Independence Day

The day after congress approved the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife Abigail, predicting that July 4th would be a day of celebration for years to come as "the great anniversary festival." He wrote, "It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."

It is impossible to read America's history without seeing the hand of Providence guiding, protecting, providing, and laying the foundation for this great nation. As you enjoy the festivities of our nation's birthday, may you, like John Adams, take a moment to reflect, thanking God for our freedom, for His blessing upon us, and praying that we would honor and obey Him as a nation.

The Value of the Delaration

"These communities, by their representatives in old Independence Hall, said to the whole world of men: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' .... They erected a beacon to guide their children, and their children's children, and the countless myriads who should inhabit the earth in other ages. .... [T]hey established these great self-evident truths that .... their posterity might look up again to the Declaration of Independence and take courage to renew the battle which their father began, so that truth and justice and mercy and all the humane and Christian virtues might not be extinguished from the land .... Now my countrymen, if you have been taught doctrine conflicting with the great landmarks of the Declaration of Independence ... let me entreat you to come back .... [C]ome back to the truths that are in the Declaration of Independence."

~Abraham Lincoln

Memorial Day

I realize this is quite late. Would love to have posted something on Memorial Day itself, but we've been knee deep in germs and all the other "fun" stuff of life.

As I reflect on Memorial Day, I again am thankful for all the brave men and women who have sacrificed their own lives for my freedom. Obviously, my gratitude goes first to all those in my family from the great great greats who fought in the Civil War to my great grandfather in WWI, my grandfathers (all 3 of them!) in WWII, my father-in-law in Vietnam. I am honored and proud to be related to each of them.

Happy Memorial Day!

Embracing Pain

While in the doldrums a few months back, crying and praying and feeling miserable, and then feeling miserable because I was miserable!, God ever so gently told me that I'm too afraid of pain. More specifically, I felt like He asked me to embrace it. Even typing the phrase, I'm struck again by how odd it sounds. Embrace pain? Isn't it natural to shy away from what hurts, whether it's a simple headache or something more serious like a strained relationship? Yet as backwards as it sounded, as soon as I "heard" Him say it, it made sense. He showed me how I had become so pain-averse, I wasn't allowing pain to accomplish its purposes. Whether I was reaching for the Tylenol at the slightest inkling of a headache, obsessing about germs in and on my kids, or shying away from potentially uncomfortable conversations, He made it clear that I needed to be willing to feel, even if it meant hurting.

As I pondered His message and tried to figure out all it entailed, I heard an interview with Kay Arthur in which she said, "Don't run from the pain. Feel it. Allow it to accomplish the purpose God has, in His sovereignty, allowed it for. Then seek to heal so that you are equipped to minister to others." Her comment confirmed what I'd thought I heard Him whisper.

Weeks later, I heard Dennis Rainey say, "Too many Christians think Christianity occurs on a romantic balcony, not a spiritual battlefield." He's right. I think it is so easy in our culture of abundance and ease to forget that this world is not our home. To overlook the fact that Jesus told us to expect trials. To see the example of our Saviour, enduring the horror of the cross, for the glory on the other side.

I would never have chosen those dark, desperate months, and I dread the possibility of going through it again. However, there is something deep within me at peace with the prospect of facing a similar circumstance in the future, only for one reason: the closeness I felt to my Saviour during that time was indescribably sweet. He proved Himself faithful, His promises trustworthy, His love deep, His Sovereignty real. I see the miraculous things God has done since and would not go back for anything. I stand in awe of what He has brought out of such a dark time in my life.

The other day I heard a song by Laura Story that immediately became a new favorite. It beautifully described some of these vague ideas I'd been trying to put into concrete thoughts for months. May it be thought provoking and encouraging for you as well.

Blessings

by Laura Story

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise

Passion Week

Several years ago, frustrated by the bunny and egg emphasis of Easter, I began exploring ways to make Passion Week fun and meaningful for our family. Since then, the week has became one of my favorite times of the year.

Palm Sunday

Stained glass window from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Downers Grove, Illinois

I love Palm Sunday. Watching the kids enter the sanctuary waving their palm branches and singing "Hosanna" always makes me cry. There is something profoundly moving seeing kids worship. During his sermon, our pastor asked, "what will your response be when God presents His King?" Just like when someone knocks on your door, you can choose to ignore them or open the door. But Jesus requires a response.

The Last Supper

Good Friday

This morning as I was reading Matthew's account of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, a verse I'm sure I've read dozens of times stood out to me. Judas has just led a group of armed men to Jesus and identified him with a kiss (vs. 49-50), and Jesus responds, "Friend, do what you came for." Friend!!!!

One of my greatest fears, to the point that it is often the subject of a recurring dream, is that those whom I trust the most and hold the most dear betray me. Thankfully, I have never been betrayed outside of my nightmares, and if the feelings in my dreams are anywhere close to reality, I never want to experience it. I usually wake up suddenly, adrenalin pumping, knot in the pit of my stomach, feeling undone and hopeless. So when I read Jesus address to Judas at the moment of betrayal, it stopped me short.

I suppose some could say in response that Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. That He wasn't surprised. That He because he was fully God, He still loved him. While those all may be true, He also was still fully human, and when a human is betrayed by a friend it hurts.

I did a little digging to see the meaning behind the word "friend" in this context. The definition is "a comrade, mate, partner; in kindly address; friend (my good friend)." Doesn't that one word embody what Jesus says to us? We go our own way, do our own thing, fail to stand up for Him when we should, and after all that and much more, He still calls us Friend. When we humbly come to Him, seeking forgiveness, He does not turn away in anger or hurt or spite. He receives with open arms, welcoming His good friend.

On this Good Friday, as I reflect on the work Jesus did on the cross, I am once again amazed that He calls me friend. That He willingly bore the pain and guilt of all my sin, just to be able to call me "friend" for eternity. I am without words.

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Tennis Shoes and Velvet

The other day as my kids romped at the playground, I noticed a little girl having a grand time. I couldn't help but smile to myself when I saw her outfit. She proudly wore a beautiful burgundy velvet dress that complimented her straight, dark hair. Admittedly, several years ago I would have wondered why a mother would allow her daughter to play at the park in dress clothes. Two daughters later, I have accepted (notice I did not say understand!) that velvet and monkey bars go together in the mind of many little girls. This little girl completed her ensemble with what looked like some very comfortable (and well-worn) tennis shoes.

"What a picture," I thought. What a perfect visual of what I often feel battles within myself -- the war between feminine princess and strong woman. I'm not sure why or how, in my mind, the two became mutually exclusive, that I have to choose between between them. That embracing femininity means accepting weakness, brushing up on swooning, and abandoning activities I enjoy. Afterall how many princesses do you see swinging a hammer or appreciating classic cars? Can tool belts and china tea cups really live harmoniously side by side?

Studying Esther has revealed that she was a very strong woman but that did not detract from her femininity. If anything, the two complimented each other. Maybe that is why I've always loved her story. She's been one of my heros since I was a kid.

After watching the tyke at the park, I came home and reread Proverbs 31, trying to put words to the visual her outfit provided. Usually reading about the Proverbs superwoman brings out the Martha Stewart in me and I go overboard striving to do it all. But this time, I was able to overlook all of her accomplishments and focus on verse 25a. "She is clothed in strength and dignity..." That's it! It answers the dilemma I've struggled with for ages. It's strength and femininity rolled into one. It excuses any juxtaposition between pounding nails and high tea. It embraces every thread of variety that God wove together to make woman in His image. It's tennis shoes and velvet.

Security and Foundations

As I've watched the news of late, from local concerns to world disasters, I've felt very unsettled and insecure. It's interesting how God can use such things to point out where we tend to look for security. I don't think it's a coincidence that the following hymn comes to mind when I start to fret. Thought I'd post it, since it has been encouraging to me ...

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

by Edward Mote

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, and blood

Support me in the whelming flood;

When every earthly prop gives way,

He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found,

Clothed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne!

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.