When rest takes work...

''I don't want to sleep like a baby. I just want to sleep like my husband.'' 

In this new stage of life as a Mama to a precious 8-week old boy, I had to laugh at this quote I recently saw online.

Sometimes a baby's sleep isn't all that peaceful. Have you ever watched an infant do their best to not doze off? You know the symptoms when they're fighting tiredness - that whiny cry, eyelids drooping, arms fitfully flailing? It's funny sometimes how they refuse to rest.

As I was rocking Caleb the other day, wondering why it was so hard for him to simply sleep, I was reminded that often I'm no different. While physically falling alseep is usually easy for me, finding rest for my soul is sometimes a challenge.

I know that I need it, and I want to be able to accept Jesus' invitation to enter His rest and give my burden to Him (Matthew 11:28-30), but I fight against it. At times I choose to carry my own 'yoke' and work in my own strength. Even though I desire His rest, why does it sometimes seem so hard?

''There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest...'' (Hebrews 4:9-11).

Sometimes rest takes work. 

When Caleb refuses to sleep, he needs me. And though it can be exhausting to help him, it is always worth it since there really is nothing more precious than having a baby fall asleep in your arms. When he's restless, a soother can help calm him down a bit. But what really works in getting him to sleep is when I gently cup his face in my hand, turn him towards me, and let him hold my finger while I tenderly stroke his forehead.

Maybe the reason why rest is so difficult is that we're too distracted. Maybe like Caleb, we have trouble concentrating on the One holding us and instead choose to look around, afraid we'll miss out on something. We toss and turn in our own strength, thinking we know what's best for us and wanting to have everything under control.

But the key to finding rest is to give in...to surrender. To give up the fight and cuddle into our heavenly Papa.

Maybe you're familiar with this old chorus:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Jesus is offering us His hand to hold, whispering gently, 'look at me.' When we gaze at Him, the things of this world - our to-do-lists, problems, questions, pain - are suddenly not as overwhelming. 

As that verse from Hebrews says, rest means taking a break from our own works. Pushing pause on our programs, slowing down our schedules, stopping our striving. 

Rest is not always easy, but it's worth the effort.

Easter Treats and Truths

Our little one isn't even born yet, but I did something today that I think I want to turn into a tradition and do every year with my kids at Easter: baking with a purpose! (What can I say...I'm a teacher at heart and if I can combine a meaningful lesson with fun and food, why not? :) )

These 'Resurrection Rolls' are yummy, fun to make, and a great symbol of the true meaning of Easter. You simply wrap a marshmellow in dough, and when the rolls are finished cooking, the inside is hollow and empty - just like the tomb was!

He is not here: for he is arisen! (Matthew 28:6)

You can make these sweet treats using pre-made crescent roll or Pilsbury dough, but since we don't have that here in Germany and I like to make things from scratch anyway, I've included the instructions for everything (adapted from Love From Scratch.) Below are some snapshots of my afternoon...

To begin with, the ingredients (this makes about 48 rolls):

1 1/2 cups scalded milk 

2 eggs

6 cups flour 

2 teaspoons salt 

4 Tablespoons sugar 

3/4 cup butter 

3 teaspoons yeast 

1 cup butter 

1 cup sugar 

2 Tablespoons cinnamon 

48 marshmallows

And now, the directions (simple but time consuming):

Combine first 8 ingredients. Let rise until doubled. (I let mine rise for about an hour, and though it hadn't doubled it worked out fine)

Divide into 48 balls and flatten. 

Mix sugar and cinnamon together. 

Dip marshmallows in melted margarine, then into sugar mixture. 

This represents the oils and spices that the body was prepared with after the Savior's death. 

Wrap roll around a marshmallow, sealing completely.

This represents his body being laid in the tomb.

Sprinkle the top of the rolls with the sugar mixture. Place them in a large greased pan and allow to rise till double (approx. 35 min). Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes.

And enjoy!

(A few tips from my experience...the pans really should be greased, even if using parchment paper like I did, since the marshmellow 'bursts' and leaks, leaving a sticky mess. Also, next time I think I would use only half a marshmellow per roll - you get the same effect, without the roll popping open during the baking process.)

HAPPY EASTER! He is risen!

This is Judah...

Not all early deaths are preventable, but some are...

Reality Check

It felt like 3 little bubbles gently bursting on the inside.

Unexpected, soft, yet very obvious.

My baby's first kicks.

What a miracle! We'd had 3 ultrasounds done and could see each time how our little one was moving about in my womb - lively, active, discovering his own tiny hands and feet and sucking reflexes. Then suddenly, at about 20 weeks, this whole other world could finally be felt on the outside! I don't think there are many more wonder-filled moments than that.

Despite knowing about Baby's existence for a few months now, it is still something quite different and extremely special to feel it. It helps make the 'inner reality' more, well, real!

There's another reality that I sometimes forget the truth of. I'm reminded of it though when I read verses from the Bible like Romans 8:1 or  2 Corinthians 5:17. And that is the fact that I, like a baby in a womb, am IN CHRIST. 

Even though I haven't even met our child yet, there is already so much love within me and a bond that can't be described. This baby hasn't done anything to 'deserve' my love; it simply is. And is it any different with God? He loves us and has saved us 'not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy' (Titus 3:5). Grace isn't something we earn, and our identity as God's sons and daughters isn't dependent on us proving ourselves. 

Me being IN Christ means that I am safe, secure, loved, and provided for. HE is my source of life.

Yet this amazing reality has another aspect to it...

 Not only am I in Christ; He lives IN ME! Colossians 1:27 talks about the rich mystery of 'Christ in us, the hope of glory.'

We talk about this all the time when we mention 'inviting Jesus into your heart.' While not quite a full picture of what the Gospel is all about, this is a central and fundamental aspect. Our old and sinful selves are done away with when we surrender our lives to the Lord, and we are renewed as Christ takes up residence in us through his Spirit.

Romans 8:11 expresses this powerful reality: 'The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you...' The same Spirit, the same power, the same potential that Jesus had is IN ME! I can love, serve, make wise decisions, and move in power because of the Holy Spirit in me.

This reality isn't something weird or psychic, and I'm not saying that we, as believers, can 'become one with God.' God remains God, and we remain human. But that's exactly the miracle - we are transformed by His power and though we can't take any credit for it, He moves through us.

I've already had well-meaning strangers rub my belly, commenting on the life growing within me. I can't make the baby move, but I am a vessel through which the movements can be felt. In the same way, I am not the one who heals, encourages, or reveals, but these works of the Holy Spirit can be demonstrated through me and touch the lives of others (if I let them get close enough!)

It truly is a miracle. Knowing my identity in Christ allows me to rest and receive love, knowing all is grace. And being aware of His presence in me helps me live boldly, building His Kingdom here on earth, knowing all I have to do is obey, allowing Him to move through me. That is the hope of the world.

Knowing His Voice

Leading...protecting...disciplining...carrying...providing. The job of a German Shepherd.

No, not a 4-legged furry animal, but a real German man whose job is shepherding. I was privileged to meet one this week.

I was at our ministry base (located at the edge of a village nestled in the hills) and about to head home for the afternoon break when I heard the sound of bleating. I rounded the corner and saw not just one “baaa-ing” sheep, but 480 of them walking the path up to a hill! And at the front of the flock, a young, friendly, gentle man, leading them to fresh pasture.

What a sight! Once they made it up the hill they spread out and began grazing. The young lambs loved exploring, and the faithful sheep dogs were ever on watch to keep the flock together. Meanwhile, we visited with the German Shepherd.

This man literally knows all 480 sheep individually and can recognize their faces. And they know his voice! I caught this video clip of him simply saying “Come, come!” and calling them together when it was time to move onto greener pasture:

What if hearing our Good Shepherd’s voice was so simple? In John 10:14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” Notice in the video that the shepherd didn’t have to shout, and only repeated his invitation once. Just after turning my camera off, I noticed two little lambs left behind in the field. They had been too busy with their faces in the grass, eating, and then looked up at each other, as if suddenly realizing, “Oops, I think we missed something!” They skipped off to catch up with the rest of the group, with those of us observing encouraging them, “Come on little guys, follow the voice of your shepherd!”

What amazed me was the sheep’s obedience, despite not knowing where their shepherd was leading them. They simply trusted his voice, and even if they were enjoying eating or drinking or resting, as soon as he called, they came, knowing something better was ahead.

Are we that obedient when our Shepherd calls? It can be hard to obey if we don’t know that our Shepherd is GOOD. But He is.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.”

His goal is to care for us - to lead, provide, protect. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Is. 40:11)

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’” (Rev. 7:17)

Two babies had been born to the flock just that morning, and the German shepherd left them in the previous pasture with their mother since the lambs couldn’t walk yet. So he didn’t venture far with his flock, but he accepted his responsibility to lead, to provide.

And he indeed had a staff in his hands - ready to protect, defend, and discipline if necessary. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11).

That is how good our Shepherd is - laying down his very life for us so that we could live in abundance, not lacking anything. He knows where good pasture is; he guides us along the best paths. He anoints us with healing oil, and removes the burrs that get attached to us when we choose to wander off on our own.

And our responsibility? Simply to listen to his voice and obey. You don't have to strain to hear it; you already know it. It's the voice that first called you to Him, inviting you into relationship and offering the gift of salvation.

Praying, friends, that you will receive what you need from your Shepherd today: guidance, refreshment, provision, rest.

Giving Tree

A story about a boy and a tree...

...and about you and me?

  

And about our heavenly Father, who 'did not spare His own Son' and graciously gives us all things.

What is our relationship to the Tree? To the God who became man and died on a tree to show the extent of His love? 

'You can either enjoy God, or simply use Him...'

God's 'BUT...'

'But...I'm no good at speaking,' Moses countered when God said He wanted to use him to rescue the Israelites.

'But...I am too young,' Jeremiah retorted when he heard God's call.

'But...I am the worst of all sinners,' noted Paul.

How many times do we offer 'Yes, but...' answers to God?

Have we ever considered that God has BUT's for us, too?

Take Samson's mother, for example. She is left unnamed in the Bible and mentioned only as the Wife of Manoah, who was unable to have children. But one day, ''the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, 'Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.' '' (Judges 13:3)

The very thing she was unable to do, God told her she would do. She was barren, but would conceive; she had not borne children, but would have a son.

How is that possible? As my husband says, 'Those are pretty big but's!'

I was considering what God's 'but' might look like today. What if an angel of the Lord appeared to my mother-in-law, suffering under the effects of her stroke, and said, 'Behold, your  memory is gone and you have lost the joy of living, but you shall make great memories and engage once again with your family and friends.'

Maybe the greater miracle would be me hearing from the Lord, 'Behold, you are not always patient with her and it's a daily struggle to crucify your flesh, but you will be filled with my love and I will use you to help bring the restoration I died to make possible.'

'You are...but...'

God doesn't ignore our reality or ignorantly view our life circumstances through rose-colored glasses. No, he acknowledges, 'You are...' Maybe you are barren, maybe you are poor, maybe you are depressed, maybe you are looking for direction, facing a closed door, needing forgiveness, wanting friends, out of a job. You are...BUT...

The question isn't who WE are, but who HE is. 

Image Credit: Gospel Alliance

The good news of this Advent season is that Emmanuel has come: GOD WITH US. He doesn't tower over us and laugh at our pain, mock our frustration, or remain silent to our questions. Instead, he became one of us  in order to make the impossible possible.

Sinners, granted eternal life.
Those separated from God, brought back into relationship with Him.
Men and women whose good works are but filthy rags, being dressed in robes of righteousness.


'You are, but...'

We have our excuses, yet God gently responds with, 'But I love you. But I'm providing for you.  But I'm guiding you and giving you strength. But I've called you. But I'm faithful. But you and your circumstances are significant to me - you matter.'



What is the 'but' you've been complaining to God about? And what do you think His BUT to you may be?