Miscellaneous Monday

I've wanted to get this post up but my computer decided to die last week.  I'm hoping to get it fixed soon but now I'm adjusting to using a different computer that doesn't have all of my pictures, etc. saved.  We've also been pretty busy around here doing some house projects and just life in general.  

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, being home so much has gotten me back into crafting a bit.  I have continued to crochet and learned a new technique.  I made a Toy Story themed "graphgan" for a friend's new baby and I also finally crocheted a shirt for myself.  I have had the pattern for the shirt pinned on Pinterest for a couple of years so it was nice to finally make it; I've also tried my hand at blocking my completed projects and really like the more finished look that blocking gives these crocheted pieces.  Right now I'm working on some fun bumblebee pajama pants; we'll see how they come out as I took a shorts pattern as the base and then made my own changes to it to make pants with a fun cuff detail.

                                            

                                                            

The other thing that this stay-at-home time has us doing is gardening.  At our  last house we had a very small yard so we did a couple small raised beds some years but could never have a "real" garden.  This house has a larger yard with a garden area so this year we planted our first garden here.  We're already planning how to expand the garden for next year as we're really enjoying the beans, peppers, zucchini and tomatoes we have been harvesting.  We have also been blessed by friends with zucchini and hot peppers so I have been canning again also. So far I've made zucchini relish (shown in a previous post) and jalapeno pepper jelly.  

Lastly on this beautiful Monday I wanted to share another "new to me" song that has been a great encouragement lately.  Enjoy!

God has plans...

 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

How many times have you seen that verse on t-shirts, posters, coffee mugs, etc.  Yet, like all of Scripture, it is SO important to look at the context of this verse.  In my reading thru the Bible this year I have hit the book of Jeremiah; I've been intrigued by the parallels of what Israel was doing and what is happening in our own country.  Now, disclaimer here...I am NOT saying I know the mind of God or that I'm making some statement on what exactly He is doing in our world right now.  But, I am going to share some thoughts that have been on my mind and some Biblical truths that I think are important to remember.  

From the very start of creation and all throughout time God has instructed us to put Him first.  The Israelites were promised their land and prosperity if they kept God's commands.  In Jeremiah, when God says that Israel will be taken captive and lose, for a time, that land and prosperity He reminds them that it is because of their disobedience.  God is a God of truth and covenant; He will always fulfill His word; whether for blessing or discipline He cannot lie.  Just like Israel, our country (and in some ways the church) has turned away from God and is looking to man's wisdom and earthly pleasures.  

So, Israel is taken captive by Babylon.  They are in this foreign land and just trying to get through it.  Just like right now we just want things to go back to normal; I'm sure they were just trying to endure also, but that is not what God says for them to do.  God, in His lovingkindness, gives them comfort even in their discipline.  Reading through the entire chapter of Jeremiah 29 God instructs them to build houses, have their children marry, raise children, look to make Babylon a better place "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" Jeremiah 29:7  It's like God is saying, Look, you messed up and so I'm moving you out of the promised land, you're going to be in Babylon awhile but use this time to rebuild the Israelite nation, multiply and as you raise up this next generation teach them to be a generation of prayer.  This city where you are is an unbelieving city, a foreign land but be a light here.  Your prayers will lead to an easier time for you as I work in this city...because you are here...I am here..and I love you and will care for you...even in this foreign place. 

In verse 10 God reveals that the Israelites will be in Babylon for seventy years!  Yep, the verse right before the one so often quoted where God promises that His plans are for their good He reveals that they will live away from their homeland for seventy years; meaning many will never see their homeland again.  How can this be good?  The answer is in the verses following; verses 12-14 "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."  As so often shown in Scripture, God brings them out of their place of comfort, out of their place of complacency towards sin, their place of rebellion, so that they will realize again that it is ALL about Him.  That He is a God of truth.  That God's ways are always best.  God loves them (and us) too much to let us continue down a path of self-destruction.  He will get our attention!  This time in Babylon was meant to reteach the Israelites that God is the one who deserves all their honor, worship and praise and He is the one that provides. All they have is from Him and just like Job 1:21 says "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away"  This time is a time to tear down pride and restore a right attitude of humility.  God cares for our hearts; He will bring us, if necessary, to very uncomfortable places so that He can draw us away from destruction and back onto His paths.  Proverbs 14:12 says "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." and Proverbs 3:5-7 reminds us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil."

So, how about us today?  Again, I'm not saying that I know what God is doing but let's use this time, this very uncomfortable time to draw close to Him, to make sure that our hearts are clean, that we are relying on Him for answers. Have we been looking to things other than God for our provision, comfort, joy or satisfaction? And rather than just trying to endure and get through this time let's seek God, for how He would have us use this time.  We have no idea how long this will last but what we do know is that God is still here; He is still working.  Just like He commanded the Israelites to pray for Babylon we are also commanded in the New Testament to pray for all people; including those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-5 says "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  We as believers have the Holy Spirit in us, we have access to the God of the universe, we can go boldly to His throne knowing that he loves us and he hears us.  Let's use this time to pray.  Pray for those around us, for those in decision-making positions, pray that God would bring salvation to many and revival to His church.  May we use this time to be sharing Jesus with others; sharing the hope and peace that is only found in Him.  Call upon God.  Seek Him. He hears us. 

Relish, Reading and Resting

Even with all that is going on in our world; time marches on.  While the days may be uncertain the rising and setting of the sun, is a constant reminder that God is faithful and is still in control of this Earth.  

The other day I was challenged by the thought of finding things to be thankful for even in this time; it's an exercise I've tried to do throughout this time.  It's hard to see those you love have a hard time, have their world turned upside down and try to navigate this new "normal for now"; while in reality very little is "normal".  Throughout history, more recently that of our own country, almost every generation has had to deal with some upheaval, whether economic, war, pandemic, racial animosities (yes, even these have happened before), etc.  and each has found a way to weather that upheaval and carry those lessons to future generations.  

Last week I was given a very large zucchini; and I knew immediately what I would do with it.  My grandmother, who was born in Canada in 1923, made a delicious zucchini relish.  This is one of the "tastes of my childhood"; we would look forward to when she would share a couple jars with our family.  This week I pulled out my gram's recipe and made a batch of this relish.  Once again, the taste transported me back to my childhood.  I was thinking how that so much is handed down generation to generation from stories to recipes and there is such a comfort in the continuity of that; my kids will now know the story and taste of that recipe...another reminder of God's faithfulness.  A little thing, yes, but it's easy to overlook those blessings and reminders in the "big things" that can overwhelm us.  Stepping back and focusing on those opens our eyes to so many other "little" things that God gives each day to show Who He is. 

Another blessing that I'm focusing on in this time are the books that God has brought into my life.  Each summer the ladies at our church read through a book.  It's a much more informal time of just reading and checking in to share thoughts on Facebook.  This year we had four books that we were considering; after praying and looking through all four we chose the book "Humble Roots" by Hannah Anderson; honestly, all the books looked great but we chose this one because the number of chapters best lined up with the number of weeks.  I love seeing how God orchestrates even details like that; this book has certainly been very timely.  From the theme of finding rest to the lessons of humility, listening to others, and recognizing who we are and Who God is.  

Another book that I read is "Jesus Over Everything" by Lisa Whittle.  This is one of those "good hard" books and definitely one I want to go back to and review.  In putting Jesus over everything we learn to let go and again find rest in trusting Him.  

 

The latest book that I have been reading is not a study book but I'm finding it is another important book.  It's called "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isobel Wilkerson and is about the Great Migration of blacks from the Southern US to points North and West.  There is not an in-your-face book; but it is powerful.  While threading history and other personal stories through the book the author follows the lives of three of the people who migrated; one to Los Angeles, one to Chicago and one to Harlem.  It is an eye-opening look at the tough and complicated issue of race relations even through a good portion of the 20th century.  To see the issues caused by stereotypes and misunderstood motives; again an important reminder to listen to others, to honor their experiences (even and especially when they are so very different from what ours may have been) and to strive to see everyone as made in God's image; worthy of value.   

And through all of this I'm asking God daily for reminders of all He is and all He is teaching me...to find rest in this time by seeking Him for all the answers and seeing His faithfulness in each day.