Think Quotes - It's Friday

Found this on Pinterest this week. 

I'm linking up with Lori for Think Quotes - It's Friday. 

God’s Care Package

Years ago when we lived in Oregon and had three little kids, a friend told me I wanted a Bosch Universal kitchen machine. 

“I do?”

“You do,” she stated firmly.

“But I already have a Kitchen-Aid mixer.”

“This is better than a Kitchen-Aid.”

Whoa! What could be better than a Kitchen-Aid?

I like to bake bread because it is healthier and cheaper. Store bread makes good French Toast and PBJs, but otherwise, I think homemade tastes better.

Kitchen-Aids are great but can only mix two loaves of bread at a time. Since few things smell or taste as wonderful as fresh homemade bread still warm from the oven, slathered with butter, our family usually wolfs down the first loaf as soon as it’s done cooking.

A Bosch kneads bread dough exceptionally well. I immediately saw the advantages of a machine that could mix five loaves at a time.

I balked at the price. Even though homemade bread costs fifty cents a loaf and a Bosch would pay for itself in a year, there was no way our Dad’s-in-Seminary budget could accommodate the hefty $350 price tag. I shelved the idea and plugged away two loaves at a time with the Kitchen-Aid.

After Seminary we moved to Colorado where I met friends who also owned Boschs. They raved about their wonderful machines. “You should get one,” they urged. “And an electric wheat grinder, while you’re at it.” At that time, wheat grinders were $200. By then we had five kids and still couldn’t afford either machine.

I eventually figured out how to get three loaves with the Kitchen-Aid. I didn’t mind baking but we went through a lot of bread and it was hard to keep up with seven insatiable bread-eaters.

I developed a bad case of bread mixer envy. I hid it well. Smiled politely when friends praised their Bosch. Enjoyed their delicious homemade bread. Bought fresh ground whole-wheat flour from a local bakery. I determined to live within our means and be happy with our faithful Kitchen-Aid.

After four Colorado years, we moved to Iowa where I finally saved $200. I could either buy the wheat grinder or continue saving for a Bosch. I could mix bread dough but had no way to grind wheat, so purchased the grinder.  

I didn’t talk about this with anyone. Only God and Keith knew that I coveted my friend’s Bosch.

In 1997 good friends visited from out of town. The wife handed me a big gift-wrapped box. I unwrapped the gift, astonished to see a Bosch mixer.

I looked at my friends in amazement. I knew the value so realized they had spent a lot of money. It was a generous gift. I asked how they knew I wanted one.

Susan said, “I didn’t know. But I knew you liked to make bread and thought this would help.”

Since only God and my husband knew I wanted this mixer, I knew God had laid it on our friends’ heart to buy me the exact mixer I had wanted for ten years.

I marvel that in the midst of running the universe and loving seven billion people, God took time to make one Iowa housewife’s life a little easier.

A Bosch’s high-quality motor parts are well-built and durable. Fifteen years later our Bosch still works great.  A lot of bread has slid down our gullets. I suspect a direct correlation between the amount of bread we consume and the size of our spare tires.

Last spring my friend Laura called, frustrated with her bread-making efforts. She uses a Kitchen-Aid so I suggested she try my Bosch. The bread turned out wonderful and I could see by the gleam in her eye that she had the Bosch bug. The next time I went to her house, I saw a new sleek, white Bosch sitting on the counter.

When I see my white Bosch sitting on my counter, I’m reminded of generous, thoughtful, observant friends. The type that pays attention to your likes and dislikes, are sensitive to your needs, and take pleasure in giving gifts they know you’ll enjoy.  

I’m reminded of a loving God who hadn’t forgotten me. Years before, Keith and I decided that I would be a stay-at-home Mom, which in our case meant that money would always be tight. God saw me faithfully plugging away, trying to make ends meet, working hard to feed my big family healthy food. God reminded me that He was aware of our situation. He knew our needs, and when it was the right time, He met them.

God reached down to me in a tangible way. It’s immensely reassuring to know that God cares about the details of my life, both big and small.

By giving me something only one person on earth knew I wanted, God assured me He hears my prayers. He provides for my needs and occasionally some of my wants. Just like I enjoy giving my children things I know they need and will enjoy, God enjoys giving His children the desires of their heart.

God doesn’t meet all our needs or answer all our prayers. Why He chose to answer this one and not others, I don’t know. I do know that God is wise and knows which prayers should be answered and in which way.

Things like this solidify my resolve to trust God. Trusting God because of the things I have seen, goes a long way to help me trust Him for the things I can’t see.

           

This was a defining moment for me. I learned God is thoughtful, resourceful, generous, creative, loving, faithful, aware, kind, wise, a provider, and trustworthy.

And thankfully, he also likes to send care packages.

God is great,

God is good,

And we thank Him

For this food

(and the machine that helped make it)

Amen 

I'm linking up with my friend Jennifer for:

A Bend in the Road

This week the sky changes as fast and often as a teenage girl’s moods. The weather vacillates between sunshine and rain several times a day, much like our first visit to Ashland four years ago.

Keith had prayed about finding a different church. I liked living in Northwest Iowa near Keith’s family. I enjoyed my church, friends, and job.  I hoped Keith was just going through a phase he'd soon grow out of.

God gave clues to our future but I missed them.

Clue #1 – A plaque on my friend’s wall said, “A bend in the road is not the end of the road...unless you fail to make the turn.”

Clue #2 – A spur-of-the-moment trip we took four years ago to Colorado. For years Keith had wanted to visit Glenwood Springs in winter. We took his Christmas bonus and left before his rational “we should fix the roof” side kicked in.

We spent New Year’s Eve (with single digit outside temps) in Glenwood’s ginormous warm pool with two hundred people. I sat in warm, soothing mineral-laced water and marveled that I was doing something I’d never thought to do, but was enjoying myself immensely.

Clue #3 came four months later when Keith and I visited my family in Oregon. One night we rented a delightful room in Manzanita, a small town on the Oregon coast.

For twenty-five years I had lived an hour from the ocean but had never spent the night there. It never occurred to me to want to. We lived so close that going to the ocean had always been a day trip. 

Manzanita was wonderful and I listened to rhythmic waves crash on shore and marveled that we were doing something we’d never thought to do, but were enjoying ourselves immensely.

I had never thought about visiting Wisconsin. I had never thought about seeing Lake Superior. There are many places I’d like to see someday but Wisconsin wasn’t on the list.

A Wisconsin church approached us. Keith prayed but didn’t feel led in that direction. We both agreed that we didn’t want to live in Wisconsin. He meant to take Wisconsin off his church-match profile, but forgot.

When our present church contacted us, something in the man’s voice caught Keith’s attention. He found this picture on the church’s website.

It looked so pretty, I wanted to sign up immediately. There are better reasons to choose a church than how it looks from the air so we prayed about it.

As Keith talked to their search committee, I wondered about the trees. Keith was born and raised in Iowa and loves the landscape. He likes Grant Wood pictures. He likes open prairies and seeing for miles and miles in any direction. He loves Iowa sunsets. He hated living in Oregon amongst so many trees.

I suggested a trip to Ashland to see if Keith thought he could live there. Four years ago on Memorial Day weekend, we drove eight hours north for a life-changing trip.

We stayed in a charming Bed and Breakfast. We’d never stayed in one before. It had never occurred to us to want to. I marveled that we had done something we’d never thought to do, but had enjoyed ourselves immensely.

I liked the church and people we met. Lake Superior was inviting. It rained off and on the whole time, which showed us what normal spring weather was like. A beautiful spring day would have been deceptive since Ashland’s springs are usually cold and wet.

I thought Keith wouldn’t like the trees. To my surprise, he said he could live there. Wisconsin has more deciduous trees than Oregon, more open spaces, and the huge lake gave Keith a horizon.

He took the job and we transplanted our family 450 miles north. If we were Lego people, God had just picked up our pieces and moved them to another board.

God answered many prayers. We love it here. We like the church, the area, our house, and the weather. Leaving Iowa was hard and I still miss some things, but I’m thankful we moved.

God knew that this small Wisconsin church on the south shore of Lake Superior would be a good fit for a quirky, bearded bi-vocational pastor/plumber from Iowa.

Five years ago I didn’t know this place existed and I often marvel to be doing something I’d never thought to want to do, and yet am enjoying myself immensely. 

Our Glenwood Springs excursion, the Manzanita getaway, and the move to Ashland had in common the element of surprise. Of God doing the unexpected. Of doing something way beyond the realm of our experience. Of being blessed when we least expected it.

A new church friend gave us an antique picture of a curved country road. I got chills when she said, “This picture is like your trip here. You can’t see where the bend leads, but you took the road anyway.”

This picture hangs in our entry way. It’s the first thing we see when we enter the house. I wish I had my Iowa friend’s “Bend in the Road” plaque to hang under this picture.  

I am reminded that God's time is the right time. God has a plan for my life and His plan is always better than mine. Hopefully I’ll remember all this the next time God wants us to go around another bend.


I'm linking up with my friend Jennifer at Getting Down With Jesus 

Faith means...

I'm linking up with Lori today at Life, Love, and Laughter in a Large Family

for Think Quotes It's Friday

Faith is...

Linking up today with Lori at Life, Love, and Laughter in a Large Family.

The Day I Hit a UPS Truck

Technically it hit me, but only because I was in the way. 

Last Saturday’s date brings back memories.

 











I’ll never forget April 7th thirteen years ago. We’d been struggling from a job and church change.  Keith’s new job paid less than the old one and Baby #7’s arrival had stretched our budget thin.

Our savings were depleted.

On Monday our accountant said we owed $500 in taxes.

On Tuesday the furnace died.

On Wednesday, April 7, 1999, I wanted to take the kids, then nine months to thirteen years, on a Planetarium field trip ninety miles away. 

When Keith said we couldn’t afford to go, the kids and I emptied piggy banks, redeemed pop cans, and scrounged up money for gas.

After a fun field trip, and a picnic in the park on a gorgeous spring day, we headed home.

We were blissfully minding our own business when a UPS truck crossed the intersection and crashed into the side of my van.

Everything happened fast. Squealing brakes. Smashed metal. Shattered glass. Children crying.

Lani’s carseat, baby and all, flew from the back row and landed sideways between the front seats. Landing sideways protected her from the broken glass that showered her carseat.

Kiah’s door took the brunt of the impact and she hit her head on the seat in front of her. Still clueless about what had just happened, I was thankful that everyone appeared to be okay.

The UPS driver sat in his truck in the middle of the road. Maybe it’s company accident policy or maybe he was mad, but it bothered me that he didn’t get out to see if we were okay.

Rescue personnel finally arrived. I was astonished to learn that I had run a stop sign. The accident was my fault!!

Kiah’s head injury concerned the ER doctor. Brain swelling on her CT scan necessitated an airlift to Sioux Falls.

I had a difficult choice.  Either go with Kiah and leave my six kids, including the baby, with total strangers at a hospital far from home. Or let Kiah, who might be seriously injured, fly without me and call someone to meet her at the hospital.

Since the other kids were okay and Kiah wasn’t, I went with her. Keith drove down to get the kids—1½  hours both ways.

After a twenty minute flight, Kiah checked into a Sioux Falls emergency room. Head injuries can deteriorate fast so they weren’t taking chances. After a few tests, they said we wouldn’t know much until the next day.

That night I laid on the hospital floor in the dark room besides Kiah’s bed and wallowed in misery. Talk about rock bottom.

No savings.

$500 tax bill.

Dead furnace

Wrecked van that collision insurance wouldn’t replace

Kiah’s possible head injury.

My first ever ticket. 
Embarrassment - Do you know anyone else who's collided with a UPS truck?

I wanted to sink through the floor. The future looked bleak. The accident and impact kept looping through my head. I finally drifted off to a fitful sleep.

April 8 - God’s Delivers, Not UPS

God met us in the deep hole I’d helped dig.  

The next day Kiah’s swelling subsided and she only had a concussion.

Our accountant said that he’d made a mistake and we didn’t owe any taxes.

Keith’s co-workers chipped in to buy us a new furnace. Keith’s boss, Dan, sold the furnace at cost.

Dan loaned us an old white station wagon until we could replace our van.

A friend gave us $2500 towards another van.

Dan called the local car dealership and said, “Keith needs a van.”

Rollie, the car salesman said, “A mini-van?”

Dan said, “Nah. You got anything bigger?”

Rollie said, “Funny you should ask, but something came in this morning. We’ve only had five big vans come in during all the years I’ve worked here.”

Dan said, “Can you cut him a deal?”

Rollie needed to cover his costs so sold us a big blue (my favorite color even) Ford eleven-seater passenger van for $2600. Our wrecked van only had eight seatbelts so whenever we traveled together, Andrew sat unbelted on the floor.  The “new” van even had room for friends.

Money trickled in. We received a $100 dollar check in the mail two days after the accident from a friend two states away. She apologized for not sending a gift for Lani’s birth and said to use the money however we wanted.

She hadn’t given our other children gifts, so why Lani? And why then? Lani’s birth was nine months before. The envelope was postmarked April 7, the day of the accident! Before we had a need, God was already moving to meet it.

The next day we found an anonymous envelope in the mailbox with $200. An anonymous donor left $200 for us at a nearby church.

I regretted insisting on the field trip. The whole mess would have been avoided if I’d only listened to my husband. I felt terrible about wrecking the van. I felt horrible that my mistake endangered my children. It could easily have been worse.

I don’t know why God allowed those bad things to happen if he was just going to turn around and fix everything. Seems like it would be easier to not let those things happen in the first place than to have to fix them afterwards. 

But if I hadn’t crashed and hit rock bottom, I would have missed the awesome experience of seeing God meet our needs.  How could I properly appreciate the provision if I didn’t have a need?

God doesn’t always meet needs in such a spectacular fashion but this time He did. We encountered hard times but He carried us through. 

To this day, when we pass a UPS truck on the road, I’ll say, “Aaahhhh!!!” in a loud wobbly voice.  Though they know the story, my youngest three daughters don’t remember the accident.

But I do.

And I’ll never forget the time I learned the hard way about Jehovah-Jireh, My Provider. 

And my God shall supply all your need 

according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

--Philippians 4:19--

I'm linking up today with Jennifer at Getting Down With Jesus

 

Red Letter Day

I have no greater joy than to hear
that my children are walking in the truth.
--3 John 1:4--

Erica was baptized last week and it was special time for all of us. Our church practices Believer's baptism by immersion. We see baptism as symbolic, an outside indication of what has happened on the inside. A public profession that it is her choice, not her parents choosing for her, to be a Christ follower.

The bad thing is our church doesn't have a baptistry.

The good thing is we live by Lake Superior.

The bad thing is the lake was freezing that day.

The good thing is the occasion was so awesome she didn't mind the cold water.

Celebrating with friends and family

I love this picture and think it's symbolic.
Erica's Dad is holding out his hand to
steady her and show her the way.

We were buried therefore with Him by baptism

into death, in order that, just as Christ was

raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
we too might walk in newness of life.
--Romans 6:4--

No baptismal robes - we're kind of an informal outfit.

Keith & Erica with the other person who was baptized.
(disclaimer: I am not responsible for my husband's
wardrobe. He shops for and dresses himself.)

Cortland and Erica with their youth leader

and her other youth leaders

Erica and her Daddy

A gaggle of girls plus a good-natured nephew

I love these words from Jason's Gray's song, I Am New

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
and I'm dearly loved
I am new.

Forgiven Beloved
Hidden in Christ
Made in the image of the giver of life
Righteous and Holy
Reborn and remade
Accepted and Worthy
this is our new name.

Nevertheless

I haven't done this for years, but I'm reading through the Bible this year. I don't say this in a prideful way. Rather I'm ashamed that I'd gotten out of the habit of daily Bible reading.

I'm trying a slightly different approach by using The Daily Bible which arranges Scripture in chronological order. The most noticeable difference being Psalms and prophecies are inserted in the narrative where they actually take place. For example in the Old Testament, when David sins with Bathsheba, Psalms 51 is placed there. I'm getting a better feel for context.

Six months into this and still in the Old Testament, I am struck with how for centuries the Israelites ran on a hamster wheel of turning their back on God, experiencing pain and difficulties, crying out to God, being delivered, and then turning their back again. Over and over and over again. It grieves my heart to read about Israel's follies. How God must have grieved when his beloved people turned away and put their trust in everything but Him.

The Old Testament's lessons are not just for Jews, but for everyone. Psalms 106 sums it up well: (All scripture is quoted from The New American Standard Bible)

Vs. 6 - We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly.

7 - Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Thy wonders; They did not remember Thine abundant kindnesses, but rebelled by the Red Sea.

8 - NEVERTHELESS He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known.

9 to 12 tells how God led the Israelites through the Red Sea and saved them from their enemies.

13 - They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but craved intensely in the wilderness and tempted God in the desert.

20 - Thus they exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior who had done great things in Egypt, and awesome things by the Red Sea.

24 - Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe in His word, but grumbled in their tents.

25 to 39 - More descriptions of how the Israelites "did not listen to the voice of the Lord."

40 - Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people...Then he gave them into the hands of their enemies.

44 - (and now, my favorite part) NEVERTHELESS He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness. He also made them objects of compassion.

Powerful. A God who continues to love us no matter how many times we fall. Inspired by this Psalm, I wrote an acrostic poem a few years back. The letters of the word "Nevertheless" start each line.

_______________________________________________

Psalms 106

Near to the

Eternal One, we turn and walk away.

Vanished are the

Earnest prayers of promises to obey.

Redeemed from

Tribulation, we easily forget

His mighty works on our behalf, His payment of our debt.

Even though we will not listen, His

Love will not let go.

Ever the

Same, He'll lead us home as He did

So long ago.

__________________________________________________

An amazing Holy God forgiving stupidity and rebellion. Hearing, Loving, Saving. Over and Over and Over again.

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, "Amen." (Ps. 106:48)