Moms -- Do Your Best, Surrender the Rest!

The word, “mother” brings with it a whole vocabulary of thought. The heritage of a mother’s love is certainly a treasure, and when her example to you has mirrored the unfailing love of our God, we have a treasured possession indeed.

   Moses lived because of the love and faith of his mother. Not just his birth, but his continued existence rested in her insight, love, and faith in action. She knew God had a plan for this child. She did everything she could to protect him — to keep him alive for as long as she could. But her faith carried her even beyond that moment. When she knew she could no longer protect him from the evil forces intent on taking his life, she surrendered him over to another who was much more capable than even she.

   Amazingly, her surrender actually enabled God to not only keep Moses safe, but to give Moses back into her care and training for yet awhile longer. Then, when the time came, she again had to release him, and trust God for the rest.

   Moses took quite a journey! His life was certainly colored with unexpected events, taking him to unexpected places. But the faith instilled in him as a child had taken permanent root. Moses was one of the most powerful leaders in history, leading God’s chosen people out of the bondage of Egypt and into freedom from slavery.

   Being a faithful mom doesn’t always afford us a top seat in the “glamour society.” Yet, when we live for Him, Proverbs 31:38 tells us our children will arise to call us “blessed.”

   Throughout God’s Word we are privileged to read many examples of mother’s of faith. Mothers like Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary — and so many more. By faith they were entrusted with the soul of a child — and by faith they surrendered them back to the God who gave them. It was then God’s purpose in their lives could be fulfilled.

   So, Mom’s whatever the “demand” of the day, YOU are valued, important, and oh, so loved!  Do your best — and surrender the rest to the One who is everlastingly able. We can trust Him with our lives. We can trust Him with our children!

   

 Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

 Take it with You

“But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.”

Exodus 2:3

You Said What?

Communication is extremely wonderful.  However, it is constantly changing – and that can be a challenge for some of us.  Letter writing used to be a love of mine – actually still would be – but times have changed.  Finally, I declared I had to do more e-mailing because that IS the way lots of people communicate!  Now there is facebook and twitter . . . and the list goes on.

You see, out in the country where we live, we don’t have the modern convenience of “anywhere internet” yet. (At least at our house.)  A few months ago, I saw a DHL truck and seriously contemplated chasing it down . . . I thought it was DSL and it was in our area . . . I thought the driver needed to know that our area NEEDS INTERNET SERVICE!!!  Thankfully I didn’t – since DHL is a delivery service that operates much like UPS – and doesn’t have ANYTHING to do with internet service. Oh, my, you should have heard my family laugh over that one! 

When I was first learning to text, I had gone to the library to check my e-mail and work on some writing.  I needed my friends e-mail address, so I gave her a call on my cell phone.  Guess what? She texted me back.  So, here I am, patiently learning this wonderful communication.  All of the sudden another text comes through from my oldest son, Vincent.  Now I’m really “high tech.”  Two people going at once. (Quit laughing teens!)  By the time we were done, I was laughing so hard it was difficult to operate under the library rule of,  “quiet please.”  Poor Vincent didn’t have a clue what I was trying to say.  I think his last text to me was, “What?”  I finally gave up and said to one of the librarians something like, “I’ll just talk to him later.”

Yes, communication has been an art since the beginning of time.  As the old adage goes, “You can’t live with it – and you can’t live without it!”  Keeping up with the most modern ways can seem exhausting at times.  But a shared smile, an “I love you,” or just sharing over a cup of coffee are communication ways that never go “out of style.”

 There is one very important place that I frequent where I am always understood.  I can bring whatever problem I have – big or small.  Sometimes I really don’t have to say much – it’s better to listen.  See, it’s the secret place where I can commune with my Heavenly Father.  He doesn’t require a certain cell phone – I’m already on His list of favorites.  It never says, “all circuits are busy now” or gets confused in the garble of text messaging.  He loves, He hears, He knows, and He cares.

   It’s amazing what communicating with Him does!  See, from the beginning of time, when He said, “Let there be light,” His Word changes things.  Bringing Him my needs is such a privilege – listening to Him speak through His Word my lifeline. In this communion, He changes me, He changes others, and He changes circumstances.  It is in the secret place with Him that I can find comfort for my sorrow, forgiveness for sin, hope for my tomorrow, and the peace of knowing that whatever happens, He is Lord.    

Take it with You

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 91:1

So Used to the Dark

    Early one morning my two youngest sons and I headed off to the eye doctor. They were anxious and excited – wondering if they would need glasses, and asking a million and one questions about what was going to happen.

   Together we sat in the waiting room. Together we went in to see the doctor. As he worked through the process of checking them, he turned off the light and shined his smaller light so my eleven year old could see the projected light on the wall. That left my seven year old and I sitting “in the dark.” Our eyes adjusted the dim lighting, when all of the sudden, the doctor reached over and flipped the switch – sending a flood of bright light back into the room.

   “Whoaaa,” said my youngest, “I got so used to the dark . . . “ he trailed off, rubbing his eyes. He had gotten so used to the dark he couldn’t stand the light.

   There in the eye doctors the Holy Spirit made His application. So used to the dark . . . he couldn’t stand the light. The enemy of our souls has also been called the “angel of light.” He has lots of practice at deception! Often he leads us into “gray areas” that head us into the dark . . . and before we know it, we can’t STAND the light!

   Keeping a love for the Word of God, communing with Him, and fellowshipping with those who love the LIGHT will keep us from getting used to the dark! As His Spirit lives in us, He can give us those gentle warnings that keep us from “getting used to the dark.”

   

Take it with You

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

John 12:46

The "Inside" Mark

     With great anticipation we loaded up to go birthday shopping. We knew where we were headed – and were excited about the coming results! An engraved keychain – complete with an engraved PICTURE was what we were wanting.

    We made it to the store just fine, talked with the proprietors and gave the gentleman our flash drive. Now, for the waiting. It took a little time to get something like this accomplished, so, while we waited – and in between customers – the proprietors wife and I had delightful chats. She made most of the jewelry they sold in their store, and her creations were beautiful – and interesting.

    During one of these conversations she began telling me about sterling silver. Being from Columbia, gave her a delightful accent. She very emphatically told me that true sterling silver always had a mark on the INSIDE. If it didn’t have the INSIDE mark, it wasn’t true sterling – no matter what the advertisement said, or any sales person tried to tell you.

    “In my country,” she continued, “we always look for the inside mark.”

    Right there in the store – birthday shopping – it hit me. As followers of Christ, we are also citizens of another country! Citizens with an INSIDE mark!

    The precious blood of Jesus changes our hearts – and our citizenship! Being crucified with Christ marks us with the Cross. His resurrection power leaves the stamp of eternal life – and the indwelling of HIS Holy Spirit engraves Christ likeness deeper each day.   

    “Oh, God help me be STERLING! True blue – engraved with the inside mark of YOU!”

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:20 & 21

On the Search

On the Search 

   Not long ago our family was coming from Indiana to Virginia for a visit and a birthday party! Late one night – or should I say early one morning – some of them arrived. We laughed and talked in spite of the hour, and then everyone crashed, getting ready for a couple of big days of celebration to come.

   Early the next morning preparations began. Some of us were in the kitchen; some of us were in the yard when my husband’s parents arrived. Those of us in the house gave our hugs and welcome’s and kept on working. I had just started to wonder if my husband knew his folks had arrived when I saw his mom scurrying through the door. “Had to go out and see my son,” she said. I realized what had happened. She had seen him – where he was – working on a lawn mower. She didn’t wait for him to finish, come in, clean up, and give her a proper hug and welcome. She walked across the unmown, dew laden grass, out to our shed to see her son!

   For the next few days the scene didn’t leave my mind. The Holy Spirit was reminding me through this everyday incident of the grace of our matchless, seeking, Savior! He is on the search! The plight we find ourselves in is no match for His mercy. No excuse holds back the pursuit of His love. No dilemma is too big for His grace.

   In fact, He left HEAVEN in search of each one of us. His search took Him to an old rugged Cross where He shed HIS blood for our sins. He doesn’t wait for us to become all proper and clean on our own. We can’t! It’s His blood that washes us and makes us clean! His arms are open – ready for the hug! Will you receive His love today?

   And to those of us who know Him . . . He wants us to join Him on the search . . .

By:Janene Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Luke 18:11

Longing

Longing 

Not for fame or fortune would I follow

Fleeting things that cannot satisfy –

I abandon all to hold You closely

To Hear Your sweetest breath

To catch a wistful sigh – 

And then I run to do Your bidding

Once I understand Your heart –

How I long to only move

Within desires YOU impart. 

No intellect to prove –

No judgment stone in hand –

I hear the intake of  Your   breath – Your Word

I bend my knee and stoop---

To write within the sand. 

Take all my willful longing

Any hint of pride

I lay them down for cleansing

At Your wounded side. 

There is no glory of my own

That won’t result in shame –

I seek the honor only of

Your name. 

Calm the rush and hurry

That deafen sounds of You –

Closer, Father, Closer!

Draw me closer now to You.

O many I please intensely the depth of Who You are

This is no simple wish upon a star ---

 But longing – longing mixed with joy

To clasp Your hand!

And trace the markings here –

Within the sand.

                               By:  Janene A. Dubbeld

For God’s Glory

Lifetime Love

It was back in the day of simpler times. She was young -- very young in fact. He was older -- not that much, but enough that they were able to be married and begin married life -- together. Blessed with twelve children, the road of their life had many twists and turns, but, whatever came, they met it -- together.

Dating their grandson, he and I took a trip. A trip back to the state of Michigan to meet his grandma and grandpa Dubbeld. By this time, Grandpa had undergone surgery for cancer in his throat and he talked through a little machine -- but they had weathered this storm -- together.  Learning to understand him was difficult for me -- but Grandma could. The smiles they shared back and forth -- the easy going chuckles -- these were some of the very first evidences I saw of a deep and lasting love.

  

Grandma had a specialty from her many house in the kitchen -- homemade bread. Grandpa AND the family benefited from this dough mixed with love. We enjoyed it -- TOGETHER.

The read the Bible every day -- taking turns reading -- together. They loved to play Scrabble -- together. In the early retirement years, they took many "breakfast dates" right to the Golden Arches -- together.

The years went by, and every time we visited them we saw their deep commitment to the Lord and to each other. They changed, they got older, but the glimmer in their eyes for one another never faded. They were always -- together.

Grandma liked any kind of flower, but Grandpa had a favorite. Grandpa especially liked yellow roses. They had some in their nicely kept yard at the house beside the railroad tracks.  He enjoyed them immensely as they sat on their porch -- simply being together -- watching the trains go by.

Then the "golden years" began to fade, and nursing home days came calling.  Now they were both in the same nursing home -- same room -- together. Grandma became bedridden, but Grandpa's love was deep. He would get out of his bed, into his wheelchair, sit beside her bed and hold her hand all day if possible -- they were together.

From the nursing home bed, Grandma secretly called in one of her daughters. She had a request -- not for herself, but for the man she still loved so deeply. See, it was the time of year for yellow roses. Would her daughter please go to their yard and bring some in -- for Grandpa?

   

Her "love of a lifetime" was still her lifetime love!

Her selfless act of love from the bed of a nursing home inspires my heart today. They both knew the secret of a love that lasts. True love is commitment -- pass it on!

Take it with You

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. it alway protects, always trusts, always hopes, always persevered. Love never fails. . ." I Corinthians 13; 4-8a