Above is a pic of my youngest daughter and me.
My Husband, My brother in Christ
Without Him, I cannot stand
Leave us not in the condition in which we awoke this morning, but conform us by Your grace to Christlikeness so that we may be vessels fit for the Master's use.-- (Go read Campi's post on Prayer, Contrition and Confession) Also... there is an update below on prayer requests... (see #8)
Another Update: Just when I thought for sure there was enough on my plate, the Lord shows me that there is more surrendering to do... (see prayer request #9)
I am not sure how much time I will have for writing in the next week. I may end up like KIM and try to take a break and end up writing anyway to keep from going insane. So here are the reasons:
1. We have alot of construction projects going on in our home. (enough said, right?)
2. As we do every Thursday, there is Bible Fellowship in our home in which our church and some neighbors come. It is such a joy to have these people walk through my door to spend time in our home worshiping the Lord.
3. Friday morning we have the homeschool classes at our church.
4. Friday night... a church baby shower and then a family hayride from one of the CRNA's that works for my husband.
5. My 2 daughters and I are having a tea party on Saturday. We have invited mothers and daughters from our church, our neighborhood, and from where I went to college in Siloam Springs. We have alot of fun things planned for this tea party and I am looking forward to it.
6. At some point I need to take a Rebif injection (MS therapy) this weekend which typically makes me have the "flu" (body aches, high fever, headaches) for about 14 hours after the injection.
7. I got a phone call from my mother for the first time in 3 years. Actually I have not seen her in 3 years either. She just kind of dropped out of my life again like she has been doing since I was 6 years old. I answered the phone. She said, "Hello, this your mom... or Ann... or whatever you want to call me. Can I come see your family on Saturday?" (the day of the tea party)
8. Please pray for our adopted twin boys. They will be 5 years old this month. They have come a long way. We have had them half their life now. I cannot go into detail about what is going on... the issue is not with the twins (they are doing extremely well), but with the closed adoption and making God-honoring decisions that we must stand by that are in their best interest. We are their parents... their mom and dad and we LOVE them. Enough said.
9. My maternal grandmother is dying of cancer. She is not a believer and hopes, even though I have tried to share the Gospel, that she will get to heaven because she tries to do good things. I know from whence I have come... my grandmother and mother are alot alike. I am amazed by God's grace... and my heart aches for them to know the peace of Christ. In light of eternity, what I have been through with them doesn't matter. I am not defined by my childhood. Though I have learned from my past, I do not live in my past. I cannot. I live in His mercy.
Let me begin with saying how easy it is to write about God's timing being perfect... trusting the Lord in times of plenty and in times of lean... but then, putting feet to my words. hm. I am weak. SO weak. Which makes HIM, Oh SO STRONG! And just as I have to entrust the lives of my children to my Lord... I must entrust the life of my mother to Him also... even though she is an habitual liar, a drunkard and a thief (arrested for shoplifting), she is my mother and God's Word says I must honor her. The story of Noah comes to mind when he got drunk. Remember? He had 3 sons. One who dishonored and mocked his father, and two who honored their father by covering his nakedness... who honored their father even when he was not honorable. (My children will be watching.)
I need prayer for wisdom. My husband has also been voted in as a new Deacon of our church family. Again... I am weak. All I want to do is bring glory to God. Obey my Lord. Honor my husband. I pray I depend fully on Him. Without Him, I really cannot stand.
Comments
Need prayer? You got it.
Posted by: Kim in ON | October 18, 2006 06:12 PM
Thank you, Kim. That means alot to me.
Sincerely,
Lisa
Posted by: lisa4given | October 18, 2006 07:31 PM
Count me in on that prayer as well, girlie. :)
Posted by: Carla | October 18, 2006 08:00 PM
".........Without Him, I really cannot stand."
And to take that further, with Him is really the only way we can stand.
Praying for ya,
Steph
Posted by: littlegal_66 | October 18, 2006 08:25 PM
Carla, Steph and Kim,
I sincerely thank you. I posted these words this week:
Fierce passions discompose the mind,
As tempests vex the sea,
But calm, content and peace we find,
When, Lord, we turn to Thee.
Now the Lord is giving me the opportunity to live out what I proclaim to believe in one of the hardest areas of my life to live it out.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. --2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. --2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When I have time, I will share an incredible sermon my pastor preached this past Sunday that was timely encouragement for such a time as this.
What an honor it has been to pray for you ladies as well. To thank the Lord for the encouragement that your testimonies bring as you bear the image of Christ. You are exactly right, Steph... and in this time of trial that you are in... you would certainly know that first hand.
A wretched sinner saved by grace alone,
Lisa
Posted by: lisa4given | October 18, 2006 08:32 PM
Wow, great post and brings back tons. We have a lot in common. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I will pray for you. I have a similar situation with my mother and I pray that the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will GUARD your heart, soul and mind. It is in these times of complete, surrendered humility that God meets us at our needs. I praise God for this! Your sister in Christ....
Posted by: Amanda | October 19, 2006 11:58 AM
Lisa, I just read this post, and I will be praying for you too.
Posted by: Lynn | October 19, 2006 12:30 PM
Thank you Amanda and Lynn,
I am humbled by your prayers and words of encouragement.
Amanda... I got the impression you and I had a few things in common.
A vessel being fit for the Master's use is a hard but wonderous place to be, isn't it? He truly does gaurd us, defend us, protect us... and give us a peace that really is incomprehensible. A joy amidst the tears.
Posted by: lisa4given | October 19, 2006 01:07 PM
Lisa,
I'm always amazed at what the Lord orchestrates for each of our lives--all to give Him glory. He truly does order my days in ways I never expect or anticipate.
Our service to our husband, family, church, neighbors, etc. are all precious and sometimes complicated. You are so right, He shows His might in our weakness, and teaches us afresh to trust Him yet again.
I am praying for you!! Isaiah 41:10 says, "...I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Posted by: connie | October 20, 2006 08:52 AM
Lisa,
My girls so enjoyed your tea party! God's grace is so wonderful that my girls get to actually experience this whereas I was not so fortunate to do as a child. Thanks again! I thank God for having you for a friend. Okay, I am going to go cry for a little while. I love you!
Posted by: Julie | October 21, 2006 05:03 PM
It was an honor to have you and your daughters there Julie. I love you and your family and I always enjoy having you all in my home.
Connie, exactly and well said my friend. I miss you and your dear family. Remember... if you are ever in Arkansas, please do not hesitate to come see us.
The sweet lady that I asked prayer for that cleans my home came to the tea party with her 3 girls. I was overjoyed to see her walk through my door. She has become so dear to me. Please continue to pray for her.
My mother is supposed to come on Sunday instead of today. Please pray for travel mercies and that our time together will bring glory to the Lord... with no regrets.
Sincerely,
Lisa
Posted by: lisa4given | October 21, 2006 05:55 PM
my name is dagmar. My husband moved out, and into an apt. with his adultress.he has been seeing her on week-ends (friday to sunday) for years. He would tell me that hes going to the deer lease. I cant believe I didnt catch on. I am in deep dispair and continuously prayed for the holy spirit to fall heavey on him....out of hundreds of prayers that has been lifted up for my marriage,,,,,not one prayer has been answered. I feel forsaken.
Posted by: dagmar | February 2, 2007 10:09 PM
Dagmar,
I have a friend going through something similar. It has been so painful... but please know that as a child of God, you are being carried, in this time, on the broad shoulders of your Shepherd, Jesus Christ. His promises are true and He will NEVER leave you or forsake you.
I will be praying for you.
Posted by: lisa | February 2, 2007 11:02 PM
Oh, Dagmar, I'll pray for you too!
Posted by: joythruChrist | February 2, 2007 11:40 PM