Just Five or Six More Summers

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Eight years ago my sister gave me a call and a lady at her work was giving away a twenty one foot round above ground pool to whoever wanted it and that would come and take it down.   There is actually nothing “FREE” about a pool, but it did significantly cut the costs of having a pool for some summertime fun for the kids.  The last couple of summers I have kept in the back of my mind that the liner would soon bite the dust.   This year is the year.  We have had seven full seasons with our “FREE” pool.  We have been weighing the costs of replacing the liner or just taking it down.  The kids still really like it and it is something fun for when they have friends over during the summer.  This prompted us to have a family meeting and to actually listen to each other which I feel is a positive.   Alas whatever the fate of our “FREE” pool my mind has gone to thinking about “just five or six more summers”.   This was my input to my husband as far as lets just replace the liner and get five or six more summers with it because after that the kids will be grown.   In just five or six more summers oh how much our lives will change.  Of course we never know what life surprises God has up his glorious sleeves.   As it now stands our children will be out of high school in that time.  With the normal life expectancy of canines our family dogs will most likely no longer be with us.  We could have a very quiet and empty house in just five or six more summers.

My focus is not actually on the pool, but the memories and time spent together.   It is just merely a tool or a gathering place to make us stop and enjoy time with family and friends.   Adults can hang out and children can swim.  It is time outdoors away from technology.   This of course is hitting at a not so great financial time for us so I am just doing a lot of praying for guidance as to what is best.  No matter what we choose it will cost.

Everything in life has its season.  Each season has its costs and its joys.  This has just been a reminder for me to just enjoy our season and to seek God’s guidance in making our decisions.  It has been a reminder to listen to our children because we have a limited time to invest in their precious lives before they are adults.

Ecclesiastes 3:1  ” There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:”

Survival and Parenting

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They may be hard to see, but there are nine tiny little trees planted in this picture.  We had two trees die in our front yard and am hoping their replacement will thrive.   My father had been a member of the Arbor Club.   He passed in March of last year and the next month 10, actually 11 tiny sticks came in the mail for him from the Arbor Club.  They had sent him free tree starts.  My mom knowing I was wanting to plant some new trees gave them to me.   I planted them in a safer place by our tiny garden as directed.  Seven of those actually survived and I decided to go ahead and put them in a permanent home before they grew too big for me to handle this year.  There are two other trees that seeded in a flower garden that I transferred last fall.   I had counted those trees as dead because the tops of the trees completely died.  Low and behold this spring green springs of life came from lower on the trunks of those trees and they appear to be thriving.

The odds are against these little trees.  My husband and I are not even close to being arborists or arboriculturist.  I know I have made a thousand mistakes in caring for this gift of life already.  My prayer is that they will grow into beauties despite my mistakes and lack of expertise.

This has reminded me of parenthood.  God has entrusted Mike and I with two young lives.   We are not perfect parents.  We have already made thousands of mistakes.  My prayer is that their lives grow into beauties despite the mistakes and lack of expertise.   The trees and our children were created by God.  They are his to begin with.  We are just the stewards.

Like the trees I planted last fall sometimes children can be slow to blossom, make mistakes, seem like they are giving up.  Our job is to be patient, love, encourage, train, provide, and just wait to see what God will turn their life into.  They may have weak branches, but wait to see what the roots they have been given do.

I am so grateful that my creator God is patient, loving, encouraging, trains, and provides for me despite my mistakes.

The Things we Hang on to

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The other day I was searching through my closet and stumbled upon this old dress of mine.  I bought this dress in high school and graduated 24 years ago so it is at least that old.  The last time I put it on and thought of wearing it my youngest daughter and self proclaimed fashion expert told me it looked weird.  She said the dress was cute, but that I looked like an old lady trying to be a teenager in it.  Hey it still fits so personally I think that is half of the battle, but alas I followed the little diva’s advice and hung it back in the closet.  The bright pattern of this dress is what I love most and for some reason I simply can not part with it.  I figure if my husband and I ever get to go to Hawaii I will wear it there.  Even if I am NINETY I shall wear it!!

How many of us have things or areas of our lives we just do not want to give up?  That is the hardest obstacle I think there is for a person to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Satan puts it in our head that we would have to give up too much.  Looking back on my life what I have given to Jesus was what was weighing my life down.  My sins, grudges against others, etc…   When giving him the best of me he even takes that and makes it better.   Giving Jesus my all, the good, the bad, and the ugly has been the best decision of my life.  He gave everything for me, how can I not fully surrender everything to him?

What are you hanging on to?  What is so much more important than a life of freedom, joy, peace, hope, and that is eternal?

Matthew 16:24-26 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.  What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

“But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”

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One thing I love so much about the bible is that every word and sentence has a distinct purpose for God including it.  As a mother reading the four gospels I often find myself paying close attention to Mary.  A simple young woman that God planned to use to change the world.  Just recently I mentioned to the middle school girls in Sunday school how much I loved the verses that say “Mary pondered and treasured these things in her heart”.   There is a specific purpose for Luke chapter 2 to mention that Mary intentionally paused, pondered, marveled, and took time to treasure distinct happenings in the young Jesus’ life.  She knew that his conception was of God and that there was something special and miraculous about this child she bore.  She didn’t have the full picture and understanding until this child grew to a man, died, and rose again of what God’s purpose was for this child.

Little by little Jesus grew and revealed himself and his purpose to Mary.  Each special moment, each little hint of who this son really was, Mary stopped and recognized it.  She kept these moments in her memory until eventually God revealed to her that the son she bore was God in the flesh who had come to save the world from sin.

These scriptures are a reminder for me to stop, ponder, marvel, and treasure the moments in my life that God reveals himself.  Each answered prayer, each “perfect timing”,  each time I see His divine protection, and with every miracle.  He is always there and patiently waiting.  He reveals himself and his plan little bits at a time, as much as my maturity and faith can handle.  I am so grateful for the blessings of those moments.

Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Instead of Bringing “Sexy” back Lets Bring Back Some Mystery

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This gal is far from being a fashionista or new trend setter, but having eyeballs does qualify me on some level in the world of fashion.  The new trend I would love to see is “Mystery is the new Sexy”.   If you find yourself stumbling across “The People of Wal-mart” photos or just take some time to people watch while out and about you are going to pick up what I am putting down real fast.  These thoughts were triggered recently as my life path led me to stumble upon a tube top that happened to be size 3XL.  A mental image of a lady wearing this in a public setting popped into my head and left me feeling disturbed.  Actually if it had been size zero these thoughts would have still been triggered.  There are some articles of clothing that really are not flattering to any body size or type.  This blog is not  meant to be judgmental, but to stimulate thinking on how we present ourselves to the rest of the world.  This blog is not meant toward one gender over the other as men can leave some mystery as well as women.

There has been an article floating around social media that I still have not actually read, but I keep seeing the title that “The dad bod is the new sexy”.  Then there is a photo of a man with a rounded belly, undefined muscles,  with a beverage in his hand.   A mistake I made yesterday was mentioning this to my 45 year old husband.  He walked into our bathroom as I was getting ready for church without his shirt on and triggered my recollection of this article.   As I told him that the dad bod is the new sexy he puffed up his chest, threw his shoulders back and exclaimed “Well then you are married to the sexiest man alive!!”  We had a few laughs, but it continued the thoughts on how much nicer we all look in nice conservatively flattering clothing.

Personally  from my female perspective the more clothes a man has on such as their work uniform, tool belts, a full suit, etc.. the more attractive.   If a man were telling the truth especially when searching for “Mrs. right” the more clothing such as work uniforms, a nice “mystery” providing dress, etc… a woman adorns the more “marriage potential” they have.

No matter what or who we are what we wear does leave an impression on others.  Do we leave a respectful impression with an element of mystery of who we are or is there no mystery that leaves a person really not wanting to know anymore about us?

1 Timothy 2:9-10 “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.”

Mother

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With this being Mother’s Day I have been reflecting all day on the mother God chose to give me.  He could have not planned my life at all or planned for me to be placed in a horrific situation.  Instead He created me and placed me with the most loving and Godly parents a person could wish for.  There are not enough words to describe the humbling gratitude I feel when I think of my parents and my mother specifically on Mother’s Day.  My mother’s own mother passed when my mother was just shy of turning 12 years old.  It was an unexpected death and my mother didn’t get to say “I love you” one last time or good bye.  I truly can’t imagine what she went through yet God got her through without an ounce of anger and bitterness.  There have been many situations in life that I have witnessed her “survive”.  She always continues on with the joy of Jesus radiating from her often as bright as sunbeams.  The unexpected loss of my father being the most recent trial she has endured with tremendous strength, grace, and joy.   Having been a wife for 44 years and a wife of a pastor for the majority of those years her world changed dramatically within just a few moments.   As a retired school teacher she now was left without the “jobs” of wife and pastor’s wife as well. Instead of folding up into a lonely ball of despair I watched this amazing women continue on with her life of selflessness.  She dove right into the lives of my sister’s and my children.  She began volunteering at the elementary school my sister works in investing her time and life into the lives of other children.  She began volunteering at a special ministry of our church that provides counseling and benevolence help.  She partnered up with me in our churches Awana program and helps 3rd and 4th grade girls memorize scripture from God’s Word.  My mother is truly the most selfless person I know.  When it came to clothing or her needs she always made sure my sister and I had what we needed before ever buying for herself.  In fact she still has some of my old sweaters from when I was in high school and still wears them.  Happy to take the “left overs”.

My mother is a true living example of motherhood and how God intended motherhood to be.  Her life has taught me so much more than any schooling of any kind ever could.  She is the most beautiful, loving, God fearing, strong woman that I know.  I will be eternally grateful for my sweet little momma.  What God didn’t give her in stature he gave her in a giant sized heart and faith!!

Proverbs 31:28-30 “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. ‘many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Hey! Guess What!! Wrong is Still Wrong!

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It does not cease to amaze me how society has changed literally at warped speed in my short forty two years of life.  Music has gone from eight track tapes to I-tunes.  If a person had a BIG (twenty four inch)  TV in a box when I was a kid I considered them wealthy.  We had a Twelve inch black and white for my first TV in this life.  Phones were rotary dial with a cord that attached to the wall.  Now we carry small computers for phones and have our face in them all the time.  The school principal use to be able to give kids a spanking if they were acting outside of the standards of ethical behaviors.  (How’s that for a politically correct way of saying “when we were bad”?)  Mom’s were able to stay home with their children.   Children were able to freely ride their bikes all over the neighborhood going from friend’s house to friend’s house. What in the world has happened to us?

Now it is constant bombardment of news media with people screaming about their “rights”.   There are a lot of different weaknesses we have as human beings.  We are tempted toward all kinds of addictions, immorality, evil acts, and sexual sins.  What has blown me away is how sin went from consequences or if it was a lifestyle it was kept private to being in the face of the whole world.  Criminals can get  a lighter sentence if they plead “not guilty” when they obviously are guilty.  It amazes me to hear interviews of a person who is clearly in the wrong making their excuses and actually demanding that others say they are right.  It has become our society.  “I will do what I want and get as many human beings to say I am right as possible.  Maybe I will be able to get a few laws changed to say I am right too!!”

The one true standard that will never change is God’s.  Our society can change all it wants.  We can get as many people to tell us we are right and do what makes YOU happy, but it still doesn’t make what’s wrong right.  Nothing within our human power can wipe away the guilt that we all have.  I write this as a sinner.  There have been countless times in my life that I have been brought to the humbling point of realizing my wrongful ways.  In fact the more I try to live for God and ask him to make me more and more like Jesus the deeper realization I have of my sin.  So many times I have been brought to tears and brokenness realizing how wrong I am.   Then the brokenness turns to gratitude as I realize it is the Grace and Mercy of Jesus that has covered my wrongs and has given me hope and a future.    It is when I admit that I am wrong God teaches and grows me into something so much more.   When we demand that our wrongs are right we miss out on so  much that God has to offer.

At first when I see the news I have to admit that I feel frustrated at all the standards of God’s love and God’s creation being broken.  Then the next feeling is compassion.  I know what it feels like to have the burden of guilt and shame lifted by the blood of Jesus Christ.  I know how it feels to have a hope and a future beyond this life with no shadow of a doubt as to where I will be.  As I look at the world I feel compassion because God has created a desire in me for the whole world to have what I have!!!   No matter what standard or no standards we live by in our life we still will all face that final day when we face God’s final judgment.  God will look upon us and see a sinner covered by the Grace of the Cross OR He will not even be able to look at our sinful person and will cast his rightful judgment on a wasted life.  That will not change no matter what other human beings say, what human laws are passed, and no matter what “we get away with” in this life.  God is still God!

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Awesome Kids

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This evening my youngest and I were driving down our lane and most of the neighbors were on their lawn mowers neatly manicuring their lawns.  This sparked  a meaningful conversation.  She started with the statement “All of our neighbors have yards like a country club.”  My husband and I do our best with the 5 acres we have to manage, but we feel accomplished if we are able to keep our weeds mowed once a week.  I reminded her that most of our neighbors have already raised their children so they have more time and maybe more finances to invest into their lawns.  Then I told her how I would like a perfect magazine cover worthy yard, but what good would that really do?  Grass and weeds will keep growing.  Yard work is never ending like laundry.  It is never really done.  What our priority is right now is raising our two awesome kids.  She asked “We are awesome?”   “The most awesomeness!!”  I replied.  I went on to explain that the yard work will always be there, but that the time we have to invest in helping them to grow into amazing adults is very short.    These sweet conversations are priceless as is the time with our awesome kids!!!

Luke 12:34 “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”

Proverbs 27:23-24 “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.”    Of course there is a bit different context here, but can be applied to investing into our children instead of material things.   We can’t take our yard to heaven, but we can lead our children to Jesus who is the only way to heaven.

Why are we so Sad?

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Our family is currently blessed with having an exchange student from Germany.  We have been looking forward to and preparing for her arrival for several months now.  It has been amazing how helpful everyone in the Lucas household has become since she arrived.  Everyone has been cleaning up after themselves and helping without being asked.  Makes me want to have a house guest all the time actually.  What I am truly seeing play out within my own family is the second command that Jesus gave us.  “Love your neighbor as yourself” Mark 12:31

Another amazing thing is how joyful everyone has been.  There has been no bickering amongst my daughters and we all seem more happy and relaxed.  We are all focused on the comfort and happiness of our guest.

It is amazing how when we love God with all our heart, soul, and strength (Mark12:30) and focus on the needs of others instead of ourselves we become truly joyful.

This has been on my heart since she arrived and our special speaker at our church confirmed this even further today.

Why are we so sad in our country and around the entire world?   Where is our focus most often?  If it is on ourselves we are sad, depressed, and angry.

It is as simple as that.  The more we focus on God, His love, and loving Him with everything we have the more He empowers us to love others sacrificially.   The more we give of ourselves to others expecting nothing in return the greater freedom, peace, and joy we feel.  If you are sad and depressed focus on others.  Find a ministry, a person to show love to without expecting anything for yourself.  Love your family and anyone in your life’s path without any expectations.

The two greatest commands Jesus gave have proven themselves true in my life over and over.  My heart is full as I see what is happening in my family right now.

Mark 10:42-45 “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus taught and showed us how to put God and others first.  The world teaches us to put ourselves first.  God’s way is to put others needs before our own and to put all our trust in Him.  The worlds way leads to sadness God’s way leads to joy!!