Real Life?

Read a quote today that prompted me to get pencil and paper out.

"Our task is to say a holy yes to the real things of our life as they exist." ~ N. Goldberg

I started listing the "real" things my life consists of at the moment...things that I haven't been outright resisting but haven't been embracing with a "Yes!" either.

The list seems long.

And depressing.

There are far too many things I must accept.... even though "I NO likey!"
It isn't fair and I have to say "Yes"!?!

It's worth a try I guess. Up till now all the wishing-in-the-world it was different.... hasn't made it so.

Time to try something different.
Change is good for us.

This is real life. Everyone has one. Mine is no less or more perfect than anyone else's.

As long as we live on this planet LIFE will be a big dose of PAIN with some JOYS stirred in and sprinkled on top....if you are looking for the sprinkles you'll find them.

Life hurts. But this isn't my forever life. The sprinkles of JOY that I find among the pain is just little glimpses of my REAL, real life....... that is coming.

I think saying "Yes" to the pain means I will accept that life on this broken, sinful planet means I can't make it perfect and painless, no matter how hard I try. But that doesn't mean I have to focus on the pain...I must search for the "sprinkles of JOY", cause there's some every day, (if I am looking).... savor them when they're found...be grateful for them and thank GOD that they are just a taste of the real LIFE that I have in HIM.

Dear Lord,
This is my life.
You allowed it.
It must be ok then.
Help me believe that it is.
Help me say "Yes" to the real things.
And remind me to stop struggling to change it all.
Show me "sprinkles of JOY" that You have for today
Remind me that they are just glimpses into "forever"
Please help me in this "real" life to find....
Contentment among the imperfect
Gratitude among the sickness
Patience among the sorrow
JOY among the broken
Peace among the pain.
It is for Your Glory
That I ask this in
Jesus beautiful
name. Amen

One Very Small Jewel

It’s all being taken away.
The things I used to do.
To be accepted and loved.
The things that became who I was.
The works. Stripped away.
And now I see a future fire.
Burning the dross.
Burning the things that I did for Him.
Burning and burning.
All the things that Me, Myself and I did.
Was it really for Him? Or was it for me?
For acceptance. For approval. For love.
Not for His. But from others.
It’s all going to be lit on fire one day and I start to worry….
“Will anything survive?” Will there be any jewels left for His crown?”
I can’t be sure what will be left.
Cause motives are always so mixed.
Life is so jumbled. Pain and sin it’s in everything.
It can’t be escaped. Not yet.
One day, yes. But not today.
And so I do not know how many of my acts will survive the flames.
But I do know of one that will.
It’ll be there after the fire subsides.
Something small, shining from among the ashes.
Because of grace.
At least one small gem to offer.
Wonderful, beautiful grace.
Without it I would not have even this one small jewel to give my King.
My Lord, Saviour and Father.
It’s the one thing that is surviving the fires in the-here-and-now.
The one thing that remains even when all else is being stripped away.
Sometimes it is very weak.
Sometimes it is demanding to be heard.
But it is always there.

Belief.

I believe.

Sometimes that is all I can do.
Some days there is only enough strength to do just that.

Believe.

Christ does all the rest any ways.
All the fruit.
It’s all His.
Who am I trying to fool?
The love, joy, peace, gentleness, patience, kindness, and self control.
Those are His acts, not mine.
And when the telling fires die down, if any jewels are left among the ashes.
They will all be His.
Cause you and I both know that they aren't there because of me.
And I will give them back to Him
And the tiny gem, that is my belief,  I'll give that to Him as well.
And I’ll thank Him especially for that one.
Cause without grace. Without mercy.
That jewel, no matter how small, would never shine.
Grace. Grace.
God’s Amazing Grace.
It would all be fire and brimstone without it.
And I am thankful.
It may be a small thankfulness at times.

But it is enough.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Simple Fun

Maybe you're like me....not a fan of snow.

Comes with "getting old" it seems.. ...speaking for myself of course. :)

But children, now they are fans of the cold, white stuff. And although dealing with the wet clothes is sometimes a task I don't overly enjoy; I am thankful for the gift of simple fun that God sends for children to take such pleasure in.

Right now there is an "igloo" on every yard around us that has children. Two on our yard.  Our big snow scoop from our "Up North" days played a big part in making the mounds that got dug out. (My collection of little garden shovels, that I find all over the yard after the snow has melted, also played a big part in the digging out) The biggest "igloo" is on the O'Haren's yard.  Apparently it has a seat for all seven children and has been dubbed the "The Town Hall". 

I found out about the name because a young fella came to the door and asked to speak to the youngest Harris. When she came to "see"....the simple and only message was....... 

"There is a meeting at the Town Hall"

"Ok" was the answer. The door was closed and the putting on of snow gear commenced.

And this momma's "don't like snow" heart melted and said a prayer of thanks for the simple fun that snow brings to the kids.

Can't you picture the joy God gets out of watching all the children in all the snowy parts of His world playing with His gifts......clean, white, mold-able snow added to their young, enthusiastic imaginations? I'm guessing that He takes great pleasure from all the scenarios and events that take place after snow arrives.

So, I'm going to try complaining less about the snow. I don't want to be a damper on the joy God gets from watching His children play in His magical, once in-awhile gift.

All things beautiful......like today!!

Ever spend much time wondering about heaven?

Ever long for it on days when things aren't going wrong?

Today it is so awesome outside I can't help but think that it is a little like what heaven is going to be like.

But even on days like today when I am blessed, by not only amazing weather, but time and ability to do what I enjoy best.....gardening......I am reminded when digging in the dirt and rooting up some old things to make way for new ones......that I am not a resident.....no, I am not a resident of Battlefield Drive, Stoney Creek, Canada or even Earth.

I am just a traveler.

Only on a journey.

Not supposed to be putting down roots, not supposed to be burying (or storing, or displaying, or polishing) treasure down here, not supposed to be worrying or fretting about today or tomorrow or all my stuff. 

I need to remember that a wise traveler makes sure to pack lightly!

Today, it's time to do a heart check. Is there anything more important to me right now then my Lord and Saviour?  Is there anything I would rather not be called away from?  Of course I have no desire to leave my children motherless.....or leave the love of my life, Geoff.....but I sure do realize that this world is not what it is all about.....this sinful, hurting planet is not my home.....not my family's home...and I hope not yours either!

But instead I look forward to the day when this beautiful world, the one I have been so blessed to enjoy this afternoon, will no longer be struggling under a curse.....when it too will be set free from it's bonds.....and when all of creation will sing from it's deepest parts about a wonderful God and Redeemer.

Heaven and the whole family will be joining in the grand celebration and you can believe without a doubt that it's going to be the first day of many mind-blowing eternities.  The temperature will be perfect, the lighting awesome, the breeze amazing, the colours incredible, the company the BEST!! and the singing out-of-this-world!

Going Home ......it's going to be so great!!

All things new......

Hello Dear Friends,

There is always change in life, isn't there.  And I have learned and continue to learn it's best not to fight against it.

One recent change in my life is that I stopped blogging for the site Pray for the Nations and will be maintaining this blog for the family, and if the Lord wills, start up a new blog of my own.  I already have a title for it and ideas for the design ...... but I am getting ahead of myself here....cause I will not be going anywhere with it anytime soon (at least not until I have school done for this year and planned for next)  In the mean time, I will be putting up some of my old blogs from the past....some of you were mentioning that they had blessed you. Thanks for your encouragement....and if you want to read the last blog on this site, Simple Faith, (a post from the past) you'll see the thing God is still working on in my heart.

Being content.....in the little things and the place where he has me.

May God continue to use you and me both to bring glory to Himself!

Love from a Sister,
Christine

Simple Faith

The following hymn, written in 1850, by Anna L. Waring touches on one of my challenges.

Being content in the little things God has for me to do.

Well, maybe they're not "little things", since doing laundry for six people is no little thing, but it is mundane. I enjoy cooking for the many mouths that often find themselves at our table, it also is no "little thing", but I think at times, in the light of eternity what does it add up to....

But I am learning, (albeit slowly) to thank God for the "portions" He has for me.

I don't know if you struggle in the same area, but if you do you may enjoy these words...

Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come
I do not fear to see;
I ask Thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing Thee.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child
And guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoever estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate.

May God bless and keep you! :)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Another year has gone into history. It has been another amazing year for the Lord's work in Asia. Each year seems to outdo the year before. It is not us...it is the Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit. We get to tag along and be amazed once again at what He is doing. It is such a privilege to be a small part of what the Lord did this last year in Asia. More details will come later of the increase in the work on the mission field. We give God all the praise and glory for every soul rescued and every church planted.

May God bless you in the new year that is upon us.

Happy New Year!