Life

Posted on June 8, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

Life has taken on a different pace with kids out of school and summer jobs in swing. My workload and hours have shifted like many other stay-at-home moms. I wouldn’t say I’m less busy, or more flexible, it’s just different. But the warm weather sure makes for more outside fun.

I love the slightly later morning routine where I can slip outdoors for a longer Biblestudy with coffee (there must be coffee!). I love seeing the faces and hearing the voices of my children throughout the day. I never know exactly what each day will bring or where I’ll need to drive… life is more off-the-cuff. It’s a blessed season and I can’t think, at the moment, of anything that makes me more thankful.

Is everything set? No. Is everyone settled? Hah. 8 people (plus friends) constantly in motion? Have we met all our goals, paid all our bills, mapped it all out? Hardly. But, I love these people I get to do life with. They are funny and interesting and talented and changing. My house is messier and my cupboard incessantly bare! Yet, I wouldn’t change anything, because they -change -me! They stretch me and challenge me to rise to the occasion.

They put all my faith and all my love into action… family. Never have I struggled so hard, prayed so much or enjoyed something so deeply as with this incredible gift from God. It has morphed over the years and with each stage I love it newly. I remember chubby hands and swim floaties. I remember skinny lanky kids who looked like I didn’t feed them. I remember lost teeth, lost shoes and chasing toddlers. Everything moves forward, just keeps moving forward, but that’s ok.

It could be, I’m thinking about these things because of our graduate, or because all the women had a real girl’s-night last night and stayed up late together! I’m not sure, I just know I’m super thankful at this moment for all the blessings He’s given. God is really good. His timing is perfect and His faithfulness endures.

We head out of town in 2 days for this next surgery. I will take every precious moment with me in my heart and look forward to when our family can be together again, for more summer fun! 

ForGlorySake! -Anna

counting blessings
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Jealous and Spoiled

Posted on May 22, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

Jealous of the Hope that youth affords

Jealous of Perspective that travel rewards

Jealous of the Trust of a little child

Jealous of the Zeal of a Patriot riled

Spoiled by the Riches of this life

Spoiled in a land without war or strife

Spoiled by receiving all that I need

Spoiled by the lack of the hunger I feed

Jealous of those miraculously healed

Jealous of Wisdom long life reveals

Jealous of entering His Kingdom today

Jealous of clearly pointing the way

Spoiled by The Message lost in the sound

Spoiled by the presence of loved-ones around

Spoiled by my books and Bibles piled high

Spoiled by the Knowledge that I am His child

Be jealous only of a relationship with God through the Spirit of God, Be spoiled only by His Love.- anna 5/2012

ForGlorySake! – Anna

“Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says The Spirit Whom He (God) has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and
He (God) yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?” James 4:5 
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Acceptance

Posted on May 21, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

My husband catches my eye and mouths, “You’re beautiful.” I feel self-conscious all of a sudden and I half smile back. He knows I didn’t believe him. I’m thinking of the veins and wrinkles and dimples I hide. He tries again. Even after a quarter of a century together, I still find it hard to accept his words.

Maybe because of all the times in the past when I wasn’t accepted, was told I didn’t meet the standard. These left me gun-shy. How come those are remembered far more than the times I’ve heard positives. Why is it negative comments carry more weight? It doesn’t seem fair.

I know better than to believe those silly voices from long ago. And who cares what anyone else thinks anyway? I trust my husband. I am loved. And I trust what God says about me too. He has an eternal Creator-love that says, “I made You just the way I wanted to.” The wondrous gigantic God of the Universe made little ‘ol me!

And having chosen (me), He called (me) to come to Him. And having called (me), He gave (me) right standing with Himself. And having given (me) right standing, He gave (me) His glory! Romans 8:30. Can any words be sweeter? 

I am accepted. I’ve been made acceptable. God loves me… there is no higher court, no other opinion, no further standard to reach. I am beautiful in His sight. The only thing left to do is look confidently back at my husband and tell him thank you.

He miraculously sees me with the eyes of God. How blessed I am. How much his words mean to me. I’m both humbled and thankful. In acceptance lies peace. In the knowledge of God’s great love I can accept and love others. 

ForGlorySake! -Anna

“God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children.” Romans 8:16 The Message
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Milestones

Posted on May 9, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

This year started with such drama and sadness, but is shaping up to be one of our favorites! So many amazing milestones have brightened the way. Two of the biggest: our son’s sobriety date and our daughter’s high school graduation! We are incredibly proud of them both.

So much hard work went into this semester for all the Etheriedge crew. Soccer season for 3 and a kid who won the game with a fractured wrist! Band performances, 6 birthdays accomplished, so much knowledge gained at Parent Support. A driver’s license earned, prom and a promotion at work. Also my dad turned 80! We’ve tried our best and God did the rest.

I am so thankful now for school finishing up and some summer fun ahead with the kids. David and I will leave for Birmingham again and his last surgery, we hope. Then just rest and recovery at home, with a slow move back into work. We are trusting God for an easy time, yet we have seen what He can do with the worst of circumstances… so there is nothing to fear.

Thank You, LORD for the many milestones and happy moments You have brought us. This has been such a blessed spring. We give You all the praise and Glory for Your mercy and grace. In Jesus’ matchless Name.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

spring 2012
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A Place To Start

Posted on May 7, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

When I’m stressed out, I definitely need extra help focusing my thoughts. Staying on-point in any form can be a challenge. Some days darn near impossible. I’ve left  both keys and phone in strange places. I’ve forgotten to do very normal, everyday activities like feed the animals, or the children, or myself. And when someone’s talking directly to me, I’ve completely tuned them out.

Life and death stress will do that to you! Heck, any kind of stress can put my brain on overload. I remember moments of kneeling and my mind racing in all directions. I would cry for lack of words. I’d hold my Bible and my memory would just go blank. One of my friends, in this state, left her car running while she was in the movie theater!! Thankfully it wasn’t stolen.

In times like these, more than ever before, we need to feel the peace of God.

 A dear friend gave me a small devotional once. It became my life-line. This short daily message with a few verses was such a treasure. Just a quick word of hope, that I didn’t have to think too hard over. It offered a jumping-off point. I remember clinging to that book and my Bible in hospital rooms and waiting areas.

A place to start is sometimes all we need. A blog, or list of verses on hope or trust, can launch into further study, or just be a light snack for our soul when a whole meal might make us choke. Next time you find a loved one (or yourself) in a place of worry, a favorite devotionally may be just the gift to see them through. 

ForGlorySake! -Anna

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
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Can and Will

Posted on May 3, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

David has another surgery this summer. Double Inguinal Hernias with mesh! After all the stuff with his colon cancer: hospital stays and unexpected procedures the last two years, we can’t believe another thing is left to go through.

There is something to knowing and believing your father will take care of you. My dad has always been a good provider and I’ve never questioned if He would supply any need I had. I think this is why I’ve never doubted God would also … yet never felt so hurt when He didn’t. Sometimes His timing has seemed off to me and I’ve cried, until I realized He always has a reason in His delay.

There’s a children’s song we sung at Awana’s, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God can not do for you.” Yet, who can know the mind of God, except the Spirit of God. And how can we ever assume or predict precisely what’s up His sleeve? Peace comes with contentment. When we trust to stay put, let it all go, and fall back into His everlasting arms.

Finally getting David’s business running well again, paying off medical bills, and our oldest daughter graduating high school. Another surgery, more medical bills now? It’s so hard to rest, hard to wait, hard to trust once again. Yet I have assurance He is working on our behalf and for our good. 

I know that – He will, He will, He will– somehow. Had we not walked through the fire and the flood already, and had I not felt His hands hold me again and again, I may not grasp this amazing blessed assurance with all my heart.

“Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn,  for they shall be comforted!” Matthew 5:4

No matter the mourning, I can not be depressed, for I am too comforted and know in my soul He is working for our good.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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Easier Than I Thought

Posted on April 27, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

When I was a child, we attended a church with a lot of ceremony and repetition. I memorized so many prayers and hymns that were used to communicate with God. Then I discovered Jesus was a personal Savior, and I could pray straight from my heart, in my own words… even singing praises I made up.

The longer I’ve walked with Jesus the more I’ve realized it’s actually easier than I thought. The whole relationship thing. I don’t have to be frantic or hard-pressed. Just set aside some time for the two of us. No timer or list to follow. He’s flexible. He knows I have a lot to do. I focus on enjoying Him, and He gives me what I so desperately need- simple quiet time together.

More and more, I can sense His presence during life’s chaos. He’s there. Measured and steady, available no matter what whirls about me. I’ve learned, with each dire circumstance: to breathe slowly and focus on being aware of His sovereignty. It takes effort! It takes practice.

Over time my reactions have changed. Those brief seconds before the critical look crosses my face or the hasty word pops out of my mouth… I’m reminded. Do you really want to go there? Before, I would just do it. Now I hesitate. It’s changed me and I think its changed the atmosphere around me.

I can still spout off at times… I’m passionate, maybe dramatic. But I now feel remorse when I speak too quickly or harshly. I notice the reactions. I ask for  forgiveness. I don’t enjoy being angry anymore. Time with Jesus has changed me.

God is love and truth and mercy and calm. Jesus in me has made a difference. I am not the same as I was. Praise God! I hope I keep changing to be more like Him. And that it becomes easier than I ever thought.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

bloom

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He Loves Me

Posted on April 21, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

My heart is overwhelmed, but in a good way.

It’s full of the Goodness of God.

Who is this God Who listens to me and hears my prayers?

Who is this God Who loves those I love and cares for those I care about, far more than I do?

Who is this God so full of compassion and mercy that He protects and rescues me from my own foolishness?

Who is this amazing God, so full of GRACE?

I can hardly believe He chose to know me.

He called and waited until I came in all my limited ability to understand Him.

He puts up with my short-sighted, weak-minded faith, ever committed to the challenge of making it grow.

Unrelenting… Ever-present… Everlasting…

This is my God Who’s beyond description!

And yet, He’s calling me still, to know Him more.

Oh, how I love Him, because He first loved me! -anna

ForGlorySake! – Anna 4/2012

 

We love Him, because He first loved us. 1John 4:19
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Living In Denial

Posted on April 19, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

My mom says she, “lives in denial” and she’s good at it too! You know, aware of a problem, but pretending it just doesn’t exist. We all think it’s funny, as she avoids any unpleasant conversation. Reading my Bible yesterday, I realized this is something God wants me to live in as well…

“They [those who fear the LORD] will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes [enemies].” Psalm 112: 7-8

We are called to live our lives rejoicing (Philippians 4:4), always thankful for everything (Ephesians 5:20), focused on what we can’t see and not what we can (2 Corinthians 4:18/5:7). That’s sorta like denial in my opinion.

I’m to have no fear of what is happening around me. Or worry about what appears to be going wrong. I’m just to know that God has a plan and the plan is for my good. Wow

Of course I’m not stupid. I can see the situations that need attention and when circumstances are something to pray over, but after doing what I can I must leave the rest at my Savior’s feet… it’s time to left go. The issue, in His hands brings a supernatural peace that doesn’t make any sense. He’s got this.

We’ve lived through some crazy stuff, yet I deny that chaos has control. I deny what is happening is only bad and no good can come. I choose instead, to trust in my great BIG GOD who sees the end from the beginning… far beyond my limited sight!

ForGlorySake! – Anna

roses in our yard
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Thankfully Aware!

Posted on April 18, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

Today I wrote, Glory to God! on a bill I mailed. I was so thrill to pay off that account! Praise God -went in our checkbook by the entry. Incredible answers to prayer have been happening lately. Paid-off accounts, a fabulous deal on size 15 shoes and a pair for me too. An inspiration for a meal with just the ingredients I had on hand (I hate to cook).

God has been showing up in many small ways. He’s been meeting our needs. He told us to wait on Him to provide, and we did. It is such a blessing to see Him doing what He said He’d do. If you have ever been in that position of waiting, you know the overwhelming joy. So personal, from His hand.

It is truly touching and all I can do is praise His name. I don’t think I could keep quiet if I tried! I feel like all these experiences have somehow been investments God made in my life. In many ways they have been gifts to me, because through them I’ve learned His faithfulness as never before.

As hard as it’s been, if He did invested, I want to give Him a good return. I’ve been sorely stretched, but not broken, and now there is a greater faith in Who He is. God my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer! He has always been there, only now I am more thankfully aware!

“…Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities.” Luke 12:48 MSG

Lord, I don’t want to miss any opportunity to share the Hope that You’ve brought to me. Thank You for the gifts, whatever wrapping they had. 

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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