Thankful Thursday #5

Focus on the Family comes on about the time I'm dropping Ben off at work (we share 1 car!!), so I usually listen to it.   Unless it's painfully cheesy. 

This morning, they were talking with Carey Casey, the CEO of the National Center for Fathering.  I came on in the middle, but from what I gathered, he spent some time speaking to NFL teams before the game, doing what was supposed to be a routine devotional/ prayer.  But he was never routine.  He got straight to some serious issues with these guys, and always shared the gospel.  He said he often asked about their dads.  "Who doesn't know their father?"  And you could see the pain that would come across the many faces of the men in that room.  They're thinking, come on man.  Just pray and let's go play the game.  He told some neat stories of relationships built with these men and how they would share their past pain and hurt, just like anybody else.

Casey was sharing stories of abusive dads, dysfunctional homes, and he said, "there is no greater pain in a child's life than living in fear at home."  The host, Jim Daly, could identify and shared a short story about his childhood with an alcoholic, physically abusive dad.  And the bottom line was - living in fear at home.

At this point, I'm almost home. a little choked up.  [I'm a sap.] pulling into the garage. just listening to the end of the program and thinking.

I am SO thankful to have been born into a loving, nurturing family.  Both of my parents grew up in "dysfunctional" families.  and they both beat the odds.  Not only did they break the cycle of pain, divorce, alcoholism, etc... they both became believers.  My brother and I were "first generation Christians" if you will.  The first kids in our whole family to be raised in a Christian home.  not that it was anywhere near perfect :)

I remember my dad saying when we were younger - it'll be all new to see what your kids and families are like.  If you continue walking with the Lord, you will learn stuff younger than we did.  (They got saved in their late 20s/ early 30s.) You will know the Bible when you go to college.  You will receive God's blessings earlier than we did.  You will avoid a lot of the mistakes we made. 

And now, as a newly wed, I can already see the difference.  I had a good example of a marriage.  No, I don't know it all.  And no, our marriage isn't perfect.  BUT, we're not completely starting from scratch like my parents were.  They had to figure it out at they went.  I had an example.  They had to figure out how to parent as Christians.  I had an example.

Don't get me wrong - my family is not perfect.
But I am thankful that, by the grace of God, I was born into the family I was born into.  I didn't grow up in a household of fear.  I wasn't afraid of my parents. (except in that healthy-do-what-you're-told way) :)   I have a great relationship with each of my parents.  And most importantly, they taught me and showed me how to love Jesus.

They ended the broadcast saying, the most important gift you can give your kids is teaching them to know Jesus. 

To me in this season of life, this message means - more than a perfectly organized, perfectly decorated house.  more than great dinners, fun activities.  more than lavish vacations.  the MOST important thing I can do for my kids one day (kids that are no where near the picture yet) is to teach them and show them that God loves them and that they need to know & love Jesus personally.

Thankful to have parents who were committed to that mission in our home.  Thankful that I grew up in a home where I was not afraid, but loved.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday #4

Here I am again - thankful on Friday.  Guess I should be thankful for a busy week.

Today I'm thankful for so many things.
But at the forefront of my mind is home sweet home.

I'm SO thankful for the chance to head back to sweet home Chicago this weekend.  I'm thankful for the wonderful family and friends awaiting us.  And I'm thankful that the logistics of trying to see 17-ish people in 36 hours has mostly worked itself together...

And now we hit the open road.
For 9 hours.
Thankful for a car! and a husband and father-in-law to split the driving with.

What are you thankful for today? 

Thankful Thursday #3

Ooops! I missed Thursday... where did this week go!?

Today, I'm thankful for grace.  Costly grace.

I am reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship (slowly but surely) and his words have challenged me to meditate on the cost of God's grace towards me.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but he made himself nothing, taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (philippians 4:5-8)  [did you catch that or did you just read it?  Jesus Christ did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped. in order that he might provide a way for ME to know God.  Wow]

grace is receiving something one does not deserve.  (not to be confused with mercy, which is NOT receiving what you DO deserve).

Bonhoeffer writes, "Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: 'my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'"

Redeemed at high cost.

Christ paid a debt he did not owe because I owed a debt I could not pay.

The thankfulness that wells up in my heart when I think about that - i mean, really think about it - it can't really be put into words and yet here i am trying.

Sometimes I just listen to this song.  and think. and usually cry.  and it feels good.  to think about the Lord and all he's done for me.  (p.s. it's not the best version, but that's youtube for ya)

Forever thankful,
Renee

Thankful Thursday #2

overwhelmed with thankfulness.  that is my heart's emotion lately. 

Today I'm thankful for a small group.  When we first got married and started going to The Moody Church in Chicago, we joined a young couple's small group that was really wonderful.  It was fun to meet other young newlyweds and get some advice from people who had been married more than 3 months.  It was fun to make new friends together.  When we decided to move to Lincoln, we prayed & believed God would lead us to a great new small group - a group of young couples to challenge each other spiritually, have fun with, hang out with, enjoy new seasons of life with.  We visited a small group last week and REALLY enjoyed it.  So, back again we go today.  We both think it's the group for us.  Friendly, welcoming couples.  People we have things in common with and differences to keep things interesting.  6 other couples who love Jesus and seem fun!  guess we'll find out.   we're going back tonight :)

thankful,
Renee

Thankful Thursday #1

I feel so thankful lately.  The pastor of the church I grew up in would preach "gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living."  Think about it.

I thought about doing a "thankful" post every day... my dear friend Kristen did that last year around the time of Thanksgiving :) I wasn't sure I could commit to post every day.  So Thankful-Thursdays it is.

Today I'm thankful for God's abundant abundant provision of private students.  We moved here about 5 weeks ago.  I have 26 students coming to lessons this week and only a couple of those are trials.  Of everyone who has done a "trial" lesson, only 2 have not stayed on in my studio.  Wow.  Can I say it again?  Wow.  Seriously, right before we moved to Lincoln, someone told me that I would have difficulty finding students - specifically that I would probably be able to get about 10 students over the course of a year.  That it's hard to build a studio.  This advice was well intentioned, of course, just realistic.  But God is bigger than realistic.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20

Immeasurably more than I imagine? check.

I really believe God gave me the desire to teach private lessons this year.  It's different from my heart's desire in the past.  But He is using it to meet our needs and go above and beyond.  Who knows what He's preparing us for?!? (Only He does.)

Thankful,
Ren