Rowdy with Four: April 2015

A Storm is Brewing

7:34 PM

This past Sunday we had a bad storm to hit our homestead. My hubby was mowing while I was preparing for Kingdom Kids when I received a message from my sister in law…Are you watching the weather? Bad storms are coming your way.

Taking it very lightly, I go out and tell my hubby to check the weather. Next thing I know he's telling us to get in the hallway. Still not taking it very seriously, I took my time getting us all to the hallway. Mattresses were ready. He could see the wall cloud. He was telling me we still had time to get out of dodge. Nah, I thought.

Then I received a message from our school…anyone needing to seek shelter from the storm may do so at the secondary school. Okay, so this totally got my attention. This must be more serious than I thought. My hubby said we still had time to load up and get out of the path of the storm that was coming straight for us. I said, yes! We loaded up quick.

This is the picture I took about 4 miles from our house…At that moment I was thankful we didn't stay!

Once the storm passed we went home. We pulled up to find our yard covered in egg size hail. Our vehicles covered in dents with broken windshields. We could only imagine the damage our roof had. It was bad. I woke up that night to a wet puddle at my feet…I THOUGHT I WET MY PANTS! No, we had a leak in our bedroom and discovered many more.

We were excited that our chicken coop withstood the storm and their wasn't a feather harmed on our ladies. I looked at my garden and it didn't look too bad. I still saw lots of green. Then tonight, four days later, I finally had the chance to work intending to pull weeds. No. My garden had been hit hard. Now up close, I could see the beating my plants took from the hail storm.

Wednesday night at church our pastor asked…What type of events really rattles people's faith? So many things were listed…divorce, addictions, illness, loss of a family member, loss of a job…I'm sure you have your own personal trial you can call your tornado of life.

The next question was…Have you ever seen God bring good out of a bad situation? Yes. I immediately thought of my best friend. Her son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of two. If that's not a storm, I don't know what is. That's enough to shake anyone's faith. Oh, but the good that came out of it. A non-profit Christian organization that ministers to families diagnosed with pediatric cancer. So much good God is bringing from this difficult storm they endured.

Friends, are you going through a storm? Are you being beat down? Can you barely stand? Know there is a God ready to care for you and tend to your every need. He is our Rock of Refuge. Trials can have so many purposes…strengthen our faith, prune us, draw us closer to God. Whatever the reason, I do know this…GOD CAN BRING GOOD FROM ANYTHING. God can use your greatest pain to become your greatest ministry.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have a full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-3

I'd like to share these assurances in the storm by Pastor Dace…

1.) God loves us and is for us.

2.) God is in control of all things.

3.) We come to know God in a deep way during trials.

4.) God has good for us, not bad.

Finally, I am here for you.

chickens

There's No Love Like the Father's Love

10:48 PM

Who's awake at midnight, unable to sleep, writing a blog, crying over the loss of her three dead chickens? Me!

Tonight was suppose to end with excitement and joy. The kids went with us to feed the ladies for the first time in their new coop. After we fed them, we began to count...always ending on 27 instead of 30.

Where could they be? We found them behind the brooder. Dead. How this happened? We haven't a clue. Honestly, I was in shock. To my surprise, I didn't shed a tear like I did the night before over an injured chicken.

When Ethel came flapping towards my face, I shooed her back into the brooder. That's when I noticed her butt was being pecked and blood was everywhere. I quickly grabbed her, we doctored her, I talked sweetly to her, and placed her in a separate brooder to heal once again.

Although she was okay, I immediately cried. I felt horrible. Horrible for shooing her back in. Horrible for not checking on her earlier. Horrible that she was in pain. I know what your thinking...THEY'RE JUST CHICKENS! To you they are just chickens.

To me they are the little chicks I brought home when they were just a few days old. I've cared for their needs each day. I've watched them through every stage. From the box brooder in my living room to the tin brooder in my garage, and now to the coop. They are mine! I have plans for them.

So now in bed, I weep over my dead chickens. I understand if you think that's silly, but I'm created in the image of my Father. I'm created to love. AND I love my chickens.

As I consider my love for my chickens, I can only imagine the love my Heavenly Father has for me. He knew me before I was in my mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5). He's been with me through every stage. He cares for me. He loves me. My hurts are His hurts. He bares my burdens. He has plans for me. But most Importantly, He weeps. He weeps for me and He weeps for you.

Do you take God's love for granted? I know I do. Most importantly do you know His love? Where would I be without the love of my God? My Savior? My Jesus? I'm thankful for my Father's love and the plans He has for me as His beloved child.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11-13

ministry to women

Women and Wild Hogs…Silly I Know

3:24 PM

Tuesday was our Women’s Ministry meeting at church. After the meeting, we serve the widows of our community a lunch and play bingo. I signed up to bring a ham. My family does brag how yummy my ham taste.

I like to cook my hams in the crockpot. I sprinkle brown sugar on the bottom of the crockpot, place the ham in it, add some more brown sugar on top of the ham, top with some sliced pineapples, and cook on low for three to four hours. Now you know my secret.

Well, my ham just didn’t turn out like I thought it would. See I thought you could kill a wild hog in your backyard, gut it, process it, throw it in the crockpot and bam you got a ham. Ummm, no! Apparently there is a process that makes the ham ‘pink’ like a store bought ham. Silly, city girl here is still learning.

Okay, so panic set in. I couldn’t take a ham that looked like brisket to the meeting when they were expecting a ‘pink' ham. What would they think of me? I was suppose to be at the church by nine to help set up. It was now eight and I had no idea what to do. Feeling like the biggest loser, I called my husband to see if he could just pick up some chicken tenders from Chicken Express. He didn’t know if he would be able to leave work or not. Ugh!!! What to do?

I decided to chance it. I cleaned my crockpot out, dumped some more brown sugar in the bottom, and threw it in the car. Now ten past eight, I raced to the town’s small grocery store praying they would have a small ham. They did. Pineapples, too! I made it to the church right at nine, threw it all in the crockpot, and helped set up.

The thing is I found myself stressed about the silliest thing. A 'pink' ham! Worried what the women would think of me. If someone else had brought a ham that wasn’t pink, I wouldn’t have thought a thing about it, but I was so worried about that one woman that would criticize my wild ham. Silly, silly, silly. I know!

Unfortunately, we speak wildly with our tongue. Speaking freely what is on our mind about the other woman that is not present. We speak and hear these comments and know we are not an exception. We could be the next woman that is criticized.

“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

He reminded me that it’s not about what others see or think of me. He sees my heart and that’s all that matters. I need to be myself. I won't be able to please everyone, but I can please the one that matters. It also encourages me to speak words of kindness, building women and others up. I will continue to work on taming my wild tongue and being the woman God has called me to be.

A Rule that Punishes the Innocent Child

2:41 AM

Yesterday morning was one of those mornings to say the least. I left the school crying and still had tears when I arrived home. Has your child ever been punished for something completely out of their control?

Arriving late to school for the second time in six weeks, the secretary informed me my first grader would have to sit out at recess. What could I say as my little one questioned...why do I not get recess? We are never tardy. I can count on one hand the tardies we've had all year. All I could do was cry...I'm so sorry. This is Mommy's fault not yours...as I walked my boys to class.

This rule upset me. I immediately emailed the principal requesting an explanation on the purpose of a rule that punishes the innocent child. I'm the one that deserved to be punished not him. Punish me!

The principal called promptly that morning. He explained the purpose behind the rule. Which I knew why...to encourage the parents to get their kids to school on time. The true purpose of my email was clear...I DON'T LIKE YOUR RULE!

He went on to explain the rule and how he didn't like it either. But rules are rules that have to be followed, no exceptions. Because the rule had been broken, the price had to be paid. He did give me some alternatives.

Option one I could come up and sit with him in the office during recess. Haha! I'm sure I'd be late again dragging a 6 month old, 2 year old, 3 year old, and 4 year old along with me. Not to mention the complete chaos there would be once we arrived.

Option two he could eat lunch in the principal's office instead of missing recess. This was the older elementary punishment and it didn't sound much better. He'd be singled out. He assured me though that my son would not feel he was being punished. He could bring a book to read or something to work on when he was finished eating. This is the option I went with.

My husband didn't have to go into work until one, so this gave me some time to go work in my garden and meet with God. I was still so broken over my child being punished for what was my fault.

God reminded me of another rule...For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - Romans 6:23.

UGH! In that moment, I felt ashamed for taking my sins so lightly. I see them as small, but God seems them as big with consequences. A price that has to be paid. My Jesus, innocent, that I say I love, died on the cross in my place. Taking the punishment that was mine. Why am I not as broken as I am with my own innocent child?

I'm reminded...You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20

This challenges me to strive to be more like the one that paid it all, my Jesus.

doubt

Faith Like a Mustard Seed

12:39 PM

Saturday morning I was full of doubt. When my dad talked with uncontrollable tears, the words began to burn deep down in my soul…the worst case it is cancer… best case he will have a trac and feeding tube for an extensive recovery. Is that really best?

Recently my sister and her husband took in three siblings that they love as their own. You would just have to know my brother in law. He's a big grizzly bear with a bigger heart. These little blessings call him Daddy. That says so much about the man he is.

Fear. My mind immediately began to imagine the worst that morning. All I could do was cry. Losing him. It scared me. I just didn't understand how God could or would allow that to happen. I sent out prayer request to my closest friends and family.

I know God has a purpose for everything. He works through circumstances. Unable to sleep Saturday evening, I googled verses on worry. And God began to comfort me through His word as I prayed for His glory to rain down...

Sarah,

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

In power,

God

And that was that. God replaced my anxieties with peace. He simply spoke to my heart…if I can deliver Daniel from the lion's den, the three from the fiery furnace, my people from the Egyptians; can I not deliver your brother in law? Am I not the same God? YES, YOU ARE, GOD!!! A little seed of faith was planted.

Surgery is over. God is good! No cancer. The lesion that was seen on Friday is not there. No trac. No feeding tube. He may even come home today. I'm reminded today even Great people of faith sometimes doubt. But God! He only ask for just a little faith. Faith like a mustard seed.

iron sharpens iron

Three Times a Charm: God is REAL

8:16 AM

Jesus answered, "The most important is this…

the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

Mark 12:29-30

After reading this verse in bed last night, God spoke to my heart. Am I real? Do you really believe? Why do you love me? All I could do was simply cry over and over…Yes, Lord...Thank you, Lord.

Yesterday, was a pretty busy day working in my garden. I got done just in time to pick the kiddos up from school. I had my evening planned out as well. The plan was to eat an early dinner so my husband and I could get back outside to work on completing our chicken coop.

As soon as I got home, I started cooking hot dogs. That's when the phone rang. It was one of my new dear friends that has a weekly Bible study at her house on Tuesday evenings. She had invited me to attend before, but I knew that it was not in God's will for me at this time. God wants me to focus on my children, husband, and home in the evenings. I explained this to her when she initially invited me. She understood completely, but God put it on her heart for her to call me and invite me for this particular study. She was acting in obedience.

We finished dinner, I worked outside for a bit, got homework done, bathed the littles, and then I was off to the Bible study. Praying the whole way…God, speak to me. Show me why you want me here tonight. Use me.

Arriving late, we got right into the study. She handed everyone a devotional sheet. To my surprise, it was Rick Warren's Transformed in My Spiritual Health. This would not be the first or second time for me to see this video. It would be the THIRD!

As she was starting the video, I felt God telling me to go and read through my March 2014 prayer entries. God stopped me on this one...

The video began to play, so I began to fill in the blanks once again…

I must Love Jesus supremely.
I must Meet with Him daily.
I must Study and Do His Word.
I must Tithe my income.
I must Love Other Believers.
I must Serve Others Unselfishly.
I must pass on the Good News.

As I filled in the last blank, the tears flowed. God wanted to show me that He answered my entire prayer! The first time I watched this video devotional I had number one, two, and three down. By the time I watched it the second time, I was doing numbers one through five. And now, here I am surrounded by so many healthy relationships, restored in my commitment to God, experiencing revival and doing all seven. Seven, I'm spiritually healthy once again.

Friends, why did God ask me if I believed He is real? Because He wants me to see His hand in EVERYTHING! And, that is why He wants me to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. It's so simple.

How about you? Do you believe God is Real? No, do you really believe? I believe more today than I did a year ago.

Rowdy with Four