What Can Happen in a Second

At Christmas, I was given this delightful gift by our Faith.

Thank you, Faith

The first page of such a potentially daunting book looks like this.

I figure the top left corner is a good place to start.

What Can Happen in a Second?

The very first thing that came to mind was that hard day in July of 2012 when my Lou took a tumble on his bike and ended up in the hospital for 6 days. Then I decided that his accident actually occurred over a span of a few seconds, which could possibly be more accurately described as an "instant." Since I felt the question at hand was supposed to be taken literally, I had to (momentarily) disqualify what has affectionally become known as "the wreck."

Going the strictly literal route, I came up with:

a blink.
a thought.
a word. Unless it's a word like "hypervitaminosis," which takes about 1.28 seconds to say. (Yes, I timed myself saying it.)
a cough. The dainty kind, not the hacking, convulsing kind.

There's 4, but as I was going down this literal route, I veered off course pretty quickly, and ended up settling on really the one thing that happens in a second - every single second - LIFE.

That's what life is made of - seconds. Seconds that turn into minutes that turn into hours that turn into
days that turn into years that pass quickly and before you know it, you've lived a life! I could hardly type that sentence fast enough! The urgency I felt at using my time wisely and getting that thought out was slightly intense. My life is passing!!

Of course, we can't live in that urgent, panicked state - talk about a joyless, frantic existence - no, thank you. But we are admonished by our wise, good Creator to consider how we live.

Psalm 90:12 

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-16
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

James 4:13-14 

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes...

Those are thoughtful, serious words, but they are not joyless words.

They tell us the score. It's only when we know the truth about something - that our time indeed is limited and precious and not to be squandered - can we think about it seriously and make sure we are using the seconds we are given well.
For Truth.
For Beauty.
For Goodness.
All of which are wrapped up in knowing and being known by our gracious, sovereign God. That kind of knowing and living brings deep peace and deep joy!

That's the kind of living I want to happen in every second.

A Good Start

I start most every morning with my "quiet time." Since God saved me from my sinful self way back when I was 9 years old - since the blood of Jesus did work in my life - I've known time alone with God sometime during a day was critical. For me, it's first thing in the morning. Because I want to know and love Him more; because I want to "to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12); because I want to love people more and live well the few short years I have on this earth;  the alarm goes off a little early, and I start my day with God. I read the Bible and I pray. I may have a devotional book handy and Bible websites up and I go back and forth between all those resources.

No two mornings are exactly the same because, well, because, I'm a person and God's a person and we are communicating and communication isn't rote but real and organic. And yesterday morning, it was as real and organic as it gets. He met me in such a delightful way, and I want to share it here.

Because I'm attending a Bible Study Fellowship class, I have a daily reading schedule. Yesterday, it happened to be the day assigned to read the notes provided by BSF on a section we had just studied about the life of Moses. I jumped right into them with barely a "Help me understand this, Lord." However, not far into it,  I felt a check in my spirit. Time with God isn't something to check off a list, but a person to be with. So I stopped and picked up a small devotional book recently given to me by a friend. It's title is His Name Shall Be Called, and it's a Christmas inspirational book that focuses on the names of Jesus.

The fact that it's a beautiful book is a bonus:)

The focus I read was from Jeremiah 50:6

Now for full disclosure.

I read that and causally thought that was nice - and true. Yes, Jesus is our resting place. I even closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to try to think about it all a bit more. The thoughts expressed in what I just read were good, but they hadn't sent me soaring to new spiritual heights. But at least I had attempted a more relational moment. I didn't know it then, but God was going to use this attempt later. He's good at doing that kind of thing.

I went back to my BSF notes, which I love reading, by the way. They are not a chore at all. So with highlighter in hand and cup of coffee nearby, I began.

I came across a discussion of different levels of knowing someone.

While reading this, I thought of someone I know - one of my heroes in the faith, Elisabeth Elliot. I've only met her briefly at a couple of conferences, but I feel like I know her because I've read almost everything she's written. Because she's elderly (she'll be 88 on Dec 21st) and not in the best of health (and because I'm easily distracted sometimes), I decided to quickly check her website to see how she was doing. I stayed there long enough to see she is still being beautifully cared for by her loved ones and to thank God for her many years of speaking to me through her books and lectures.

Elisabeth check done, it was back to the notes.

It was in this next section of note reading, that I marveled at the tender care of God - the One who knows me best and still loves me most. His taking of my feeblest attempts at devotion and my note reading and my quick website check and then more note reading and weaving them all together to teach me about himself is such a gift from His great and mighty heart. At the early hour of 6:30 a.m., my tired face broke into a ready smile when I read the following:

The reference in those words to the "five young missionaries" refers to Elisabeth Elliot's first husband, Jim, and the 4 other men he worked with. I know this story well. Elisabeth told it in her book Through Gates of Splendor, and it found its way to the big screen in End of the Spear and Beyond the Gates of Splendor.

So, in my notes on The Life of Moses, God brings me back to Elisabeth Elliot and her story and strong testimony just a few minutes after I "checked" on her. If that wasn't enough, God topped it off with the words to a hymn written way back in 1895. Words echoing - reinforcing -  the concept that I had tried to grasp during my devotional time.

Jesus is my resting place.

There it was, printed in black and white. Five missionary men sang that song and rested in those facts as they faced a very uncertain future as far as this life was concerned.

We rest on Thee  -  our shield and our defender!

We go not forth alone against the foe;

Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,

We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go.

I was blown away at this point. I wouldn't let my Lou walk out the door until I told him about it. I'm still marveling at it. It wasn't a happy coincidence. It was God meeting me right where I was. 

He's still speaking to me through these truths. He's reminded me in the day since reading all this, that the living of life on this earth - our future - is uncertain. We don't know it. We don't know the joys ahead. We don't know the sadness ahead. 

But we know the One who does. And we can rest on Him and His sure care and love for His redeemed.

As quiet times go, this one was slightly on the dramatic side. But dramatic or not, it's still a time totally worth getting up for.  Meeting with the God of the universe always is.  It's a good start to a day. 

InstaFriday...and a 2,013 in 2013 Update

This week, I've been watching some goals and continuing to work on some goals.

The goals I've been watching surround our youngest, Mary Grace. Let me just say that indoor soccer is the bomb! You are elevated above the playing field, so you can see what's going on. The bounce of the ball off the wall is a fun strategy to watch teams use, and the game is fast and exciting. It's the way all soccer should be played.

Excellent view of Mary Grace's pony tail

For an excellent view of this lovely heart on one of the window panes of our front door, let me tell you what to do.

1. Whistle for Kiowa and walk toward the front door.
2. Open door for her to go out.
3. Look through the panes of the front door to watch Kiowa sniff around the yard.
4. See something blurry between you and her.
5. Back up, so blurry image comes into focus.
6. Smile, because you know immediately which one of your offspring would draw that.

I love these kind of surprises - even if it does mean a messy window.

Look through the panes of the windows facing the back of the house and you have an excellent view of our wind ravaged play place. North Wind* can pack a punch. I actually heard this happen. There was a loud thunk, and I went outside to check to see if a branch had fallen on the roof. With nothing there, I went back in a smidge confused. A few minutes later, I saw this.

I've always liked that our playplace sported Bolivar colors.

The wind was a harbinger of bigger and better things.

Like big, wet snow.

It was magical to wake up to such a landscape.

Another snow day and perfect snowman snow meant people got busy being creative. I've driven by this gigantic snowman just off Locust Street here in Bolivar every day since the storm. So cool!

A friend and I were talking about Instagram this week, and I sent her a picture of the Christmas present my Hannah gave me this year. She had this made from some of my Instagrams. Lots of pictures of people I care about in one convenient location = love.

Speaking of love, I am loving decluttering! It has been incredibly freeing already, and I'm only 2 months into it. I have met my goal (and then some) of at least 40 items per week leaving my house and finding new digs. For a list of those items, click here.

Sorting through old purses this week, I came across this little gem neatly folded inside one. When Mary Grace was little, she was constantly setting up a Pet Store in the basement which I liked to frequent. :) As you can see, one day I snagged a frog for an incredibly low price.

That's a completely random phone # btw

I finish my InstaFriday with a picture that fits under what my friend, Trina Banner, refers to on her blog as For Real?. I had to include it because I know so many of you, especially you that have daughters, can totally relate.

Yesterday, while vacuuming, a headband got tangled in the carpet part of the vacuum. When I turned it over to get the headband out, I saw that (ahem) the vacuuming apparatus was being impeded from working at its maximum efficiency. With the help of some scissors and some pulling and tugging, I was finally able to clear the rotating brush of this:

For Real

Good grief.

As you might guess, our vacuum suction is much better now. Consider this your friendly reminder to check your vacuum's "mouth."

As I type, I'm in a waiting room anticipating being called back to check on our David. It's wisdom teeth extraction day for him.

My goal for the weekend is to feed him lots of soft foods and needed pain meds. Actually, that's more my hubby's goal. I'm heading to the University of Arkansas this afternoon to hang with our Hannah - it's her sorority's Mom's Weekend. (Fun!)

I told my husband that the only way I would leave David in such a state is if somebody more qualified than me could stay with him this weekend - you know, like a doctor or something.

Hope you have a weekend where you make one of your goals some sweet time of rest and relaxation with God and with those you love.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

*Reference to The Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald, one of my favorite stories.

David's Christmas in February

Wednesday is a big day for our 19 year old son, David. Finally, finally, after 3 1/2 years of hardship and deprivation, he will join the smartphone world.

He has been living in the barren wasteland of non-smartphone land since he was 16. We can only wonder at how he's been able to cope all this time with such an archaic instrument. The one positive to having such an antique is that, at least as far as he has been concerned, it was free.

All that is about to change.

For Christmas this year, David asked for the iPhone 5. We already had that in mind for him because he's in college now. College has been our "you're ready for a smart phone" barometer with the two kiddos that have preceded him, and so we were prepared for such a request. (And we were prepared for the monetary contribution dependent smartphone owners in the Harris family make to our monthly phone bill). The only drawback to his request was timing. David's contract didn't end at Christmas, but February 20, 2013. Well, we love the boy, but we didn't want to pay for a new phone out of contract. So, he received one of those Christmas presents that everybody loves to get. They open a package that is basically is an I.O.U. You're getting a phone, but not until February!

David was very gracious and very excited. He knew it would be worth the wait.

He's so ready that he's already bought a case. I got this text from him on the 15th where he was responding to something I said and informing me of his new purchase.

"I already bought a phone case."

Those words spoke volumes to me immediately. He already bought a case because he knew his dad and me and he trusted that we were people of our word. He completely trusted us - so much so that he spent his money for something promised, not something he already had in hand.

I immediately thought of God. He's more trustworthy than Lou and me. He always keeps his promises.

Always.

So, never one for missing an opportunity to share an insight I'm excited about, I texted the following back to David.

I always love it when God surprises me with thoughts about himself - who He is and what He does - in the most unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times.

Kind of doubly nice that this little spiritual insight is so closely connected to someone I love...

I'm super excited for our David as we get to put that highly anticipated item in his hands on Wednesday.

The calendar will read February 20, 2013, but we'll be saying, "Merry Christmas!"

A Christmas Tradition

We have six children.

Six.

That's not many by Duggar standards, but it keeps us busy. And happy (most days;).

When we started having this crew and Christmas rolled around, we began talking about the traditions we wanted to establish with them.

I had read somewhere about giving each child an ornament every year - one that represents in some way something significant in their life that year.

We liked that idea.

So, since our Luke joined our tribe in 1989, we've been buying ornaments. In the past, when the kids were all home, we had their new ornament wrapped, ready for them to open and put on the tree the day we decorated the tree. We've had to adapt a bit since the college years, but it's still good and very much anticipated.

I found a picture that's a couple of years old where everybody is showing theirs off. It's one of my favorites!

David was big into golf that year.
Faith got her driver's license.
Hannah had moved into her first apartment.
Luke had received a bike for his birthday and was riding all over Fayetteville.
Elizabeth took art and wowed us with her talent.
Mary Grace loved swimming with the Bolivar Swim team.

I'm smiling just remembering all that.

So, if you are looking for a tradition to start with your crew, I can heartily recommend this one!

And, if you are looking for something to read during Advent, join me this December for God, You, & Luke 2. It starts this Saturday, December 1!

Blessings!

God, You, & Luke 2: An Advent Invitation

I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I'm guessing most of us have already given Christmas a thought or two.

I have already had the thought that I have every year: "This Christmas, I'm going to keep focused on what Christmas is really all about."

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy all the festivity surrounding American Christmases. I like giving those I care about  a something that I think they would really enjoy. And Christmas was, hands down, my dad's favorite holiday. He enjoyed every aspect of gift buying, gift giving, party throwing, and party going. Remembering how much he loved it all makes me love it even more.

But, all of that can cause one to look at the manger scenes peppered here and there as just another part of the festivities instead of "the reason for the season."

God became man. The salvation plan of God entered a new phase on that night in Bethlehem. All of life for all time and eternity was affected.

That is not small. That is not a cute "side" to the Christmas tradition. It really is what Christmas is all about.

A few years ago, a friend told me about something she did one Christmas when her three boys were young grammar school age. Every night before bed, they'd all go sit around the Christmas tree and she would read to them from Luke 2. Good conversation was sparked amid wiggly bodies and by December 24 - and as an added bonus - the boys had it memorized!

A couple of years ago, I decided to do something similar. Every day starting on December 1 and ending on December 24, I would read through the first 21 verses of Luke 2 some time during my day, asking God to show me something new from it every time I read it.

It was a powerful, beautiful time and I benefited so much from it that I've decided to do it again this year. And then God started stirring my heart to invite any of you, my readers, who are looking for a little something to help keep you focused this Christmas season, to join me!

Here's what I was envisioning. Every day from December 1 through December 24, we'll set aside a few minutes to read through Luke 2:1-21.  I plan on posting a short blog every one of those days. Sometimes there will be suggestions of things to look for or do as you read and sometimes, I'll just share something of what God has shown me.

I putting this out here now just to give you a heads-up. And get you excited.

It will be God, You, and Luke 2.  We'll have the creator of the universe as our teacher and our guide. He'll be revealing things about Himself to us.

If you don't have any other Advent plans, I hope you'll join me in December for:

God, You, and Luke 2.

2011- It's a Wrap

I've been doing some serious wrapping over the past couple of weeks. Well, Mary Grace has been doing some serious wrapping over the last couple of weeks. She loves to wrap presents, and I love that she loves to wrap presents, so she handled the lion's share of that Christmas task. I did do a couple of hours worth myself - enough to make me really appreciate Mary Grace. With all this wrapping going on, it seems only fitting to wrap up 2011 here on the blog with a look back at the gift it was.

I'm always amazed at what we all experience in a year. And like I hear expressed in most all your cards and updates, I don't know where the time has gone and I can't believe it got to where it (and we) are right now- before I even blinked. I've decided to let our pictures speak this year since we've decided on a bit of a different format with our annual letter.

Black eyed pea soup and sparkling grape juice usher in 2011 (Hannah celebrated w/friends)

In January,  Lou & I heard Eric Mataxas speak about his powerful book, Bonhoeffer

Video and picture cannot accurately portray our February blizzard

Mary Grace & her friend, Grace, at Classical Conversations

Spring finally sprung and David hit the links for Bolivar High School

And Lou & I followed him around...is there anything colder than spring sports?

Faith jumping her way to happiness in track

Elizabeth doing the soccer thing for BHS

Mary Grace kicking the ball around too

Mary Grace & I took her teenage mother/daughter trip to St. Louis. A must see: The City Museum

A visit to Squeeze Inn when my brother & family surprised my mom with a visit on Mother's Day

Never far from my mom - her iPad

Happy 85th!!

All dressed up and somewhere to go...the end of year Athletic Celebration

In June, we went to Hawaii!!!

One second after this was taken, Elizabeth made a "I hate coconut milk" face.

Lou and Faith enjoying a meal on Oahu

We serve an amazing God

Hiked to some movie sets behind our house with our dear friends, the Forristers.

When my brother, Andy & his family visit, we always have a party

Poor Hannah. She had to work in Aspen, Colorado, this summer. Poor me. I visited her.

Luke worked at The Potter's House in Fayetteville. What up.

David enjoyed Kanakuk for the last time as a camper....

Elizabeth on a mission trip to Toledo

Faith loved on those Toledo kids too!

Mary Grace is into tennis big time...and so are we!

We are a biking family. Hannah needs an Arkansas jersey too. Woo pig sooie!

David's a senior...and a nerd - at least on nerd day.

More nerds...spirit week is big at our house

A little '70s spirit. I told them this is exactly what I looked like back when

Dressing up on game day during volleyball

Game! We get double the fun in this sport!

Carving party...

After 23 yrs and over 1800 babies, Lou is hanging up his OB hat. Pictured here with John, Annie, and Josie Thomas

And then, it's basketball season. Elizabeth is tenacious!

Could you please jump a little higher, David? 

A festive holiday with my brother, Keith and family

That's a lot of pictures. That's a lot of living, and this represents just a snippet of our life. And before you think that we are all smiles all the time like it looks in all these pictures, let me set the record straight. We are not. We are just like everybody else. We can hurt each other's feelings with the best of them. But we are here for each other for the long haul, wrapping our arms and hearts around each other, loving no matter what. No matter how hard it is some days.

All is a gift from the hand of God. We are thankful to Him for the days that made up the gift of 2011. And we trust Him and look forward to unwrapping 2012.

Blessings to you and yours!