HERE I RAISE MY EBENEZER

Last week, on Thursday, September 15th and Friday, September 16th, 2016, our household raised an Ebenezer to our great, wise and merciful God!  A perfect ending to a 17 year journey of testing and trial for myself and my family.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen,

and called the name of it Ebenezer

[that is, The stone of help], saying, “Here the Lord helped us.”

1 Sam 7:12

The past 17 years have been filled with many trials, much testing, grief, sadness, and sacrifice concerning my side of the family. In short, my mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the year 1999. My dad passed away suddenly in April of 2003. (And, I gave birth to my two children during this time.) We assisted Mom in moving from Virginia to California where we lived together for almost two years. It was two years full of constant drama—anger, resentment, manipulation, lies, hallucinations—and filled with much prayer and many tears.
 
Mom decided to move to Arizona with her boyfriend, who was really using her for financial gain, in 2005. Mom passed away in July of 2007 leaving me with a mess of financial red tape and a house in Arizona that I couldn’t sell.  We subsequently decided to rent the house so we became long distance landlords.  Many a headache and heartache occurred during the nine year ordeal of renting including significant property damage and a suicide on the property.

In light of all of this, I committed myself to explain it this way: the righteous and the wise, along with everything they do, are in the hands of God. Furthermore, as to love and hate, no human being knows everything concerning them.

Ecclesiastes 9:1

And yet, God has led us on an amazing journey the past 17 years.  One of faith building, character building, hope and blessing. He has taught us more about true sacrifice, about the depth of unconditional love, about forgiveness and pure grace. He demonstrated His grace, His might, His sovereignty and His love every step of the way.  He has continued to demonstrate His goodness, His sovereignty and His love.  And, He has shown us how important it is to reach out to others who are broken and lost.


Here are just a few of the amazing ways He remained faithful in our plight:

• When moving in with my mom, we had to sell our condo—but sold it quickly and at a good profit.
• I was due to give birth to second child while my husband was away on business and my over medicated mom and I were alone in the house. (home birth) The Lord stayed my daughter's birth for two weeks; she arrived less than twenty four hours after my husband came home; she came quickly and he had the blessing of delivering her.
• When we came home one day to a 'For Sale' sign in the front yard and had to quickly relocate and find a home of our own again, He led us to the perfect place just a mile from my mother  and worked out every detail from the financing to the paint on the walls in every room and the park at the end of the block.
• When the trials became draining in health or expense, He provided for our physical  and financial needs every step of the way through church, friends, new clients and a way of escape.  It was during this time that He prompted me to attend my first Community Bible Study class! It was a lifesaver to me in so many ways.

• During the difficulties that arose after her death, the Lord imparted godly wisdom and discern in every transaction and the right words in every confrontation so that it would bring Him glory.
• He used the trials to draw my husband and I closer in relationship to Him and each other showing us what ‘true love’ really is—sacrifice.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 
1 Cor 10:13

These were difficult years. He has given us victory through it all. God has developed patience in us and perseverance, trust and faith. He has strengthened our walk with Him as a family. It has been a wonderful witness to His providence and provision for my children. So many lessons learned. So much blessing even in the hard things. We desired that this weight be lifted but, more importantly, that His perfect will be done.

Would we want to go through it again?  Probably not. But I would never again want to go through times such as these without Him right by my side.

With the suicide at the Arizona home, we decided it was time to put it on the market again.  We prayed that in would be inline with God's perfect timing. In one week and one open house, we received two offers. One dropped, the other buyer proceeded.  The paperwork was processed in a month, the loan was approved and funded in three days.  We closed on September 15th, my daughter's birthday, and received disbursement of funds on September 16th, our 27th wedding anniversary.

Coincidence?! I think not….! Here I raise my Ebenezer.....

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,

that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.  

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, a world without end.

Amen.

Ephesians 3:19-21

PROVIDENCE, PROVISION , POWER and PRAYER

One of my top ten stories in His Word is the story of King Hezekiah and Jerusalem's triumph over the Assyrians! Though it is full of kings, armies, contenders and mighty men of valor, I stand in awe of just one thing.  The power behind the heart and prayer of Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah as they prayed for his kingdom and his people!

Making a very eloquent, pointed and wicked speech delivered in Hebrew outside the walls of Jerusalem via his commander, the king of Assyria made it clear they were about to destroy everything Hezekiah held dear. (2 Kings 18:28-35)  Yet, rather than assemble his armies and fortify his walls as would most in his position, Hezekiah sought counsel from the man of God and bowed low before his Creator.

Annals of Sennacherib

King Hezekiah sought the Lord through wise counsel:

So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah.  And Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”’” 2 Kings 19:5-7

King Hezekiah sought the Lord through prayer and humility:

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.  Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.  Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.” 2 Kings 19:14-19

And God answered:

“Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria:

‘He shall not come into this city,
Nor shoot an arrow there,
Nor come before it with shield,
Nor build a siege mound against it. By the way that he came,
By the same shall he return;
And he shall not come into this city,’
Says the Lord.‘For I will defend this city, to save itFor My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’” 2 Kings 19:32-34

Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven.  Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefaced to his own land. And when he had gone into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring struck him down with the sword there.  Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.  And many brought gifts to the Lord at Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter. 2 Chron 32:20-23

 

Hezekiah sought the Lord with all his mind, heart, soul and strength.

God answered.

I am deeply moved by the humility and surrender Hezekiah displayed as he petitioned the King of the Universe. I amazed at his unfailing trust in the Lord as he faced what seemed impossible to overcome. Unlike so many others before him, Hezekiah looked up and remained steadfast in the face of tremendous obstacles. And, he knew that his people were looking to him.  And, God was watching.

Hezekiah sought the Lord for wisdom, with humility, surrender, trust, and faith. On bended knee.

Was there power in the prayer?  No, not in the prayer itself but in the heart and character behind it. Was there purpose in the prayer? Yes, by His will and His providence, God elected to deliver Judah for His name's sake. He provided a way out of a hopeless situation to bring glory to Him alone. In front of all nations, in witness to all those that called themselves by His name.

God answered Hezekiah with favor, love and deliverance.

Is there power in your prayers....?  As we pray, may we remember to come to Him penitent, to humble ourselves and bring ourselves in line with His perfect will.  May we seek wise counsel and His counsel most of all. May we give testimony through every answered prayer as to His providence, provision and power.

To Him be the glory!

HIS CHILDREN

 My son. My firstborn. My man/child.

A few days ago, he was in my womb. A day later he was talking. A day after that he was walking. Now he is growing hair everywhere, his voice is cracking and he is almost three inches taller than me! Almost overnight or so it seems.

Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. Proverbs 23:25

I waited, somewhat unintentionally but mostly intentionally, to have my first child. (No regrets as I know there is a God-reason for everything.) As all children are special and certainly gifts from the Most High, the firstborn always have initial significance to the family especially Mom. They are the first of so much in the lives of new parents. Challenges, questions, education, prayers, trials, tears, joy, laughter, more questions, and more prayers. So it has been with our son.

My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9

I find myself staring at him in amazement periodically throughout each day. I marvel at the man he is quickly becoming. I wonder where the time has gone, how we’ve made it this far, and how we are going to making it in the remaining time he has at home with us. I praise God daily for this gift of a child (and my other as well) and what He is doing in his life.  What He is doing, not me.

My husband and I hold temporary custody of this man/child. We’ve been on our knees continually for guidance, wisdom, direction, inspiration, protection and provision. God has and continues to bless us many ways. Yes, even in the difficult phases and hard places. We both have grown together with our son. It is truly a privilege to bring up children and certainly not one to be taken lightly. Everyday of parenting brings us a little bit closer to understanding the character of our heavenly Father.

But our son does belong to God and God alone. God has a purpose and plan for this beautiful boy with a strong will, bright mind, tender heart and a love for his Savior. Our son needs to choose to follow that path of his own free will. We are thankful for and rest in that comfort. God is truly sovereign in all things.

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30

Our pride and joy always has been and always will be in His loving hands. I cannot push and I cannot panic. I can only prod with the Shepherd’s prod, understanding His providence, and pass on the wisdom that God has granted me. I can be on bended knee for God’s will in this young man’s life as I know anything He has in store for him will be much better than anything idea I might have or any plan I might have made. Who am I to question God’s call on his life? After all, who knows my son better than the One who made him?  I trust God and God alone. 

If I truly love God with all my heart, mind and strength, I must yield to His control in all things concerning my children knowing He is working a much greater work than I can possibly imagine. I love this boy/man of mine, this treasure, this child of God, more than words can express...  I can't wait to see what God has in store for him!


I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14

  

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor 3:17