It Is Not Death To Die - Sovereign Grace

It's hard not to be moved at the pageantry of a full military funeral. The colors, the symbolism, the honor caused my heart to swell in gratitude. Even the very aged soldiers who were preforming the ceremony made me proud. I kept wondering why I couldn't hold myself together. Mr. Alonso was a kind-hearted, Korean War combat veteran with numerous medals, but I barely knew him. Then I realized, he and everyone of these men offered up their lives to die for my freedom and the freedom of our country. He was willing to die.

The next day, as I continued listening through John Piper's sermons, I came across the sermon entitled "Let the Nations Be Glad." I almost skipped it because I know the message and that God hasn't called me to leave my home to pursue full time missions to another culture. I was thinking, "Oh that sermon isn't for me." But for some reason, I listened. At the end of the sermon, I was fighting tears again. Why was I so emotional? Piper asked those in his audience who were called to full time cross-cultural missions to stand. I realized at that moment that those people were pledging to lay down their lives, their homes, their comforts to tell others the Good News. They were giving their very lives to share Christ. They were willing to die.

What is that like? What is my life? Do I give my life for any noble cause? If I don't lay down myself for the cause of Christ, then my life is wasted. Laying my life down doesn't look the same as war veterans or missionaries to Africa. But it should look differently from the lost world around me.

I'm a stay-at-home wife and mom who homeschools. That may look easy to those who've not looked at it closely and it requires a lot of me laying down my life for others. A  conference asking me to stand for everyone to clap for my service will not be necessary. A funeral where my coffin is draped in a flag won't happen either. But, I hope that in the end of my life, someone will be moved by my example to know that dying to serve others is a life well lived. I am willing to die.

Yes, there is a such thing as selfish prayers.

What do your prayers sound like? Are they littered with requests for yourself and those you love? Or, are your prayers focused on the One that you're praying to?

There is a time to make requests of God. We have clear examples of making requests in prayers from scripture. But, as you pray, your heart should be drawn closer to God and praising Him. There is a reason the ACTS acrostic is so helpful in praying. It gets your heart and mind thinking about God, Who He is and what He has done for us.

• A-Adoration
• C-Confession
• T-Thanksgiving
• S-Supplication

When you spend time praising God, confessing sin and thanking Him for blessings beyond measure, your supplications change. For example, being truly thankful for the car that you have may change your request for a new one.

Another way to make sure your prayers are God centered instead of self-centered is to pray Scripture. Psalms is the easiest way to start praying God's Word back to Him. Read Praying the Bible by Don Whitney. I've said it before and it's still true. It will transform your prayer life.

Quiet Time

...Bible time, devotions, .... whatever you call it, as long as it's your time before God, it's important. It's the most vital part of your day.

A young lady asked my advice recently about my quiet time. She wanted to know how was I able to stay committed to my quiet time. It's hard some days to wake up and get started. If I didn't read my Bible every morning, I could sleep at least forty-five minutes longer.

The most important thing I learned from years of struggling over staying faithful to it was that it had to be non-negotiable. There isn't a day that goes by that I wonder if I will read my Bible or when. I was so encouraged when that same young lady came to me two weeks later and said, "I haven't missed one day!"

When I drag myself out of bed, I get a cup of coffee and sit down with my Bible. In order to leave my house on any morning it takes me a little less than two hours from waking to walking out. It's just a vital part of my morning routine.

Ray points out that for your quiet time to be successful you must have a time, place, plan and purpose.

Time - What time of the day are you going to commit? Morning seems best, but it doesn't always work for everyone. I can't imagine waiting until near bedtime to read my Bible, I'd be asleep in seconds. Read Psalm 5:3, 59:16, 88:13, 90:14, 143:8.

Place - There is something sweet about walking by a spot and knowing that's where I meet God. Over the years, depending on the season of life, my "spot" has changed. Right now this is usually my view every morning as I'm finishing up my quiet time.

Plan - Every year the plan varies. Some years, I'm reading through the Bible chronologically, sometimes reading portions of the Old Testament and portions of the New Testament, sometimes focusing on one book or portion of Scripture. The key is that it's heavy on Scripture. I plan time for praying through scripture and intercession.

Purpose - This is the most important part of the quiet time! There will be days when it seems like you're just going through the motions, but if that's all you're doing, then it will be impossible to maintain. The purpose of your quiet times must be to draw near to God, to know Him, to worship Him, to repent of sin. Read Psalm 29:2, 46:10, 96:9; Matthew 4:17.

Do You Feel Peace?

The following was written by a young woman and sent to me to share with others. It's a message that our self-help, feel-good society needs to hear.

A rare view from our living room window recently. 

I have peace. I do not feel peace. I have peace because Jesus lives in me. This does not mean that I always experience peace. I don't. But Jesus is peace and I have Him and He is enough-even when I don't feel peaceful. One day we will experience the feeling of peace, but that day may not be today. I've been told so many times that if you don't "feel a peace about it" then it's not God's will. Or as a true Christian you will feel peaceful even in suffering. Or that if you pray then God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding. I believe you have hope in the midst of suffering; I believe you have peace (Jesus) but I don't believe that you always feel peace in it. 

Hearing these thing made me feel like a bad Christian or not a Christian at all. What was everyone else doing that I wasn't feeling this peace? I prayed all the time, yet I still felt stress. Then, the pursuit of peacefulness and feeling good became my idol. Finally someone told me, stop worrying about that feeling and just pursue God. Embrace Him no matter how you feel. 

Jesus is the prince of peace. He didn't live in turmoil. But, when Jesus went to die on the cross, I don't think He felt a peace about it. He was sweating blood. He suffered anguish (Luke 22:44). Yet, He obeyed the will of the Father. Sometimes you won't feel a peace. You may be called to give your life away. That doesn't always feel good. I feel like in my job I serve all day long. I love my job, but it doesn't always feel good. It feels exhausting. But I know that the Bible calls me to serve. I will continue to serve regardless the risk and regardless how much peace it brings me. 

So here's my confession. I often don't feel peaceful. But I do know that God has called me as His child and Christ took the punishment for my sins and Christ rose again. Because of this I have the living Jesus alive in me. He is my peace and even if I never feel peaceful, He is enough. 

No doubt you are, or you know a person, who struggles with anxiety or over thinkers or even someone who is really sensitive to all the pain in the world. There are benefits for those people. They are often very compassionate, very aware, servant hearted, and very gentle. However, in my experience, they very rarely feel peace. Sometimes they feel a lot of darkness because they can't stop noticing all the pain. They help people a lot but the pain seeps into their mind and it can be very dark. Know this, it takes one light to break darkness. 

Think of the most compassionate person you know. Compassion is painful and that person may feel a lot of darkness and little peacefulness. You can be that one light to break through their darkness. Show them some of the sensitivity that they have shown you. I have found light in something someone says to me or in a song or in a book. That song or person or book can put me back on track when I start to fall apart. But, no matter how much you care, you are human and you can not be a perfect light. 

Jesus is light and He is a perfect light. That's why I cling so hard to the promise that Jesus lives in me and won't stop living in me no matter how much darkness I allow in. He is light and He is peace and that is enough to give me hope even in my darkest moments. And when God looks at me, He doesn't see my sin. He sees Jesus in all of His perfection. That is what picks me up off the floor after I've been throwing up, gets my weak body showered and takes me to work, allowing me to serve all day. I haven't felt the peace that surpasses all understanding a lot, but I have felt a strength that surpasses understanding very often. Notice what God is doing for you and thank Him for that. Realize what He has done for you and embrace that as being enough. 

All this is not to say that it's okay to be living in darkness and anxiety. It's not. It's painful and no one should. I can't lie to you and give you eight steps to live a stress free. I'm not sure how to make it stop. I've tried everything that people say and there is still often this mental turmoil that I can't shake. There is still a lot of dark times. There are times when it feels like my mind is twisted up and screaming even though there is a smile on my face. I look for any bit of relief I can get in the moment. 

I've kind of stopped pursuing that peaceful feeling. Instead, I've embraced the fact that Jesus is a light in my dark mind and that He offers me hope that one day in heaven there will be no darkness and fullness of peacefulness. In Him, I will wait. I will grow weary, I will be stressed out, I will have panic attacks, I will fall into depression, I will look for relief in sinful places, I will fail. Thankfully, my assurance is not in my abilities but in His strength. Thankfully, "even the dark is light to Him" (Psalm 139:12). I will wait and I will hope in Him regardless how I feel. 

And I will stop condemning myself. If you are a struggling with anxiety, if you feel like a second rate Christian, if you're praying but not feeling peaceful, know this: "God is not disappointed in you. Because what disappointment means is that there are unmet expectations. God had no unmet expectations about you. All the expectations for righteousness and for your debt have been fulfilled in Jesus." (Elyse Fitzpatrick) 

It's Not Cliche'

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

My sweet friend Natalie just gave birth to her fifth baby. (The baby is absolutely beautiful, named after Natalie's best friend, Sarah Michelle, who died last year from cancer.)

But the point of this isn't about her newest great joy. It's about my failure to do as God leads me.

During her labor, the verse that I kept thinking of to pray for Natalie was Philippians 4:13. I kept praying that God would give her strength through her faith in Him. I didn't text the verse to her because it seemed so cliche'. Of course, that's what everyone would say. But the thing about it - It's a great verse! 

Recently, I read the passage that was leading up to this verse. It's all about Paul telling the Philippians how he is able to survive all that he went through to share the gospel.  And then he explains how God will give others the strength to do what they need to do.

Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

God gives us the strength that we need to do all of the things that he calls us to do.

Too often our "Pinterest" society takes one verse here and there to use haphazardly.  We don't get to fully enjoy the context because it's thrown around too easily. This is a reminder to me to use the Word of God carefully, but also not to neglect sharing it with others. It's not cliche' to give out God's Word.

Remaining Sin

I get so frustrated with myself because of remaining sin. Why can't I learn? Why do I continue to sin?

In the face of so many wonders and signs, the Israelites still sinned. God rescued them over and over. He provided them with one reason after another to believe in Him. But what did they do?

 "Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies," 

Psalm 78:56

And what do I do?

"In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe."

Psalm 78:32 

I still sin because I do not believe.

My prayer today and every day must be Mark 9:24, "I do believe, help my unbelief."

We Become Like Them

Psalm 135:15-18

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.

I came across this note scribbled in my Bible. I don't know when I wrote it, who said it, or when.

We tend to become like that which we worship.

But how do we know what it is that we worship? Well, what do you look like? What do you think about? What do you talk about? What do you spend your time on? Who do you associate with most often? What is your first thought when trouble arises?

These are some questions that might help know where your worship is focused.

Ask the people you spend the most time to play the popcorn game with you. Tell them to answer these questions about you with the first thought that comes to their minds. The answers for me may be too difficult to hear. I don't know if I want to know what they think.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5- "Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful."

When I love Christ and when I love my family I will not be irritable and rude. I will not insist on my own way. When I am rude and even think I deserve more than I'm getting, I am not loving others. I am loving myself.

It's easy to point this out to others. Whether it's Abigail touching Lydia's chair, or one daughter "borrowing" another's clothes, I can point out rudeness with great ease. 

I just can't always see it in my own heart. 

Thankfully, God has given me the mirror of my own children. Their responses to others is a
direct reflection of myself. I have to hide God's Word in my heart so that I won't sin against God, or the people He's placed in my path.

These pictures are from our staycation this past Summer. It's easy to be patient, kind, and loving while you're on vacation.

But, if I love them, I will not be rude and irritable. Christians have the greatest example in the world of how to show love. Yet, we constantly fight for our own way. We are too often irritable or resentful. Because Christ died for our sins, can't we be patient and kind?

"Are you mad?"

Abi asks me this question often. She is usually peering into my face while she asks. At her young age, she has become a reader of expressions. We all are to some extent, but I don't remember any of the other girls starting so early.

She doesn't know that she has learned Luke 6:45, but she has.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

What's in a person's heart is going to come out. So if I am walking around with a grumpy face, Abigail is going to find out what's going on. And sometimes she will even act accordingly. It makes me sad that she knows to steer clear of me if I'm walking around with a scowl. 

But she has a special gift of doing some great things to make me smile. I need to show her the joy in my heart more often.

Put off, put on.

I had complained to Ray that I was tired of picking up his shoes and socks. He didn't typically leave them all over the house, but he did leave them all over the bedroom and bathroom. I was often picking them up and putting them in the closet where they belong.  I didn't want them anywhere besides the closet because I'm clumsy and fall over them; and I'm busy and don't need anything else to pick up. But, the main reason I said anything is because I'm sinful and just don't want to pick up his socks and shoes.

Since I've complained to him, not only does he pick up his socks and shoes, I can't even find a stitch of his dirty clothes anywhere, except the hamper.

It isn't bad that I asked him to pick up his socks and shoes. Husbands and wives can ask questions like that of each other, gracefully. There could be a lesson in communication for me I'm sure.

What is bad is that I let it fester. By the end of many days, I was fuming over how many socks I had picked up. I would be counting and throwing them in the hamper myself, with force, I might add. His office is at home, he comes and goes, and often changes clothes for different tasks. So there might be several socks here and there.

But...

The chapter in The Excellent Wife that the ladies are discussing this week discusses the "Biblical Process of Change". (It's by Martha Peace, page 24)

Ephesians 4:22-24
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Instead of me fuming about the socks, and becoming an angry Michael Jordan, I should have changed my thinking. I should have put off anger, ...

And I should have put on -

... then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12

Last year while we were in Oxford, England I wasn't thinking about picking up socks...

A Strong Tower

"My ability to do this job ran out about two years ago." This was what someone said to me recently when we were discussing hardships of life. I didn't tell him that God will not give him more than he can handle. Because that's not true. At least not in the way that I've always heard it spoken.

It is not true that "God will not give you more than you can handle." He may give you so much that you wonder where He is, if He is listening or does He even care. There have been many moments in the past few years that it felt like God wasn't available for us.

There have been many times in my adult life that grief and sorrow were so strong, but I could always "feel" that God would see us through. But lately, the grief of this life has seemed overwhelming, with no help in sight.

God wants you and me to totally depend on Him. He wants us to cry to Him like the psalmist. When our heart is faint, He is the Rock that is higher than we are.

Because I know that God is sovereign and omniscient, I can rest. I don't have to "feel" like He will see me through one heartache or another. He will. I must depend on Him, rest in His care, and trust Him to help me.

He is strong enough to handle my life. He is a Strong Tower.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
 Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
 So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.     Psalm 61

Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

I have allowed anger and bitterness to take root too long. Nursing it as a small child, I have held on to it. Because my pride is so great, I am not sure that I even want to get rid of the sin.

Besides that, it seems easier to hang on to sin. It's easy to blame others for the sin in my heart. It is true that I've been sinned against.  But the sin against me doesn't justify my own sin. No one is to blame for me turning over and over in my mind the hurts done. I conjure up conversations that I would have, if I had the perfect opportunity. Anger and bitterness swell up, and I say things that ought not be said. And I dwell on it, set up camp on it, live with it.

I tell my children all the time, no one else is to blame for your sin. I have to listen my own teaching. I can't blame others. We are all related to Eve. She didn't want to take responsibility for her sin either.

That sinful root can spring up and cause trouble. And the sin becomes just as visible as the roots of the maple trees in my yard.

But, Jesus knows our temptations and He is able to help us.

Hebrews 2:18

For because He himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

All of Hebrews 2 is so encouraging. I am calling on Him to help me to turn away from sin in my heart. The most practical thing that I can do when my mind wanders to sinful thoughts and practices is to focus on Philippians 4:8.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Psalm 97

Psalm 97:1

"You don't have to worry about whether your world is under control. God rules. You just have to trust him when his rule isn't evident." Paul Tripp New Morning Mercies

"Honestly facing your lack of sovereignty over your own life produces either anxiety or relief. Anxiety is God-forgetting.... God-remembering...rests in the relief that although it may not look like it, your life is under the careful control of One who defines wisdom, power, and love."

 Daniel 4:34-35

"for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and his kingdom endures from generation to generation."

In a particular situation in my life right now, I tend to feel hopeless and helpless. I am the kind of person who likes to fix things. When something is wrong, I get out my lists and figure out a method of repair. That obviously doesn't always work. God is kind to give me this gentle reminder. 

Psalm 97:11-12

"...rest is not to be found in your control but in God's absolute rule over everything."

Questions

Mommy, have I sinned today?

Are we going to go to heaven?

Can we pray right now?

The questions of my littlest ones never cease to amaze me. Abigail was sitting on my bed and doing some real thinking and shooting questions out with both barrels. I didn't jump up and make her pray the "sinner's prayer." But, I did pray that Jesus truly would save her from her sins, give her an abundant Christian life and bring her to heaven when He does take her home. I am reminded again the importance of memorizing Scripture.

2 Timothy 4:2 ...be ready in season and out of season...

Joshua 4:21-22 ...when your children ask... then you shall let your children know...

Revitalizing Bible Study

My Bible studies seem to go in seasons.

The cycles include things like - reading through the Bible in a year, chronological reading, in-depth study of one book, or devotional reading (usually during the busiest months). This past December, I was feeling discouraged and a little too laissez-faire about my Bible study/devotional time.

For Christmas, I received a copy of Paul Tripp's New Morning Mercies devotional book. It seems to speak the gospel in devotional bits to me every day.  I know that the gospel isn't about me, but about Christ. The devotions deliver the gospel as it relates to every day life, then add scripture to read. Every day's scripture readings include selections that I think, "Oh, I should add this to my list of scripture to memorize and meditate on."

The Praying The Bible concept is still as refreshing as I had hoped it would be. I am not recommending we abandon Bible study, but sometimes, we need a fresh breath. I can't wait to finish the that our ladies are reading together, Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin.

Praying the Bible

I just finished reading Praying the Bible by Don Whitney. We have been taught these concepts for many years, but the book was so refreshing and helpful in the method of praying Scripture. The idea is to actually use the words of Scripture to inform and guide your prayers. The last chapter was worth reading the entire book.

I started writing out one prayer recently and I was so encouraged. Here are my notes on what I was prompted to pray for in less than ten minutes.

Psalm 69

Verse 1 
- Save me, O God...
Salvation for those that are lost.
- for the waters have come up to my neck.
Help for me in the midst of this season that I feel like I don't have time to breathe.

Verse 5 
- O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from You.
What a verse that reminds me of sin that swells up in my own heart.

Verse 13 
- But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in you saving faithfulness.
The sliver of the moon rising in the darkness directly in front of me, is just one reminder of God's great faithfulness. He places reminders immediately in front of us to show us that He is faithful. The sun rises, the sun sets, the moon rises, the moon sets, etc. God is faithful!

Verse 19 
- my foes are all known to you.
I don't know who my immediate enemies are, but God does. The enemies at large are those who would wipe out Christians. I struggle praying for them the verses 22 through 28, but I can pray that God's Justice would be enacted where He sees appropriate.

Verse 29 
- let your salvation, O God, set me on high.
I believe and am so grateful for my salvation. 
Please God don't let my self righteousness cause me to think more highly of myself than I ought. I could easily lift myself up to think I don't deserve any conflict, much less persecution.

Verse 30-31 
- I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
I must praise God continuously and magnify Him. My works will not. I am reminded that the Lord loves obedience better than a sacrifice. (I Samuel 15:22)

Verse 33
- For the Lord hears the needy.
The needy we always have among us... The prayers of supplication could be unending.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

  Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

 Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

 For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

The entire Rhodes family - every child, grandchild, and in law! We really miss Ray's dad! We didn't get a family picture of my side of the family.

Does your family memorize Scripture? 

That has been by far the most encouraging thing that I have done as a parent. The younger the child, the easier it is for them to memorize. Our "Charlotte Mason Scripture memory card files" are invaluable to us and help keep 
what we've memorized fresh for years to come.

Us with Nana, and I'm not sure what caused all of this.

It's Official!

I'm the worst mother ever! This week, I've earned the title. I have-

And there's this...
Vacuuming!

• Made my kids do school while I laid down.
• Made one wash the cat food bowls even though her greatest fear is tiny worms and spiders.
• Failed to remind one enough times that a bill was coming due, so it was late getting mailed.
• Allowed one of them to keep doing school past five, even though they are supposed to stop at three.
• Made them memorize two verses this week instead of one because it was too easy.
• Had one ask me, "How long does menopause last?" That was in the middle of her two hour cleaning chores.
• Punished one because she "just felt like" telling another sister how awful and spoiled she was.
• Insisted my girls tell me EVERY time they leave who they are riding with. (Yes, I know bad grammar, but you can't use bad grammar and be mad, can you?)

But the best was when-

I ruined one of my girls' life because I wouldn't let her swim before breakfast. She actually said, "Well, thanks for ruining my life!"

At least I've been appreciated this week....

How to Relate to the Eternal Family

"Man-wife-children families are temporary blessings for this age. In the age to come, they will not exist (Matthew 22:23-30). But the church will exist as a family forever. This has profound implications...." John Piper This Momentary Marriage

What? This jumped out at me! I had to look up the verses. What does that mean about how we develop relationships that are in the church?

Families are temporary, earthly blessings. We spend a lot of time growing our family, training, eating, teaching, bathing, loving, etc... There is a lot of scripture to back that up as okay. It's a good thing to take care of your physical family.

But what does Matthew 22:30 actually say?

 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. Matthew 22:30

Then, referring to this verse, what about those families that aren't blood related, those in the body of Christ, but weren't born into our own homes?  How are we to relate to them? These are just a few ideas:

• Philemon 1:22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
• I Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.
•  I Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 
• Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
• I Timothy 5:10 And having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
• Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
• Acts 2:45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as had need.
• Titus 2:4 And so train the young women to love their husbands and children.

Some Great Reasons for Holding Hands

Daytona Beach 2010

How do you feel when your husband reaches for your hand? There should be a connection that no other hand brings. R. C. Sproul, Jr. wrote about hand holding and I really like the way he says it here.

Hand holding is a way to say both, “You are safe with me” and “Follow me into the adventure.”

These are just a few of my favorite reasons to hold hands -

• Holding your husband's hand is different than holding your child's. His is bigger, protecting you, leading you through the world. Like Sproul said- safety and adventure.
•  There have been times when Ray has reached for my hand and I didn't really want to hold his. Hand holding softens those bad feelings, feelings that need to be corrected. I have also purposefully taken his hand to help ease problems we might have been facing at the time.
• Every time my girls see an even older couple than us holding hands all romantic sentimentalities are expressed. "Oohs, aahs and how cute is that!" are just a few things we might hear from them. Children love to see sweet expressions of love.

Try holding hands today with your husband and talk about how it makes you feel with him.

 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
        and establish the work of our hands upon us;
        yes, establish the work of our hands! (Psalm 90:17 ESV)