My Hope

I shared recently that my blood work showed that I’ve been anemic during this pregnancy. I’m thankful for a few things. My numbers were lower than recommended, but not at a dangerous level so I’m praying there will be no effect on the baby. I’m also thankful that I now know why I’ve been so tired lately. I felt bad that Tommy was having to help out with so many things around the house that I thought I should have the energy to do. At least now I know it wasn’t completely in my head. I’ve seen a significant difference in my energy level since starting an iron supplement. I haven’t had to drag myself out of bed each morning and while naps are still welcome, I haven’t felt like I need one at 10 a.m. Just as we can be missing nutrients physically, are we missing necessary nutrients in our spiritual lives? I’ve been thinking about the difference one mineral can make and then last week the pastor preached on almost the same thing. Do we drag through life not even aware that we...

I loved our time back home this Christmas. Most of it was spent with family but we were able to see a few friends too. It was refreshing and relaxing to be surrounded by friends and family who know us so well (and love us anyway). We knew we’d be hitting the ground running once we got back so we found joy in just going with the flow while we had the chance. At least we thought we’d be hitting the ground running. Instead Tommy ended up with strep shortly after we got back, so we quarantined him to the couch and steered clear of people in case the girls and I were contagious and our symptoms just hadn’t shown up yet. (Thankfully we escaped it!!!) I did find out I’m anemic though (which explains why my energy level never bounced back at all second trimester). Hopefully the extra iron will kick in soon and my biggest craving (naps) will disappear. The illness and exhaustion has left us going from a state of being surrounded by love to a relative place of isolation. Coupled w...

It’s been wonderful seeing family and friends. I feel like the time is passing too quickly though and I haven’t had a chance to see as many people as I’d hoped. I feel like we’re close and yet so far away up in Clarkston. Always know you’re welcome anytime you’re up in Atlanta to come on over and see us- we’d love to have you and show you everything going on!! We’d taken two cars to church and the girls got back slightly earlier than the boys. After unstrapping H and letting both out of the car, M started to dash for the garage door. As she started I could see my father-in-law driving down the road and about to pull into the driveway. I called out a quick ‘whoa’ to M and she immediately stopped. I smiled at her (happy that she’d obeyed the first time) and explained I hadn’t wanted her to get squished by Poppy’s truck (which is my usual speech in parking lots or near roads). Her reaction wasn’t usual though- she burst into tears and came running to me for hugs. Unlike previ...

I had an amazing time seeing family and friends recently and am looking forward to seeing everyone next week too! I was grateful to be able to share at our church while in Bainbridge and a friend asked me to post part of my message. Much of what I said I’ve also written about in these three posts http://hope535.blogspot.com/2015/09/fleeing-home.html , http://hope535.blogspot.com/2015/11/part-2-world-divided.html , and http://hope535.blogspot.com/2015/11/part-3-call-to-acts.html so I won’t bore you with repetition. I asked everyone to imagine the following situation- I ask you to read through them slowly and let each sink in: A man and his father discuss the raging war and lives being lost. They both agree that it’s best for the man to leave his home and now is the right time. He gets to a new and foreign place only to be whisked away from his host family because they’re afraid of the danger that may befall him simply because of where he’s from. As time passes he makes f...

How often do we allow ourselves to be vulnerable? To bear our souls and admit when we don’t have it all together or all the answers? Our society doesn’t encourage it, instead we arm ourselves and put up fronts both individually and as a country. There are times I understand it. What is the purpose of showing your weaknesses to someone who may turn and use it against you? 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [a]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with [b]insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Last night I had the privilege of talking to someone who allowed himself to open up and be vulnerable at the risk of disappointing others. He didn’t grow up in a Christian home, but got to know Christians and ...

Part 3 A call to Acts It’s easy to fear those that are different than us, but we are told that perfect love drives out fear. How then should we react? How did the early church react when they were persecuted from all sides? Did God call for the annihilation of those that martyred Stephen. No. He welcomed at least one of them into His church and changed his name to Paul. I don’t blame the apostles for being skeptical (Acts 9:26). I have no doubts that they wanted to make sure this was the real deal, that he wasn’t trying to sneak his way into the inner circle in order to gain insight and bring greater destruction. We have the advantage, we’ve gotten to fast forward to the end and see how God used Paul throughout his life. The early disciples just had to trust in the changes they saw (I’m sure it also helped that God gave a vision to Ananias). Paul went from persecuting to being persecuted. He did not seek suffering, but he did not run from it either; nor did he return vi...

Part 2 The World divided The rush to suddenly stop welcoming refugees who only a few months ago were being welcomed with open arms is making my head spin. Can we guarantee that all refugees will be law abiding residents? No. They undergo vigorous interviews and background checks, but there is no way to give people 100% assurance. Can we guarantee that all U.S. born citizens will grow up to become law abiding residents? No. There are untold things that will influence them. There are no guarantees that our citizens won’t leave and join terrorist extremist groups, then return and carry out mass killings. There are no guarantees that our citizens won’t stay and carry out mass killings as lone gunmen. The bottom line is we don’t have any guarantees in this life. We never have. We never will. We are called to love despite these uncertainties. NAS Hebrews 13:1 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have ent...