My husband and I have been together for 50 years. We've made many moves to several different Texas cities. Since I don't get attached to "things", such as homes, cars, furniture, etc., I have always supported him in our moves. I've always said, "our home is where you are" and been eager to set roots wherever he takes us.
We are about to move again. This time, we are, for the first time in many moves, empty nesters. We are moving to a location where we know no one. We will be leaving family and very close friends. That is all okay...our home is where my husband is.
I've struggled with this move. This is a different kind of move for me. No children at home to give me moms to connect with. No Bible study class to connect to. No church yet. No grand children's Saturday games to go to. No "besties" to have lunch, play cards and see every week. I will know no one and it will be difficult to find my place. Yet...this is okay....our home is where my husband is.
Emotions run deep and wide, from exciting to mourning. My roots are deep here as never before. Tears flow often and my heart sometimes feels as if it is breaking. Yet....this is okay....our home is where my husband is.
So, I have to ask myself, what do I do? Where is my strength? Who will I depend on in my loneliness? Who will be my comforter? Who will wipe my tears when I am gone from this home in this city near my family, grandchildren and the closest friends I've ever had? Who will give me the physical strength and stamina to make the move? Family/Besties?
There is only One who can meet all my needs. There is only One I can rely on. There is only One who has always been faithful all these years to comfort me, encourage me, give me strength and excite me. Yes, THE One and only One -
My Lord...Jesus.
Where do you gather all you need for difficult times? I know, my situation seems so frivolous when there is so much pain elsewhere. We are so blessed, yet moving from all we have been blessed with, can be painful too. Everyone goes thru times of pain, whether with our children, our families, our marriages, our jobs, and losses of all kinds. Still, our pain is great and there is only One who can meet our needs during those times.
Call His name....He is already beside you. It is okay...."your home is where He is".
Friday, July 14, 2017
Sunday, February 26, 2017
IDENTITY - WHO OR WHERE?
Is it really important? I mean really? Is a home really a woman's identity?
Two of my youngest sons are buying homes. One son, for the first time. I tell my sons to let their wives create and design the interior of their homes. I've said many times that a home is woman's identity. It is a picture of who they are, what they like, their creativity, and the feeling they want to express when someone enters their home. I tell them to let their wives express themselves with the decor design of their home. They can set the budget, but let their wives make the design choices.
One son is very creative and wants to be a part of every decision. As much as I have encouraged each son, (I'm a mother of 3 sons), to leave these decisions to their wives....this one son feels absolutely determined to put his mark on their home. I understand...he truly is creative and has good ideas. But again, a mother has her opinion.
My husband and I are in the beginning stages of remodeling our own master bath. He's great about letting me make the choices, within budget of course. I've looked through Houzz, Pinterest and other great "redo" magazines and articles. I've captured pictures, made a design book and visited tile stores. We've discussed options, costs and are beginning the process of interviewing contractors. He's been great about letting me design the project to meet our needs...put my "touch" on what's to be.
As I began to think about this master bathroom remake and the remarks I've made to my sons, I've had to rethink the "identity" word. Is my "identity" really summed up and identified when someone walks into our home? I love to change things every so often. Brighten, rearrange, recover, re-frame and etc. But does that really say who I am? Do I want it to be the total of my identity? Do I want it to even be a part or the most of my identity?
As I study this year in the book of John, I've recognized the most important part of my identity and the one I most want to be known for. My identity is in Christ and Him alone. Yes, decorating is fun and displays my taste in homes. But my true and only identity is being an adopted child of God, who believes and has a personal relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is by my identification with Him that all my true joy and hope is received.
My identity is belonging not to this country or state but belonging to a different kingdom....citizenship in the kingdom of God.
Who or what do you identify with? With whom or where is your citizenship aligned?
Two of my youngest sons are buying homes. One son, for the first time. I tell my sons to let their wives create and design the interior of their homes. I've said many times that a home is woman's identity. It is a picture of who they are, what they like, their creativity, and the feeling they want to express when someone enters their home. I tell them to let their wives express themselves with the decor design of their home. They can set the budget, but let their wives make the design choices.
One son is very creative and wants to be a part of every decision. As much as I have encouraged each son, (I'm a mother of 3 sons), to leave these decisions to their wives....this one son feels absolutely determined to put his mark on their home. I understand...he truly is creative and has good ideas. But again, a mother has her opinion.
My husband and I are in the beginning stages of remodeling our own master bath. He's great about letting me make the choices, within budget of course. I've looked through Houzz, Pinterest and other great "redo" magazines and articles. I've captured pictures, made a design book and visited tile stores. We've discussed options, costs and are beginning the process of interviewing contractors. He's been great about letting me design the project to meet our needs...put my "touch" on what's to be.
As I began to think about this master bathroom remake and the remarks I've made to my sons, I've had to rethink the "identity" word. Is my "identity" really summed up and identified when someone walks into our home? I love to change things every so often. Brighten, rearrange, recover, re-frame and etc. But does that really say who I am? Do I want it to be the total of my identity? Do I want it to even be a part or the most of my identity?
As I study this year in the book of John, I've recognized the most important part of my identity and the one I most want to be known for. My identity is in Christ and Him alone. Yes, decorating is fun and displays my taste in homes. But my true and only identity is being an adopted child of God, who believes and has a personal relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is by my identification with Him that all my true joy and hope is received.
My identity is belonging not to this country or state but belonging to a different kingdom....citizenship in the kingdom of God.
Who or what do you identify with? With whom or where is your citizenship aligned?
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
I CHOOSE LOVE
I've been thinking a lot about Judas. That name is familiar to us all as one who is envious, selfish, a traitor and evil. Judas was one of Jesus' trusted, chosen 12. Yet Judas proved anything but trustworthy.
I often wondered why Jesus chose Judas as one of the his close disciples. After all, scripture tells us that Jesus knew what Judas would do given the chance. Jesus knew Judas' love of money, yet Jesus put him in charge of the cash. Jesus knew Judas wanted power and wealth much more than he wanted an intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus even predicted that it would be Judas, himself, that would betray him in the end. Yet...Jesus chose Judas as one of his trusted disciples.
God created each of us with human hearts and desires. He gives each of us a choice in the matters of life just as he did Adam and Eve. Each of us can choose right or wrong...it's our choice. Either way, we are responsible for our own choices. But those choices have consequences or rewards and each of us will either suffer the consequences for our wrong choices or enjoy the grace from our good choices.
The thing that struck me about Judas' choice was that he really "did" have a choice whether to betray our Lord or not. See, Jesus gave Judas every chance to choose to follow him - meaning to choose intimacy with Jesus instead of self. Judas hung on with the other 11 but held back, in his heart, his secret desires to belong to a kingdom of wealth and power here on earth. Scripture tells us that it wasn't until Jesus handed Judas a piece of bread at the Last Supper, and when Judas "took" the bread from Jesus, that he then passed the point of no return. In an instant! That final decision, at that final moment, was the difference between Judas receiving grace and salvation or eternal death.
Do I do this in my daily life? Do I choose the things of this world because they are comfortable, self edifying, will make me liked and accepted by piers, doesn't cost me anything or will benefit me in some way? What if Jesus was calling me to choose the opposite? Would I follow Jesus or self? Would my choice betray my Lord or glorify Him?
There is a lot of anger in our country today. Both sides claiming hate by the other. Scripture reminds us that to love is the greatest commandment. Will your choice be love or hate? Will it be to follow the example of our Lord or the example of Judas and think only of self? I choose love.
I often wondered why Jesus chose Judas as one of the his close disciples. After all, scripture tells us that Jesus knew what Judas would do given the chance. Jesus knew Judas' love of money, yet Jesus put him in charge of the cash. Jesus knew Judas wanted power and wealth much more than he wanted an intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus even predicted that it would be Judas, himself, that would betray him in the end. Yet...Jesus chose Judas as one of his trusted disciples.
God created each of us with human hearts and desires. He gives each of us a choice in the matters of life just as he did Adam and Eve. Each of us can choose right or wrong...it's our choice. Either way, we are responsible for our own choices. But those choices have consequences or rewards and each of us will either suffer the consequences for our wrong choices or enjoy the grace from our good choices.
The thing that struck me about Judas' choice was that he really "did" have a choice whether to betray our Lord or not. See, Jesus gave Judas every chance to choose to follow him - meaning to choose intimacy with Jesus instead of self. Judas hung on with the other 11 but held back, in his heart, his secret desires to belong to a kingdom of wealth and power here on earth. Scripture tells us that it wasn't until Jesus handed Judas a piece of bread at the Last Supper, and when Judas "took" the bread from Jesus, that he then passed the point of no return. In an instant! That final decision, at that final moment, was the difference between Judas receiving grace and salvation or eternal death.
Do I do this in my daily life? Do I choose the things of this world because they are comfortable, self edifying, will make me liked and accepted by piers, doesn't cost me anything or will benefit me in some way? What if Jesus was calling me to choose the opposite? Would I follow Jesus or self? Would my choice betray my Lord or glorify Him?
There is a lot of anger in our country today. Both sides claiming hate by the other. Scripture reminds us that to love is the greatest commandment. Will your choice be love or hate? Will it be to follow the example of our Lord or the example of Judas and think only of self? I choose love.
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