Housework, Homework, and How I Learned the Difference ♥

Early Mother's Day Morning 2013. 
Two cards awaiting me at the coffee pot.

                                    

After a few downed mugs and some quiet time with Jesus........it was time for.....Housework.......or so I thought.
I started up the laundry.
I washed up the dishes.
I made up the beds.....at least of those who had awaken & arose.
Tween daughter remained in slumber.....that is, until I received a ringing Facetime.......requesting I bring her breakfast in bed. "Just peanut butter toast Mom, oh, and some milk."  As I popped in two slices of bread, and reached for a plate and a glass........I STOPPED.
What is wrong with me?  Why in the world am I doing all this housework AND serving my preteen princess on what is supposed to be MY special day?? And Why oh WHY, am I ....................................................................................HAPPY about it????  (Lord knows there were plenty, and I mean PLENTY of years where the feeling would have leaned heavily on the side of resentment......nowhere NEAR the vicinity of Happiness.) 

Then right there, in the middle of a kitchen, standing on a rug that was yet to be vacuumed....God told me why.

"Tera, what you do in this place has nothing to do with housework and everything to do with homework.  The sheets you wash, the silverware you clean, the toilets you scrub, and the food you prepare have NOTHING to do with your house, ........and EVERYTHING to do with your home.  You are happy because; although you like your house, you LOVE your home. And you know, that when you are serving them....you are serving ME."

Could He be Right?
 
 He proceeded to lead me to these two verses ~

 Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. ~1 Peter 4:10-11

And then I read them again.......this way.......and listened as He spoke to me.....

Tera, you has received a gift to use to serve others (Motherhood). Be a good servant of my various gifts of grace (Thomas, Abby, and Jack Henry). When you speak, I want you to speak with the words I give you (Words of Kindness and Encouragement). And when you serve (and cook and clean and drive the carpool), you should serve with the strength I give you,  so that in everything, (every dish washed, floor swept , meal made- EVERYTHING) I will be praised. ~ 1 Peter 4:10-11

He was right. (Note: He always is, so no use arguing).
I serve my home because I love my home. 
Because I know it is a gift. 
Because I know that THEY are a gift.
Because I know that when I serve THEM, I serve HIM.
and above all else, Because I know that the love I have for THEM is a result of a love He has for ME. 

We love because He first loved us ~ 1 John 4:19

 In other words,

I love (my husband, my children, my parents, my friends, my HOME) because GOD. LOVES. ME.      ~ 1 John 4:19

And He loves YOU. 

And it's why homework makes THIS mama.......a happy mama.

Happy Mother's Day Sweet Friends. ♥
Love & Hugs,
Tera
                                     

~~~~ As for me and my HOME, we will serve the Lord.
                                       Joshua 24:15 
  
 
 

Hello my Name is ____________

The more time I hang out with Jesus, the more "a-ha" moments I seem to experience.  You know what I'm talking about, those moments when the light bulb flickers and the wires connect.
It was last Friday on my way to work.
I heard the song "Hello my Name is" by Matthew West.
Sure I love the tune, but what grabbed me, what stopped me en route..... was the story that inspired the song.
It was the story of Jordan. A preacher's kid.  A preacher's kid who wrote a letter to Mr. West that began with: Hello my name is Jordan...and I'm a drug addict.  Eventually he landed in Teen Challenge, a Christian rehabilitation center in the business of restoring lives with the hope of Jesus Christ.

A preacher's kid? 
How could that be?  
I mean, a preacher's kid would know all about God right? 
I mean, if a preacher's kid who knows all about God struggles, what hope is there for the rest of us?

That my friends, is when the light bulb flickered, actually it shone SO BRIGHT it caused me to pull over and listen.................. to Him speaking to me.

"Tera sweetie (God always calls me sweetie), I don't want my children to simply know all about Me.....I want my children to KNOW ME.  You see sweetie, Saul knew "all about Me" and continued to persecute the Christians.  The Woman at the Well knew "all about Me"  but continued to feel alone and judged and condemned.  The Pharisees knew "all about Me", reciting every scripture, but continued to err on the side of the law.......instead of people, MY people.  
Tera sweetie, it's not enough to "know all about Me".....I want my children to KNOW ME.  THAT is why I sent Him to you.  My Son. Grace & Truth in Human Form."  

And the results?.........well, let's take a look......

PAUL :
Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.  I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. (sweetie side note: wow - not only did Paul know "all about God" - he knew even more than his peers did!)     But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased Him to REVEAL HIS SON TO ME so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. ~ Galatians 1:11-16 NLT, emphasis mine

WOMAN AT THE WELL:     The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When HE comes, he will explain everything to us.
(sweetie side note: the woman knew "all about God" and yet still didn't recognize the One right beside her) 
Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!”
Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”  So the people came streaming from the village to see him. ~ John 4:25-30, emphasis mine

Paul had an encounter with Jesus and went on to preach the gospel and write nearly the entire New Testament.

The Woman at the Well had an encounter with Jesus and left her jug behind in order to run and tell others what she had experienced.
As a result.... 
Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!”  When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days,  long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD HIM FOR OURSELVES. NOW WE KNOW that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” ~John 4:39-42, emphasis mine

 
Jesus. 
JESUS.   
JESUS IS THE LINK BETWEEN KNOWING ABOUT GOD...........AND KNOWING GOD. 
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through ME. ~ John 14:6 NIV
  
Jordan discovered that truth.  During his time in Teen Challenge he began to realize that God wasn’t done with him yet, and that all of those defeating titles like “addict,” didn’t have to be attached to his name the rest of his life.  His story is far from over.  So is mine.......and so is YOURS. 

Hello my Name is CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING.

Drenched in Grace, 
Tera
 





Matthew West's video "Hello my Name is"
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJWQzjfU3o
 



 

Jack & The Jesus Cube

I received a package in my mailbox this week. One of those unexpected surprises that makes both your lips and your heart smile.

The package was from Miss Ruth.  

                                                 

Miss Ruth is a beautiful 84 yr old African American woman I met on the plane ride home from Charlotte, NC in July of 2011.

I was on my way home from my very first She Speaks Conference.  A conference designed to encourage and equip women to share His message through speaking and writing. A conference I wasn't quite sure I belonged at, but had decided to trust the Father's prompting.

Miss Ruth was sporting a small red & white pin with the words 
"i  ♥ sunday school". 

                      

I was a Christian Education Director at that time...and I just knew in my heart that God had arranged our seating for that 2.5 hour flight to Minneapolis.  I gently leaned over and quietly whispered....
"I like your pin".

Those were the last 4 words I spoke. 
The entire flight.

Miss Ruth spent the next 800+ miles sharing her God with me.

She had no idea who I was, 
why I was in Charlotte,
what I did for a living, 
or even if I was a believer.  
And it didn't matter. 
She was determined to spill Jesus all over me until the wheels hit the runway, and that's exactly what she did.  As we landed, I took out a small mesh bag of bible verses that I had received at the Conference, tucked one of my cards inside, carefully placed it into the palm of her hand, and said Goodbye. 

Months later, my phone rang.  Miss Ruth. 
Miss Ruth from Anchorage, Alaska.  
We have maintained a special friendship ever since that trip in the sky.  We write each other letters and cards, phone each other occasionally, and exchange small gifts, verses, prayers, and trinkets.

This week's package............a Jesus cube.  Or at least that's what Jack Henry calls it.  It's actually called the 'Evangecube', described as "an easy-to-use puzzle to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to life and designed to make sharing your faith simple and fun". 
Jack Henry concurs.

He was immediately drawn to this new "toy".  He flipped it and flopped it and carefully soaked in each and every completed picture.

                                        


 "Look Mama, here's Jesus on the cross.  He died there ya know.......for us ya know."

I smiled sweetly. {Kudos Sunday School teachers}

But it was the next explanation that truly grabbed my heart.  He arranged the new puzzle to display this well-known  image.

                                                      


He studied it, smiled, and said.........................

"Look Mama, after Jesus died, He got to hold God's hand."


 Speechless.

Friends,
I have seen this picture/clip art/painting/image hundreds of times.

I have imagined it being God reaching down and we are reaching up.

I have viewed it as God offering His rescuing hand to our sinking soul.

And I still believe these are both great descriptions.

However........................I have never, EVER, seen this beautiful picture the way my Jack Henry had.  

Jesus dying, and then getting to hold his Daddy's hand again.♥

And the same will hold true..............for US. 
For we too.............are His children.

 “Do not hold on to me,” Jesus told her, “because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to Him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God.” ~ John 20:17 GNT


  God gave His Son.  Jesus came.  He came to fulfill the law. And He came.......to restore the relationship between us and our Father.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16 GNT

Everlasting Life Holding Hands with Daddy.



Thank you for sharing God's message Miss Ruth..........and Jack Henry.  

                                     

Whether your are 4 or 84, whether it be through a pin or a puzzle, a smile or a hug, a listening ear or a sturdy shoulder, there are a million ways for us to share HIM with this world.♥
Let's do it.

 For we are ALL children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ~ Galatians 3:26 NLT
 
Your Sister in Christ,
♥ Tera

My GODfident Confident Heart

It's far too easy to believe the negative things we hear.  Why?

Is it because, deep inside, we believe the negative things we hear?

Is it because, we must admit, we ourselves, are the ones speaking the negative things we hear?

Is it because, we have somehow allowed the negative things we hear - all the doubt, guilt, condemnation, hurt, and pain - to plant themselves in the tender fertile soil that is our heart? 

Friends, it's time to do some tilling. It's time to disrupt the soil.  It's time to replant.  It's time to grab on to some new seeds - seeds of confidence, redemption, righteousness, mercy, love, and grace - and get those babies planted in that fertile soil.  And it's time to water and fertilize.

My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. ~1 Corinthians 3:6-8

I had the awesome privilege this weekend to attend the Compel Women's Conference in Sioux City, Iowa. I, along with hundreds of women, were blessed to hear Renee Swope speak the right words.  His words.  Words that we could not only HEAR, but words that we could PLANT in that fertile heart soil.  Words that form promises - His promises - Promises, that when planted, watered, and fertilized, bear some pretty incredible fruit.  You see, God can't lie. It's not how He rolls.  He speaks truth.  He whispers truth into that tender heart soil. And as we spend time buried in His Presence, resting in His Promises, the roots of these promises, well.........take root.
And then..........AND THEN................just as the sprouts peek through the ground soil....Positive words, words of affirmation, words of not "self" confidence, but GODfidence burst forth:  

 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. ~ Psalm 121:2

I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. ~Psalm 139:14

I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. ~Phillippians 4:13

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”  ~Hebrews 13:6

This post was birthed as a result of an early encounter this morning - an encounter with my sweet 4yr old, Jack Henry.  As I drank my cup o' joe and read His words, complete with messy bedhead and coffee-stained pjs, I heard the sound of small precious feet toddle down the stairs and make their way to me.  My sweet boy quietly crawled over the arm of my chair and planted himself into my arms.  He reached out his tiny hand, wrapped it around my neck, and whispered............"Mama, you're just 'lovely'. You're just the best mama I ever had."

Beautiful friends, when our eyes and ears are fully open, we have the blessed keen ability to see and hear what HE says about us...............and it may just be heard through the voices of His smallest disciples ♥

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you. ~Hebrews 10:35

                                       
Be Blessed,
♥Tera

My One Word .....Let's Do This.

Something happened when I reached 41 1/2.  Yes, 41 1/2.  Age 40 came and went.   41, no problem..........but then, BUT. THEN... somewhere between 41 and 42.....this Mama......FORGOT.  STUFF.  I'm not kidding.  I used to pride myself on my good memory.  But then.... 41 1/2.      
Goodbye Memory. Hello Post-It Notes. My new BFF.

This realization did not stand alone...........with it came the following:

* Pottys.  When planning a shopping trip to the mall, I now like to map out where each of the women's restrooms are prior to hitting the stores.

* Hand lotion.  I remember thinking........."Why in the world do gals carry hand lotion in their purse?  Who wants greasy hands all day?"............then came 41 1/2. Dryness. Lots of it.

* Couch-Dozing.  I can't recall the last time I saw the 10pm news.  Snoozin' on the sofa AND memory loss?  Ouch.

Friends, this list could go on.........but let's get to My One Word, shall we?  Before I forget?

Have you Guessed it?
(Hold on, I'll grab my sticky pad)

MY. ONE. WORD. for 2013 is...................

You see, I don't want to forget.  I don't want to forget all that He has done for me.  All that He continues to do for me.  Who He is.  Who He sent.  Why He sent Him.....Himself. 

I have often compared myself to the Israelites....Primarily because I wandered the wilderness for nearly 40years.....(with some complaining and grumbling along the way)  So when I came across this verse, this incredible verse found in the book of Exodus...... I knew my search.....my search for My One Word had ended.

                                                        
I am excited to see where God & My One Word will take me this year.  
                        So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ~ John 8:36
 **********************************************************************************
I am excited to embrace it and apply it to all areas of my life....my spiritual formation, my marriage, my family, my friends, my passions.    

 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ~ Deuteronomy 11:18
   
 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. ~ Proverbs 7:3
                   
*****************************************************                     
I am excited to not only ingest scripture, but digest scripture.       

This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ~ Hebrews 8:10
     
********************************************************************************                         
I am excited to share this journey with all of you. 
               I thank my God every time I remember you. ~ Philippians 1:3

My One Word......Let's Do This.                  
Sweet Blessings,
Tera 

Got a few extra minutes?  I love this song. I wanted to share it with you. 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=16YYBoQ3YMI