Who Can Satisfy?

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
   that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

Last week I shared with you part of my experiences growing up. This week I want to share with you the unfailing love of our Heavenly Father. 

When my earthly father went into the hospital we experienced a peace we had not felt in a long time. As a 7 year old little girl I thought the worst possible thing that could happen was for my parents to divorce. As a 17 year old girl I realized my Mom had done everything she could. I assured her that my brother & sister & I would support her in whatever decision she made. We all knew things had to change. We also knew God was going to take care of us and that we would be ok. 

Not long after my parents separated I was driving home from school with my brother & sister. I was stressed. I was worried. And I was scared. I knew we would be losing our home and many other things. As I came over the crest of a hill my eyes rested on a beautiful gift from God. A beautiful rainbow filled the sky in front of me. I knew it was a promise from God! I knew He was telling me "Trust me, I will take care of you"! From that moment I knew God was going to bring beauty from the ashes of a family falling apart. 

After seeing what my Mom went through and the pain our family had experienced, it was many years before I was able to open my heart enough to trust someone. My fear was that I was going to end up in the same situation. I prayed many, many times for the husband I would someday marry.

• I prayed he would love God more than me.
• I prayed God would prepare him specifically for me.
• I prayed we would have a relationship that was centered on Christ.

The Lord has been faithful to that promise! He gave me a husband who loves me unconditionally. He loves me baggage and all! At the very beginning of our relationship Jeff & I made a commitment to each other that we were going to break the cycle of poor communication and hurt. It's not easy but, it is certainly worth the hard work. Our family is strong and filled with love.

Yesterday both of our children were Baptized. Oh what joy filled my heart and tears that filled my eyes as I watched my 6 year old son & 4 year old daughter publicly profess their faith in Jesus. After the baptism the congregation sang "Who Can Satisfy My Soul". As I stood their singing praises to my Heavenly Father the words deeply touched my soul. I was reminded that Jesus is the only one who can satisfy my soul! He is forever faithful and true!

Take a few minutes and listen to this song. I pray it touches your soul. Praying for you and your marriages my friends!

I am linked today with Julie at Come Have a Peace. Take a look and see what she says about being Fit4Faith.
 
In His Calm,

Mary 

Deep breath in... slowly breath out... 

I close my eyes and I am a 7 year old frightened little girl. I sit crying on the end of my bed, shaking and wringing my hands. I look up as my Mom enters my room. She sits down next too me and gives me a big hug. She gently pulls away and asks me what's wrong. "How do I ask her?... I don't want to know... but I have to know," I think to myself. With a little more prodding from her I build up the nerve to speak out loud what my little heart feared the most. "Mom", I stutter, "are you and Daddy getting a divorce?" I burst into tears again, unable to control the emotions any longer. "Please don't leave Daddy. Please don't get a divorce" I cried. My Mom squeezes me tight and holds onto me with all her might. I hear her whisper, "No honey, we're not getting a divorce." 

That evening my Mom decided to put aside her needs and focus on trying to save her marriage and build a happy home for her children. She prayed and did her best to shield us from what was going on between them. I wish I could say things were happy and good but they weren't. 

Oh, it wasn't for lack of putting up a good front. People really did believe we were one big happy family. We were active in church and in the community. But, behind closed doors things weren't what they seemed. 

My father was an alcoholic. There were many nights I lay in bed listening to him yell and scream at my Mom downstairs. My Mom did everything she could to help him. When she finally talked him into going to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting we thought everything would change. Despite the fact that he was sober the situation became worse over the years.

As my brother and sister and I grew up the anger turned towards us. The lying and the infidelity continued. The emotional outbursts from my father and our fear grew until we could no longer take it. 

By the grace of God my father became ill and ended up in the hospital. With that hospitalization came an opening in the dark storm we found ourselves in. While he was in the hospital we experienced a peace we had not known for a very long time. We knew we could not go back to the way life had been.


To be continued...


Join me next Monday to find out how the fear of a 7 year old girl was replaced by the strength of a 17 year old girl.


In His Calm,

Mary

What If We Were Real

"What If We Were Real"... 

That is the title of Mandisa's new album slated to be released in a few weeks. Last night I had a blast at Girl's Night Out with Anita Renfroe and Mandisa. I laughed. I sang. And this Baptist girl even did a little dancing :). During the concert Mandisa shared a bit about her song What If We Were Real. One of the points she made was, What would happen if we as Christians were upfront about our struggles instead of putting on a happy face and not letting people know the hardships we go through. How many lives would we impact for Christ by being vulnerable. 

I haven't been able to stop thinking about those comments. I am the type of person who tries my best to be positive. Even if I am going through something difficult I try to focus on the wonderful blessings God has given me. I have been thinking lately about how much of my past and struggles I should share with you. Some of the thoughts I have mulled over are

• would it really make a difference to anyone
• what if it comes across as being too negative or whining
• would people really care
• would I hurt anyone close to me by sharing about life growing up.

 I realized last night that I need to take that step. I shared last week that it breaks my heart to hear of a marriage that has fallen apart. But many of you may not know why it breaks my heart the way it does, so for the next couple of weeks I will share a little bit about my life growing up. My prayer is that someone may read what I share and realize with God's help cycles can be broken and strong marriages can be built.

I know I usually only post on Monday's but please join me again tomorrow morning to read about the heartbreak of a 7 year old little girl and the love of a Godly Mom.

I am linked today with Julie at Come Have a Peace for Marriage Mondays.

In His Calm,

Mary

Fence of Protection

My God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
   He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.
   He is my refuge, my savior,
      the one who saves me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3

Last week we talked about the Building Materials of a Strong Marriage. I couldn't help but think more about that this week. As I was sitting in front of our fireplace one day I noticed the fence gate my husband made. He fashioned it out of rough lumber. It is strong. It is heavy. The initial purpose for the fence gate was for a decorative statement piece when we were not using our fireplace. Now that we have children it is used as a wall of protection to keep them out of the fireplace so they won't be hurt.

My mind wandered to the fence of protection God gives us for our marriage. Marriage is a sacred union blessed by God. Our marriages should be a safe place where we feel loved, valued and secure. Too easily our marriages are influenced by the world around us. We must focus on placing a protective fence around our marriage. How do we do that?

• Pray for you husband first thing in the morning.
• Each morning before you leave for work kiss your husband and tell him you love him.
• Be mindful of the interaction you have with men in your workplace. The big thing now is to have "work-spouses". What may start out as an innocent close work relationship can cross a line before you realize it.
• Praise your husband in his presence and when he is not around. Praising him will not only build up his self-esteem but it will also let others know how much you value and appreciate him.
• If there is an issue in your marriage don't confide in another man. Seek counsel and prayer from a spiritually mature woman.

The Lord is the protector and shield for our marriage. With His help we can build a fence of protection around our marriages. Oh sweet friends, there is nothing more that can break my heart than to hear of a marriage that has fallen apart. Please know that with God's help and the assistance of Godly counsel a broken marriage can be repaired. Please let me know how I can pray for you.

I am linked today with Julie at Come Have a Peace.
In His Calm,

Mary

Building Materials for a strong Marriage

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

This weekend my husband and I were sorting through some lumber he has been saving. Jeff is a woodworker by hobby and hopes to someday build a piece of furniture out of the wood. The boards were coarse, uneven & marred. As we were looking over each board I couldn't help but wonder how, with some cutting, sanding and elbow grease those boards could turn into a beautiful, strong table in our home. 

My thoughts began to wonder to what we build our marriages on. Do we use the truth of God to live our lives or do we follow the whims of the world? Today's passage discusses a house built on God's Word compared with a house built on worldly ways. The house built on the rock of God stood up against the rain, the streams & the winds that blew and beat against the house. But, the house that was built on the sand came crashing down when faced with the rain, the streams & the winds.

What does a worldly marriage look like?

• It is weakened by the influence of celebrity couple role-models.
• It is strained by the "advice" of "well-meaning" friends.
• It suffers under the "its all about me" syndrome.
• It crumbles under lies & deceit.

What does a marriage built on God's truth look like? 

• It withstands the exhaustion of sleepless nights when the children are young.
• It survives the devastation of family illnesses.
• It overcomes the fears of paying the monthly bills when layoffs strike.
• It persists despite the long hours or days of separation because of work.

A marriage influenced by the world will look like the boards we tossed that were filled with holes from creatures so small we couldn't see them. The holes were so numerous the boards were no longer sound. However a Godly marriage may look a little rough and uneven but, with God's help they can be worked and fashioned into a beautiful piece of furniture that can withstand the test of time.

Is your marriage influenced by the world or by God? Please let me know how I can pray for your marriage.


I am linked today with Julie at Come Have a Peace. 


In His Calm,

Mary

Good Monday Morning to all of you! I hope you have had a wonderful weekend. We have had a busy but wonderful weekend spent together as a family. The fun continues today as I take my kids to the zoo. I will be back tomorrow morning with Marriage Monday on Tuesday :). I hope you all have a very blessed day.

In His Calm,

Mary

Windows open. Cool Breezes blowing across my face. Birds chirping & singing a happy song. I sit. Relaxed. I marvel over God's glorious creation & His incredible love for me. Ah...peace...

Then it happens... a loud truck drives by and the high pitched buzzer on my dryer breaks the respite. I am suddenly keenly aware of the construction work in front of my house. My thoughts quickly move from resting in God's presence to the busyness of life.

Oh well, back to my day I must go. But, for a short while I met with God. I am grateful for the Calm of His Presence. I can now go through the rest of my day refreshed & renewed.

How are you taking time to be refreshed & renewed in God's Presence?

In His Calm,

Mary