Joining the Rich

His name was James.

We didn't know him. Had never seen him before. He was a complete stranger. But he knocked on our door one quiet Sunday afternoon after we had just come back from church. I was cleaning up the kitchen from our lunch mess, and there came a knock at the door.

My husband answered, then came around the corner into  the kitchen and said, "There's a man here who is asking if we can make him some lunch. He's on his way to Oklahoma." I looked out in the driveway; there was no vehicle.

"What? Is he walking?"

"Yeah, I guess. He has a backpack."

I suddenly stopped. It was perfect timing, or as I like to say, it was "God timing"-Don't put that lunch stuff away just yet.

"Yes, of course, invite him in!"

I came to the front door with my husand so we could invite the man in. He looked grateful but ashamed at the same time. He kept his head low but his eyes made contact with ours when he spoke to say, "I'm truly grateful. I'll just wait out here."

We insisted that he came in, and as my husband sat down with him in the living room I set to work in the kitchen. Something came over me, and I wanted us to help this stranger as much as we could. There was no worry, no fear, no judgement of this man who, for some reason, chose to knock on our door that afternoon. Who knew how many other doors he had knocked at before ours? All I knew is that I was eager to serve him. I searched my cupboards and praised the Lord that I had just gone grocery shopping and had plenty-more than plenty-to offer! I quickly put together some sandwiches, fruit, crackers, and also an extra sack of food for him to take with him.

I brought the lunch to my husband and to the man who told us his name was James. As my husband sat and talked with him he learned that James was from a few hours away. He was coming from a hard life, full of lots of mistakes. He didn't disclose too many details, but told us he was trying to clean up his life and start over. Currently, he was on his way to Oklahoma because he had heard there may be some jobs down there. He had only the backpack on his back for his belongings, his two feet for transportation, and no money left. He ate his food and politely asked for seconds, so my husband continued to talk with him while I made more food. As I listened to their conversation I only heard bits and pieces, but I did hear James exclaim, "Wow, you have a really nice home." I also heard him ask, "What's it like to have a family and a home?" I didn't hear much else but I prayed, Lord, help us to just show James your love. Help us to serve him.

James wasn't at our house for long, less than 45 minutes, but by the end of our visit with him my husband had offered to drive him an hour away to Joplin (which I was about to suggest, but I guess we had been thinking the same thing!). I jumped on the computer to do a quick search for shelters that may be able to take him in once he got there. I gave him an extra bag of food I had packed, and then they left for Joplin. That was it.

As I sat there after they left, I was in awe. I was humbled. I was so thankful that the Lord chose to use us, for some reason, to help him out. Out of all the neighborhoods and houses and people he could have come to, he knocked on our little door. I was thankful that we had food to offer. I was thankful that we had a working vehicle to drive James closer to his destination. But most of all, I felt rich. Actually, I don't think I've ever felt so rich. I think my eyes were opened in a new way to all that I had.

Here was someone with virtually nothing. A broken past. A backpack, and now an extra lunch. He sat in our little home, which by our own culture's standard is very humble, and he exclaimed how nice it was. I thought of how often I'm tempted to think I don't have much; how at times I get frustrated because our tight budget doesn't allow for us to eat out more often; or how easy it is to "joke" about being poor because I can't buy myself a new outfit; or how we sometimes avoid having  people over because our house is so small and un-impressive compared to others. And yet James sat in here and looked at our humble little home and probably felt like we had a mansion. We did, compared to what he had. And as he looked around, with an expression of longing on his face, I knew I was rich. And I knew I would never "joke" about being poor again.

As Christmas approaches, and our western secularized version of it screams at us from every commercial to buy, buy, BUY, more stuff, I hope we can all look at what we have, no matter how much or how little, and realize just how rich we truly are. I hope we can all remember that what we do have is a gift from the Lord, and it is best used by giving back and serving others as He calls each of his followers to do. And I hope we remember that the reason we do this is because He first GAVE to us-the most precious, most costly gift of all-His son. And that is what Christmas is all about.

Be encouraged and lifted up! May you know the joy and peace of the Lord this Christmas season. And may that joy cause you to give to overflowing!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16

The Funny Old Car

"We're riding in the funny old car!"

This is what my toddler so adorably yelled one day from her carseat as we drove through town running errands in my neighbor's...um...well, funny old car as I had dubbed it. Having only one vehicle right now (which my husband usually takes to work) we've often had to borrow my neighbor's old Pontiac Grand Am, which I was sure belonged to the 80s, but recently found out it is actually a '91. In either case, it's the oldest thing I've had to drive lately, and it's definitely not stylish! So one day as I packed my daughter in to it, I let out a sigh and said something along the lines of, "Guess we'll have to drive in this funny old car for awhile." Now, as we drove around and she repeated what I said, I realized what an influence I was on my daughter! They really do hear and repeat everything you say!

I had to laugh a little because it was so cute, but then I found myself scrambling for more positive things to say, "Yes we are honey! We are in the funny old car, and we LOVE it; we are sooo thankful for it!" And really, we were thankful for it. Or, we should have been. We'd been without a second car for several months and it had been super challenging, especially when I needed to run errands or just get out of the house for my own sanity. We also were not in a financial position to buy another car, so we did the best thing you can do in any situation: we prayed! We prayed for God's provision, because we know that God is our provider, and that He cares about all the issues of life. So here we were praying and waiting on the Lord, and wondering where our new car was or when it was coming. I've had two friends tell me encouraging stories about being in similar situations and how God provided a car free of charge in their need, so I was excited and trusting the Lord for this same provision. When "Neighbor Bill" (as we so affectionately call him) offered his car for me to use whenever I needed to, I was grateful and accepted. He is in a wheelchair and can't drive anymore, and he didn't want his car sitting around not being used. Sure, I thought, that would be helpful, although I was already planning on not using it unless I really had to. And I have to admit that I would often feel a bit embarrassed driving around in it and would think, as I looked around at all the other cars, "This is the oldest car I see on the road!"

Now, I'm definitely not a materialistic person. We don't own the latest anything and it doesn't bother me one bit. After all, we are to lay up treasures in heaven and not materialistic things that will fade. I'm also not anywhere close to being "stylish" or up to the latest fashion. (Do people even say "up to the latest fashion"?) And the one vehicle we do own isn't anything fancy either, just a truck we call "Old Blue." So what was my issue? At that moment with my daughter, telling her how thankful we were for the funny old car, I realized how silly I had been to be embarrassed by it. I realized how thankful I truly was for it, otherwise I'd be even more miserable not being able to get around at all. And I also realized that this was God's answer to prayer for us, at least for the time being. We had been waiting for something else we thought was coming-maybe something nicer and newer; something that would be given to us. But this funny old car was just as good as that. It was exactly what we needed for now, without having to pay for insurance or gas!

That is so how God works-not in the ways we expect or anticipate. The bible tells us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) My car story is kind of a silly example of this truth, but it still stands true! God's ways are not our ways; they are better! Actually, they are the best ways, THE way! Repeatedly in my life as I've prayed and waited on the Lord, I've seen those prayers and pleas and cries answered in ways I wouldn't have planned...and good thing too, since our plans and ideas will always be inferior to His. Our greatest dream, idea, or plan for ourselves could never match up to God's. How could they? He is the Almighty God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, and the Creator of you and me! How can we know better than God how to answer a prayer, or even how to plan and live our lives? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”? (Isaiah 29:16) I am encouraged knowing that as I wait on the Lord, seek Him, and trust Him with my life, He will be faithful to guide and direct and provide in the best way, and not in my way. That doesn't mean things will always be easy or carefree, or that I'll have what is viewed as the nicest material stuff, or even be successful in the world's eyes. I've had my fair share of struggles and hardships and heartbreak. But as the Lord has walked through each struggle with me, strengthening me, drawing me closer, and teaching me, I've seen how it has all been for His good and for the best. It's true! I am even grateful to the Lord for not answering certain prayers back in the past. It's scary to think I could have missed out on this life the Lord has blessed me with if He would have given me some things I thought I wanted back then!

So be encouraged! Are you praying and waiting on the answer? Are you striving in this life for success or for purpose? You are clay. God is the potter. If you let Him, (that's the key, and it involves turning to Jesus for salvation and then walking with Him in faith) He will sculpt a masterpiece of your life. His ways and His thoughts are higher than yours! And maybe He has already answered your prayer, but you haven't noticed it because you are too embarassed driving around in the funny old car. But if you open your eyes and focus on your blessings, you may realize that the funny old car is actually pretty great, and it has awesome air conditioning!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28

Accomplished?

I have to admit, this accomplishment feels pretty awesome. Petunia is here, and in only a week I've had tons of support from friends, family, aquaintances, and even people I barely know who seem genuinely excited that I have a book published. I think I'm not even half as impressed with myself as most people seem to be, but I have been very encouraged by the positive response. I'm truly thankful to all of those who have been so supportive. Thank you all!

Being praised for this accomplishment, as nice as it is, also makes me realize how easy it is to stumble into thinking I've gained more value in this world because of it! Am I more accomplished now because I can call myself an "author" if I wanted to? I was only a "stay-at-home mom" before, so now what should I call myself? I was asked recently, "So what do you do, Erin? Is this what you do?" I said, "Well, I stay home with my daughter, I'm a stay-at-home mom," which, by the way, is the best "job" I've ever had! Anyway, the response to that was, "But what do you do? Is this what you do, write?" And I said, "Well sometimes, but this is my first published book." "So is this what you want to do?" Um, yeah, I'd love to have more books published. . .but I DO a lot of things, truth be told!

At Glacier National Park

I knew what was meant by the question, and it all came down to wanting to know what occupation I defined myself by. But I didn't have an answer for that. It's a strange thing in our culture, here in our country, to not be defined by a job or an occupation, as if the thing that you do encompasses all you are. After all, when meeting people the first thing you usually find out is what they do-what their job is. But I have to be honest, I personally have never aspired to any sort of a career. I've always enjoyed many things, but I never wanted a career or any specific job. Before my little family came along, I did a little of everything! I worked one summer at Glacier National Park cleaning hotel rooms and performing in their evening theater show; I traveled with Clear Vision Drama Company for over 3 years ministering to youth through drama; I was a bank teller, an assistant manager at a clothing store, and a coffee shop barista all within the same year.... and just as a side note, it's a good thing I took that pay cut to go to the coffee shop cuz that's where my future husband walked in looking for free wi-fi (not coffee) and found me! I guess my point in all this is, if I tried to define myself or find my identity in my occupation or my past job training, then I'd be a mess! I've struggled in the past, pressured by the wordly view that you need to have some sort of significant accomplishment or job title to be/feel important. But I've worked through that, especially when God blessed me with my little family. Being a wife to my wonderful husband, and a mother to my incredible daughter is the only thing I've "done" in my life that I feel I was made for. And that is out of the world's spotlight.

A bit of my dramatic side as silly little
 kid character "Renee" for Camp Josiah

I don't look to accomplishments, job titles, or opportunities to define myself anymore, nor do I seek my identity in them. I find my identy in my faith first, in my relationship with Jesus Christ, who made me and has a purpose for me. Who better to find your identity in than the person who created you and knows the plans and purposes He has for you? Until we know our identity can be found in Him, we will always be lost, trying to find it in other things or places or people.

I heard once from a pastor that God doesn't have just one thing for you in your life. He has something for you in your 20s, and something for you in your 30s, and then in your 40s, and 50s, and 60s and 70s and so on and so on.......for as long as He has you here, He has something for you. I love that because it reminds me that, for one, I'm not defined just by what I do, and that there isn't just one thing I'm supposed to "do" or "be." It also encourages me because I know that life with the Lord is always an adventure-an ongoing journey-full of many opportunities to love and serve and give and do and be many things. Jesus said, I have come to give you abundant life-but you need to invite Him in to your life and allow Him to lead you on that journey.

For now, I am excited for this chance to "do" some writing and to share that writing through a published work! I am grateful for the opportunity and I pray good things will come of it. But I don't want to define myself by it or get too caught up in it. I just want to be thankful for it. I want to keep my accomplishments in the proper perspective, and wake up everyday and say, "Okay Lord, here is something you've given me! Now what do you want me to do with it?

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." -Colossians 3:23-24

You can also read my blog and buy my book at my new website: www.erinsbooksandmore.com. Check it out!

Peaches, Purslane, and Petunia!

Yesterday was a day of "Ps" if you will. First, I learned a new thing. I canned peaches. The whole 6-hour process was new actually, from picking up the peaches at a local market, to blanching them, peeling, slicing, filling the jars, and getting them cooking in my canner, all the while referring back to my "canning peaches" instructions, assisting my 2-year old with her art project, and occasionally getting her down from her chair when she yelled "pottyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!" (That could be the 4th "P" if I wanted to be really cutesy.) You should have seen this kitchen, it was a disaster zone! But by 9:30 pm it was cleaned up, and I had 8 quarts of canned peaches plus 1 ziploc bag full to throw in the freezer. Mission accomplished.

Then my husband came home from work and immediately set forth on his mission: finding and transplanting some purslane into our yard. For those of you who don't know what purslane is, get ready for some new wrinkles in your brain (when I was a kid I thought that learning something new meant that you got more wrinkles in your brain). My husband's latest passion has been looking up information on edible plants in the wild. He loves learning survival skills, and I think his greatest dream in life would be to get dropped off in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness like he was on that Survivor Man show. He'd have to survive on fish caught with spears and squirrels caught in deadfall traps. He'd live in tents made of sticks and leaves, and start fires with a piece of flint and a rock. I guess I wouldn't really want him to be in the Alaskan wilderness though....I did see "Into the Wild." Not cool. Anyhow, he is becoming quite the expert on what you can or can't eat that comes from the wild, or your own yard! Purslane, for instance, is considered a weed here in America, although most countries eat it because it is one of the most nutritional greens there is! We're talking Omega-3s, Vitamins A & C, iron, magnesium, potassium and more beta-carotene than spinach. Apparently it's good every which way you can eat it: raw in a salad, cooked up in a soup, or even pickled! It also seems to be everywhere once you start looking. After picking it at the park, my husband has now transplanted it in several locations in our yard so we will have free salad greens for years to come. Don't tell him I was accidentally pulling it up as a weed in our garden....

And finally, Petunia came in the mail! It's not the official, finished version of my book, but it is the final proof, which in essence is a true representation of what my book will look like. It's also my last chance to catch any obvious mistakes before they send it to the printer for the official version (to be out soon, this fall!). For those who haven't seen it yet, here is a picture of what the cover will look like. I am thrilled with how my book has turned out! My illustrator has done an incredible job at capturing the "essence" of Petunia. It is a small book, thin, and paperback, and I have to say I'm glad of it. It's simple and sweet, with a big message, and I like it that way. After all, the Lord's message to me all summer has been simplicity, and although I've had a difficult time simplifying, I think I am finally getting it! At first I thought that I needed to simplify my outward circumstances-which is always a good thing, especially when you find yourself overloaded and stressed-but now I'm starting to see that God wanted me to simplify my faith in Him, and to simplify my overwhelming expectations of myself. To briefly explain, I'm a goal-oriented person, and this summer I've had a lot of personal goals that I've just, honestly, flopped on. I've felt constantly disappointed in myself, and unfortunately I've translated that into wrongly thinking that God is disappointed in me as well. NO!! God has reminded me of that damaging lie, and to simplify my faith is to remember that I can't earn favor with my Lord! He loves me in an unchanging, unconditional way, and even if I do fail myself I don't fail Him! I was saved by God's grace-by what's He's already done rather than by what I can do-and that grace doesn't end, I just need to keep walking in it!

I could expand on all that, but I'll save it for another day. For now, I'm just amazed at how God can use anything to get a message through, even a little character named Petunia that I wrote over a year ago! He is faithful and will bring to completion every good work He has begun in you! (Philippians 1:6) He has also been faithful to bring to completion this book. And maybe I did fail on a lot of my other personal goals this summer, but I did get my peaches canned. Also, I'm pretty excited about those free super-greens in the back yard. So all in all, I'd say it was a great "P" day.

Hot, Tot, Spi-got!

I am looking out my kitchen window at our charming little tree that sits in our front yard, and I am wondering why, even though it is mid-Summer, the leaves are changing brown and orange already as if it is Fall. They should still be a blazing green. Even though it looks pretty, it is a little upsetting because it only reminds me of how horribly HOT it is outside. Today it happens to be a nice humid 102 degrees, and tomorrow we are expecting 104. It is hot-tot-spi-got, as my little family likes to say (but that's the only dorky saying of ours that I will divulge for now.....)! Even though I have lived here for almost 10 years, I still haven't gotten used to these Missouri summers. This summer has been hotter than normal, but I still miss the mild upper 70's and lower 80's of Northwest Washington State where I grew up!

On top of it all, my beautiful vegetable garden that I worked hard to prepare, and then planted and watered and weeded till my back got sore and my legs got eaten up by bugs (as you will remember from my previous post), has now almost completely burnt up because of this uncharacteristic heat. Needless to say, my high hopes for an abundant harvest have already been a bit dashed.

So yes, we've had a bit of a drought here in good ol' Missouri, and my poor little tree and garden are proof of that. Although I am remembering to praise through it (remember my last post?!) I have to admit that I've felt that drought this Summer in my own life as well. It's funny how the seasons and the weather can really match up with my life moods at times. Any one else relate? I can't say there has been anything "major" going on, and I praise God for that, but for some reason I've struggled for the past couple of months with just the everyday goings-on and routine; the nitty-gritty details of life; feeling off-center; struggling to meet my goals; feeling over-busy or over-distracted; and so on and so forth. And it seems at the end of each day I am worn out, dried out, and badly needing some renewal! So physically I have felt this drought, although I do believe that spiritually I am growing through it! God is still faithful, and if anything, I have taken this time to seek after Him, focus on my blessings by praising Him, and put forth extra effort to pray and be in the Word. After all, He is the Living Water that can quench my thirst and bring the refreshing rains to ease this drought! (See John 4:7-26, & John 7:37-38 for more on Jesus as our living water).

And really, that's all I have to share for now, nothing too profound. I'm not completely out of the drought yet, and Missouri still has a while to go before these hot summer days subside and I can bask in the coolness and beauty of Fall. And that's just the thing--life is made up of seasons. Even in our own circumstances we experience the freshness of Fall, sometimes the barrenness of Winter, the joy and newness of Spring, and sometimes the drought of Summer. In every season though, make it your purpose to seek the Lord, whether things are going good or bad. Praise Him through it all. In every season or circumstance of life we can choose to turn away from God, or turn toward Him. When you turn toward Him and begin to know Him, you know that there is a purpose for every season under Heaven, and that He has the best things planned for you if you would just trust Him with your life (Jeremiah 29:11). The Lord wants you to rest and enjoy the good times, and He wants you to grow and learn in the tough times. He wants to walk with you, guide and direct you, and uphold you--you just have to allow Him to. And He already loves you!

Let Him be the refreshing rains of your life, and be encouraged today wherever you are at!

 But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
   whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
   that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
   its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
   and never fails to bear fruit. -Jeremiah 17:7-8

Frogs and Bunnies, and the Power of Praise!

"Dear Jesus, thank you for trees and stuffed animals!"

Lately we have been teaching our daughter to name two things during our meal-time prayer that she is thankful for. I don't know if she really grasps the meaning of being "thankful" yet, since she is only two and a half, but her answers always delight me. Today she said, "Thank you for a family, and for cold, warm, and hot food!" Sometimes she mentions things she was playing with that day--"thank you for puzzles, books, and toys"--but most of the time it is just random things--"thank you for frogs and bunnies" or "thank you for trees and stuffed animals!" A couple times she has melted my heart by saying "thank you for mommy and daddy!" Oh, the joy and excitment in a child when they think about all the things they like, enjoy, and are thankful for. They don't seem to have the capacity to dwell on the negative for very long, only the positive! I think this is one of those times where my daughter is teaching me something when I thought I was teaching her something. Maybe I should do this as well--name several things every day, throughout the day, that I am thankful for to keep focused on my blessings!

I've discovered that bright and early in the morning is when a battle for the mind seems to take place, and the thoughts that start to form in my head early on are the ones that can form a day for good or bad. For some reason, it is much too easy to start a day with negative thoughts and feelings, and from there they become a tidal wave that can completely consume you. Yesterday, for instance, was not a good day. Looking back, there was nothing huge or life-shattering that happened to make it a bad day. It was just a bunch of little everyday things that added up. I didn't sleep well, had too much to do all day, had a cranky 2-year old, the weather was hot and uncomfortable, had lots of messes to clean up, dinner took way too long, and by 8 pm when I was ready to crash (since I'd been going non-stop since 6 am) I realized I needed to work in my garden for the last bit of daylight I had. So I begrudgingly weeded my garden and checked my plants, all the while getting eaten up by bugs. By the end of the day I felt like I missed out on enjoying my family, and I didn't get to stop and rest. I also knew, however, that my thoughts weren't centered on praise, but rather complaining. When that happens there is no doubt it is going to be a bad day!

Just like there is "power in prayer," there is also power in praise and thanksgiving--in remembering the Lord and all He's given--and focusing on that each day. When you wake up first thing in the morning, think about what you are thankful for. Be genuine, be specific, and be random and silly like a 2-year old if need be! When something comes along to challenge your day and potentially ruin it, focus on praise. This isn't just a "power of positive thinking" type of excercise. This is genuinely taking the time to refocus your thoughts on the Lord, and then giving Him the thanks and praise He is always worthy of! When you do that in all sincerity, you start to see what you have rather than what you are lacking. I've known people whose lives lack joy because they never have positive things to say about anything. Their lives are full of blessings, but they can't see it because they are always focused on what they don't have rather than what they do have, or on what is going wrong rather than what is going right. On the other hand, I recently read a story where a man's life was changed for the better when he started making a conscious effort to recognize his blessings, and then go out of his way to thank people through letters, emails, gifts, or anything else.

So what are you thankful for? Recognize what you have and say thanks for it! Start and end your day with remembering the Lord and praising Him for all He has done for you!

Taking my own advice, I sat in that garden last night, exhausted and hot, bug bites covering my legs, and I thanked the Lord for the space and resources to even have a garden. I thanked Jesus for the miracle of the seed, and how a huge harvest of food can grow from one tiny little seed! I thanked Him for my zucchini and tomatoes that are starting to grow, and for the satisfaction that comes from growing my own food--even if it means late night weeding sessions in the garden with all my bug friends. He just reminded me to use bug spray next time.

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Be Patient, Petunia!

Since part of the original purpose of this blog was to tell the progress of my book, I thought it was high time I gave a quick update. My book is finishing up month 3 of production, with 3 more months to go. That means it's half-way done! I have officially finished the editing phase and will be entering illustration, layout and design. Actually, as I am writing this blog I just received my "Welcome to Illustration" email from Tate! This part is the one that I am most nervous and excited about, since I will finally have a "face" for my story. Since I am definitely not an illustrator, I am thankful that Tate Publishing has their own team of illustrators and that this is just one of the normal parts of children's book production for them. They are experts at this, so I believe I am in good hands! For now, all I can offer is the official title of the book and the backmatter/teaser of the book for a taste of what's to come! Here goes:

Be Patient, Petunia by Erin Butler

"Petunia is caring and kind, but very impatient! Nothing goes the way Petunia wants it to because she doesn’t like to wait. With fun rhyming and a memorable character, this delightful story illustrates one of the fruits of the spirit: patience. Discover how good things come to those who patiently wait in Be Patient, Petunia!"

Fun, huh?! As I go through this process, which is a totally new world for me, I am continually reminded of God's goodness and grace. I give Him all the credit for everything in my life, and I want this effort to be something that brings glory and thanksgiving to Him as well. It's too easy to take what we have--whether resources or opportunities or relationships or whatever--and keep them for ourselves, moving forward in our own effort to make something that would be self-serving. After all, these are the values of our culture--glory and success and comfort for ourselves no matter the cost; the whole "me, myself, and I" syndrome as I like to call it. It's hard to not think like that. And I'm not trying to say it's bad to have high goals and strive for success, but ultimately, if we are doing it just for our own selves then what does it amount to? We need to measure "success" through the eyes of our Creator, our Father who loves us unconditionally and knows what is best for us. When we are walking with Him, loving Him and loving others (the greatest commandments according to Jesus), then our life couldn't be more successful. And then, if we give Him back everything we've been given--people, resources, opportunities, and so on--then He can do immeasurably more with them than we could even ask or imagine. That's what I desire! So instead of asking myself, "What do I want?" I've tried to start asking, "Lord, what do you want for me? What do you want me to do with all you've given me?" It's quite liberating, really.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you are encouraged today!

Peace Like a River

 

Here's something I wrote a few years back after coming back from a date with my hubby. I felt inspired to write what the Lord was teaching me through him that night. It's quite a bit longer than my usual entries, but I hope you are uplifted and encouraged!

Peace Like a River

By Erin Butler

We are so different.

I am watching my husband; admiring him really. He is standing only shin-deep in a quiet, cold river, gently casting his fly rod back and forth, back and forth, fishing for small trout in the dark of a winter night. The brightly illuminated moon ripples in the reflection of the slowly moving water and casts a brilliant light into this winter night sky. There’s hardly a sound, except the occasional car driving over the nearby dam, or the flap of wings from a rising heron, alarmed by some quiet, unknown reason and moved to sudden flight. The dark blue sky is so clear that each and every white star seems to stand out in the perfect, serene stillness. It is so beautiful, so peaceful…and so cold!

My husband is lost in his simple pleasure of fishing, and although I’ve never shared in this kind of pleasure in my own past, I love to be here with him, watching him, learning from him, and just being a part of something he delights in so completely. He smiles back at me often as I stand nearby on the edge of the water. I sing a little into the night, and occasionally stop and take pictures of the few brown or rainbow trout he has caught before he lets them go again. As I stand there watching and waiting and admiring, I let my mind wander a bit (as it so often does anyhow) and I find myself contemplating this obvious conclusion: we are so different.

I know this kind of observation couldn’t be less profound. There are the obvious externals: He is male, I am female. We are different. Or there is the whole issue of temperature—I’m cold-natured (not to be mistaken with cold-blooded!) and he is quite the opposite. For example, here I stand in this chilly winter air, ridiculously cold, looking like a blob all bundled up. I have to laugh at myself every time I imagine what I must look like—big and ridiculous! Of course Aaron thinks I look cute, so I’m okay with it. And then there is him, clad only in his long-sleeve shirt and hooded sweatshirt over top. That’s it! He has waders on that go over his shoulders and buckle in the front, and he is standing in what I imagine to be freezing water, reaching in frequently with his bare hands to touch the cold, slimy fish. Did I mention that I am still shivering and he looks as comfortable as can be?

So, yeah, obviously we are different. But that’s not what I’m referring to; not our obvious differences. There is something more, something deeper I’m getting at. There is something in him—his demeanor and his calm—that I admire and that I so often long for. As I watch him, as I observe him in this place and the whole environment, I can see that he is completely and utterly covered with a Peace…some unearthly and all-consuming Peace. It seems as if no cares or concerns of life could even touch him, as if they all disappear the moment he steps into this place.

And then something else hits me. This is worship for him—worship of our Almighty Creator—just being here.  This is prayer for him, just being here. He doesn’t even have to say anything. For him, being surrounded by God’s glorious creation, even in the dead of night and in the dark cold of winter, doing something he has loved and that has partially defined him since he was a kid, this is his communion with the Lord. Peace.

I wonder about this, how this place can affect him in such a way. On the contrary, my thoughts hardly shut down. Even in a glorious setting as this—and I do love nature—it seems to take a little more effort on my part to be where he is. I try to breathe in deep and look all around me and take it all in. I say a little prayer and sing some worship songs, but I am not immersed in that same peace and calm that I see in my wonderful husband. At the moment I am actually thinking about how cold my toes are! Or more often I am wondering about my latest worry or contemplating my schedule for the next day. I am here, but he is here, fully, mind and body and spirit. And I find myself mesmerized simply by that. And it makes me enjoy these surrounding a little bit more. More than anything it makes me long to taste that kind of peace. I want to be in this moment like he is, leaving my tomorrows to the Lord, as He tells us to, and living fully each moment I am blessed to have.

Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” I think of this verse, a favorite of mine that reminds me where my heart and head should be when it gets lost in the foggy confusion of other things. Peace comes to those who remain steadfast in the Lord. Steadfast—what a full word, encompassing so much. This is to be unwavering, unfaltering, persistent, committed, dedicated, unswerving, firm, loyal, dependable, devoted, constant, faithful…and so much more. I can’t help but realize, so suddenly and so clearly, that this is exactly how the Lord is to us. It is how this river is.

This is also my husband—so strong, solid, and unwavering. I think that he must understand something about the Lord’s will, that it is lived out each day, one day and one step at a time. He knows how to do this, and how to leave his tomorrows to the Lord. He may not even realize it, but I see it. And I desire that trait for myself. Elizabeth Elliott wrote, “The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived, not always looked forward to as though the ‘real’ living were around the next corner. It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow.”

So my thoughts continue: if is just today for which we are responsible, just today that we have in front of us—and only the Lord knows how many more tomorrows we have—then why not squeeze as much juice out of it, so to speak, as we can? I believe each day has so much to offer, even in our monotonous, everyday routine. There are moments to be lived, memories to be made, chances to bless others, and the joy of being blessed ourselves! There is so much beauty all around us, in the simple things of our lives and the grand things of Creation.  How much do we see, recognize, appreciate, and offer praise for? How much do we miss? How much life are we wasting with worry, frustration, bitterness, or unforgiveness? And how steadfast are we in the Lord, who gives us this Life? Is our energy focused on what truly matters?

My husband knows what matters. None of his life is wasted. He knows how to live it, simply, unaffectedly, and he’s teaching me to do the same. And now there is this moment—this cold night and my frozen feet and the winter chill on my nose and his beautiful smiling face that warms me up completely despite this frosty atmosphere—and this is exactly it! Abundant and perfect Peace! It is one of those precious life moments that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss. I whisper a prayer, my heart finally feeling rest. I want for nothing in this moment. This is Life, life with the Lord and with the gift of my husband, and I don’t ever want to waste it.

You Are Loved!

My husband sings these great songs to our 2 year old daughter at night during her bedtime routine. Not just cutsie kid songs like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "Rock-a-Bye Baby," but these beautiful worship songs like "The Color Green" or "Hold Me Jesus" by Rich Mullins. Our daughter actually requests these songs and even knows the words! It's awesome to hear her sing things like,

"Be praised for all Your tenderness
by these works of Your hands,
suns that rise and rains that fall to
bless and bring to life Your land.
Look down upon this winter wheat
and be glad that You have made,
blue for the sky and the color green
that fills these fields with praise." -Rich Mullins, The Color Green

Anyway, listening to them both sing those songs led me on a little journey last week that began with my husband and I spending an hour or so just looking up videos of Rich Mullins on YouTube. My huband has always been a fan of Rich Mullins, a Christian music artist who died in 1997. Anyone who's been to church most likely knows of his famous "Step by Step" and "Awesome God" songs. As we sat and watched music videos and old interviews from the early 90's, I was so uplifted and encouraged, and I felt that the Lord was speaking to me through this man who has been gone for over 10 years! God was reminding me of His unconditional, unchanging love for me. At one point the interviewer asked Rich, "So have you found a peace in knowing that God loves you just as you are?" Rich responded, "One of the things I struggle the hardest with is believing that God really loves me. It's too good to believe, but it's true...." He goes on to say that the essence of the whole Bible when you break it all down is just that: that God loves you very much, and in fact, He's crazy about you! We may not understand it but it's true. And as the interviewer responded, if you can believe that, it changes everything!

Isn't it true that we doubt God's love for us, or that we don't really believe it at all? And if we do believe it, don't we sometimes live as if we are trying to win His approval when we already have it? That's where I struggle a bit, almost unconsiously sometimes. I think there's a misconception (or rather a damaging lie) among people that you have to have your act together, and fix all your issues, before you can come to God. Or, with Christians who are already walking in a relationship with the Lord, we sometimes think we have to keep earning God's love and favor, as if the more we "do," or the more noble our work and service is to others earns us brownie points with God. When we mess up or feel like a failure, we feel we are disappointing God. But it's not about us. God doesn't love us because of us, because of how worthy we are (we can never be worthy enough). He loves us because of Him.

The fact is, we can't do anything to earn God's love and favor, He just loves us. He wants us to come to Him now, as we are and not as we should be. We are God's creation, His children, and what good parent doesn't love their child with an unexplainable love? Our children don't need to earn our love, we just love them, and we want to give them good things! Same with God, except our imperfect love as human parents can never ever compare in the least to the perfect love of our Father God! The Bible says He IS Love. So, in light of that, and in light of Easter just passing (when we celebrate the proof of His love in Jesus Christ) you need to know today that you are loved with an everlasting, eternal love. And whether you can explain it or not, it's true. Some things just call for acceptance. Instead of doubting it, let's embrace it and let the incredible reality of it change our lives!

When I read the words of Rich Mullins' song once again, I am reminded that God's love is displayed all around us all the time, in the "suns that rise and rains that fall to bless and bring to life Your land," and in all the works of His hands. And when I hold my baby girl and she sings those songs back to me, I know I can't ever doubt God's love as I am surrounded by it in that moment! God loves you!  So, do you believe it? As Rich Mullins put it, "To the degree that you believe it, it changes everything!"

(For more of that Rich Mullins interview go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIAN29H4T-o)

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. -1 John 4:9-10

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Here is something I wrote quite a few years back. At the time I was working full-time in a drama ministry company, and I had just gone through a long season of personal struggles. The details of that aren't important, but what is important is the fact that struggle and heartbreak and heartache are something WE ALL can relate to. They come and go in life. It seems in life you are either in the midst of a struggle, just coming out of a struggle, or getting ready to enter into a one! The good news is we have a God who doesn't want us to go through them alone! The Lord taught me a lot about storms that year. Just in case anyone is going through that right now, here is something I hope will encourage you.

From August 2005: There was a lot going on with me this past summer, but the Lord just carried me through constantly and taught me so much that I don’t think I’ve even processed it all yet. Recently I read Isaiah 49:10-11, which says, “….He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.” Life will always have mountains in them, mountains that are obstacles in our life or hardship or personal struggle. God doesn’t want us to run from them or face them on our own. Instead we have to face them in Christ. They are God’s mountains and they are there for a reason, making us who He wants us to be. He will lead and guide us to where we need to be through our circumstances. As that verse promises, He will eventually turn those mountains into roads—a very clear pathway of the Lord’s purpose in our lives. He will lead us to springs of water—refreshing, renewal, rest!! (Lot’s of good R-words).  So I guess I feel like I’ve been lost in the middle of a ton of mountains, and maybe I’m starting to see a road up ahead, or a refreshing spring of water.

You can probably relate, but most every season in my life and ministry is characterized by something new the Lord has taught me or brought me through. They all have their own times of struggle, renewal, passion, maybe stagnation…seasons are about change and growth. When I first got home from our last day of working at camp, I sat on my couch for two days (not two whole days straight, mind you, but for long time periods each day) while a storm came through. I love storms, and this one was so beautiful. It was loud and powerful, the rainfall was massive and the thunder was deafening. The sun went away and it was dark and gray. I guess I loved it because for me it symbolized, perhaps, coming to the end of all my storms for this season, and waiting to see what will come after. Storms, no matter how dark and dreary they are at the time, just make everything new. They rain down and renew everything. They make everything more beautiful after they are over. The air smells fresher, the sun and sky seem more clear and blue, the grass and trees turn green, and our cars get cleaner.J So remember the next time you are in the midst of a storm, call on the Lord! Seek Him through it. Ask Him what He wants to teach you during it. Thank Him for it, and for His love and care that never leave. And remember that the dry, crisp brown grass in your life from the winter can't turn into a lush green without those spring storms!

What Would You Do?

There are times when I feel like my life is somewhat like a sitcom. Here is an example of one of those times.


Not too long ago I was at Panera with my little girl. We had just gotten out of Storytime at the children's library and decided to stop by Panera and grab a bagel for snack. We stood right in front of the bakery case, behind a women who was paying for her order at the cash register. As I looked over the assortment of bagels and goodies, I noticed a plate sitting on the top of the bakery case with a pastry cut up in sample pieces! YUM, samples! I thought, I love it when they have samples, although they ususally have some sort of bread or bagel. So naturally, as I suspect you would do also, I grabbed a sample piece from the plate and shared it with my little girl. It was pretty tasty, and I even considered grabbing another piece but decided not to be greedy since there weren't too many more pieces on the plate.


Anyway, not 30 seconds later the women in front of us finished paying for her order, and then as if in slow motion the rest of the action ensued: the women reached over the bakery case and grabbed the plate that was sitting there, the same plate that I had assumed was a free sample! It was her order! I think I tensed up, feeling very foolish but also wondering why she was still taking it. Oh wait, she obviously hadn't seen me.... either had the girl who was ringing her up. I glanced behind me. Had anyone else seen me? Nope, no one standing in line behind us. Phew! That would have been embarassing. But wait! My next thought was that I should say something, apologize for mistaking it for a sample plate and offer to buy her a new one. I was just about set on doing that, but alas, it was too late. My feelings of embarassment and my running thoughts took up the small chance I had to say something. Before I knew it the women was gone, totally oblivious to the missing piece on her small(er) pastry. Okay, honestly, who cuts up their pastry in sample pieces?!


After she had walked away, I quickly ordered our bagel to go and then left, feeling like I might get discovered on some hidden camera or something. I felt like I was on one of those "What would you do?" shows. If the camera zoomed in on me they would have seen me trying to keep my cool, but my eyes slightly widened with concern of being found out! HA! And it was only a pastry! I am laughing as I am remembering, and that's what I did the whole rest of that day. It has become a good story to tell, although I have to admit that deep down I was a little disappointed in myself for not speaking up. I always plan to do the right thing when faced with a situation, and luckily this wasn't too serious of a situation. I mean, if we should do to others what we want them to do to us, I would have definitely wanted someone to speak up and offer to buy me another bagel if they ate part of mine! So I hope that next time, especially if it is something more serious, I will be able to turn off my debating thoughts and just do what is right. And like the message in my last post, I can't ever judge another person for what they do or don't do. It's so easy to say, "I would have done that different!" But you truly don't know until you are in a situation.

Moments come to us all the time; opportunities to bless and encourage, or lend a helping hand; or chances to apologize and make things right. Mine is a bit of a silly example, but the truth is, unless we go out each day with open eyes and hearts, prayed up to recognize opportunities to do the right thing, we will miss them. I don't know what it would have meant if I had spoken up and bought that lady another pastry. It could have made her day! It could have caused her to want to do the same for someone else! What else have I been missing? Have I been looking people in the eyes when I talk to them to show them that I'm really listening? Have I recognized a need that I know I could fill? Have I used kind words and a tone of voice with others when I'm a little frustrated?

The bible tells us, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. . . ." (Galatians 6:10) and "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is" (Ephesians 5:15-17). Even a small act of kindness can make a huge difference! I hope you are encouraged today to go out and make the most of every opportunity in your daily lives. And I hope my little sitcom brought a laugh to you as well. :-)

What is Your 200 Million Dollar Boat?

Tomorrow begins it! A personal challenge of sorts that I am inviting anyone who reads this to hold me accountable to. But first let me back up a little before I explain more.

Lately I have been feeling frustration over the waste of money in our country and in our culture. It started some day when I was thinking about Hollywood. Specifically, I was thinking of the way actors and actresses dress for awards shows, pondering the thousands of dollars spent on a dress they will only wear once. And I thought it would be a better idea to have an awards show where all the actors had a budget of only 100 bucks or so for their wardrobe, and then they donated the rest of what they would have spent to charities and mission work.

Then we had a guest speaker at our church one day preaching on mission work. He told the story of meeting some guy who was showing off his 200 million dollar boat (or something to that effect). Then he told us that this is the same annual amount that is donated to missions (in our church denomination) throughout the whole country! One guy spends the same amount on a boat as all our churches put together.

After pondering this issue for a little longer and getting off my somewhat judgemental soapbox, the one distinct thought that came through all of it was, So Erin, what are YOU going to do about it? "What Lord? I'm not making millions, or even thousands of dollars that I can just donate. Trust me, if I did, I would." Or would I? You see, it's easy to judge what other people "waste" their money on, and to lament over the lack of giving to worthy causes, but when it comes down to it the only person you are responsible for judging is yourself. So the question shouldn't be "Why isn't he or she giving all that money they have" but "why aren't I?" and "Where can I give more? What can I give up?" Concerning the guy and the boat, instead of asking "Why isn't he giving that money to missions" we need to ask "why aren't we giving more?"

I may not be "wasting" my money on things like thousand dollar formal dresses or 200 million dollar boats, but I'm not being the best steward I could be with it. It is so easy to justify my "spending habits" because I don't really have too many--we live very modestly; I don't buy myself expensive things the latest electronics or clothes or shoes. And when I do want something I try to be smart and budget for it. This is all very well and good, but I know I can do better.

So, all of this to say that I have felt convicted lately of needing to give up what is my spending habit, which is the $2 here and the $3 there and the occasional $5 spent on food and drinks, lunch and snacks! Eeek! I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but I'm hoping to inspire some others out there with this little confession! It never seems like that much at the time, and it is part of my allotted spending money, but when I am honest with myself I know this isn't what I want my spending money to go to. I think this $5-10 a week would be my equivalent of a thousand dollar dress or a 200 million dollar boat. It's money I could be giving to something much more worthy than my current cravings. So there it is! My confession. My challenge. And maybe a challenge to you as well: what is your 200 million dollar boat? I am not judging anyone else for what they choose to do with their money because I am only responsible for my choices, so to begin I am choosing to cut off this spending habit for the month of April. I will try to update you once in a while on how I am doing. Feel free to ask me too! It's good to be held accountable. I am excited and encouraged about it, and I hope you are encouraged today too!

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:20-21

Learning to Just Be

I wrote this a month ago when winter was still present but spring was peeking out....

The art of just being. I don't think we know how to do that these days. At least, if we do it takes a lot of effort. Even now, as I sit here, the weather is heavenly--there is still snow on the ground from two weeks of cold snow storms, but the sun is blazing in a clear blue sky and the breeze is warm and wonderful. Water drips and trickles down the gutter from melting snow. It's too glorious for words, sitting here outside after being shut up inside for days on end. It's a gift and a blessing!


But even as I recognize that and love it, I am still distracted by too many other things that are threatening to take away this peaceful moment of joy. Oh, these distracting thoughts, not even bad thoughts in themselves, that keep me from basking in this gift and from just "being." I should go to the store now while I have time; I need to cash this check and pick this up from the store; what am I making for dinnner?; what can I do now to be more productive; how can I maximize this playtime with my litle girl (although she is perfectly content playing on her own with her growing imagination)? I have the opportunity to just "be," to enjoy the fresh air blowing in my face and to watch my precious daughter as she creates her own world of play. Oh, just to watch her is precious enough! She is growing too fast and won't be this little for much longer--so enjoy this Erin! Bask in it! Soak in it. Watch that precious face and the wonder of her. The Lord is saying, "This is for you...."


Oh God, you are so good! How many of your gifts do we miss because we don't know the art of just "being?" Our minds are too full. Our priorities are upside down. Our distractions overwhelm us. We don't make time to be still, quiet, or to listen to you.


Oh God, you are so profound and at the same time not. It's simple--you are all around. You are in this moment of "being." I just had to recognize it and say "No" to the other thoughts. This isn't their time. It's our time, my family's and mine, and it's straight from you Lord, the giver of all good things, the one who satisfies my soul.

Be encouraged today, and don't forget to take some time to "just be."

Please wait, my little Impatience Petunia!

That's it.
That was the line I said to my little girl one day that inspired me to write my children's story, which is tentatively called "Impatience Petunia" until it is through the editing phase. (It is only in it's first month of a two-month editing stage, beginning with copyediting and then conceptual editing.) So that's it. It's pretty simple actually.

To back up a little, my little girl's name is not Petunia. It's Shaelyn. But most of the time Shaelyn gets called a variety of silly pet names. We've never stuck to just one. At times she has been called somewhat typical things like "Sweet Pea" or "Love Bug," but more often then not she is called things like "Sweetie Peetie Pumpkin Pie" or "Silly Wiggles" or "Booger Bear" or "Kiddo Speguiddo." She is loved! So, on this particular occasion, she was being whiney and impatient about something, although I don't even remember what, and I happened to call her my little Impatience Petunia. My next thought was, "that would be a cute character name in a kid's book!"

And there you have it. Impatience Petunia was created. It took a lot more thought and effort to make myself sit down a write a whole story for this character, but once I started, I was determined to finish. I loved the idea of a kid's character learning a favorable quality, or as the bible describe it, a "fruit of the spirit." I mean, who doesn't want their kids to be patient? Then again, maybe moms and dads will need to read this more than their kids! Anyway, once I finished the story I was surprised to find out that it was actually pretty good, according to friends and family who I let in on my secret accomplishment. But now, what was I going to do with this? Stay tuned, I will write the next chapter soon!

I truly feel like this story was a gift to me. To be perfectly honest, I don't really consider myself a "writer." If any of you know my sister, Lisa, you know that she is the true writer. If you read her blog (check out sites I follow: Much Ado About Something) she explains a little about this in her latest post called "The Twin Enigma." Her "thing" has always been writing, and she is a fabulous novelist who will also have a book out by Tate Publishing soon after mine. I, however, was hesitant to share my work because, after all, this wasn't usually my "thing." So needless to say, I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity. Not only that, I have more characters and more story ideas coming to me, and all of a sudden I am wondering what is going on here?! It's like I have a new dream that I never realized I had before. It just popped up on me one day and is growing, and I feel so thankful to my Lord for giving it to me. He is, after all, the Dream Giver and the Dream Maker. And I have found in my life that the best things that have happened have always kind of found me, rather than me finding them, if that makes sense. I've had my own dreams and plans, things I always thought I wanted, but most of that hasn't happened. And looking back, I'm glad. What has happened, as I have determined to walk with Jesus and seek to know Him more is that He brings better things than I even planned or hoped for. And He hasn't stopped! So it really is true--God wants to give us abundant life! And not just for me, but for you too! Do you believe it? You can, and that's only the beginning...

I hope you are encouraged today.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  -John 10:10

Welcome to my new blog!

So my first thought when deciding whether or not to start a blog was that everyone and their mom already has a blog, so what do I have to say that would be any different or even interesting enough for others to read? But I guess that everyone who has ever written anything has probably had that thought. So, thank you for taking the time to read and support me in this new venture of mine. For this first post I mainly want to share why I am starting this blog, and I hope you will stick around for awhile and check out my future posts, as I want this blog to be less about and for "me" and more for all of YOU! Yes, I will be sharing details and stories of my life, I am sure, and keeping you updated on certain exciting things going on (read all about it below!) but overall I want this blog to benefit you readers. As it explains in the "About Me" section to the right, I want these entries (my "mustard seeds") to be words that encourage and uplift, and maybe they will plant something positive in your lives!


The driving force behind starting this blog was to begin to get the word out about an opportunity that the Lord has recently blessed me with! So here it is: I am soon to be a published children's book author! This month Tate Publishing has officially started production on a children's book I recently wrote. This will be about a 6 month process, but by September my book should be out. It will first be available directly through me, and then later through distributors after an offical "release date." I am still a little in shock from getting the call last December that my book was accepted for publication. Mostly though, I am praising the Lord, as every good and perfect gift is from Him, and I wouldn't want this project to be anything less than everything it can be in His hands! And so I wanted to share this good news and keep you, friends and family (and future friends who may stumble across this blog), updated with this process. In another entry I will share the inspiration for and more of the story behind my book. Stay tuned!


Beyond that, I know I want this effort of my blog to be more than just about me, as I shared above. I have a desire to lift people up when they are down, to offer a word of encouragement, to share my life experiences and lessons I've learned in hopes of helping others, and to see people grow in their faith. Not that I have any special skills or training to be able to do this, but I do know the Lord, and I know that He supplies all that we need if we only let Him. I am offering a small voice (although a pretty loud one sometimes) from a limited life experience and I hope that He may be able to use it. If not, I hope that I can at least be somewhat amusing! For now I will end on a word of truth that has been my prayer for not only my book, but for my life, that the Lord would do immeasurably more with me than I could even ask or imagine! Or as a different translation states it, that he would do exceeding abundantly above all that I can ask or think. Isn't that awesome? Did you know that He wants to do that in your life too? Be encouraged today!

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Ephesians 3:20, NIV

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. -Ephesians 3:20, KJV