Don't back UP!

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68-19 I read this now and shake my head in humility. He bears our burdens, even the ones we have yet to stumble upon. Ironically, I read Psalm 68 in my quiet time at lunch yesterday. Somewhere between lunch and leaving work for the day, I stumbled upon stupidity mixed with careless driving and an unpredictable gear shift. I backed into a parked car. Of all things to happen at the end of a long work day, I was mortified. I’m thankful no one was hurt. I can’t say that for the two cars involved. What I do know is that no matter the incident, God was there in the midst of my internal chaos. He was already there waiting for me bearing the burden. As my shaking hand gave my license and registration to the very kind officer, God was there. As I drove away feeling frustrated and beaten down, God was there. And God was already there as I greeted my understanding husband at home, eyes red from tears. Accidents may happen, but whatever burden we face, Jesus Christ died so that we would never walk through life alone. He finds us in the middle of our parking lot mishaps and covers us with his shielding arms of love and strength. Thanks be to my Savior who daily bears my burdens, big and small!

An Act of Evil

Driving to work this Monday morning, my mind began to drift towards the families of the lost children in Newtown, CT. An act of evil, so unthinkable, that one would slaughter innocent children presumably safe in their school classroom. I still can’t wrap my mind around it. I watch a school bus go by and I began to think of what those last moments with the lost children were like. Those last fleeting moments as parents sent their children to school, unknowing of the tragedy to come. As a new parent I know how busy mornings can be. Time is swift and there seems to be barely enough of it to kiss your kid good bye for the day or say I love you. I can imagine how these parents of the fallen will linger over moments lost to a forever memory. Children scrambling to get dressed or brush their teeth and grabbing a quick breakfast before they head quickly out the door. My heart aches. We as a nation are filled with anger and quick to react to make sure this never happens again. There is only one answer. It’s not less or more gun control or more pad locks on school doors. The answer is not hidden in mystery. The answer is simply, Jesus Christ. A close friend tells of how he always prays over his children that the schemes of the enemy be revealed. Friday, in a small town in Connecticut, evil made a horrific visit. The Word of God says the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). I’m reminded how as Christians, we must be vigilant to seek God in our lives, for our families, for our friends, and to seek God for the communities in which we live. And yes, we must allow God back in our schools. It does not mean that evil will not come again. It simply means we are inviting God back in to where we so often have shut him out. My fear amongst this tragedy and I speak for myself as well as our nation is that once the media coverage has moved on to the next big story, the kids have returned to school, the dust has settled and Newtown becomes a fading memory in our hearts, where will God be? Will we seek him for the day to day, we will invite him? We must. Our lives depend on it.

Redeemed

Yes, it's true, sometimes you don't want a tell all of your life story. Even in this lets post all your business on Facebook and Twitter know it all world we live in today.  I've been hesitant about sharing my struggle for the past several years with infertility.  Who wants to know about my on going childless days and dashed hope at parenthood? So depressing, right? I mean what girl ever thinks she's going to struggle with not being able to have children? The word infertility was never in my vocabulary. Yet, it's like anyone who has ever been stricken with any kind of disease or disability, you never think you're going to be the one it happens to. Well, we were the one. The one out of every six couples that struggle with infertility. And this is a small piece of my story... 

There is so much that my husband Gary and I could share about what we've learned from the journey we've been on for the past six years.  We could write a book about all that God has showed us about His nature, love and faithfulness. As I've thought about what I want to share about our baby story, I've found that amazingly I don't want to focus so much on the struggle. No doubt, it's been a tough season of our life.  As anyone who has battled with infertility knows, it's an arduous uphill climb and a non stop roller coaster ride of emotion.  Yet, the word that has been invading my thoughts since we brought our son, Andrew home has not been the world struggle, it's been the word redeemed.  Here are two very different situations; ours, a couple whose dreams of having children seemingly lost forever contrasted with a young girl who finds herself with an unplanned pregnancy.  Both a choice of life and death. Both stories of two hopeless roads colliding. Many may say these are tragic, impossible situations, yet God sees them as an opportunity for greatness.  What the enemy meant for destruction, God has used for His good and His glory. Through His grace, mercy and deep love for us all,  He has redeemed our dreams, restored hope, and given abundant life.  He who began a good work, yes a good work, in you will be faithful to complete it.

Gary and I have found that the key has been to truly seek God's desires for our life.  We've found that His dreams for us are so much better than anything we can desire for ourselves.  Everyday I look at Andrew, I see the hands of our almighty Father in Heaven who through his sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ has redeemed us all. There is no greater gift. 

Andrew William Berg

Life is Good

Even though the struggle still continues, the fight persists, the climb still steep, life is good-God is still God and He is good. His plan is perfect….

This morning I was searching for a new devotional App on my phone. It didn’t take long to find one I liked. With one press of my finger and a few seconds later, instantly I had it there before me. Did I say how much I love my Smartphone? How did we ever get along before this gadget savvy world? I swipe my finger across the screen and I am connected to almost everything I could possibly need. I swipe my finger again to return to the main screen and this thought interrupted me-life is good. I have a mountain of struggle before me, but life is still good. I think about generations before me and all the conveniences they did not have; conveniences that I obtain in this small little device nestled in the palm of my hand. This phone is not magic and it doesn’t take away my mountain of struggle; yet somehow it reminds me that God is still working things out on my behalf and I don’t need a Smartphone or fancy App to get His attention. His only requirement is a heart that trusts that He is who He says He is. The only App I need, is free, his name is Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.^[

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

You must walk before you can fly...

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.

To walk:   is  and Old English term that means “to roll.”
I love this image. When you think of something rolling….it is in continuous motion…fluid and constant.  I read recently that the word “walk” in the bible is often a reflection or an expression of one’s character.  As we walk with the Lord, it should be a continual process, fluid and constant. He desires a relationship that resembles that of walking not only in the physical but also in the spiritual.  One is dependent upon the other.  God’s breath, his Holy Spirit is constantly hovering about us-all we have to do is inhale it’s life giving power every day.  It is there that we find all we need for the abundant life.

Savannah Smiles

A weekend get away to Savannah, GA has left me wanting more.   A beautiful city that is rich in American history. I was captivated by the stunning and intricate architecture. It's as if you've stepped into another time and place where the trees drip with jewels of Spanish moss.  This little gem of a place is definitely on my re-visit list. There are countless things to see and do. And very importantly, lots of good eats.  So, if you’re looking for a sweet treat do not pass by River Street Sweets.  One sample-taste of their scrumptious pralines and you’ll be hooked, I promise. 

http://www.riverstreetsweets.com/

Crazy for Coconut

One of my favorite scents is anything coconut. I stumbled across this scrumptious sounding bath soak by Laura Mercier.  The Almond Coconut Milk Honey Bath makes me want to grab a good book, jump right in and stay until my skin gets wrinkly. Girls...lets try it.

http://www.lauramercier.com/


Exodus 3:8 "So I have come down to rescue them...and to bring them up...into a land flowing with milk and honey."