Laurie's Everyday Notions

Years ago....June 2012 to be exact..... while at the hospital bedside of my daughter , I cried "Heal her!" which was followed with as much conviction, "Thy will by done". And I meant it. The Holy Spirit equipped me to pray for God's will and not my own. The Holy Spirit equipped me to pray that whatever the outcome, he alone would be glorified. photo credit: Tessa Rampersad Since that time, "thy will be done" isn't as easy to pray when going about my normal, everyday life. How was it that I was able to so easily submit the future to his hands when I was facing my hardest days. Not by my power but by His. The past couple of weeks, as I prepared emotionally for the celebration of my youngest's 18th birthday, I've been revisiting this need to release my child into the hands of God. I've spent too many moments wondering if I've done my job in preparing my son for adulthood. I've spent too much time being anxious for his future...

While in Guatemala with World Help our team was introduced to the many needs in the areas in which we visited. Building a church Building an addition on an overcrowded school Building a home At hearing each need my heart would ache as I desired to do something. My head swarmed with ideas on how I could help yet when I returned home those dreams ceased as I busied myself with my own life of work, managing a home, homeschooling and a too busy schedule. Soon my dreams and desires were replaced with thoughts of inadequacy. How can this work-at-home mom possibly do something of this magnitude?  Yet shouldn't my faith allow me to dare to dream? I've been reminded that nothing is impossible for God and if it be His will, He will make my dreams a reality. But Jesus looked at  them  and said to them, “With men this is  impossible , but with God all things are possible.” Matt. 19:6  So I'm daring to dream again and praying that God equips me to do mor...

When my son was little I tried to teach him the value of sincerity when he'd apologize. I also taught him that apologizing was like a promise, a vow to never again offend in the same manner. My mantra for those moments was, "Sorry means that you'll never do it again!" Although my intentions were good, I see now that my mantra was lacking grace. We fail. Each and every one of us.  "there is none righteous, no not one!" (Romans 3:10) Often we continue to fail. So many times I've gone to bed praying, "Oh, God, I blew it...again! I held negative thoughts toward my husband, I lost my patience with the kids, I forgot to talk to you all day!" Somehow instead of God saying, "Laurie, sorry means you'll never do it again!", I imagine he'd give me a tight squeeze and say, "Child, we'll try again tomorrow." It's amazing that he hasn't given up on me.  Just as God has given me second chances that are smother...

Some fears are obvious. Fear can present itself through that queasy feeling I get when I'm peering over a cliff. Heights have a tendency to do that to me. Sky diving, bungee jumping and the like are not activities I care to pursue.  I also have a fear of speaking in front of people, whether it be a crowd of five or fifty, I somehow get tongue twisted as I feel my ears turning a bright shade of red; my hands and voice begin to tremble ever so slightly.  Other fears are not so obvious. They creep in, just like Satan did in the garden, whispering doubt. Doubt of self but mostly doubt of God's faithfulness, His power, His goodness. These fears have a tendency to steal joy and crush faith.  Fear is a result of not fully relying on God for my every need. Fear is my lack of ability to give up my tightfisted need to control my own life so that I may place my life completely in His hands. My fear tells God (and others) that I don't trust Him. Yet I know well tha...

PHOTO CREDIT Proverbs 31:25  Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Yoga pants, t-shirt and a ponytail. Yep, that's how I'm clothed most days. Somehow I see the Proverbs 31 woman looking a lot different than me. She's put together with every hair in place, a light touch of make up and a pretty blouse without coffee stains or spit-up shoulders. But maybe the descriptions of her have much more to do with her attitude than her dress. Her beauty within spills over and radiates to create an outward beauty.  She stands tall but is humble. She is majestic in her simpleness.  She is strong in her convictions and isn't afraid of hard labor but her hands are gentle and she cries with those who are in need.  She is dignified but not proud.  She is gracious, full of integrity, kind, giving....ah, the list goes on! I think that all these characteristics are simply proof that she is a daughter of the King as she shines H...

Some days words aren't necessary. Some days I just need to be still and rest in Him.

I love how one word can bring to mind a memory, a verse, a song. This morning as I read the Five Minute Friday prompt word, the melody of an old, seemingly forgotten hymn filled my thoughts. Words which comfort, Words which give hope. Because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future My life is worth living just because He lives When my works hours and my caring for my family hours and when almost all of the calendar boxes are filled with scribbles I find comfort in knowing that He will provide rest. The  Lord  replied, “My Presence  will go with you, and I will give you rest.”   Exodus 33:13 When the expenses exceed the income and it seems the budget can not be stretched any thinner, I find comfort because I know He is a God who provides. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  Phil 4:19 When the "tomorrow worries" a...

This morning as I looked at this picture, a picture of the beautiful Guatemalan mountains, my first thought was "the mountains are his, the rivers are his...." I thought this phrase came from a verse or worship song but on further investigation I learned that this phrase was one I had sang many times during my years of working with the children's Sunday School. It may be a simple children's song but oh what beautiful truths it holds! My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do. The mountains are His, the rivers are His, the stars are His handiwork too. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do. We are in his mighty hands! For behold,  He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to man what his   thought  is,  And makes the morning darkness,  Who treads the high places of the earth— The  Lord ...

Funny, no sad really, that in the everyday struggles I've stopped hearing His voice. I begin to rely on on only my self to get through each day. Yet when I faced the really hard days, those days spent by a hospital bed, I knew I could get through each day by leaning into Him. That's when I heard His voice. As I sat by my daughter's side, not knowing what the following days would bring, I could only pray. In those prayers my words where transformed by the Holy Spirit as I prayed, "May all this bring glory to you, Father. May your will be done." These were not words of a strong woman with extraordinary faith. These were words the Holy Spirit whispered to me, a woman who knew her strength rested in her Heavenly Father. I sought Him each morning in the hospital gardens, sitting on a bench as my legs threatened to give way, the sobs would come and my prayers would be lifted. As sobs subsided I'd feel his comforting arms and hear His whispers in the soft June ...

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form, and void; and darkness  was   on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." Genesis 1:1-2 He took nothing and formed something. The earth, with it's deserts and mountains, with it's valleys and streams, with it's magnificent oceans and beautiful rain forests......all of it create d. Created from nothing. Created by a mighty and powerful Creator. If He could create such beauty, just think what He is capable of creating in me. I am nothing but He created me. He created me for something much better, much bigger than nothing. I grasp on to this, holding tight, on days when I am drowning in the seemingly  mundane tasks of everyday life.  I cling tight to the hope that He is using me even in the simple tasks of folding laundry and preparing meals, sweeping the floor and dusting the furniture. He strengthens me ea...

I grew up in small town in Iowa, just two doors down from an amazing woman. She wasn't glamorous nor did she have a job with a fancy title that required a fancy degree. She was just Madeleine; housewife, mother and Jesus-follower. I know that she loved Jesus because of the way that she loved others. Madeleine was the one who led me to Christ that summer so long ago at Vacation Bible School. She was the adult that I could have gone to if I had something that I "couldn't discuss" with my mother. I don't think I ever did but it sure was comforting knowing that there was someone that I could trust with anything. She was somebody that I could count on.  Today Madeleine is having a mastectomy. After suffering for the past years from a debilitating disease (Parkinson's) she now has breast cancer. Tears flow down my face as I think of this sweet, caring, selfless woman and the suffering that she has endured over the past years. Thoughts of "it's NOT F...

Last week I did a little craft project with the daycare kiddos. I did the first cross painting to model for the children how to create this water painted cross. As I showed them the importance of using just the right amount of water - not too much and not too little, we talked about Easter. I opened with the question, "Why do we celebrate Easter? What is it all about?" Responses varied but most had to do with the Easter bunny. Instead of getting discouraged I instead agreed with them (hold on here), "Yes, part of our celebration includes the Easter bunny. We sometimes add things to holidays to make them fun. At Christmas we have Santa and at Easter we have a bunny but......Why do we celebrate Christmas? Whose birth do we celebrate?" They all cheerfully exclaimed, "JESUS!" "Yes, Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus! Does anyone know who Easter is really about?" One boy hesitantly said, "Jesus?" "YES! It...

Where you go, I'll go Where you stay, I'll stay When you move, I'll move I will follow you Who you love, I'll love How you serve I'll serve If this life I lose, I will follow you,  I will follow.... As I sang these words in church this weekend, I cupped my hands towards the heavens; giving God my offering, yet my mind quickly was diverted with a thought.  Will I go, stay, move, love, serve? Have I? Am I following God with a heart that is completely willing to follow WHERE EVER I am called? Will I love EVERYONE? Even those who hurt me or harder yet, love those who hurt those I love so dearly. Will I move -- jump when God says jump? With no hesitation and with a willing heart? Will I serve even if it means that I have to so when it's not convenient to my schedule? My hands say, "Here I am, God, use me" yet my heart holds back, unwilling to give myself completely to the God who has given me everything.  ...

Busy crafting week ~ chalkboard gift tags, soap and candles Today my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Last week I wrote a post about my dreams, my worries, my faith (or lack thereof). In writing that post , a post that I had no intention of writing, God spoke to me. He clearly pointed out my lack of faith and reminded me of how faithful HE is! My attitude changed and I'm seeing His hand orchestrate something very beautiful. I got over my pity party, gave my dreams...and worries to Him and got busy. :) I looked around the house for income generating ideas. I re-posted a few of items on a local Facebook "for sale" site, items which I had posted several times over the past 5 months. All were sold within an hour! And yesterday I was blown away. I had a book that was in excellent condition so I decided to try selling it on Amazon. After listing my item I noticed that there was over 200 other people listing the same book! I almost deleted my listing. 24 hours afte...

This weekend didn't go quite as planned. You see, in Minnesota we have "MEA weekend" every October. This is a four day weekend for public school students and one that we've taken advantage of for several years (even if we are homeschoolers). I usually take the time off and take my boy on an extended field trip. In 2008, my son and I traveled to Hannibal, MO to explore the childhood home of Mark Twain. In 2009 my stepson was attending Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI so in lieu of a field trip, hubby, The Boy and I went for a visit. The following week my son went to Disney World with my parents (lucky kid). My dad and The Boy, Disney 2009 In 2010 we decided to stay a little closer to home. We took a Wisconsin road trip, stopping at neat places along the way and ending up in Eau Claire, WI. We stayed in a hotel that was sandwiched between an awesome water park and a super cool "fun center" (laser tag, arcade games, batting cages and...

Psalm 145 I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2  Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3  Great  is  the  Lord , and greatly to be praised; And His greatness  is  unsearchable. 4  One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. 5  I [ a ]  will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. 6  Men  shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. 7  They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. 8  The  Lord   is  gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. 9  The  Lord   is  good to all, And His tender mercies  are  over all His works. 10  All Your works shall praise You, O  Lord , And Your saints...

are my blessings. Today my eyes were drawn to my many blessings......... I spent a few hours cleaning the house and as I washed windows and chased dust bunnies I thought of how blessed I am to have a home to clean. Cleaning was followed by grocery shopping to get food for the week. Again, blessed. Tonight I attended church with my husband, my daughter, my son and my son's friend. As I looked down the aisle at my family I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude. Church was followed by a "date" with my daughter (the boys went to youth group and hubs went home). Breanna and I browsed Hobby Lobby searching for knitting needles (no luck) and smelling every candle (we chose Baked Apple Pie). Before picking up the boys we stopped for pie. :) I love spending girl time with my daughter and am so thankful for her! Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.  Ephesians 3:20 Thank y...

I will praise  You,   O   Lord , with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. 2  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High Psalm 9:1-2 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 Early in the morning  can't wait to meet You once again I sing a new song awake my soul awake the dawn Shout aloud to the Lord  with all my soul I sing praise our King  hallelujah I will rejoice in the Lord always in everything I will rejoice in the Lord always oh, i will sing (to You) Everyday is a new day  so I will dance and celebrate it oh, what a joy it is every teaching be the same I will sing of Your mercy  I will sing of Your mercy over me I will sing of Your goodness I will sing of Your goodness over me I will sing of Your mercy  I will sing of Your mercy over me I will sing of Your goodness forever, forever