Last weekend Jordan and I attended a wedding. I don't know why but weddings ALWAYS make me teary-eyed, no matter how well or little I know the couple. I love watching the groom as he watches his bride walk down the aisle. I love when the father gives his daughter away. I love the music. I pretty much love it all.
But there was something different about this wedding that hit me in a different way. I especially was teary-eyed when the couple was exchanging their vows. I immediately flashed back to our wedding and the vows that we promised to keep.
It made me think. It made me ponder how so many couples promise the exact words that Jordan and I did seven years ago, but have failed to keep them. It was sad to think of the people we know who have divorced, or who have never been faithful to their spouse. I prayed for this couple, and I prayed that their marriage would be solid and lasting. I prayed for their salvation, because without Christ at the center it will be a tough road ahead.
After those thoughts and prayers, I found myself smiling. I was smiling because the man whom I love the most was sitting by my side with his arm around me. But I was smiling the most because I am so thankful for Jordan. Jordan has kept every word of our vows.
Until this year we have never been sick, always in health, so that was easy. It's easy to love someone who is well and can carry their load. What's tough is when someone you rely on is no longer the same. No longer able to do much of what they used to do. It throws things for a loop. No longer predictable.
As most of you know, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in March. This rocked our world. For almost a year I had been visiting different doctors and physical therapists, but after Christmas things really came to a head. The symptoms were no longer "manageable". There was no more pushing the problem under the rug.
After having a series of MRI's done, it was in fact confirmed, I have MS. There was no more brushing things over. This was real. Our lives were forever changed.
I had suspected MS for about two months before it was confirmed. It was like I had a peace about it. I knew the doctors would confirm it. Jordan, being the optimist that he is told me that there was no way it was MS. He prayed with and for me every day, asking God for it to be something curable.
I still remember all the dates surrounding my diagnosis. Those dates are forever etched in my memory. But with each date, I have a Bible verse or a song that the Lord gave me along the way.
I am so thankful for the timing of my diagnosis. It couldn't have come at a better time for me spiritually speaking.
I haven't been angry with God. I haven't even been asking the "why" questions. God really gave me a peace even before I officially knew. I know God has a plan for my life. God already knew that I would be 28, have a husband and three children when diagnosed. God's timing is never off.
This trial has drawn our entire family even closer to the Lord. We are learning new things each day about God, and His faithfulness to our family. How can we be mad when we have an overwhelming amount of things to be thankful for?
We are choosing to be thankful. Of course that doesn't mean that we are happy that I have a life-long disease, but it does mean that we are trusting the Lord to bring us through this trial.
There have been hard days. Days with a lot of tears. Days when I have no energy to be the wife and mom I so long to be. But there has yet to be a day that God hasn't given me the strength I need to do the things I need to do. God is so good!
Jordan has been amazing. He has been praying and fasting so faithfully for God to heal me of this disease. He has lightened my load in so many ways. He has made sure that I am seeing one of the best MS doctors in the country. He spent hours researching my disease and ways to make things better. I think he knows more about it than I do:-)
He has already taken me on two trips for me to get extra rest and relaxation. He takes care of dinner some nights. He has been so commited to me through this. He has kept his vow to love me in sickness and in health.
God has taught us so much. The biggest lesson we have learned is to live each day for the glory of the Lord. Not that any of us know what tomorrow will bring, but now we truly get it. Tomorrow is not promised. Our health is not promised. So we want to invest even more in the things that will last: God's word and people.
Over the next few months I hope to share some things that God has been teaching me through this trial. I have so many verses that have brought nothing but comfort and encouragement. I have books that have impacted me forever. I hope to share these things over the coming months.
Today I want to share two songs that Jordan has sent me on two different occasions. The first song is a song from him to me, the second is a song that reminded him of me as I was walking through this trial. They were sent at just the right time. God knew I needed them.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
You are Responsible For Your Own Actions.
My sister-in-law, GraceAnna, posted this link to her Facebook this afternoon. I loved this article so much that I had to share.
This article is so true. I sometimes find myself blaming circumstances/people for my actions, so this was a sobering reminder that I am the one responsible to God for my actions!
The biblical wisdom my dad imparted as I was growing up laid a rich foundation that has blessed my life in countless ways.
One simple principle in particular has been helpful to me in dealing with difficult people and circumstances: I am not responsible for what others do to me. I am responsible for my own reactions and responses to others.
The implication is that no one can make us sin. We are prone to try to blame our reactions on people or circumstances: “I acted that way (i.e., I lost my cool, mouthed off, withdrew, became irritable, etc.) because this person treated me this way, this thing happened at our house, or this circumstance happened in my life.”
Circumstances certainly have bearing on our reactions, but the liberating concept for me—one that my dad emphasized even more as I got into my teenage years—was, “You will not have to give account to God for what someone else does to you. You will only be held accountable for how you respond.”
I remember him exhorting me along these lines, regarding my relationship with my mother. She and I frequently tangled during my teenage years. Now, as a grown woman, I see many things differently. But at the time, there were aspects of my mother’s style of parenting that I resisted and resented. I would react to things she did or said that I felt were unreasonable, or that I just didn’t agree with.
A sense of the fear of the Lord kept me from being overtly defiant, but I definitely had a “kick in my spirit” when it came to my mother’s authority.
Observing my disrespectful attitude, my dad wisely made two points to me: First, you must honor and respect your mother. Period. That is not an option. Second, you are not responsible for her attitudes or behavior. You are only responsible for your attitudes and how you respond to her.
I don’t know what he may have said to my mother about her responsibility; but I know what he said to me! He understood that I needed to be less concerned with whether she was right or wrong, and more concerned with whether I was honoring her and the Lord in my responses.
I wish I had “gotten” this truth faster and sooner and easier, but the Lord has a way of creating circumstances to teach us these lessons. I’ve come to see how important this principle is because throughout our lives there will always be people and circumstances that we find annoying or feel are unfair.
At the end of the day, we have to leave it to God to right the wrongs in the universe and to deal with others about their issues. They are not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to respond in faith and in obedience to His Word, through the power of His Spirit. That’s what He will hold us accountable for.
That means our responses and lives don’t have to be controlled by circumstances or by how others treat us. You may have had ungodly parents; you may have an unloving mate or in-law, or foolish children, or an impossible boss or co-worker. I’m not suggesting those things don’t affect you or that you should live in denial. But I am saying that by God’s grace you can respond in love and humility to the people and circumstances He brings into your life.
Who or what have you been blaming for your ungodly responses? Counsel your heart with this truth: I may not be able to control or change those people or circumstances. But I do have a choice about how I respond to them. I am not responsible for the choices or behavior of others. I am responsible before God for my responses.
As you accept responsibility for your own choices and reactions, don’t forget that we can only love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, and bear the unbearable as we depend on the Spirit and grace of Christ in us to love and forgive those people and bear those wrongs. “Not I, but Christ!”
This article is so true. I sometimes find myself blaming circumstances/people for my actions, so this was a sobering reminder that I am the one responsible to God for my actions!
The biblical wisdom my dad imparted as I was growing up laid a rich foundation that has blessed my life in countless ways.
One simple principle in particular has been helpful to me in dealing with difficult people and circumstances: I am not responsible for what others do to me. I am responsible for my own reactions and responses to others.
The implication is that no one can make us sin. We are prone to try to blame our reactions on people or circumstances: “I acted that way (i.e., I lost my cool, mouthed off, withdrew, became irritable, etc.) because this person treated me this way, this thing happened at our house, or this circumstance happened in my life.”
Circumstances certainly have bearing on our reactions, but the liberating concept for me—one that my dad emphasized even more as I got into my teenage years—was, “You will not have to give account to God for what someone else does to you. You will only be held accountable for how you respond.”
I remember him exhorting me along these lines, regarding my relationship with my mother. She and I frequently tangled during my teenage years. Now, as a grown woman, I see many things differently. But at the time, there were aspects of my mother’s style of parenting that I resisted and resented. I would react to things she did or said that I felt were unreasonable, or that I just didn’t agree with.
A sense of the fear of the Lord kept me from being overtly defiant, but I definitely had a “kick in my spirit” when it came to my mother’s authority.
Observing my disrespectful attitude, my dad wisely made two points to me: First, you must honor and respect your mother. Period. That is not an option. Second, you are not responsible for her attitudes or behavior. You are only responsible for your attitudes and how you respond to her.
I don’t know what he may have said to my mother about her responsibility; but I know what he said to me! He understood that I needed to be less concerned with whether she was right or wrong, and more concerned with whether I was honoring her and the Lord in my responses.
I wish I had “gotten” this truth faster and sooner and easier, but the Lord has a way of creating circumstances to teach us these lessons. I’ve come to see how important this principle is because throughout our lives there will always be people and circumstances that we find annoying or feel are unfair.
At the end of the day, we have to leave it to God to right the wrongs in the universe and to deal with others about their issues. They are not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to respond in faith and in obedience to His Word, through the power of His Spirit. That’s what He will hold us accountable for.
That means our responses and lives don’t have to be controlled by circumstances or by how others treat us. You may have had ungodly parents; you may have an unloving mate or in-law, or foolish children, or an impossible boss or co-worker. I’m not suggesting those things don’t affect you or that you should live in denial. But I am saying that by God’s grace you can respond in love and humility to the people and circumstances He brings into your life.
Who or what have you been blaming for your ungodly responses? Counsel your heart with this truth: I may not be able to control or change those people or circumstances. But I do have a choice about how I respond to them. I am not responsible for the choices or behavior of others. I am responsible before God for my responses.
As you accept responsibility for your own choices and reactions, don’t forget that we can only love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, and bear the unbearable as we depend on the Spirit and grace of Christ in us to love and forgive those people and bear those wrongs. “Not I, but Christ!”
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thoughts on Suffering
These words from J. C. Ryle have brought me much encouragement:
“Reader, if God has given you His only begotten Son, beware of doubting His kindness and love, in any painful providence of your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good. Remember the words of Paul: ‘He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things’ (Romans 8:32).
See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly pilgrimage the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins! That hand can never smite you except in love! He who gave His only begotten Son for you, will never withhold anything from you which is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, ‘This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.’"
“Reader, if God has given you His only begotten Son, beware of doubting His kindness and love, in any painful providence of your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good. Remember the words of Paul: ‘He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things’ (Romans 8:32).
See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly pilgrimage the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins! That hand can never smite you except in love! He who gave His only begotten Son for you, will never withhold anything from you which is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, ‘This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.’"
Monday, May 2, 2011
A few new recipes.....
Old Bay Chicken Marinade
1/4 cup Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning (I put some extra)
1 Tsp. parsley flakes
1/4 Tsp. ground black pepper
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts
Combine ingredients in glass dish or plastic bag. Add one pound boneless chicken breasts. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Grill or broil (we grilled).
This recipe was fantastic. It will definitely be added to my rotation of meals!
Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
10 slices bacon, finely chopped
2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
6 garlic cloves, pressed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups canned chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
4 (15 1/2-ounce) cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch cilantro
juice of 1/2 lime
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheddar, for garnish
Directions
Put the bacon into a large heavy pot and place it over medium heat. Cook until it starts to give up its fat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the onions and cook, stirring, until they start to turn translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 1 minute. Add the broth, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and chili powder. Stir in the beans, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the soup is bubbling gently and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, pick off all the thick stems from the cilantro. Wash it and shake dry. Chop the cilantro coarsely and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes. cook until the soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve with the garnishes.
Jordan and the children LOVED this soup! I was in the mood to try some new recipes last week, and both were a success!
Let me know how you like them!
1/4 cup Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning (I put some extra)
1 Tsp. parsley flakes
1/4 Tsp. ground black pepper
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts
Combine ingredients in glass dish or plastic bag. Add one pound boneless chicken breasts. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Grill or broil (we grilled).
This recipe was fantastic. It will definitely be added to my rotation of meals!
Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
10 slices bacon, finely chopped
2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
6 garlic cloves, pressed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups canned chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
4 (15 1/2-ounce) cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch cilantro
juice of 1/2 lime
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheddar, for garnish
Directions
Put the bacon into a large heavy pot and place it over medium heat. Cook until it starts to give up its fat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the onions and cook, stirring, until they start to turn translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 1 minute. Add the broth, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and chili powder. Stir in the beans, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the soup is bubbling gently and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, pick off all the thick stems from the cilantro. Wash it and shake dry. Chop the cilantro coarsely and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes. cook until the soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve with the garnishes.
Jordan and the children LOVED this soup! I was in the mood to try some new recipes last week, and both were a success!
Let me know how you like them!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thoughts on Prayer
"The example of the Lord Jesus was not one of prayer in crisis only, but of prayer as a way of life."
"If we only understood the importance of prayer, we would give up sleep before we would give up prayer. Jesus did."
"Busy, busy, busy.....Work, work, work....I have so much to do today, I must spend the first three hours in prayer."
and my favorite,
"Of all the examples we can draw from Jesus' humanity, perhaps none is more compelling and more practical than the example He set for us with His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, When He asks, "Father, if Thou are willing, remove this cup," He shows us that we can ask the Father for the desire of our hearts. When Jesus concludes with "...yet not my will, but Thine be done," He teaches us the importance of surrender to the will of the Father. When that is our heart, we can bring any honest entreaty to our Lord."
"If we only understood the importance of prayer, we would give up sleep before we would give up prayer. Jesus did."
"Busy, busy, busy.....Work, work, work....I have so much to do today, I must spend the first three hours in prayer."
and my favorite,
"Of all the examples we can draw from Jesus' humanity, perhaps none is more compelling and more practical than the example He set for us with His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, When He asks, "Father, if Thou are willing, remove this cup," He shows us that we can ask the Father for the desire of our hearts. When Jesus concludes with "...yet not my will, but Thine be done," He teaches us the importance of surrender to the will of the Father. When that is our heart, we can bring any honest entreaty to our Lord."
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Isaiah 40:28-31
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up on wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not grow weary."
This is the passage God has given me this week. He has used this to encourage me in more ways than imaginable. I love that I have a Savior who never tires, or grows weary of hearing my petitions. I am so thankful that He wants me to cry out to Him! I serve such an awesome God!
This is the passage God has given me this week. He has used this to encourage me in more ways than imaginable. I love that I have a Savior who never tires, or grows weary of hearing my petitions. I am so thankful that He wants me to cry out to Him! I serve such an awesome God!
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