Getting Our House in Order!

When my father-in-law was diagnosed with melanoma cancer, the doctors stated, at the most, he’d have only a few months to live. Dad was a strong man of faith (besides an evangelical pastor for over 50 years) and just wouldn’t accept that “death” threat. He remembered Isaiah 38:1-7 where Hezekiah, too, was giving a death threat. Isaiah told him that he needed to get “his house in order” because he was going to die. But, Hezekiah prayed: “Lord, I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done good in your eyes.” God relented and told Isaiah to tell him He had heard his prayers and will add on 15 years to his life. God did give Hezekiah 15 more years and when Dad prayed for an added 15 more years, God granted him 15 more years – almost to the day.

Dad had plenty of time to get “his house in order”. And, I took those words seriously since being on this shelter-in-place hiatus. I know there are those of you who were far more impacted than my little world with 24/7 children at home, businesses at home and others who lost their job altogether. So, please know my heart and prayers go out to those of you who are faced with far more challenges than me. My “little” rant is little, compared to others. But, please -- hear me out!

Many of my responsibilities came to a screeching halt. Most went online or not at all. That meant I had time – a commodity that I had hoped for in getting some “to-do’s” off my list. I woke up one morning with a fervor to “get my house in order”. I admit, I’m a full-on “Martha”. I calculated “I can get a lot done during this confinement AND I can also find time to be a “Mary” who sits at Jesus feet – plenty of extra time to do that too. So, I’ve been a part of Zoom meetings where we do just that – encourage, pray, and support each other. I’ve been able to attend on-line church and other on-line teachings and inspiration, besides finding more time for personal prayer.

But, that new fervor to “get my house in order” was like a neon sign in my head. “Make this time count!” It started with cleaning out closets and cabinets. But, then thoughts started racing through my mind – “If something happens to me, my kids would have so much to deal with. I knew this was perfect timing to "get my house in order" like, how my kids can get into my computer, know my passcodes and find all my blog information, have in one place – all business and personal matters, records, bank accounts, insurance policies, utilities, home information, monthly bills, medical information – doctors, health care decisions, our living will, power of attorney, burial literally everything, in one neat and tidy place. I don’t want to leave anything helter-skelter in the event of an emergency.

I’ll admit it – the task seemed daunting at first. It meant looking up phone numbers, digging through files, websites, printing out paperwork and setting up a binder, separated with categories. It meant adding my children to my bank accounts as co-signers. That was a tricky one with getting us altogether, while apart, but thanks to my bank officer and being the only customers in the bank at the time, we were able to accomplish it.

One of the greatest things my husband did for us, long before he was sick, was to set up a Living Family Trust for us. Family trusts protect our assets and benefit our family members beyond our lifetime and a living trust helps in avoiding probate issues. Why am I telling you all this today? Maybe you’re a young person, a young couple, or a young family and you think time is on your side for “getting your house in order”. We all know that our time on this earth is only known to God and this day could be our last day – no matter what age we are. I urge you to consider “getting your house in order” for those you love, too.

But, most important – is going back to that first paragraph and the scripture found in Isaiah 38 where Hezekiah could confidently say these words: “Lord, I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done good in your eyes.” That, my friends, is what our “spiritual house in order” should look like. That kind of life is the best life we can live – not only in our relationship with God – but leaving that “Living Will” of faith, devotion and good to our families, too.

I Confess. I am a Martha-holic.

I Confess. I Am a Martha-holic.
I love that gal so much. She speaks up and says what I’ve only wished I could say. I toil and am busy making sure everything is just right. I spend hours in the kitchen doing pre-event planning, cooking and baking and then the day of the event, I am the first to arrive and the last to go home. I give my guests the very best of me. But, deep in my heart, I’m a little peeved at those who never say "Can I help?” They’re too busy chit-chatting to notice I’m carrying the platters, offering drinks, manning the oven, and making sure everyone is having a good time.

I have scripture to back me up! Hebrews 13:2 tells us not to forget to “entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it”. And, Jesus discusses the hospitable behavior of those who will inherit the kingdom: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:34-36).

Dear Martha was hospitable to a fault. She opened her home to the Motley Crew of disciples AND the incomparable Man of God, Teacher, Miracle-Worker, Way-Maker, Water-Walking Jesus. There isn't much applause for her. Sure, she was peeved that her sister was just sitting at the feet of Jesus. I know that feeling. Guests are getting the scoop on all the current events of other guests' lives. They’re telling one exciting story after another, and I want to be in the room with them laughing and oohing and awing, but I’m in the kitchen because if I don’t perform, who will? I really think Martha got a bad rap for wanting her sister, Mary, to stop sitting at the feet of Jesus and start helping her because she wants to hear Jesus’ stories, too. She whined to Jesus: “Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40) But Jesus replies: “You are worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:41). Martha was weary from handling all her “to do” list. Jesus, the supreme guest of honor, deserved the highest quality of service and hospitality. But, no doubt, we Marthas need to learn from the lesson that Martha learned that day.

Our strength and power don’t come from how much we can accomplish in one day. It flows out of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. As Martha hustled around to get it all done with her culinary best, Mary was soaking up the aroma of Jesus and His life-changing words. Don’t forget Mary was once a “red-light district” gal and she had been forgiven. Who wants to eat when the “Bread of Life” is in her midst? Martha didn’t get the response she expected. "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it." (Luke 10:41,42).

How often do we get all flustered by the have to’s, must do’s and are loaded up to the point of exhaustion? How often do we get so busy running around doing things FOR God, that we forget to spend time WITH God? Both of those women loved Christ immensely. Martha loved Him so much, she wanted to serve Him with excellence and Mary loved Him so much, she wanted to just be in his presence. Two ways of loving and showing their love. (Luke 10:38-42). I have such respect for both of those gals, because, so many times, I'm both of them!

I'm in Tulsa, today, helping to lead a big retreat. Yes, I'll be a Martha getting all the details taken care of, but I plan on being a Mary, offering praise and thanksgiving as I stay in-sync with my Lord Who is always speaking, giving wisdom and insight to us.

Both Martha AND Mary made the record book. Later on in scripture, we hear Martha make a profession of her faith: "Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, Who is to come into the world.’” When Jesus said, “I am,” she affirmed, “You are.” Her “I believe” confession is remarkable because she stated His title, His divine nature, and His calling. Martha’s faith was as solid and unshakable as her sister Mary’s. She served the food and also dished out the truth: She said, “It is for Your coming that the world has waited” (John 11:27).

Lord, teach us about balance – willing to serve in word and deed and more than willing to sit at your feet and bask in Your holiness, majesty, and amazing love and grace. Amen.

Do You See What I See?

Have you ever looked for something that was right in front of you all the time? I could be wearing my glasses, and be looking for my glasses. I could be looking for my keys and they could be right on the counter in front of me. We could be looking for the rain to stop, and miss the rainbow God sent. We could be taken with the brilliance of the star and miss the baby in the manger. We could be so focused on so many details and miss the ONE that is the guest of honor. Remember Martha in the Bible who was so busy with the details of entertaining, making sure the meal was fit for a king, but she missed the opportunity to sit at the feet of THE KING.

But, even more so, we could be missing God when He dwells right here inside us. “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 He could be pointing out all kinds of wonders and miracles and glimpses of heaven to us and we’re so busy that we miss His signals. Think about it. This Christmas, we've heard and sung so many songs about Him being with us, and we've heard and read many scriptures about Him being with us, and we’ve seen so many evidences of His presence, yet, just maybe….we’re still NOT seeing Him.

What if we REALLY tuned into Emmanuel? What if we sincerely realized we are never alone, because God IS with us?

Let me share with you how I recognize Him in my daily walk. When I’m with my family, I see Him in the twinkling eyes of my grandchildren and in the tenderheartedness of my children as they patiently and devotedly train and instruct their children.

Yesterday, I saw God in my youngest grandson as he did his daily chores. I was so impressed with his attention to the details of being sure just the right amount of feed was in the feeders for his goats, and just the right amount of a different kind of feed for his horse and, and yet another kind for his donkey. I saw him give his horse a Pop Tart to hide the medicine he gave him. I saw him carefully pull out that big wheelbarrow to the barnyard and pick up all the animals’ droppings and then push that wheelbarrow all the way to the pasture. He was so attentive to his responsibilities.

I thought about God’s attention to the details of our lives. He is so a part of our lives that we can rest assured nothing goes unnoticed by Him. God is with us. Just like anyone who would be a passenger in our car, or a guest at our dinner table….. we can talk to Him. We can talk to Him about any, and everything. We can thank Him for the “favors” that come, like green lights, the parking places close to the doors of the store, the “bargains” that we may find. I know He is with me, so I'm sensitive to wanting to please Him. And I’ve found that, because I stay close to Him during my days, when the times of unexpected challenges come, I just remember, I’m not facing anything alone, because God is with me…..and I feel His peace right away, and I know He will bring about what’s best for me. I urge you to KNOW Him – to know Emmanuel – He is with me – He is with YOU! Do you see what I see?

Time to Get Out the Weights!

Just Checking Out My Wardrobe!
Yesterday, I was with a dear friend who was simply worn out from life and all that it entails. You know….family health issues, responsibilities of being a homemaker and caregiver, having to make some very serious decisions that could mean a positive or negative outcome, as well as those questions that come from others “How do I do this? How do I tell them that?” And then being expected to have the answers to it all.

Asking God for a response to try to lighten her load just a bit, I heard “Tell her these words from Proverbs 31:25....'“She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future!” That whole 31st chapter is notably called by many as the Proverbs 31 Woman. That gal is a tough cookie and trying to live up to her standards sure seems like a lofty goal. But her example wouldn’t be in the Bible, were it not a message God wanted to get through to us.

I heard that scripture for my friend AND me. First of all….I get that my daily clothing attire should first, and foremost, be that strength and dignity that only comes through trusting God and His Word, and that comes from spending time with Him. I told my friend “When life seems unbearable. It’s time to steal away and go to the strength BEARER and strength GiVER.

God has given us a strength all our own. But what kind of strength is it? Does the fact that we can make dinner, talk on a phone call, put a bandaid on a boo boo, be a nurse, counselor, accountant and can even change dirty diapers, with one hand – ALL at the same time -- mean we are Wonder Women? Of course not!

Our strength and power doesn’t not come from how much we can accomplish in one day. It flows out of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Jesus taught that same truth to Martha over 2,000 years ago. But it is just as true today. Martha was in the heat of preparing a gourmet dinner for the Guest of Honor, our Lord. As she hustled around to get it all done with her culinary best, she became frustrated that her sister, Mary, was just hanging out with Jesus instead of helping her.

When Martha questioned Jesus about it, she didn’t get the response she anticipated. He said, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it." (Luke 10:41,42).

How often do we get all flustered by the have to’s, must do’s and are loaded up to the point of exhaustion? How often do we get so busy running around doing things FOR God, that we forget to spend time WITH God?

Just prior to the "She is clothed with strength and dignity" verse I mentioned above, was verse 17 that says “She girds herself with strength (spiritual, mental and even physical fitness for her God-given tasks).” The oftentimes-overwhelming-tasks that face us could be handled so much better if we would spend more time girding ourselves up spiritually while sitting at His feet like Mary, spending time in His Word AND laughing in the face of the enemy because we are assured that He holds our tomorrows. So taking the advice I gave my friend….I think it’s time for some girding up myself with strength and dignity, because when the weight seems too heavy to bear, it will be no problem – my strength AND dignity that comes because of His "work-out" program will help me not just handle it, but to laugh my way through it.