The Sheerest of Gifts

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
~ James 1:2-4 (The Message)

Pure joy, huh (That's the NIV translation)? A sheer gift? Really? If such is the case, then I'm so tickled I could pop! I love how it is written in The Message version because it reads,

when tests and challenges come at you from all sides (emphasis added).

I totally feel that way right now. I am being tested from every angle. Family frustrations, homeschooling worries, volunteer duties....then of course there's the usual, things. The "simpler" stuff like parenting, marriage, keeping my house up. Wow, a sheer gift? I struggle to see all the joy.

Where I AM finding joy is in the fact that I am yearning for time with my Father. I am desperate for His word. I'm thirsty. Not that I've opened my Bible more than once this week, but the longing is still there. 6-12 months ago, I would have just continued through my day lacking nothing. The stress would be piling higher still, but the outlet never identified, the desire never sparked. That is sheer joy for me. I have prayed so many times, "Father, let me desire to spend time with you. Let me long for your word." He has answered. He has provided the desire, the longing. Many times this past week I've walked right past my Bible, glancing at it with such longing. Knowing that a half hour, fifteen minutes, in it's goodness would replenish my soul. But life's demands have called me away. Now I can see the attacker roping me into his snares.

Two years ago, shortly after the twins' birth, Luke and I were laying in our bed, exhausted from the day. Our new precious babies, were snoozing softly in the bassinet next to our bed. As one of them squeaked out a sweet baby noise, we both smiled. Almost in unison we spoke of how much fun this parenting thing was. Yes, we were EXHAUSTED. Yes, we were strained, but it truly was pure joy. It really was the sheerest of gifts. Looking back, I totally see what verse 4 means when it says,

Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

We could not have felt more completely exhausted. I wondered a lot back then if we'd ever make it to the twins' 2nd birthday. I wondered how we would ever endure. However, I can see so clearly that God sent us Lucas and Ashlee exactly when He did so that we could become more mature, more developed parents. We don't have this parenting thing all figured out by any means. However, managing newborn twins and a 22 month old wasn't easy. It was physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausting. Having 3 kids under two certainly prepared us for having four kids under 4. This is WAY easier than it was when the twins were newbies, and I'm so much more spiritually mature. Knowing all of this, I know that this stress and these troubles are for God's perfect plan. I know that I am being tested because of a greater good. I know that He is sovereign, faithful and above all, LOVE. Because of that knowledge and my faith in Him, I will persevere. I will endure and I will try to consciously recognize the sheer gifts I have in my life at this very moment.

PS-Thanks Mandy for bringing these verses to my attention. I needed it so much more than you could know.

It's All About Peace

Luke and I are not passionate about much. Mostly our passion is directed toward our God, family and friends. However, we are seriously passionate about money. We do not passionately pursue riches (not that we wouldn't love to have a cool million or so) but more so that we are passionate about being debt free. We are passionate about showing others the Peace that comes with knowing that your only master is God. I plan on this being a blog series, but time will tell. So, settle in, open your mind and think about your finances as I attempt to tell you why "It's All About Peace."
(Note: Please do not be offended by this post. If you recently discussed finances in your blog, asked us a question, etc. this is NOT aimed at you. Our Pastor has been doing a sermon series "How To Be Rich" and it has sparked a lot of thought. If you have asked questions or posted about money recently, please take this time to delve into my heart and understand how this spoiled "daddy's girl" learned how to be at peace with what she already has and how building riches in heaven surpasses my desire to build riches on this earth.)

As you read, please keep in mind that:
1. I am not a financial adviser
2. I didn't major in accounting/economics
3. I'm just a simple stay-at-home mom who passionately loves her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Luke and I are not completely debt free. We still have a mortgage. However, we do not have credit cards (literally, not even one), car payments, home equity loans or cash advances. Literally, all the debt we have is our mortgage. This isn't a bragging session about our family, it is simply factual. We are working fervently to pay off our mortgage so that we will not be in bondage to anyone.

Let me go further and explain my perception of bondage. Based on scripture, I see bondage as being tied to a person or possession that requires my service. Bondage keeps me from serving what I truly love and forces me to put other needs ahead of my Master's. I know this because of Proverbs 22:7 - "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Servant? Wow. I do see Luke and I as servants. I want my only master to be God. However, because of the debt we owe to our mortgage company, we are their servants. Think about it like this....God wants His servants to do something radical, like move to Africa. However, because of ties to credit cards, mortgages, car payments, etc., the servant is unable to follow God's commands. Sure, you can sell the house, cars and "stuff" but most of the time American's are so far upside down in debt that they are unable to clear what they owe. Therefore, when God calls they are unable to answer. For me, that's not good enough. (On a side note, Onlyservants.blogspot.com does NOT fit into my above description. They pretty much rock.)

Okay, let's look at something more simple, because not everyone is moving to Africa. Let's look at something as simple as helping your neighbor. I think everyone can agree, Christian or not, that loving and helping others is what will make the difference in our world. Let's say that you are in line at Wal-mart. The lady in front of you is purchasing her groceries. She has nothing extravagant, just the necessities to feed and maintain her home; milk, bread, eggs, diapers. You see her 4 children. They look to all be ages 7ish and under. The cashier scans and bags her groceries. When totaled, it isn't an offensive amount, less than $100. She swipes a card - denied. She swipes a second card - denied. Finally, she digs into her purse and pulls out as much cash as she has. She's forced to put some groceries back and only get what she can pay for. You see the disgust on the cashiers face and feel the tug at your own heart. If only you could help, but that would mean less groceries for your own family.

Well, I was in line behind this woman. I was 6 or 7 months pregnant with our oldest child. I knew that I needed to help this woman, but I was powerless. As I watched her walk away, I was crushed for her. All she needed was an extra step, a little help, and she'd be fine. I knew that God was urging me, but I couldn't obey. I couldn't obey because I had another master. The master I was serving was college loans, credit cards and car payments. I knew that I couldn't allow those to supersede the Living God of my life. I knew I needed to change.

I challenge each person reading this to look at their checkbook. Look at your online statement. What God are you serving? Are they gods of debt? Could you respond at a moments notice and serve the Living God? Would it be financially detrimental for you to serve God when He calls? Are you bound by debt?

I want Christ to have every inch of me, my heart, my mind, my Spirit and my possessions. How much does Christ have of you?

Are you trying to serve two masters?