My children are adults. We enjoy one another's company as adults - we do things together and are friends on Facebook. I am not a mother who regrets not having young children in the house - I enjoy being able to pursue my pastimes without concern for the schedules of little league, choir and youth group.
That being said, I must tell you that I enjoyed all of the years when my children were, well, children. And it is no secret that my favorite demographic group is teens...
What prompts this missive today is reading the Facebook posts by mothers (and fathers) who are complaining about having been snowbound for much of the past two weeks. For those of you not in the mid-Atlantic area, we have had two blizzards in a single week and schools have been closed for over a week with delayed start since they opened Wednesday.
First, before you mutiny, let me say that it is understandable for those who need to make alternative child care arrangements so they can work to be somewhat upset. Not everyone can work remotely and not all businesses were closed the entire time.
Then let me say that what does bother me is the complaining tones of parents who seemingly have no idea how (or no interest) to engage and have fun with their kids. Each day that school was canceled was met with "I can't stand another day in the house with my kids" followed by a chorus of "Hooray they are gone and the house is quiet!" on the first day back.
We noticed on the days when our road was still unplowed that there were no children out playing and laughing and no one flying down the two fabulous sledding hills created by the accumulation. [The last time that my kids were young enough to be home for such a snow event was 1983, and every kid in the neighborhood was out there (yes, they are streets, but when they are under 20+ inches of snow they are sledding hills!) with quite a few parents.] We did see several teens tromp through the hip-deep snow to meet rides at the top of the road where the state road had been plowed - I did not see them (or any other children) assisting elderly neighbors get shoveled.
Exciting were the posts by parents who were out sledding, snowballing and such with the kids as well as having the kids help shovel snow. I love reading posts by parents baking cookies and making meals with the kids. It's great to see that there are families who can work and play together and have fun doing both.
So where is the prayer here?
I pray that parents and children will learn to laugh together, chase lightning bugs together, build snowmen together and play games together (board games as well as video games).
I pray that parents and children will learn to vaccuum and dust together, bake cookies together, shovel snow and clean off cars together, clear a neighbor's walk together, weed a garden and plant flowers together.
I pray that parents and children will go to church together, pray together, share concerns with one another, care about one another, talk to one another, listen to one another.
I pray that parents and children will serve at a shelter or soup kitchen together, take things to the Salvation Army together, walk/run/bike for a cause together, recycle together.
I pray that parents will have the wisdom needed when it is time to set boundaries and to discipline, and that these will be done in a loving and teaching manner.
I pray that children will see discipline as a way to help them learn and grow and to keep them safe.
I pray that parents always remember that they are not raising children, but rather guiding and preparing the next generation of adults - the next generation of parents.
I pray that parents will have the wisdom and strength to know when to let go and simply stand ready to support appropriately (and when not to do anything).
I pray that when the children are grown, both the parents and the children can still laugh and talk and play games and serve and work together.
Will you join me in these prayers? What prayers would you add?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Prayers in WInter
How has your winter been? Where you live has the weather been typical?
Here in Maryland we have had an atypical winter. We have had more snow here this winter than any on record, and more snow than cities that usually get lots more.
Friends in other areas though have reported unusual winters too - snow in Dallas and Charleston, warmer temps in Maine and less snow in Rochester....
Climate shifts (a term I like better than global warming) seem to be more common, and many are pointing to the end of the age when they talk about it.
How shall we pray? Come Lord Jesus Come!
And of course, we need to pray for the here and now - the weather provides opportunities to pray for safe travel, for shelter for the homeless, for warmth and food for all, for power lines that will remain up and functional... the list goes on and on.
What are your "winter prayers"? What requests show up in your prayers that would not be there in other seasons?
and what about the winter of life? those seasons we go through that make us feel bleak and cold? are there prayers then too that are different than other seasons of our life?
Share them here - share them most of all with God - He is always listening, in every season.
Here in Maryland we have had an atypical winter. We have had more snow here this winter than any on record, and more snow than cities that usually get lots more.
Friends in other areas though have reported unusual winters too - snow in Dallas and Charleston, warmer temps in Maine and less snow in Rochester....
Climate shifts (a term I like better than global warming) seem to be more common, and many are pointing to the end of the age when they talk about it.
How shall we pray? Come Lord Jesus Come!
And of course, we need to pray for the here and now - the weather provides opportunities to pray for safe travel, for shelter for the homeless, for warmth and food for all, for power lines that will remain up and functional... the list goes on and on.
What are your "winter prayers"? What requests show up in your prayers that would not be there in other seasons?
and what about the winter of life? those seasons we go through that make us feel bleak and cold? are there prayers then too that are different than other seasons of our life?
Share them here - share them most of all with God - He is always listening, in every season.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Fast - the final day
The Fast is over - at least this one. There will be other fasts in the near future. Tonight we went to a new Indian restaurant in the area, and though I went vegetarian it was a lot more spice and other "ingredients" than I have had for ten days. Chana Masala = YUM!
Yesterday I posted comments about the reading from 1Samuel 3:9, and pointed up the listening piece. But as the day progressed the rest of the message began to really take hold: we must listen and then follow! It is not enough just to listen - we must act on what God has told us - we must follow the path He has put before us. "Your servant is listening" - but the servant must then act!
Remember the story that I used, about the policeman? It would have been no help if the people had listened to his voice but not followed what he said. If they had not followed his voice, they would have perished. Liewise, we must not only listen but follow.
So the revelations of this fast have been this:
1 - take (MAKE) time to listen to God, through prayer and through His Word (the Bible)
2 - act on those things we learn by listening.
There is much to be done, and there are many who will want us to go other routes and listen to them instead. But the way I go must be the way God directs - popular or not, easy or not.
Thank you for being with me on this journey. your prayers have been appreciated and your comments will be as well. There will be more in the future - more fasts and more enlightenment as a result, and more revelations through prayer even without the fasting.
And more time in the presence of our God.
Yesterday I posted comments about the reading from 1Samuel 3:9, and pointed up the listening piece. But as the day progressed the rest of the message began to really take hold: we must listen and then follow! It is not enough just to listen - we must act on what God has told us - we must follow the path He has put before us. "Your servant is listening" - but the servant must then act!
Remember the story that I used, about the policeman? It would have been no help if the people had listened to his voice but not followed what he said. If they had not followed his voice, they would have perished. Liewise, we must not only listen but follow.
So the revelations of this fast have been this:
1 - take (MAKE) time to listen to God, through prayer and through His Word (the Bible)
2 - act on those things we learn by listening.
There is much to be done, and there are many who will want us to go other routes and listen to them instead. But the way I go must be the way God directs - popular or not, easy or not.
Thank you for being with me on this journey. your prayers have been appreciated and your comments will be as well. There will be more in the future - more fasts and more enlightenment as a result, and more revelations through prayer even without the fasting.
And more time in the presence of our God.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Fast - Day 9
Good morning!
Last night I was with some wonderful ladies from our church who knit and crochet. We all knit and/or crochet constantly and get together monthly for fellowship and lessons and support. One of our primary ministries is prayer shawls.
One asked me "so have you had any revelations during the fast?" and I shared that only the bit about my personal eating habits had been a revelation thus far. And that was a freeing and enlightening revelation - in fact, it made me laugh with relief!
This morning I was looking back over the readings of the week. 1Samuel 3:9 jumped out and I read it...
(NIV)
The source of my reading this verse this week was an email that has a verse and a short story and a prayer. The story was about a police officer who helped guide people out of the Pentagon on 9/11/2001 - the smoke was thick and people were confused so he told them to walk toward his voice. Five people were led to safety because they followed the sound of his voice to safety.
God calls us out of the confusion of our lives if we will listen to His voice!
There is confusion all around us! It may not look loike smoke or sound like the rushing of flames or the screaming of scared and injured people. Rather it may look like friendly people who seem to want what is best for us. It may look like authors and speakers and even friends and family members. It may look like logic that makes sense or kindness that seems politically correct.
We need to listen to God's voice. Sometimes it is calling to us loudly like the police officer, trying to save us from certain death. But more often it is a still small voice - in our hearts, in our spirits, and in the Bible (His Word). It is important to listen to His voice - listen FOR His voice - in the midst of all the chaos and mixed-messages of our lives. It is necessary to make time to listen - and in a place quiet and peaceful enough to hear him. Prayer is a conversaton, and part of that conversation is listening.
My revelation this morning - in the issues about which I have been praying, it is critical that we focus on God's voice. He will speak the words we need to hear.
Has God spoken to you lately? Please share...
Last night I was with some wonderful ladies from our church who knit and crochet. We all knit and/or crochet constantly and get together monthly for fellowship and lessons and support. One of our primary ministries is prayer shawls.
One asked me "so have you had any revelations during the fast?" and I shared that only the bit about my personal eating habits had been a revelation thus far. And that was a freeing and enlightening revelation - in fact, it made me laugh with relief!
This morning I was looking back over the readings of the week. 1Samuel 3:9 jumped out and I read it...
The source of my reading this verse this week was an email that has a verse and a short story and a prayer. The story was about a police officer who helped guide people out of the Pentagon on 9/11/2001 - the smoke was thick and people were confused so he told them to walk toward his voice. Five people were led to safety because they followed the sound of his voice to safety.
God calls us out of the confusion of our lives if we will listen to His voice!
There is confusion all around us! It may not look loike smoke or sound like the rushing of flames or the screaming of scared and injured people. Rather it may look like friendly people who seem to want what is best for us. It may look like authors and speakers and even friends and family members. It may look like logic that makes sense or kindness that seems politically correct.
We need to listen to God's voice. Sometimes it is calling to us loudly like the police officer, trying to save us from certain death. But more often it is a still small voice - in our hearts, in our spirits, and in the Bible (His Word). It is important to listen to His voice - listen FOR His voice - in the midst of all the chaos and mixed-messages of our lives. It is necessary to make time to listen - and in a place quiet and peaceful enough to hear him. Prayer is a conversaton, and part of that conversation is listening.
My revelation this morning - in the issues about which I have been praying, it is critical that we focus on God's voice. He will speak the words we need to hear.
Has God spoken to you lately? Please share...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Fasting - Day 7
Today has been a day with at least one revelation: I need to permanently eliminate sugar, caffeine and most grains from my diet. I feel good, have more energy (as witnessed by the fact that I am writing this at nearly-midnight) and there are no aches and pains or stiffness. Next week I will add dairy (yogurt) and a little meat back in and see what happens.
Health was one of the issues about which I have been seeking guidance, but not the primary focus of this fast, so I thought. Then I opened the box that came today from Christian Book Distributors with the book Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer Townes. I had ordered it last week when I was researching the Daniel Fast. In his book, he outlines nine different fasts and the reasons to follow each one. Accordiong to his writings, the Daniel Fast is particularly good for the purposes of healing and health issues.
I am committed to finishing the ten-day fast, which is another point in his book - no matter what you should finish the fast for the time you have committed.
Fasting is a commitment - and should be done in an intentional fashion, It should have a beginning and an end, a purpose or focus, and be supported in prayer - both by those fasting and by others who will pray for the fast.
Let me say that the real difference between this fast and all previous Daniel's Fasts I have done is the prayer support. In times past, I have done these fasts on my own and told no one. This time it has been shared publicly and supported by the prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ. Some had wanted to walk this path with me, but were unable to stay the course for one reason or another. Some were not called to join but to pray.
Are you considering a time of fasting? Perhaps you would like to add fasting to your prayer life. One way to start is to do a partial fast one day per week. The Daniel guidelines are good for a one-day fast to start (just vegetables and water for a day - either a 24-hour day or sundown to sundown). Most people can tolerate this type of fast without health concerns ( but check with your doctor). Use extra time in the morning or at the onset to pray about the fast.
What good is a one-day fast? it will give your system an opportunity to rest, and will give you some extra time in prayer and Bible study.
Longer fasts are good for fasting to a purpose - making a big decision, healing, discernment ...
Thank you for keeping me in prayer as I fast - I still have three more days before this journey is done, and I am praying for more insight before the time is up.
This is has been a fairly boring blog over the past week - hope to make it more interesting as time passes. Write a question or comment!! and thanks for reading.
Health was one of the issues about which I have been seeking guidance, but not the primary focus of this fast, so I thought. Then I opened the box that came today from Christian Book Distributors with the book Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer Townes. I had ordered it last week when I was researching the Daniel Fast. In his book, he outlines nine different fasts and the reasons to follow each one. Accordiong to his writings, the Daniel Fast is particularly good for the purposes of healing and health issues.
I am committed to finishing the ten-day fast, which is another point in his book - no matter what you should finish the fast for the time you have committed.
Fasting is a commitment - and should be done in an intentional fashion, It should have a beginning and an end, a purpose or focus, and be supported in prayer - both by those fasting and by others who will pray for the fast.
Let me say that the real difference between this fast and all previous Daniel's Fasts I have done is the prayer support. In times past, I have done these fasts on my own and told no one. This time it has been shared publicly and supported by the prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ. Some had wanted to walk this path with me, but were unable to stay the course for one reason or another. Some were not called to join but to pray.
Are you considering a time of fasting? Perhaps you would like to add fasting to your prayer life. One way to start is to do a partial fast one day per week. The Daniel guidelines are good for a one-day fast to start (just vegetables and water for a day - either a 24-hour day or sundown to sundown). Most people can tolerate this type of fast without health concerns ( but check with your doctor). Use extra time in the morning or at the onset to pray about the fast.
What good is a one-day fast? it will give your system an opportunity to rest, and will give you some extra time in prayer and Bible study.
Longer fasts are good for fasting to a purpose - making a big decision, healing, discernment ...
Thank you for keeping me in prayer as I fast - I still have three more days before this journey is done, and I am praying for more insight before the time is up.
This is has been a fairly boring blog over the past week - hope to make it more interesting as time passes. Write a question or comment!! and thanks for reading.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Fasting under the Palm Tree - Day 4
If anyone is actually following this, we are in Day Four of the Daniel Fast. Hardly seems like it has been four days...
In the book Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough, it is recommended that one designate - and write down - the focus and purpose of the fast. At the onset, I had set down two areas on which I felt I was to focus. This morning as I awoke, I saw exactly the questions for which I am seeking answers. I saw themn written in the notebook I am keeping for this Fast journey. So when I got up, I came to the table and wrote them just as I envisioned.
Four questions are there. Actually there are four areas about which I am asking the same question: What am I supposed to do, and how?
There is a danger in asking a question: someone will give you an answer.
In my "day job" I often have people come to the door of my office and start by saying "I have a question" - to which my usual response is "and you expect me to have an answer, don't you?"
When we ask God a question, He will always answer. We sometimes have to wait a bit for the answer (sometimes the answer is "wait") and we always have to listen for it. But He always answers. And many times the answer is not the one we expected or wanted. Sometimes we miss it because we are so sure we know the answer already.
(Remember the story about the guy and the flood? His house had water up to the first floor and and a boat came by - he said "Go on - God will save me". The water rose to the second floor and along came another boat - and again he sent it on with the same response. The water rose and he was standing on the roof. Along came a helicopter and again he called "o on - God will save me." And then he drowned. When he appeared before God in heaven, he asked "Where were you?" and God replied "I sent two boats and a helicopter!" Sometimes the answer is not what we were expecting...)
So now I have posed four questions to God and I am awaiting His answers... will they be what I expect? what I want to hear? easy to follow?
Do you have questions you would like God to answer? Meet Him in prayer and in His word, and spend some time in quiet meditation - He will answer. And He will give you - us - whatever is needed to do what He directs.
Oh - and the fast? Not bad... I had a challenging day today, as we were at a Rennaisance Faire and my only food choice was an ear of corn... but otherwise not too bad. Vegetables and water are available almost everywhere in the form of salad. For breakfast I had a half an apple with fresh-ground peanut butter... for supper? Baked potato, a tomato, and some nuts and blueberries.
More tomorrow evening.
In the book Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough, it is recommended that one designate - and write down - the focus and purpose of the fast. At the onset, I had set down two areas on which I felt I was to focus. This morning as I awoke, I saw exactly the questions for which I am seeking answers. I saw themn written in the notebook I am keeping for this Fast journey. So when I got up, I came to the table and wrote them just as I envisioned.
Four questions are there. Actually there are four areas about which I am asking the same question: What am I supposed to do, and how?
There is a danger in asking a question: someone will give you an answer.
In my "day job" I often have people come to the door of my office and start by saying "I have a question" - to which my usual response is "and you expect me to have an answer, don't you?"
When we ask God a question, He will always answer. We sometimes have to wait a bit for the answer (sometimes the answer is "wait") and we always have to listen for it. But He always answers. And many times the answer is not the one we expected or wanted. Sometimes we miss it because we are so sure we know the answer already.
(Remember the story about the guy and the flood? His house had water up to the first floor and and a boat came by - he said "Go on - God will save me". The water rose to the second floor and along came another boat - and again he sent it on with the same response. The water rose and he was standing on the roof. Along came a helicopter and again he called "o on - God will save me." And then he drowned. When he appeared before God in heaven, he asked "Where were you?" and God replied "I sent two boats and a helicopter!" Sometimes the answer is not what we were expecting...)
So now I have posed four questions to God and I am awaiting His answers... will they be what I expect? what I want to hear? easy to follow?
Do you have questions you would like God to answer? Meet Him in prayer and in His word, and spend some time in quiet meditation - He will answer. And He will give you - us - whatever is needed to do what He directs.
Oh - and the fast? Not bad... I had a challenging day today, as we were at a Rennaisance Faire and my only food choice was an ear of corn... but otherwise not too bad. Vegetables and water are available almost everywhere in the form of salad. For breakfast I had a half an apple with fresh-ground peanut butter... for supper? Baked potato, a tomato, and some nuts and blueberries.
More tomorrow evening.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Fasting under the Palm Tree - Day 2
Please forgive the delay in writing... so much has happened that needs prayer that I have not had much prayer time to devote to these posts.
Decisions have been made by the parent denomination of our church that require much prayer and discernment. I will not use this space as a political platform, but please pray for the ELCA, the congregations that are affiliated with it and the individual church members in each of those congregations.
My husband had business in Dallas, and we were blessed to worship with friends there. Richard is the pastor of a wonderful, Spirit-filled, God-following church. We were truly inspired by the worship. It began our week away in such a glorious manner. It reminded us of things we were neglecting in our worhip life. And the week away, with much free time for me to read and write and pray, allowed me time to ponder those issues and make decisions to change. Thus far I have been able to apply most of them (opportunities for some have not yet arisen) and God continues to remind me of those decisions.
Now I come to the present: the Daniel Fast. This has mostly been impressed on my heart by the decisions that will need to be made in our congregation in the very near future. God placed it on my heart to fast and pray for the church council, the pastors, and the individual congregation members - that they will seek God's wisdom and guidance in the days and weeks to come, and then follow His leading. I need to do the same for myself. And there are other issues in my life that need some examining and prayer as well.
I have decided on the 10-day Daniel Fast because it is based on Daniel's decision (See Daniel 1) not to eat the foods of the King. Please pray for me and the others who have decided to join me in this fast. We began on Friday September 4th and will end on Sunday September 13th.
We are using the guidelines for this fast as they are given in the book Fasting to a Spirititual Breakthrough (author Towns). It is not a strict fast, and can be adapted to many health issues and personal requirements. A true Daniel Fast is just vegetables and water but this allows that vegetables really referred to vegetation and includes fruit and grains. Those who follow the fast can be as strict or inclusive as they wish as long as they follow the basics and make the decision before they start. In other words, make a decision that one will eat only vegetables and drink only water, OR make the decision to allow grains and fruits and nuts and seeds.
In the past I have followed the stricter fast. This time I am following the more inclusive fast, allowing for fruits and seeds and nuts. Limited grains as well (oatmeal and rice).
Praying and reading God's word are the focus of a fast. Using whole, fresh vegetables and fruits allows me to grab something and then spend the time in prayer and reading and meditation that would have been spent preparing foods.
Is a fast for you? Do you feel called to fast about a concern? First pray about whether you should fast. Pray about what type of fast would work for you. Research fasting (there are full fasts where you drink only water for the duration; partial fasts like the Daniel Fast where you follow specific guidelines; 24-hour fasts and longer fasts). The important thing to remember is that fasting always regards food - giving up TV or playing cards is a great way to spend more time in God's Word and in prayer, but it is not a fast.
Please let me know if you decide to fast - I will pray for you (this is a great help: ask others to pray for you while you fast. If it is a corporate issue such as our church concern, ask a small group of others to join you and then ask those who cannot fast with you to pray for you those days).
I am planning to update this post daily with at least something regarding this fast. Hope to talk to you again tomorrow.
Decisions have been made by the parent denomination of our church that require much prayer and discernment. I will not use this space as a political platform, but please pray for the ELCA, the congregations that are affiliated with it and the individual church members in each of those congregations.
My husband had business in Dallas, and we were blessed to worship with friends there. Richard is the pastor of a wonderful, Spirit-filled, God-following church. We were truly inspired by the worship. It began our week away in such a glorious manner. It reminded us of things we were neglecting in our worhip life. And the week away, with much free time for me to read and write and pray, allowed me time to ponder those issues and make decisions to change. Thus far I have been able to apply most of them (opportunities for some have not yet arisen) and God continues to remind me of those decisions.
Now I come to the present: the Daniel Fast. This has mostly been impressed on my heart by the decisions that will need to be made in our congregation in the very near future. God placed it on my heart to fast and pray for the church council, the pastors, and the individual congregation members - that they will seek God's wisdom and guidance in the days and weeks to come, and then follow His leading. I need to do the same for myself. And there are other issues in my life that need some examining and prayer as well.
I have decided on the 10-day Daniel Fast because it is based on Daniel's decision (See Daniel 1) not to eat the foods of the King. Please pray for me and the others who have decided to join me in this fast. We began on Friday September 4th and will end on Sunday September 13th.
We are using the guidelines for this fast as they are given in the book Fasting to a Spirititual Breakthrough (author Towns). It is not a strict fast, and can be adapted to many health issues and personal requirements. A true Daniel Fast is just vegetables and water but this allows that vegetables really referred to vegetation and includes fruit and grains. Those who follow the fast can be as strict or inclusive as they wish as long as they follow the basics and make the decision before they start. In other words, make a decision that one will eat only vegetables and drink only water, OR make the decision to allow grains and fruits and nuts and seeds.
In the past I have followed the stricter fast. This time I am following the more inclusive fast, allowing for fruits and seeds and nuts. Limited grains as well (oatmeal and rice).
Praying and reading God's word are the focus of a fast. Using whole, fresh vegetables and fruits allows me to grab something and then spend the time in prayer and reading and meditation that would have been spent preparing foods.
Is a fast for you? Do you feel called to fast about a concern? First pray about whether you should fast. Pray about what type of fast would work for you. Research fasting (there are full fasts where you drink only water for the duration; partial fasts like the Daniel Fast where you follow specific guidelines; 24-hour fasts and longer fasts). The important thing to remember is that fasting always regards food - giving up TV or playing cards is a great way to spend more time in God's Word and in prayer, but it is not a fast.
Please let me know if you decide to fast - I will pray for you (this is a great help: ask others to pray for you while you fast. If it is a corporate issue such as our church concern, ask a small group of others to join you and then ask those who cannot fast with you to pray for you those days).
I am planning to update this post daily with at least something regarding this fast. Hope to talk to you again tomorrow.
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