer. He closed so many doors - friendships, my career, my idea of how my life should be orchestrated.

It hurt. Oh, sweet friend, how it hurt.

The potter's wheel is never an easy place to find yourself. The pruning season is always painful as you watch branch after branch fall away.....friends, jobs, homes, future plans, goals, dreams.

Once I was pruned, Winter came along. I felt that for a period I needed to belong to God alone. To dedicated my every spare minute, dream, and longing to Him. To seek refuge, solace, and joy in my Father.

If you are there now, hold steady. You see, beloved, the pruning hurts. Winter feels like a dead time in your life.

But on the horizon you will see Spring. You will wake up one morning, and without realizing it was happening, you will see so many beautiful things have bloomed in your life- in your heart.

Jesus knows in order for us to bloom, we have to be pruned. He knows the beauty that is in store, we are only asked to have faith in His plan and His timing.

I've wandered through the desert. I've allowed Jesus to prune from my life relationships, dreams, and ideas. I've begged Him to change my heart and my life. I've prayed for direction, for new beginnings.

He held my hand through it all, and He holds it now as I enter Canaan.

I have a faith in Jesus unlike anything I could have imagined. I've found Canaan.

I know what it means to find joy in Jesus, regardless of the circumstances in your life. I'm crossing over Jordan.

I know there is truly abundance of life found in the sacrifice- in giving it all to the One who gave His all for you. The land of milk and honey is worth the sacrifice.

As Paul says in Philippians, I know what it means to have little and to have plenty. I have found a way to be content in all things, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Just as Spring brings with it rain showers, the Lord is showering unbelievable blessings down upon me. One in particular is an amazing new job that He has blessed me with. Oh, I wish I could tell you the story of how Jesus moved in my midst in the most amazing and tangible way- on an ordinary day in mid-May. Of how He answered nearly every prayer I'd prayed during this year in less than two hours on that beautiful May morning.

The verse in Exodus 14:14 is so very fitting- "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." I did absolutely nothing apart from simply obeying a call He placed on my heart.

 

And another in Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He makes all things beautiful in its time." All things- not just one area, but every area. Not just my career and job, but it is so much more than that. There is not a single corner of my heart and life that He has not transformed over this past year.

So, my friend, if you find yourself wandering in the desert, or being pruned, or in the dead of Winter- hold fast to the One who cares for you, and believe that Canaan is coming.

If you are in the midst of the desert, or just now leaving Egypt, I'd love to commit your journey to prayer! 

Here's to finding Canaan

 

Living Stones

God has been moving in my life in the most amazing, tangible ways. He recently showered me with a blessing that left me radiating and eager to share with others how He had orchestrated one of my biggest 'God moments'. Specifically, I felt the need to share the story of this blessing with my dear friend, Sassy.

Sassy and I have had some amazing conversations centered around Jesus, how He is calling us into deeper waters, and how we are longing to love and serve Him more. While we have been friends for years, it's only been recently that we have gravitated closer out of our love for Jesus.

One Summer morning a few weeks ago, I sat on the porch at Sassy's home and began telling her the amazing way the Holy Spirit showed up and gave me a clear direction. My sweet friend sat and listened, tears streaming down her face. Worried that I had somehow upset her, I began apologizing for sharing my good news with her. 

She quickly stopped me and said that she was going through a very similar situation and had been praying for God to give her direction and move in her life.

My story, which I had felt prompted to share with her, allowed Jesus to love on her hurting heart through His movement in my life. It was exactly what she needed to hear- Jesus is moving, and in tangible ways. It gave her hope and excitement of how Jesus would show up for her.

I went to chat with a friend and share some good news, but unexpectedly found my story ministering to my friend. The next morning, my quiet time included a brief study on 1 Peter 2. It was more proof that our 'God moments' {those times when God shows up in amazing ways} are meant to be shared with others as encouragement.

The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write to believers, and in his book 1 Peter, we are referred to as Living Stones.

"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ {1 Peter 2:5}."

There is a wealth of information found in just this one verse. The Greek term for 'stone' used in this verse is lithos, which is also the same original Greek term used to describe the stone that rolled away from Jesus' tomb.

We are called to be Living Stones. What does that mean? It means sharing how Jesus is moving in our life. In essence, letting our stones roll away to display proof that our God is alive, active, and often moves in tangible ways. Notice it says Living Stones- not Dead/Inactive Stones. Living. When we share how God has moved in our midst, we are giving proof that He is indeed alive and very much active. 

You see, on that morning as I shared how God had answered almost every prayer I had prayed over the last year in just under two hours, I was allowing my stone to roll away. I was giving proof that the tomb is indeed empty, and that God is not dead. He is alive.

On that morning I wasn't preaching to my friend with my lips, but rather a life experience. Dear friends, it's your life, not your lips, that speaks more about the Living Redeemer. People can often dispute words and ideas, but it's hard to disregard a provable life experience where God moved in tangible ways.

When God shows up for us, we are called to share what He is doing with others. We are to share our life experiences of how He is active and involved- even in the small details of our lives. In sharing these experiences, you may unexpectedly find yourself ministering to someone who needed to see that God is indeed still there, listening to our prayers, and ready to act on our behalf.

Has God moved in  your life lately? If so, I challenge you to pray about who you should share this experience with. Then go! Be a Living Stone that rolls away to show the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive.

 

Kind Words Are Like Honey

If you've been following The Small Town Life much lately, then you know that my blog is now a regular column in our local newspaper - The Choctaw Sun Advocate.

During the busyness of our beach vacation, I wasn't able to get my column up and emailed to my editor in time for publication. So, last week The Small Town Life column was on hiatus.

My little one is sick and during the hustle and bustle of doctors visits and a late night trip to the ER, I didn't get a chance to pick up a paper yesterday.

I'm glad that I didn't get my paper yesterday. See, while running an errand at the post office this morning, a sweet little lady recognized me as 'The Small Town Life' girl. Her compliments of my column were the ray of sunshine my day needed.

Thank you. I didn't catch your name, but your encouraging words are some I will not soon forget.

This sweet lady was actually returning a paper that was misplaced in her mailbox by accident. She opened up the paper to look at my column for the week {Jesus Wrecked My Life}.

That's why I love my small town life. If your paper is accidentally put in someone else's box, even though some consider it a small thing, you can rest assured that it will be sent back {in this case, hand delivered to the post office for proper return}.

The lady mentioned the weekly Soundoff and how someone had commented about my column. For those of you who are unfamiliar with our small town paper, we have a Soundoff section. It's sort of like facebook in print where people vent about their concerns and frustrations.

Needless to say I cringed at the thought of what someone had written for the Soundoff section. My glass-half-empty mind immediately feared the worst. Oh, was I wrong. Nestled among the usual complaints, was a little piece of love just for me.

Thank you. I will never know who wrote this, but thank you. Your sweet comment warmed my soul and reminded me why I took on this column.

To inspire. To teach. To encourage. To share my journey in the hopes that it may in some way benefit you.

Thank you.

And I promise, The Small Town Life isn't going anywhere.

Jesus Wrecked My Life

If you and I had talked one year ago, if we had sat down together over a cup of coffee, if I had poured out my heart to you, I would have told you one thing: Jesus is wrecking my life.

One  year ago, it seemed as if Jesus was wrecking my life. My life of comfort. My life of complacency. 

My life. What I didn't realize then was one simple truth: If you follow Jesus, then my friend, it's no longer your life. It's His life.

I gave my life to Christ in the Fall of 2004 and I've loved Jesus since I first met Him on that sweltering August night. I've loved Him, but I haven't always followed Him- not in the way we are called to follow.

You see, I had a dream of how I wanted my life to go, and instead of letting Jesus lead, I told Him my plans and wanted Him to follow along. I wanted comfort, success, and happiness. I wanted to do things my own way, and I wanted Jesus to bless my decisions. But all the while Jesus was calling me to give my life away to Him, to live a life marked by sacrifice for Him, to experience a deep joy in Him.

Last Summer, I thought Jesus was wrecking my life. Stone after stone came tumbling down as the life I envisioned was painfully contrasted with the life He was asking me to live. And against everything the world said I should do, I chose His life for me. I chose to follow. You see, friend, I fell in love with Jesus years ago and though I loved my life, I loved Him more. I wanted to give my life away to following Him.

I began praying one word- anything. Anything, Lord, I will do anything you ask of me. Things started changing. I was changing. My motives we no longer rooted in seeking out comfort or my own desires in life. Instead, my motives were rooted in a deep longing to bring Him glory, to know Him more, and to serve Him. 

I had labored for years building 'my life'. I watched as stone after stone fell away. My career, which was always one of the most important things in my life, suddenly took a back seat. My outlook on material things in life drastically changed and I lost the desire to chase the American dream. Jesus placed in me a love for others, for the least of these, that I had so tragically lacked before. He began molding in me a heart for missions.

My heart was bleeding and I couldn't make it stop. So I was praying and willing and dreaming of living for heaven instead of the American dream, and it was changing everything. And strangely, I was okay with that.

For years, I was a child of God living in Egypt. Then I made the decision to leave Egypt and I spent one year wandering through the desert, allowing Jesus to change my heart. The desert grew my faith in Him as I watched God provide in amazing ways. Jesus was the balm my hurting heart needed. In all my effort to build my life on my own, I never realized I was wounded. I needed a healing only Jesus could offer.

Hindsight is 20/20. At the time I felt as if Jesus was wrecking my life. Looking back, though, I realize that I wrecked my own life. Jesus, in His infinite love, saw me. He loved me. He had compassion on me. He helped me. 

I wrecked my life by building it around myself and my desires, rather than letting Him be the focal point. The end result looked somewhat like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Jesus came in, tore down the mess I had made, and started anew. He put each brick in its proper place, and set all things straight.

Now, one year later as I cross over Jordan and leave this desert season of my life, I can see that what He has built in me is more beautiful than anything I could have ever done on my own. He is truly life more beautiful.

I will face desert seasons again in life. But instead of fearing change, I will see it as an opportunity for God to rework my life for the better- for His purpose and glory.

After all, sweet friend, our life is not our own, it's His life.

 

Sandpaper People

We all have those people in our lives that just seem to rub us the wrong way. Sandpaper people come in many forms: family, friends, coworkers, classmates, even fellow believers. They seem to rub raw places on our hearts and leave us scurrying for a way to avoid them. The problem is that no matter how many times we proclaim to be 'done with them', we always end up running head-on into them, whether it's through a text, email, or a harsh comment.

Why can't we seem to escape them? Why does it seem they are always there, rubbing our hearts, and leaving raw places in their wake? Because God is using them to do some of His best work in our lives.

You see, Sandpaper people are not the ones who benefit. We, the objects of the rubbing, are the ones who are being refined, smoothed, perfected.

If you have recognized people in your life as Sandpaper, then you know how hard it can be to love them. It's never easy to love someone that leaves scrapes on our hearts. Sandpaper people demand their own way, they are ever receiving and never giving, boastful, rude, and often selfish. They seem to pop in and out of our lives at their convenience- often when they need something. They leave us feeling used, confused, and questioning their love for us. We begin to wonder where to draw the line. My friend, there isn't a line. There is only love. You see, in spite of their coarseness, God has called us to love all His creations- not just the loveable, but even more so the unlovable. 
 
Jesus knew we would need guidance when dealing with Sandpaper people. Luke 6:27-36 is about loving those who don't always love you back.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that you?...And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?" Luke 6:32,34 

I know what you are thinking, "She hasn't met so-and-so" or "She doesn't understand what all so-and-so has done to me all these years". You are thinking it's impossible to forgive and love those we view as unlovely. You are right, it is impossible in our own strength. But in spite of all the scrapes left on your heart, 'there is a balm in Gilead to heal the wounded soul." That balm, my friend, is Jesus. You see, we are called to love others as Jesus loves us. Yet, Jesus' love is different than our love.

We love according to our feelings. When a friend is caring and helpful, we feel loved and thus express love in return. We call that 'friendship love'. When our spouse gives us warm, fuzzy feelings and we want nothing more than to spend time with them, we call that 'being in love'. If we only love others based on our feelings towards them, then we will never learn to love the unlovable, because the one thing that is hard to feel towards a Sandpaper person is love. At one point or another we are all Sandpaper people. Friendships are going to have ebbs and flows, as will all marriages, and we cannot stop loving them just because they are rubbing us the wrong way. Those trying times are when we have to love them with a Christ-like love.

"... Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another". John 13:34

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. We are not to love as we deem fit. We are to love with the same measure that we have first been loved by Christ.

You see, God's love is not based on merit or feelings. God has chosen to love us, regardless of our actions. You see, love is a choice.

The best picture of Christ-like love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. I made a point years ago to memorize chapter 13, also know as the Love Chapter, and often times I find myself silently repeating it to myself during those trying times with Sandpaper people.

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him." {Living Bible translation}.
 
That is how God loves me, and how He loves you. No matter how mean or selfish we are, or how many times we settle for our own way of doing things instead of His way—God’s response to us is love. He never throws His hands up and says He's done with us. When we truly realize how God, by His infinite mercy and grace, has loved us to the end of our meanness, selfishness, and pride, then no matter how heartless another person may be, we can choose to respond to them with love also. We can respond to the selfish and rude person with love, because that’s how God responds to us. When we are filled with Christ's love, it will splash onto those around us, drenching them in love and mercy.
So how is God teaching us to respond with His kind of love? By loving Sandpaper people. When we can respond to the meanest person we know with the love of God, as He has loved us, then God has done one of His best works in us. He’s taught us how to love as He loves.

Friday Five

This is one of those weeks that has flown by and I cannot believe the weekend is here already. Ya'll, it is a gorgeous, sunshiny day at the lake and I am typing this post as fast as my little fingers will go so I can hurry out and soak up those rays with my mini. On days like this I am so very thankful that I can spend days like this at home with my best girl. Today's agenda: a stroll around the lake with my mini and Lucy {the puppy}, popsicles on the back porch, swinging and sliding, a little light work in the flower beds, maybe a visit with my neighbor. Fun day, indeed.

Uno. Clinique's Moisture Surge CC Cream
I have been using the tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 for a couple of years now. It's my daily go to instead of heavier foundations. While stocking up on beauty necessities, I decided to give their Moisture Surge CC cream a go. Ya'll, this is the perfect daily go to for these warmer days. It has more SPF {30, to be exact} yet doesn't feel thick and sticky like sunscreen can sometimes do. It has good coverage, evens out skin color, and protects you from those harmful rays.

Dos. Mr. Clean Hawaiian Aloha
This is totally random, but I love this stuff! I have always used lemony/citrusy scented cleaning items. I once again stepped out of my usual picks, and gave this a try. It smells so good. Just saying :)

Tres. True Tori
I have always been a fan of Tori Spelling, and loved their reality show they had a few years ago. I was so excited to see this new documentary. The first episode aired this week and was heartbreaking to watch.

Cuatro. Date Night
Last Friday night the hubby and I took time away from the real world to have a date. This is a rarity. Don't get me wrong, we have dinner/lunch to ourselves fairly often, but it's usually followed by running errands, shopping, etc. This time around we had nothing on the agenda except spending time together. We went to dinner and then a movie. If you have not seen God's Not Dead, you should. Loved it! We are hoping to get away and see Heaven Is For Real.

Cinco. My First Column
I mentioned last week or so that my little blog is going places- to the Choctaw Sun paper. Well, this week marked my very first publication! My column featured on of my most popular reads, Immediate Obedience {Carrying Your Sign} and I am so glad that I came out bragging on Jesus. I have had such an overwhelming response from readers. Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement! Hearing that this week's post encouraged others in their walk with the Lord is just amazing to me. He deserves all the glory- I'm just the vessel He chose to use. I can't wait for next week's edition!

That's a wrap on another fun Friday Five link-up. Please check out Joy's Friday Five by clicking on the logo below, and browse other bloggers who have linked up as well.

This weekend is looking to be a no-makeup, soaking up the sunshine, spending time with my family, being lazy kind of weekend!

Happy Friday, lovelies!

 

The Small Town Life {As A Column}

Hi, lovelies!.

I wanted to share a bit of news concerning The Small Town Life.

My little blog is going places- to the Choctaw Sun newspaper, that is.

The paper contacted me a couple of weeks ago and were interested in having me write a weekly column, based on my blog.

Of course, I said yes, and I am so excited about this new little adventure. It's a mission field of its own, in a way.

My column will begin appearing in the April 23rd edition {at least that's our goal}.

My life is such a hodgepodge of sorts. I am a former teacher, turned SAHM, who owns a sewing boutique, dabbles in the real estate business, and now I will wear the hat of a colunnist.

I guess I haven't quite decided what I want to be when I grow up. There's beauty in change, new adventures, and never standing still.

It's funny that they contacted me- well, not funny, it was God getting my attention. Three people in the last few months have told me to contact the paper. I thought it would be neat, but never really thought they would take me on board, so I didn't do anything. When the paper contacted me, suddenly God had my full attention. My best friend, Chickadee, is always telling me to write a book.

If you live locally, look for me in the paper! :)

I have a post for tomorrow and every day next week: our beach trip recap, 2 year photo shoot pictures, Mary Grace's 24 month update, as well as another little surprise :)

Thanks for your continued support and for taking the time to follow along.

Here's to a new adventure!