Thou Hast Covered Me In My Mother's Womb

People without retinoblastoma have a gene in their eye that stops a certain cell production. People with retinoblastoma don't have that gene. Because there is nothing to stop them, the cells effectively mutate and multiply, eventually forming into tumors known as the cancer, retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma is a tricky cancer. It is not an environmental cancer (like lung cancer than can result from smoking). The framework for retinoblastoma is laid in utero. And there is nothing that can be done to prevent it.

This week the kids and I have been learning Psalm 139:13-16. (I learned it years and years ago. It is a passage that is stuck in my head. Some things you memorize, you forget. This is one thing I've never forgotten.) I love this in the poetic KJV...

For thou hast possessed my inward parts: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously (intricately) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfected (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

These verses resonated with me as I thought about them this week.

We use this verse quite often in talking about abortion, and why it is wrong. But, this week my thoughts went much farther than that application.

The Psalmist had confidence that God knew everything about him, before he was even born. God designed him, and wrote the specifics of that design in a book. God created him according to those specifications. This all happened before birth, in utero, and even conception.

God formed him and covered him in the womb. The word covered, when used about God, makes me think of other Biblical word pictures, like the eagle covering her young with her wings. Or as Psalm 91 puts it...

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty...He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

What a picture of protection, nourishing, and safety!

Though I'd never volunteer Meres (or anyone else) to have retinoblastoma, it is still beautiful to me that God knew all about it, before she was even conceived. God planned her, and formed her, and brought her to birth.

Five years later, we were made aware of this cancer that had started way back in the womb. But, God was covering her from the womb. 

Even though she lacked the gene that would prevent retinoblastoma... 

I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well!

Meres certainly is a marvelous work-with or without retinoblastoma. She is fearfully and wonderfully made. This truth reverberates in my soul. There is no doubt about it in my mind.

Psalm 139 continues...(verses 17-18)

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

I love this too. God's thoughts about Meres are precious and vast and more numerous than the sand. 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Meres' retinoblastoma shocked us, and rocked our world. It didn't shock God. He knew, He formed, He covered. He has purposed this physical feature of Meres' to bring Him glory. His thoughts towards her are precious, multitudinous, and peaceful. God is with her, upholding her in His righteous right hand.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psalm 91:5-16)

This journey has been gut wrenchingly hard, but God has been faithful through it all. He keeps His promises, He does not change. He has been with us in this trouble, He has delivered us, and shown His salvation.

This story of retinoblastoma has become our story. Our story is our testimony. God is good, and faithful, and gracious, and powerful, and merciful.

Given Commandment to Save Me

Psalm 71. A psalm written by David. It is heart and hope. Memories and promises. It is a prayer-unedited. It resonates in the hard times when we feel attacked, betrayed, unsure, lost.

God is the answer. He is not only the final resort. He is the continually resort. He is our Rock. Strong, unchanging.

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's belly: my praise shall be continually of thee.

I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all the day.

Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.

For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

-Psalm 71

Isn't that beautiful?!

My favorite two lines are, "for there is none to deliver him." Little do they know...

And, 

"Thou has given commandment to save me." Our salvation is a sure thing. It may not look like what we think it should look like. But, it has been commanded. By God Himself. That is oh so comforting!

Is there someone or something you need saved from today? How can you share a story of God's deliverance with someone else today?

Psalm 91-Protected Because

Mr. Hippie is a roofer. It's his business. We have 2-6 guys working for us at any given time.

And I pray for their safety every.single.day. No falls, no accidents-on the job and to and from the job.

God has graciously protected our crew from all but the most minor injuries. And I thank God for that every day too.

Here is a wonderful Psalm that I have memorized, and then taught to my kids. A psalm of protection. It is a great psalm for roofers...(and everyone else)

Psalm 91

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: 

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: 

I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; 

I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

So, according to Psalm 91, who may depend upon the Lord's promise of protection?

-the one who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

-the one who makes God his refuge, fortress and trust

-the one who makes the Most High God his habitation

-the one who sets his love on God

-the one who knows God's name

-the one who calls upon God

Now, this is not a good luck charm or a talisman against evil. Even Jesus Christ, when tempted by Satan to throw Himself off the temple, (Satan using this very verse to prove his point) said we are not to tempt the Lord our God.

We shouldn't do foolhardy things an expect God's protection. Though He often graciously protects us even when we are foolhardy.

But, this Psalm is a blessed promise to believers. And specifically to those who are only trusting in God.

Not in themselves.

Not in their own machinations.

Not in the government.

Not in possessions.

Not in a college degree.

Not in a good economy.

Not in good health or a strong body.

Not in elbow grease or fortitude.

Only in the Most High God. He has promised His truth to be their shield. His wings to be their hiding place. Their shelter. Himself their refuge from evil. His angels to keep in their ways. Long life, salvation, answers to their calls.

Chaos, destruction, pain, catastrophes, death, plagues, and danger all surround them, but they aren't touched. God is their refuge.

Hmmm...

Again, I don't believe this is a good luck charm. And it absolutely doesn't mean that believer's lives which have been touched by catastrophe weren't trusting God. It doesn't mean that at all. But, I can guarantee that almost every believer can point to some circumstance in their life that God's protection was very evident. If not circumstance after circumstance after circumstance.

Even though sometimes we are surrounded by and engulf in trouble, we have a marvelous final promise..."I will be with him in trouble." 

You can take that to the bank.

Heman: God is More

Have you ever heard of Heman? No, not the 1980s television show, "He-man, and the power of Grayskull. I HAVE POWER!" So, I just completely dated myself. And no, we didn't really watch t.v. after about '85.

The Heman I am referring to is in the Bible. He is rather an obscure character. You may have heard of his grandfather, though...Samuel the boy whose name God called several times one night?

Samuel was the prophet in Israel for a long time. He anointed two kings, he led a revival, he led battles. But, when he got old, the who's who in Israel told him that they wanted a king to take Samuel's place.

Samuel had two sons, Joel and Abiah, who should have succeeded Samuel. They should have followed in his footsteps. They should have been serving God. But, they weren't great guys. They took bribes and weren't just judges. (1 Samuel 8:1-4) So little written about them in the Bible, yet that is what is written. Kind of sad really.

But, the story doesn't end there. If you keep on reading Israel's history through the Samuels and the Kings, you get to the Chronicles. The lists of the genealogies of Israel. Who belonged to who. Rather boring for the most part, except for a few gems.

Like the one in 1 Chronicles 6. There you see a list of Levitical genealogies, and find out that King David wants the Levite men divided into service teams. Teams according to jobs and according to months. One of those is the ancient version of the modern praise team, headed by...

Heman. Who seems no-one special, except when you connect the dots back and see that his dad was Joel and his grandfather was Samuel the prophet.

This Heman was a singer. He wrote Psalm 88. He was known for his wisdom (1 Kings 4:31). His job was to sing joyful songs, and to play instruments and to teach others how to do that. His job was to serve God in the temple. (1Chr. 15:16-21) A group was named for him, and his descendants would continue to serve God in this way.

Heman really doesn't have much more Bible mention time than his dad, but his legacy was way different.

The stories of Samuel, Joel, and Heman contain many lessons. But what stands out to me this time around is the glimpse of the grace and redeeming power of God.

God doesn't confine us to follow in the footsteps of our parents or our environment. The buck can stop here. By the grace of God.

Because God changes people. God redeems people. He makes sinners into a new creation. He pulls wallowing people out of the horrible pit, out of miry clay and sets their feet on a rock. He establishes their goings. He puts a new song in their mouths-praise to Him. Many see it, and fear and trust the Lord. (Psalm 40:2-3)

Who is your favorite obscure Biblical character? Why?

In a Word "Mercy"

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endures forever....Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endures forever...Thou art my God, I will praise thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. (Psalm 118:1, 4, 28)

As I was reading through this Psalm today, I thought it was a perfect reading for the end of a year. It is a great reflection Psalm.

I have been debating how to do a Barefoot Hippie family 2012 recap. There have been so many things that have happened. It has been a great year. It has been a hard-hard year. It has been a stretching and growing and relying year.

But I don't want to focus on the negative. Not because I am pretending everything was rosy. I have said before that I am a pessimistic/glass half empty kind of gal. I have to choose to remember the positive.

Because of that verse...

His mercy endures forever.

No matter the ups and downs, the smooth paths and the rough roads, God is still my God, and His mercy was evident  overflowed in my life this year. And I will praise Him!

Here is the Barefoot Hippie family 2012 year nut shelled and all wrapped up pretty...(the all wrapped up pretty is supposed to make you laugh-'cause it is so not true.) So, now the question is: do I categorize by person, event or month? Hmmm...

Person-wise, here are pics showing how the offspring have sprung. How they have changed from this____ to this____

clean face to grubby face...rolling to running and posing.=)

less baby looking, still with a mother who doesn't do her hair enough.

a bit more grown up looking

Awkward to more awkward.=)

This is where you can see the growth the most...look how Freckles and LC have caught up to BMV.
And he has grown also.

The Barefoot Hippies have had a magnificent year when you look at the highlights.

At the beginning of the year I started collecting the ticket stubs from the different things we did. These ticket represent a lot of fun days and evenings. A whole lot of memories made. Ball games, hockey games, symphony concerts, museums...

We traveled a bit for both fun and ministry-or a hybrid of both. We spent a weekend in Southern Michigan at a backwoods camp running a guy's retreat. Mr. Hippie facilitated, I cooked, and the kids got to run wild in the woods.

We spent over half of August traveling far and wide combining 2 vacation Bible schools with vacation. We made new friends and deepened old friendships. I packed and repacked suitcases at least 4 different times during this trip.

We spent the first week in the greater Chicago area at a hotel, swimming and eating and hanging with friends-while doing the first VBS. The kids' favorite activity was visiting the LegoLand Discovery Center.

We then ventured out to PA and DE. We visited Philadelphia and Independence Square. It was a wonderful taste of that city, and I really hope to go back someday. I want to walk the Ben Franklin bridge and hang out at the pier, and delve more into the historical district. We also visited LongWood Gardens. They were beautiful and fun.

Our final stop was Washington DC, my very first visit to our nation's capitol. I can't begin to express how much I loved DC. I loved the architecture and the history, and the awesomeness of it all. Oh, and 5 Guys. It started my craving for burgers.

We also execute Operation Meet Me in St. Louis with my parents, sibs, nieces and nephews. It was a great time of sight seeing, laughter and hanging around.

Running wise (my life consists of ministry, parenting, blogging, cooking and running) it was a good year. We ran my bucket run together-the local 25k. It was excruciating. And wonderful. And I am looking forward to beating my time this next May. We also ran another half marathon. That race was where all the hard training paid off. It was my best run ever. We also ran our first 5k with our kids, on Thanksgiving Day. We are totally going to be the family that runs together, keels over together...(barefoot hippie paraphrase)

Our roofing business is still surviving. The bills are being paid, and lives are being impacted. We see our business as a venue for mentoring young guys. Mr. Hippie works them hard, and they still come back for more. Right guys? Its because of the Christmas party...none of them want to give up my phenomenal meal. Just kidding.

Not only was 2012 made up of highlights, but it is in the everyday that you find small graces and multiple blessings. Like coffee and conversation with my heart of hearts, Mr. Hippie. And clean baby scents wafting over hugs. And chocolate-lots of chocolate. And fresh garden vegetables. And flowers-outside and in. And fluffy towels. And jeans that fit just right. And belly laughs and I Love Lucy episodes. It is literary lunch hours, and plowing through the first 5 books of Harry Potter with the offspring. The small graces...

Yes, we are surviving and even thriving. We are happy to put a lid on 2012. We are hopeful and excited for what is coming up in 2013.

What would be in your top 5 happenings for 2012?

Just Sayin'

So, last night I had a nightmare. Not a jump out of bed with my heart racing kind. (I had that the night before-Meres fingers were getting pinched)

No, this kind was one of those ones were everything goes wrong, and you can't get out of it.

I dreamed that I left for the Influence conference without my computer. And we got lost on the way down. And we just never arrived.

Horrors.

Suffice it to say, I've made a list, and I'm checking it twice. And I, for once, have a whole suitcase to myself (this is a big deal-I have been sharing suitcases for 11 years) so I am going to live large, and pack too much. Because I can.

Oh, and I am going to download directions to my iPod today or tomorrow. And print up a hard copy too. No, I'm not obsessive compulsive.

What this dream reminded me of was that what is on our hearts and minds tends to work its way out. I am nervous and excited about Influence. And, I dreamt about it.

Let me clarify that this post is not at all about dream interpretation. Though, I do find that if I am stewing about something I quite often will dream about it too. Like my mind is trying to work it out while I sleep.

Moving on...the idea that what is on our minds and hearts tends to work its way out is a Biblical one. Luke 6:45 states that out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart the mouth speaks.

fountains are a great picture of the relationship of our mouths and hearts

I think too often we try to back track on something we said by saying, "I didn't really mean that." And sometimes that is true. What we said wasn't what we meant to say. Or what was understood wasn't what we meant.

"Just sayin'" has become today's cloaked way of letting someone know that even though what you said was nasty, and was totally meant in a nasty way, they should just excuse it, because it is what that you said and think.

Yes, quite often what we say is exactly what we mean, and what we feel. We just have some sinner thoughts going on in our hearts.

Thoughts that need confessing to God. Thoughts that need confronted and let go.

we've come across lots of fountains in our travels this year

I heard someone quote Psalm 19:14 last week. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.

I can often disguise what is in my heart in casual conversation. Though, if I have a problem with you, it generally is pretty obvious that I have a problem. I'm not too good at faking it.

But, I can rein it in, and be polite. My words are acceptable.

Sarcastic chuckle...

But the mediation of my heart is disgustingly horrid. NOT ACCEPTABLE at all in God's sight.

Furthermore, no matter how polite I can be with my words, my body language fairly quickly leaks out what is in my heart. What I am meditating on.

To meditate is to think deeply. To focus one's mind on for a period of time. What am I meditating on?

Sometimes it's God's Word. That's good. Sometimes it is what I am thinking about for blog posts. That's okay too. Sometimes it is ruminating over things that I've learned or read recently.

And sometimes it is snarky, mean, sinful thoughts about the people in my life. People at church. People online. Family. Mr. Hippie.

Why did they do such and such? Why aren't they doing such and such? Why aren't they more like me? (So kind, and thoughtful and organized and ...=)) Why????

And those thoughts are not pleasing to God.

Since I'm confessing, I am going to let a big one out of the bag. Sometimes when Mr. Hippie and I are having a disagreement, I give him the silent treatment. My rational-at least I'm not saying what I'm thinking. You know?

Except that I am thinking. My thoughts are racing. I am meditating on things that aren't kind, or profitable. That are downright nasty and sinful.

And God doesn't appreciate my closed mouth any more than Mr. Hippie does. God sees my heart.

While I'm not advocating that I should say to everyone exactly what is on my heart, and I am saying, God is holding me responsible for the thoughts of my heart.

And I need to confess them. And confess them again if need be. And forgive. And then bring my issues up in an acceptable manner.

overflowing...

Philippians 4:8 has some great parameters for what we should be thinking about...
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, if there be any praise,
THINK on these things.

Not, "do" these things. Think on these things.

I am ashamed to admit that I need to start practicing these thoughts, more than just being able to quote the verse. Only then will the meditations of my heart be acceptable in God's sight.

But, to not leave us feeling bogged down with guilt or hopeless, how does Psalm 19:14 close?

My Strength and My Redeemer.

Just like with anything else, it isn't our strength that is going to reform our thoughts and words. We don't have to screw up the effort to get this done.

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for those sinful thoughts. And He is able to redeem us from them. We serve a new master. He has put a new song in our mouths-praise to God. And it is His strength that allows us to be different. That conforms us to His image.

And that is what is truly on my heart. Just sayin'.


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Weeping Well

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 
⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs; 
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength, 
    till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7 (NIV)

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

Psalm 84:5-7 (KJV)

Last Tuesday, I attended a Lollipops concert with my kids put on by the Grand Rapids Symphony. A Lollipops concert is a 45 minute deal that combines a fairy tale, ballet, and the symphony aimed at kids to give them a taste of the symphony. It was a wonderful experience. My kids enjoyed it, as did I.

But, that is beside the point.

The concert was held at a local church, and as the symphony was warming up, I took a few minutes to read one of my Psalms for the day.

You guessed it...Psalm 84. Now normally I am a KJV girl. I am not part of the KJV only crowd. Its just that my favorite and familiar Bible is KJV.

So while I am rather familiar with Psalm 84, the wording in the NIV was just enough different  to give me pause for thought.

I particularly liked the "whose hearts are set on pilgrimage." You don't get that thought in the KJV.

Here are a couple bullet thoughts that I hope bless your heart today.

-Baca is a Hebrew word that means weeping. Think trials, suffering, hard times. Things that break our hearts. Make us weep-literally.

-Make it a well. This reminds me of Proverbs 20:5-council in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Our hard experiences and trials are the things the well of the wisdom, empathy and comfort that we pass on to others. We can choose to become bitter or better through our trials. We can make this valley of weeping just tears, or pour it into a well of experience that others can draw from.

-Their hearts are set on pilgrimage, who passing through the valley. "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through." Everything on this earth-every experience, every trial, every joy, every sorrow-is just temporary. It may be temporary as is an hour, or a day, or a month, or a year, or even a lifetime. But it is still temporary. We are looking for eternity. We are just passing through. We are pilgrims. Our home is heaven.

The Psalms are very devotional, but they are so much more than that. They are David's heart. Asaph's heart. Moses' heart. Psalms was their blog. And I have drawn from their well so many times in my life.

I have not had intense suffering in my life. I have not lost a baby or a spouse. But when my Aunt Elsie died, my heart was broken. I cried and cried. I wondered if I would ever stop. Ever stop crying in the shower or at the drop of a hat. I wondered if I would ever stop missing her.

I do still miss her. But I don't cry over her loss anymore. I look forward to seeing her in heaven.

I do not have major physical pain or health issues. I know there are many of you who do. But, I did suffer with back pain-day in, day out, for almost a year. Somedays I couldn't get out of bed. I have been tried with post-partum and seasonal depression. Valleys. Passing through.

Emotional and spiritual buffeting. Like this spring. Feeling under attack daily. For weeks. Daily cast upon the Lord for grace, sustenance and strength. Weeping made into a well?

-Whose strength is in You...and they go from strength to strength. It isn't in us just holding out until we see the light at the end of the tunnel. It isn't in our being "I am a woman, hear me roar." It is only through relying on God. Our Rock. Our Strength. Our Fortress. He is the one in whom our strength and salvation lies. Resting on Him daily.

-Till each appear before God in Zion. That's our destination. We have to keep our eyes on the goal.

For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

A Hippie and A Bug

Well, friends, Meres walked last night! Unassisted. No props or walkers. Several steps, several times. This is a bittersweet thing. My BABY walking. An official toddler. So sad. Sigh. But, walking! Maybe she will get less dirty. Get into less trouble! We can always hope, right?!
We had a very laid back weekend. Breakfast on Saturday, with my bro from TX, was the only thing we did besides church. And church went much better this week than last. Major part of that was my attitude. Just relaxing. Letting go. Being peaceful. Not stressed. Meres and I stayed for just the first meeting, then we went home for her nap. I got some QT while Mr. Hippie and the other three were still at church. I felt like I got the best of both scenarios. Very thankful.
It finally cooled off. I have opened all the windows in my house to let the fresh air in. I really dislike having the house all closed up, even though I am very thankful for my central air. I am using this cooler  period to clean, and bake cookies and bread. I have my first batch of bread rising on the counter. I will probably do more on Wednesday,  just to keep us going when it heats up again.

bread on the rise

As far as my devotions go, July is my favorite month of the year. In July I get to park in the Psalms. A whole month in the Psalms. Heavenly. (literally) When I read through the Psalms, I read 5 chapters each day to get me through in 30 days. I don't read consecutively. I start with the Psalm that is the date (i.e.-today is the 9th, so I read Psalm 9), then I read every 30th Psalm (9, 39, 69, 99, 129). I love the Psalms. They speak joy, peace, comfort and encouragement to my soul.
This plan means that I got to read my favorite of favorites chapter of the Bible-Psalm 37. My life verse(s) comes from Psalm 37. Maybe you have seen it on my header? "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, we shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." That is verses 23-24. On Saturday, I was struck again with the truths of some other well known verses in Psalm 37. That would be verses 3-7. These 5 verses are commands coupled with promises. They are if-then principles. Truths that are unchanging. Trust in the Lord, do good-you will dwell in the land and be fed. Delight in the Lord-He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit thy way to the Lord, trust-He will bring it to pass. Rest, wait patiently for Him, fret not. These aren't a formula for getting God to give us what we want. They aren't a behavior bargaining chip. But they are principles and promises. And I love that.
The one that really struck me on Saturday was, "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This can be taken two ways.
-if you delight in the Lord, He will put the desires in your heart that He wants you to desire.
-if you delight in the Lord, He will give you what your heart desires.
The truth is, if you are making the one true God your delight, you will want what He wants. Your desires will align more and more with His desires. I have found that when you delight in the Lord, He either gives you your heart's desires, or changes your desires. I have found, that God is really good about giving us the things our hearts desire.  Sometimes it is big things-like a godly husband or a certain house.
Sometimes is it something minor in the eternal scheme of things...like wing chairs.

I love wing chairs. I have, since I was a teenager. They are comfortable and classy. And I have wanted a set since Mr. Hippie and I tied the knot. Well, last week, God gave me a beautiful pair of wing chairs.

I know that technically this is not a "thrift find." But, as they are second hand, and I didn't pay for them, I am going to count them as my find of the week. They are a pretty rose color, that goes with nothing in my house. But, they are solid, and in beautiful condition. And they found their new home up in our bedroom. I decided to buy chocolate brown slip covers to match them to our room decor. The slip covers were a bit pricier, but have good reviews. The chairs have already gotten lots of use from us Hippies. Mr. Hippie and I have been enjoying our morning cuppa in our air conditioned bedroom. I have typed blogs up there. I think it is my new favorite haven.

I am also desiring a Lime Green VW Bug. And, lo and behold, there is one in the car lot up the street for sale. Alas, we are saving our pennies for our trip to Indonesia in January. So, no Bug right now. But, maybe someday, God will provide me a Bug. When the time is right. Because, my wing chairs are only one of many desires God has fulfilled. Maybe I never will get a Bug.

But maybe I will.=


Ps: Don't forget to pick your favorite post of the week to link up with tomorrow's "Take Two" Tuesday.

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