The Simple Life at Home

My last post was a week ago. There I was, once again whining about balance and struggling to make my life work. I felt very defeated, very much like an unorganized failure. I know that there are women out there who manage to do it all, effortlessly it seems. I couldn't imagine ever being like that. I was convinced that I had to handle all the different facets of my life and make them work.

Thank God for Beth Moore.

As I mentioned before, I'm working through her new study on the book of Esther. It's been such a blessing to me, but last week she made a point that I found so freeing. She was discussing how Esther had already had the king, her husband Xerxes, as well as her enemy, Haman, over to one banquet and had invited them for another one the next day. We don't know the reason why she didn't reveal the dire circumstances she faced as a result of Haman's order to slaughter the Jews. Perhaps it was all part of the plan. Perhaps at the last minute she chickened out and blurted out an invitation for the following day to buy time to figure out what to do.

Regardless, picture Esther laying in bed that night, fretting about the next day, knowing that not only her own life, but the fate of her people were squarely on her royal shoulders. It had to be overwhelming. (Now, I'm not saying that the fate of a nation weighs on my shoulder, but I did feel overwhelmed.)

As she lay in bed, her husband was wide awake. The Scriptures say, "The Lord took away sleep from him." To soothe himself, he asked that the chronicles of his reign be read to him. Now, he'd been king for quite some time - perhaps as many as 10 years. And yet the portion of the chronicles that was read to him that night included something that would turn the situation on end. Xerxes learned that Mordechai, the prime target of Haman's rage and whom Haman planned to execute in the morning, had at one point saved his life by revealing a plot against the king. Even more, Mordechai had never been rewared for his good deed. Long story short, Mordechai ended up being honored and Haman ended up being on the wrong end of the king's wrath.

Esther did have her second banquet, during which time she revealed the truth of her heritage as well as the plot against her people. Her willingness to do whatever she could was rewarded.

In the same way, I just have to be faithful to do what I can do. As Beth put it, "it's tough being a woman who feels responsible for the how." The end result of any circumstance is not really up to us. It's up to God. All we can do is to be faithful in the details of what He has called us to do and let Him work. Oftentimes, it may be something as mundane as causing a sleepless night.

It was so freeing to me to read that I am not responsible for how things turn out. I do my best and let God work. I spend so much time worrying and stressing and trying to make everything perfect. Beth gave me some of the best advice I've ever heard: Fire yourself.

And so, to borrow a phrase from Donald Trump, I'm fired.

Fired and free. Free from the stress and anxiety. Free from the need to be the perfect mom and wife and woman.

All I have to do is my part. Thankfully, God promises that He will not give us more than we can bear. If I am faithful, He will use me to accomplish His will and He will be glorified.

That's a good thing.

This song is so convicting. Too many times we walk right by people that the Lord has put in our way. I pray this song will help us to think about what we can do to help those who we come across rather than just pretending not to see them. If you have never heard of Monk and Neagle, run, don't walk, and get this cd. It's amazing.

I have nothing to add to this. The video says it all.

Ladies, I have to tell you that there has been a revolution here lately.

Not the violent, Che Guevara type of revolution, but a revolution of love. Love in my heart. Love for the Lord.

A week ago I started going through a study by Catherine Martin called 6 Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time with the women's' ministry at our church. In that short time I have come to understand quiet times, and even my whole relationship with God, in a whole new way.

During the week, we were challenged to find a life verse and a life goal. Now, the life verse I struggled with. After all, all of Scripture is from God and beneficial for us. I'm working on it though. But what really revolutionized my thinking was the life goal.

I've always considered my life goal to be things like this: being a godly woman, being a good wife, raising godly children. All very worthy things. But this is what I learned this week: my (our!) overarching goal should be that of knowing God. Intimately, radically, amazingly knowing God. And if we do that, all the other things I mentioned? They will flow out of that.

Throughout Scripture we see example after example of people who just want to know God more - Moses, David, Zaccheus, Hosea, Paul, and more. They made getting to know God better their goal in life, more important than any other task.

For years, basically as long as I've been a Christian, I've always wanted to have a regular, meaningful devotional life. "Quiet time," as it's known to many. But my motivation was completely wrong. I thought that if I were really a "good Christian" I'd be having a regular quiet time. That is probably true, but it's just a slightly skewed perspective.

I have been so in love with the Word this week because I have come to see that I want to KNOW God. Not just check off a box in my schedule somewhere that says, "Have quiet time." No, the motivation isn't just to become a better Christian. It's to get to know Him. To fall deeply in love with God. To understand His heart. It's a call to, as Catherine Martin would put it, radical intimacy.

And so, that is what I am thankful for this week. I know that many of you just drop by on Thursdays, doing the rounds of Thankful Thursday, so you may not know that six months ago, we moved to the nation of Qatar, in the Persian Gulf. It's been a struggle, let me tell you. Leaving our church, our friends, our home and family has been heart-breaking at times. But I have thought over and over this week, "God, if you moved me here just so I could be part of this study and learn what I'm learning, it's all worth it."

I may not have explained it all very well, but the essence is that this week, I'm thankful for learning that God, more than anything, wants a real, intimate relationship with me more than anything else. And I'm even more thankful that I'm starting to want that too.

So it seems that I've fallen into a little bit of a pattern here of posting videos on Sundays. Something that makes you think about your faith, or which inspires worship, or brings praise to God. I think it's a good way to mark the Lord's day.

Today's video is one that was shown in our church about a month ago and really spoke to me. I'm in the midst of struggling with a lot of homesickness - so minor in the scope of life, but painful for me.

Whatever you might be struggling with today, I hope that this blesses you.

I know that many of you may have already seen this moving video, but for those of you who haven't, you will be blessed by it. This couple's amazing faith in a God who give and who also takes away will be a reminder to all of us that we can truly give thanks in all circumstances.

This is an amazing video, showing God's sufficiency for ALL situations. There are powerful testimonies presented here in a unique way. I was crying through much of the video, just awe-struck by God's grace to all of us.

(The sound is very low, so turn up your speakers.)

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:13

Stop.

Think of what you have to be thankful for. Even if you are having a very difficult time in your life, you do have many things to be thankful for. As Paul said, "I have learned to be content in all circumstances." Furthermore, we are called to give thanks at all times. There are so many small things that we forget are blessings from God. Let's look at those for a moment.

* I thank you, God, for every breath that I take.

* I thank you, God, that you have saved me.

* I thank you, God, that I have the ability to pray to you, the creator of the universe.

* I thank you, God, that you have provided food and shelter for my family and I.

* I thank you, God, that you have given my family health.

* I thank you, God, for the beauty of your creation.

* I thank you, God, for friends and family.

* I thank you, God, for Your word which comforts, guides and heals.

* I thank you, God, for your everlasting love.

You see, even if you are feeling down, there is something which you can find to be thankful for. It's weird, I'm not feeling down at all, but I feel as though God is impressing on me to write this. Being thankful is not only about when things go right in your life.

It's an attitude that should permeate your very soul that God is in control and is working all things together for the good of those who love Him.

It's knowing that even when the world is crashing down around you, there is a Rock that you can cling to.

Whatever kind of day you are having, good or bad or maybe even terrible, know that you can trust in God. Know that He is there with you. And be thankful.

This is a question that's been rolling around in my head for years.

I'm not one of those Puritanical people who think that there should be no enjoyment on the Sabbath. Nor is this a discussion of the proper day for the Sabbath - actually right now our Sabbath is on Fridays, given that we are living in a Muslim country.

The point of my wondering is how does one really go about using that day to honor God?

We worship on that day, of course. Even though getting to church can sometimes feel like more work than should be done of a Sabbath day!

But isn't there more to the Sabbath (whichever day you honor it) than going to church? Is it enough to go to church and then carry on your merry way, using the day to run errands or do yard work or whatever else needs done?

I'm finding it especially challenging since we've moved to Doha because Friday is Hubby's one and only day off during the week. Yep - it's a one-day weekend for us.

This is forcing me to become more organized and more disciplined. I've set it up so that Thursday is my big cleaning day so that the house is neat and tidy. Hubby finds it difficult to unwind in a messy house and will proceed to do housework if it needs done. Great that he's willing to help out, but I would prefer for him to rest on that day.

I've also started preparing our church clothes on the night before, so there is no rush that morning. We decide what to wear and iron what needs ironed. This has helped tremendously with that morning rush.

I also try to do my grocery shopping on Thursday, so that there is no need to run to the store on Friday. No more running out of milk or bread. I also try to plan ahead so that there is something to eat when we get home from church that just needs heated up. The evening meal is usually something light and easy to prepare - salad or soup, maybe. I'm trying to get to the point where I think ahead enough to prepare the meal the night before, but haven't gotten there yet.

What activities should one pursue on your Sabbath? If I understand Jesus' statement that the Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath, then I think that anything which is restful and glorifying to God is ok. I don't necessarily think everything we do that day needs to be "religious," as one book I read suggested. God created that day for us to rest from our work. That was the original purpose.

Keeping it holy means to set it apart for a sacred purpose. It also means to treat it with respect and reverence. It's too easy to make Sunday just another day, once we've completed the obligatory stop at church. We then feel like we've met the requirements of the day.

But the true requirement of the day is to spend a day in rest and honoring God. Remember that God gave us the Sabbath to rest from our work. Our bodies were not created to live at light speed. We will be much happier and healthier if we follow God's plan.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I am by no means an expert and I am still trying to figure it all out. What do you do differently on the Sabbath? How do you honor God that day?

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Colossians 2:6-7

I have to admit I've had a hard go of it this past month. Moving to a new country (heck, a new continent) and leaving behind everything I knew has been difficult to say the least.

But God, in His grace, has given me some insight and, hopefully, a little wisdom. I understand now part of His reasoning for bringing me here to Doha. Or at least, a way that He is using it for my good, as He promises in Romans 8.

I've entered a season of pruning. While this is painful, it's often necessary for believers to have unnecessary growth cut away. And in our fast-paced American society, there is plenty of unnecessary growth to go around.

The Gospels are replete with instances of Jesus using parables and analogies that use gardening to teach. One real-life example for me is the grapevine my father-in-law planted at our first home.

It started off as just a stick. It looked dead to me. He had brought it from his home in Jordan (shh - don't tell customs!). When he told me he was going to plant this dead stick in my yard, I politely smiled and inwardly rolled my eyes.

But wouldn't you know it, that stick soon sprouted leaves and tendrils and, in time, grew into a beautiful vine. Much in the same way that we, who are dead in our transgressions, are miraculously transformed into living spiritual beings, alive in Christ. Over time, we grow and spread and provide shade and respite to those around us.

But what we didn't know was that to get fruit, the vine must be pruned. All those beautiful vine and branches, while looking really, really good, can actually hinder the production of fruit. We never did get any grapes from the vine, just a lot of prettiness.

I've come to believe that that is the place I was in. Lots of stuff that looked good on paper - Bible study leader, homeschool group leadership committee, children's ministry worker, youth worker, church bookstore manager, women's ministry committee, VBS leader. All of it really good and worthy.

And none of it really having an impact on my heart. None of it really producing much fruit.

So God, in His wisdom, took all that out of my life. He has stripped me to the bare bones of just being a wife and mother.

So today I'm grateful that God is the true vinedresser. That He knows which branches to trim and which to leave. (I'm happy to report that the children did NOT get into the private school, so we will continue to homeschool them.) I'm grateful that He loves me enough to take me out of my comfort zone and force me to grow and bear fruit, even when I was quite happy to stay at the shallow, superficial level I was at.

I'm grateful that I know enough to trust Him. I'm grateful that He hasn't brought me to the point of utter despair. I'm grateful that He has given me joy in this process and I don't even mind it now that I understand it.

I'm grateful that God is good.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:1-2

Please be sure to visit Iris at Sting My Heart to see more Thankful Thursday posts. It's so encouraging to read story after story of what God is doing in people's lives.

I'm mad. I'm really mad. Hubby was just informed that his one Saturday a month that he was told he gets off (keeping in mind that his only day off is Friday), he no longer can take. So he got to do that ONE time. We are both frustrated with the politics of his company - refusing to respond when they just don't want to deal with you, promising things then taking them away, etc. I guess I shouldn't complain - they have honored what is in the contract, but verbally have made many more promises and then reneged.

The point I'm getting at is that I really don't feel like doing Thankful Thursday today. I'm frustrated and annoyed and angry all rolled up into one. But yet I'm called to be thankful.

Now, some people would say that I would be hypocritical to sit here and blog about all the happy and good things when I'm in such a bad mood. They might feel that I'm putting on an act. And, to some degree they might be right. It is an act. But feelings often follow actions. By choosing to be thankful in the midst of not wanting to be, I begin a process of healing in my heart and attitude. It's like praying for your enemy - it's hard to stay mad at them for very long when you are sincerely praying blessings upon them.

But even more importantly than the impact it has on our hearts and minds is the fact that we are commanded to be thankful.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:18

You see, it's not an option. Even when we don't feel thankful, we are called to be thankful. Many of the problems of the world today stem back to people only doing what feels good, rather than what is the right thing to do.

So, here is my "sacrifice of praise," my list of things I truly am thankful for, even though I started this post (though just writing it has immensely improved my outlook) grumpy and mad.

* I'm thankful for my Lord, who saved me from my sin and who continually is with me.

* I'm thankful for my husband, who is a wise leader and godly man.

* I'm thankful for my children, who are kind and loving.

* I'm thankful for my parents (and extended family) who have handled our move WAAAY better than I would have ever believed.

* I'm thankful for our beautiful home. I know, I know - look for pictures tomorrow!

* I'm thankful for our move to Doha. Even though there have been frustrating moments, I truly believe it is a good thing for our family, for my children in particular, for our faith, and for our minds.

* I'm thankful for the women's Bible study I began yesterday. Over 40 women meeting together in the middle of a Muslim country to worship God and learn about discerning His voice. Amazing!

* I'm thankful for my good friends in the States who have continually emailed and encouraged us.

You see - I have the really important things in life. What more could I ask for?

" And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom."

Mark 15:38

Easter is truly one of my favorite times of year. It was at Easter, 23 years ago, that I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. For quite some time, I had been living my life as a "double agent." At church, I was a good girl, always doing my Bible Study and being so nice and sweet. At school (I was a junior in high school - you can do the math), I was a foul-mouthed, boy-crazy, not very nice girl.

But that all changed that Easter weekend. I had gone on a high school retreat with our church. Our speaker, Tim Kimmel, challenged us to really be pure vessels for Christ. He helped me to understand that it wasn't enough to be "mostly" devoted to Him - we are called to be completely sold out.

It was the beginning of my new life, on Easter Sunday. Every year when Easter rolls around I am reminded anew of the life God wants me to lead and the sacrifices Christ made for me, so that I might have eternity to spend with God.

* * * * * * * * *

I am thankful that Christ gave up Heaven to come to earth as a helpless baby.

I am thankful that Christ lived a sinless life in order to be a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.

I am thankful that Christ preached so thoroughly as to leave us a "road map" for the Christian life.

I am thankful that Christ submitted His will to the Father's in the Garden of Gethsemane.

I am thankful that He extended mercy to the thief on the cross, offering hope to those of us who sin. Our God is a God who forgives until the end.

I am thankful that Christ fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah.

I am thankful that death could not hold Him, that sin could not bind Him and that my Savior rose from the grave on the third day and even now sits at the right hand of God.

I am thankful that I will be judged, not by what I do, but by who I am - a child of God.

* * * * * * * *

I chose the verse above because it represents the very real "tearing of the curtain" between man and God. Where once there needed to be a representative to stand before the people and plead their case, now we are blessed to be able to go to God directly. Hallelujah!!

For more wonderful Thankful Thursday posts, please visit Iris, the wonderful host. Have a very blessed Easter!!!

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:32

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For years, actually since the night Hubby proposed to me, I have had to accept that someday God would lead us to live in the Middle East. It was always there, hanging over me. After our first trip to visit Hubby's family, we got on the plane and he declared that he could "never live there again." Not because of his family, of course, but because of the way of life. So I relaxed a little, thinking I had living in American for life in the bag.

Over the years, his family would mention what a great opportunity it would be for him to look for a job in the Middle East. Whenever it came up, I got a knot in my stomach and instantly shot down the idea. It was a source of tension.

But last summer when his friend approached him about a job, I didn't have that same reaction. Instead, I was calm. I encouraged him to find out more about the job and I began to do my own research.

In my mind, this was truly an act of God. For Him to ease my mind about such a huge change is truly a miracle. I've had a sense of peace about it throughout. The hardest thing was telling my parents. My mom and I are exceptionally close and I knew that this would be very hard on her. But I have to give them credit - after the initial shock wore off, they have been very receptive and encouraging. That could just be an act though - LOL!!!

The verse above speaks to exactly how I feel. I am convinced that this move is exactly what God is calling us to do and, instead of being paralyzed by fear or panic, my heart is free and soaring. God has done so many things to smooth the way that I'm certain we are following His will. Those things are what I am so thankful for today.

• As mentioned above, my parents reaction has been better than I could have ever imagined.
• God has supported me and I've drawn closer to him during this time apart from Hubby.
• He has surrounded us with wonderful friends who have been so helpful and supportive during this time.
• He has provided us with a lovely home in Doha, which we are all excited about.
• There is a church which Hubby has found that he thinks we will love - this is an extra blessing and source of encouragement for me.
• All of our properties now have renters.
• I think things are going to work with regards to bringing our little dog, Snow. This is especially important to my son, who loves her to the ends of the earth.
• My children's reactions in general have been great. Emily, while not thrilled about the move (she is a 12 year old girl after all!), is ok with it. Daniel is looking forward to his new life. We are all excited about beginning a new life.
• This past Sunday we had a special speaker at our church. He was an American former pastor in Iran and now works with Iranian refugees around the world. His message was so encouraging to me that I will be able to make a difference just by being myself and letting the light of God shine through me. This is something I had been struggling with, knowing I cannot be as open as I might normally be there with regards to my faith. It was a great encouragement.

Most of the people we tell about our impending move express shock and concern for our safety. They can't believe we would move our children to what they consider to be an unsafe place, even though it truly is a very safe place. I just laugh and know that we are in God's will. He has set my heart free. When you are in God's will, there's no better place to be!!

For more Thankful Thursday participants, be sure to visit Iris at Sting My Heart!

Recently I was telling a friend that before I leave to meet Hubby in Qatar that I wanted to get my hair cut and highlighted.


A woman standing nearby overheard me and stated that she liked my hair better when I had it long and dark. I told her that I liked it that way too, but that Hubby preferred it shorter and blonde. You would have thought I said my husband prefers me to rob banks with him rather than sit home and knit (neither of which I do, thank you very much!).


"That's just wrong! You are totally co-dependent and need to come to our recovery group! You should do what makes you happy!"


No amount of explaining my position calmed her. She was beside herself that I would put my husband's desires over my own.


This is what is wrong with marriage today. It's become all about getting our own needs met. But this is the antithesis of what marriage is ordained to be.


Paul tells us that marriage is designed to be a visual picture of the love between the Church and God. That love is a sacrificial love, one that puts the other above self. But in our modern culture, "self" is everything.


Biblically I think I'm on pretty solid ground here as well.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor..." Romans 12:10

" Love does not seek its own way..." 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Phillipians 2:3-4

We are called to honor our husbands. One facet of this is trying to respect their wishes. When we can do something that pleases our husbands, why would we choose not to? Ask yourself who are we seeking to please? If my husband prefers me with lighter, shorter hair and if he is truly the person who's opinion means most to me and the ONLY one whom I am trying to attract, why would I not want to do what he wants?

It's clear from Scripture that we are called to place love for others above seeking our own will. Furthermore, it's clear that we are to love others, particularly our husbands, more than we love ourselves.

I pray that you will endeavor to please your husband in every area - action, speech, looks, attitude. Unless your husband asks you to sin, try to honor his wishes. By surrendering your will to his, you also are surrendering your will to God's. God's Word tells us that by making ourselves less important here on earth, we are actually raising our stature in Heaven.

After all, Christ subjugated his will to his Father's when he went to the cross. And if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me!