It Is Well With My Soul

It's an unopened box and I'm shaking as I untie the strings of 2016. It's not trepidation, but excitement that quakes me. I have the certitude that my future is already covered by God, long before I was born, and I need only to know His will and walk in His ways to find success. Nothing happens to me that has not already passed through His hands. Years ago when I lay curled in fetal position in depression and heartache, I begged the Lord to heal my spirit and fast-forward me to the day I'd once again feel His joy. I knew it would come. I knew my God had me in the palm of His hand. I knew He was the lifter of my head. That's what kept me going and that's what allows me to stand on the brink of a new year and say, It is well with my soul. Where do you want to take me, Lord?

Skating at the arena my sister Hilary rented for all of us! (Even though I have no photos of her :(  Also missing from the pics are Mom and Bruce.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've exchanged "Happy New Year" about a hundred times--which is a good thing. But the sound of it becomes tiring and loses meaning after about the 37th time. What is it exactly that we are wishing? I think we desire that everyone we love or meet, who is cordial and returns the phrase, does experience happiness in the year that lies before them. But, the happiest of years are those in which one can say, It is well with my soul. They know to Whom they belong and where they are ultimately going (even if they don't know what tomorrow holds). So, Happy New Year, friends... I wish and pray that you know the peace and joy of Jesus in your heart and that 2016 is a year you look back on and see evidence of how He led you and how that made all the difference!

Day Twenty: Jesus Take The Wheel!

"Just leave it in God's hands." I hated that phrase...and it was used a lot as I grew up in the church. What exactly does that look like anyway? I didn't get it. I knew about prayer, I prayed, but sometimes the Christian-ese just didn't suffice. Something sounding a little like Carrie Underwoods's Jesus Take the Wheel echoes in my mind. 

So what taught me to stop worrying and to trust God with my concerns? Reading Scripture. Memorizing Scripture. Hearing Scripture by great pastors, teachers, women's group leaders, video studies, etc. The Holy Spirit makes the Word of God alive to us and in us. The truth of it sinks down into our souls when we know it. The Bible is sharper than any two-edged sword and it's that word that assures us the Lord has our lives in His hands. There is nothing to fear or be anxious for when we know we can pray with the stories, poetry, prophesies, teachings and letters of Scripture to remind us we're not alone. God's got our backs and our present and our eternity are safe with Him. I'm certainly not a perfect example of peace and rest during difficult times, but in the depths of my soul I get it now. There is really no sense in fretting when I humbly tell the Lord that I can't do this thing on my own and I'm trusting Him to be in control. His way is the best way and somewhere in that tunnel is a Light that will get me exactly where I need to go in this life--He's got the wheel.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all the things I said to you. (John 14:26)

"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

 Thanksgiving weekend

Keep Calm, Eh?

December looked a little like this photo for me. I so desired to blog and catch up on recording our lives (it's a place I like to dump at the end of a day). But, alas, the busyness did get the better of me. The Lord and I have had some talks lately about how I let the Christmas season sweep away my joy for awhile. I ached for the Truth to flood our holiday time, for quiet Advent readings and children who willingly set aside their bickering and offered to lovingly pack the Christmas boxes for kids in need. When that wasn't happening perfectly, when the rehearsals and obligations and shopping robbed our time, I begged God to fast forward me to January. Sound negative? I'm ashamed to admit I didn't learn from last year and my attitude was often less than festive... less than godly. In reality, the Truth could have calmed my spirit and changed the atmosphere of my heart and home. I didn't allow it. I preferred the inner tantrum and complaining. It felt good to rant now and then. Kind of good. Not really.

 

Oh, but there were some glorious moments, like the laughter at the in-laws' dinner, the warmth of an open invitation for anyone to come to my mom's, the precious tiny person entrusted to us who relentlessly causes us to evaluate ourselves--and giggle hysterically. I aim to add the photos of some of those gifted moments below, but, I want to be clear to myself and to any reader, that our amazing Jesus, who came as a baby, lived, loved, healed, died and rose again for our eternal life is more than able to redeem lost Christmases. He alone can wipe away the icky humbug feeling and draw us again to His perfect peace.

 

I bought my Canadian friend, who lives in the U.S., a candle with the label, "Keep Calm, Eh?" She loved it since she's sprinkling her cottage in Canadian décor. It certainly made me think how simple the message truly is for the Believer: keep calm! Jesus offers peace to those who sit and ask and receive it without running off and absorbing all the demands and negativity and then wondering why He hasn't delivered. I'm stopping the crazy now and resting in Him. A little late for Christmas, but never too late for my life.

 

Gratitude (because thankfulness always results in joy):

  

1686. for nativity reminders like this camel and other animals at our nursery during the Christmas season

1687. for toddlers who are learning to share

1688. the way she loves the last of our Barbies

1689. the pancake audience

1690. for first snowballs

1691. finding lost items :)

1692. when the weather report says it'll all be gone tomorrow... we must build!

1693. for this book's inspiration

1694. the way she walks and walks, to keep up her strength, even if it hurts

1695. glorious snow!

1696. how she tries on every outfit, costume, tu-tu we own

1697. squeezing into one chair together

1698. impromptu selfies--constantly around here :)

1699. making winter memories for this tiny being

1700. weekly library visits

1701. how she thought I needed a new tea mug and took it into her own hands :)

1702. actually attaining that biggest of icicles

1703. new Sunday dress and her saying, "Oh! Tangtoo!" (thank you)

1704. bringing home other people's kids nearly every Sunday after church

1705. how she thinks she's so hysterically funny--she's right!

1706. giving her every little moment my own children enjoyed

1707. various ways for keeping little hands busy

1708. slumber parties with cousins

1709. the way they lovingly care for her and give me a break

1710. swimming lessons for homeschoolers during the day (Oliver's level using vests for rescue practice)

1711. how he takes pleasure in calming her with a bedtime story

1712. visit with Julie to growing Ali and her new little brother, Jonathan

1713. reunions with Mommy

1714. dinner out with my oldest girls

1715. how these three play hard, cry hard and love deeply

1716. how she loves to carry this little "sister" everywhere

 1717. peeking at big sister's dance class through the window and how she tries to copy what she's seen

1718. smiles simply due to mutual love

1719. going many more times around when no one's there because you're the owner's son :) 

 1720. how she's waited for this moment since riding in the summer

 1721. yelling to our girls as they happily jumped and danced in the parade for two hours

1722. how she found him--when I had no intention of finding him--and leaped into his arms

 1723. how I returned to this after taking a break from looking for that perfect item

 1724. the way we snuggle more when we're all sick (and that face behind)

 1725. dropping her off for the youth retreat and how excited she was 

1726. for future staff :) 

 1727. for great youtube videos in dealing with this crazy, beautiful hair

 1728. for this concert that made it feel a little bit like Christmas

 1728. how he fell off the couch and stayed asleep

 1730. the way she delicately placed the ornaments rather than the usual toddler way

 1731. finally getting the tree up (later than usual)

 1732. attending her short film premiere downtown

 1733. another year of the great-aunts' and uncles' reading The Night Before Christmas and signing their name to the inside cover

1734. finding pics like this one on my phone 

 1735. Meg's guy friends from church and their respectful, helpful, worshipful qualities

 1736. Meg's girlfriends from church and their fun-loving, loyal, encouraging qualities 

 1737. how he still wraps up homemade things and how she's still excited to receive them

 1738. windy December walks

1739. how this one is growing up quickly after a lovely late blooming time (both gifts)

 1740. building together

 1741. how he brought home gifts for all of us after his trip 

 1742. and how she carried hers around for a long time and shoved everything she could fit in there  

 1743. yearly photo holding stockings knit by Great-Mama

 1744. soon-to-be sisters-in-law and how our nephew proposed by her dad's grave, recording him asking for her hand (all of us in tears during the story) 

 1745. helping her momma with her first tree

 1746. for meeting these two--God's hand in it all

 1747. the joy of toddler play all over again

 1748. gym time with some homeschool families

 1749. how she pretends she doesn't like it but then continues to lick the bubbles

 1750. how Grandma and Grandpa took a whole load of grandkids to see the Snow White play (with dwarves here) 

1751. third Christmas with this momma

1752. how her partner went on a trip and she was brave enough to sing alone 

 1753. clown cartwheels from a natural

 1754. how the little ones never fail to entertain

1755. for her sweet, soft voice and how she's never nervous

1756. catching up on Advent reading through the busyness (so worth it, even if it's off schedule)

 

Hmmm... with all this gratitude, I'm beginning to think it was a fabulous Christmas season after all.