Let Us Run With Patience

On Thursday night we had our Wonderfully Made Mothers meeting. For our Bible Study time, we focused on Hebrews 12: 1 and 2. What God showed me in these two verses has been very meaningful to me, so I decided to share some of those thoughts with the ladies present and also to those of you who follow my blog.
Hebrews 12: 1-2
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Look at the first word in verse one. Whenever we see the word wherefore, we should look to see what it is there for. That means we need to look in the verses just prior to this one to get our answer.
Hebrews 11, just prior to these two verses in Chapter 12, is a very familiar and popular chapter. It is called the "faith" chapter. I urge you to read this chapter. In fact, read it several times and let it sink in. It is an amazing example of people who walked by faith and how they overcame by faith. So as we look at the first part of verse one in chapter 12, it is referring back to just that. We have an example to follow.
The next part of verse one says, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us..."
Now we are going to be told how we are to run this race (or the Christian walk) that is set before us.
What does a good athlete need so that he can do his best and run his race? He needs to eat healthy food, he needs to workout on a regular basis practice and he needs to get a proper amount of sleep. What would happen to an athlete who didn't get his rest, ate junk food, and didn't workout. He gets up on the morning of the race. As he begins that race, he has to pick up two large weights--one on each side. How far do you think he would get? Would he win? We can all easily answer "no." He probably wouldn't make it very far at all.
So let's compare that to a Christian running "the race that is set before us."
First of all, a Christian who is running that race needs certain things. What are they? Proper nutrition! From where does that nutrition come? It comes from the reading of God's Word. That is our spiritual nutrition. We also need physical nutrition, that comes from eating good, nutritious food and we need a proper amount of rest.
In verse one it also says that we are to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. Just as we said that an athlete who carries weights isn't going to get very far, neither are we if we carry heavy weights with us.
The sins that we carry and have not confessed can be different and they can be few or many. Sometimes we carry the weight of certain sins for years. What kind of weight are you carrying? I was saved when I was seven years old, and one thing I have noticed, even in my own life, that one sin that so many of us carry and have trouble laying aside is the sin of unforgiveness. Sometimes we are unable to forgive someone who has hurt us so deeply. But more often than not, there are two other things that come to mind. One of those is that sometimes we do not truly believe that God has forgiven us, or, we cannot forgive ourselves for something that we have done.
Okay...here we go. Let me ask you, does God forgive and forget? Now most of you would quickly answer yes. But let me tell you something that was recently explained to me.
I was raised in a Christian home and I also was taught that when we confess our sins, God forgives and forgets. But even as a child I would think to myself. "But sometimes the sin I committed comes back into my mind and God knows what I am thinking, so how can He possibly forget?" For years, I pondered that with no real answer. Recently I read a devotional that explained it well. It went like this.
"The idea that God forgets my sins isn't very reassuring to me. After all, what if He suddenly remembered? In any case, only imperfection can forget, and God is perfect. Then I read Hebrews 8:12 which says, 'For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.'" The author continues, "God doesn't say He'll forget our sins--He says He'll remember them no more! His promise not to remember them ever again is stronger than saying He'll forget them. Now that reassures me!" And this reassures me and should reassure everyone that we can lay aside every sin and weight which besets us and run the race that is set before us.
But there is still one more very important word in that first verse. Can you see it? It is something about which we have said nothing so far, and yet it is a very important word. It is the word patience. And we all know how we get patience. "...tribulation worketh patience..." Romans 5:3. None of us want the tribulation part, do we?
The word patience means to be patient. But what does the word patient mean? In the dictionary, I found the following:
Patient--Possessing or demonstrating quiet, uncomplaining endurance under distress or annoyance; tolerant, tender or forgiving, persevering, diligent
How are we to run the race that is set before us?
We are to run that race without complaining--even when we are under distress or annoyance; we are to run that race with tolerance; we are to run that race being tender and forgiving, we are to run that race with perseverance, and with being diligent! Wow! I don't know about you, but I surely have not been running my race with PATIENCE!
In verse two, I am sweetly reminded of our precious Lord Jesus.
How do we run that race? By looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. The next part of that verse brings tears to my eyes. It says, "...who for the JOY that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus died on the cross for you and for me. There was no complaining. He did it with JOY because He loves us so much. When we are running our race, the Bible tells us that we are to be looking at Jesus. Remembering that He went to the cross for you and for me with JOY will help us to run our race with patience.
What is the end result of running with patience the race that is set before us? It will result in others seeing Jesus in us and winning them to Him. How wonderful it would be to receive many rewards when we get to heaven because we ran with patience--rewards that we can lay at Jesus' feet.
I pray that these verses have touched someones heart. May we all RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US!!!

Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding

For some time now I have been tired--bone tired--the kind of tired that zaps every bit of energy, leaving one exhausted. I had not been sleeping well. I slurred my words. At times my mind would seem completely blank.

I was terrified! My husband quietly worried about me. The unspoken fear lingered deep inside both of us. Could I possibly be in the early stage of Alzheimers?

I well remember that my own mother began to show early symptoms of Alzheimers when she was only about six years older than I am now.

But last week I found out what the problem was when my doctor's office called me with the results of my yearly lab tests. Hypothyroid! What a relief!

I googled the word hypothyroid and guess what I found out? Most of the symptoms were ones that I have had. What a relief!

I now take a little white pill and hopefully, soon I will be feeling better.

Well, after all, how was I to know?

Proverbs 3:5 comes to mind here:"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Amen!

Ramblings in the Night

I lie in bed trying to fall asleep. The sounds of the night are keeping me awake. It's going on midnight and the fireworks are still strong! Boom! Boom! The loudness echoes the feelings of my soul. I am overwhelmed! Please! Please! Let the sleep come!

The darkness, the tugging is deep within me--it's trying to pull me apart. I don't understand. Everyone demanding so much..I feel as if I am spinning...I want to stop...I want to get off of this roller coaster. Please God! Show me what to do. What am I doing wrong? I go and go and go and can't get done what I need to do. And then there is the hurt. I can't give all of my family what they seem to need. Where have I gone wrong? Why can't I get the peace which I so desperately need? Why can't I please those around me so that I can have the peace I so desire? Please God! Help me! I am at my wits end!

Finally, finally, after struggling for so long, the answer comes in a still small voice. "When a man's way please the Lord, He maketh even His enemies to be at peace with him" Proverbs 16:7.

"That's it, isn't it Lord? I only need to try to please you and leave the rest in your hands."

The strong beating I felt in my chest is now quieted, my breathing is calm. "Help me to please you Lord, and to leave the rest to you."

At last I can go to sleep.

Siblings of a Special-Needs Child

The last time I blogged, I promised that I would give what I thought was, at least, part of the reason for my son having difficulties and poor grades in the sixth grade.

When there is a child with special needs in a family, sometimes the other children have a difficult time. Then we as parents take the blame upon ourselves--or we begin to feel sorry for our "normal" child or children because we can't spend the time with them that we like to spend. As I think back about the year that Brett was in sixth grade, a few things come to mind.

That same year, two of Brett's older brothers were in Christian high school and Trent was also in Christian school that year. I dropped the boys off at school every morning and then went to work a temporary job from 9:00 till 1:00. When I arrived home at about 1:15, I took enough time to change my clothes, relax just a little bit, eat some lunch, and then walk my daily paper route. By the time I got home, the kids were due home from school and I was exhausted. Then there was supper to cook, the kitchen to clean, then perhaps a basketball game, AWANA, or prayer meeting to attend. The temporary job and the paper route helped to pay the tuition for our sons, and the extra time and attention that was required for Trent completely wore me out. Most times, I was completely drained. I felt "sorry" for Brett and allowed him to become sloppy in his school work.

What we needed was better "balance" in our lives. Brett did need extra time and attention because he was the closest in age to Trent. When they were young, we did give him extra "alone" time. The problem was that I over indulged him. How did that happen?

Being busy. Feeling guilty. You name it!

The solution??? It's always easier as we look back. All of our children need accountability. They need to do their chores around the house and they need to do their school work. And when they don't live up to their potential, there should be consequences. As they reach the teen years, special attention should be given to the friends they have, their attitudes, and anything else that might give us clues as to where they are headed and what they are doing. As we sometimes get bogged down with the needs of our special needs child, we must not forget that the needs of our other children are just as important.

Parenting is difficult enough, but when there is a child with special needs in the family, sometimes it can seem like it is an impossible task. The days can be hard and long. But God gives grace one step at a time!!!

PAY BA-A-ACK!!!

Today I have two of my grandsons spending time at our house. Brandon is the son of my son, Brad, and Andrew is the son of my son, Brett.

I have been in the process of going through pictures, trying to organize them, so that I can put together some scrapbooks.

When the boys wandered into the room where I had been working and saw some of the pictures on the table, they began to ask questions. Then they looked at the different boxes with the names on them, and each of them wanted to see what was inside of the box with his father's name on it. I obliged them.

But more important than the pictures were boxes marked "report cards." They couldn't wait to see what kind of grades their dads had. Boy, did I ever open a can of worms!!!!

Twelve-year-old Andrew, who just finished 6th grade quickly grabbed his dad's 6th grade report card.

"What!" he said. "I just got in trouble for bringing home one C on my report card and here my dad has five D-s!" We enjoyed a good laugh together. "Ha! It's time for Payback!" I said. What fun it can be to be a grandmother!

Brett struggled in public school--especially in junior high. We thought he just wasn't getting it! But the truth was, he was a bright child who was very bored! We discovered this when he went to Christian high school and did very well. They were able to challenge him.

The strange thing is, that today as I looked at that 6th grade report card, something else came to me--something that suddenly became so clear. There was another reason why Brett did so poorly in the 6th grade.

I believe that report card reflected something deep inside of him--something which was the result of having a sibling with special needs.

In my next post, I will share what this was.

Nathaniel Ean

A week ago today our 14th grandchild (12th grandson) was born. He is the miracle baby born to our son and daughter, Chet and Ann. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 1 oz and is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen (proud grandma talking).

He is also the little brother of Matthew and Luke, our precious China dolls.

Ann had a difficult time in delivery and may need some surgery in the next few days. We have been VERY BUSY helping out with Matthew and Luke. My feet and legs hurt just from chasing these two little guys around--and around---and around. I am not complaining, mind you, I am just exhausted and I am constantly reminded that I am in my sixties, not my thirties. I
am so-o-o thankful to God for the gift of three sweet little boys in two and a half years.

My Focus - Is it on God or Is it on My Child?

There are times in rearing a child with special needs when his or her needs become even more special.

No matter what disability our child has, or how high he or she is functioning, sometimes life can become more frustrating and more trying.

I was carrying on a conversation with a wonderful Christian man a few days ago. He made the comment that medicine had become the focus of a family he knew who had a child with special needs. At first, I felt just a little bit defensive (old bad habit) about this statement. But then I couldn't help but think about what he had said. The truth is that anyone can focus on his or her problem instead of focusing upon God, and those of us who have a child with special needs may do this more often than we care to admit.

What is the problem with this? Well...for one thing, we try to take care of the problem ourselves instead of seeking God through the reading of His Word and prayer. And what are the results?

Worry, worry, worry; talk, talk, talk; worry, worry, worry; talk, talk, talk. The focus is always on the problem and not on the Lord.

Ever found yourself doing that? I have! And more than once! Instead, this is what you and I need to do:

1. Be sure you are in your Bible EVERY day.

2. Why worry when you can pray? So...pray, pray, pray. Don't forget to thank God and to praise Him for all that He has done for you. Focus on God instead of focusing on the problem.

3. You and your husband get together on your knees and pray, pray, pray (again, remembering to thank God and to praise Him).

4. Ask others to pray. Hopefully you know someone who is a good prayer warrior; if not, ask God for someone whom you can trust to take your problem to the Lord.

5. Seek others (who know Jesus Christ) who have been through similar circumstances.

6. Check yourself to make sure that this problem is not #1 in your life instead of God being #1.

7. Seek out professionals--only if needed. Some professionals give excellent advice, but in many cases, it is only book learning and not practical experience. As I reread this statement, I realize that it can be misinterpreted. Please let me explain. When Trent was young, everything he did or did not do was text book case or it wasn't. I believe that stereotyping our children hurts them instead of helping them. I will add this--there are times when professionals ARE needed. I don't want anyone to read this and misunderstand what I have said. There are some lovely counselors out there, some with great compassion--people whom God uses to help others. Do not feel badly if you need to go this route.

One final thought--sometimes we feel like failures when we can't handle the stress that comes with rearing a child with special needs. That is a normal feeling. And sometimes we feel like nobody understands and that God is so far away. That is also normal.

I write this blog, not because I've arrived, but because I have struggled with these things for many years and at times I still struggle. It is easy to focus on my problem, but it's so much better to focus on God.

A Wonderful Truth

Trent is almost 31. I can hardly believe it. What a blessing he has been to us!

The thing that most impresses me abut Trent is that sometimes I think he is more mature in spiritual things than in any other area of his life. He loves the Lord with everything in him and he loves to serve the Lord.

Last Friday, my husband, Don, took Trent out to buy me some flowers for Mother's Day. Obviously I knew about it, but Trent did not know that I knew. He hid them outside, and on Saturday night he went into the garage to get the shepherds hooks and put them in the ground. Then he proceeded to hang the flowers up. When he came back into the house, I was given specific instructions to stay upstairs in the morning. I did.

The next morning when I came downstairs, he was sitting on the love sofa, patiently waiting for me, with a big grin on his face. "Come here," he said. He opened the front door and there hung the beautiful plants. While giving me a great big hug, he told me how much he loved me.

A little later, while we were in the kitchen, he threw his arms around me. "I'm so sorry, Mom."

"About what?" I asked.

"You know. Your mom. My grandma. You know."

He was thinking about my mother who died three and a half years ago.

"But grandma is with Jesus and I know that I will see her again some day," I replied. I used that time for a little lesson, because, after all, we must prepare our special needs children for a day when we might not be here.

"Some day you may have a Mother's Day when I won't be here. I want you to remember my words and to know that if that happens, I will be in heaven with Jesus. And some day you will be there, too, and we will see each other again."

He smiled. I knew he understood.

Jesus Can Heal the Broken Heart

I really meant to keep up with this when I started again almost four weeks ago. Really I did. But my life just keeps going and going and going and I don't seem to be able to sit down at my computer when I have great ideas and when I sit down to my computer I don't have such great ideas.

My heart has been burdened with people who have so many needs. There are so many with broken hearts--broken hearts that only God can heal. Moms with a special needs child--and a broken marriage. Moms who have grown children who have gone through some terrible things, and stick by then through thick and thin. Moms who have been diagnosed with cancer and have young children at home. Moms who have just received an adverse diagnoses for their child and are exhausted with the care the child requires. Problems, problems, problems. I couldn't help but think about these mothers yesterday on Mother's Day. I was really blessed with so much love and attention shown by my own children, but I, like so many have gone through difficult times.

But more importantly, I look back over the last several years and see how God has answered so many, many prayers in my life. And yes, He has healed my broken heart. God is so loving, and so good, and so kind. He really does care about us.

God can heal the broken-hearted. For some the healing comes immediately. But for many it may come a little at a time--just as a wound takes time to heal. Then there is the scar tissue. For months, and even years after a wound heals, there is still scar tissue left behind and at times it will cause pain.

God has laid it on my heart to begin a ladies Sunday School class at my church. After much praying, I have decided to do some lessons on "Healing Broken Hearts." In order to live a victorious Chrisitian life, many of us need to be healed first. Within the next few months, I hope to share the lessons on my blog that the Holy Spirit gives to me.

No one understands like Jesus!!!

I'm Back!!!

It's been a long, long time. I decided that I needed a new look for my blog and had a good friend of mine, Jen, come over to my house and help me. I need help--lots and lots of help. At my age, it takes me longer to learn new things than it does for younger people. But that's okay. I've decided that it's worth the time. Much has happened since the last time I blogged. I will be sharing some of those things in the next few posts. Probably the most exciting thing is about my son Chet and his wife, Ann. If you recall, they adopted Matthew, a little boy from China, a little over two years ago. Last July they went to China again and adopted another little boy, Luke. They are both such adorable little boys. I guess God thought they needed yet another little boy, because in June, Ann will give birth to a precious baby boy. We are all still in shock. It wasn't suppose to be possible, but with God all things are possible. The baby is due to be born around our 40th anniversary--the 5th of June! So many things...so many blessings. God is so good! I will share more of God's blessings in some upcoming posts. I promise. But for now it is late and I am very tired so will call it quits for now.