Show Me

I need this morning's prayer from A Diary of Private Prayers:

Give me today some clear vision of my life in time as it appears to Thine eternity.
Show me my own smallness and Thine infinite greatness.
Show me my own sin and Thy perfect righteousness.
Show me my own lovelessness and Thine exceeding love.
Yet in Thy mercy show me also how, small as I am, I may lean upon Thy righteousness; and how, loveless as I am, I may hide myself in Thy forgiving love.
Cause my thoughts to dwell much today on the life and death of Jesus Christ my Lord, so that I may see all things in light of the redemption which Thou hast granted to me in His name.
Amen.

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11 ESV

What You Have

I have a new tool. I read about a website that helps you find recipes based on what you have on hand. Like spinach. I skipped listing other ingredients. And went straight to the spinach lasagna. I have low-fat mozzarella cheese and fat-free cottage cheese. Onions. Fresh tomatoes. Lasagna noodles in the pantry. I don't have fresh herbs. Dried ones will work. It didn't cost much to pick up a couple mushrooms on my milk run. At the last minute I added some leftover spaghetti sauce. I'm out of Parmesan cheese but my husband can add some leftover packets from pizza. And we have a winner.

http://www.recipekey.com/

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, Proverbs 30:8 ESV

Not Quite There

It was supposed to be a celebration dinner. Hooray my husband's fever is down. But his fever is back up again tonight. At least his stomach continues to be okay and he was able to enjoy his buffalo burger, homemade fries, and chocolate milk shake.

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, Colossians 1:11 eESV

Sub Report

My husband is going to call it a week. And stay home again tomorrow. His fever has hovered between 100 and 102 the last three days. He is thankful for his sub who was able to be there all week. She reports that the first graders are doing well but miss their teacher. He misses them too. We all pray he will be well soon!

pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

Sub Days

The good news is that my daughter's teacher and the principal returned to school today. The bad news is that the first grade teacher, my husband, is sick. Today was day two. He still has a fever so that means that tomorrow will be day three with a sub. Hopefully he will turn the corner tonight. That's my prayer.

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15 ESV

Show Goes On

The parents and students can take a breath and relax. Fourth grade oral reports went on as scheduled. Even with the teacher and principal out sick today. The fifth grade teacher stepped in to facilitate the poetry recitations. Nicely done, everyone. Now to start thinking about the science project.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Eat Out

Let's eat out all week. Out of the freezer and pantry. Be creative. Use up what we have. Or are given. I'll start with the giant bag of spinach. Sounds like a plan.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

God's Masterpiece

Let me rephrase that. I think of myself and my family as a work in progress. But I like what a friend wrote in her Christmas letter. She calls their house a masterpiece in progress. I'm going to raise my expectations. I can be a masterpiece in progress too. God's masterpiece.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV

Love Story

It was all good. The beautiful piano and cello music. Seeing our former babysitter all grown up and walking down the aisle on the arm of her father. Celebrating the marriage of two of our good friends. Seeing how God has worked in their lives to bring them to this day. But the lasting memory will be those two precious ring-bearers, standing on the platform being welcomed by their new dad.

Cell phone picture: The happy couple in the receiving line.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:3-5 ESV

In No Time

Don't come home hungry. Without a plan for dinner. I'm glad I took a few minutes to grate carrots, chop broccoli, and dice ham before I picked up my daughter from school. The cabbage was already preshredded. After her guitar lesson and some errands, all I had to do was toss rice in the rice cooker. And we had fried rice in no time.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 ESV

Quilt Love

I can still feel the love. Almost ten years later. Every time I look at my daughter's baby quilt I remember how my two girlfriends surprised me with their clandestine project. Our paths don't cross much these days. But it's always good when they do. The quilt is a good reminder to pray for our children.

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 ESV

Brown Bag Love

You can tell I am married to a first grade teacher. And that I pack lunches for a fourth grader. I took show and tell to my Bible study ladies' lunch. A special Bible. My PB & J sandwich was crustless and cut in triangles. It was good to fellowship and share what God is doing in our lives.

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, Colossians 2:2 ESV

Block it Out

I am learning to see it coming. Prepare for the times when my family will need me. Like after school my fourth grader will need my attention to help with homework and oversee guitar practice. And snacks. Pacific Rose apple, anyone? If there are big projects at school, like an oral report in less than one week, plan for extra focus. I am finding out that I need to block out the evening time too. When there is a heavy week of tests and homework, her sleep might be disrupted. So tonight I sat in her room in the dark and worked on the laptop. I can do that.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 ESV

We See Jesus

I found this poem in an old book today.

We See Jesus

I don't look back: God knows the fruitless efforts,
The wasted hours the sinning, the regrets;
I leave them all with Him Who blots the record,
And mercifully forgives, and then forgets.

I don't look forward, God sees all the future,
The road that, short or long, will lead me home,
And He will face with me every trial,
And bear for me the burdens that may come.

I don't look round me: then would fears assail me,
So wild the tumult of earth's restless seas;
So dark the world, so filled with woe and evil,
So vain the hope of comfort or of ease.

I don't look in; for then am I most wretched;
Myself has naught on which to stay my trust;
Nothing I see save failures and short-comings,
And weak endeavors crumbling into dust.

But I look up--into the face of Jesus,
For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled;
And there is joy, and love, and light for darkness,
And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled.

by Annie Johnson Flint

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:2-3 ESV

Real Deal

Some people are one way in public. Another in private. And then there are men of integrity. The real deal. Like my dad. Happy 71st birthday, Dad!

Pictured: The way we were, in the early 70s.

The righteous who walks in his integrity-- blessed are his children after him! Proverbs 20:7 ESV

Cull Happy

I'm winning the battle. I reclaimed most of the kitchen cupboards and small appliances. Who knew sawdust could get into everything? I'm culling as I clean. Good thing it's getting easier to let things go. I'm about ready to donate my temporary parking zone items.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV

There's an Opp

I try to see hassles as opportunities. Like if you have to remove everything single item stashed away in your kitchen cupboards, there's an opp. Opportunity to make progress on the decluttering process. While you are washing every single item, you have time to evaluate how many bowls, plates, and muffin tins you really need. Add to your temporary parking zone. And find your neighbor's plate.

a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; Ecclesiastes 3:6 ESV

Pray for God's Comfort

Last night's prayer from A Diary of Private Prayer is fitting after news of the devastating earthquake in Haiti:

"Grant, O Father, that Thy lovingkindness in causing my own lines to fall in pleasant places may not make me less sensitive to the needs of others less privileged, but rather incline me to lay their burdens upon my own heart. And if any adversity should befall myself, then let me not brood upon my own sorrows, as I alone in the world were suffering, but rather let me busy myself in the compassionate service of all who need my help."

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV

Lost in the Stacks

I dug and dug. That piece of paper had to be somewhere. It was a prepaid card for 8 oil changes plus other discounts. I went through the files. No, it didn't make it in car records, warranties, or even receipts. How about the stacks waiting to be filed? In the office and in the garage. We might be here a while.

I found three birthday poems for my children. Good. Those are very valuable to me and need to be filed with the rest. A copy of a newspaper from the day my son was born. Twenty-two years ago? I've gone too far. Never mind. But on the way to pick up the truck at the auto shop I checked the glove box. Bingo! And saved $80 on the brake job.

And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Luke 15:9 ESV

Home Cookin'

Step right up. Pull up a stool. Sit at the new counter and enjoy a meal. We're open for business. We have water in the sink and we're cooking with gas. I'm dealing with the sawdust in the cabinets. One by one.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 ESV

Good-Bye Pink

I'm always amazed. The amount of prep work before projects. The worse before things get better. The skills of my handy husband. He removed our old counter tops. Put in a new surface. And called in the professionals to install our new laminate. Looks great. Now to put the house back together. Might take a while, but it's worth it.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 ESV

For Good

Now I remember why we got rid of it. Or didn't replace it, rather. I tend to let it drone on. Wait for something interesting. Waste my time. So when our living room is put back together after my husband's remodeling project, the television will leave our bedroom. For good.

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. Psalm 101:3 ESV

Something is Better Than Nothing

I wish I had the thing I always do. Like how my grandparents tuck a five dollar bill in birthday cards. My grandfather wrote birthday poems up until you turned 16. My daughter letters cool cards. I haven't figured out my trademark thing. Besides running late most of the time. Until I figure it out, I'll try to do something. It doesn't have to be perfect. But it's something.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23 ESV

Got Mail

It should be the other way around. I got mail from my daughter in college. A care package including one of her trademark drawings. How thoughtful!

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV

Exit Strategy

First graders love show and tell. Just ask my husband, the first grade teacher. But it started to drag out and eat up class time, so he came up with an exit strategy. Plan show and tell for right before recess. Problem solved. I should try that. I could scan my local thrift store just before closing. Then I know I won't lose track of time.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16-17 ESV

Temporary Parking

I believe in streamlining. In theory. But when it comes to actually making the cuts, I cringe. Balk. Waver. Lose resolve. Here's a new plan. Create a temporary parking zone. Box things up. If I don't miss the items in a set amount of time, like two weeks, haul it away. I'll start with the stuffed kitchen drawer. Can I live with one set of measuring cups?

a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; Ecclesiastes 3:6 ESV

One Liners

It's not in me. I can't make up a story at the drop of a hat. I'd much rather read a book aloud. But my nine-year-old got me started telling stories one line at a time. We go back and forth. I can handle that. I had a good opener the other night: "The mother cat was concerned because one of her five kittens was not like the others." It ended up that the kitten got its purr back with a little extra time with the mother cat and lots of ice cream. I love happy endings.

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

Trim Down

Time to rethink the portions. Try to reduce from a size 6 to a size 4. It's an adjustment for all of us. We miss our two away at college.

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1 ESV

Give Me Space

I don't need flowers or puppies. Just give me space! I held off on buying a new calendar for five bucks because I hoped for a better deal. But the dollar and bargain stores didn't have what I was looking for. But one day into the new year and there are no large print calendars left. Unless you want to visit multiple stores and finally find one for $12. Make a note on December's page.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 ESV

The Lulls

I want to remember the low times. Plan ahead for the lulls. Like after Christmas and New Years. So today I made cinnamon rolls for brunch. Gave my son something to remember when he returns to college tomorrow. I have one more day before my daughter leaves. Maybe we can grab some coffee.

Pictured: My family and my niece set-up this photo op.

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8 ESV

Work in Progress

I'm all about New Year's resolutions. I love a clean slate. Setting goals. This is the year I get organized, eat healthy, and so on. But I'm not so good at following through. The good news is that I'm a work in progress. God has plans for me. Together we can do what He has planned for me.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV