A Shield

I find myself quite often picturing God with a shield. He is holding it up and battling against our enemies. He rushes into battle fighting for us. Fighting to protect us. The shield is why the drunk driver just clips your car, or the driver in front of you gets the speeding ticket, or the person in the cubicle next to you gets laid off.

In these troubled economic times I wonder if God has enough shields for all of us! I know that if we trust in him, like Moses before us things will be okay. Imagine the fear of facing an army behind you and the Red Sea in front of you. Imagine the impossibility of the water's parting and the path before you opening. If you are like me you cannot even begin to imagine.

I realized just recently that so many people in the world have stopped praying. God didn't answer your prayer for a new job, or not to go bankrupt. He didn't answer your prayer today or yesterday so what it the point?

God hasn't answered all of my prayers this year, but he answered so many unprayed prayers. He was there for the seizure we never expected. The MRI that resulted in good news. He was there every time my children fell down. He is there every time I get in the car. I am alive and well. My children are all healthy and well. We are not hungry or cold. God has answered so many prayers. Remember the next time that you are praying that God might answer a prayer that you haven't yet prayed.

I hope that you feel shielded this week, and hopefully next week I will have recovered from my writer's block!

Breathless

There are moments in life that take our breath away. The birth of a child, the death of a loved one, a wedding, and the list goes on and on. So many of them are to be expected, but what about the moments you don't expect. The moments that take your breath away and steal your heart. They are so unexpected that when they happen your heart melts.


My daughter loves it when I take naps with her. She cuddles up and falls asleep with me next to her. Often I wake up to find her little arm draped across my face. When she is asleep she is so quiet and angelic compared to the busy little singer who runs from room to room making up a world of songs that fill the air.

"There was never a child so lovely, but his mother was glad to get him to sleep."

Today she begged me, mommy come take a nap with me. There are so many things that need to be done. Our dishwasher is broken. I am worrying about work and wondering about the week ahead. The house is messy, the flowerbeds need to be planted, the laundry is piling up, and the only thing my daughter wants is to cuddle up with mommy.

Of course I am too busy, so like any mother I tell her go lay down and I will join you later. Soon I am in the midst of cleaning and sorting. Before too long I reach my bedroom and begin making up the bed, but my pillow is missing. It is not on the bed or even in the room. A quick search reveals that it is neatly laid on my daughter's bed, next to her own pillow. She has nestled up next to it. Waiting and trusting that mommy will come. She trusts because what in the world could be more important than cuddling with her?

Ask yourself a simple question. Really think about it. Do you remember the day that your babies were born? Was it so long ago? Ask your own mother or grandmother that question and you will be surprised to hear it seems like yesterday. A yesterday that can be filled with warm and cuddly memories, or regrets that there was never enough time. Tomorrow is soon enough to do the laundry, tomorrow the dishes will still be waiting, tomorrow the garden will still be there, but in not too many tomorrows the little girl will be all grown up. So for today, the washing will wait, and for today I will treasure the child who tomorrow will be all grown up.


So if you ask me what my plans for this afternoon are, don't be surprised to hear, that I will be napping. The pillow has been prepared for me, and there is someone very special waiting for me. The covers will not reach my toes, and I may have to kick out a stuffed bear or two to make room, but there is no place I'd rather be!

Count your blessings one by one, and forget your sorrows. Remember the bible says to have faith like a child.

My daughter knows that I have so much to do, but because I promised I would snuggle, she has the faith that I will. God is so busy, but somehow he keeps all his promises. He always comes. He will always find the time, but will he find that you are prepared for him?

Waiting

Waiting is a very tricky business. It is hard not to get your hopes up. It is hard not to despair. Somewhere in between we strive to hover neither hoping too much or despairing to heavily. Our hearts are weighted down with the enormity of our task and the hours, minutes, and moments seem to last an eternity.

When you are waiting it is always important to look at others who have spent many years waiting. Look at the Jewish people. First they were waiting to be freed from slavery, and Moses came to them, but then they wandered in the desert waiting to find the holy land. Imagine all that waiting and expecting and then wandering in the desert. Some of them died before they ever got out of the desert.

Waiting can be draining, waiting can be tiring, and waiting can trouble your heart.


My daughter waited with anxious anticipation for Easter and she was more than overjoyed when she came down the stairs that morning. Because waiting is worth it. The great joy that we find is worth all the wait!

Easter

Luke 24:46-47
(46) and (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47) and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.


Easter is a promise, a new beginning, and the start of a new year.

An egg is a symbol of new life. At Easter it is used as a symbol of Jesus' resurrection. The outside of an egg looks like a stone and so it is a way to represent the outside view of Jesus' sealed tomb. Inside the egg is the new life of a baby chick ready to break out and so this is a way to represent Jesus' new life as he rose from death.






A new life, what an amazing promise. When you look at all the mistakes and sins you made to have them wiped clean and start again. Today we decorated eggs, and tomorrow we will celebrate the glory of Easter.


As I look ahead to this upcoming week, I am uplifted by the promises of Easter. As I explain the mysteries of Easter to my children, I try to remind them that Easter is not about the Easter bunny, eggs, or other trivialities. These are only symbols of the true joyous resurrection.


I wanted to share a resurrection cookie recipe with all of you!

You will need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:

These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon
to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He

was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3


Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar
to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life
to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest
into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,
and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the
sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to
know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins
have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.

Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66




GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked
surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed
to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

In the end only kindness matters

In the last year I have been so busy and tired. My mother reminded me that last year we had a big family Easter. This year I don't have the energy. There are so many changes in my life since last year. So many blessings and so many hardships. Jack was born, Jaeg had an MRI and is healthy, we have a beautiful new house, and we are living close to our families.


I could mention all our hardships, but everyone has hardships. Eric and I have dealt with so many this year. Jaeg's seizure and the tests that followed as well as my change in job have truly been the hardest. As I look back on a full year I realize that despite each challenge and hardship we have come so very far.




In the end only kindess matters. The kindness of our friends. The shoulder to lean on when you need to cry. The kindness of a stranger. The nurse in the emergency room who soothes your frayed nerves and tries to make everyone feel okay. The kindness of your family. The husband who does just a little more at home or plans a special surprise for you. The kindness of your children. The hugs, kisses, and I love you mom that brightens up your day.

You see in the end we all have hardships and with the economy the way it is this may be just the beginning. We all suffer. We all fall down, but in the end what matters is how we pick ourselves up again. Next time you are feeling truly lost show

someone kindness. Who knows it might make all the difference in the world.