Engaged: In the Middle of the House

Engaged is my word for 2013. I haven't done the One Word theme before. Prior to this year, I haven't been able to come up with One Word to focus upon but now every time I see a One Word blog post I think, "Engaged, that's my word for the year."

Engaged with These Faces in 2013

No matter the challenges that  2013 brings, I want to be intentionally Engaged with my children and my husband. I don't want them to only get the left-overs. I want them to get my Firsts. My intentions. My best.

They have not gotten the lion's share of me in 2012. Some of that is okay. Some of that is the circumstances that we were called to as a family: foster care and then Papa Care when he went into the hospital. But some of it wasn't okay.

For when I found myself with a breather or with down-time, I was off by myself with the door closed to my bedroom or staring at a computer screen. I didn't want one more person demanding something from me or asking me to give something. But when I go off by myself  in this house full of children, I have chosen not to build into the most precious of relationships: my children and my husband. When I give to them, I do not lose, I gain.

I only have four and a half years before the oldest graduates from high-school and the two girls are right behind him. Soon it will be a whirl-wind of activity as we send them off to their own lives and to make their own way in this world. In the meantime, I don't want to lose any opportunities to play a card game, to listen to a story, to give a hug, or to simply just be near them.

They are here. I want to be Engaged with my children and my husband, enjoying them no matter what. Engaged in the middle of the house. I tend towards my bedroom or my computer area when I have down-time. This year, I want to be known for being in the middle of the house. At the dining room table playing a game. In the big easy chair reading a book. In the kitchen cooking for them. I want to be where the life-blood of our family is, where I can be easily Engaged by my loved ones.

I know that I will not regret an ounce of time or energy given to these ones that I love the most. I don't want to miss any  moments with them. I want to be Engaged with them right here in the middle of our house.

With love,

Kathleen

See how they grow? Thought you might enjoy pictures of the kids in the same spot over several years.

In Christmas 2012: ages 7, 11, 13, &14

In May of 2010: ages 4, 8, 10 & 11

 

In July of 2011: ages 5, 9, 11, & 12

 

Unto the Hills by Billy Graham

"Discouragement stems from disbelief." Billy Graham describes some situations of how it looks when we are just not trusting God when we're in difficult circumstances. As he described some scenarios, I agreed wholeheartedly. I thought, "Yes, I totally see that in my friend. She just needs to believe God!"

And then, I got discouraged. I was feeling down and out as I wiped off the counter. Into my mind popped, "Discouragement stems from disbelief." Wow. The thought hit me like a ton of bricks when it was aimed at me. I couldn't see what I wasn't believing God for. I don't remember what I was discouraged about now but I sure remember the conviction that came when this little thought popped into my head.

It wasn't apparent to me what I wasn't trusting God for in my own situation but it sure was easy to see it in someone else. So, I asked the Lord to show me where I wasn't trusting Him. "Help me in my unbelief."

This is just one example of how I am enjoying the devotional Unto the Hills by Billy Graham that has been re-released for a new generation of believers. The tone is calm, steady and soothing even though at times it is convicting. The format starts with a Bible verse written in full at the top. There is an anecdote or some thoughts on the subject, many times with additional Bible verses in the main text. Each day's entry concludes with a prayer. I have particularly enjoyed the prayers at the end of each entry.

As an interesting aside, I actually like to look up the verses in my own Bible rather than having them printed out for me. I look them up and write them down in a notebook. Often, I will read and write some of the surrounding verses as well. I usually do this before I read the entry for the day. Often I am encouraged by something that the author has to say but I do enjoy the direct time with God, too.

I highly recommend this devotional to others, especially for those seeking a guide for daily Bible readings.

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How about you? Have you ever used this devotional or another that you would recommend to others?

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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I am also linking up with Jen at Finding Heaven for the weekly Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood.
Welcome if you are visiting from there.
If you're not visiting from there you should click on over and visit them.

A love letter

This date -- January 25th -- holds much meaning for me. It is the day that I received the most beautiful love letter I have ever received.

May I always remember.

What do you have that you always want to remember?

Overflowing with thankfulness,

Kathleen

Colossians 2:6-7

Anointed to Offer Sacrifices

"Learn to anoint with oil the hard places in your life as ordained and allowed by God," said the featured speaker at a ladies conference two weeks ago. I have been mulling on it ever since.

Israelite priests in Old Testament times were anointed for service. They were set apart for a special reason. One of their main duties was to offer sacrifices. They were anointed to offer sacrifices. And so are we.

Not only were the priests anointed but also the place was anointed. For the priests that place was the tabernacle. It, too, was set apart as a special meeting place. The place where God would meet with humans. And so it is to be with me. Anoint a meeting place with God. A place to offer sacrifices to God. And this speaker suggests it to be the hard places in my life.

And what kind of sacrifices shall I bring? The sacrifice of praise is one I am to bring as it says in Hebrews 13:15, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name." And it is a sacrifice to offer praise in the midst of difficulty. It is hard to do. It costs something to praise in the midst of trials.

Hebrews goes on to say, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. " (Hebrews 13:16). I'm so thankful that doing good and sharing with others are listed as sacrifices because it validates that they are hard to do, especially in the midst of our special anointed places -- those hard places, the trying relationships, the overwhelming circumstances of life.

When I view the events of my life as ordained and allowed by God, then I am encouraged to walk on and to press on. For these hard places become the very special places in my life to meet with God and to offer the sacrifices of praise, doing good, and sharing with others. It is a privilege to be anointed to offer sacrifices.

Note: This blog post comes to you as part of the A to Z Blog Challenge to post every day except Sundays during the month of April. Obviously, I'm behind since it is the 6th of April and it is my first post. But, I began this blog to encourage me to write. This challenge has come when I was desiring to write more. And so I begin. Check out the link HERE to view the original challenge and to see the links to the other bloggers stepping up to this April blog challenge.

Blur to Focus

On Tuesday I went to the eye doctor. It took two hours to get a new, crisp prescription. Once we arrived at the new prescription, I was able to put the contacts in my eyes because they had them in-stock. New clarity. But only for a moment because the doctor put The Drop in my eyes.

I agreed to this drop. I marked The Box -- The Agree to Dilate My Eyes Box. It was for a good cause. It was for my eye health. I know it will only take a few hours to clear up. But there did seem to be irony in blurring my vision in order to get clearer vision (or really to make sure the eyesight stays healthy.)

It also got me thinking about life. And that sometimes the path seems to be the opposite of where I thought was headed. Even though I ask God for clarity about the path, I don't always receive the nice, clear explanation about when this really will clear up (in two or three hours or days or months or years).

Instead I need to trust the Guide of Life, the One who said, "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. " Isaiah 55:8

Sometimes trusting Him is the only way because I can't understand the explanation. I need to trust. Just like a child trusting her mom that we needed to make your eyesight more blurry so that it can be more focused later.

Sometimes it seems we are going down to get up, going left to go right. So I keep trusting. I am glad God has told us that His ways are different than ours and too high to really understand. It does help. Especially when things have gotten fuzzier just when you thought they might clear up.