Don’t Give Up

March 7, 2018 | Karen

I serve in a ministry that lets me respond to emails from people all over the world who are seeking Jesus. Three years ago, one particular lady (I’ll call Sandy) and I wrote back and forth about 30 times. Sandy is a Christian but found herself in an unexpected and unwanted pregnancy. We shared such long, mutually respectful emails back and forth. My heart broke over her situation in life, the terrible hardships she had been through, the struggles her other children had faced.

She said she knew her baby was alive, a real person, and that abortion was ending that life, but she saw no other way despite the many resources I provided.

Then suddenly, she stopped replying to my emails.

Per policy, I could only write a maximum of three more times if she was no longer responding. I prayerfully wrote those emails (then one final one) and let her know I was praying. That I loved her. That no matter her choice, I would still care for her and want to stay in touch.

I was so discouraged at one point that I almost quit this ministry. But I kept thinking, “What if Sandy writes back?”

This week, three years later, she did.

No, I didn’t ask the outcome of her pregnancy. I didn’t ask if her 3-year old son or daughter was doing well or if she’d aborted. Instead, I felt God say just love her, as I said I would. Just remind her of God’s great love for her. Pray for her. Don’t give up on her.

She said she’s praying each night before bed. She’s still seeking to be closer to the Lord. And all this time, God’s still been working behind the scenes.

Have you given up on the one you are praying for? Seeing no results? Don’t give up. God’s still working.

Weekly Report

March 4, 2018January 16, 2019 | Karen

The day we picked up our foster children, I realized this was not at all like the training. Sure, I’d finished the courses, gone through the inspections – but when those two living, breathing children came home with us, my heart was not fully equipped to handle it. I texted and emailed my case worker every detail, wanting to make sure I was doing everything right. I expressed concern that certain behaviors meant they had experienced certain negative things in the past, and I also shared positives, good things I saw in the children, promising behaviors and things that worked well. Finally I decided I should type up a full weekly report. It felt so strange to care for children when I’d never met their parents, didn’t have a checklist from parents that would let me know their bedtime routine, favorite stories, food allergies, likes and dislikes… I wanted the reassurance of knowing someone else shared responsibility over these children’s lives too, not just me and my husband. But the case worker said no, don’t send her a weekly report.

Lately I’ve been thinking, what if I had to send God a weekly report of my interactions with my own children – how well I have served them, listened to them without distraction, put them before my work (while still getting work done), corrected them in love when necessary, encouraged them, shown them mercy, modeled a selfless life of giving, led by example. Of course, God’s with us every moment so He already knows, but if I saw it in written form at the end of each week, in black and white, would I be pleased? Would God? Yet too often I forget that my children are ultimately His, as if they are on loan to me for a short while. Lord, help me honor You in every little way I live in front of my children this week and each week… because I know they are watching, and I want to honor You.

Misunderstood

February 21, 2018 | Karen

It’s dangerous to jump to conclusions about another person’s actions or motives. In Joshua 22, thousands of people nearly face death over a misunderstanding between people of the Lord.

The Background: The Israelites had finally entered the Promised Land, the wars were over, and each tribe had their assigned portion of land. The tribes living on the opposite side of the Jordan River were sent home in favor after keeping their promise and fighting well on behalf of the other tribes.

They returned home in victory, and built an altar to the Lord. The other tribes heard of it and were upset. See, the Lord had commanded that the only place Israelites could worship was at the place He designated.

“So the whole community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against them. First, however, they sent a delegation led by Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to talk with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.” Joshua‬ ‭22:12-13‬ ‭

Thank goodness they sent the delegation to talk first. Turns out, not only were the accused’s motives pure, they were making efforts to ensure future descendants would be able to still worship the Lord as He commanded.

“So we decided to build the altar, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a memorial. It will remind our descendants and your descendants that we, too, have the right to worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings. Then your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no claim to the Lord.’ “If they say this, our descendants can reply, ‘Look at this copy of the Lord’s altar that our ancestors made. It is not for burnt offerings or sacrifices; it is a reminder of the relationship both of us have with the Lord.’” Joshua‬ ‭22:26-28‬ ‭

Do you feel like going to war against a Christian brother or sister? Feeling angry that you think they are dishonoring the Lord? Be sure to talk it over with them first, in private (not on social media), and take time to listen. It may turn out that their motives are pure and that the steps they are taking are actually to ensure descendants of both parties worship God with unity.

Tired

January 8, 2018 | Karen

It’s hard stepping out of my comfort zone. Especially to do something I know I’m not good at. It means facing possible correction, rejection, exhaustion, dissatisfaction… it means wanting to quit halfway through, saying it was a mistake, alternating between failure and success and more failure.

I’m at a halfway point now- halfway through extra ministries I started in response to our church’s series on discipleship, on reaching and raising the next generation to live out God’s truth.

And I’m tired. Sometimes I see only small successes- like getting my 5th grade girls to stay seated for our whole lesson (I confess, the only way I accomplish this is by bribing them with candy 😬). I see others who are much more gifted in these ministries than myself. And I confess, when combined with recent illness over Christmas break and a sudden increase in both hours and stress at work, I’ve found myself thinking that next year, I’m not going to do so many ministries- I’m just going to do my paid job and take care of my family, that’s it.

And yet, when I feel like giving up, I feel like God is saying this time it’s NOT like times in the past where I have overcommitted myself because I couldn’t say no, and so I SHOULD quit some things- this time I spent time in prayer before committing to each of these areas, and I feel like He’s saying to honor my commitments, press in and do my best, to keep running this race with endurance. “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.” Hebrews 12:12

God reminds me of how He loves using us who are weak- like jars of clay holding precious treasure- so it will be obvious to others that it’s God (and not us) who gets the credit and glory for anything good in our lives.

Lord, please help us to keep pressing on to do the ministries we feel You want us to do. Let us find renewed strength as we wait on You. Work in us and through us to bless and encourage others in ways that it’s obvious You are the One who deserves all the glory. Thank You for my weaknesses because I know that You can use these to show Your great strength and power. Amen. < em>

Simple

January 6, 2018January 6, 2018 | Karen

This time of year, we are surrounded by big plans. Plans to exercise, diet, pay off debt, clean, do more, be more… And honestly, it’s exhausting. The mindset of taking on a whole new year at once, when I’m struggling to not worry about how I will accomplish all that’s due just next week.

The longer I live this life, the more convinced I am that its beauty and depth lie in the simple things. Though we make big plans, all we have is this moment. This breath. This day.

When I pry my mind off tomorrow (or this week or this year) and back to today, I find myself taking care to speak with less rush to my children, to appreciate a warm house on a cold day, to converse with an elderly gentleman while we wait for our carry-out lunches, and to savor a simple meal shared with family.

Though I have much about myself I’d like to fix with a New Years’ Resolution, I know that my own efforts will not make it past March. So for now I’m sticking with a simple plan instead.

Last year, at our pastor’s prompting, I asked God to give me a single word that was His goal for me in 2017. He did, as well as a single word to pray for my husband and sons individually. They each knew what I was praying for, and we could all see God doing great work in answering those prayers throughout the year.

This year, I asked God to give me a simple Bible verse to pray- one for myself, one for my hubby and each son. And my plan is this- simply pray and obey, each “today” that I’m given. And trust that God will be faithful to answer and develop in each of us what He most wants for us in 2018.