A Little (Short) Encouragement for your Holiday Gathering…Merry Christmas!

The holidays are stressful and wonderful for many reasons. Yet one reason that can also add anxiety, and even dread, is family gatherings. It is the same for so many; we gather around the kitchen, telling stories, retelling stories over and over as if telling for the first time. My children have heard many of the stories we tell every year since birth; even still, they say each time that they have never heard that one before. It never fails.

Often, the retelling of these stories evokes emotion. We laugh and banter, trying to diminish the effect, however, underlying the ruse is hurt, frustration, and a deep desire to defend yourself by wanting to tell the story as it happened or to say that it is not who you are anymore. Maybe even stronger is the desire for your family to stand up for you without hesitation. Underscoring the growth and grace that you have fought so hard to attain.

I want to encourage you as you prepare to come together over the holidays or any gathering of family or friends in the future. One of the first signs to defend oneself is temper. According to Andrew Murray, temper is the evidence of whether the love of God is “filling the heart.” This is so helpful. In the moment you feel the temper start to rise, be mindful. Immediately go to the Lord in prayer. He is your ever-present help in your time of need (Psalm 46:1). Take a practical approach, get up and clear the table, offer to refill drinks, go check on the children, or start to wash the dishes. Serving others is the quickest way to diffuse a situation and offer a moment to pray and receive help from the Lord.

Let me speak directly to you for a moment. God is working in your life. Let these moments be an opportunity to stand for the work He has begun in you and let the testing prove to build the perseverance that builds the maturity so that you may be perfected, lacking nothing (Philippians 1:6, James 1:2-4).  Also, stay humble. Own your past, have grace for the one telling the story, and if necessary, politely say that is not how you remember it. Offer a transition statement, like, “God has been good to me,” or “Praise God for His goodness to me.” Then, offer to refill those drinks.

Let your temper be used to remind you that you need Christ each moment, let it be an opportunity for you to lean in to the Lord as He will stand with you when no one else will. He is a sure foundation (Isaiah 33:6).

Additionally, God gave us our emotions for a reason. They alert us. We are not to ignore the feelings but bring them to the Lord and ask why we feel that way. Maybe you need to be reminded of God’s promise to you; maybe you need to see again all God has done for you and the healing that has already taken place. Maybe, God is giving you an opportunity to tell others how God has changed your life and speak up that will change the conversation in the future.

Finally, let this be a reminder that other family members may feel the same way. Look for opportunities to stand up for them. Watch for their tempers and be quick to offer a kind word of affirmation. Retelling a story can be great fun, but it does not need to hurt someone in the process, adding more harm. Maybe some stories need not be told. Maybe the more vulnerable stories need to be shared, offering hope to those who are listening. These stories of grace, thankfulness, and telling someone you are proud of them and that you love them will be the healing balm that could change everything.

Emmanuel, God with us. Let us make room for Him at the table.

Heather

A New Thing, Just Hold On…

As a friend recently reminded me, it has been a while since I have written. I have some big news coming, so I thought I would give a quick update from the past several months. It seems we have been in the fast lane, waving at everyone as we pass by. This has been a season, this has been the excuse—whichever way you want to frame it. Regardless, it feels more like a “fly by the seat of our pants” moment than “in the flow.”

I guess in some seasons, the pendulum can swing high and fast one way, which means that it will fall low and hard the other way, and back and forth until it slows to the “new” equilibrium. This is us right now, slowing to a new normal.

Because it is new, it doesn’t feel familiar and steady just yet. However, I am reminded of Isaiah 43:19: “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

This verse has meant so much to me over the years. I can remember the first time that I read this and felt the Lord say to me—during a very dark season—”just hold on.” It has shown up many times in other seasons when I wanted answers and felt so desperate for something to change.

However, the encouragement in those moments “to hold on” was attached to my idea of what a “new thing” could possibly mean. I can quickly offer the Lord several scenarios for Him to consider. It would be a momentary balm to my heart—to dream and imagine things the way I want them to be or think they should be. In those moments, I am so far down in the trenches that anything can feel better than the current circumstances. Yet, my mind is on repeat, I keep going back to the hard moment I find myself in, begging God to do something, even something new, then I attach my ideas of the “new thing” He could do and repeat, over and over again, just going around in a circle.

The good and maybe hard thing here is to understand that “I am doing” is in the present, active tense, which means that it is happening in the present and is ongoing, in each present moment. 🙂

The good news is that God is always working on our behalf to accomplish His will in our lives—new things. The hard news is that He is always working on our behalf to accomplish His will in our lives—new things.

During a hard and trusting season, we want relief. It can feel like a roller coaster of ups and downs—times of refreshment with deep times of trench work, i.e., prayer, fasting, digging into God’s Word, and waiting—so much waiting. Yet, a verse like this will comfort us with a promise that this too shall pass. Embedded in this hope is that there will be an end and then felt relief.

The greater reality is that God is constantly doing a “new thing,” and He is asking you if you can perceive it. This underscores the expectation of what it means to walk with God: into new territory that has yet to be claimed for His glory. It may be greater “yieldedness” to His purpose for your life, greater surrender to His plan, or greater trust in Him for His will to be done. Collectively, it is always about faith. Is He trustworthy? Is He good?

The temptation is to be single-focused on how God will do a “new thing” in my life. However, rarely do His plans only involve you. Usually, our prayers and petitions involve someone we care deeply about. Even if that someone is ourselves, the plan will often involve orchestrating others to bring it about. For instance, doctors to bring the diagnosis, a company to offer a job, or a person to bring dinner. So much in the works to bring about deliverance. He is always working on our behalf. The hard part is to stay the course.

Every now and again, God will let us see a glimpse of what He is up to. I call these green pasture moments, where He leads us beside the still waters and restores our souls (Psalms 23). Our flesh, when we come to these moments, wants to stop maybe even quit. Yet, we are on a journey. This is a moment of refreshment, but our eyes must stay set on where God is taking us.

And where is God taking us? I love this so much. This is a soul-deep promise to each of us. He is taking us to the “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). This means when I attach my ideas of a “new thing” that I think He can do for me to bring relief and rest to my wandering weary soul, I am limiting God to only what I can see. I make God small and finite into my limited views.

Honestly, what we long for, what God has for us, is so much more. And left to Him to do only what He can do is so much better. Why do we settle for a temporary moment of reprieve when He has that plus so much more for us that genuinely satisfies us but also sustains us during the hard seasons because He beckons us to come to Him:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

God is doing a “new thing.” “Can you not perceive it?”

Be encouraged to look up from where you are. Let Him give you a fresh perspective into His kindness. He is a good, good Father, and He loves you. Are you surrounded by others who can speak these words of truth over you while you are face down in the trenches doing important work? Maybe more importantly today, can you muster a breath to the Lord and ask Him to show you His glory? Just a glimpse can change your life forever.

Blessings,

Heather

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Top Ten Things That Got Me Through 2022…

I would ask you if you could believe that we are ending another year, but I already know the answer.  Time feels like a vapor. With social media, so many memories pop up on my phone, reminding me how fast time flies.  It is a mixed feeling of joy and thankfulness, tinged with sadness. 

The mountain I climb all year intensifies to ensure my family sees Christmas. It is the finale. Every tradition, every celebration, every meal, and every gift are like a test and a reward. Then we begin the descent. However, the descent happens too fast, and we come crashing down, landing hard and maybe wounded. We spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s trying to gain some perspective and make promises that next year will be different. We approach the new year with bible studies and journals in hand, new workout clothes for our new exercise goals, and so begins the cycle. With great hopes and expectations that next year we will arrive at Christmas with perfection.

Exhausting.

However, there is a better way, an actual Way, that will help you arrive at Christmas ready for Emmanuel.  See, Christmas is really a celebration of what has already taken place. It should be a wonderful reminder to you that God keeps His promises, and He will continue because He is faithful. He always finishes what He has started.

Is it possible to recognize the difference between the temporary (that which is passing away) and the eternal (that which will last forever)?  Can we put them each in their own categories and leave them there for a minute?

The goals we make each year, often, are temporary and pass away. This might be why we hold on so tight and work so hard to attain them. The intent of our hearts comes from a good place, but it is nonetheless a place of trying. It comes from a place of “do better.” We take it upon ourselves to master our flesh.  It is a temporary vain attempt. The culture is not helping either. We look for inspiration on social media and follow people who encourage us because, intuitively, we know we need help. We read books and listen to podcasts that, whether we want to admit it, we have bought into the tagline that we can become the best versions of ourselves, we can stay youthful, and we have the perfection that we long for. Yet, we are often left disappointed and defeated time and time again.

How can we keep pressing on and pressing in, finding victory in the journey, and seeing real and lasting progress in the wake?

Authenticity. True. Lasting.

When we pursue that which is eternal and lasting, that which leaves a legacy and an impact on our communities, we must come face to face with the brevity of life. Maybe this is why it is so hard. It feels uncomfortable to contemplate reality. We are growing older, and no healing balm can prevent it, though I will always try with my Mary Kay. No exercise program can keep us from sagging, and no seven steps to being a great wife, parent, or friend will save our marriages, children, or society. So, at best, we play the game, the manufactured game, that if we labor after temporary gratification and capture moments online, it will tell a temporary story that we are getting it right.

Yet, pursuing our futures in the temporary from an eternal perspective might just be the answer to our aspirations. We should take advantage of a new start to set our focus back on the important things in our lives. I love a new journal too. I love a fresh workout that breaks up the monotony. However, when our motivations are about ourselves, when we try to “do better” this year, we will soon find ourselves lacking.

Instead, let us commit our earnest energy toward what it means to be a disciple. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”  So, to find authentic, true, lasting aspirations, we must deny ourselves, then, and only then, will we be satisfied.  It is a journey that we are on to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, for the believer. It is not easy, but it is freedom. It does come with a cost, but it is worth it. If you sense God calling you to Himself, reach out to me, I would love to talk about it with you.

Top Ten Things that got me through 2022:

• Shane and Shane- I listened to the Psalms album over and over. I start with Psalm 45, then just move through them. I turned off self-help podcasts, I turned off all the noise for an extended time and let the sung words of God wash over me and clean me till my own heart would sing it too.
• Threw away my scale- My husband did this for me, mostly because he was tired of hearing about it, but it proved to be the start of a very beautiful reality. I did not realize how the scale in the bathroom was taunting me. It was subtle, but regardless, I stopped wondering about my weight. Then, I decided to work toward being strong and flexible. Perimenopause is a beast. One that we really don’t talk about much. Unless you are around me, I talk about it. I want others to know how I have managed it and what I have learned. This is evolving, but I have learned some things. First, move your body, regardless of what promise the supplement companies make. Weight on a scale is not the goal. Let it go. This is a hard one for me, for too many reasons to mention here. Though I know, it is a hard one for each of us. Move your body. Also, stop looking at yourself. We have a warped view anyway; see yourself through the eyes of others and let them be your mirror. (Definitely check yourself in the mirror. Make sure your mascara hasn’t smeared, and your clothes are in the right place 🙂 )
• Put away social media (in a general sense)- I stopped watching other people live their lives. They are running their race, and it is not mine. Most of the time, it was a hindrance to my race, a distraction, and a diversion to doing my training for my own race, my practice, and my disciplines. I started to limit my time on others’ feeds, and I sought out bible messages, verses, or prayers. I would intentionally look up people I wanted to check on or text them instead of scrolling. I added a coloring app to my phone for when I had too much time on my hands or was just wanting to avoid life for a minute.
• Started cooking intentionally- This was a hard one for me. I don’t love to cook much, but I do love to feed my family. I realized how much I complained about cooking and started to get on board with the fact that my people eat food daily. Crazy, I know. They will snack until it’s all gone and still be hungry. It has been a labor of love but has brought me much freedom and peace. I try to have it planned and start cooking early as needed. Did I say freedom?
• My face to the sun- Vitamin D from the sun is irreplaceable. The warmth is healing, and it does so much for your mental state. Dr. Denmark, my go-to for all things baby, said ten minutes of the sun from birth, and that is without sunscreen, for absorption of Vitamin D. I have done this for us all, but even more so during and after the pandemic. Do your own research and make your own decision 🙂
• Collagen- Adding collagen to my coffee each morning helps my joints, my hair, and my skin. It does what it says it does; nothing fancy here but to do it. I have found a favorite. Message me if you want to know.
• Learned the words, “that’s not my problem”- In ministry, and life, the freedom comes when I stand firm on what I profess with my mouth that it is truly the Lord’s work to give eyes to see and ears to hear; for me, for my husband, for my children, and for anyone.  I am tired of trying to hold it all together and to even hold each one up to the Lord. The needs are too many, I am too weak. It is paralyzing, and I make a terrible savior.
• Went to bed earlier- For many years, I was the last to go to bed. It was my quiet hours before the morning craze. Perimenopause had me up all hours (and no cute baby to occupy), plus I did not get that good sleep anymore. So, prioritizing sleep has been huge, and I listened to my body.
• Recognized when I was striving- I learned, and I am learning to recognize what it feels like to strive.  What I mean is the feeling I get when I am confronted with a situation, and I begin to fix it. I start to work my brain so hard to come to an understanding, a plan of action, and sometimes a frenzy. When I begin to feel this way, I pause and confess to the Lord my own angst and desire, then I ask Him for wisdom and direction. At best, He provides His presence. It is a game changer. It has built renewed intimacy. I am so desperate for more.
• Similarly, I fought to offload the burdens in my heart and believe God at His word that His burden was light. This is an ongoing battle, but it is proving to be worth it. When my heart is heavy, when I feel insecure, when I am upset at a situation, or when I am anxious about everything, I ask the Lord to take it from me. This is a hard thing to do. But life is hard. I seek to do the hard thing that lightens the burden rather than remain under the yoke that God freed me from.

I pray that each of you will live your life considering the eternal blessings that are yours in Christ Jesus. That you will run your race with endurance to your finish line. I look forward to sharing with you in the new year.

Blessings to you and Happy New Year!

Heather

Here In Lies the Tension…

In this morning’s reading from the Discipleship Daily Devotional, I was reminded of the importance of God’s Word. I have a deep love affair with the Bible, yet I felt the reality of my neglect this morning while reading. I remember a time when I would not leave the house without it. I was so desperate for Him that I read it throughout the day as I needed to feel close or calm my soul. In addition to the Bible, I would most often have a book I was reading or a study I was preparing for, just in case I was stuck in the carpool or a doctor’s office waiting. I wanted to have something to do with my time. You know, be productive.

I also remember the moment things began to shift for me. Eight years ago, I received my first iPhone. I was so excited about all the possibilities. Truly, it felt like a gift. I took pictures of all the moments, downloaded apps, and started posting to social media. After a while, I realized that I was reading less and less. Whenever I had a moment, I would grab my phone and pass the time. I have always been careful of who I follow and what I allow on my feed, so it is encouraging or informative. I also love to check in on others and see what is happening in their lives. Here in lies the tension.  

Lately, I’ve been more aware of how fast I forget a Bible verse or word of encouragement while surfing social media apps. I will hop on to “catch up” or “check in” on what’s happening and find myself scrolling through feed after feed of encouragement or reminders. In the moment, I feel motivated or thankful, sometimes taking a screenshot or saving a post for later… only to realize that when I put down my phone, I’ve forgotten what I read. What used to be a moment here and there has become my go-to during a busy day or season. Do you see the danger here?

I am reminded of the parable about sowing and reaping in Matthew 13:1-9, “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth, and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

I think that over time if all we consume is a bible verse or 15-second word of encouragement, even if we snack on several at a time, we will eventually be depleted. It will be like the seed that is devoured by a bird or just did not have much earth to take root. Unlike cultivating soil that is prepared for the seed when it lands. True nourishment of extensive reading and studying of God’s Word will keep the soil of our hearts healthy and fertile, yielding a harvest of faith and expectation; a harvest of boldness and courage that others will be drawn to.

Instead, we are anxious, fearful, and depressed. We seek things and opportunities that feel safe and abundant. In large sums, we are running from our culture and its threat to our children and families. If we would take a moment and be honest, fear drives many of our decisions rather than faith. Do you feel the depravity of faith evidenced by fear and uncertainty?

We live in a time where social justice and humanities are at an all-time high, yet we do not know how to engage and are offended mainly by what we experience. We have strong opinions and think ourselves experts on issues that are mostly too complicated to defend alone. We stay hidden behind our phones with courage found behind the screen that wains when confronted face to face. We are lacking in fervency for the exaltation of Christ. The words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart are telling of a worrisome and faithless heart.

There is Hope for our weary, depleted souls.

Imagine a people so saturated in the faithfulness of God, so full on His provisions, and witness the mountains that are moved by the collective strength of our testimony. This will be a people of the resurrection; this will be a people armed and ready for the day of our Lord. This will be a people standing tall, watching the salvation of the Lord. This will be a people who find deep satisfaction in the Word of God.

Make plans today to set aside time in your day to sit with the Lord and His Word. Read passages and not just a verse. Be hungry for the promises of God for your life and the lives of others.

Blessings to each of you,

Heather

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This Christmas Season…

A Sunday evening, twenty -four years ago, Chad and I went forward together singing the song, “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go.” We meant it. Add the song, “I Surrender All.” We meant that as well. We told the Lord that we were willing to go with Him wherever giving Him all of us. A few months later, we packed our bags and moved to North Carolina. This morning, at the gym, I was singing “…because your love is better than life is, I will praise you as long as I’m alive…” I checked my heart and asked, “do I mean it?” I thought, yes! I mean it and then continued, agreeing with the words I was singing. It was good.

As I was driving home, reflecting on those two moments, I was overcome with the reality of “surrender.” How blessed we are that we can have renewed moments of commitment to the Lord. I loved how fresh the choice to remember His faithfulness and to sing from the heart my love for Him. Oh, that the Lord has held me tight through the years, maintaining my commitment to Him. The turbulent times, the worrisome times, and all the sadness. He has held me close. So blessed.

It’s important for us to understand that the entirety of our life is in His hands and our surrender also is in his hands. If you’re looking for an advent book this Christmas season, if you’ve come into this advent season like me, so many times, saying “Lord, help me not to miss You this Christmas.” Can I encourage you to consider 40 Days of Surrender? It’s a revision that Chad did of Andrew Murray’s book Absolute Surrender that he formatted into daily devotionals with questions to consider each day. I have come back to this book many times over the years and have felt such comfort in knowing that it is not in my power nor my strength to maintain my surrender to the Lord. Please consider this book for yourself, your family, or your small group. You will be so encouraged as well as contemplate your surrendered heart to Jesus as you begin a new year.

Blessings to you,

Heather

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Advent: Prepare Him Room…

A Sunday evening, twenty -four years ago, Chad and I went forward together singing the song, “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go.” We meant it. Add the song, “I Surrender All.” We meant that as well. We told the Lord that we were willing to go with Him wherever giving Him all of us. A few months later, we packed our bags and moved to North Carolina. This morning, at the gym, I was singing “…because your love is better than life is, I will praise you as long as I’m alive…” I checked my heart and asked, “do I mean it?” I thought, yes! I mean it and then continued, agreeing with the words I was singing. It was good.

As I was driving home, reflecting on those two moments, I was overcome with the reality of “surrender.” How blessed we are that we can have renewed moments of commitment to the Lord. I loved how fresh the choice to remember His faithfulness and to sing from the heart my love for Him. Oh, that the Lord has held me tight through the years, maintaining my commitment to Him. The turbulent times, the worrisome times, and all the sadness. He has held me close. So blessed.

It’s important for us to understand that the entirety of our life is in His hands and our surrender also is in his hands. If you’re looking for an advent book this Christmas season, if you’ve come into this advent season like me, so many times, saying “Lord, help me not to miss You this Christmas.” Can I encourage you to consider 40 Days of Surrender? It’s a revision that Chad did of Andrew Murray’s book Absolute Surrender that he formatted into daily devotionals with questions to consider each day. I have come back to this book many times over the years and have felt such comfort in knowing that it is not in my power nor my strength to maintain my surrender to the Lord. Please consider this book for yourself, your family, or your small group. You will be so encouraged as well as contemplate your surrendered heart to Jesus as you begin a new year.

Blessings to you,

Heather

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A Little Bit of my Story…

During summer break, when I was sixteen, my youth minister asked me to be a part of a summer discipleship group that was to meet at 8 am on Thursday mornings. I am not a morning person plus it was my summer break, so needless to say, I was not too thrilled about it. Being the people-pleasing person that I am, I reluctantly agreed. It was time for the first meeting, and I made up the excuse that my car was broken and told her that I was sorry to miss the meeting, but I didn’t have a ride. She told me she would come to get me and to be ready by 7:30 am. I did not know how to say no, so I made sure I was ready, and I went. I have only a couple memories from those meetings. One, we were told to read the Bible for an hour and then pray for an hour, we had prompts to guide us. I dreaded it.  Yet, I was amazed at how fast the two hours went by and how much I enjoyed it. Secondly, I had to memorize a verse. It was Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Much later after years of serving alongside Chad in ministry, I realized that this verse was a pillar in our discipleship process called Go Disciple. I was embedded in the truth of what it means to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and then to realize how this verse was first planted in my heart that summer was so special to me. It was like God really had been there all along. It underscored so much of the truth about our journey through life and His pursuit of me.

There was a time when I would say, and believe, that “if only I had someone come alongside me in those teenage and college years, teaching me what it meant to follow Jesus, then I surely would have listened,” and then I would add, “teach me and I will give everything I learn away to others.” While seeking to learn and give away wisdom has been a straight line of focus for me, and sometimes an idol in my heart, I have since realized, as this example above suggests, that God has been teaching and guiding me. Therefore, showing me my responsibility for my own pursuit of Him. It was as if a veil had been removed and I could see more clearly how He had sent people to me, so many, and it was on me to recognize His efforts.

Go Disciple, our principle-based discipleship material, walks a person through what it means to be a disciple. It is foundational to our family, how we have sought to raise our children and to interact in our relationships with our family and friends. Our ministry really is just an extension of who we are in Christ and how we show Him to others, however imperfectly. We want to be available to others as God sees fit. Very intentional with our lives and worldly pursuits.  

Chad and I have worked tirelessly on this material and want the principles to become a pillar in the way we disciple others who then go out and make disciples. For Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20 modified, Go and make disciples…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.  Our newest endeavor to help you grow as a disciple for the sole purpose that you would make disciples, is Daily Discipleship, a devotion that drops into your email early each day. Our desire is that you would be transformed by the renewing of your minds into the likeness of Christ and then lead others to do the same.

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At Home with the Gospel…

Using our homes as an outpouring of the gospel takes intentionality. In an earlier blog, we talked about walking in the Spirit versus walking in the flesh. The lines are often blurred because we get good at managing our lives. Over time, we figure out some things like how to manage meals around extracurricular activities.  We get into good rhythms or habits. This is so helpful however when our rhythms and habits get interrupted our response can be telling. It is in these moments that we see clearly if we are in the flesh, trying to control life in our power and strength. We get short-tempered, agitated, and speak unkindly. So, when this happens, how quick are you to “pivot?” Remember, the “pivot” allows space for the Spirit to intervene. The pause will help us not react in the flesh and allow time to yield to what the Lord may be asking of us, and we can tap into the supernatural power to accomplish it.

I will often ask the question, “Lord, are you asking this of me?” I get asked for a lot of things. I have five sons and a full-time ministry. There are a lot of people and needs that I interact with regularly. It is reasonable to know my limitations and to exercise care over what God has entrusted to each of us. However, to go on auto pilot and never pause to allow for a pivot, I may miss something important. It will be hard for me to hear, “this is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) or for the Lord to direct my steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

As a follower of Jesus, when we said “yes, I surrender my life to you,” we gave permission for Him to interrupt our day, our plans, and our expectations. Our lives belong to Him, right?

We can be better prepared for the interruption.

• Certainly, start each day with a renewed heart of surrender, laying down the days plans and expectations and ask Him to order your steps and keep you vigilant.
• Stay in communion with Him throughout your day. Talk to Him frequently. Set reminders on your phone to take a moment to pray, be thankful, to ask Him if He has something for you to do.
• More tangibly, make sure with each grocery store run, there are generic snacks for the unexpected i.e., goldfish crackers, pretzels, gummies (gluten free :)) and decaf coffee pods.
• Since Covid, this has changed some, but I use to make Tuesday evenings my night to double up my dinner and ask the Lord who needs a meal. Since Covid, I will have pizza delivered or drop off ready-made food like Rotisserie chicken, bagged salad, saran-wrapped potatoes.
• Dropping off coffee is a delicate and inexpensive treat to let someone know you are thinking of them. Chocolates too.
• I always add extra food to my children’s lunches and encourage them to look for those who may not have much and still seem hungry.
• Paying attention to others at events or activities. Looking for those who might need a conversation or smile. See what seeds can be sown.
• Taking notice of my children and their kindness, compassion, and attitudes while they are in their communities and encouraging generosity in them, and certainly discipling them along the way. The hope is to build a culture of gospel-centered homes and experiences. Also, we need to remember we are training them, so when they behave like themselves, it should not surprise us no matter how many times we have told them.
• We must stay engaged and this is hard. 
• I want to take a minute to encourage a “way of thinking.” Scripture teaches us that we tithe/give ten percent of our earnings to the Lord. Anything above that is our offering to Him; above and beyond what is required. I love to consider the variety of ways the Lord may allow me to join him. Sometimes realizing all the “ways” that you can go about your normal day that turns the ordinary into something holy. I have gone to jewelry parties for friends trying to start a business and bought a piece of jewelry, meant to encourage them as well as use the piece as a reminder to pray. I have done the same for other small business and fundraisers. When we look at invitations as a burden or “something” else to add to an already full schedule, we will miss opportunities to bless others. There is something very spiritual about feeding someone, providing for someone, and extending the right hand of fellowship to someone that plants a seed and builds validity into the message of the gospel.
• Create a safe haven for others to come to your house stress free. Serve those who enter in and find a moment of respite. You may spoil a few, but I love to call it extravagant loving 🙂

I have two stories to tell.

1. Years ago, I was visiting a friend out of town, and we attended her church on a Sunday. It came time for the offering, and I sensed that God was asking me to give my cash, I had $20 that I had reserved for the ride back home. I was thinking lunch and gas. (Remember when $20 could get you lunch and gas :)) I began to tell Him, the Lord, what the money was reserved for, and I rationalized that He could not be asking me to do this because He knew I had to get home and how tight money was. So, I let the moment pass and for the remainder of the service felt pretty convicted that I ignored the Lord’s prompting. After the service, I got back to the car and remembered that I put the cash in my console. I immediately thought, the Lord knew I didn’t have the cash but was revealing my heart. If I had generously and willfully yielded to the Lord, I would have realized the money was not in my purse.

• A relationship with a friend, from a different nationality, began many years ago. We have shared meals together, holidays together, my home for extended stays. We have talked about God, and we have shared in his salvation, marriage, and settling into Raleigh, etc. A few years ago, my friend called and asked if he could bring his family for dinner on Christmas Eve. He told me he would take care of the food and then we would attend the church service together. That night, as I readied my home and my children, it proved to be one of the most interesting and fulfilling Christmas Eves ever. Mind you, we shifted from some of our normal traditions and allowed for a sacred moment. That evening, we welcomed a family matriarch into my home, one who did not share my faith nor my language. We shared a meal comfortable to that family’s culture. I saw a new believer lead his family in celebration and worship and I could not have planned nor expected a Christmas Eve like this, even if I tried. I sat in awe at how the Lord could orchestrate such an evening.

When we allow the Lord to lead and prompt us into His plan, no matter the inconvenience, we get to “taste and SEE that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8) Our faith for just a moment, is turned to sight.

Blessings,

Heather

Thoughts from my Night with Rosaria Butterfield (part two)…

The tyranny of the urgent. My day is usually full of everyone’s pressing needs, for which I guess I am responsible. Cell phones are the culprit. Most people in my life can reach me at all hours of the day. It is amazing how quickly the day can get away from me. For instance, I will have a verification number pop up on my phone, followed immediately by a text from one of my children. If I do not respond quickly enough, I will next get the “?” pop up on the message, soon followed by the “!!” Finally, I will get a phone call from the child asking if I received the code, only to have to resend the verification number because the time ran out on the first one, all within minutes. Does this happen to anyone else? These interruptions repeat over and over throughout my day, in the form of emails, forms to fill out, confirmations, money due, lost items, dinner, and one thing after another.

Insanity. Some say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results, which is pretty telling.

So, what does this have to do with Rosalia Butterfield? Remember, she concluded her talk with a challenge to each of us. She encouraged us to use our homes as an outpouring of the gospel. When I spend my days chasing the urgent, someone else controls what I do. Since I started typing this, I received a text message similar to the abovementioned illustration. Our son needed the insurance policy number and subscriber number, each in a different text and decorated in their own “?” and “!!.” I am pretty sure he has the card in his wallet because that is what responsible parents do before sending their child off to college. Most likely, the wallet has not been used in weeks or is in the car and too far to walk to and retrieve, so why not text mom, who sits on her phone just in case one of her children needs her? She is armed and ready for the next urgent thing. Also, my husband forgot a check that he needs me to drop off at his golf tournament soon. It is only 10 am.

This will likely not change anytime soon; maybe it will never change. I think this all started when my first son was born, he would cry, and I would just get up in the middle of the night and feed him. From that point on, I was at his beck and call 😉 It has been a hard reality that, though I am joking, is truthful. I have created my own insanity.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the LORD and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23)

This is just a pivot. In the last post, we talked about walking in the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, versus walking in the flesh, in our power and strength. Our children and others usually get what they ask for, at least a response from me. They often have no idea how the interruption or the felt demand affects me or my day. The frustration is likely misplaced on someone when they have no idea their asking for a verification code could cause my irritation. However, when we pause, for even a second, and lean into the Spirit for His wisdom and strength, we enter into the “unsearchable riches of God” (Colossians 2:9). We tap into the “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20). When we “pivot,” we allow the Spirit to work in and through us for His good pleasure.

One reason we fail to consider this in the small and mundane events of our day is we don’t believe that he cares much about them. Honestly, most of our day consists of these little interruptions, yet when we don’t invite Him in or acknowledge He’s already there, we are the ones who miss out. Maybe God is using the interruption as a reminder to pray; perhaps He wants you to talk to Him about why that specific interruption bothered you. Maybe He is reminding you of His faithfulness to you and how He likes to use His you in the lives of others.

Whatever you do, however, interrupted, do it heartily unto the Lord. Stop in the moment and allow the Lord to redirect your heart toward whatever He may be asking of you. Then, do it, walking with Him, engaged with Him, so that though you may be inconvenienced and irritated initially with the “change in plans,” He will greatly bless you for having been in His presence. Then the Spirit does what only He can do. He will fill you with Himself, manifested in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Once we have yielded our day to the Lord, we can go about what He asks of us. In Part three, I will tell you a remarkable story and offer some ways to plan for the interruption so that you will be ready when it happens.

Are you there God, it’s me Heather…

Have you ever wondered where God is or what He is doing? Have you ever had your faith challenged or your belief in God feel empty? Of course, you have. Our flesh is constantly in a battle against our spirit, and you feel it too. God’s mysterious ways are just that, a mystery; however, in His Word, He gives us more knowledge and help in understanding than we give Him credit. We often resist the help that He has already provided. Last night, Chad was telling me about His time in God’s Word and how he was able to encourage a guy he met for coffee who is going through a difficult time. He said, “I told him of the passage, ‘gird up the loins of your mind.’” (1 Peter 1:13). He continued to tell me what that meant, which was familiar to me, as I agreed with him, he said, “Did you hear what I said?” I immediately said yes, but as I said it, I heard it in my head again, and I realized what was just said. When men would go out to battle, they would have to tuck the edged of their long robes into their belts to run and move, unencumbered. However, the light bulb moment came when he said, “we tuck those loose ends into the belt of truth.” So, the loose ends of our thinking are often void of truth, faith, and wisdom, yet full of fear, pride, and want. As I continued to apply this thought to my current thinking patterns, I realized that I had some loose ends of thinking that were holding me hostage. As a result, I was anxious, worrisome, and afraid.

God tells us, through His Word, to tuck the loose ends of our thinking into the belt of His truth and walk freely, without a misstep. So, I, actively started to focus on His truth and not my loose ends. I was reminded that He is faithful and true (Rev 3:14). That He brought me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). He told me in Psalm 62:10 not to trust oppression. And as I continued with this discipline, I sensed the reality of 1 Corinthians 10:4-5, which says:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 

The oppression, the bondage, and the yoke we feel are holding us hostage and are not true. In Christ, we can cast down these arguments in our head, the loose ends of our thinking, and the conversations that keep us up at night. They are opposed to what is true about who God is and His nature of love and care for each one of us. We often overcompensate with our thoughts where our flesh is the weakest. The truth is, we are so utterly dependent on God for everything; He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Yet, we stay hostage to this world when we harbor our thoughts as a haven when we should tuck them into the belt of truth. This allows us to run our race of faith without tripping over ourselves and give God room in our lives to be made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor.12:9). 

If you have only a moment today, take the moment to consider what this means for you. Let’s clear out some mental space for the Lord to fill our minds with what He has for us to accomplish for Him and His glory, which is the fulfilled life in Christ that satisfies all our longings.

Blessings.