God's Work In Me

Yesterday, my husband asked me if I had a Bible verse that I really liked.  Philippians 2:13 came to mind right away. "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

This verse caused me confusion for quite some time.  Then, some ladies from church did a Bible study on the book of Philippians.  Through that, I learned what the verse was saying.  Perhaps it is obvious to you...but for me, it took awhile to understand.

God is working in my life.  He is the one who brings all good things.  He is the one who gives me the desire to do right.  He is the one who enables me to do right.  And these good things that He enables me to do?  They are not for me.  They are for Him.  They are for His pleasure, and His pleasure is good.

Simple, right?  That is EXACTLY what the verse says.  So why did it take me so long to understand what the verse was saying?

I am not a patient person.  My husband says I have improved greatly in this area since we have been married, which is so incredibly encouraging to hear.  But still...I have a long way to go, and it is a struggle.  For so long, I would beat myself up over it.  "Just be patient, Rachel.  Just do it." "Count to 3, then react."  "Recite this verse about patience whenever you feel impatient."  These were the things I would tell myself.  Time after time, my inward struggle would just lead to more guilt.  I would fail, chastise myself, at times berate myself, repent, and repeat.  Those things I was telling myself were well and good.  There is nothing wrong with those statements.  But they missed the main point.  They were focused on behavior modification, rather than a change of heart.

Since it is God who is working in me, giving me the desire to do right and also the ability to carry it out, then shouldn't my response to my own impatience be to run to Him in prayer?  Shouldn't I rest secure that He will work in me to carry out these very things He has given me the desire to do?  Knowing that my very life is for His good pleasure, shouldn't I be driven to study His Word and know Him more?  Shouldn't I be seeking counsel from fellow believers who also know and love Him?

My mindset has been changing, ever so slowly.  Life is not about behavior modification and simply doing the right thing.  Life is about doing right, obeying God's commands, for God's good pleasure.  And our God, who sees our hearts, knows very well what our motivation is.  There is no hiding that from Him.

This is not simply about Rachel being more patient.  This is about God's transforming power at work in the lives of all believers.  This is about God, not Rachel.  THAT is the point.  That has always been the point.  Somehow, I missed it.  

In studying His Word, God transforms our lives.  We see more clearly who He is.  Little by little, we learn to love Him more.  And as we do this, He conforms us to His image.  He develops that patience, or those good works, in us.  He causes us to do right.   He uses fellow believers to come alongside us and teach us.  He uses our life experiences to grow us.  Through it all, He is at work.

So if you see Rachel being patient with someone, if you see Rachel working out her salvation, join with me and praise the Lord for that!  It is Him, working in me, and it is for His pleasure.

Encouragement Through Changes

Life this week looks vastly different than life three weeks ago.  I have my entire family home all day, every day.  I only leave the house for work and groceries.  Even for groceries, I try to use curbside pick-up as much as possible.  I spent the past week without a phone, as mine died the day the shelter-in-place order was issued.

Prior to all this, I looked forward to having anywhere from 1-3 mornings a week child-free, depending on my work schedule.  Those mornings would be spent catching up on cleaning at the house while singing along to my favorite music, or shopping for craft supplies and working on projects.  Sometimes I would call my parents or a friend to catch up.  Other times I would simply sleep, in effort to be well-rested for an upcoming night of work.  I had me-time, and I loved it.

Now, most everything has changed.  In the midst of these changes, there is increased stress.  Transitions always involve stress, whether they are good changes or bad!  Transitioning to having my kids home is such a blessing.  I love that they take care of each other, play well together, enjoy learning schoolwork at home, and desire to be taught life skills that they see me doing!  But it is a change, and it is stressful.  They also fight, need snacks every 2 hours (?!?!?!), enjoy saying "Mom" repeatedly all day long, and frankly...they get bored!

One thing I have been thinking about during these few weeks:  How are we doing at keeping in contact with each other?  Specifically for the Church...what are we doing to encourage one another right now?  We are all under stress in one way or another, and we are not able to meet weekly to encourage one another.  What are we doing in the meantime?

I have been encouraged in several ways this past week.  My daughter's Sunday school teacher sent her lesson in the mail, along with the papers she typically does every week.  Another daughter's school teacher wrote her a letter, including an addressed, stamped envelope to make writing back much easier.  My girls' piano teacher took time to ask how I was doing and prayed with me over the phone after the girls' lessons this week.  We were able to have Bible study via Facebook chat last Monday!  My husband's sermon was still possible, courtesy of YouTube.

I just want to encourage you...whether it seems like it or not, you probably have extra time right now.  I know I do.  I have the 40 minutes every week that I used to spend transporting the girls to and from piano.  I have the 20+ minutes I spent every day picking them up from school.  I have the 2-4 hours I used to spend shopping (or at least browsing) each week for "non-essentials".  What are we doing with that extra time?  Are we making good use of it?

This is hard for all of us.  So maybe check in with your friends.  Spend quality time with your kids.  Take a walk with your husband.  Write a letter to encourage someone.  Download Zoom and have your kids talk to their cousins in Kentucky (on my to-do list!).  Find a way to keep in touch.  We are still the body of Christ, and we still need each other.  Be creative in finding a way to reach out.  We all need it.

This current situation is not a surprise to our sovereign God.  He will use it for good.  James 1, Romans 5, and 1 Peter 1 have all been teaching me this!  Let's continue to spend time in prayer, read His Word, and support one another.

How have you been encouraged this past week?

Update from the Funhouse

It has been almost a week since we learned that the kids would not be returning to school for at least four weeks and that we should practice "social distancing".  To describe this past week would include many paradoxes: stressful, yet relaxing...exhausting, yet refreshing...chaotic, yet peaceful...busy, yet slow-paced.

Tim and I have continued to work, which means juggling our time around each other's schedules to ensure someone is always home with the kids.  I have worked two 12-hour nights this week, with a third coming up tonight.  I will continue this 2-3 nights per week schedule for the foreseeable future.  However, as a nurse in the hospital, I expect to be called upon to pick up more shifts soon.  Tim continues to keep his study schedule and preparations for preaching on Sunday.  Some of his work is done from home, but most is done from the office.

The kids are keeping up with schoolwork at the house.  Their teachers sent work home from school last Friday, plus there are an overwhelming amount of resources available online.  We are enjoying the Scholastic daily work, Lunch Doodles with Mo, Prodigy, and Typing Club.  We were able to hit the library Friday before it closed, so we are set with reading material.  Some co-workers helped me find worksheets for the boys to do each day.  Sarah and Caitlyn are diligent with their daily piano practice, even though lessons are currently on hold.  We do journal prompts to practice our writing.  My personal favorite thing we have implemented is "life skill of the day".  Turns out if you title it as a class and package it with their schoolwork, kids are more willing to change the sheets on their beds, fold laundry, etc. 

The kids' attitudes are mixed, depending on the moment.  They miss their friends, but the "why can't we" questions seem to have died down after the first few days.  They are getting creative, communicating with the neighbors via walkie talkie, and standing at the end of our driveway to talk to the neighbors at the end of theirs.  We are happy that the weather has provided opportunity to be outside.  We all need that. 


We have a lot of free time to fill up.  We watch quite a bit of TV.  Frozen and Frozen 2 have been playing frequently here.  The kids are enjoying Amazon music as well.  Board games are seeing increased use, and of course toys are played with daily.  Next week we plan to do more crafts, when my work schedule allows for it a bit better than this week did.

Of course, increased time together means we also get on each other's nerves and need our quiet, personal space at times.  We have meltdowns daily, from both the stress of schedule changes and doing schoolwork at home.  On Tuesday, I wasn't sure we were going to make it through this without tearing each other apart.  But removing myself from the situation, taking a shower, spending time alone in Bible study was exactly what I needed.  So much of this is about perspective, and we need the Lord to keep us on track with that!

I am reminded that the "testing of our faith produces steadfastness" and to let "steadfastness have it full effect, that you may be mature and complete" (James 1).  God will use this trial for good.  My job is to remain steadfast and trust Him through it.

So while we have increased stress from all these changes, we are also relaxing by having a go-nowhere schedule.  While it is exhausting to keep up on schoolwork and have little people at home constantly, it is also refreshing to be able to teach and connect with them.  While it is chaotic to be thrown into this with no notice, it is peaceful knowing that God will use it for good.  And while our days are full of busy-ness, it is also slow-paced, knowing what we are not able to accomplish today will make it on our list for tomorrow.

I thank the Lord we are all healthy, yet I know that could change at any moment.  I am praying He comforts us through what is happening now and what may happen in the near future.  And I trust Him, knowing He will see us through these uncertain times.

Book Review: Think

My children LOVE the library.  We are fortunate to have two libraries in the area that we can visit, and my children like to rotate so that we are choosing new books every two weeks or so.  We spend our time at the libraries "shopping" for the five kids, and I rarely am able to make an escape to the adult section to make a selection for myself.  This past library trip, I made it a priority to select a book for myself.  I was looking for a book in the Christian Living section that was worth reading and was happy to find John Piper's Think.  Though I had never heard of the book before, I selected this based on Piper's good reputation as a pastor.  I was not disappointed in the book.  But I must say, I quickly realized that I do not enjoy borrowing books to read.  I am one who enjoys underlining, and the library frowns upon marking up their material!  I found myself utilizing my camera phone, taking photos of important things I wanted to remember.

Piper begins his work by clarifying the intent behind his book.  He quotes 2 Timothy 2:7, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."  He then clarifies, "Thinking is essential on the path to understanding.  But understanding is a gift of God.  That is the point of this book."  Then he examines Proverbs 2:1-6, and states, "...we should seek understanding like a miser seeks silver.  We should use our minds with eagerness and skill.  What is the reason given?  The same one Paul gave:  'For the Lord gives wisdom.'  They go together - our seeking understanding and God's giving it.  Seeking it like silver is essential to finding.  But finding is a gift of God.  That is the point of this book."

We are not called to be lazy Christians. We are called to search, to study, to work hard!  "The mind is mainly a servant of the heart.  That is, the mind serves to know the truth that fuels the fires of the heart."  We are called to think.  Piper exhorts that this thinking is mainly the art of reading.  He clarifies, "The best reading of the most insightful literature (especially the Bible) involves serious thinking."

I have recently heard two women I know and love express their self-consciousness at "not being smart enough".  I write in quotations, because I do not at all agree with these ladies' assessments of themselves.  Mortimer Adler, author of How to Read a Book, is quoted as saying, "Most of us do not know what the limits of our comprehension are.  We have never tried our powers to the full.  It is my honest belief that almost all the great books in every field are within the grasp of all normally intelligent men."  I fully agree!  Adler also states, "What for one man requires little or no effort may demand genuine exertion for another."  Perhaps we may not grasp all details of what we read.  But we grasp some details.  We work hard to understand what we can, and further reading adds to our previous understanding.  Through hard work and persistence, our knowledge grows.  And through this understanding, our heart changes.

Piper has much to say on the topic of thinking.  His thoughts are clearly stated and challenging to consider.  I especially appreciate his explanation of what it means to have childlike faith.  This is not anti-intellectualism.  Rather, it is humility.  Children are "happy to depend on their parents for help in all their obvious helplessness".  The struggle within Christianity is not whether to be intellectual or not, for God has called all of us to be thinkers.  The struggle is to preserve humility!  "The aim of this book is serious, faithful, humble thinking that leads to the true knowledge of God, which leads to loving him, which overflows in loving others."

I was challenged by this book.  The past year has been one of increasing reading in my own life and focusing on reading challenging material.  Piper's book encouraged me to continue doing what I have been doing.  It encouraged me to work hard to understand even the things that are overwhelming at first glance.

May we all be working diligently to understand and grow in our knowledge of God.  And may we stay humble in this pursuit, knowing that this is a gift from God.  May we fall more in love with Him as we know Him more.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★☆

We Make Our Own Drama...

Yesterday, I had something at work where I had to present my social security card.  So I got into the safe place we keep those documents and pulled it out.  Ready to go.  I also needed to find the boys' birth certificates.  Kindergarten registration is less than two weeks away, so I might as well pull those out now.  

I couldn't find them.

How...in five years' time...did I not prioritize moving their birth certificates to the safe spot with the others?  The search for their birth certificates was on.  I knew what I was looking for:  The big white envelope from the hospital, with "Master 'Full Given Name'" typed in all capital letters.  I had seen those envelopes from time to time.  I knew we had them in our closet.

It didn't take long, and my efforts were rewarded.  Two envelopes, in pristine condition, right where I thought I would find them.  I opened the envelops to find...the paperwork to fill out for a birth certificate.

How...in five years' time...did I not prioritize securing copies of their birth certificates?!  Maybe I could fill these out real quick and mail them the same day.  The bold letters at the bottom of the paperwork thwarted my plan:  Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Kindergarten registration is less than 2 weeks away.  This is a conundrum.  

Maybe the county clerk can expedite sending them if I call?  Maybe the school will allow me to register the boys and produce the birth certificates later?  I decided to call the county clerk first.  Her amazing answer was, "If you show up in person, we can print them for you on the spot".  Perfect!

I text my husband.  "I have to go to the county clerk tomorrow for birth certificates for the boys.  I never did that."  He is used to me forgetting important things until the last minute and responds, "Have fun with that :)"

This brings us to today.  I had to drive to downtown Kalamazoo, as the boys were born in Kalamazoo County.  I am not at all familiar with downtown Kalamazoo.  No matter, I have a GPS.  All is well.

Tim had the minivan this morning, to transport all the kids to school.  This means I had the truck.  The newer, nicer, bigger vehicle.  The one that makes me feel cool driving, but lowers my driving confidence just a smidge.  No matter.  I can do this.

I drive downtown.  I find the building I need.  I do not see parking anywhere.  I turn and find a parking garage.  Perfect!  I pull in, and my antenna bends back on the "6 foot 8 inch" clearance bar.  How tall is this truck?  I have no idea.  There is not enough space to hop out and see how much distance is between the top of the truck and the clearance bar.  But there is nobody behind me.  I back up and drive around the block.  

I call my husband.

"How tall is the truck?"

"I don't know.  Why?"
"Well, I have to park in the parking garage and I don't know if the truck is less than the 6 foot 8 inches clearance."

"I have no idea."

"Okay, I will look for another place to park."

I hang up with Tim and consult with Google (while at a red light, of course).  F150s have a range of heights, with the highest listed at 78.5 inches.  Ugh...I consult my calculator.  6 foot 6.5 inches.

I don't like that answer.  It would probably be okay, but I don't want to risk a speed bump or something taking off the top of my truck!  So I drive around some more, looking for another place to park.  I am not willing to use a parking meter, because I have no idea how long it will take at the county clerk.  Up ahead is another parking garage.  It has a 7-foot clearance.  Woot woot!  

I safely park my truck without incident, walk to the county clerk's office, fill out the necessary paperwork, and get copies of the boys' birth certificates, all in about ten minutes or less.

I drive home, and I take a nap.  That was exhausting.