Bills

Posted on October 28, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

I was amazed this past week to find myself, in the pit of despair… well, dangling over the edge. Whether it was hormones or just feeling sorry for myself, I sunk lower as the week went on. With David’s illness last year, and his time off work, we have some heavy financial burdens. We just can’t seem to break free. We work, we pray, we hope, but still we’re just keep sinking so to speak.

God has been using this time of desperation to grow us still further… and I don’t like it. Daily He extends hope in verses and songs. But my ears and heart have felt dull. My Father who owns cattle on a 1000 hills could take care of this and yet, He holds off. We’re not starving or naked or without shelter, but there’s so much debt; tap dancing with bills each month. Somehow it trickles in, last minute, only to start over again.  

Why doesn’t He swoop in and clear the slate? I’m so tired of living in constant stress and strain. My underlying resentment is becoming unmistakable. Who exactly am I resentful toward? Who’s in charge? I find moments of peace, yet every time I passed that growing stack of medical bills I want to scream. The lump in my throat stays.

What if He chooses not to answer our prayers for miraculous recovery? What if we go back into surgery with growing debt? Will I let resentment take weed in my heart? How audacious of me! Who do I think I am?? Thank You Lord, the cycle was broken this morning, when I got down on my knees and thoroughly repented. Oh the release and the renewal of JOY!

Thank you Father,  for unfairly treating me to Your unfailing love. You remember I am dust and even though my faith is not like Job’s -who never blamed You, You don’t leave me in my miserable state. I don’t understand what You’re doing, but that’s why I serve You… You are God and I am not. Have Your way. 

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Blooming Contentment

Posted on October 20, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

My mother used to tell me and my sisters, “bloom where you’re planted.” She meant wherever you are, do the best you can do. I used to very much envy where other’s were planted. I wanted a transplant! Later, I realized God was the One who had assigned me my lot and my portion.

5Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. 6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6

I wanted that kind of contentment, and it needed it to happen right where I was. Surely the God of the Universe knew what He was doing putting me here. Surely He was aware of my frustrations and my inabilities. My mentor (Elisabeth Elliott via radio) taught that God does not make it difficult for us to follow Him; He remembers we are dumb sheep who need a good shepherd.

“But for those who are righteous, the way is not too steep and rough, You are a God who does what is right, and You smooth out the path ahead of them.” Isaiah 26:7

I began to see why my mother’s words were repeated so often to us. It’s a choice to be content. I needed to be thankful for where God had placed me and know that’s where He wanted me. He did not make a mistake. I just needed to grow beautifully.

God, always, always You offer a spot for me to bloom. The way is never too rough to follow You. Thank You for my spot in life and my inheritance in Your Kingdom.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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Mom Morsels- part 1

Posted on October 19, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

When our children were little and under foot, I was desperate for advice on everything you can imagine. I’d ask anyone. My own mom had some general wisdom, but couldn’t remember specifics.

Because I might forget those also… I began to collect tips that worked for me and stuck them in a pocket-size notebook. By 2009, it was bursting at the seams, so I swapped to a larger journal. I then glued precious little notes and drawings from the kids onto every other page. This has become a family treasure:

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is soccer-785x1024.jpg

  •  Before your children can read, make a drawing of their “list of chores.” To do 1st thing every morning and before bed. Tape it down low on a bathroom cabinet. Offer a reward when they got into a routine ($, candy, game time…)
  • Whatever the kids help you do anything (no matter how poorly), remember they actually helped you. And they are learning for the future. So delegate!
  • Get up 30 mins before the kids if possible. And exercise! Pray WHILE you workout. You’ll feel better all day.
  • If you don’t do it (whatever it is), it probably won’t get done… so stop procrastinating and get busy. Grab a kiddo to help you.
  • When rested, you’ll commit to anything. When you’re tired, you’re ready to quit. So WAIT 24hrs before committing to ANYTHING! (don’t get guilted into signing up: for sports, taking a dinner, volunteering at school, getting a pet). Your family comes 1st.
  • No one really cares what size jeans you wear, but you.
  • Best advice you’ll ever get: “Everything gets better…EVERYTHING!
  • Don’t forget: (Ps. 56:8) God records your sorrows and collects your tears.                            He gently leads those with young. (Isaiah 40:11)
  • Be Content! (Ps. 16:5) The Lord has assigned you your portion and cup.
  • Laugh at yourself daily! Pray for a sense of humor.
  • Babies need their rest and so do you!! Put them in their own space and stick to a schedule. Self-soothing is important. Let them cry to sleep, at least by 3 months. They will be good little nappers.
  • A drawer for PJs (unfolded) is very easy for kids to maintain.
  • Crock pots are life savers, morning dump in and forget.
  • Even big kids need a quiet/room-time. You need it too.
  • Play in the rain! Get wet with the kids
  • Don’t eat in front of the TV
  • Lay on the driveway and look at the stars
Ben and Sarah
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Monday

Posted on October 18, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

If someone had handed me an itinerary for my Monday’s schedule I would’ve croaked! 5:30AM brought my alarm. It seemed extra early, dark and cold. I did the usual making coffee, starting lunches, loading laundry and waking kids. Bethany (3rd grade) on the bus, I remembered Timothy (9th) needed an x-ray for his wrist that he hurt in Saturday’s soccer game. Two more kids (high schoolers) out the door and Rebekah (6th) missed her bus.

Timothy and I dropped her off at school then waited (!) at the urgent care. X-rays showed a break maybe 2, so I spent the next hour calling everywhere to get an appointment with an Orthopedist to get a cast. Finally got one for the next AM. Trying to make the best of it for Timothy, who now hurt from all of the twisting of his wrist in examination, I agreed to buy him a burger (one direction) before picking up his x-ray films (of course, in the other). Why won’t they just give you those before you leave?? Anyway, items in hand we headed home where some cleaning HAD to be done before Biblestudy the next day.

At the very least the main floor needed vacuuming & mopping and the hall bathroom cleaned. Emails were sent to Timothy’s teachers and soccer coach (which he couldn’t help with). The elementary bus arrived- what? How could it be so late? I never got to exercise. O dear, I’m still in my workout clothes… and no shower 🙁

Sarah (senior) came home early, dropped off a car and left with a friend for a study session. That meant I needed to now pick up Ben (10th) from school! Timothy noticed a text about Ben’s tutoring that afternoon. -Oops I forgot. I quick made the call to verify and had 45mins to pick-up said child, get home, ask about everyone’s school day, help with homework and think about dinner. I forgot about dinner. Still no time to shower (really ?), I briefly saw Rebekah get out of her carpool, kiss her and jumped into Sarah’s car (which was parked behind me), to take Ben to tutoring.

Got him into the tutor’s house and quickly had to leave because Sarah was called in for work. Drove home, got the Suburban to go back and pick Ben up. Getting home, I was asked to cut Keith’s hair and I found out David needed help in locating some misplaced documents for taxes. He was at the office searching and needed me to look at home.

Timothy in the mean-time “really wanted to go to soccer practice!!!!” I found a few papers for David and called out information over the phone all the while over-seeing a “habitat project” for Bethany. I decided it really wasn’t a big deal after all to let Timothy kick the ball at practice (…no running). So with another folder to go through for David, and everyone eating left-overs, I drove him to the field. The coach talked to us a while, but said no, not even with the brace, not until he gets a real cast. He was bummed, but they NEED him to play for the tournament in 5 weeks.

Drove sad child home, gathered papers and headed up to the office to help David finish up. Ben put the little girls to bed. 🙂 I signed papers with David and he mailed them off.
I don’t think I ever ate dinner, I know I didn’t get a shower until 10:30PM. My sweet husband let me sleep while he stayed up most of the night with our youngest who got the throw-ups later on! Really??? That means no Biblestudy tomorrow after all 🙁 At least I will start the day with a clean house (part of it anyway)!

This is life with 6, and no matter what happens I know God goes before me to make my path straight. I need not worry about what’s on the agenda. 

ForGlorySake! -Anna

 

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Learning How to Brag

Posted on October 13, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

“Therefore, the Scriptures say: ‘If you want to boast, boast only in the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

Unlike Paul in the New Testament, I have never been beaten for my faith, or imprisoned, or harshly persecuted. I have endured some teasing and ostracism, but my real claim to brag comes in that God has proven faithful to me time and time again through whatever difficulty I’ve come across.

I can run off a list of struggles and trials from over the years… a few pages long (as any human can). It includes: flat tires, flu, a sudden move, a missing child, serious illness and lack of funds for bills, on and on. The amazing and miraculous thing is that no matter what I may write on this never ending list, God has matched it with His never ending grace and impeccable timing. He continues to do so every day.

Nothing escapes His notice, nothing surprises Him. I can rest assured my “unique case” won’t stump Him. He is prepared. As a matter of fact He’s been prepared before the world began. Think of it!


 1 Corinthians 1:31 was in reference to Jeremiah 9:24 and Paul’s readers knew it.
“But those who wish to boast should boast in this ALONE;                                                       that they truly know Me                                                                                                                and understand that I AM the LORD                                                                                           who demonstrates unfailing love                                                                                                     and who brings justice                                                                                                                             and righteousness to the earth,                                                                                                  and that I delight in these things.                                                                                                     I, the LORD, have spoken!”


O Lord, You really are something! You never cease to amaze me. Let me boast to those around me, that You are what holds me up and keeps me going. You’re the Best.

ForGlorySake! – Anna

He can
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Praying for Success

Posted on October 10, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

“Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success. Psalm 118:25

Do you pray for success? Success in all you put your hands to? We have had such major set backs regarding regular life, that I’m making this a prayer forces for the month.

There was a time in life when all I sought was fame and glory. That disappeared 24 years ago. That’s not the kind of success I want now. I’m focused on: “run the good race, and fight the good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7), “carefully determine what pleases the Lord” (Eph. 5:10), and “She obtains wool and flax, and works with her hands” (Prov. 31:13). We just need to move forward now that illness is behind us.

The older I get the more I realize how hard it is to measure progress in God’s Kingdom. Only The King can tell me if its been, “well done.” So for now, I’m asking are we after Your business, Lord? Is there anything we’re missing? If I do wonderful things for God, yet without love- I am nothing (1 Cor. 13:2).  Raising 5 children, bringing another on board, staying faithful to a man for years of marriage, keeping a home running, nannying …these are all nothing, without love.

Love is my goal, and 1st Corinthians 13 is my guide. Only Jesus can help me achieve that! In my focus on success I aim to take Solomon’s wise advise:  “After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey His commands, because this is all that we were created for.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

God, You know my heart and that I don’t care about having my name in lights.  I want to be useful and bring Glory to Your name.  Show me how to love, since that was Your main command and please, grant us success.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

The Fam 2011
Etheriedges
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the Ultimate Brave Heart

Posted on September 30, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. (Psalm 27:13 & 14 AMP)

          This verse speaks to me so deeply. I’ve been reading back through my personal journalings, I’m taken to my knees and brought to tears over how gently God has led me time and again.

    He gave me the gift of faith, to believe He is... and what a gift that is! What would have become of me without it? For instance and because it's fresh on my mind, I just knew somehow He would bring about good from all this cancer stuff ...and He has.

I see it revealed right and left.

    Whatever you are longing on today, whatever you're waiting on, ask God for hope. Ask Him to give you the unreasonable ability to believe in the goodness He will bring. Ask Him for the gift to expect that He will come. This is the ultimate challenge. Will you seek a brave-heart! I think He's just waiting to be asked.

“Dear Father, I lift up all my sisters in the Lord and the heavy burdens they carry today. Give each of us the hope we need to believe that You are working behind the scenes where we can’t see. Give us brave hearts as we expect Your great things to come about. In Jesus Mighty Name.” 

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Snake!

Posted on September 26, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

Just when you think it’s safe to do the wash…

..this shows up under the clean wet clothes. We had just come from an overnight camping trip near Rome, Ga. Such fun and beautiful weather. Getting home late Sunday afternoon required all hands on deck to unload the car, store the camping tents etc., and pile the dirty clothes in front of the washer. Between dinner and baths I threw in one load, but forgot to run the dryer until early this morning.

5:55 Monday morning, coffee going and before I started the daily lunch assembly, my mind remembered those wet clothes from yesterday. Trooping into the laundry room under a too-bright light, I reached down into the washer pulling out wet clothes after we clothes, shoving them into the dryer.

I never even looked at what I was grabbing until I got near the bottom to fish for socks. Can you imagine my surprise to find this little guy! I just stood there wondering if they can climb washer drums and then noticed that it’s little tongue was hanging out. Dead but clean. Good ‘ol Arm & Hammer soap.

Needless to say it gave everyone a good story for school.. and work. I’m glad I got a photo. Not sure what kind this was, but I’m just thankful we didn’t meet when I was carrying these clothes inside! Thankful that he didn’t bother anybody in the car! And thankful God said, “…upon your belly you shall crawl.” Yikes, If that thing had had legs…

ForGlorySake! -Anna

A clean snake
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Faith-life in the Light

Posted on September 20, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

When David was diagnosed with cancer and life went into a spin, somehow our little normal family came into the spot-light. It was totally unplanned on our part and certainly not something we sought. As a matter of fact, because we had worked around some famous people years before, our motto has always been, “It’s nice being nobodies.” Last October left us feeling a little forced into the open.

During those seemingly endless days at the hospital I wrestled long and hard with why God allows suffering.  It doesn’t feel like a big issue to me now, but back then, when David was in terrific pain, I talked to God about it a lot. I even wrote about it and many people read.

Maybe this is obvious to you, but it has been a revelation to me; that God allows His children amazing opportunities through suffering. Opportunities to live in the light for a time and hopefully shine for Him. Remember the verses about believers being the light of the world?

“A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matt 5:14-15 

Those days were a few in the grand scheme of things; a few days to sit on a hill and shine our light to those around us.  How ever you want to look at it; God caused it, allowed or simply because there’s sin in the world… He uses EVERYTHING for good and the spot-light is just part of the package.

Where do you sit right now? What’s your test? I’m praying for you to shine brightly from your stand and know that your faith-life has been forced into the open to give light to all around you.

ForGlorySake! -Anna 

11/2010
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Our Busy God

Posted on September 19, 2011 by For Glory Sake!


“The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD. And He (God) delights in his (man) way [and He (God) busies Himself with his (man) every step]. Psalm 37:23 AMPC

I like to Capitalize references to God, especially the pronouns. This time the Classic Amplified Bible has done it for me. I really learned something when I took note which “Him” was God and which “him” was man.

This verse astounds me! Being a “righteous” because of what Jesus did for me (2 corinthians 5:21)… My steps are both directed and established by the Lord. If that wasn’t enough, it says,“He delights in my way.”  The new living translation states, “He delights in every detail.” What?!

I’ve been running the last bit over and over in my head; God busies Himself with my every step. Why? Don’t you find it fascinating, not only does God map out our lives (Ps. 139:16), but He also orchestrates the details of our day?!

I recently saw a video of a terrible tornado being recounted by the people in its path. Using a count-down method to a specific moment of crisis, it showed a perfectly timed rescue. Amazing. No one ever used the word miraculous, but it certainly was. I watched with tears in my eyes knowing that God had put that “coincidence” together.

He does it everyday! Every place I go, every person I meet. Not quite as dramatic, but He’s there. God is into my details. Busy with each step. May I stay aware and look for Him.

ForGlorySake! – Anna

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