The "Expedition" Game

Last Friday at the highschool basketball game the elementary students played an exhibition game during the halftimes. They were VERY excited. The students were coming into the library all day on Friday asking me if I would be going. The 4th grade girls were especially enthusiastic. They kept asking if I would be at their "Expedition" game. It was funny. It is hard to remember what it was like to be in elementary school. Was I that happy and excited about something that simple? I think that I probably was. That is the blessing of children. That is why God calls them a blessing. They show us the way to express a simple joy and thanksgiving for the good things God has given us. Their happiness is contagious. We can use that example in our daily walk. Jesus says that we must trust in Him with the faith of a child.

God is showing me the way to that thankfulness. When I think things are hard and I wish things were different He is showing me that He is in control! He has sent me these things for my good and for His glory. Our lives have changed so much since we got married. My husband spent about 20 years working on ranches. He was fired from 2 of them. I felt devasted in both cases. The first time we moved to Laramie, WY for about 5 months. We had to leave our church home, my family and all of our friends. My husband's new boss was a person who communicated by yelling a lot. But by God moving us from Colorado to Wyoming He removed me from the idolatry I had for the church family I had in Colorado. He made me grow and rely on Him for friendship instead of on the people of the church. He opened my eyes to see some of the problems that had been building in the church I had been attending. When we moved back to Colorado we began attending our home church again. But things weren't the same. We didn't live in the same community. I saw that the bond I thought I had with some of my church friends wasn't as strong as I had thought it was. I desperately wanted to belong to the clique that was there at that time but God had a better plan. He took us from that body and moved us to another body of believers, one that didn't rely on cliques for fellowship. We still travel about 50 miles one way to attend worship services but God has provided a way for us to do that.

When my husband was fired from the second ranch, I was once more devastated. Leaving the ranching lifestyle was HARD! I didn't trust God as I should have. I worried for 7 years about EVERYTHING. My husband and I struggled with our circumstances. We prayed for God to remove us from those circumstances. We applied for several ranch jobs but the door was always closed. I questioned all of the decisions that my husband made. I nagged him. I was not the wife of Proverbs 31. God has shown me time and time again that when my husband makes a decision it is always with the good of his family foremost in his mind. But I didn't trust in that. Finally God brought me to the point where I had to either submit or turn away. I thank Him for His faithfulness. When I spoke of the damage caused by the sin of unsubmissiveness (is that a word?) I do know what I am talking about. My hard heart caused worry for my husband. It caused turmoil in our household. It caused me to be impatient with my children and the children I deal with at school. It began to seep into the way I dealt with the body of believers. Now that I see the peace and joy of submitting to my circumstances and to my husband I wonder why I fought it for so long. But that too is God's providential will. Some of us have to fight God for a long time to reach the peace that He offers us when we submit. That is part of the maturing process for me. I have a stubborn heart and I do think I'm right too much of the time. God is showing me that I don't know better than Him. He gave me my wonderful husband to show me how I need to learn to behave. When God speaks of a servant's heart, that is my husband. It doesn't matter how despitefully he is used by his bosses, he still does the very best job he possibly can. I am trying to do the same.

God has brought me to the point of thankfulness. Do we still have trials? Yes we do but we are learning to be thankful in whatever circumstances He sends. The MANY blessings in my life? A husband who loves me no matter how sinful I am, three beautiful children, a wonderful son-in-law who is taking care of my daughter and grandson and growing in his faith, my beautiful little grandson, who is bringing so much joy to all of us. My work is a blessing and I am GOOD at it. I find myself thanking God for my husband's job. Last year all I could do was complain about his boss and wish that he could find a job where his talents are appreciated. I am an emotional person. Just ask my children. When I think of the goodness of God and of His mercy and unending forgiveness to me I do get emotional and the tears are not far from the surface.

My church family is a big part of that joy. Many of the people from our first RCUS church are now fellowshipping with us and are awaiting the word from classis to join with us in membership. What a BLESSING it is to have those beautiful Christians with us every Sunday. What a blessing it is to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ in their trials and to rejoice with them in everything God sends. I know that He uses them to help me grow as well. He is showing all of us that we can trust Him for ALL things. On March 1st my son and son-in-law will be joining Providence Reformed Church and my son-in-law and grandson will be baptized. It will be communion and we will be having a pot luck dinner. God is good, even to this ungrateful, sinful woman. PRAISE GOD, PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM! HIS GOODNESS AND MERCY ARE FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING!

Till next time...