The Lord Longs to be Gracious to You

We have now officially entered the time of year that I have to be mean to my kids.

Let me explain:

• Both of my kids have December birthdays. They are entering a month of endless celebration and gifts.
• Both of my kids get an allowance that they are usually allowed to manage freely and learn from those decisions.
• A large group of caring relatives who are good planners have already purchased great Christmas and birthday gifts.

So this is the time of year when I place a ban on spending allowance money and any gift money received until after the last event of the month is over. My kid's know the reasoning, but that doesn't stop them from getting mad at me.

I have to be the mean mom.

At least that's what it looks like. The truth is, I can't wait to give my kids the presents that I bought them! I can't wait to see their faces. I long to be gracious to them. But I have to wait.

Sometimes it is easy to see God as spiteful and uncaring. I don't want to see him that way. I know better. But that doesn't stop me from feeling that way when he seems to be holding back on me.

I don't really deserve his blessings anyway.

But then I read this verse:

The Lord longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice
Blessed are all who wait for him!
-Isaiah 30:18

That verse stops me in my tracks. It is unfathomable. I picture God getting up from his throne specifically to show me compassion.

He longs to be gracious to me.

The Lord of heaven and earth has a longing to bless me.

Am I willing to wait for him?

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Turkey and Tradition

I host Thanksgiving dinner at our home about 95% of the time. I will be doing this again in a couple of days. This year, for the first time, I considered being a little non-traditional. Then I chickened out and went with the status quo. Here's the story.

About a month ago, I told my husband, "I'm thinking of doing something a little different for Thanksgiving this year that even I think is a little heretic."

A look of caution came over his face like he was picturing Deborah Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond preparing her Thanksgiving bass. "O-kaaay." he said.

I figured I better explain quickly. "When I buy our ham for Christmas they always offer a boneless turkey breast. I was thinking that since I am the only one in the family who likes dark meat, and turkeys are such a mess, that I would try getting a turkey breast this year that we could just take out and slice with no fuss."

He had no objections other than comparing the cost, and honestly I think he was relieved that I wasn't proposing fish for dinner. So I spent more time in thought about it.

Fifteen years ago, this would have been an absolute no-no. I was still a relatively new wife who felt the need to have perfectly impressive holiday dinners.

I'm over that now. I love getting the extended family together for holidays, but it is for the sake of spending time together. I'm beyond the perfectionism and really don't care anymore who is impressed. What people think really isn't part of the equation.

Except for my kids. Oh, there's the problem.

My kids love tradition. They remember everything that we do at exactly the right time of year and it is very important to them. I remembered all of the times that I stood beside my grandmother watching her cook a stuffed turkey and make "real" gravy.

I thought of my daughter growing up not knowing how to do this.

Then I chickened out of the idea and decided to get a regular Butterball. I may regret it Thursday morning, but the decision is made.

That's not to say that I won't consider it again next year. I do have to tackle the issue of stuffing vs. dressing (which is a whole other issue and story that I think I will save for tomorrow).

But for this year we're going to stick with tradition.

What about you? What is your tradition for Thanksgiving? Have you ever tried something different?

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My Thanksgiving List

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the times that I have been beyond broke. You gave me the gift of knowing that you will always take care of me.

Thank you for the times that I have been sorrowful and heartbroken. You gave me the gift of understanding your perfect, healing love.

Thank you for the times of chaos in my life, with too many responsibilities on my plate. You gave me the gift of setting priorities and knowing what is truly important.

Thank you for the times you have separated me from church life. You gave me the gift of knowing who you are and what the body of Christ is.

Thank you for the times that I have felt guilty, unworthy, and unable to serve you. You gave me the gift of unconditional love, and showed me what it truly means to glorify God in my weakness.

Thank you for the arguments I've had with my husband. You gave me the gift of knowing how much he really loves me and how precious marriage is.

Thank you for the times I have had to spend away from my children. You gave me the gift of knowing that you are in control and you love them even more than I ever could.

Thank you for the needs that have brought me into prayer with other women. You gave me the gift of true fellowship.

Thank you for the problems I could not solve on my own. You gave me the gift of true friends and faithful neighbors.

Thank you for allowing evil and sin in this world. You gave me the gift of sacrificial love.

Thank you for loving me enough to give me a life that is not boring and absent of your presence, but full of faith that you have allowed me to claim by using it over and over again.

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The Alaska Principle

My life with Jesus has been like a rollercoaster.

When my husband and I look back on the last (almost) 18 years of our marriage, nearly every year has been drastically different from the one before. It is like God grabbed our hands from day one and took off running, and we have done our best just to hold on and keep up with what he is doing.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of maybe a decade ago, a new saying developed in our conversations that has stuck.

"Of course, we could be living in Alaska next year."

This is now our required disclaimer that is placed at the end of any plans that we make, especially long term plans. Of course we dream and discuss our future, our children's future, our jobs, and anything else we would like to happen in our lives. But we do it with a little tag on the end that reminds us that God is in control, He is going to do what he wants to do, and we are going to yield.

"We could be living in Alaska next year."

Now, as I write this, that sounds so simple. It sounds like we flow with the changes without a blink or emotion. That is simply not true.

In fact, I have a tendency to plunge my roots deep into the ground every time I am planted, as if I am going to stay in that place forever. The result? When it's time for change, God has to pull hard to get me out of my comfy spot. It is usually painful. It helps to have a familiar reminder.

"We could be living in Alaska next year."

If I don't like the changing circumstances, I am reminded that it is probably not a "forever" thing. God has something he needs me to learn or someone he wants me to meet, and then we will be on to the next endeavor.

If I love the new circumstances, it keeps me grounded. It reminds me that God gives and God takes away, and my current situation is a blessing that I don't deserve.

Oh, I still put down those roots; but each time I cling a little less tightly. I never think that I am being blessed because I earned it. I know that I am not holding on to God to be comfortable; I'm holding on to God because he is God. And boring, smooth-sailing is not his style. He might just be resting me up for the next wild loop on the rollercoaster.

Do they have rollercoasters in Alaska?

You know, we could be living in Alaska next year.

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Our First Submission to the Servant's Blog

Pleasant Meadows Strawberries

Recently I introduced a new feature on Tabitha's Team - the Servant's Blog. Wilson Wizalamu from Pleasant Meadows SSC Farm has submitted the first post.

Wilson is providing a nutrition garden for his community, a learning center that teaches sustainable farming methods, and a growing business in Zimbabwe by operating a small commercial farm.

His vision:
To become a highly focused, vertically and horizontally integrated, self-sustaining and synergistic agro-based rural farming conglomerate maintaning a balance of social transformational activities anchored on community development and graduating the poor out of poverty.

Visit his page on the Servant's Blog to learn more about Pleasant Meadows SSC Farm.

Do you know someone who is making a difference in the lives of others? Someone who could educate us about the needs that are out there? Invite them to submit a post on the Servant's Blog.

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Be Careful What You Ask For

When my son was around 11 years old, he decided that he wanted to start drinking coffee. He asked and we said "no." He asked again. Again, the answer was "no." He started to plead his case and tell us that all of his friends were drinking coffee and he wanted to be like them.

We explained all of the reasons that he should not drink coffee at such a young age, and explained that it did not taste as great as he thought it would. He still begged, saying that he wanted to be like his friends.

Finally, my husband decided the best way to stop all of this was to let him see how bitter it really is. So he gave him a cup of black coffee. That was the end of it. We've never heard a request for coffee since then.

This morning, I was reading about the calling of Saul to be king in 1 Samuel Chapters 8-10. The people of Israel decided they wanted a King. They wanted to be "like all the other nations."

Samuel was distressed about this, and prayed. Gods answer? "Give them what they want. I have been their King, but they have rejected me. They don't want to be my people, they want to be like everybody else. So give them a King, but first warn them about what they are getting." (my paraphrase)

So Samuel explained to the people that a king needs an army and a staff, and that their own sons and daughters would be taken for this. He warned that the king would need to pay his people, so there would be taxes to accomplish this. He flat out told the people that they would become burdened by the taxes and cry out to God, but that God would not listen.

What did the people say?

"Good, now we will be like everybody else."(again, my paraphrase).

So God gave them their King, and all of the bitterness that came with it.

Their cup of coffee lasted a long time.

When you pray, do you insist that you know what you need? The purpose of prayer is not to get what we want, but to get the mind of God about a matter. (Like Samuel did when he was asked to find a King).

We might not understand God's perspective on the matter, but yeilding to it could save a lot of trouble. Sometimes it is better than getting what we ask for.

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Why We Need to Pray Together

On Saturday, November 14th, the women attending Arise, Cry Out! heard a message from Pastor Miles McPherson, founder of Miles Ahead Ministries and pastor of The Rock Church in San Diego, CA.

Miles gave three reasons that women need to pray together. I would like to share these with you.

Corporate prayer offsets corporate opposition.
Miles gave an example of a mother wildebeast trying to defend her baby against an organized group of hyenas. Because she was alone, she was eventually cornered by the hyenas and lost the battle. Our enemy is organized and has a strategy against our children and our families, and it only makes sense that we should organize in prayer against him. Why would you stand alone against an attacking army?

Corporate prayer ensures comprehensive prayer.
Miles described four different personality types and how each type of person appreciates God in a different way. He pointed out that God reveals different things to each of us. When we get together and pray, none of these things are missed. We "cover more stuff" than when we pray alone.

Corporate prayer empowers the person praying.
Miles showed us that God created humans to be dependent on each other. When we come to a prayer meeting, we bring a burden, and we need to be prayed for by others. He reminded us of Galations 6:2 where we are directed to "bear one another's burdens."

I have experienced these benefits through my Moms in Touch group. I've seen big mountains fall as a result of women praying together. We have had times when the words of one mom's prayer answers the prayer of another. We are always encouraged to keep praying and not give up, because we have the support and encouragement of the group.

My hope is that you would find this encouragement in your own group. You can find out more at www.momsintouch.com

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Working on Arise Cry Out! This Week

I thought I should at least post up a message and let you know that you will not hear much from me this week. I will be preparing for Arise, Cry Out! at my own host site.

I have just finished watching the entire DVD, and I am very excited for the event.

You do not want to miss this!

By the way, we are now up to 1700 host sites, so it shouldn't be hard for you to find one. If you have not registered or made plans to go,
visit www.momsintouch.org for more information and to find your closest location.

Have a great week and I hope to be praying with you on Saturday!

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What Are YOU doing on November 14th?

1500 Host Sites around the world.

80 Countries

650 sites in the United States

480 churches in Russia

50 sites in Uganda

In Nigeria, the Governor has declared it a National Day of Prayer.

The Governor of Oklahoma has declared it "Oklahoma Day of Prayer for Children and Schools"

As 9am approaches every time zone across our globe, a wave of prayer from thousands of women will be lifted for their children and their schools.

What are you doing on November 14th?

Register now for Arise, Cry Out!

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How Do I Start?

Not long ago, I received a message from a reader who had a strong desire to put a group of women together who were committed to reaching out to others. She was looking for ideas on how to get started.

A lot of us are in this place. We are awakened to the fact that life does not revolve around us, and we want to serve God as part of something bigger than ourselves. We just don't know how to form that into action.

The fact is that God always works this out in a different way. Sometimes it's formal and organized; sometimes it is a chain of one event leading to another and before you know it you are in the middle of His plan.

The common denominator is that we have to be willing to submit ourselves to God's call and do the work.

God needs us to pray for a dislocated heart.

Chip Ingram wrote about this concept several years ago in his book, Holy Ambition. This is a great book that unfortunately is very hard to find today. Ingram walks through the story of Nehemiah being called by God to re-build the walls of Jerusalem. He follows the entire process from Nehemiah's original call to the steps of action to completion. He outlines these points:

1. Nehemiah had a dislocated heart - a heart that felt the need for something to change. He was burdened by this need.

2. He had a broken spirit - he humbled himself before God, recognizing that he was powerless, but that God was powerful and could lead the way for him.

3. He had a radical faith - He was overwhelmed by what God was asking, but he had faith that it could be done.

4. He has a strategic plan - he went to the king with not just passion, but a detailed plan (developed from his time of prayer).

5. He had a personal commitment - he had a dedicated promise to this project, and he recognized the value of each worker to their own part in the work.

6. He had a courageous soul - Nehemiah realized that it would be difficult, and he prepared for this. Men were working with one hand and holding weapons in the other hand!

I think we need to earnestly pray for opportunities to be placed in front of us - if we pray for this like we pray for all of the comforts we ask for, I know God will answer - and I'm excited and hopeful to see those answers come.

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New Feature: The Servant's Blog

Tabitha's Team is based on the disciple mentioned in Acts 9:36, Tabitha, who was "always doing good and helping the poor."

I am hearing from women who want to help others, but are looking for direction on where to start.

Tabitha's Team has a new feature - The Servant's Blog.

You now have the opportunity to submit a blog post in several different categories:

Addiction
Crisis Pregnancy
Disaster Relief
Domestic Violence Prevention, Education, & Healing
Illness & Disease
Poverty - What are the Needs & How Can We Help?
Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education, & Healing
World Missions

Contact me if there is a category that you would like to write about that is not listed.

Share what you, your church, or your friends are doing to help in these areas.

Tell us the stories we need to hear to better understand the need.

Add a link back to your organization's website.

This is a place to connect, find a way to act, or call others to act.

When I accept your submission, it will be published as your own page on the website. It will also automatically be placed in the site feed, What's New on Tabitha's Team, which will be sent to subscribers and fed to twitter. This is a great way to educate others about a need or get the word out about your efforts to help.

I'm waiting to hear from you!

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Take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwein

Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself By Austin Gutwein with Todd Hillard / Thomas Nelson

This book will inspire you to dream like a child. Austin Gutwein, founder of Hoops for Hope, walks you through his story of taking action on his dream. Moved by a video about orphans in Africa, 9-year-old Austin decided that he needed to do something to help. Austin took his passion, basketball, and found a way to use it to make a difference. God took his simple obedience and multiplied it into something bigger than Austin ever could have planned on his own.

This book is written to a teenage audience. It challenges teens to become part of something bigger than themselves and to build their life on things that don't expire. Austin tells his readers to dream big and be available to God to act on those dreams. This is not a "you can do anything you put your mind to" book. It is a "with God all things are possible so act on your faith" book.

I am a book review blogger for Thomas Nelson, and chose to review this book to consider it for my teenager. I am excited to pass this inspiring example on to him.

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