knocked down...but not destroyed

(This is day 2 in a write 31 days series. Click here for the title page )

Alarm clock buzzes at 5:45 am. Mary, bleary eyed, shuts it off and heaves a deep sigh… another day of the same. Too much to do too little time, kids demands, homeschooling, husband’s needs, kids have been sick, etc... She thinks to herself that it’d be nice to be able to spend a little quiet time with a cup of hot coffee and her devotional…but she can hear some noise coming from the kitchen. Someone must be up. So much for quiet time today…

Dear Uncle Savant,

I am working on Mary today, Anne and Jill seems to be spinning in their own self-centered thoughts, so I figured they weren’t much of a threat at the moment.

When Mary woke up today I made sure that I immediately met her with thoughts of being overwhelmed and defeated before she even put her feet on the ground. She used to wake up and tell our Enemy “thank you” for the new day, I now have her stressed and distracted enough that she completely forgets.

It was really too easy to blow up her day and cause her to fall apart even before dinner. The washer broke, so I encouraged the kids in their fighting to get louder and meaner so Mary’s frustration level was near boiling point. This presented the perfect time for me to insinuate that her life would be so much better if she had just put those kids in public school and went to work with responsible adults. 

When she called her husband to inform him of the washer, He, of course, was busy and snapped at her, telling her she knew how to call a repair man, condescendingly reminding her that he didn’t have time for that kind of stuff. Mary resents that fact that he doesn’t have to deal with the kids or house stuff. She also feels small and insignificant when he barks at her like that, like he could care less about their home together and how much effort she pours in. 

I help her nurse those feelings. I massage them into her mind, so they are ever at the forefront. We can’t have her finding her “joy” again.

Later that day, she tried to “pull herself up by her bootstraps”, as they say, and make another effort to be a good mom. She felt guilty for yelling at the kids when she was really just angry at the washer breaking and her husband. I made sure she boiled over so she took it out on them. If I can affect their futures through her, I will take every opportunity I can!

Her attempt to make a nice dinner and be cheerful was a disaster, I got such a good laugh watching! She picked out a recipe from that oh-so-helpful-site Pinterest. It typically makes her feel less-than and ill-equipped. However, today she pushed through and made a complicated dinner. I distracted her with a phone call from her mom and she forgot a step in the recipe…. 

So it was an utter failure. BONUS for me! She gave up and made macaroni and cheese, which of course thrilled her husband. He had specifically chose to come home for her “special dinner” instead of going out with the guys for a business dinner after work.

With spending so much time trying to corral her kids and teach, dealing with the washer and mess, and failing at dinner she didn’t have time to shower or straighten herself up at all. So when her husband came rolling in after work, she added to the day’s mess by not feeling very attractive and worried her husband might not be satisfied with her. After all, he works with well put together women all day.

The end of the day was truly perfect. In just one day, one 12-hour period, I caused her to feel discouraged, overwhelmed, frustrated, guilty, angry, like a failure, less-than, worried about her marriage, ugly, and incompetent.

Hope to have an even better report tomorrow Uncle!

Sincerely,

Sepitus

Valuable Information

(This is Day 1 in a write 31 days series. Click here for the title page )


Do you ever wonder how the attacks in your life are so pinpointed perfect to make you suffer to the max? Like someone is in your house watching you?

Well…. There is…

Inspired by C.S. Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters, this series for the #write31days challenge is going to pull back the veil a bit so we can see what the devil attempts to do to bring down the Saints of Christ and make us think we are defeated.

Check back each day for a new installation in our story about 3 ladies, Mary, Lisa and Anne. Women who are from 3 different walks of life that end up intersecting and experience deceitful, heinously accurate attacks in their daily lives.

Let’s take a peek at a little introduction into their lives….

Dearest Young Sepitus,

I have been advised that you have acquired 3 new assignments. I am so proud of your success of ruining the testimony of the Chosen Ones and I am writing to let you know I have done some background research on Mary, Lisa, and Anne for you. I long for your success with these three, and I am not beyond cheating a bit to give you a leg up.

I want to remind you that they cannot know of your existence. You must keep your identity quiet, so they believe your deceptions are from their inner mind, from family and from influences around them. I know it’s difficult to not showcase your pride of success and claim your victories, but it’ll have to remain within our ranks only.

So to get on with the valuable information I have for you, let’s begin with Mary. As you know, she’s been married to that schmuck for 18 years- remind her daily of his shortcomings, highlight the tiniest things and elevate them to maximum annoying status. She has the 3 offspring you can use easily too of course! Don’t forget what a tool the kids can be, wearing her down and making her so tired and used up that she can’t even think about serving our Enemy. Remind her often that she’s not being fulfilled personally by staying at home with the brats. Use her friends to point out her shortcomings in motherhood and make their lives enviable to Mary. I cannot wait to see our plans of divorce and destruction come to fruition- Stay vigilant…she will fall.

Lisa is a totally different assignment. Your greatest success will be using her pride. She has this bubbling under the radar version of self-aggrandizement but she hides it the best she can…. allow it to slip out more often. Her husband, as you know, is not really connected to her, their communication has been broken lately, that valley needs to be exposed! It’s a gift when they get mad at each other for not taking responsibility. Both are tired and frustrated, both feel angry at having to sacrifice for their kids. She wanted the family, he wanted the career and successful life. His pressure on her to make the dollar forces her to work long hours, keep the kids being raised by school and daycare and kids class at that worthless church. Lisa is on the verge of a break…push her there. Emphasize the emptiness and anger. Highlight jealousy of her stay at home mom-friends- they have “the life” she wants. Have fun with this one…employ anger as much as you can.

Anne is a damaged girl who keeps trying to leave the jail cell that we have her in for freedom. We CANNOT allow her to see the open door; put up masks, fog and shrouds. That blasted Enemy tried to woo her with the gift of Freedom for the Chosen Ones, and she almost grasped it. Your forerunner, Garrus, nearly lost her and he was aptly punished. Do not follow in his footsteps- I will not be able to intervene if you fail. Anne is stressed out trying to finish college, pay for it and find the “love of her life”. She tries to choose the life of a Chosen One, but her-self focus clouds her vision and she truly believes she is who she is from her past and cannot rise above. We. Must. Bury. Her.

Sepitus, I am just lathering with excitement over their fall! I just know we’ve chosen the right apprentice to handle these three. You have proven yourself and this will earn you a promotion. Soon you’ll be handling Pastors, Evangelists, and Missionaries. They typically require a team-style attack, and there a few teams that will have openings soon. I’d love to see you bring down one of the enemies most influential mouthpieces. However, do not underestimate the power of our Enemy. He has some nonsensical plan for each one of His Chosen Ones. It’s a strong itching call He puts in their hearts, that tends to draw them towards the ridiculous, paradox of a life of suffering for our Enemy. He claims its to have a relationship with His beloved (insipid) creations, but we know otherwise. After all, our very own Prince saw through the Enemy’s plan and chose his own way and allowed us to bask in this nefarious lifestyle.

I’ll sign off for now, so looking forward to your updates! Let me know when you need direction!

With Affection,

Uncle Savant

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Life Creative- a book review

“A Mother’s natural bent toward creativity doesn’t just wither and die with the birth of a child.This core component remains a part of her intricate design”

~ From Life Creative written by Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart ~

When I saw the opportunity to be a part of this book launch for Life Creative by Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart, I had no idea what a blessing to my creative soul it would be!

I had not understood nor claimed my way of doing things as my expression of creativity. It was just my experience and a way of life to me. This book helped me recognize the creativity the Lord has invested in my soul and that I ought to not only embrace what He gave me, but use it to do great things that point others to Him.

“God can use your creative bent to bend others to the cross”

“The Master created us as masterpieces, 

that we might create masterpieces 

to reflect the Master”

The authors speak about “the dark ages” of motherhood. Any mom can relate to this description. We have all looked at the mundane chores of changing innumerable diapers, potty training a stubborn child, sleepless nights rocking a sick toddler, and always trying to answer the never ending question of “what’s for dinner” and wondered if this is all there is. These ladies have taken that season in life and highlighted it this way:

“Worship isn’t something we do at church with 

heads bowed. Worship is a chin-up, face-forward 

thing to do.”

“From the moment you pull yourself out of bed until your head hits the pillow again, you’re met with countless opportunities to worship.”

Scripture tells us to do everything to the glory of God in I Corinthians 10:31. Motherhood is the sacred, holy calling of raising little warriors for Jesus. The way we chose to use our creativity that God placed within us expresses our gratitude to Him and teaches our children to glorify God with what you’ve got in your hand. We spend our time longing for someone else’s life, someone else’s calling or someone else’s experiences. Each one of us has been created as an Image Bearer of the greatest Creator there is! He loved us so much, He didn’t just create us individually, but God placed His personal mark on each of us in unique ways to mirror Himself. We have to stop discounting the reflection of God in our soul!

“You are also forever learning to be an artisan. As your art moves with you in and out of different seasons, it naturally changes. Together, you grow – the art and the artist- as you master your skill set, comprehending the message you want your art to convey. There is always so much work to be done.

Nearly 20 years ago, when I became a mother, creativity was still foreign to me. I had dreams. Dreams of decorating my home beautifully, being the best cook and baker for my family, writing my heart, singing out my heart, and leading others to Christ. Over the years, my personality has changed, my list of to-dos has changed, and my ability to create has changed. Through reading Life Creative, I have rediscovered the creativity God has placed in my heart and it has borne a new feeling of gratitude for who He made me to be.

“These mothering moments are consecrated acts of worship, presented to the Lord with the same heart that beats behind your Sunday dress as you belt out a solo or teach the story of David and Goliath to a roomful of 5-year-olds. By acknowledging the tasks that He places before you, and faithfully attending to each one, you live life worshipfully.”

“Cleaning dirty floors, painting empty canvases, folding loads of laundry, penning lyrics to the music that swirls in your head- worshiping, working, serving, laboring… All of this is sacred Renaissance worship.

I couldn’t say it better myself. All of these quotes from the chapters of this book bless my heart and continue to point my line of vision to Jesus, and isn’t that supposed to be the entire point of life here on earth? To glorify God with everything we do?

I am very grateful to have come in contact with these women, Wendy and Kelli, and witness their testimony of living Life Creative, pointing others to Jesus with the creative work of their souls. What an honor to get to promote something that bears the fruit of a worshipful expression of renaissance mothering.

You need to make it a priority to get this book. You can find it on Amazon. 

When She Falls...

Do you ever wonder how the attacks in your life are so pinpointed perfect to make you suffer to the max? Like someone is in your house watching you?

Well…. There is…

Inspired by C.S. Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters, this series for the #write31days challenge is going to pull back the veil a bit so we can see what the devil attempts to do to bring down the Saints and make us think we are defeated.

He cannot take us, 

so his goal is to 

stain us, soil us, and destroy us.

Starting October 1st, check back each day for a new installation in our story about 3 ladies, Mary, Lisa and Anne. Women who are from 3 different walks of life that end up intersecting and experience deceitful, heinously accurate attacks in their daily lives.

Oct. 1st- Valuable information

Oct. 2nd- knocked down... but not destroyed
Oct. 3rd- the never ending list...
Oct. 4th- Entangling Webs
Oct. 5th- Sword of the Spirit Must Stay Sheathed
Oct. 6th- The Longing for Worthiness
Oct. 7th- Captivity in the Mind
Oct. 8th- Coveting the Illusion
Oct. 9th- Sunday Distractions
Oct. 10th- Unmet Expectations
Oct. 11th- Shame and Pride
Oct. 12th- Course Corrections
Oct. 13th- Choosing Well
Oct. 14th- Little Secrets
Oct. 15th- Footholds
Oct. 16th- Pushing Through the Darkness
Oct. 17th- The Rat Race
Oct. 18th- Red Flags
Oct. 19th- Is it going to be o.k.?
Oct. 20th- The Stress of Self Sufficiency
Oct. 21st- The Grass on the Other Side
Oct. 22nd- Come Back
Oct. 23rd- Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
Oct. 24th- Best Laid Plans
Oct. 25th- The White Robe
Oct. 26th- Dancing on the Razor's Edge
Oct. 27th- Glimmers of Hope
Oct. 28th- The Beauty of Restoration
Oct. 29th- Competing for Worst Wound
Oct. 30th- Choosing to be a Victorious Warrior
Oct. 31st- Second Chances and New Resolve

...Because women need each other!

Sometimes you come across a book that is so timely and perfect for your place in life. That is this book, “Giddy Up Eunice”. Besides loving the title, this book by Sophie Hudson is chock full of adorable humor and southern sweetness.

The theme is that women need each other. In this world of comparison and competition, and where my success seems to means less for you, or your likability seems to mean less for me…this book cuts through that fakeness and untruth and exposes clearly what scripture has to say about what our relationships are supposed to be.

I loved reading every bit, it was a quick read, mostly because I couldn’t put it down! I strongly recommend it for any woman, or actually… all women.

In my own life, my relationships with older women have been both pivotal and shaped me as a grown woman, wife and mother. As a young mother, I had an army of grandmothers, 2 moms, and a host of incredible church ladies that made sure I was well equipped! I not only respected them but craved their wisdom. The weird realization I had reading the book was that I am now smack dab in the middle. I am not the young mom anymore and neither am I older. My kids are teens and it’s my turn to impart my wisdom to younger women and moms.

Sophie Hudson uses three sets of relationships from the bible to show us the benefit and necessity of multi-generational relationships. Mary (Jesus’ mother) and Elizabeth her cousin and the mother of John the Baptist, Naomi and Ruth, and Lois and Eunice (Timothy’s grandmother and mother) are such friendships that show us why we need each other.

Besides the obvious family ties, the life lessons, experience and direction that come from multi-generational relationships are priceless. 

Sophie says “it’s so important for us to have older women in our lives; they know how to make things grow. 

They know how to grow plants, sure, 

but they also know how to grow in faith, 

how to grow in marriage, how to grow in singleness, 

how to grow in friendship, how to grow in parenting, 

how to grow in a relationship with the Lord. 

And in addition to all that growing, 

they know how to establish roots that are 

deep and well-nourished, 

they know how to prune away what’s no longer necessary, 

and they know what it takes to bear fruit.”

Something else that I know, at least for myself, that comes into play with older women (myself included) is that we know the heartaches of life, we know what it means to be caught in sin and have to surrender to God to get out, we know feelings of regret over decisions and all of that we can impart on younger lives to warn them and help them to choose a better path than we did.

Titus 2:3-5 says “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, 

not malicious gossips 

nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 

so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, 

to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, 

being subject to their own husbands, 

so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

I have noticed that there is this shift from what used to be, with older women teaching and showing the younger women they way, to now we always seem pitted against each other. Older women are feeling outdated and useless, put on the back shelf and younger women are advancing in prominence and crippling insecurity all at once. 

We have to get back to recognizing the richness in multi-generational relationships. We can find common ground and build from there. We aren’t in competition with each other, we need to be walking the road of life side by side.

Sophie, thank you for addressing and bringing into the light this issue and encouraging us to change the tide!

You can find Giddy Up Eunice through B&H Publishers and also on Amazon 

HCSB Notetaking bible

It was my privilege to receive and review the Notetaking Bible in the Holman Christian Standard Version, given by the B&H Publishing bloggers group.

These beautifully enhanced pages are fine tuned for the reflective artistic reader. Some pages are blank and allow for creative expression, others have lovely hand lettering designs that one can color in.

The emphasis always is the inspired, God-breathed Word. This version with its artful pages allows you to pause longer over verses, contemplate and commit to memory while you enjoy creating scripture art.

The editors first include a page about God’s plan for Salvation. This is a great piece to include in the first few pages, as many pick up a bible to read without knowing exactly what being a Christian is or how to find the verses about it. Without this knowledge and faith, we cannot read scripture and have the Holy Spirit’s power in us to interpret and teach us what we are reading, according to John 14:26 and 1 John 2:27.

I enjoy the Holman Christian Standard Bible Version.  The first few pages of this bible have a description of how to use their references and footnotes and also why they made another English translation of the Bible.

They site reasons such as the changing English language, new biblical research available through the internet, and advanced technology in translating more accurately. 

It also includes the differences in translation techniques and which style they used. There is a great explanation of traditional features and special formatting features they have used. It is helpful to the reader to check out these sections so as to get the most understanding and knowledge out of the format.

I highly recommend this version to anyone who first loves the Word of God and second loves to express worship through art.

You can find this bible here at the B&H publishing site. Also, on  Amazon .

(Artwork credit to Abby Lynn Haske)

Does God really love me?

I was going to attempt to revise and reshape this entry from my journal, and when I began it struck me that everything I wanted to share was written already.

I want others to know that God loves them and created them just as purposefully and perfectly as He showed me I was.

So here is a direct quoted excerpt from my journal.

Psalm 139:13-16 “For You formed my inward parts, you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret; and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. And in Your book they were all written. The days formed for me when as yet there were none of them.”

Luke 12:7a- “ …but the very hairs on your head are numbered…”

Lord Jesus,

 I am overwhelmed by Your creation and love of me today. Reading the verse about the hairs on my head has sparked an idea of creation in me. You didn’t just haphazardly wave Your hand and toss me together, as an afterthought or as a last minute thing.

My existence did not come as a surprise to You.

~You took Your time with me~

You picked and selected each and every portion and part of me like a divine recipe.

You knew and chose- You wanted me exactly how I am and I am the perfect combination and mixture that You chose to honor You, praise You, and point others to You.

I’m blown away by Your preciseness. If Your word says the hairs on my head are counted, then so is each cell, skin piece, and platelet of blood.

I have this idea in my head of You creating- standing over a mass of living, heart-beating cells and using a paintbrush, measuring spoons, and divine perception to put me together.

Your majestic, Holy fingers shaped my face, eyes, nose, mouth and ears. You chose to make me 5’2 ½” tall. You formed my toe nails and my finger nails. You chose the exact shade of color for each and every strand of hair. You formed my mind. You chose critical thought and organization. You chose to add a heavy dose of music love to my soul. You knew one day You’d speak to me through it. When you created Lily of the Valley thousands of years ago You knew that I’d be walking on my road one day, smell them and deem them my favorite flower. You added dashes of determination and work ethic. You delighted in choosing my talents and gifts. You blessed me with a singing voice to praise You alone. You created my heart to burst with care and affection for those in need. You pulled from Your apothecary of combinations the exact portions of tenderness, gentleness, meekness, and love.

I am Your image-bearer! When I look in the mirror I need to remember that I reflect You.

My heart for mercy is a reflection of Yours. My generous spirit is but a fraction of what You desire to give.

My exact days have numbers attached to them and you knew this day would come when You’d overwhelm me with divine understanding into Your heart of creation.

All of my steps are ordered and You’ve prepared good things for me to walk in one day at a time.

You are Marvelous… this my soul knows very well....

 Linking up with some wonderful writers over at purposefulfaith.com