Without giving too much description, the dreams are demonic.
This morning I awoke from one, but it was unlike any I’ve ever had.
Although the dream was demonic, I was completely calm throughout.
Normally, I am afraid, angry, full of grief, or a mixture of these emotions.
Not this morning.
Upon waking, I asked the Lord why this was so different.
Your husband was praying.
My husband had gotten up early and was downstairs in prayer.
His time with the Lord covered me from the attack.
Just before he left for work I told him about it and thanked him for it.
I also thanked God for my husband and his prayers.
James 5:16 KJV — Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
God’s Word is true.
1 Peter 1:3-7NKJV — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
We can and should put His Word into practice in our lives, because we may not see how God is working, but we can always trust that He is.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the prayers of my husband. Lord, thank You for showing me another example of Your beautiful truth applied. Lord, You are faithful, good, and trust worthy. Thank You for showing us so much love and kindness. Please continue to reach those who have yet to know You and grow those who do. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
We have been married for twenty-four years, tomorrow.
As I pondered how to express my deep gratitude and joy at this milestone, I decided to scroll through some pictures.
Although, it will only give a tiny fraction of our lives together, here are some memories:
This is the last professional photograph of my parents.
The same month we celebrated our first wedding anniversary we lost my dad in a freak accident.
These two pictures are of our first child, and the beginning of joy.
Although, we made many mistakes while learning to be parents, we couldn’t be more thankful for the way God has worked in her life.
Words escape me, there’s nothing which express the joy my husband and I shared on the day of our daughter’s wedding.
The only thing that has come close was the birth of our grandchildren!
Faye has Papa wrapped around her finger!
Of course Bubba also holds a special place!
Through all the highschool achievements, basketball and track, we had no idea God was going to take her gift of music and put her through University!
We were so blessed to watch her receive her diploma in music.
The Lord knew exactly what He was doing when He gave us Sis first. She has taught us more about ourselves, the Lord, and perseverance than we could ever have taught her. We are so blessed to be her parents.
When our oldest girl was three months from turning three, our second daughter was born.
I never understood what “fun” really meant before she was born.
Here, she’s helping water our steer.
She too has been blessed with gifts and we enjoyed many a basketball game or track meet, cheering on our Bell.
We were so grateful to God for the blessing He bestowed upon her during her years in sports.
She was also blessed to travel to the UK more than once and Africa.
I love this picture of Daddy and daughter on her wedding day.
August they celebrated their first year together, here we all are at their wedding.
When Sis was five and Bell had just turned two, God blessed us with Anne.
Our sweet, gentle, quiet, and shy third daughter, she’s always been full of love.
Although, she did compete in basketball and volleyball, we discovered she has asthma and she dropped sports, but loves to dance, bake, and paint.
She redid her bedroom furniture two summers ago.
She also worked very hard at homeschooling and passed her GED this last spring.
Her graduation photo.
She’s also a favorite with Faye from the beginning.
When Anne was three months old, my husband’s mother nearly died from a stroke.
My husband’s mother.
It handicapped her permanently, but she’s still the wonderful loving mother she’s always been and we praise God for every day we have her on earth.
As one can imagine, it was a difficult season.
But God chose to bless us again when Anne was a few weeks away from her second birthday we had our son, Jase.
He has helped us see the world from a unique perspective, it wasn’t until he was five he was diagnosed with a Communications Disorder. It was obvious from a very young age that Jase was unique, it has taken many years for us to learn the challenges he faces daily.
He has taught us things we would never have known.
We praise God for him!
He enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing, art, and building things.
He is a treasure daily.
Inside these twenty-four years God has worked through us and in us.
We have moved, lost loved ones, changed jobs, learned to live with little and abundance, watched our children become adults (or stand on the verge of it), dealt with health issues, and walked with God, both as individuals and as a couple.
These years have been full to overflowing with God’s mercy and grace for us.
I find some of my favorite memories are just us being a family, so here are few last pictures of the kids just being kids.
I praise God for my husband and the beautiful family He has blessed us with.
May we glorify His name daily!
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for my husband. Thank You for our marriage. Thank You for the love and blessings and gifts You have given me through my husband and our children. Lord, please continue to guide us as we walk daily with You and one another. Lord, You alone are the One who has brought us this far, who has blessed us so much, who has given us all we have. Please help us to be a light that shines brightly, leading others to You. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Handsome, my love,
Thank you for the last twenty-four years. Thank you for leading our family and loving us. Words do very little to express how I feel, but I praise God for you. I am praying for you every day and trusting the Lord for the future ahead of us. I can not imagine my life without you. I love you.
Thank you, WordPress, for the opportunity to blog. These past eight years have been incredible.
Thank you, Reader, for your time, encouragement, and support. God has used you to encourage me to keep going, continue writing, and to joyfully look for opportunity in each day.
Thank you, Handsome, for your love, your words, your diligence both in our marriage and in life. You have given me so much, I pray I can give back. I love you deeply, darling.
Thank you, Children, who are no longer small, but always precious, for allowing me to share with the world about you and your lives. You inspire me.
Thank You, Jesus, how great You are! What a joy it is to know You. What a privilege it is to walk with You daily. You are the reason I am able to do anything. These past eight years all belong to You. If there has been anything useful, anything good, anything encouraging, I know it is because of You.
Lord, may You be glorified through this.
May my life always be surrendered completely to You.
Thank You, Jesus, for eight years of blogging.
Psalm 63:4 NKJV — Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
LORD , who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; But he honoureth them that fear the LORD . He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Psalm 15:1-5 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.15.1-5.KJV
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Psalm 15. Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us such clear guidance in Your Word. Lord, I humbly stand before You on behalf of my husband and my sons. Lord, please teach them to be men of God, men who dwell with You. Lord, help them to choose righteousness and to speak the truth in their hearts. Lord, reveal anything which is there and is a lie. Uncover an tricks or false thinking which the enemy has ensnared them with. Lord Jesus, purify them, that they might seek You first, most, and best. Remove fear, anger, and anything which would lead them to be self-centered. Lord, guard their hearts from the ways of this world, protect them from the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. Lord Jesus, it is through attacks on our men the enemy breaks down our protection. Please place a hedge around them and give them strength, courage, understanding, integrity, and honor. Please let Your Word dwell in their hearts and minds. Thank You for each and every single one of them. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. Thank You for creating each of us unique, gifted, and blessed to be one-of-a- kind, yet we need each other and we need You. Thank You for that! Amen.
Tears were in my eyes as I related to my husband my concerns.
“My health restricts me. I’m not able to serve others like I have in the past.”
“It’s difficult, I don’t know if I’ll ever travel again.”
“I’m just sad about not being able to help people like. I want to be a blessing.”
Before my husband could respond, the Lord did.
Serve those you can.
I brightened and wiped my eyes.
“As long as I have you, darling, I have a ministry.”
“I can serve you.”
I hugged him.
In that one moment the Lord reminded me that He doesn’t compare.
He’s concerned with today.
Not what I can or can not do, but whether or not I submit myself daily to Him.
He’s the Author of it all anyway and there’s nothing He doesn’t see.
His will for me is to trust Him and to serve as I’m able in today.
And scripture shows that our family is to come first.
1 Timothy 3:5 NKJV — (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
This verse is specific to the husband, but as a wife I can support him in his management of our family.
The Lord gave me to my husband and my husband to me, in that is a blessing and service daily.
1 Timothy 3:11 NKJV — Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
I can always honor the Lord by serving my husband.
Colossians 3:18 KJV — Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Because it’s an every day thing, sometimes I forget just how valuable it is.
But yesterday, God reminded me.
Along with this reminder, He blessed me incredibly.
My husband had waited for me to finish before responding.
Then his eyes held mine while his hand brushed a lock of my hair away.
“Honey, that’s how I feel about you. As long as I have you, I have a ministry.”
Praise the Lord!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your gift of marriage. It was Your idea from the beginning and it’s such a blessing. Lord, I often forget what a ministry I have by simply serving my husband and children. I know each one of them is a treasure. Please help me never to forget that, but instead to love and serve them as You. Lord, I want my life to be used by You and I want to be obedient to You in all things. Please help me to live unto You today and to love as You do. Thank You for the reminder. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
All knowing, the Lord had us rearrange our plans and set up our booth one day ahead.
I’m so thankful He did.
Since, I wasn’t feeling well all day, my husband chose not to stop, but to drive us straight back home.
Which was definitely the Lord’s guidance, not long afterwards my husband experienced terrible dizziness.
He nearly fell over.
He was able to get into bed and has been there since.
Until 3 this morning when I helped him to the car so I could drive him to the E.R.
What a blessing to live only ten minutes away from a hospital.
What a gift from God these dedicated medical professionals.
My husband has vertigo and is on a medication to help.
Because He is…
my strength and my provision…
The migraine I’ve been suffering for days with was gone, only leaving a slight headache.
Although I was concerned and “rushing” a bit to try to remember everything (which I didn’t) I had peace throughout.
I knew God would be with me and give me all that was truly required.
Because He is…
In control, I can have joy.
As I drove away from the hospital I said, “Praise God” and my husband echoed, “Amen”.
We don’t know why he’s struggling with such awful dizziness.
We don’t have a quick fix for him.
We do trust God to touch and heal him, to walk with us both as we walk through this.
We’d appreciate your prayers.
May God bless and encourage you, because He is…
God and He is good.
Prayer works both ways and I’d be happy to pray for anything you’d like to leave in the comments.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for Your care and provision through all this. Thank You for guiding and directing us. Lord, we do humbly request healing, that my husband might be free from this severe vertigo and find peace while he awaits the restoration of his internal calm. Lord Jesus, we love You and we praise Your holy name. Amen.
But I have plenty of memories of driving on a muddy country road, across the hillside or across a wet field and the back of the four-wheeler or farm truck started to slide sideways.
It’s not a fun feeling.
It was never something I was trying to do, but always a circumstance which resulted in causing me some fear.
Experience taught me how to avoid such in future and how to remain calm through the moment.
As a teen and young adult, I didn’t realize what valuable lessons those were.
Because life sometimes starts to slide sideways.
When things go wrong, stuff goes missing, people are sick or hurting, accidents happen, and all the plans of a day become “putting out fires”.
When life slides sideways it’s important to stay calm, to pray for God’s guidance, and to deal with the immediate need.
Most importantly: don’t panic.
It can lead to total loss of control and major damage, even death.
The same is true for life.
Panic leads to rash behavior, poor execution of duties, and at times total loss if control.
In my twenties if someone was to say, “Don’t panic,” I’d immediately come back with, “I’m not, just stressed”.
How much difference is there between the two?
Both are dangerous.
I have learned to do things differently.
When I feel life sliding sideways I find it helpful to praise God.
While dealing with the immediate, while asking for guidance, I remind myself who is in control of it all by worshipping God.
It’s not always easy to do when I feel afraid, but it always helps.
Because it gets my eyes off the circumstances and on the Savior.
I’m writing all this, because I got to walk in it this morning.
I woke up feeling tired, Anne wasn’t feeling good, some issues with a project which needs to be done, the house needing to be cleaned, laundry is overflowing, some things missing I need, I unwisely left a pan on the stove and it nearly caught fire while filling the kitchen with smoke,…you get the picture.
My husband came to the rescue and both kids jumped in to help with different things.
The immediate was sorted, so I looked up a verse.
Psalm 7:17 KJV — I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
I will praise the Lord!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for walking with me and my family this morning. Thank You for keeping my poor choice from starting a fire. Lord, thank You for using all my circumstances to remind me of what’s important. Lord Jesus, no matter how much needs to be done, nor what things go wrong I know You are using it all. Please continue to help me surrender my day, my expectations, and my desires before You. Lord, thank You so much for my family who love and support me. Thank You for my husband whose so loving and supportive. Lord, thank You for being all I ever needed. I love You. Amen.
Honestly, at one point in our lives I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say that: father and son.
When I found out, many years ago, I was pregnant I assumed we were having another girl.
We already had three daughters.
It just seemed to be logical to assume we were having a fourth.
I was wrong and more than a little surprised when the ultrasound showed a son.
Children are a blessing and each is a unique treasure.
I’m certain we would be just as happy if God had given us another daughter, but it’s been fun to have a son.
(Although he doesn’t always like being the youngest of three sisters. It can be kind of like having four Moms.)
He loves each of his sisters.
He has the distinction of being the only boy, so sometimes he gets Dad all to himself.
It’s been fun to watch.
My husband and our son doing things together, being “guys”.
When they came home Sunday evening from six days of camping and hunting I was glad.
They were super tired, but had enjoyed the time.
My phone alerted me to a text this morning and it contained the picture at the top of this post.
Father and son, 2020.
Little moments and memories like these are so valuable.
I hadn’t realized what precious gems they were until our oldest girl married and moved.
Now that we are down to only two at home, I find so much joy in capturing these treasures.
And I am reminded…
God feels the same way about me.
Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV — The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
And He is a part of these lovely memories with my family.
After all He gave me each and every one of them!
It is another proof of His incredible love for me.
I can praise Him during these moments and I can cherish the love He gives me for them and through them.
With each day, through each circumstance, I can walk in the love of Jesus.
I can abide in His presence.
I can show this same love to those around me, especially to my children and my husband.
And I can treasure these moments.
Praise the Lord!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for my family. Thank You for my husband. Thank You for each of our children. Thank You for our son-in-laws and grandchildren. Thank You for so many others we love, family and friends. Lord Jesus, please continue to help me see how blessed I am. Please continue to show me how to cherish the moments. Lord Jesus, You are so good, so faithful, so true. Help those who have yet to know You to find the truth. Let them know how loved they truly are. Thank You. Amen.
After Anne had worked so hard on her furniture, Dad and Tim moved it in.
Of course they had to move out her old dresser.
Sis and I stood out on the front lawn watching them move the furniture.
I couldn’t help looking at Anne’s old dresser.
It had been very used when I got it, many years ago.
Looking at it reminded me of the sequence of events.
We were preparing to move and I knew Sis would need a bed, as the bunk bed wasn’t going to fit in the new space.
It was one of those “just happened to” moments.
It was the weekend of our church’s children’s camp and our whole family was busy at the camp.
I can’t remember why, but I’d driven to my Mom’s house, where we’d been staying, and one of her neighbors was having a yard sale.
Although I didn’t have lots of time I swung in.
They had a bed and a nice bookcase.
I bought them on the spot as the price was very reasonable.
When we returned later with the truck the lady explained that she forgot to tell me about a dresser.
“It goes with the bed.”
It needed painting and I knew I wasn’t going to get to it, but I also knew Anne would love it.
And she has, although it’s lost handles and turned out to be fairly cheaply made.
As all these memories ran through my brain I said aloud, “I kind of hate to get rid of this. I never got to redo it for Anne.”
Sis nodded.
“You know the mirror is really cool. It would make a really great chalkboard!”
I hadn’t thought of that, but she was right.
When the guys came over we mentioned it to them and they agreed.
The next day I took a little time and took the mirror apart.
When I showed my husband he was very receptive.
He drove to the store and bought paint and the board we would need.
He and Jase cut it to fit.
He primed it for me.
The next few days I worked on it as I had time.
One day after work, my husband put it all back together.
It’s just waiting for us to hang it.
Yesterday, in between teaching and cooking I put our memory verse on it.
I didn’t have time to make it fancy, but I love the chalkboard.
It’s definitely a remade item we will all enjoy.
I love how God does things.
He used this furniture to provide for a need and now as a family project we will all enjoy.
And although we remade the mirror into a unique chalkboard, it’s nothing compared to the way He is remaking me.
Through His Word and His patient instruction, I’m being remade.
I love having this chalkboard as a daily reminder to His work in me.
And it’s a journey we can all enjoy.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your patience. Thank You for this little project. I know You are doing so much more than we can possibly understand, thank You! Lord, no matter what tomorrow brings, please continue to remake me into Your likeness. Please continue to hone my heart, that I might reflect You more each day. Lord, I love You. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.
My husband and our son left Saturday for a hunting trip.
They returned Sunday night, because our truck is not running correctly.
I prayed a lot while they were driving home.
The Lord was merciful and they made it safely.
My husband made many phone calls, in an attempt to find an opening to get it fixed.
None of the repair shops have any openings till mid September.
So, he and Jase unpacked all the camping and hunting gear yesterday.
Later the guys were going out to play a round of “cheap” golf.
Anne and I were taking dinner over to Sis’s house and hanging out there.
We did and it was lovely.
Just before bed, I was chatting with my husband.
I’ve been praying for him and wondering how he felt about all this.
His vacation is completely ruined when it comes to hunting.
But to my relief and joy he wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head and said,
“I’ve had a really good day. It’s been nice.”
“Well, praise God! I’ve been worried about how you might be feeling.”
He just laughed and hugged me.
I know from an outside appearance one ruined hunting trip probably doesn’t seem like a big deal, and in many ways it isn’t.
As a wife, I see it as a part of a much bigger picture.
My husband has had to give up so much this last year.
He’s a country guy who loves hunting, fishing, and camping.
Between my poor health and our move he’s left nearly all of it behind.
To camp, fish, or hunt he has to take time off work, plan around the travel, and then drive hours.
He used to go across the street or down the road.
Our son’s first turkey was shot in our field.
(Yes, we ate it. That’s why we hunt.)
Through giving up on the things he enjoys, my husband has had a heart of love and compassion.
He has said more than once how the little he has to give up are nothing compared to what I have had to give up.
But there’s a difference.
My health has taken away my choice, I can’t do the things.
He has chosen to be obedient to what God has placed on his heart and has given up to honor Jesus.
And he’s doing it again this week.
I don’t know what our Tuesday is going to hold, but I’m so glad I have my precious husband to walk with me.
I love that Jesus is holding us all and His plans are perfect!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your love and provision. Thank You that even in the things we see as disappointment You see as an opportunity. Lord Jesus thank You for growing my husband and I closer together through all of this. Thank You for teaching us daily that Your plans are best. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 