faith unfaded

If you’d have asked me the one thing I missed most during my days of full-time ministry, it would’ve been this: family get-togethers on a Saturday afternoon at my parents’ house.

I knew I was doing what the Lord wanted me to do so I didn’t complain but it was still painful. I missed a lot of weekend birthday parties and barbecues with the responsibilities of running a small church hours from my hometown.

I don’t know if I’ll be here for another year or the rest of my life, but I’m not concerned about that for two main reasons:

1) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

2) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 19:11

Whatever the Lord has for me will be good and I will go wherever and whenever He says to go.

“He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know, and in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I’ll go…” (Where He Leads Me I Will Follow, Edward W. Blandy and John Samuel Norris, 1890)

In the meantime, I will cherish every moment I have with my family.

There’s always a mixture of relatives at any get-together, bringing a different dynamic each time. Sometimes we are more Jerry Springer than Leave It to Beaver but it’s usually somewhere in the middle, more like holidays with the Barones!

I love that people who’ve met us within the last twenty-five years assume Patti is our other sister when actually she is my kids’ stepmother. As with any divorce and family blending, it was rocky for awhile but thanks to my parents, who maintained a neutral zone, and the power of reconciliation through Christ, we have formed a true sisterhood. I only wish we’d all gotten there sooner when the kids were younger. I applaud parents who co-parent healthily. You only get one shot raising your kids- let go of the animosity while you are still blessed with them in your home.

My heart is so exceedingly full that I have to swat away that pesky voice telling me things are going TOO good. Why do we self-sabotage like that? If the other shoe does drop, I’ll pick it up. But I’m not going to trip over air expecting something bad to happen!

I’m gonna sing…I’m gonna dance…and I’m going to praise God for all He’s done!