Well Done

The choir, 125 voices strong, swelled behind me. I sat in the orchestra, adding my little part to a divine moment. The back of my neck tingled, my stomach fluttered, and my eyes misted at such glory. At the helm stood my husband, conducting the piece he arranged. Every stitch of music used by over 150 performers came through his hands. Every note, every dynamic marking, every rest were placed by him. And when all his work came together with such beauty, I was overwhelmed.

I know how many hours he spends on his music with no guarantee he'll be compensated for the time. I watch him pore over scores on his laptop every evening. I've been alongside him for decades, witnessing his devotion to honing his skills. I know the jabs he takes for calling himself what he is--a composer. I know how often he's felt misunderstood and devalued.

So in that moment, hearing his music come to glorious life, I could barely contain myself. My husband, doing what he was meant to do, stood tall and strong and smiled widely, reveling in the satisfaction of hearing his work performed so well. Because he ignored popular opinion about what constitutes manliness and followed God's call on his life, he created this grandeur. He let God use him to produce the fodder for my goose bumps.

And this amazingly humble, faithful, creator of beauty is MY husband.

Tears well. Gratitude soars.

It is my honor to be this man's wife, to see him live out true manhood by consistently, quietly using and refining the gifts God's given him. With no words at all he teaches me to press on in what God asks, regardless of who understands.

How I love and admire you, my dear husband. I thank God every single day for you. Your example of perseverance and faithfulness inspires me. Our association makes me better. I am blessed because of you.

And indebted to God for His very good gift.


To read more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Laurie at Women Taking a Stand.

A Reason to Do It Anyway

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 10:19

This is not good news for a blogger. Or a Bible study leader. Or someone who aspires to be a writer and occasionally finds herself standing before others telling her story.

When words are many, sin is not absent.

Yikes.

My very next word has the potential to sin, to damage, to destroy. And I put words out there for all the world to see? What's the matter with me?! Am I asking for trouble?

I consider myself a pretty NON-confrontational type of person. I don't like to ruffle feathers. Criticism or disagreement get to me. I'm not one to stir up trouble, at least not on purpose.

So why do I do this? Why does this people pleasing introvert subject herself to possible sin and scorn?

I just can't help it. These thoughts whir and stir and I figure if I'm feeling a certain way, I can't be the only one. I take to heart Paul's words in 2 Corinthians that tell us to comfort others with the comfort we have received from God. I tell myself no one cares what I think, but God says, "Do it," so I do. I hope I don't sound stupid and often feel the work is "hack," but I'm learning to trust Him to make good of it.

I see myself as one of the stones Jesus referred to.

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Luke 19:40

I have to cry out. Everything in me wants others to know.

So I'll take a deep breath each time my fingers hit the keyboard. I'll pray like crazy for divine inspiration and guidance and protection. I'll take the risk and work through the blather and do what God says to do.

It's my reason to do it anyway.

What do you do simply because God tells you to do it?


Photo Credit: Biappi

To Be More Like Mary

When God asked her to do the unthinkable, Mary asked a logistical question, then said, "I am Your servant."

She lived through the gossip, the scorn, the humiliation, the doubt and did what God asked, fulfilling His call. Literally seeing the fruit of her labor and receiving confirmation from others, she looked at how God used her sacrifice and pondered. No questions. No explanations. No words at all.

Only pondering.

She let God have His way, treasuring it in her heart.

How I want to be more like her. God asks me to do something hard and I beg for help. I look to others for validation. I worry my sacrifice is not good enough. Instead I should be a servant and do the work. I should watch for how God uses it.

And ponder.



Photo Credit: Sunfrog1

What God Sees as Great

I've talked before on this blog about wanting to do big things for God. I want to be like Moses or Abraham or Mary. I want to achieve something truly miraculous that points tons of people to Him.

And for some reason I've assumed I haven't or don't or my efforts aren't big enough, aren't worthy of the "great" title.

But today a precious friend said something I won't soon forget.

"Whatever God asks of you, doing it and obeying Him is what makes it great."

A great work for God is anything we do in obedience to Him. We show God His importance in our life by doing what He asks, no matter how ordinary or mundane or unimportant we view it. Obeying His call makes our work spectacular in His eyes.

Heeding God's nudging to help someone carry packages becomes a great work of God. Making the phone call we dread simply because God said to, gains His nod of approval. Leading a Bible study or writing a book which seem beyond us, but doing it anyway because He's asked us, is worship of a Holy God who deserves it.

Being great is only a matter of obeying, of doing what He asks.

So today I expose myself in a blog post trusting it is a big work for God. I pray I've made Him smile.

If you love me, you will obey what I command.

John 14:15

How will you be great today?



Image Credit: Rosencruz Sumera

Bringing God Glory

She thought she could do it by being the best.
But no matter how hard she tried, there was always someone better.

So she devoted herself to doing it right.
But she was human and messed it up.

She decided to learn everything she could.
But searching always brings more questions.

Maybe it was best to concentrate on pleasing Him.
But how do you know when you've pleased God?

She prayed and served and sought. She loved and listened and waited.
None of it seemed enough. He had done so much more. He deserved so much more. How could her measly efforts ever bring Him glory?

Finally He spoke,

I don't need you to be the best.
I don't need you to be perfect.
I don't need you to be right.

I need you to be you.

I don't want what you can do.

I want you.

For the Others

As a little girl, she prayed for a miracle.

As a teenager, she prayed for a miracle.

She grew up and prayed and prayed for a miracle.

And then one day, after decades of sincere, belief-filled pleas, God answered her with a resounding "No."

Her world came crashing in for a while, as much for the sadness of what was lost as for her great disappointment in God. He could do it if He wanted. She knew He was capable. She had faith and believed above all odds He would.

But He didn't.

She scoured her Bible for answers. She read of Job and how He praised God for the good and the bad. She came to realize God is under no obligation to explain Himself. Slowly, very slowly, she came to accept His "No". What else could she do?

Life went on and she learned to live without her miracle. God blessed her in many other ways and their relationship grew. Then suddenly, when the pain no longer plagued her and she had long ago reconciled herself to God's plan, without warning came His explanation for her YEARS of hurt and disappointment.

It is for the others.

You had to know the hurt to identify with them, urge them along and show them the hope which comes only from Me. The answer had to be "No" so I could use your pain for them.

The knowledge overwhelmed her. It made sense. Her life had come full circle. He truly did make all things work together for good. He saw and He knew and it was all part of His divine plan. She understood it all, yet felt so sad. It didn't seem quite fair. She knew many would not see it. People would be stubborn and find ways to dismiss it. They would never realize the price she paid for the long shot they might see His Truth.

And then she remembered Jesus.

I have only asked from you what I've been willing to give Myself. Your pain was not wasted.

Had He hurt too as He watched her struggle to understand? Had He worried about what she may think of Him? Had He weeped alongside her all these years thinking, "Just hang on. You'll get it one day. It will be worth it."?


Could YOUR pain be for the sake of the others? Is there any better way to love?

He makes ALL things work together for good.

The pain is not wasted.

The value in our suffering comes when it is used for the sake of others.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Answering the Call and Accepting the Charges

When I glanced down at the paper and noticed my "occupation" listed as HOMEMAKER, I was glad there was no mirror in the elevator so I didn't have to look at my screwed up face. I love my family, but I'm tired of being identified that way. I know it's not right, but I imagine the people typing in the information or the people reading the form are thinking HOMEMAKER is code for "loser without a job".

Maybe it got to me because I spent the day before feeling frustrated that I wasn't seen as important. When you're a HOMEMAKER, people don't ask you about your "job". They don't find it or you interesting and I find conversations are nearly always centered on someone else. Maybe I'm tired of living in the shadow of others or having everyone else's needs be more important than mine. (Boy, my self-centeredness is making its way front and center--ouch!) Maybe I'm tired of waiting for it to be my turn to shine (or worried it never will be). Or maybe I'm just feeling old (getting a mammogram and glasses in the same week will do that to ya). Most likely I am just plain tired and could use a nap for a good attitude adjustment.

I know the title HOMEMAKER doesn't begin to explain who I am and what I do, just as any title doesn't come close to describing the work of its holder. So I have to ask myself, what is my real problem?

I sat down and talked with God about it and He brought up this:

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10

I must have an ego problem. I want to be impressive. I want to be recognized. I want the praise of others.

But I want to be used by God more.

There is no room for arrogance and self-centeredness in His work. He knew I'd have a problem with it I guess, and so He gave me this HOMEMAKER gig. And I do like my life, very much. I just need to quit looking around and put my nose to the grindstone in what He's asked of me.

As for those who seemed to be important--whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance. . .
Galatians 2:6

I don't have a fancy title or impressive credentials, Lord, but I have You. I am secure in You. Forgive me for playing the comparison game. I don't have to prove myself. I am who I am, Your servant, Your child, Your chosen instrument for the jobs You give me.

By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. . .
1 Corinthians 15:10

What is my calling?

Calling.

It's one of those "ominous, churchy words". What is YOUR calling? Check out Kevin's take of this at By the Book.