My Sweet Husband

A few weeks ago, my sweet husband left to drop Madi off at school and came home with these... 

He said they were for all the work I had been doing to prepare our daughter for starting kindergarten. I found that acknowledgement so thoughtful and loving.

A few days ago, I opened my facebook page to find this message in my inbox. The subject line read, "I love you..."


Hey Sweetheart,

I Love you so much! And I am very thankful for you! You mean so much to me! I just needed to remind you!

Jimmy!

This very simple note of love and thankfulness came out of nowhere, and actually took me aback.  He sent it in the middle of a busy school week after a night at youth group and a morning of discussing a worship set.  In the middle of the ordinary, I received an extraordinary gift thanks to him stopping to take a minute once again for acknowledgement and gratitude.

I am blessed have a husband like this.

Thank you, Jimmy.  

I love and respect you more and more each day.

And I am very, very thankful for you.

Thank You, Aldi

For selling cinnamon for $.99 and vanilla extract for $1.99.  This means a lot to a girl who loves to bake for her family each week.

For stocking canned pumpkin.  I was hoping you would.  And $.89 a can is a huge blessing too.

Oh, and for having flowers for sale by the cash register the other day.  I so enjoy having fresh flowers on my kitchen table, and when I saw half a dozen roses for $3.99 I was thrilled!

They blossomed so beautifully. 

That's all for now.  I'm sure next week I'll find something else to thank you for though.  The biggest thanks of all is that I am able to stock up on staples for 1/3 to 1/2 or more of the usual cost which is an answer to prayer and such a help to our family.  See you soon.  

Your newest fan, 

Jennifer

Better Than A Hallelujah

My friend Pam sang the Amy Grant song Better Than A Hallelujah on Sunday morning at church. As I played keyboard with the band, I was contemplating the lyrics.  The very first line in the song says,

"God loves a lullabye, in a mother's tears in the dead of night, 

better than a hallelujah sometimes."

I don't know a mom out there who can't relate to that.  There is nothing like motherhood to bring out the most raw parts of your soul before God.  The chorus of this song goes on to say,

"We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody.  Beautiful the mess we are, the honest cries of breaking hearts...

are better than a hallelujah."

I've been thinking about those words. "Beautiful the mess we are, the honest cries of breaking hearts."  You know, it really is okay to be honest with God.  Hebrews 4:16 says we can come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need.  God wants us to come to Him openly when we need His help.  In Matthew 11:28-39, Jesus says "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls."

It's okay to have questions and cry out to God.  The book of Ecclesiastes is filled with questions. Even Jesus, who knew and obediently fulfilled His purpose here on earth, asked a poignant question at the peak of His pain and suffering on the cross.  Do you remember those words He cried when the sins of the world were upon Him?  "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34).  He was actually quoting Psalm 22, a Psalm filled with prophecy about the coming Messiah's agony and the theme of which is great suffering to great joy.  David would endure great suffering and trial but ultimately have victory, just as Jesus endured the suffering of the cross for our sake but had victory over the grave.  My study Bible says of this cry, "It was not a cry of doubt, but an urgent appeal to God."  I think most of us, like David and Jesus the Messiah, have urgently appealed to God in a time of pain and suffering.

It's okay to not understand.  God and I have been spending quite a bit of extra time together the past few months.  It's been a good thing.  He has let me cry, and I've come to cherish Psalm 56:8 and Psalm 34:18.  He has let me ask my questions about things I don't understand, and has made me realize not everything is meant to be understood.  Deuteronomy 29:29 says the secret things belong to God.  Sometimes we won't understand things like self-destructive choices, betrayal, or loss. Sometimes life's circumstances will not make sense to our earthly minds.  

But it is often in these times that we learn to really trust.  And we learn to cry out honestly and authentically, depending on Someone much greater than ourselves to get us through.  Being a mess really can transform us into something more beautiful. I think God finds our brokenness very becoming. After all, His Son experienced the ultimate brokenness, and who could be more beautiful than Jesus?

I don't know who is reading this.  I don't know if you walk closely with Jesus or have never even spoken to Him before.  I don't know if things are clipping along smoothly in your life or if you feel like a mess, perhaps a not-so-beautiful one.  Wherever you are, know that God is waiting to talk with you.  He has room for honesty, questions, tears, and authenticity.  In fact, I believe that's what He desires from us when we come to Him.  He knows us inside and out anyway.  So when we come to Him with honest cries from breaking hearts, I have to acknowledge this is "better than a hallelujah sometimes."

http://www.godtube.com/featured/video/amy-grant-better-hallelujah-official-music-video

That's What Special Girls Do

My "wittle" buddy got a fever out of the blue last night and put himself to bed.  Since it came out of nowhere and he had no other symptoms, I wasn't sure what to think.  I gave him Motrin and he slept comfortably, and when I checked on him his head and pajama shirt were wet as he had sweated off his fever.  This morning my mom came before dark to sit with the kids while my husband and I went to make our See You At The Pole rounds (an awesome way to start a morning may I add).  When we got back my "wittle" buddy was sweet and happy as he was last night, but warm...and the fever soon returned.  Again, no other symptoms.

So today was quiet around here.  I was the DVD changer and the juice giver, the comfy snuggler and the washcloth wiper.  I positioned pillows and straightened blankets and wiped away tears as his fever was trying to break once again and he sobbed for me to come "make him happy."  I kissed his hot forehead and cleansed his warm hands and tried to make him comfortable, just like my mom used to do for me.

Thanks to the magic of Motrin, his fever is down and he is actually up playing for the moment.  We'll see what happens in a few hours when it wears off.  But if it spikes I would do everything I could once more to make a sick boy happy all over again.  You see, the other night when I was tucking him in, he told me twice that I was his "special girl."  I know.  My heart melted too.  He has that way about him.

So giving him every ounce of love and tenderness possible....well, that's just what "special girls" do for their loving, tender, and very special boys.

Thank you God for the gift of motherhood.  It is a joy to serve my family.

Pumpkin Pancakes

My friend Mona in Maryland has been asking me for a pumpkin pancake recipe since last year, and I have been a total slacker in getting it up for her!  The good news is, on Saturday I tried a new recipe for pumpkin pancakes from the Gooseberry Patch Fall, Family, and Friends cookbook and I think it's the best one I've ever tried!  My mom said they were the best pumpkin pancakes she's ever eaten and my daughter gobbled them up, so I think this is the perfect one to post!  Recipe is as follows...

Combine 1 cup all purpose flour, 2 TBSP. brown sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder,  and 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (I used at least 1 1/2 tsps).  Combine 1 cup milk, 1 cup pumpkin (I used a heaping cup), and 2 egg yolks - add to to dry ingredients and mix. (Note: If I remember correctly I think I added a couple TBSP oil as well.) In a separate bowl and using an electric mixer at high speed, beat 2 egg whites until stiff peaks form (think meringue) - gently fold into pumpkin mixture.  Using 1/3 cup of batter at a time, cook on griddle, turning when tops are bubbling and edges are done.  Serve with maple syrup.

I am a fan of all things pumpkin, and these were delicious.  I think the reason I liked them even more than other recipes I've tried is that they were extremely light and fluffy,  probably because of the beaten egg whites.  If you are also a fan of pumpkin and all things autumn, this just may be the seasonal breakfast for you!  Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

More Lessons On Encouragement

I am nearing the end of my study on encouragement.  I have heard from quite a few of you that the bits and pieces I've shared with you have encouraged you, which makes my heart very thankful!  Hopefully you can go out and share this with someone else, and help me throw that encouragement confetti around!  It has a way of sticking.  :)

I had to share a few things with you that I read the other morning.  First was this verse from Proverbs.  Listen to this...


"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad."  Proverbs 12:25

Now, how many of you know someone who struggles with anxiety and depression?  My guess is that most of us could name several people.  Perhaps it is even you.  Now consider that God's Word says that a good word can make an anxious, depressed heart glad.  Consider the times you've had this happen or seen it happen in someone's life.  Simple kindness and genuine encouragement can go a long way in the heart of someone who is hurting.

I also loved this quote by Sheila Walsh.  She said, 


"As Christians one of the greatest temptations we face is to quit.  As I travel and meet people all over the country I hear more tales of discouragement than of blatant sin."

How true is that?  I know I've been there.  I've been so beaten down and discouraged by mean, bitter people, dreadful negativity, or stressful circumstances that I've considered just retreating and throwing in the towel.  Hiding in a corner. Quitting.


But...in those times I always go back to God's Word to find refreshment.  God will often do something powerful to show me He's in control and at work.  Sometimes He will simply whisper to my heart.  And often I'll receive a note in the mail, message on facebook, or email that says a few words of encouragement or thanks that inspire me to keep on keeping on.  

I know you've received those messages just when you've needed them too.


If you are feeling beaten down, or are the one with an anxious, depressed heart, please hear me today. Don't give up.  Don't retreat.  Face whatever it is with grace and dignity, and hold on.  It's going to get better.  This too shall pass.  And in good or bad, God is with you.  He is holding you.


And no matter whether you are up or down today, seek out someone who could use a good word to make their heart glad, as Proverbs says.  Be the one to share that word.  Be a giver of encouragement.  Be a lifter of heads.


Grace, peace, and encouragement to you friends.

Jennifer

I'm Not Cute

This just in, hot off the presses.

My son never fails to come up with the lines, and he did not disappoint a few minutes ago!

We went to Madi's school to pick her up earlier than usual since today was an early release day.  On the way in, a woman was walking out of a classroom, took one glance at Trev, and said, "Oh, he is SO cute."

I smiled and said thank you and we kept walking, but Trev wrinkled up his nose and in a very perplexed, determined voice made a statement that will go down in Trevor history.  He said, and I quote...

"Everybody's always tellin' me I'm cute, but I'm not cute, I'm handsome.  Madi's cute.  I'm handsome."

And, there you have it folks.