At the River

I can still hear her voice as she strummed her guitar and sang. The beautiful alto-earnestness, the love that she held there for the elderly folks who listened, the joy in heart that was so evident. 

She loved Jesus. And she loved those around her. She loved leading the Nursing Home Ministry those seemingly short years ago. 

Evie was a part of my life for so long. We served in church together. We sang together in the choir. She always had a kind word and a smile for me. She was unpretentious. She spoke simply and one knew that she could be trusted. 

Evie loved the Lord with all of her heart. I remember when she asked for help with the Nursing Home Ministry at church and I felt the Lord leading me to be a part of it. 

One of the greatest blessings in my life was being a part of that ministry. We would venture out on (I think) it was a Thursday night and we would mount up in a stuffy elevator to the third floor of one of the local nursing homes. She would lead the small group of people there in hymns with her guitar and then one of the men would give the salvation message. I think that I will always connect the song "Count Your Many Blessings" to Evie. She sang it with such earnestness and one could see that she truly wanted those men and women to come to know the Lord and that she loved them.

Her husband, Bob served on the Missions Committee with me and my sister. I remember his compassionate heart for the lost people of this world and it was a compassion that Evie shared, a compassion that reached out in faith and action.

Evie was a source of encouragement and grace in my life for so many years. Her Christ-like spirit shone so brightly and even in the past years when her health began to fail, she still had a kind word and a hug for those who came into contact with her. 

I heard about her passing into Glory on Thanksgiving day. It was late at night that my husband came into our room and whispered the news and the tears ran down my cheeks into the pillow. 

Evie was gone. Gone from this life, from this shadow, into the brightness of Glory. Glory. And she was, and she is-- with Jesus. Whole. Healed. Beautiful and bright and pure and perfect. 

And I cried because I was left and because I wanted to talk to her just one more time, to hear her strong alto voice just one more time, to see her there in the front of the church strumming her guitar just one more time. To hold the image of her smile there in my heart and to keep it always. 

But I will see her again. Soon. And the words of the old, beloved hymn came to my mind and they soothed my heart and played there--

Shall we gather at the river, 
where bright angel feet have trod, 
with its crystal tide forever 
flowing by the throne of God? 

Yes, we'll gather at the river, 
the beautiful, the beautiful river; 
gather with the saints at the river 
that flows by the throne of God. 
~Robert Lowry

And I know that I will see Evie again--precious, beloved saint--precious, beloved friend--at the river--the beautiful river, flowing with healing and grace from the throne of God.

And we will sing together to Him, when tears are no more and sorrow has passed.

There at the river. With Him. 

I love you, Evie, and I will see you again. 

Written in remembrance of Evelyn, beloved of Him. 


You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical Homemaking, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking Thursday, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Counting My Blessings, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, TGI Saturdays Blog Hop, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, Living Proverbs 31, Sharing His Beauty Blog Linkup, Coffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUp, You're the Star Blog Hop, Homesteader Hop, Fresh Market Friday
  

Sharing the Bread: A Wonderful Thanksgiving Story for Children

I love to read books to my children that "co-inside" with the seasons or holidays that we are celebrating. It's a way to create enthusiasm, excitement, and wonder in a child's heart while introducing them to basic concepts and ideas about a specific subject or time of year. So November means taking out our Thanksgiving books. 

This year, one of the Thanksgiving books that I am reading with my children is Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story. I found this book last year at the library and was so delighted by it that I wrote down the title hoping to purchase it the following year. 

I love the simple, old-fashioned illustrations, the careful attention to detail in words and pictures, the poetic style of this book, and especially the emphasis in the end of the book upon thanking the Lord for His provision. This book is just delightful for all of those reasons and more. It is a wonderful book for families and I am hoping to continue to read it to my children (ages 2 and 4 now) even as they grow a little older. 

Other Thanksgiving books we've been enjoying:

A Turkey for Thanksgiving, by Eve Bunting

Bear Says Thanks, by Karma Wilson

My First Thanksgiving, by Tomie dePaola

My Thanksgiving Prayer, by Crystal Bowman

Thankful Together, by Holly Davis 

What Thanksgiving books have you been enjoying this year? :-)







You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical Homemaking, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking Thursday, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Counting My Blessings, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, TGI Saturdays Blog Hop, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, Living Proverbs 31, Sharing His Beauty Blog Linkup, Coffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUp, You're the Star Blog Hop, Homesteader Hop, Fresh Market Friday

For Prayers Answered, Mercy Given, and Hope

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. "

Psalm 126:3

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end . . . they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness . . ."

My heart is so full this morning . . . full in the knowledge that God answers prayer, that He intervenes on behalf of His precious people, that He is merciful when we come to Him in humility and repentance, that He relents from doing harm. 

My morning glories are still blooming. Blooming in November, now. The day after the last debate, they opened up, gazing at the sky, their brilliant blue reflecting His handiwork and grace. They opened in October. When my heart was so, so heavy about the upcoming election. When my spirit was grieving over the response of many Christians and their attitudes towards it. My heart was broken as I thought about my two little children, sitting with me on that chair by the window as we had our Quiet Time. Thinking of what their future would be under a Clinton Presidency, and what that certainly would entail. My heart was broken. And then, He showed me the morning glories. Three beautiful morning glories and we read that morning the story of David and Goliath and of how the Lord silenced the threats of the enemy with a stone. I felt encouraged. 

And my heart was lifted up by the examples of other believers--some very close to me in my family who were praying earnestly and believed that the Lord would be gracious. Encouraged by the example of some Christian leaders like Franklin Graham, Eric Metaxas, and Wayne Grudem, among others. Encouraged by the witness of our friend William Levi and his family --who demonstrated a strong faith that the Lord would answer the prayers of His people and allow a Trump Presidency, even though it seemed like the odds were against him.

The Lord heard our prayers. The Lord heard the prayers of His people. My heart is filled with so much joy, it is difficult to contain it! I knew the Lord impressing upon my spirit that many--a remnant--were praying and fasting before the Lord about this election. I believed, (at times with a weak hope) that He would answer. He directed me through the time coming up to the election in His Word as I prayed about this to passages that directed me to hope that He would answer the prayers of His people and allow a Trump/Pence leadership. I felt strongly hopeful at times, and then I would see and read about what was going on in social media and become disheartened. But then, He would continue to strengthen my hope through His Word.

I was led by the Holy Spirit to encourage other Christians to vote for a Trump/Pence ticket. I felt nervous about doing so, as I knew that I would come under fire for such a position, but I obeyed the Lord anyway--only by His grace. I could not understand how believers whose concern was a "clean" candidate were casting their vote for a Mormon man (whose doctrines oppose everything that we believe as Christians) who was trying in some small way to sway the results of the election. I came under attack from other believers, I lost "likes" on my page, but I had decided in the beginning when I began my blog that I could not write to please men. If I did, it was not worth writing. That decision early on, has helped to strengthen me through the years to remain focused upon what I believe that the Lord is saying to me to write, no matter the disapproval from other Christians. He has been gracious to me. And this is why I obeyed the Spirit of the Lord regarding this issue and didn't stay silent. 

But I am grateful, so grateful for the other believers who have come up alongside me and encouraged me regarding this election. I am grateful for their prayers, their comments, their hope in our faithful God. 

So many believers across the nation, and possibly in other countries fasted and prayed in the days before the election. Our family joined them, and we experienced the blessing of the Lord answering our prayer in a truly miraculous way. 

The day before the election, the media was reporting a certain win for Hillary Clinton. I was weary and discouraged, trying to hold on to hope. 

And then there was a point yesterday, when I surrendered to God my anxiety over a Clinton Presidency. I accepted it if it were to happen. A strong peace flooded my heart, and I had hope in Him. 

I didn't listen to the news until later that night; at that point I was expecting to hear that Hillary Clinton was winning easily. 

But when we listened, she wasn't. 

And the rest is history.

The rest is a miracle.

The rest is God answering the prayers of His humbled people. 

I am so grateful to the Lord. I praise Him with all of my heart. 

He is truly a merciful Father who does not treat us as our sins deserve.

Because we deserved a Hillary Clinton Presidency.

And yet He gave grace.

Hallelujah. 

And so I pray that we will use this opportunity, this mercy to spread the Gospel while we still have time left. The darkness is surely coming.  

But the morning, for us now, is at hand. Our citizenship is in Heaven; and yet, He has placed us here surely for a reason--for this time. So may we spread the great news of His salvation to the nations with joy. 

And remember that He has been good to us. 

You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical Homemaking, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking Thursday, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Counting My Blessings, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, TGI Saturdays Blog Hop, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, Living Proverbs 31, Sharing His Beauty Blog Linkup, Coffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUp, You're the Star Blog Hop, Homesteader Hop, Fresh Market Friday

A Call for Prayer for the Upcoming Election

Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God's will.

~Eric Metaxas (biographer of Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

To my beloved, believing friends,

We are fast approaching what may possibly be the most important election in our lifetime. Our religious freedoms are at stake, the lives of the unborn are at stake, our children and grandchildren's futures are at stake, to name just a very few things. I have heard many people say that they just wish that this election would be over. But, my friends, what happens as a result of this election will have lasting and serious repercussions upon our nation and upon our lives, and particularly-- especially-- upon the lives of our precious children. And it will not "be over." Do we care enough to pray, to fast, to plead with our Sovereign Lord for His mercy in this election? I have been so encouraged by the faithful witness of many Christian leaders during this election period. Franklin Graham, Eric Metaxas, and Wayne Grudem are among a few of them. These men have encouraged us to pray, to think, and to act--and to trust the outcome of this election into the loving hands of our Sovereign Lord.  I am grateful for men like them. 

On the other hand, I have been dismayed by the advice of other Christian leaders--to the point where one prominent Christian leader is even advising Christians that it is not commanded in Scripture that they vote. Yes; we are citizens of Heaven--but we have been placed upon this earth for a purpose, and a great part of that purpose is actively combating evil in this world. We have an incredible privilege that many of our persecuted and suffering brothers and sisters in other countries do not have--the privilege of being able to vote against evil and against evil policies. May God help us if we do not make the most of this opportunity while we still have it. And may our freedom to spread the Gospel remain intact. 

I believe absolutely that our Lord is Sovereign, and that He is Sovereign in this election. The outcome is utterly in His hands. And ultimately, we know that He is love and He will deliver us even if it is through the fire. 

But I also believe that He hears the prayers of His people and that He calls upon them to act at crucial junctures (Esther, Deborah, Joshua, and Daniel are just a few examples from Scripture--some positioned in extremely secular nations). I believe with all of my heart that He will not hold us guiltless if we do not act --and if we encourage others also not to act then our consciences before Him are tarnished. 

We have an opportunity to protect our capacity for spreading the Gospel--may we take it. 

I have been very disheartened by the Christian response to this election, quite honestly. Personal vendettas, false piety, and apathy have reigned supreme--May God forgive us.

But I also believe, and sense this through prayer, that there are hundreds upon hundreds of believers crying out to the Lord in all different places to show His mercy to His people regarding this election. There is always a remnant who sincerely cry out to Him--may we be among them! 

And may His will be done. 

I cannot help but think of Tolkien's words from one of my favorite films--and I leave you with them--and with hope--because our God is not a God of despair, but of hope--

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

May we decide well--because the time that has been given to us is precious. As He is. And He is a Father of mercy. 

You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical Homemaking, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking Thursday, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Counting My Blessings, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, TGI Saturdays Blog Hop, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, Living Proverbs 31, Sharing His Beauty Blog Linkup, Coffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUp, You're the Star Blog Hop, Homesteader Hop, Fresh Market Friday