Meet the Tettletons

Their names are Stephanie, Abby, and Jody, and they need your prayers.

Stephanie and I know each other from middle school, high school, and youth group, but we were never really close (big schools, big church, different groups of friends). We haven’t kept in touch since then, as we moved in opposite directions for college, and then God built our lives in different cities. But, of course, we are Facebook friends, and this is how I know that she and her family very much need your prayers.

Their girl, Abby, is sick. And I’m a total wreck thinking about it. Really. After sending Stephanie a message telling her I’m praying for her, I went to do just that. And now I have a stuffy nose, a throbbing headache, and an aching heart. Here is what I thought and prayed (the small part I wrote down, anyway):

I don’t know how God can bear it. His love for His children is infinitely deeper than a mother’s love for her child, yet He must constantly watch them suffer… I’m totally wrecked right now thinking and praying for Stephanie and Jody Tettleton, whose little girl, Abby, needs a liver transplant. She’s in ICU right now. I don’t think she’s even two years old! Babies are not supposed to suffer like this; mamas and daddies shouldn’t have to watch their little ones in so much pain — bearing the weight of the Fall. It’s too heavy for us — how much more so for the tiny ones? It’s too much. Lord, heal this baby. You are the Great Physician — I lift Abigail Tettleton up to You begging for healing. I ask You also to pour into Stephanie and Jody supernatural peace, strength, and trust in You. You are good; You are so perectly good, even when we’re in the midst of pain. Show Stephanie and Jody, and all the grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins how to praise and trust You in this storm. Move mightily, Lord. Do not let the enemy make them feel hopeless or alone, for they are far from it. Our God is the God of Heaven and Earth! Lord, pour out Your blessings on this Family!

Amen.

Although I don’t really know this family, I wept all morning for their hurt. I simply can’t imagine watching your baby in so much physical need. But I do know that God is great, and I know that prayers are made stronger when others join in the chorus. So please, even though you may not know them either, lift them up to the great Healer, for He is more than able!

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Jeremiah 14:17

Girded Loins and Strengthened Arms

She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
~Proverbs 31:17

Oh man. Here’s the verse I was dreading — the exercising one. Bah. Let me see if I can make it NOT about exercising…

(Just kidding.)

(Kind of.)

“Gird” is a weird word that we don’t use often. In fact, I’ve mostly only heard it in reference to girding one’s loins in preparation for battle. In ancient times, men would pull up their robes and tuck them into their belts to allow more freedom of movement in battle. (I mean, imagine wearing a maxi dress in a sword fight. You’d hike up your dress, too!) So “to gird” means to surround with a belt, or to fasten with a belt; eventually, however, both the verb and the entire phrase just came to mean preparing for action or for a difficult task. And here in the Proverbs 31:17, the more literal translation is also “She girds her loins with strength.”

This whole idea creates a weird image in my mind. I begin to picture her literally tying up her dress for battle like the warriors, but then I get stuck on the word “strength.” How do you surround your loins with a belt of strength? It started as a literal image in my mind, but then I wonder if it’s more figurative. I cannot wrap strength around my waist.

(Unless I exercise.)

This verse is cool, albeit convicting. It seems to apply to any kind of strength, including physical, mental, and spiritual. The physical is obvious: keeping house and raising children requires physical exertion. She girds up (prepares) herself for hard work every day, and her body is strengthened. You can apply this also to intentional exercise, and I think you should. Being a homemaker in modern, Western society does not typically require the kind of physical labor that Jewel was accustomed to. Frankly, being a homemaker today can easily lead to flabby thighs and bat wings, no matter how busy you are with being domestic. I see it happening to me, and I’m still trying to work out a way to incorporate exercise into my routine with a busy baby underfoot! So yeah, this verse is about exercising. (Bah.)

But it’s also not. Jewel is daily going into battle against her selfish flesh, against the schemes of the enemy, against the culture; essentially she’s waging war against the spiritual darkness that is relentlessly trying to invade and conquer the little and big hearts living in her home.  So she must figuratively gird up her loins, or, as Peter instructs:

Therefore, prepare [literally: gird up] your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13

The task before us is great. We must be ready; we must intentionally seek to strengthen ourselves against the enemy. How? Well, we can’t do it ourselves:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

The very best and most important thing you can do for your family — and really for everyone you come in contact with — is to stay grounded in Him. Gird your loins and make your arms strong, for we go into battle every day.

♥ ♥ ♥

My Son, is she a strong woman? I don’t mean the kind of strength that the world recognizes…the sarcastic and pushy kind. I mean the kind of woman with inner strength and fortitude, regardless of her circumstances. The kind of woman who is not shattered when her world shatters, but who looks up with bleary, blurred eyes and says to God, “I trust You and I praise You. Tell me what You would have me do, and I will do it.” Now that is a woman.

My Love, as per usual, I wish I were the woman I am recommending to our little guy! However, I take confidence in the working of the Holy Spirit as He refines me, and I am thankful for the wonderful example of strength and fortitude you are to me every day. I love you.

My Lord, You are the Source of all wisdom and strength, and only You know what each day holds for me. I ask for Your guidance as I face the enemy each day, and I pray that You fill me with Your supernatural strength to withstand his attacks and to guard my home.

♥ ♥ ♥

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(This post is part of a series on Proverbs 31. Click here to see all posts in this series.)

Moving Toward Minimalism in My Jewelry Box

I have way too much stuff. We all do. I’ve been asking these questions of myself in recent weeks:

Why do I have a jewelry box full of jewelry I haven’t seen in years?
Why is half of my closet full of clothes I never wear? 
Why do I still have boxes full of stuff from when we moved here two years ago, and even some boxes from when I moved out on my own over a decade ago? 
Why am I holding on to so much stuff that I never look at or use? 

Recently, I wrote about how I have been dreaming of minimalism after reading books and blogs and the Bible. In choosing to actually believe God on His view of earthly possessions and materialism, I began really evaluating what I have been keeping and why.

About a year ago, I did a serious purging of stuff that I no longer value, such as childhood collections, out-of-style clothes, et cetera. It felt great. We had a garage sale and turned a bunch of stuff that was needlessly crowding our home into capital that could be wisely invested. While I did get rid of a ton of stuff, I am recognizing a flaw in my approach to purging last time. All I asked myself was whether or not I liked or wanted each item I evaluated. This is a good place to start, but it’s incomplete.

Look back at my questions italicized above. My first one refers to my jewelry box. I didn’t get rid of any jewelry in my first purge. I like everything in my jewelry box; it’s all so pretty! So naturally, I didn’t even open it when I was looking for stuff to get rid of. Now, my jewelry box is where I have started.

I’m not even finished yet, but I have already identified 55 items to sell. Fifty-five!!! My questions to myself through this process have been:

1. Do I wear this? If yes, keep it.
2. If I don’t wear it, do I treasure it as an heirloom or for sentimental reasons? If yes, keep it.
3. If I don’t wear it or treasure it, is there any compelling reason to keep it?

Generally, if I make it to question #3, the answer is no. There are lots of pretty items I’m getting rid of that I really like. There are pieces that I just might wear with one certain outfit for one yet unforeseen occasion in some future decade, but that’s not reason enough to keep it. I will still have plenty of versatile pieces left that are more than adequate for this purpose, and each of them will be pieces I really love and that really mean something to me.

And I mean really. Who needs jewelry anyway? Even if I had nothing but a wedding ring, it really wouldn’t matter at all. This was an easy and encouraging place to start moving toward minimalism!

Think about your home. If you were to embark on this journey, where do you think you would start?

Serving, Not Leading

Reblogged from Cole Ryan:

Leadership conferences, leadership seminars, leadership books, leadership podcasts. We're all about leading, have you noticed that?

Everyone wants to lead, but no one wants to serve. Maybe we prefer leading because leading requires recognition, popularity, attention. The fun stuff. Maybe we avoid serving because serving requires selflessness, humility, sacrifice. The tough stuff.

'Leader' is mentioned only 6 times in the KJV Bible, while 'Servant' is mentioned over 900 times.

Read more… 101 more words

Considering, Buying, Earning, and Planting

She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
~Proverbs 31:16

I love the simplicity of this verse. I have simple reflections in response, simply because there’s no reason to try and build something complex out of it.

Consider. Don’t just buy something because it’s pretty, or because you saw a commercial about how useful it is, or because it’s on sale. Consider whether it’s truly useful and necessary. Consider whether you have space for it. Consider whether you have money for it (do you have debt that still needs repaying?), and whether you could get a better deal elsewhere. Also consider the off-brand. A pretty good rule of thumb is that if you saw it, loved it, and grabbed it, then put it back.

Buy. Obviously this doesn’t mean buying everything you want (see above). Once you have determined that an item is useful and necessary, a good deal that you can truly afford, and practical, just buy it! Don’t waste time wondering about it. If you doubt your purchase that much, there’s a reason. Don’t buy it. But otherwise, buy it. Notice the example in the verse. What did she buy? A field. Why? Because it would yield a great return for her family. How does that new pair of shoes stack up under all these criteria?

Earn. Work. Not all jobs have a monetary compensation, but that doesn’t mean that one can’t be working. For instance, if you, like me, are blessed to be able to stay home with your kids, earn that privilege. Don’t spend your days “running errands” (shopping needlessly) or merely socializing. If you don’t have enough to do to mostly fill your days, then consider how you can turn those extra hours into something useful. Shopping, unless it’s for groceries, is often not useful. Playdates definitely are useful, both for child and parent, but not really if you’re having a playdate every day. That’s just playing. Imagine coming home from a long day at work and asking about your spouse’s day. Frequently being met with words like “shopping” and “playing” would probably really annoy you, and rightly so. We should all be working; it’s what we’re made to do. That’s kind of why I like the term “homemaker” instead of “stay-at-home mom”. The first implies that you’re actually doing something, and reminds me to get to it!

Plant. Do something useful with your time and resources that will ensure some sort of return for someone. This is also called making a good investment! There are a myriad of possibilities. Maybe for you this means some sort of home business, where you are getting a financial return on an investment. Maybe it’s more spiritual, as you pour into your spouse, your children, your friends, the community. Begin to evaluate your days, recognizing ways you’ve already been planting, and looking for new ways as well.

Finally, recognize that in the verse, all of these components work together. She considers a field, then buys it. She already has earnings, and she uses them to plant a vineyard in her new field that will undoubtedly yield more return for her family and community. In short, this Jewel is practical, thoughtful, responsible, and industrious, and so should we be.

(But that doesn’t mean you should just walk out and buy a vineyard off the Internet, Willie!)

♥ ♥ ♥

My Son, find a woman who has simple tastes; that may be the most practical advice I can give you on this topic. A wasteful woman, who spends excessive money on shoes and clothes and hair and nails and decorative items will not only put a strain on your finances, but she may struggle with some deeper heart issues. Caring about your appearance and keeping up with tidiness in the home is great — I don’t advise marrying a slob — but observe and consider her work ethic and her general attitude about spending. This will save you a lot of heartache later!

My Love, you know I wrote this post to myself! I’m still learning about wise and thrifty shopping, and it seems like every time I have my daily schedule figured out, that baby of ours gets more mobile and active and sends me back to the drawing board! But I want to be a blessing to you and to Bennett, so I am consistently looking for ways to use my time wisely and to pour into our family. I pray that I keep growing in this area!

My Lord, thank You so much for making me hate shopping! It makes some of this come easy to me. In other areas, I struggle more. Lord, I ask for wisdom and creativity in earning and planting. For the homemaker, it’s not always as straightforward or as grandiose as buying a field and planting a vineyard, but it could be those little moments invested with a little man that will yield a great return in years to come. Please give me perspective, patience, and passion for my calling!

♥ ♥ ♥

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(This post is part of a series on Proverbs 31. Click here to see all posts in this series.)

Dreaming of Minimalism

I’m getting a little sick of it. All of it. All of this stuff. 

I read one time that starving people in other countries find it utterly unfathomable that Americans pay millions of dollars to lose weight. (By contrast, it is pretty astounding.) Similarly, I’ve paid particular attention recently to commercials promising to help overwhelmed people organize their clutter. So instead of turning all of this excess stuff into capital, or donating it to someone who needs it, or simply trashing the trash, how many Americans spend yet more money to help them cling to stuff they don’t need? I’m sure the millions of impoverished people of the world would also be dumbstruck to see some of our houses.

My discontentment started either with the misuse and abuse of Christmas, or with the reading of David Platt’s Radical. I can’t remember which was first, but it doesn’t matter. Either way, I’m here now, and I’m so saddened by the constant over-spending that surrounds me. Of course, I will not list the things that I find frivolous, because I’ll inevitably step on some toes that I love. And of course, you could easily point out things that I spend money on that you find frivolous, but that’s kind of my point. I’m just developing an awareness of my own excess.

So, I’m dreaming of minimalism. I’m reading minimalist blogs and mentally assessing my stuff and my spending and my gift-giving and gift-receiving, and I’m wondering about the why of every little thing. This is not a new concept, so I’m not really sure why I’m reading about how other people are living minimalist lives instead of simply reading the Bible, believing it, and obeying it. Two of the most straight-forward verses on this topic are:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21 (emphasis added)

For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. ~Paul in 1 Timothy 6:7-9 (emphasis added)

There are others, but I don’t need them. This is an issue of whether I believe that Jesus meant what He said, and whether I believe that I will be held accountable for obedience to what He said. The simple fact is that He did mean it, and that I will be held accountable, but am I living like I believe it?

More soon.

To the Church at ________

What would Jesus have to say to your church if He divinely penned a letter through a prophet today? Would it be mostly positive or negative?

True, there’s something to complain about at every church. Maybe it’s the service — it’s too early or too late. Too modern or too old fashioned.  The chairs are uncomfortable, or you wish you had chairs instead of pews. The lack of emphasis on reaching out specifically to (fill in the blank demographic so you can get a date) has you on the verge of visiting that giant church over the hill. Et cetera. Well, that’s not necessarily what I’m talking about.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus spends two of the earliest chapters addressing local churches by name. By name! That’s so awesome, right? For the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory, via revelation a venerated leader, to speak specifically to your church and to include that message in His Word? What an honor!

Well, not really, for most of the churches. Although most — not all — received some sort of commendation from Christ, most also received some very searing and pointed words that exposed the sins of the church. And, thereby, the sins of its individual members.

In studying Revelation, my husband and I have been reading a commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe. At one point, the author asks this question:

If there were a section of Revelation 2 written to your church, what would you be praised for? Accused of? Admonished to do?

We loved that question. It was tough, it was applicable, and as soon as we got into a discussion about our church, we immediately began pointing fingers at ourselves. Like I said, there’s something to complain about wherever you go. If those complaints are serious, heart-issue complaints (not merely musical taste or your butt’s comfort), then they’re worth evaluating seriously — Jesus sure did. But then it’s time to realize that you’re part of that church. What did Jesus say to the churches He reprimanded? “Repent.” Confess and change your behavior. Put feet to your own complaints and be part of the solution.

So what about you? What would Jesus say to YOUR church at _____? (Read: What would He say to YOU?)

Check out Revelation 2 and 3 for ideas.