Refreshed

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

I believe I am entering a new season in my walk with Jesus-walking with him the past twenty-something years has been amazing, sweet, challenging, life-altering.  I believe surrender is something all of us battle in varying degrees, as we walk with our Lord. 


For me, strong-willed, fiercely independent in some areas, and stubborn, this act of surrender has been wrought with many attempts and not much success upon first glance. However, each season has taught me something, whether it was joyous or difficult.

While at a beautiful day spa, Glen Ivy Hot Springs, with a friend, I noticed how some women exhibited an air of ... peace, confidence, freedom. Thinking about this later, I realized, " I want that!" At a birthday party for my thirty-year-old niece, I spoke with a woman in her mid-fifties. I mentioned my observation to her and she affirmed my thoughts. She said, "You get to the point where you don't care-about the wrinkles, what people think." 

Recently, I joined a group of women of various ages, to pray. As we sat in a circle sharing our praises and prayer requests, I realized with much gratefulness just what a blessing it was to be surrounded by these women, many of whom have weathered great trials, tragedies and joys during their journeys with Christ.  The verse in Titus cakes to mind, "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5

Ladies who are followers of Jesus, I exhort you to pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you who he would have you to mentor and who is the mentor in your life? These relationships need not be formal, yet they are imperative to maturity in Christ.  Involvement in this kind of relationship has many benefits, one of which is it helps to keep us accountable. We think a bit more seriously about our actions, comments and behaviors when we know we are in the privileged position to speak into someone else's life. 

I am honored the Lord has allowed me various opportunities in recent years to speak to women regarding parenting, homeschooling, discipline, or relational challenges. I take seriously the responsibility and receive much joy walking alongside others.

May you experience a closer walk with Jesus as he uses you to speak life and his truths into the lives of others.

Pattie

New Year, New Season

New Year, New Season

In the past month, a few people inquired about my blog-was I still writing? How come they have not seen posts for a while?  I wish I had reason or could answer that I was engaged in something.... excitng, new, or challenging. Nope.

The honest response is I felt inadequate and not sure of myself. Midlife crisis? I don't think so; more like an identity crisis. For the past nineteen years, my primary calling (aside from my role as a wife for the past twenty-three) has been mother, with the last fifteen also including "homeschool" mom.

That has shifted in the past year-and-a-half. At the completion of this school year, my three older boys will have all graduated high school. My daughter is in public school, leaving me with my seventh grader, who will likely join his sister when he starts high school the year after next.

Our moves to Reno and Honolulu occurred while my children were young. This provided me with a natural in, opportunities to connect with other moms and their children. In both areas the Lord provided support and community for us. 

This move has proved most challenging to me. With older kids, I am no longer arranging play dates. We are not part of a co-op setting as in the past, thus 
losing some of the camaraderie that accompanies homeschooling through the trenches with others. 

One would think that with more time during my day, I would be meeting with Jesus daily, unhurriedly, with intimate devotional time each day. Nope.  I have allowed one of my passions to monopolize my time-reading.

Please hear me-reading is great. I have been a bookworm ever since I learned to read at the age of five. I lived across the street from a library which called my name and was also air conditioned (eascoast summers are quite humid and we cooled off with box fans and cold drinks). I realize that it has become an idol and needs to resume its rightful place in my life.

I am sure that the distance from God I have felt is directly related to the irregularity in my devotional time with him. A favorite pastor of mine says, "One day a week with God makes one weak". He also says, "How much of God do you have in your life? As much as you want of him." I am not suggesting this is THE marker of one's relationship with the Lord. For me, a time set apart, before 

starting my day, centers me, refreshing and refilling me with his Spirit so I am equipped and prepared to face the day. 

Knowing I did not want this season to continue, I prayed, asking the Lord to meet me and draw me closer to him. The other day I happened upon an online bible study, Loving God Greatly. I joined and the eight-week session starts 
today. The scripture memorization for the week is John 15:4, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." The Lord gently reminded me of my incredible need for him and how it is his desire for me to bear fruit.

I rejoice and shout for all to hear:  "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19)."