Review: Bloom In Your Winter Season

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Bloom In Your Winter Season

Bloom In Your Winter Season was written by Deborah Malone “with twenty-three contributing writers” for older women as a reminder that God can both minister to them and use them in their later years.

They don’t really define what constitutes a “winter season.” One of the authors is in her fifties, which I would say is more autumnal than wintry. Still, we’re all facing that time of life and getting closer every day, so we can tuck the lessons away for future reference if we don’t need them immediately.

The book is divided up into six chapters, each featuring a couple, or sometimes three, women in the Bible: Miriam and Anna; Mary and Martha; Mary and Elizabeth; Lois and Eunice; Lydia, Joanna, and Susanna; and Naomi and the widow with two coins. (I’m surprised there wasn’t a chapter on Sarah, maybe couple with Rebekah.) All of the women focused on are not “older,” but there are things about their lives we can learn from whatever season we’re in.

Each chapter is designed to be read over five days. The first four days’ reading contains short essays written by different women, each ending with application questions and a prayer. Day 5 is a Bible study on the focus women written by Deborah with passages to read, questions to answer, and blank lines to jot down notes .

The overall theme of the book is that God can still use you whatever age you are, and that’s brought out in most of the chapters. Some of the writers discuss specific situations like adjusting to the empty nest, widowhood, aging, sharing faith with our grandchildren, and living in a nursing home (one woman wrote over 70 books while in a nursing home!) But other chapters are more general.

One problem with five writers contributing to each chapter is that there’s a bit of overlap. But perhaps repetition reinforces the details. On the other hand, the chapter on Naomi only mentioned her once in passing in the essays.

The chapter that stood out the most to me was the one on Lydia, Joanna, and Susanna–I think partly because we don’t usually hear much about these women, especially the last two. They are mentioned in Luke 8:1-3 with “some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities” who traveled with Jesus and the disciples and “who provided for them out of their means.” Joanna is mentioned again at the cross with other women in Luke 24. Writer Sherye Green points out that these women served Jesus out of “pure, unbridled gratitude” (p. 123).

I only knew of a couple of the authors here before reading this book. There are a few with whom I might not agree in every point, judging from their biography information. But I didn’t find anything objectionable in this volume.

Some of the quotes that stood out to me:

Anna worshiped in the waiting (p. 29).

Is there a mother or grandmother in your life who prays, encourages, and supports the younger generation in the faith? Godly women invest in a heavenly treasury of prayers and a heritage of faith for their loved ones. Praying mamas deposit a foundation of wisdom and understanding into their children’s lives, building up their character and committing their future to God (p. 91).

I used to pray for my daughter’s strength and personality–stating what I wanted God to place in her. I failed to realize that the parenting challenge is knowing God already has a plan and purpose for our little people. Our prayer should ask God to show us their developing talents so that we cultivate His gifts in them (p. 96).

When my focus was on me, I felt my broken heart intensely. I began noticing those around me with their own trials and doing small things I could to help ease their burdens: visiting a young friend dying of breast cancer, training as a hospice volunteer, taking food to new widows, and generally loving on people. It was different from the lay ministry my husband and I shared as a team, but just as important in God’s economy (p. 143).

The essays are designed to read one a day. I usually read two or three, because they were so short. If I ever read this book again, though, I think I’ll stick to one a day and ponder it more before moving on. 

Still, the book did its job in encouraging me that God has something for me to do and has promised to be with me in every season.

Review: The Language of Sycamores

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The Language of Sycamores

The Language of Sycamores is the third novel in Lisa Wingate’s Tending Roses series.

Karen Sommerfield received two blows in one day. A routine test at the doctor’s office indicates her cancer may have returned. And her whole department, of which she was the head, has just been eliminated at her firm in their downsizing efforts. “I sat back in my chair, looked around my office, and for the first time in my life, felt completely worthless. What do you do when the thing you’ve put your time and effort, your heart and soul, into, the thing that is the biggest part of who you are, is gone? Where do you go from there?”

When her sister, Kate, calls with an invitation to come to Missouri, Karen agrees. Normally, she avoids Missouri. Her lifelong rivalry with her seemingly perfect sister, their different lifestyles, the difficulties with their father, all contribute to keeping her distance. But, learning that her pilot husband, James, is going to MO for the weekend as well, Karen decides the trip will take her mind off her troubles. She doesn’t tell anyone about her double dose of bad news at first. She’s still processing it, and she doesn’t want to seem any more imperfect.

Kate has made contact with some long lost cousins who have some old letters between their grandmother and Kate and Karen’s Grandma Rose. They discover the two grandmothers had a sister they never spoke of.

Meanwhile, Dell, an young girl from an impoverished neighbor of Grandma Rose’s, spends much of her time at Kate’s. Dell’s grandmother isn’t well, and Uncle Bobby, who lives with them, is an unsavory character.

As Karen makes discoveries about her family and tries to help Dell, her eyes are opened to her own misconceptions and to the needs of others. She’s reawakened to old interests she had closed the door to. And Grandma Rose’s advice comes back to her.

A couple of the quotes that stood out to me:

Grandma saw the poetry in ordinary things. She mused on the meaning of life while her hands were busy with everyday chores. Anything else would have been far too impractical to suit her.

It’s those little nicks and dents and imperfections of spirit that allow us to flow out into a thirsty world. It’s our scars that allow us to relate to the scars of others, our suffering that connects us to others who suffer.

The first two books, Tending Roses and Good Hope Road, didn’t seem to be connected. But this book ties them together with the cousins finding out about each other.

The title comes from something Grandma Rose used to say: when some surprise was coming or something was brewing, she’d say she heard it in the sycamores.

I did have a couple of problems with the book: the use of minced oaths and Dell’s supposedly somehow getting messages from the deceased Grandma Rose.

But otherwise, I enjoyed Karen’s journey from being self-absorbed and defensive to seeing people for who they are, not who she thought they were.

Why Do We Need Wisdom?

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Wisdom

Our pastor recently spent several weeks teaching from the book of Proverbs in the Bible. In the same time frame, several blogs I follow also had a series of posts from Proverbs: Michele at Living Our Days, Proclaim and Defend, and Knowable Word.

Even my Typeshift word game app brought up Proverbs.

Typeshift game

The main thrust of Proverbs is wisdom. It occurred to me that about the only time I hear people asking for wisdom is when they have to make a decision. “I need prayer for wisdom about whether to take this job” or “I need wisdom for dealing with a difficult situation at work,” etc.

We do need wisdom for those needs. But we also need God’s wisdom for everyday life. The ESV Study Bible notes define wisdom in James 1:5 as “a God-given and God-centered discernment regarding the practical issues in life” (p. 2391).

I decided to look through the first few chapters of Proverbs, as well as a few other passages, to see why the Bible says we need wisdom. I ended up with six typed pages in Microsoft Word, too much to share here. No wonder other blogs ran whole series on Proverbs.

But, just to hit some highlights, here are some results of my study:

Why do we need wisdom?

It’s commanded: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

To walk worthy of the Lord: “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:9-11).

To avoid naivete and foolishness: “Wisdom cries aloud in the street . . .: ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?’ (Proverbs 1:20-22) “Leave your simple (folly, foolishness in other versions) ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Proverbs 9:6).

To understand the fear of the Lord: “If you seek [wisdom] like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:4-5).

To develop discretion: “For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you” (Proverbs 2:11-12).

For protection from evil people and from being led astray: “Delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words” (Proverbs 2:12-16). (See also Proverbs 1:12-19; 7:4-5.)

To be blessed: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding” (Proverbs 3:13). “She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed” (Proverbs 3:18). “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors” (Proverbs 8:32-34).

Her gain is valuable: “For the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:14-15). “My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver” (Proverbs 8:19).

Long life: “Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor” (Proverbs 3:16). “For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life” (Proverbs 9:11). “For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:34-35). (I don’t think this is a guarantee that a wise person won’t die young. However, wisdom will act in ways that prolong life. And these verses also say God favors a wise person.)

Pleasantness and peace: “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17). “For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul” (Proverbs 2:10).

Confidence: “Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble” (Proverbs 3:23).

To teach others: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

To edify others: “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (Proverbs 24:3-4). “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down” (Proverbs 14:1).

What is the character of wisdom?

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).

“Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.” (Proverbs 8:6-8).

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 8:12).

“I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice” (Proverbs 8:20).

 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).

Where do we get wisdom?

God: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity (Proverbs 2:6-7). “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21).

Jesus: “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

Fear of the Lord: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10).

The Bible: “From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Prayer: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6). “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9). “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him” (Ephesians 1:16-17). “If you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding” (Proverbs 2:3).

Intentional listening: “Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding” (Proverbs 2:2).

Active searching: “If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:4-5).

Obeying God’s Word: “See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples” (Deuteronomy 4:5-6).

Wise people: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20).

When we become wise

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Did any of these reasons to seek wisdom or sources of wisdom surprise you? Did any resonate with you?

Wisdom

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)

Laudable Linkage

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Laudable Linkage

Some of the good reads found this week:

Have You Counted the Cost? HT to Challies. “Two things can be true at once. The gospel is absolutely free, and yet the gospel costs us everything.”

Why Do the New Testament Letters Sound Different from the Gospels? “The gospels do sound quite different from the New Testament letters. The simple parables and catchy teaching of Jesus give way to long doctrinal treatises on justification by faith, a theology of the body of Christ with its many members, or instructions for how households and churches should be governed. So how do we explain the difference? How did we go from stories about lost sheep, people planting seeds, or runaway sons to exalted discourses on theology?” I never thought about this before. This article gives some great answers.

I Will, If the Lord Permits, HT to Challies. “Here even the apostle Paul himself admits that his plans are fallible and must therefore be flexible. ‘I have made my very best plans,’ Paul says, ‘and am operating according to them to the best of my ability—but all the while in the recognition that my plans may not be God’s plans.'”

You’re Their Mom or Dad, Not Their Pastor or Evangelist. “Parents who love the Lord naturally long for their children to do the same. Their ‘heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved’ (Romans 10:1), and rightly so. And so they share the gospel with their kids and earnestly pray for them. But what are they to do when such attempts do not bear immediate fruit?”

Unreasonable Hospitality, HT to So She Reads. “This idea of unreasonable hospitality is found throughout the Bible. Think of killing the fatted calf for a stranger traveling through: giving of your best to someone you do not know and may never meet again; think of the widow’s last cruse of oil given to a prophet; think of five loaves and two fishes feeding 5000 people. This is the very embodiment of unreasonable hospitality.”

Story of Grace, HT to So She Reads. I have the famous print of an older man praying over the dinner table, as well as a companion piece of an older woman, in my dining area. It was neat to read the story behind it.

“Fear is a liar and a thief. A liar, because it fills our minds with
hypothetical horrors, and a thief because it steals precious hours we
can never get back and strips them of peace.” ~ Jeanne Damoff

Friday’s Fave Five

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Friday's Fave Five

It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of October already. I’m pausing for a moment with Susanne and friends at Living to Tell the Story to share blessings of the week.

1. Annual pumpkin decorating night. Mittu brought shepherd’s pie and salad. I made caramel corn and apple cider. Here are the results of our labors:

Carved Pumpkins

I shared more detail about them in my end-of-month post yesterday.

2. Beautiful trees. I’ve been saying our fall color has been late coming and not as spectacular as usual. Sunday we drove around quite a bit–Jesse had flown to the wedding of friends over the weekend and came home Sunday afternoon. So we left church and ate lunch, then drove to the airport, then took Jesse home and came home ourselves. We saw lots of pretty fall foliage. Oddly, there’s still not much in our immediate neighborhood. I’m not much for taking a drive just to take a drive, so I’m glad we had the opportunity to get out for a bit in areas that had more color.

3. A $28 microwave. I mentioned last week that our microwave stopped heating–we’re still waiting for the needed part–and Jim brought in the little one from his office that we had bought when his mom was in assisted living. Then that one died. He went to Wal-Mart to look for another little one to replace it; he likes having one in his office to warm up whatever he’s eating or drinking. Plus we use it sometimes when we need extra help for big family dinners. He stopped one of their workers to ask a question, and she pointed him to a couple of microwaves that had been marked down to $28 because the boxes were dented. She said the microwaves themselves were fine because they were encased in Styrofoam. They just had to mark them down because customers avoided the dented boxes. Just finding someone to help and answer questions is getting to be a minor miracle there. Then to have her point out the mark-down was a bonus. My deal-loving husband was happy. 🙂

4. Soup. Though we have soups year round, they’re especially good when the weather turns cool. Last week we had hamburger vegetable soup (using ground turkey instead of beef) and corn muffins one night, then potato soup with open-faced English muffin sandwiches for lunch one day.

5. Rain. Overcast skies are not my favorite, but we really needed the rain. We had precipitation for parts of four days this week. I’m especially glad it was a pleasant rain rather than thunderstorms.

And that’s the end of another week–and another month! How was yours?

October Reflections

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October Reflctions

Many of our spring and summer flowers are still in bloom. That’s not only nice in itself, but it has helped since fall foliage color was late coming in. But it finally did. It’s so nice to have that beautiful color before the landscape goes barren in the winter.

This has been a month for dying appliances. First our dishwasher, which wasn’t unexpected. Then our microwave, which we just got last November. Because it was still under warranty, the company we bought it from sent out a repairman. We’re waiting on the needed part to arrive. In the meantime, Jim had brought over the little microwave in his office, which we had originally bought years ago when his mom was in assisted living. Then it went kaput as well.

Jim refurbished my dresser, making it look wonderful. And he’s been putting walls and a ceiling in our shed. Lights and a ceiling fan are next.

We enjoyed dinners both planned and impromptu with the family, as well as a couple of Sunday lunches with them and friends.

Our Connect Four group got together to work on paint-by-number projects. I hadn’t done that since maybe sixth grade. It was relaxing and fun to visit while painting.

The guys had a camping trip with other men and boys from church one weekend.

We had our annual pumpkin carving event last week. Here are the results:

Pumpkin carving

The one on the bottom left was Jim’s–Luigi, I think, from the Mario games. The “classic” jack-o-lantern was Tim’s. He did all the carving himself! The light in his rotated through different colors. Mine, on the right, has a Pac Man theme. Mittu drilled the holes for me when my carving knife wasn’t working for them. Hers is the cross and heart on the table. And Jason’s is the one on the right side of the table. He made a template from this photo of Timothy and Jim fishing to carve:

Fishing
fishing pumpkin

I’m amazed at the detail, even the waves. I had a hard enough time cutting out my two small images!

We had no birthdays or anniversaries this month, so I didn’t make any cards.

Watching

When Jim was away camping, I watched the 1985 film The Trip to Bountiful, starring Geraldine Page. It was recommended by Hope. Based on a play, it’s the story of elderly Carrie Watts, who lives in a busy Houston apartment building with her son, Ludie, and controlling daughter-in-law, Jessie Mae. Carrie dreams of visiting the small town she came from, Bountiful. But Ludie, somewhat henpecked and weak-willed, doesn’t have time to take her. Carrie schemes to cash her pension check and take the train to Bountiful. We learn then that she has attempted this several times and has always been caught. But not this time. The story is comical at the beginning, but poignant and wistful at the end. There was one use of God’s name taken in vain (which, oddly, I saw in the subtitles but didn’t hear). But otherwise, it was clean.

Reading

Since last time I finished (titles link to my reviews):

I’m currently reading:

  • Exodus for You by Tim Chester with the ladies’ Bible study at church
  • James for You by Sam Allberry
  • Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child: Facing Challenges with Strength, Courage, and Hope by Boris Vujicic, father of Nick Vujicic
  • The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
  • Bloom In Your Winter Season by Deborah Malone
  • The Language of Sycamores by Lisa Wingate, audiobook

Blogging

Besides the weekly Friday Fave Fives, Saturday Laudable Linkage, and book reviews, I’ve posted these since last time:

  • Look to Jesus. “How can we look to Jesus when He is not physically on Earth any more? He wasn’t when Hebrews was written, either, so the author did not have a physical view in mind. Where do we see Him these days? In His Word. What would that look like in everyday life?”
  • What Complaining Does. “Before we’re too hard on the children of Israel, we need to look at ourselves. How often do I complain at the first minor inconvenience? I don’t stop to ask God if He has something for me to learn from the problem. I might get convicted about that later, but all too often my first response is to grouse.”
  • How Can a Wife Help Her Husband? “It’s easy to depend on a husband’s help in myriad ways. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, and Jesus certainly helps us. But sometimes I’m reminded of Genesis 2:18, where God said He made woman a helper fit for or suitable for the man. And I wonder, am I being a help to my husband? And how do I do that?”
  • Back Burner Dreams. “Certain intellectual and creative pursuits have to be put on the back burner because there are only so many hours in the day.” But sometimes they’re better for their time simmering.
  • Stray Thoughts. Sometimes I write a hodgepodge post of disconnected things I’ve been pondering.

November looks like a pretty low-key month until Thanksgiving. It’s nice to have a lull before holiday season.

How was your October? Is there anything you’re looking forward to in November?

Stray Thoughts

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Stray thoughts

Some of the things I’ve been musing about lately:

Have you ever worked on a blog post, and before you finished it, you saw that one or more of the blogs you follow covered the same topic? That’s happened to me several times. Sometimes I wonder if I should write something else instead. I don’t want to seem like I am copying someone else. But most often, I go ahead with the post I’ve been working on. I figure if God laid the same topic on two or more people’s hearts the same week, He must want that particular message to go out. And usually there’s enough of a difference that posts on the same idea don’t sound like one was taken from the other.

Sometimes, though, a thought from someone else’s post will spark thoughts that turn into a blog post here.
_____

If onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it is, I wonder if there’s a name for words that sound like the opposite of what they are. I think one word in that category is “sublime.” Merriam-Webster says sublime means “lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner; of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth; tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence.” But the word sublime itself sounds the opposite of lofty, grand, awe-inspiring, or transcendent.
_____

In my last post like this, I expressed dislike of sentences starting with the phrase “If I’m being honest,” because it sounds like the speaker is saying they’re not usually honest. But then I saw in Romans 9:1 that Paul starts a sentence with “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit . . .” So I guess I have to take back negative feelings about those kinds of phrases. 🙂 Sometimes they are used for emphasis.
_____

I’ve seen a meme going around with the sentiment that when you share the gospel, it doesn’t matter whether the other person responds. You’ve done your duty; you’ve been faithful, and that’s all that matters.

It’s true that we have no control over how anyone responds. Only God can open spiritual eyes and convict hearts.

But I don’t know if the attitude “I’ve done my duty and that’s all that matters” is a very effective witness. It seems like that would come across as not particularly caring about the other person’s soul.

My Sunday School teacher just said last week that duty is required in the Christian life, but it’s not sufficient in itself: we need to have love for people.

I prefer Spurgeon’s attitude when he said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”

The Apostle Paul’s heart seems similar in the passage mentioned earlier: “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:1-3).

As passionately as I yearn for my loved ones to be know Christ, I don’t know if I could honestly say I wish I could be cursed if they would be saved as a result. But that’s how Jesus loved. He took our sin on Himself and bore God’s curse in our place. He’s the only one who could. He wept over the city of Jerusalem, which was not willing to come to Him, though He would have gathered them like a hen gathers its young under its wings. May my heart become more like His.

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)

Back Burner Dreams

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Back Burner Dreams

Do you have anything on the back burner, the place where we let hopes and dreams simmer until the time is right for them?

My “back burner” dream was writing. I loved being a mother and homemaker. I enjoyed being actively involved in church ministries. Just when my “nest” was emptying, we cared for my mother-in-law for several years. It seemed writing usually had to take a back seat to other needs.

Even though a woman has looked forward to being a mother all her life and delights in her child, some days she feels she is accomplishing nothing beyond wiping noses, changing diapers, and reading Dr. Seuss all day. She longs to do something “important.” Certain intellectual and creative pursuits have to be put on the back burner because there are only so many hours in the day. But those everyday ministrations are just as important as any grand endeavor.

College students full of zeal to go out and change the world sometimes chafe at their time of training, wondering if it’s really needed.

Olympic athletes put aside many pursuits in order to train and compete while they can.

Business men and women lay aside some interests in order to gain seniority and experience to get the next promotion.

Newlyweds may have to postpone getting their dream house until they get more financially stable.

Caring for elderly parents may require that some of our dreams remain on the back burner a little longer.

However, what kinds of foods stay on the back burner for a long time? Soups or stews that become all the richer for their long simmer. Meats tenderize, vegetables soften, flavors blend, broth thickens. The smells waft through the house, igniting our appetites.

We can give that pot a stir every now and then. In my case, I had the opportunity to write a few newspaper and magazine articles as well as a ladies’ newsletter at church. Having to wait to redo certain rooms gave me time to research and dream about what I wanted. Reading books, taking classes, jotting down ideas, and talking with others about our dreams can help prepare us for the time when we can pursue them.

We don’t need to get discouraged if others seem to have all their burners going at once, accomplishing things right and left. I used to lament that I couldn’t do as much as some women until I finally came to grips with the fact that God made us with different capacities, abilities, and personalities.

The back burner is not the place to foster excuses or procrastination. Not “getting around to” some tasks is a different thing from placing them on the back burner. We need to seek the Lord’s wisdom as to whether we’re postponing due to fear, laziness, or distractions, or whether certain pursuits are not His timing yet.

There may be some things God wants us to relinquish completely, and here our back burner analogy breaks down. There are some things He never intended for us to pursue, and we have to set aside what was a personal desire that was not His will. We have to remind ourselves that, no matter how strong and even good a desire was, if it is not God’s will, it would not have been good for us. That desire may actually have been harmful and taken away from what He did have for us to do.

Missionary Jim Elliot said, “Wherever you are, be all there.” We don’t just stand and watch those pots on the back burner: we get other things done while we wait. Maybe we can’t write a bestselling book, but we can send a note of encouragement to someone. Maybe a family can’t get to the mission field until their training is done, but they can minister to their neighbors and coworkers. Maybe a couple can’t take a European tour, but they can plan a weekend getaway to a nearby destination.

If I had known that it was going to be just as hard to make time to write with an “empty nest” as it was when the house was full, I might have pushed a little harder to write earlier. Then again, maybe, hopefully, those years of waiting have enriched what I have to share now.

May God give us wisdom, patience, and guidance to know when our back burner dreams are “just right” and ready to serve.

Do you have anything on the back burner now? Have you had a back burner dream that was made better by waiting?

Psalm 27:14

Revised from the archives.

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)

Laudable Linkage

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Laudable Inkage

Some of the good reads found this week:

Awaken Your Hunger, HT to Challies. “Like tamping down my appetite as I’m tasting and assembling ingredients for dinner, I find myself quieting my hunger for God by tasting too many things that don’t satisfy. Sometimes it’s not the quality so much as the quantity: a half hour of mindless scrolling here, a couple of hours of Netflix bingeing there, the incessant input of a podcast or audiobook every time it gets quiet. I keep filling up my soul with so many things that leave me hungry but not for what I need.”

What Martha’s Problem Really Was. “Martha’s problem had nothing to do with her to-do list and everything to do with how she handled her thoughts. Luke didn’t include this account to caution women away from vacuuming, doing dishes, or cooking a nice meal for company. He included it as a warning against unguarded thoughts. Thankfully, he does include a solution.”

You Are “The Next.” “Who will be the next Nancy? The next Charlie? The next John, James, Voddie, or Kay? This may come as a surprise, but there is an answer. The answer is no one. And it’s also . . . you. Confused? Let me explain.”

When Dad Will Not Lead in the Home, HT to Challies. “One of the saddest verses of the Bible is Genesis 3:6 where God’s Word records, ‘[Eve] took of it and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.’ In other words, Adam was standing with Eve when Satan tempted her. The one who should have defended his wife from the tempter, didn’t do anything. He was passive. And that’s what we’re talking about. Instead of spiritual leadership and initiative, we have passivity. How do we approach this problem?”

DO Something When You Are Maligned, HT to Challies. “When stressed through the ill-will or stinging insults and persistent opposition by someone who wants to cause you trouble, we know there is something to think. We are to think the truth about God and ourselves. We don’t take their evaluation as true, but only God’s. Also, we are to think of God’s loving and purposeful sovereignty over his children, meaning that difficulties can bring about good results in character and progress for the gospel. But there is also something to DO.”

The Worst Kind of Parenting Advice, HT to Challies. “I’m grateful to God that I learned early on to chew the meat and spit out the bones regarding much of the Christian parenting advice I was given, and instead to do what was right for our kids and our family. But when it comes to formulaic parenting advice, it sure is interesting that the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Social Media Pushes Pornography on Children Within Minutes, Report Finds, HT to Challies. “Social media is now one of the primary pipelines to porn addiction for both children and young adults. Global Witness, a campaign organization that investigates the impact of Big Tech on human rights, recently conducted a number of tests to determine how quickly children could access pornography on social media platforms. According to the Guardian, Global Witness conducted one test before the implementation of the U.K.’s Online Safety Act in July, and one after. In just a few clicks, TikTok directed children’s accounts to pornography.”

Spurgeon re the Bible

“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.”–Charles Spurgeon

Friday’s Fave Five

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Friday's Fave Five

Friday is my weekly reminder to stop and ponder the week’s happenings and to express gratitude for them. I join Susanne and friends at Living to Tell the Story to share.

1. Fall color, finally. It’s not as much or as vibrant as usual, evidently because of how dry it has been here. But it’s much appreciated.

2. Men and boys’ camping trip. Our church organized this on the land of one of the men. Jim, Jason, and Timothy seemed to really enjoy it.

3. Lunch with a couple from church. Jason and Mittu and Jim and I had been wanting to get together with these folks for some time, but it seemed like things kept getting in the way for one or more of us. We finally congregated last Sunday at Jason and Mittu’s house. We so enjoyed getting to know them better.

4. Impromptu dinner. Monday night, Jim brought in the leftover vegetables from the camping trip and made a salad. Then he remembered he had some salmon and trout in the freezer and offered to grill it for dinner. All I had to do was heat up some french fries in the air fryer for “fish and chips.”

5. Dinner out. Our microwave stopped heating this week. It would sound like it was running, and the lights and timer worked, but it wouldn’t heat anything. It was less than a year old and still under warranty, so Jim called the company. They were going to send someone out between 1 and 3. Then between 3 and 5. Someone finally got here after 5. He diagnosed the problem and said he’d have to order a part, which would take about a week. Jim brought over the small microwave in his office that we’d used when his mom was staying there. I had planned to wait to make dinner til after the repair guy came, since the microwave is right about the stove and I didn’t want to be in the middle of things when he came. By the time he got here, it was too late to go to Bible study. So we went to Texas Roadhouse. The only negative there is the place is so noisy. But the food was excellent and our waitress was wonderful.

Bonus: So many of my faves have to do with food this week! To balance that, my friend Melanie told me about Justin Augustin on Instagram. He has several short videos of low-impact, easy exercises for older people or those who have been sedentary. I love that he’s calm, low-key, and quiet. I don’t care for hyped-up, yelling videos. He has an app and probably some longer videos on YouTube, but I’ve saved several of these shorter ones.

Hope you’ve had a good week!