Seeing God's Hand

While participating in choir practice a while back, our music minister asked us a question. I can't remember his words exactly but it was something about how we approach God when there's a problem that needs solving. How many times do we approach or call out to Him when there AREN'T any issues? How often is it that God calls us to serve or do something for Him and our response is usually something like, "I'll do it Lord, when I can squeeze it into my schedule." or "I'll gladly serve you Lord, as long as I can do it between this activity or that activity."? Well, I pondered that question for a while and realized that I would serve the Lord, gladly, with all my heart and soul....as long as there is no pain involved. I'm all about PAINLESS servanthood!!!

Anyway, all that being said, let me tell you about the tiny, trivial challenge I was faced with today. I had a doctor's appointment that could not be changed. Well, it could but it would be rescheduled for 3 months down the road. I couldn't wait that long so I kept this appointment. My Little Bird has been participating in a music camp at a friend's church this week. It just so happens that the time to pick her up from music camp clashed with my doctor's appointment time. So, something had to give.

Fortunately, I have a 21 y.o. daughter who could drive to pick up Little Bird from music camp and pick up the Teen from driver's ed on the way. My concern was about the vehicle she would be driving. It hasn't passed inspection since we've had it back on the road. My other concern was the Teen and his ability to be very distracting. Despite these concerns, I had made arrangements last night with DQ to pick up both kids and bring them home since I was unable to do so.

After this discussion with DQ, I went to bed and read my little devotional book, "Jesus Calling". I read ahead to tomorrow's devotion. All devotions in this book are written in first person, as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to the reader.

"Welcome the Challenging Times as opportunities to trust Me. You have me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle. When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges. That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety. Without Me, you wouldn't make it past the first hurdle!

The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me. Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness. Regardless of the day's problems, I can keep you in perfect peace as you stay close to Me."

After I read that, I thought, "Hmm." and then I went to sleep. I got up this morning and headed out, taking Kangaroo with me and dropping Little Bird at Music Camp. Then I made my way over into town for my doctor's appointment. At this point, I'm still concerned about the pick up arrangements but feel confident that all will work out. DQ is a good driver and I knew everything would be okay. After all, God is in control!!

I made it to my appointment, made the hike from the parking lot to the doctor's office, and signed my name on the little list at the counter. Normally, I would have a seat and wait, wait, and wait some more until they called my name to go to another waiting area. However, today, that wasn't the case. I signed my name and was immediately directed to the 2nd waiting area. Upon arriving there, I briefly sat (by briefly I mean, my butt JUST touched the seat!) when the nurse called my name! I commented, "Wow, THAT was quick!". Then she took my vitals as she needed for the records and told me that room was available already and I could go on in and wait for the doctor. I was pleasantly Surprised! So, me and Kangaroo went in and the doctor arrived about 5 minutes later!

Doc's visit over, I head back out to my vehicle. On the way I realized that the ENTIRE ordeal from parking my truck-signing in-seeing the doctor-getting back to my truck took all of 30 minutes!!!! I had PLENTY of time to pick up Little Bird and the Teen myself and not have to depend on DQ to do it in that other vehicle!

Calling DQ and cancelling her services, I went on and retrieved the other kiddos. I got to the music Camp only 1 minute after they finished! PERFECT timing!

On the drive home from the music camp, I reflected on the devotional I had read. OF COURSE, it was PERFECT timing! Because EVERYTHING he does is PERFECT!

Oh, ME of little faith! What else will it take for me to see His handiwork in ALL things?

BTW, if you've read this entire thing...thanks for reading.

Family Easter Celebration

After we all celebrated our Savior’s resurrection, our family members joined together at my mom’s house for more celebration and togetherness. My little sister had driven down from Tennessee with her kids to join us. I was so happy to see her, my nephews, and my bonus niece!!! My brother also joined us.

My handsome husband opted to stay home this Easter Sunday so he could concentrate on his culinary gifts for the family meal. My little sister and I had talked during the week about the menu and we decided to go simple with roast beef and mashed potatoes and gravy. I told her that I would be responsible for the side dishes and that we’d get it all together Saturday night with plans to turn the crock pots on and throw things in the oven for Sunday afternoon.

Here's pics of my crew.

DH had decided that Easter Sunday meal would not be re heated but hot fresh out of the oven!!! Or in his case, the smoker. When the girls and I arrived at my mom’s house after church, we found my husband and my brother sitting on the front porch waiting for me to unlock the door and get the food laid out before mom got home from her church. Hubby started walking in with the smoked Ham, broccoli cheese casserole, garden green beans, scalloped potatoes, store bought macaroni salad, and store bought cheesecake.

Here's my lovely sister with my girls. Isn't she just beautiful?

While sitting down to eat, I made the comment to DH, “Honey thanks for cooking all this food! It’s delicious!!” My sister then replied, “Hey! Who cooked the roast beef?” (Well, she did, in the crock-pot ….. and it was delicious too!) I said to her, “Sissy, thank you for cooking this delicious roast beef!!!” and then my mom piped up, “Ahem…..” to which I replied, “Mom, thanks for cooking those yummy, crock-pot, mashed potatoes! There’s nothing like homemade mashed potatoes!”

This is my brother with Kangaroo.

Then my sister said to me, “And just what did you do?”

I said, “Well, I married the man that cooked the food!!!"

And what a feast it was….with the family gathered around…the conversations….and childhood memories. It was absolutely the best Easter ever and we ate WAY TOO MUCH food!!!!

With All My Art (and crafts?)

This is a painting my mom did of my son when he was 4 years old.

This past Thursday, I attended a luncheon with my mom to accompany her while she sang a song and did a painting demonstration. She also shared some scripture and a little devotional. I came home and re-read the scripture. I had never heard this particular passage before and was fascinated by it. As a musician, I recognize that the Lord has given me certain talents and abilities to bring others into His presence. However, it never occurred to me that arts and crafts would be considered a talent worth making a big deal over...you know what I mean?

Now, I'm not an artist by any means, not the kind like Monet or Van Gogh. My mom, on the other hand, might fall into that category. Just look at some of her work! My artistic abilities are limited to preschool levels and the yearly christmas ornament that I give to family members.

After reading this scripture though, I began to think about it. Now, with my music, I try to play my best for Him every Sunday morning, evening, and Wednesday evening. I also have an annual commitment to provide arts & crafts for the preschool department at VBS. I actually stress over what in the world I'm gonna do with these children for one week every year. Why? Because I actually wondered how important really are the arts & crafts? Why not teach the children songs and scripture to memorize....to be implanted into their little brains and resurrected later in life when something triggers a memory? Why the big deal over arts & crafts? Because, well, as my mom put it, Exodus 35:30 - 35 and Exodus 36:1 gives it a little more meaning.

My bible is an NIV and this is what it says,

Exodus 35

30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all
kinds of crafts—
32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,
33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.
34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.
35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers,
embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers— all
of them master craftsmen and designers.

Exodus 36:1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded.

Mom's painting demonstration and recitation of this scripture stirred something within me. Feelings about whatever we do, we should do for the glory of the Father.

Here's another devotional that I really liked and agree with on the topic.

Our Daily Bread - With All My Art

I guess I could say that this is another one of those things that make me go, "hmmmmmm".

Obedience leads to Friendship?

Well, let's see .... how should I start this. I guess I should first mention that for the past few months I have been going through some stuff. I won't go into detail here because there's just too much to type and I'll lose focus of what I want to say. I think I'm just ADD that way. But I WILL say that it has long involved my lack of trust and faith in my Father God. I know He exists and that He has saved me, but for some silly reason, I can't TRUST him. Isn't that strange?

So, two weeks ago, my Musical Brother (he's actually my music minister but we have this weird brother sister relationship where we constantly tease each other .... so I'm gonna call him my Musical Brother or M.B. from here on out).....okay, so, two wks ago (Jan 26), he emails me with a request to perform special music at tonight's evening worship service. There are times that I do enjoy performing but lately I just haven't been up to it. In fact, my mind has been more on my "bucket list" and upcoming summer vacation.

But, let me get back to my point. M.B. asks me to perform something for tonight. Since I wasn't feeling like it, I did what most disobedient kids do......hemmed and hawwed and tried to come up with excuses as to why I shouldn't.

On Thursday, Jan 29, I woke up humming a tune. This tune was from a song that I haven't heard in over 20 years. When I was a teenager there was a girl a little bit older than me who would sing it for special music during worship services. I heard her sing it 2 or 3 times and it spoke to me then. Anyway, as a musician, I have a music library and it just so happens that this particular song is in my library. I got the music out and placed it on my piano. I sat down and played just a page of it and decided..."okay, 2 chords, not much effort required, piece of cake." I'll go ahead and plan to play/sing this one.

A few days later, on Tuesday, Feb 3, I phoned M.B. and gave him a hard time about having special music during a Sunday evening worship service (I mean, why? Very few people show up for these services.) but agreed to provide music as he asked.

So, tonight was the night....I hadn't looked at the music or rehearsed at all until my turn to sing came up. I was THAT confident....a trait that is unusual for me when it comes to performing. It's time for my song, so I begin to sing. The title of the song is "May I Introduce You To A Friend".

I get up from the piano and had a little unplanned improv moment when my hand hit the worship band (from earlier in the service) drummer's high hat producing a loud cymbalic sound!!! I could feel my face turn beet red!! Finally, without any further incidents, I proceeded to sit down and hear what the preacher had to say. His chosen devotional tonight was on Luke 11, the Parable Of The Persistant Friend but I didn't know that prior to my song.

The service ends and I leave. On my way home, I was thinking about what the preacher had said etc when it dawned on me that on that Thursday when I woke up humming that tune, I believe God was telling me what song to sing. I also believe that I was so confident at the time of performance because I was being obedient and there was nothing to worry about. Finally, it occurred to me (now this is NOT to pat myself on the back but...) that I had been OBEDIENT....and Lo, and Behold.....NOTHING BAD HAPPENED!!! I didn't fall off a cliff, the ground didn't open up and swallow me whole, lightning didn't come down and strike me dead! Can you imagine my surprise?

Lesson learned.....I CAN trust Him. He can be my friend....my best friend in the whole wide world....the kind of friend that I can turn to and call on at 2 a.m. in times of crisis. Friendship with Him is what He wants most of all! Why do I find it so hard to comply?