Planting Seeds, and Trusting in God's Perfect Plans

It's been an up and down week here in our home (and that should explain my scarcity here).... But I wanted to share a story that may encourage your hearts as you work through your own life and struggles....


The words cut this past Monday morning:  "I'm sending my boys to the private school."  That, after gearing up with new curriculum, canceling other commitments, and praying over the best ways to share the Gospel.  "It seems that the boys really miss the classroom experience, you understand, don't you?"  I do, of course, and there is nothing I can do to change the family's decision to no longer need my tutoring services.  It had seemed like the perfect arrangement....I was curious about homeschooling, had prayed for a chance to give it a try, and then met this family through my tutoring company....a match made in heaven, right?  Well, apparently God had an end date in mind that I did not know about.  And though it does sting a bit, I am trying to look to the future with a smile in my heart, knowing that my Father is always up to something good.  What I am glad about is this:  I have had chances to share Truth with this family...so perhaps it was a match made in heaven.  


It didn't seem like the opportunity to share the Gospel would ever come.  We had our arrangement concerning the academic needs, and there wasn't space for talk about spiritual things, or so I thought.  Turns out, the boys have been interested in learning about God, and just a couple of weeks ago I received this email from mom:  "We're not overly religious, but the boys want to know the Christmas story....we thought you should be the one to tell them....its such a beautiful story...."  And I was whirring with excitement in my heart, thinking of all the things I could say to share my love for God, and His love for this family, expressed through His arrival on Earth as a babe, that cold night in Bethlehem.  


So the day came to tell the story, and tell I did, with a glad and thankful heart.  There were questions that day, that I happily answered, and then questions came the following day, such as:  "Mrs. Ruth, did you know that in the song 'Joy to the World,' the Lord is really God??"  Well, that one caught me off guard, so I'm not sure that my answer was sufficient, but it made me realize that God was at work.  So when the news came that my job would be ending soon, I wanted to take every opportunity I could to plant seeds.


Some planting happened just this past week as well, when our chapter book, Shiloh Season, lead us to a conversation of forgiveness.  It was my Fighter Verse for the week (and the Holy Spirit) that prompted the conversation....just when we finished the last chapter of our Shiloh book, and the story was leading towards a forgiveness theme, Romans 10: 13-14 popped in my head, and I couldn't deny that God was moving me to speak.   And so out of my mouth came this:  "Do you know what God did, when He came to Earth, died for us, and forgave our sins?"  Little Johnny (name changed) did not know, but listened intently.  And although I do not know what will grow from the conversation we had, God does....and that is infinitely better than if I was the one in control of this story.


And as for me, we shall see what God has in store for this next chapter of my life....but I am certain that He has good things planned...my part is to TRUST, as He lays out the plans.....to SURRENDER....as He moves in our hearts....and to be GRATEFUL....as our needs will most certainly be provided for, in the most miraculous of ways.


Blessings to you, 
Ruth

When Doing More Doesn't Matter

At the Christmas Eve service

The holidays seem to bring so much stress to so many people.  Did you fall into that category this year?  I typically do, but was blessed with a different Christmas this year...and some lessons that will carry me into the New Year...

[excerpt below from my journal, Christmas Day 2011]

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Manatees at Blue Springs

 Jesus, you have given me a wonderful husband.  Thank you!  I still can't believe how he doesn't have crazy expectations for me for the Christmas dinner....expectations of extravagant meals or gifts or decorations.  I felt like You had just opened up a wound...and poured a healing balm right into it....and I cried....he didn't understand [my tears]...to think, you've given me a husband who will allow me rest from all the Christmas expectations always placed on women.

Little Blue Herons

The same thing happened on Friday, when I had planned to work all day, preparing for Christmas....and he told me to go.... hang out with his family [at Blue Springs State Park].  And I did....all day....didn't get to the grocery, or
get the Christmas letters out, or clean the house....gasp.  And was I ready for Christmas?  


Yes.  I was humbled, to receive Grace from my husband, to receive the gift of Christ come to serve us, to renew us, to live in the hearts of those who are humble enough to receive Him.  Not those who are all shiny and put-together, and not really in need of Him....but those who, like me, are less than perfect, ready for the gift of Christmas, come as a child.  What a special way to spend my very first married Christmas.  I couldn't think of anything better...


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Even when I did try to stop at the grocery to get 'just a little more' for our Christmas meal....it 'just so happened' that the doors to Wally-world were closing, and we would have to 'make do' with all the food we already had in our sweet little apartment...

And there was plenty....enough ham for an army, plenty of side dishes, a new recipe, and even some to share with Oma (my German grandma).... And gifts given of time together and memories made.  Earlier, we enjoyed the lovely Christmas services and then ended the weekend with family time at Downtown Disney, some oh-so-good Ghirardelli ice cream, as well as a trip to Willow Tree Cafe for some yummy German food.  We also had fun with Paul's nephew, playing with Loud Crow Interactive books, that are currently on sale.  (Cool books for this TV and video game generation!)

This berry cheesecake sundae was worth the wait!

I do hope your Christmas memories were special, and that you found a place in your schedule for all that matters.  I am so thankful for the Christmas God gave us together...and as I look towards a New Year, I can already see that relying on the strength of my God, and my husband,  (not my own efforts) will be the strength that carries me through...


Ephesians 2  (HCSB)  ⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast.

Blessings

Ruth

Resisting the Inevitable...

Like clockwork, when the weather changes over the last couple of years, I have gotten a bad (and I mean really bad) sinus cold that puts me down for several days, weeks, even getting into the months category.  Well, my students were sick this past week and I felt something coming on, so I tried a new tactic:  the vitamin and herb therapy promoted by the orthomolecular therapy guys, brought to my home via Airborne tablets.  So the report? Well, its been keeping the cold at bay at least, though my head is getting a little congested.  It will not keep us from our fun plans for the evening however!  What are they you ask?  Well, yesterday was 7 months for us, and we are getting in the habit of celebrating every month.  The Catholic church down the road has a massive fall festival going, complete with rides, junk food, and cheap stuffed toys to win.  Sounds like fun to me!  If we get good pics I will be sure to post.  

But here is what I'd like to leave you with today, one of my favorite Shel Silverstein poems, that I dug out to read to my boys this week, in hopes of keeping them smiling as they fought off the sniffles.  I hope you enjoy it! 

Sick

by Shel Silverstein

"I cannot go to school today," Said little Peggy Ann McKay. "I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, I'm going blind in my right eye. My tonsils are as big as rocks, I've counted sixteen chicken pox And there's one more--that's seventeen, And don't you think my face looks green? My leg is cut--my eyes are blue-- It might be instamatic flu. I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke, I'm sure that my left leg is broke-- My hip hurts when I move my chin, My belly button's caving in, My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained, My 'pendix pains each time it rains. My nose is cold, my toes are numb. I have a sliver in my thumb. My neck is stiff, my voice is weak, I hardly whisper when I speak. My tongue is filling up my mouth, I think my hair is falling out. My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight, My temperature is one-o-eight. My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear, There is a hole inside my ear. I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what? What's that? What's that you say? You say today is. . .Saturday? G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Good Reads...

1. My Mama Had a Dancing Heart...This is a children's book I found in our classroom stash while we were packing up, and it just warmed my heart! This is the kind of mom I want to be...one who celebrates each day and finds joy in the small things. Be sure to check it out if you are lacking joy right now.

2. Heaven is for Real...My husband and I just finished reading this book together, after it was loaned to us by a parishioner. It was so encouraging to hear the true story of

a young boy whose near-death experience afforded him an insider's view into heaven. I learned a lot, had my misconceptions about heaven destroyed, and was endeared to this sweet little boy and his story. A must-read!

3. The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus...I am currently working on this book that I read several years ago. It is even better the second time around! One topic that really spoke to me was the author's suggestion that many of us do not believe that God our Father actually 'likes' or enjoys us. He delves into this topic in a very compelling way, reminding us of our need to be softened by the Grace of God, among other topics. I find myself picking this one up at every free moment. Give it a try!

Feel free to post a comment on some of the books you are enjoying lately, as well...

Ruth

Discovering God's Love

How much does God love me?  As a teacher, I see the love-void in kids’ lives all the time.  Each and everyone of us, young or old, are living out of our belief of how much God loves us…it influences what choices we make, how we live, and how we do or don’t honor God.  God Loves Me More Than That, by Dandi Daley Mackall, provides answers to this question, in a kid-friendly, beautifully illustrated fashion.  Explore this topic with a special child in your life, and discover together how deep, long, wide, and high the Lord’s love is for us, his children.  Ocean depths, moon-heights, huge animals, cheering sports’ teams, and delicate elements of nature cannot compare to the wonders of God’s love.  This book does a wonderful job of capturing many facets of God’s love in an understandable way…you will be touched by the message of each page as you share this with any child in your sphere of influence.  I received this complimentary book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogging for Books program. Click here to rank my review....thanks :)

Wilbur spins a web?

This past week, while reading Charlotte's Web to my sweet class (and laughing a lot along the way), I found a little lesson nestled inside of the story...not spoken out loud...but there nonetheless.  Wilbur the pig, one of the story's main characters, is noticing how different his friend, Charlotte the spider, is from him.  Below is the excerpt, straight from the barnyard (although lengthy, it is a worthwhile read):

Wilbur's Boast--Chapter IX

"You have awfully hairy legs, Charlotte," said Wilbur, as the spider busily worked at her task.  "My legs are hairy for a good reason," replied Charlotte.  "Furthermore, each leg of mine has seven sections--the coxa, the trochanter, the femur, the patella, the tibia, the metatarsus, and the tarsus."  Wilbur sat bolt upright.  "You're kidding," he said.  "No, I'm not, either."  "Say those names again, I didn't catch them the first time."  "Coxa, trochanter, femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, and tarsus."  "Goodness!" said Wilbur, looking down at his own chubby legs.  "I don't think my legs have seven sections."  "Well," said Charlotte, "you and I lead different lives. You don't have to spin a web.  That takes real leg work."  "I could spin a web if a tried," said Wilbur, boasting.  "I've just never tried.  "Let's see you do it," said Charlotte.  Fern chuckled softly, and her eyes grew wide with love for the pig.  "O.K.," replied Wilbur. "You coach me and I'll spin one.  It must be a lot of fun to spin a web. How do I start?"  "Take a deep breath!" said Charlotte, smiling.  Wilbur breathed deeply.  "Now climb to the highest place you can get to, like this."  Charlotte raced up to the top of the doorway.  Wilbur scrambled to the top of the manure pile.  "Very good!" said Charlotte.  "Now make an attachment with your spinnerets, hurl yourself into space, and let out a dragline as you down!"  Wilbur hesitated a moment, then jumped out into the air.  He glanced hastily behind to see if a piece of rope was following him to check this fall, but nothing seemed to be happening in his rear, and the next thing he knew he landed with thump.  "Ooomp!" he grunted.  Charlotte laughed so hard her web began to sway.  "What did I do wrong?" asked the pig, when he recovered from his bump.  "Nothing," said Charlotte.  "It was a nice try."  "I think I'll try again," said Wilbur, cheerfully.  "I believe what I need is a little piece of string to hold me."  The pig walked out to his yard.  "You there, Templeton?" he called.  The rat poked his head out from  under the trough.  "Got a little piece of string I could borrow?" asked Wilbur.  "I need it to spin a web." "Yes, indeed," replied Templeton, who saved string.  "No trouble at all.  Anything to oblige."  He crept down his hole, pushed the goose egg out of the way, and returned with an old piece of dirty white string.  Wilbur examined it.  "That's just the thing," he said.  "Tie one end to my tail, will you, Templeton?" Wilbur crouched low, with his thin, curly tail toward the rat.  Templeton seized the string, passed it around the end of the pig's tail, and tied two half hitches.  Charlotte watched in delight.  Like Fern, she was truly fond of Wilbur, whose smelly pen and stale food attracted the flies that she needed, and she was proud to see that he was not a quitter and was willing to try again to spin a web.  While the rat and the spider and the little girl watched, Wilbur climbed again to the top of the manure pile, full of energy and hope.  "Everybody watch!" he cried.  And summoning all his strength, he threw himself into the air, headfirst.  The string trailed behind him.  But as he had neglected to fasten the other end to anything, it didn't really do any good, and Wilbur landed with a thud, crushed and hurt.  Tears came to his eyes.  Templeton grinned.  Charlotte just sat quietly.  After a bit she spoke.  "You can't spin a web, Wilbur, and I advise you to put the idea out of your mind.  You lack two things needed for spinning a web."  "What are they?" asked Wilbur, sadly.  "You lack a set of spinnerets, and you lack know-how.  But cheer up, you don't need a web.  Zuckerman supplies you with three big meals a day.  Why should you worry about trapping food?"  Wilbur sighed.  "You're ever so much cleverer and brighter than I am, Charlotte. I guess I was just trying to show off.  Serves me right.  Templeton untied his string and took it back to his home.  Charlotte returned to her weaving.

In this selection I see Wilbur's determination, like many of us, to be something we are not.  Why do we do this?  We have the love of our Father, just like Wilbur had the love and provision of his owner Zuckerman, and barn-yard friends, Fern & co.  What 'webs' are we trying to spin, when our Father is calling out to us...."I've already taken care of that!"...(Matthew 6)  I know I do this all the time.  Perhaps control, pride or insecurity lingers within me, but nonetheless, I see myself in Wilbur, as I try to force myself to be someone I am not, rather than celebrating who God has made me to be.  Could we all think on this a bit, and have more joy and peace?  Resting in the love of our Savior, who has 'fearfully and wonderfully' made us?  (Psalm 139).  Jesus, thank you for making each one of us an original.  Help me, help us, to reflect YOU back to the world, by simply being ourselves, perfectly imperfect, just the way you designed us.  We love you.