Family First

Tags

blogging, family, God, life, ministry

Been quiet here, I know.

It’s not that my heart isn’t full of words. God is teaching me so much through my current reading of the New Testament, but family comes first. Yes…HE is first, but that should be obvious.

After more than 25 years of being a stay-at-home mom, this chapter of life is coming to a close. Our youngest is graduating this year. We home-school and are busy completing classes and looking forward to this milestone. Graduation is only a few months away. College choices, scholarships, and all the many preparations that come with life transitions are keeping this family busy.

There are many other things taking place on the home-front too. My husband has been self employed since 2006. This was a major life change for us that some of you know about from my early blogs. Because of this and all the economic challenges I’ve tried to do more sewing and home-made and less store bought. Hubby’s new work shirts have been on the sewing table a bit too long and my daughter’s new quilt is waiting for binding.

I also teach art to home-school students and we are gearing up for our end of year Showcase. In addition, the sun is shining in a beautiful blue sky and it is time to start getting some seedlings started for the garden.

Through the years I’ve wrestled with balancing writing time and tending to the needs of my family, but I’ve always believed that He has seasons for my life. Seasons of youth, marriage, babies, schooling, learning, and growing. Seasons of failure and seasons of victory. Seasons of stillness and seasons of busyness. And many different seasons of ministry.

My writing is a ministry, my teaching is a ministry and my family is a ministry. My family is the personal ministry that God specifically gave to me. These are the people He placed in my care, this is the home and the life He placed us in – for His purposes.

All believers are ministers in some way and I’ve always believed that it is vitally important that we minister to our families first. We cannot neglect these precious gifts God blessed us with. I often think of the family as a training ground. If we do not first minister and provide for the needs of those dearest to us how can we expect to minister to the world outside our doors?

It will probably be quieter here for the next few months, with only occasional postings. I wanted to thank you for stopping by, for reading, for following and let you know that this stillness is only temporary. As this chapter of life comes to a close I want to embrace every moment. And when the next chapter begins I am expecting God to do great things. I am anticipating His goodness, for He has shown me glimmers while preparing me for this next exciting time of life.

Be blessed, be joyful, be thankful – to His Glory!

Behold the Man

Tags

adversity, character, faith, God, humility, Jesus

My husband and I entered the gallery in silence and were greeted by the same. No, it was not empty. We waited patiently for our turn to view the Caravaggio.

As we waited, I watched, I listened – silence – an occasional whisper, a soft footstep would interrupt the quiet of the room, but absent was the busyness of normal daily life and giddy conversation.

As I looked around I doubted that every person in the room was a believer – yet – somehow they sensed it. This was not merely another man. It was a sacred silence – an unspoken unanimous respect.

Finally we stood face to face with the masterpiece. Not what you would expect. There was no evidence of the beatings, no blood from the piercing thorns upon His head. It was not the sight one would have seen by the time Pilate presented Jesus and said, “Behold, the Man!” [John 19:5]

Then it struck me; the overwhelming sense of humility in the uninjured and silent King presented before us.

As I gazed upon the downcast face of Christ in the painting, I was reminded – This is God. He could have stopped this. He could have said no. He could have rallied His legions of angels. He could have called down fire from the sky.

But He did not.

Instead He humbly accepted…

• the betrayal
• the floggings
• the beatings
• the mockery
• the disrespect
• the spittle
• the hate

I thought about how there was no silence that day, but rather screeching condemnation and wailing in the streets. Yet He remained – humble – to the end – knowing…

that every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God. Romans 14:11

and His words to His followers were these…

…you too now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you. John 16:22