the heart behind the ministry at home

editor's note: Once again, it's catch-up day for me in cyberspace, so don't be surprised if I have a couple of posts up today. =) 



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Proverbs 31 and Titus 2:4-7 are two portions of Scripture that are quoted to and by women when it comes to the ministry at home.  I have found that it causes one of two responses; either a woman embraces it full force and makes it her life goal to embody these Spirit-filled descriptions, or a woman disdains it and passes it off to other women stating that Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 is simply "not her ministry."

I can't tell you how many women have spoken to me and have mentioned that Titus 2 is "my ministry" and "my calling."  They go on and on encouraging my heart (and I am so very grateful for that) yet neglect their own in the role and calling of Proverbs 31 and Titus 2.  Beloved wives, mommies and homemakers, Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 aren't just a specific ministry some of us are called to, it is a guide to how He will establish holiness and love in our hearts as women in these roles.  If we've said "I do" to that man we've loved, then we are called to be Proverbs 31 and Titus 2; if we have little ones or elder ones running around or running off to college, then we are called to be Proverbs 31 and Titus 2; if we stay at home, work in a secular place or serve the ministry outside the home, whether it's part-time or full-time then we are called to be Proverbs 31 and Titus 2.

These precious portions in Scriptures (along with many others including 1 Samuel 1-2, Ephesians 6, 1 Peter 3 and Malachi 4) are clearly written out for our benefit, it is an introduction to our identity.  Not because of the works we do, but the condition of our hearts.  It is possesing the heart of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 that causes holiness to grow within us as wives, mothers and women.  It isn't the works and the acts of the Proverbs 31 woman, but rather that her actions demonstrate where her heart and her priorities are.

Matthew 6:21 teaches us that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  The impossible-to-attain-personality of Proverbs 31 had her heart set on the very gifts and blessings Jesus Christ gave to her to steward, shephard and serve while on this earth.  So really, when we serve and prioritize our home with a Titus 2, Proverbs 31 heart we are setting our hearts on eternity, understanding that our home, our husbands and our beautiful children-filled hearths are really the way we establish treasures in heaven.

There is a unique grace for us wives and moms and it is a glorious thing to partake in it.  I am convinced that His grace will transform me into the Proverbs 31 woman with every Titus 2 quality.  It is a glorious ministry and if that is all I've achieved at the end of my life ministerally I will confidently meet the Father knowing I have been a good steward of the talent which He has entrusted to me.

* this post is linked up with Titus2esdays and Women Living Well Wednesdays

He is the potter, I am the clay; a song of praise admist a sea of thunder

It has been quite a breaking few weeks.  Little Avery is a member of our Church family who has been fighting for his life since the womb.  K. Steffens passed away last Saturday after a devastating fight with cancer.  The Johnson family, one of our dearest friends are moving away about 2,000 miles away. (Leaving us. Here. Alone. So alone... hehe. Hope you're reading this Jess!)

Sometimes it just feels like our world is crumbling.  Too much too soon, so to speak.  Seems like some measure of brokeness meets me no matter which way I turn. 

And at first, I was angry, hurt.  Then, I became complacent and accepting.  Now I feel like rejoicing.  It seems Christ, in His mercy, desires our eternal good more than our earthly good, and although I can't explain to 15 year old Felipe, whose best friend was his father, why he passed, I can rejoice in knowing that Romans 8:28 surrounds him and all of us.  I can't explain to Jenny why her son has to fight for his life (with Christ leading the way) but I can rejoice remembering that He is our deliverer both to life and from death and He has made everything beautiful in its time. 

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." --Romans 8:28 

I often hear the excuse that too many bad things happen in this world for someone to believe or to trust in God.  Oh, but if we could just see the eternal perspective we would rejoice and praise that these events take place for our chastening and our good.  He truly is Sovereign and not a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowing and His approval. I can trust that He will bring all things to His good purposes and that He will not fail me.

Glory to God in the Highest! May the Son of God live forevermore and be exalted in this weak and trembling heart!

I encourage you today.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Praise in the storm.  Dance in the storm.

Acknowledge and embrace Him in the storm.

seasons

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven- A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together..." --Ecl. 3:1, 5-7a

I've been meditating on this Scripture a lot. Thinking about it, digesting it. Really trying to understand and grasp all that He means when He says these words.

I can't say I've gotten very far. All I know is that He's all-knowing and all-powerful; He is wise and perfect. So, what He does is good and right. But from this perspective, there are certain things I don't get in regards to "seasons."

I can pretty much understand just about any natural or circumstancial season. I can see the wilderness season a mile ahead, I can sense the sweet and tender seasons with Jesus, the intense character-building season. Yeah, I can understand most of those.

But relationally speaking, I'm at a loss. I cannot fathom why God would bring people into our lives that become so very dear to us, only to then take away. I still don't get relational seasons. I'm not sure of the purpose nor the good that can come from that. I'm not saying by any means that I know better than the Almighty, but rather asking, seeking and banging down the door with questions... The main one being "why?"

I'm not sure if you could tell this of me so far, but I am incredibly relationship-driven. I love to create relationships. I love doing life together and sharing life. I thrive off it. I love slow, but I love hard! So, when friendships and relationships end it throws me for an incredible loop and my world becomes slightly off balanced for a second. It isn't that I depend on them, it is that in doing life with them, I see Jesus... and then when they're not there... I'm at a loss.

This one isn't a post that'll have a great lesson or an important message. This one's just a heart pouring that may not have nor need answers. It's just one of those life things we endure until that glorious day when we can ask the Lord Christ Himself.

And I will, oh Beloved... I definitely will.

on forgiveness, Jesus and marriage

Forgiveness.

It has a bitter-sweet ring to it. You know, it's like... a four letter word, just with more letters... So, more sting.

One of the primary duties of a wife is to forgive her husband, daily for every single one of his shortcomings. Because ladies, your husband has them.

No? Oh, okay... maybe it's just mine.

Nevertheless, Scripture instructs us in 1 Peter 4:8 that love covers a multitude of sins.

"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."

I am convinced that this comes by one way and one way only.

Forgiveness

Choosing to forgive him everyday.

Because he is as fallen as I am. Because I know how frail he is, and his heart is meant to trust mine completely (Proverbs 31:11). Because I am created as his help-mate and forgiveness is a step for him to become all he was created to be. Because I want him to forgive me when I make mistakes (and, oh I will... oh boy, will I). Because he loves me and at the end of the day, my anger is not as important as the vow we have made to each other.

But most importantly, I am called to forgive him because Christ said so...

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Eph 4:31-32)

... Just as Christ has forgiven me. Unconditionally. Without reserve. Without thought as to who's right or wrong, who's worthy and unworthy. He's forgiving me as a way to draw me closer to Himself... Because I am the desire of His heart.

Unfortunately, our culture is so saturated by such self-pity, independent, "I-have-the-right-to-equal-rights" flesh-set mindset that we have forgotten to teach the art of forgiveness.

And without forgiveness, marriage cannot work.

It is the design of God, to bring two imperfect vessels perfectly together, that we may understand forgiveness, even if it's a little bit better. It brings us closer to His heart, as He is the ever-forgiving, Holy and Just King.

He was meek and lowly, forgiving even unto the death.

secret life of Hannah

This is the next installment of The Heart of Hannah series. If this is your first time joining us, feel free to start the journey here. =)
One of the most captivating things about Hannah to me is her prayer life. I am absolutely outstanded with it.

"As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard." --1Sam 1:13

"For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him." --1Sam1:27

"Then Hannah prayed and said, 'My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in the LORD, my mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. There is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God. Boast no more so very proudly, do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are shattered, but the feeble gird on strength... He keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail." --1Sam 2:1-4, 9 (emphasis mine)

I love how comfortable Hannah was in the secret place. Though her pain was real and her sorrow plenty, she poured out her affections and every anxious thought upon the One who could change it and "remember her." (1Sam1:19)
She did not wail and cry for all to hear as a wailing woman would*, but rather in solitude of heart and confidence before Him, she prayed. No one heard her. In fact, Eli thought she was drunk. So therein, she was persecuted for her silent pleas before the Lord.

Hannah had no desire for man's compassion nor man's plans. She confidently and quietly prayed for the Lord to answer her prayer. She didn't announce it in the front of the Church nor send out an e-mail as a prayer request. She simply prayed, knowing He would listen. (please note: I am not in any way minimizing requesting prayer from other believers, this is imperative as a body and I encourage it. Rather my desire is to highlight Hannah's attitude of heart in prayer. She trusted God would hear).

How confident Hannah was in the very fact that the LORD our God hears her voice.

"Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold O LORD, You know it all." (Ps 139:4)

The very whispers and cries of our heart are ever present to Him and He will remember them. In mercy, in justice, in love. He remembers.

The grace is in having the same confidence as Hannah. Remembering that He remembers and allowing His plan to unfold and trusting He will move on our behalf and always always always for our good.

By the way, when the Lord remembered Hannah, He remembered her six times over. After Samuel, she had another five children. =)

I want to be like Hannah, LORD!

the character of Hannah

This part four of the Heart of Hannah series, if you're just joining us click here to start at the beginning.

Hannah's charater was absolutely remarkable. She was a woman who lived out honor with great poise and lowliness.

After Hannah had her mini-breakdown and cried to Elkanah (I mean who wouldn't? She's got no children and her husband's other wife is a mean lady who likes to taunt her and show off her offspring), she went straight to the temple and she poured herself out over the Lord.

"She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly." (1 Samuel 1:10)

She didn't hold on to her resentment. She didn't go back to Penninah's room, take off her jewelry and put on vaseline to throw down.