Lord, Thou art fullness, I am emptiness

This week has been so full of blessings and it isn't even over yet:
Sunday... Not only is it a privilege being a part of a local body where the Truth is preached with grace and the people are so welcoming and already so dear to my heart, but Jon and I were honored to sit next to a visiting older couple during our weekly after church fellowship meal. They are so in love with the Lord. They sweetly and without hesitation proclaimed the testimony of God's saving grace. The kind of conversation you don't want to end. The man teared up every time he spoke of God's transforming power in his life. My husband and I loved it when he said "I did the sinnin', HE did the savin' "

Monday... I celebrated with my family, the 40th birthday of my husband, best friend, hero of faith and living example of Christ to me and our children. The girls made him a yummy chocolate cake and decorated it themselves. They accidentally put the candles in when the cake was still warm. They kinda melted in the cake, but it was OH SO YUMMY!!!

Tuesday ...We prayed especially for Mrs. Temple, my oldest daughter's teacher from last year that my daughter deeply loves and has a sweet relationship with. We had a wonderful time with her this past weekend as she visited and updated us on what the Lord is accomplishing in her life. She and her husband had to move away. Though we were deeply saddened that they moved, we prayed for her job interview that was happening on this day.
My parents also came in to visit us for a week. We are all so excited to have them here. I especially enjoy the conversations about the ministries that they are involved in, what the Lord is accomplishing in their lives, and my dad's jokes and our conversations about politics. We have also been talking about Ronald Reagan's hilarious White House humor. I might have to post some of his humor later. My step-mother's conversation and cooking has also been a great delight and blessing! She is more than a step-mother, she is a sister in Christ that I dearly love and appreciate for taking such good care of my dad... and for sticking with him through some rough times, like raising me as a very rebellious teen.

Wednesday... I had to face the fact that the MS was coming out of remission. Not fun and I did not handle it well, but I am so thankful for the Lord's abundant long-suffering. The fact that He is more forgiving than I am sinful. Amazing God He is! And the fact that He has blessed me with a godly husband, precious children who willingly take on the extra responsibilities when I am not well, godly parents, dear friends that go out of their way to help and pray.
The BIGGEST blessing was witnessing my oldest son get baptized that evening. Many family and friends showed up that do not attend our church. We were so honored to have them there with us. Our pastor, Chris Taylor, and my husband went into the pool that was encircled by everyone attending. Pastor Chris explained what it means to be immersed in the water and to be brought back up out of the water. He then read Romans 6: 1-14 as though he was speaking every word directly to Josh. I could see tears welling up in Josh's eyes as the truth of God's Word penetrated his heart. Pastor Chris then asked Josh who in his life was most instrumental in bringing him to this profession of Christ both in his life and publicly through baptism. I did not expect what came out of his mouth and neither did the pastor. Josh said "The Lord worked through a pastor at a previous church we attended and through my parents." Pastor Chris said that Josh was the first one he has baptized and asked this question to who recognized that it is the Lord working through others to accomplish His purpose. To God alone be ALL the glory.
Then my husband came alongside Josh. He spoke of how he and Josh met for lunch to discuss Josh's desire to be baptized. Jon talked of sin and the fact that while we were yet sinners Christ died for His lost sheep. I was amazed to witness my husband's boldness in front of all those people. He spoke of the evidence of true saving faith that Jon and I have witnessed in Josh's life. At that point my husband began to choke up, but he finished and then baptized our first child. Of course tears were pouring out of my eyes... but not only my eyes, Josh's eyes, my husband's eyes... was there a dry eye? I do not know for sure. But it impacted many people that came because they witnessed how much it meant to our son.... that it was obvious that he searched the Scriptures and counted the cost. I am so thankful for Joshua's boldness in front of everyone, including his classmates from school... but most especially the witness he continues to be to our younger children.

Thursday ... Joshua has expressed very little interest in getting his driver's permit, but came up to me and said that he felt that he may need to get a hardship license for when I am not well. It was very sweet. He will, however, have to learn to drive a 15 passenger van, but I have confidence that he will do just fine. I have struggled with my pride so mush that I have not gotten out into our neighborhood as much as usual. I made the decision to go to a women's monthly neighborhood luncheon on this day. I was late because I stood at my front door, staring at it knowing that I would have to be seen using my "humility stick" (My sweet friend Ramona taught me that term. That is what we call our walking cane.) Brandon, my 13 year old, came beside me as I stood there wrestling with my pride. He offered to walk me to the house where the luncheon was because I could not drive. I held on to his shoulder. What a sweet young man. He took me to the door and made sure all was good and then went back to our home to help Josh take care of the little ones while I was at the luncheon. Katie, my 7 year old, made everyone lunch and they all cleaned up after themselves. One of the neighbors drove me home after the luncheon. She is a new neighbor that apparently has a sister with MS. They were all so sweet. It is hard to ask for help, but my dear friend Michele had to cut up my chicken. Sheri asked me why I had been hiding as they all noticed that I had not been out as much as usual. Ah! Pride is so ugly! That evening Anita, our newest neighbor brought our family dinner unexpectedly. My pride once again welled up as I beat myself up. We have an unofficial welcoming committee that has unofficially said that when you walk out your front door, whatever houses you can see, those are the ones that you especially minister to. Anita is across the street from my house. so, here I am, use to bringing the new neighbors in my area of sight a welcoming basket... and here she was bringing our family a meal. Her husband also happens to be my new neurologist and has excellent knowledge of MS. Not only did Anita's delicious meal feed our family, but my parents and a guest we had just invited over from next door that is from Africa on a business internship. Very inspiring young man that deeply loves the Lord. I wish I could tell you all the details of his life and goals, but my primary desire is to pray for his safety. Please pray for him.

Friday... that would be today. And as you can see, this week has been amazing. I did not mention yet the joy of my boy's band coming this week to practice. They did so on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and they have requested to practice again today even with one of them out of town. How could I ever say no. That is one of the highlights of those days for me. There is nothing comparable to having these teenagers, these Christian young adults ages 13 to 15, come into my home to practice songs that honor the Lord. They are all very dear to my heart. So are their families. I especially enjoy my morning prayer time as I think about each one of them... calling them out by name and proclaiming before the throne of grace what it is about each one that I love, praying for their safety, and that they will fervently grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

No, the week is not yet over and there are more blessings to proclaim and be thankful for. I pray for you who read this that God will grant you a longing to see His abundant blessings, even in the seemingly small details and call out to Him with a thankful heart; that He will give you the boldness to proclaim His name in words and life.

Though it is hard to let go of my pride, I cannot help but realize that God has brought this trial upon me as a reminder that He is mighty and apart from Him, I am nothing. More of YOU, O Lord... and less of me.

Lord, Thou art fullness, I am emptiness: Yet hear my heart speak in its speechlessness extolling Thine unuttered loveliness. (Christina Rossetti)