Last week I was shown a live web feed of an eagles nest. Three baby eagles had recently hatched and one can watch as the parents and babies interact through out the day and even night. When I peeked in, the parents were gone, and the three youngsters were hanging in the nest. Had I not been aware of the age of the baby birds, I would have assumed that they were adults. There they were, three massive eagles perched at the edge of the nest, anxiously awaiting flight. To the untrained eye, they were ready. However, looking more closely, you can see pinfeathers. They were not ready to leave and be on their own.
Watching my baby girl graduate on Friday, brought to mind those pesky pinfeathers. The untrained eye would see a beautiful girl, graduating high school, and ready to take flight. However, as Momma bird, I see the hidden pinfeathers still needing to be removed for successful flight of life on her own.
Thank you, Jesus, that I have more time with her! To guide her as You grow her in Your knowledge and grace! May I be the Momma bird You want me to be every step of the way!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Mess In The Nest??
Anyone who knows me well, knows I'm a neat freak. My car, not so much. But my home, oh yes!! I remember cleaning my first apartment on Friday nights instead of going out to clubs with my friends. Even getting out of the hospital after almost dying from pneumonia, I was Windexing water spots on mirrors! A slight obsession, or OCD? Maybe a bit of both!
I was the mom who didn't let her kids get dirty either! Well, that is until I had my last child. We would laugh and call him Pigpen (from Peanuts) because there was always a cloud of dirt around him. My efforts to keep him clean, and my home clean, were completely failing!
So what did I do? I got angry! I would work so hard that as soon as he, or anyone else made a mess in MY Nest, I freaked on them! Not something I'm proud of.
As my health continued to decline, I knew I was supposed to slow down, take breaks, and enjoy life a bit more. I even told myself I was, but truth is, I wasn't!
What was it going to take? Only God knew!
Without going into great detail of the big "revelation," I will say that it took a painful lesson to realize that my kids will not always be here. Well, duh! But when our kids are young, a mom can tend to think we have all the time in the world with them, we don't! In what seems like a blink of an eye, they are grown, moving out, and making a life for themselves!
I will have the rest of my life to have a neat Nest when they are gone and it's just Daddy Bird and me! Right now is the time to cherish every moment I have left with them, because now I realize it's so short.
Does that mean I have a Mess in "The Nest?" Well occasionally I may, but for the most part, I'm still OCD about my home. However, my perspective as a mother, and my heart have completely changed, for the better!
I was the mom who didn't let her kids get dirty either! Well, that is until I had my last child. We would laugh and call him Pigpen (from Peanuts) because there was always a cloud of dirt around him. My efforts to keep him clean, and my home clean, were completely failing!
So what did I do? I got angry! I would work so hard that as soon as he, or anyone else made a mess in MY Nest, I freaked on them! Not something I'm proud of.
As my health continued to decline, I knew I was supposed to slow down, take breaks, and enjoy life a bit more. I even told myself I was, but truth is, I wasn't!
What was it going to take? Only God knew!
Without going into great detail of the big "revelation," I will say that it took a painful lesson to realize that my kids will not always be here. Well, duh! But when our kids are young, a mom can tend to think we have all the time in the world with them, we don't! In what seems like a blink of an eye, they are grown, moving out, and making a life for themselves!
I will have the rest of my life to have a neat Nest when they are gone and it's just Daddy Bird and me! Right now is the time to cherish every moment I have left with them, because now I realize it's so short.
Does that mean I have a Mess in "The Nest?" Well occasionally I may, but for the most part, I'm still OCD about my home. However, my perspective as a mother, and my heart have completely changed, for the better!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
American Idols
A couple of years ago I was involved in a Bible study that talked about idolatry. At the time, I didn't see myself putting anything before my God. Maybe my husband???? Maybe. But I just didn't see anything else in my life that I "worshipped" more than Jesus.
Haha! God is faithful to show what is hidden deep inside the heart, even when we don't realize it's there. It wasn't the typical idolatry I was forced to remove. It was how I saw myself. My identity. Who I thought I was.
I took pride in my beautiful children, just as any mom would. But I thought my worth was found in being a mother of four. That was who I was and I made sure that my kids and my home appeared perfect. After all, it was a reflection of my performance as a woman, wasn't it?
In the midst of a painful trial and with only 2 of my children remaining at home, I somehow thought that I was less of a mom because one of my babies had grown up and left the "Nest" and the other was a prodigal running from God. I know it sounds absurd, but I was being lied to by the enemy of my soul, who sought to destroy me, and he almost succeeded.
It was a quiet drive alone that I then heard the still, small voice of my God whisper to my heart, "Your identity is in Me!" From that moment on, a change began to occur.
My entire countenance changed. Jesus was renewing my mind, my heart, and my life. As it would turn out, it was a preparation for what was to come. My prodigal was coming home! God needed my heart to be softened and yielded to His Holy Spirit, to love and forgive, in order for His plans to be carried out.
It's definitely a daily process! Our "Nest" is constantly under attack and so is my personal walk with Christ. I am just amazed at how one simple conversation with God can cause such a radical in change! I am not the same person, wife, or mother I was 2 years ago.
Haha! God is faithful to show what is hidden deep inside the heart, even when we don't realize it's there. It wasn't the typical idolatry I was forced to remove. It was how I saw myself. My identity. Who I thought I was.
I took pride in my beautiful children, just as any mom would. But I thought my worth was found in being a mother of four. That was who I was and I made sure that my kids and my home appeared perfect. After all, it was a reflection of my performance as a woman, wasn't it?
In the midst of a painful trial and with only 2 of my children remaining at home, I somehow thought that I was less of a mom because one of my babies had grown up and left the "Nest" and the other was a prodigal running from God. I know it sounds absurd, but I was being lied to by the enemy of my soul, who sought to destroy me, and he almost succeeded.
It was a quiet drive alone that I then heard the still, small voice of my God whisper to my heart, "Your identity is in Me!" From that moment on, a change began to occur.
My entire countenance changed. Jesus was renewing my mind, my heart, and my life. As it would turn out, it was a preparation for what was to come. My prodigal was coming home! God needed my heart to be softened and yielded to His Holy Spirit, to love and forgive, in order for His plans to be carried out.
It's definitely a daily process! Our "Nest" is constantly under attack and so is my personal walk with Christ. I am just amazed at how one simple conversation with God can cause such a radical in change! I am not the same person, wife, or mother I was 2 years ago.
Monday, May 9, 2011
I simply reply, "yes"
Yesterday was Mother's Day. For me, it started out as a typical Sunday. Michael was up and out of the house by 6:30 am to do sound at church. I stumbled outta bed and made coffee and chatted with my son, Ryan. I read my cards from everyone, and got Starbucks gift cards, (a total treat because that's not in my budget any longer)!
I completed the morning straightening of the house and taking care of the gazillion animals we currently have in the house. Then it was off to church with
Nathan.
My emotions were still under control, given my daughter was missing. That is, until I watched a Mother's Day video that was played. Yep, the tears finally came. My heart began to ache. I asked the Lord, "Why now? What did I do wrong, this time??" He simply answered, "This isn't about you." I understood what He was telling me. He's doing something greater in those around me. I claim to trust Him and give Him my family, but when the rubber meets the road, is this true? I simply reply, "yes."
After church, it was a quiet lunch at home and a Sunday nap while watching my D-backs.
The kids arrived at "The Nest" around 5 pm and it was off to Oregano's for dinner. What a treat for all of us. Despite the anger and pain, we were able to eat, talk, and laugh......great medicine for a broken heart!
That night, we found our daughter safe, but still unwilling to come home. I heard Him once again, "This isn't about you. Are you going to trust Me?" I simply reply, "yes!"
I completed the morning straightening of the house and taking care of the gazillion animals we currently have in the house. Then it was off to church with
Nathan.
My emotions were still under control, given my daughter was missing. That is, until I watched a Mother's Day video that was played. Yep, the tears finally came. My heart began to ache. I asked the Lord, "Why now? What did I do wrong, this time??" He simply answered, "This isn't about you." I understood what He was telling me. He's doing something greater in those around me. I claim to trust Him and give Him my family, but when the rubber meets the road, is this true? I simply reply, "yes."
After church, it was a quiet lunch at home and a Sunday nap while watching my D-backs.
The kids arrived at "The Nest" around 5 pm and it was off to Oregano's for dinner. What a treat for all of us. Despite the anger and pain, we were able to eat, talk, and laugh......great medicine for a broken heart!
That night, we found our daughter safe, but still unwilling to come home. I heard Him once again, "This isn't about you. Are you going to trust Me?" I simply reply, "yes!"
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Peace in the Pain
The Bible says that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes on our behalf. I believe that the past 3 days are proof that His word is true. In what is a painful time for our family, I am at peace. Peace at what God's doing in my life, and what He's going to do in the others involved in this situation. I've only reached out to one friend for prayer. This is how I know that my BEST FRIEND, Jesus Christ, is petitioning the God of the Universe on my behalf! Tears have been replaced with smiles. Agony has been replaced with peace. And fear has been replace with trust.
Friday, May 6, 2011
The Mission Statement
September of 2010, I was faced with a project. It appeared to be a tad overwhelming at the time. I was asked to write a mission statement for my "Bed and Breakfast" (my home). We were in the middle of "rebuilding" our home, so to speak, from the ground up and I couldn't even begin to think of what to pen. After much thought and prayer, the Lord brought to mind my life verse, Isaiah 40:31.
Starting in verse 28, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint."
What I wrote began as my prayer of what God could do in our home. The teacher had printed and framed the mission statement and presented it as Christmas gifts to all of us who completed the project. By that time, God was already making my prayer mission statement a reality. Today, it's hanging on my guest bathroom wall and is the driving force behind "The Elliott Nest"
"The Nest"
Isaiah 40:31
A Warm and Safe Place
Set High on a Mountain Top
Here We Are Under the Watchful Eye of the Almighty God
He is Our Protector and Provider
This is a Place of Rest When We Are Tired
And To Be Still When We Are Weary
He Alone Renews Our Strength!
For When It is Time to Walk Out the Door
We Can Soar on Wings, Like Eagles!
Our home is not perfect, nor are the people inside the four walls, but each new day has become more purposeful and God is changing us from the inside out!
Starting in verse 28, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint."
What I wrote began as my prayer of what God could do in our home. The teacher had printed and framed the mission statement and presented it as Christmas gifts to all of us who completed the project. By that time, God was already making my prayer mission statement a reality. Today, it's hanging on my guest bathroom wall and is the driving force behind "The Elliott Nest"
"The Nest"
Isaiah 40:31
A Warm and Safe Place
Set High on a Mountain Top
Here We Are Under the Watchful Eye of the Almighty God
He is Our Protector and Provider
This is a Place of Rest When We Are Tired
And To Be Still When We Are Weary
He Alone Renews Our Strength!
For When It is Time to Walk Out the Door
We Can Soar on Wings, Like Eagles!
Our home is not perfect, nor are the people inside the four walls, but each new day has become more purposeful and God is changing us from the inside out!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Just Getting Started
It has been on my heart for several months now to finally begin compiling all the wonderful (and sometimes not so wonderful) things that occur in this crazy life. It may be slow to start, as I've never journaled or written down my personal thoughts or prayers at any point in my life, so bare with me!
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