10 million miles

Because I borrowed this book from a friend, I didn’t read it with the detailed, underlining fervency that I typically employ, but I highly recommend Sarah Mally’s Before You Meet Prince Charming even if you have met Prince Charming! …even if you are Prince Charming! The heartbeat in this book is yet another miraculous piece of evidence that God is, in fact, restoring the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, just as He promised in Malachi.

This books is mostly an intelligent and feminine encouragement for young women to pursue true purity of heart and to be about their Father’s work all of the days of their lives, not wasting away in unprotected experimentation or culture-approved floundering. Daughters all over the world are returning to their homes, nestling under their fathers’ protection, and learning how to build homes for God’s glory. As a young wife and mother who is becoming more and more “old fashioned*” by the day, all I can say from my experience and my understanding of the Word of God is that this is right and even joyful.

Other resources about this topic of fathers, mothers, and unmarried women and men turning their hearts towards home:

http://www.visionarydaughters.com

DVD: The Return of the Daughters

Book: So Much More

* By the way, becoming “old fashioned” is not as bad as it sounds if it looks like this…

“Thus saith the Lord, ‘Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.’” Jeremiah 6:16

I finished Jennie Chancey’s and Stacy McDonald’s new Passionate Housewives Desperate for God this week.  You’ve gotta read it for yourself, but I will let you know that one of the chapters I most appreciated was about how God has established a Christian culture that is not affected by the times and places that people live.  On the contrary, our times and places must - and will - be affected by God’s culture (also known as *His kingdom, come*).  The most powerful source of God’s kingdom is the Home.

Chancey writes, “God has given women a sphere that is naturally and wonderfully their own to manage and wisely govern.” This sphere is the humble and miraculous home.  It’s a woman’s privilege and responsibility to “make this small kingdom a picture of God’s greater kingdom - a kingdom in which the subjects are in order and obey their king; a kingdom where beauty shines in every word and deed; a kingdom that welcomes friends and strangers with abundant hospitality and gracious care…”

“He designed the culture He desires us to pass down to the coming generations.  After bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, God declared that all other cultures were “backwards,” but He was going to create one that modeled His kingdom to the world.  When other nations looked at Israel obeying God’s perfect law, they would marvel:

“Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons…” (Deut. 4: 6- 9)

Needless to say, I am overwhelmed - in a good way - by the privilege of listening to God’s wisdom as I help to build our home and submit my whimsical world-informed concepts of “lifestyle” to God’s timeless, perfect design.

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1

Ryan came home with an armful of bubble wrap tonight: a toddler’s dream-come-true.  Vivienne got down to business right away, stomping and popping.  She took a break for dinner and even for dessert, but with a few bites of her ice cream cone left, she asked to get down and informed me importantly, “I have some more bubblin’ to do!”

While I caught up with my mom on the phone in the quiet basement, the floor shook above me as Ryan and V danced all over the rest of the bubbles to Toby Mac’s “The Slam”.  Now that’s what I call a rockin’ daddy-daughter date.

My little girl’s favorite “toy” is her imagination, which is a truly fabulous thing to watch as she reenacts Olivia stories, collects eggs from under the “chickens” (couch cushions), takes care of her imaginary kittens, speaks comfortingly to little lost souls in the stories we read…

It only backfires, say, when, after watching Mary Poppins a couple of times, Vivienne cries the whole way to the bank, wondering what’s wrong with her mother who so gladly deposits the money she’s been collecting in her “Sheepy Bank” for 2 years. “I don’t want to go to the bank! I want to keep my money!” (If you haven’t seen Mary Poppins, you need to know that young Michael causes quite the disturbance for his banker-father when he refuses to invest his tuppence, wanting to feed the birds instead.) It took all of my creativity to undo the damage and convince V that investing our money really is a good thing…

The theatrics became charming again when, today, Vivienne walked into the kitchen and asked, “Momma, may I please have some tuppence?” She then proceeded to wrap herself in a blanket and coo in a most pathetic voice, “Feed the birds, tuppence a bag…”

My friend, Jan, tagged me to fill out this Thanksgiving list. She chose all of the best answers, but I’ll do my best…

1. List 10 things you are thankful for that money can buy

* college-level lectures by outstanding people

* books that make me think hard and underline things

* almost-too-hot showers

* Vivienne’s striped and polka-dot tights

* chocolate (especially Lindt Lindor truffles: extra dark chocolate)

* our piano

* Scripture (get your own copy at WalMart for $6; the best deal in the universe!)

* little wooden treasure boxes (and the treasures that go inside)

* Eating Well magazine

* candlelight and lanterns

2. List 10 things you are thankful for that money can’t buy

* anything from Anthropologie (not my money, anyway… I use the store solely as inspiration…)

* walking, running, and (some forms of) working outside

* Ryan’s strong hugs

* Vivienne’s bird kisses for the baby

* truly wonderful family members all the way around

* good conversations that feel like “yes! yes! That’s what I think, too, and here’s what else I thought about that…”

* the reliability of people’s scents (especially Ryan’s delicious “home from work” smell… I can’t describe it, it’s just gooood.)

* beautiful words strung together into beautiful thoughts

* Redemption

* a joyful home from our good-morning songs ’til our good-night kisses

3. List 10 things that you are thankful you don’t have

* a boss who isn’t my husband, too (there are just too many perks)

* anything that barks, squawks, sheds, poops in the grass, uses a litter box, sleeps in wood-chips, dies by floating belly-up, or slithers.

* a port-o-potty

* a house too large for me to clean in a jiffy

* an allergy to books and/or chocolate

* a presidential nomination

* cable TV

* a selfish and/or dead god

* long, long fingernails

* …to think of 20 things for this list without stealing Jan’s answers

So, if you read this, you are officially TAGGED! If you don’t have a blog, feel free to post your lists in a comment here. I’d love to know what you’re thanking about this November…

This wonderfully rainy autumn week, I’ve been loving…

1. organizedhome.com

I’ve day-dreamed about a household notebook that is chock full of our family’s records: our favorite recipes, details about our flower garden, the order of our Advent lights, our Christian Passover plans… Stumbling upon organizedhome.com made my dream a reality. With free printables and suggested dividers, this site got me SO pepped up, my bedtime came and went without my realizing (that’s saying a lot for this pregnant lady!). You’ll also find tips about fall cleaning, Christmas organization, etc.

This week, I made our household notebook, organized all of our craft paper into a color-coded file box, cleaned out the linen closet, and organized the medicine cabinet (I must say, it was nice to finally say good-bye to Allegra prescriptions from 2003). I’m tellin’ ya, this site is inspiring. Check it out.

2. ABC pages

As Vivienne and I are beginning Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, (I promise; I am NOT pushing her! She’s been very interested in reading and I just don’t want to teach her incorrectly. It’s going very well so far), these design-your-own ABC pages are a gift. Writing the letters on lines is a bit too advanced for her at this point, so she’s practicing the shape of the letters by either coloring them in or tracing them and then coloring in the corresponding picture. Also, enjoy a 123 page.

3. Ten P’s in a Pod by Arnold Pent III

While Ryan works to redesign the basement in time for Vivienne’s Christmas Surprise, I sit on the basement steps and read Ten P’s in a Pod aloud. It’s the story of a family of 10 who traveled around the country, preaching, singing, and reciting God’s Word. The book is packed with stories about their joyful determination to rely on God and share the Good News.

Both Ryan and I are inspired by the family’s devotion to the Word of God. Mr. Pent read the Bible to the entire family for a half hour every night (even waking the babies!) and required all of the children to read the Bible in the morning. Here’s how their investment of time added up:

One-half hour of private Bible reading from 6 - 11 years = 913 hours

One hour of private Bible reading from 11 - 21 years = 3,650 hours

Thirty minutes of family devotions after each meal from 1 - 21 years old = 11,497 hours

You can imagine that this level of immersion in Scripture resulted in beautiful fruit from the entire family’s life (I don’t want to give anything away!).

Ten P’s is one of several sources that have inspired us to read Scripture as a family every night and for me to read Scripture with Vivienne every morning, all warm-and-cozy in her little bed before we even put the blinds up.

Psalm 1: 1 - 3

1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

(Related links of interest: The Homestead College of Bible and Graduate School teaches all subjects using the Bible as the primary textbook. The founder and president is one of the Pent boys.)

I love my life. I really do. I’m so deeply grateful for my husband’s love; for the opportunity to be his wife; for the wisdom God has given us so far regarding marriage, children, and life-in-general; for our children; for the ability to be home learning about motherhood, patience, and attention to detail.

Sometimes I fear that if I admit that out loud, God will *find out* and cause some terrible tragedy to befall us. Or, sometimes I feel like I should apologize to other people that I genuinely feel fulfilled and joyful and content. How did I develop these subconscious fears? Perhaps from living in a culture in which it’s not cool to be content; it’s not culturally savvy to rejoice over life. I find that even the Church may deify poverty, misery, agitation, and confusion while spurning abundance, joy, simple wisdom, and clarity. Yes, Jesus taught us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied…” But, we cannot focus so intently on the first half of each statement and not revel in - and become - the promised blessing.  If we do, we’re missing the whole point of the gospel.

God is the source of all blessings. Righteousness, joy and contentment are all gifts - not shallow and embarrassing flaws - from Him. I’m not referring to the popular and hollow “prosperity gospel,” but about the Kingdom of Heaven in which Love begets obedience, obedience begets love, love begets peace, and peace begets contentment… in which Christians walk around as comforted and content children of the King. God is glorified when we revel in His love for us. He is exalted when, without fear, we give thanks to Him for every wonderful gift He has bestowed on us.

“The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!” Psalm 126:3

Today’s reading in Owen’s Communion with the Triune God described our communion with Jesus as the intimate meal of Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Remember, Jesus extends this intimate invitation to people within a church; we often use it solely as an evangelistic plea. This invitation reveals more than His desire to be Lord of our hearts; it reveals His desire to be our lover and friend.

This supper with Jesus is far more than a bit of chit-chat over English Muffin Pizzas. It’s a divine feast. Just take a look at the rich fruits, spices, and wines described throughout Song of Songs! (Whether or not we’re willing to see it as such, Song of Songs is both a literal portrayal of lovers and a symbolic portrayal of Jesus’ relationship with us, the Church. You’ll be blown away at the gorgeous sensory-filled intimacy.)

But, how do we reply “yes” to this invitation? Opening the door and inviting Him in for the feast reaches far beyond our moments of meditation, praying, or singing. This feast takes place within our obedience of Jesus’ Words.

“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23.

When I obey Jesus’ words, I am communing with Him, feasting on His love, allowing Him to feast on my love for Him. Thus, Christians live in a gorgeous blend of practical behaviors, intimate respect, and pleasurable love.

I once heard a preacher implore the congregation, “walk in as much light as God has revealed to you”; to obey as much of God’s Word as we can. This is a sobering charge as I consider all of the wisdom that I know but do not do; I have no excuses because Jesus has lovingly given me everything I need for godliness (2 Peter 1: 3-4). Perhaps I do not take seriously enough the fact that my disobedience hinders my communion with Jesus. When I consider that His Words bring healing to my body and soul - that they are everything my spirit longs for - why wouldn’t I live in the light He has shown me? May God perfect my obedience!

Communion with Him is the greatest of gains. Obedience to His every Word is a feast unfathomable.

“Faith seeks out rest for the soul… by Christ it has an access to the Father (Eph. 2:18) - into his love; finds out that he is love, as having a design, a purpose of love, a good pleasure toward us from eternity - a delight, a complacency, a goodwill in Christ - all cause of anger and aversation being taken away. The soul being thus, by faith through Christ, and by him, brought into the bosom of God, into a comfortable persuasion and spiritual perception and sense of his love, there reposes and rests itself.” -John Owen

We are teaching Vivienne “For the Beauty of the Earth” this month. May we revel in the blessings that God has lavished on us because He loves us.

“Whom have I in heaven but you and there is non upon earth that I desire beside you”

(Psalm 73:25.)

“Thus the soul gathers itself from all its wanderings, from all other beloveds, to rest in God alone - to satiate and content itself in him; choosing the Father for his present and eternal rest…”-John Owen

Have I told you that this baby moves like summer thunder? I’m not kidding! Ever since I could feel the baby kicking and moving around, I thought, “Gee, that reminds me of something…” Finally, I realized that the seemingly-intentional back and forth pounding is like the strong - yet controlled - pounding of summer thunder. (A gorgeous metaphor during the first six months, but now that I’m entering my third trimester, I’m not so sure I like that thunder being so close to my liver and such…)

As time goes by and the baby gets stronger, I’m praying more fervently that my organs and ribs be protected. I wince whenever I swallow my prenatal vitamin and my multi-min. but I wouldn’t dare skip out; building the baby’s health is far more important to me than avoiding the pain of some powerful internal thunder.

Motherhood is one of the rare times in life when we sow costs and reap blessings at the same time. We are constantly receiving blessing upon blessing to verify the worth of the cost (be it smooshed internal organs, stretch marks, or sleepless nights). This is quite an effective system: we’ll keep taking those vitamins, keep praying, keep disciplining the child we love, keep asking for more children… because they are so dearly precious.

Psalm 127:3-5
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Nothing compares to a blessing from the Lord.