I Take Joy | Hospitality

Playing the part of provider to bring life and beauty!

November 16, 2012 by Sally 11 Comments

Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars,
She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine,
She has set her table, …,
“Come eat of my food. And drink of my wine I have mixed.
For sake your folly and live,
And proceed in the way of understanding.” Proverbs 9:1-6

I am getting mommy excited about next Tuesday. My youngest, precious one, Joy, will come home from her first semester at college. She has sustained the 3 months alone without one visit and we have been constantly chatting and planning and sharing hearts so much that it feels like the last few days before you give birth–just biding your time until the momentous occasion comes. As a result, I have been looking at some old pictures and drawing up old memories and here is one of them–our fall apple picking and putting away for the winter. We missed it this year with Joy gone and us traveling too much.

But I had so much fun remembering, I thought I would share our memory with you! Getting into the mood for cooking a feast for all of my children and special others who will be with us!

Below a story of life from 4 years ago–hard to believe the time flew!

Yesterday we had a great sermon–one of four–which addressed the reality of heaven. I loved hearing that in heaven we will eat and drink and feast and have gardens and rivers and beauty and celebration and singing–only it will be in a perfect and wonderful place–called paradise–even more wonderful than anything we can see or imagine here.

I like knowing these things. It makes me think that when I prepare these thousands of meals that I am providing a little heaven on earth–an imperfect picture here of what real celebration and living will be there! I think that one of my delights over the years, which has grown as I have become better at it, is providing life-giving meals and memories for my family. Wisdom (I love it that wisdom is personified as a woman!) sets her table and provides wonderful food and in the midst of serving, calls those she serves to wisdom, understanding, love and righteousness. I am convinced that we have done more discipleship over meals than any other way!

As the old saying goes, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, but I think there is some truth to it, only applying to all people! Even Wisdom knew as much. Though there are so many things that reach and touch our hearts, I do think that the dining table can become the place of so much spirituality. At least it has for our family. Clay and I talk to our sons Joel and Nathan several times a week. Though both are thriving where they are, both have mentioned often missing our family. And when I asked them what they missed the most, it is as Joel and Nate said, “It’s the great food and the meal time discussions that I miss the most–just being together like that as a family.”

I would have to agree that these moments (and there are thousands of them) have held celebrations, devotions, discussions, funny stories, jokes, laughter, songs, correction (How many times have I told you–use a fork–not your fingers!) and sharing our hearts together.

God designed us to eat, but the time spent eating in warm fellowship, giving words of love and affirmation, challenging ideas with a meaningful quote to discuss or bringing and insightful article to the table to read together makes the moments that we spend in delightful fellowship feasting, a discipleship moment!

Just thought I would include a recipe from a most recent Sunday breakfast meal. Though we try to have devotions as a family, as our children became older and had their own cars, jobs and activities, we could barely get everyone together at once, but we could almost always get everyone together on Sunday morning. So many years ago, even when they were young, I got up early to make a great Sunday morning breakfast. Some of our favorites include home made whole wheat cinnamon rolls–(and yes, someday I will provide the recipe–but it is not perfected yet and I am afraid of misleading all of you! I am so used to throwing it all together–my own recipe–that I don’t exactly know how to put it down as it is different every time!)

Now onto more–scrambled cheese eggs–I do it a certain Clarkson way with bacon bits, cheese and sour cream; Polish eggs–the same only with hash browns mixed into the eggs-omelette’s with green peppers, onions, ham, bacon, avocado as the favorite items and of course cheese; muffins–our favorite being oatmeal and also blueberry or pumpkin; also, apple coffee cake; cottage cheese pancakes with strawberry or blueberry topping.

But one of the family favorites, which I do when I run out of time or get up late, is Whole Wheat Pancakes. I use this recipe below. The great thing about this recipe is that you can change it by adding just a few items. The ones pictured below are my regular ones–pancakes with grated apple, pecans and cinnamon.

Sometimes I add chocolate chips and have made a smiley face with them; or blueberries, one to two squished bananas with chopped nuts; hot peach sauce on top, hot apples on top and whip cream on all of it if desired. The girls in our family prefer real maple syrup and the boys prefer Aunt Jemima or log cabin light.

Of course we always light candles and put on some kind of music.

Somehow our table looks sparse now that we only have 4!

Whole Wheat Pancakes
2 eggs
2 cups whole wheat (or white) flour
1 1/2 cups milk or yoghurt
2 -4 tablespoons honey, sugar or maple syrup-depending on your taste
6 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat eggs with beater until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients until smooth. You can add up to 1/4 cup of milk if you prefer thinner cakes, but we like them fluffy and thick. They do spread out on your griddle–though sometimes I give them a little help when I put them on the griddle by spreading them out a little with my spatula. Let them cook until there are lots of bubbles showing on the surface of the cakes, and they are beginning to dry out on the edges. This makes enough to feed all 6 of us. You can halve the recipe and feed 4 if they are not big eaters!

*as an aside, I always grate apples to put in the pancakes. I also add pecans to some of them. You can also fold in blueberries. Yumm–a great way to add whatever you happen to like! (Once a woman told me that she followed this recipe and her pancakes turned out really heavy. I grind my own flour and don’t add more flour if the batter looks wrong–I add a little more milk. They are pretty light for us–hope it works for you!)

Next, I like to decorate for each season. I keep lidded plastic boxes with the season’s decor and it just takes me a small amount of time to decorate my whole house. (autumn, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s, Easter, Spring and summer) I like, also, these tall glass cannisters that hold whatever you want in the bottom and candles on the top part as pictured below. You can get them in all sorts of sizes–expensive designer ones or Walmart or Target. The reason I like them is that you can just put different things in the bottom of them, place a candle on top and it is an instant centerpiece on a table or coffee table. In autumn, leaves are on the bottom. At Christmas, I put tiny red and green Christmas tree balls in one and pine cones in another I have; small hearts at valentines with a red strand of beads during January and early February, etc.

Providing can also be designing traditions just for your family that take on a life of its own. Every year for a few years, we took a trip to the local apple farm and picked our own apples, ate a picnic out in the fields. Then, some weekend, we would all peel apples, slice and cut them and freeze them for applesauce and or warm apples to have with our soups in the winter. This year, our apple farm had a freeze and so we bought 3 boxes of organic apple to use for our recipes. We always watch the Anne of Green Gables series while doing it and I think we have every line memorized. This year, since our family is ridding itself of lots of our plastic, we decided to put our recipes in jars. I must say we missed the boys as they always did a lot of work with us on these!

The final outcome so far: 17 jars of homemade applesauce and 12 jars of apple butter (minus the jars eaten!)

Now, tonight we will do the last box–apple pie filling!

We so enjoyed praying for all of you today. It was such a good time of fellowship with my girls–I should do this more. Have a great day tomorrow and know we are in His loving and wonderful hands.

Grace, peace and an abundance of His love to all of you today!

Sally

Filed Under: Bible Studies, Child Training, Family, Food, Home, Hospitality, Joyful Life, Lifegiver, Mothering, Our Family, Recipes, Table Settings, Traditions

The Power of Influence in a Life-giving Home

August 18, 2010 by Sally 5 Comments

Whispering breezes amongst towering, swaying pines; pelting, drumming showers invading our car conversations, mists obscuring our views bespoke to all of us the need for an August fire in our cozy living room, steaming cups of tea, and soul-feeding sharing of hearts. And so began a memory-making afternoon.

I will let my daughter, Sarah, tell the whole story as she is such a better writer than I am–but afterall, I was not homeschooled and she was! (I think it would be so wonderful if you could leave Sarah a comment to let her know it matters that she is writing! thanks!

The rest of this story is here

Even as God filled the earth with the art of a His best creation, so our homes must bespeak of His glorious creativity–colors abounding, lilting music setting the mood, feasts celebrated amongst every possible topic discussed, observed–from jokes to convictions, ideals to devotions, sadness to hilarity.

Real life should be lived–not virtual life observed.

We have had a house full of people for the last couple of weeks. The walls are fairly swaying with the life of friendships deepened, laughter ringing, voices raised in the spirit of competition of games played late into the night. (Golf,–a card game you can find on the internet-o- hearts, speed scrabble and scrabble, with even a little bit of tripoly type of card games being some of our favorites over the years.)

Oh how I wish you could hear the deeply felt convictions and beliefs and conversations of our precious children as they share over books read, convictions challenged by others, beliefs cherished and preserved in their lives out in the world–to peek into souls that have been nourished on the best minds of great authors, the daily devotions and faith shared that lives deeply, authentically in their own hearts, the creativity and life of these adult children being lived out as they have become lights in their own worlds.

It is deeply fulfilling to know that all of those years of the labor of love and educating has born such satisfying fruit in their lives and souls. They were actually listening and paying attention all of those years, day in day out of the giving of our best to their hearts, minds and souls. So, my sweet friends, your work is not in vain–in God’s hands it becomes a miracle.

This “life” is what my older children return home to experience–the cups of their souls longing to be refueled with the virtue, love, purity of moments shared together in the breath of God’s love warming our hearts, filling us all with the sense of belonging to His destiny, kingdom, and caling, and binding us together in the grand purpose of His calling on this family called the Clarksons.

Last night, at one time we had 3 guitars, a djembe thrumming and Clay leading the host. Real music pulsing through the open windows.

Old friendships remembered and rebuilt over banana pudding, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and brownies with Europeon chocolate chips sprinkled in–after a feast of spaghetti pie–an all time fav from an old Amish recipe.

Joy sported a headache and didn’t feel well, so her precious friend Andrea ministered comfort by soaking her hands in warm water and making her nails beautiful.

Meanwhile, the a serious game of cards ensued, as my sweet friend and I sat on the couch and pondered the gift of our precious ones who had grown up so quickly, and by God’s grace so wonderfully full of His life.

Filed Under: Beauty, Family, Friends, Home, Hospitality, Lifegiver, Ministry, Our Family, People, Relationships

The Atmosphere breathes rest and comfort–and an invitation

April 20, 2010 by Sally Leave a Comment

(Sarah’s bedroom–always inviting with it’s many comforts, beauty and interesting objects to observe.)“The atmosphere breathes rest and comfort and the many chambers seem full of welcomes.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

When I was a little girl, and all my growing up years, one of my favorite memories was the parties my parents hosted in our home. It was not unusual for us to have 100 people at a time–friends from church, our own friends around a celebration like a birthday or 65 kids from my high school for an outside tea in honor of us all graduating. We did not have an enormous home, but it had some large, comfy rooms like some of the older houses did. But we would let people be all over our whole house–the den, living room, dining room, kitchen, on the porch, in the yard, almost anywhere they could find room.

The week before, my mom and dad would put all of us to work. The boys would mow the yard and pick weeds and make everything outside beautiful. My mom and I would clean the house and begin cooking. The last day we would pick flowers from our yard and put them in vases. We would have to dress in our very best and then we were instructed in how to greet guests and ask them interesting questions. We were also sent out during the evening with trays of cheese and crackers or cookies or deviled eggs or mini-sanwiches.

We grew up with lots of unusual people and learned somehow to love and enjoy the company of lots of different ages and types. My mom had come from a southern home where people would put lots of shared dishes on a table (pot luck style) and stack dishes high and then spread the love with adults sitting on the chairs and porch swings and kids sitting on the steps or floors. In the south, in her little town, it is what you did–welcome friends.

She passed on the heritage to me. I sometimes get to clean up everything ahead of time in my home and other times I just straighten and hope no one will notice dust. My sweet Bible study meeting is one of my favorite times of the month.

Over the years when I have spoken at our large conference where up to 1000 people were in attendance, I would enjoy the opportunity to be in the company and atmosphere, but for many years, I have longed to have a mini-conference in my home, where I could really talk to women and get to know them and share from my heart. I also experienced when I was in missions, that when you gather people around a purpose and the word of God, He shows up in very special ways–and lives our changed and hearts are encouraged and hearts are lit aflame with vision and direction. That is why I am so excited about our leader’s conference this August.

I get to host women in my home, for several days, over the Word of God and over vision and purpose and great meals and discussions and discipleship. Now I know that many of you would love to come and if this goes well, we will do it again, (and maybe again, and again!)

But I have had so many questions about it, I wanted to write one more article so that we could clarify things. We still have room–especially for leaders–because a number of wonderful women have taken out applications, but not so many have filled them out and sent them back in! I know this is a very busy month–May is almost as busy as December.

But the problem is that we have had requests from other moms, who don’t want to be leaders just yet, but who want to come to the leader’s intensive just to learn and be a part of the teaching. So, we are going to give all of you who are interested in the training to perhaps be involved in ministry, a few extra days to get that application turned in, and then we will open it up to the other moms that have been asking about it!

I think we will have a wonderful time and I look so forward to personally being able to welcome you into my home!

“You must come home with me and be my guest; You will give joy to me, and I will do All that is in my power to honor you.”

Percy Shelley

So, I am including our newsletter we just sent to those signed up on our ministry letter list, and hope it answers some questions you have written to me to ask! Blessings tonight.

A Special Letter about the Mom Heart Leader Intensive Training, August 5-8

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

–Matthew 18:20 NASB

Yesterday, I met with eight dear friends who are helping me to plan, organize, and host the Mom Heart Leader Intensive Training here in my home, August 5-8. The verse above came to my mind as I looked around at the seasoned Christian women gathered at my table. As we discussed and prayed, there was a growing excitement and conviction that God is in our midst, and that his hand is on this Leader Intensive Training. I thought to myself how influential these women, who all walk with and serve God, will be in the lives of women who attend the event.

As a result of the meeting, we are changing the cost and the registration procedures. I’ll explain that in a moment, but first let me tell you more about the growing team of speakers and their messages, and what the days of the Intensive will be like.

SPEAKERS

Sally Clarkson–I will share messages about the biblical foundations of the home, principles of discipleship and spiritual influence, and how to become an effective speaker and teacher. I will be training the attendees not just how to be someone who can pass on a godly legacy, but also how to train others to do the same.

Clay Clarkson–Clay will offer messages about biblical discipline and children training (a common issue for young mothers), and about effective writing and self-editing. He will also lead worship for the event.

Sarah Clarkson–Sarah will talk about how to keep your heart “thoroughly alive” to the goodness, truth, and beauty of God. She will also offer her insight on the power of books and stories, how to use them as a mother, and how to build a great library.

Phyllis Stanley–Phyllis, wife of Paul (below), will share messages about cultivating a deeper walk with God, being faithful in life and ministry even through the difficult seasons of life, and using your home for ministry.

Paul Stanley–Paul, Director of the Leader Development Network for The Navigators, will speak about servant leadership in life and ministry.

Zan Tyler–Zan, acquisitions editor for Apologia Press and longtime speaker and activist, will speak on how to become a great speaker and teacher.

Chris Sigfrids (tentative)–Chris, the Online Marketing Manager for WaterBrook Multnomah (Random House), will speak on the power and influence of the Internet, and how to use it to connect with and impact others.

Surprise Guests–We are still talking with other speakers who would bring messages on keeping your priorities at home, walking with God in difficult times, and other practical issues of having a personal ministry to mothers.

SCHEDULE

Evenings–Each evening, we will meet in my home for dinner and fellowship. I will have a friend share one evening about the Pre-Raphaelite artists and their impact on history, and another friend who will share the next evening about the spiritual lives of great composers. Our evening will include sharing of personal stories and testimonies, and of writing by the group.

Days–Each day, we will meet in the lovely home of my friend Deb Weakly for the main event messages. We’ll all enjoy a home-cooked lunch together, and a tea time each afternoon. I will also show how I make my bread and cinnamon rolls and we will sample!

Housing–Housing is included in the registration. All of the women will stay in a new hotel near our home (sharing a double room). Breakfast is included with the room. For anyone without a car, we will provide all needed transportation.

Q&A

Q: Why is there a $10.00 application fee?
A: We will remove the application fee, and refund those who have already paid. The original purpose of the fee was simply to make sure those who applied were serious about leader training for Mom Heart Ministry since registration at the Intensive is limited to thirty women.

Q: May I attend for personal encouragement, even if I’m not ready for leadership at this time?
A: Yes. Registration will be open to anyone beginning Friday, May 7. Because of the personal nature of the Intensive, those interested only in attending will still need to submit a completed “Attender” form as part of the registration process. Those interested in being considered for Mom Heart Leader Training will need to submit a completed “Leader” application. Upon submission, you will be eligible to register for the Intensive one week earlier beginning Friday, April 30. If you’re not ready now, but feel God might call you to involvement later, we would encourage you to go ahead and complete and submit a “Leader” application. Our response to your application will not affect your eligibility to register at the earlier date.

Q: Why is the application so detailed?
A: Those who become Mom Heart Leaders will represent us and Mom Heart Ministry. It is important that they share our beliefs, values, and philosophy of ministry. If you are interested in being a partner with us in ministry through speaking, writing, or blogging, the application is just a simple way for us to get to know you. It’s just a first step, but it’s a necessary one.

Q: What is the cost of registration for the event?
A: After much discussion and prayer, we have decided to lower the registration fee to $400.00. To compensate, we will seek out sponsors for the Intensive. We will also need to seek out sponsors to help subsidize the cost for women in other countries who have expressed an interest in attending the Intensive. We have had serious inquiries from China, Korea, Holland, New Zealand, and Australia. If you would like to help, or know someone who could, please let us know. Funds donated for scholarships would be tax deductible.

>>> <<<

For more information about the Mom Heart Leader Intensive Training, visit the Our Events page on our website. We will be updating the information on that page soon, so keep checking back. Click here to go there now. You can also email Jennice with questions, or call us at 888-488-4466 888-488-4466 .

I hope you can come. We’re expecting Christ to be in our midst as we gather together in his name.

In His Heart,

Sally

PS For those of you overseas who are hoping to come, please feel free to write us with your questions.

Filed Under: Beauty, Conferences, Home, Homemaking, Hospitality, Ministry, Relationships

The Danger of Guilt……

March 2, 2010 by Sally 3 Comments

We all have fragile points. One of mine is that I struggle, especially when I am tired and worn, with a feeling of guilt. “I should be more mature by this time. I can’t believe I did this or that again.”

And then I let the cloud of feelings determine how I feel that God feels about me. It is one of the areas of joy that I am learning about over the last few years–that of remaining in God’s great love and celebrating His forgiveness and provision for me every day, every moment–living there and not allowing Satan to diminish His gift of redemption in my life.

I read a great article this morning that I thought spoke to this issue very well. My friend Lynn subscribed me to this as something that comes into my in box every day–you might enjoy this, too.

Find this great article

Off to a day of my Tuesday morning Bible study, and my monthly Tuesday night monthly group in my home–what a group of welcome friends to come home to in order to get back into normal life. I love being home. The suitcases will have to wait for a few days. I have lift to live today.

Filed Under: Home, Hospitality, Trust in God

Home–a sanctuary for celebrating the life of Christ

December 21, 2009 by Sally 2 Comments

As we began the events that took place in our home this Christmas, stories began to emerge with every person who was here–a woman whose brother attempted suicide the night before; a single mom whose husband abused her daughter and she had to leave the state in which she lived to protect her daughter; an exhausted mom who hadn’t slept in months because of her 3 babies under 5; a young teen who had been rejected by her parents and closed out of her home but who kept walking around our home saying, “It is so peaceful here,” amidst the noise and conversation and getting food on the table; a woman who was just tired and exhausted and felt forgotten, a woman whose husband had cancer; two women who were vibrant and filled with hope and encouragement who prayed and encouraged those who needed an extra measure of love. And the stories go on.Jesus sees each of these precious ones and He sees you and cares for you and your concerns. Jesus came into the world because the people of the world desperately needed hope, comfort, forgiveness, wisdom, love. He was humble and meek–in other words, he came to slip right into the mundane, the normal people for whom He came. When he looked out to the multitudes, like those in my home, he felt compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9

He was a servant-king, he washed feet, held and blessed children, loved the downcast–the lepers, the prostitute; the poor; the sick, served meals, washed feet. He was a “man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” as we read in Isaiah.This was His message, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, And the vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3

Interestingly, when Jesus came to open his ministry in the temple, it is this very passage that He read. He was on a mission–he was here to heal, to save, to encourage, to proclaim God. When we love Jesus, we will be overcome with His compassion. Our words will be full of power and life-giving and hope. No one will leave our home without having a sense of His hand of love, His voice of truth, His comfort, His strength and calling.

But our homes are the arena in which we can build the life of Christ, and in which the life of our home becomes a sanctuary for those who need to feel His life by being welcomed, to receive a “cup” of cold water– a home cooked meal, a focussed conversation, a healing touch. We celebrate the traditions of home, not because we want to be busier–no one needs that, but to make the life of Christ come alive, to show the beauty of God, to give our children an live picture of His beauty, His reality, His truth, His words and His outreaching love.

We still have this Christmas day to give Him our responsive gift of love–to serve and love and comfort and reflect His spirit alive to all who are in our arena–first our family and then those whom He has providentially placed there.

Homes are the foundations for society. When the life of Christ flourishes there, then the life of Christ will flourish in our nations. But we cannot imitate His life, unless we ourselves are spending time in His presence. The older I get, the more I love Him, the more I admire Him and understand the heart of this servant king, who humbly lived His life to pour out for the benefit of others because the very essence of His being was to redeem, to give, to serve.

And, so this is the source of our strength in tirelessly giving and serving, Christ in us, Christ giving us His strength, power and resurrection life, lived out through rocking of children and listening to their starry eyed wishes and stories and giving grace to the unlovely in our lives, because we are unlovely–but accepted; the making of meals served in grateful appreciation to Him who is preparing a future feast for us; the giving of our love and gracious words generously because He has so given to us.

When we spend time in His presence, we fall in love with Him more, and then the love spills over to our children, our husband and our friends. Jesus himself said, “He who follows me, from His innermost being shall flow springs of living water.”His life, overflowing through us. Someone, many in your life today, need to feel this touch, these words of encouragement, this life, the actions that say, “The peace and grace of the Lord be with you–for He has given it to me and I, by His healing love, am so happy to give it to you.”

May His life fill and fuel your days as we celebrate this week the magnificent reality of His life in the sanctuary of our sacred homes.

Some of my own beloveds, with whom I am celebrating His reality.

Sarah, Gwen, my sister friend, and Joy

Filed Under: Friends, Holidays, Home, Hospitality, Joyful Life, Ministry, Relationships

The Lord is still in His heavens, ruling over all

November 26, 2009 by Sally 3 Comments

I love Thanksgiving! It is a time of family, resting, celebrating God’s goodness, feasting and reflecting on all that HE has done faithfully in our lives. After gigantic cinnamon rolls, and lounging in our pj’s, we will all take a few moments to make a list, personally, for all the things we are thankful for–then the Daddy will read whatever psalm or praise is on His heart and we will all spend time thanking and praising the Lord together.

Then comes the feasting. We have not had the privilege of having much family in our lives over the years, so we have spent some Thanksgivings alone. But, I am always so grateful when we can fill the house with friends, new and old, who also need a home for celebrating. This year, all of my children will be here except for Joel, who is being well fed at a friend’s house in Maine! (Thanks for taking care of my son!) Added to our family, a sweet family with three young children, missionaries with WYAM will join us, a man from church who has no family in town, and Nate’s friend and parents who will also be alone this year. So, I will have 14 at my table and we are truly going to celebrate and have a grand day together.

On our menu will be, turkey, of course, apple, pecan, onion bread dressing, celery, onion, cornbread sage dressing, sweet potato casserole, a congealed cranberry salad, fresh cranberry sauce, yellow squash and onion casserole, peas, green beans, lots of potatoes, and gravy, 4 dozen of my homemade rolls (great for leftover sandwiches), pumpkin chiffon pie, upside down gingerbread apple caramel cake, pumpkin cheesecake, pecan pie, and all with whip cream and ice cream to choose. And we always have a variety of sparkling juices. I think I will go do my 2 mile exercise video and sit ups to prepare for the time–or I might just take it as a day of rest.

(if you want a distracting activity for your children and you don’t use the neck or giblets, put them outside a window and the birds will make a feast of it and give a show all at the same time!)

In the old testament, feasts and celebration was commanded by God–he is a celebrating Father. May You all have a wonderful day with your precious ones. And may He bless Holy is the Lord. Of all my blessings, I am most grateful for my precious family and friends. I love you who God has brought into my life to be a visual picture of His hands, heart and love for me. May He bless you today in His abundant grace.

Sing for joy in the Lord, oh you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming to the upright. For the word of the Lord is upright,

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

Psalm 33: 1, 4

The past few mornings, I have awakened early in the wee hours of the morning. I get really sleepy about 9 or 10 and can’t hold my eyes open, but sometime during the 3 o’clock hour, I awaken and have difficulty going back to sleep. I have learned not to panic about lack of sleep over the years, having had 3 asthmatics and lots of other non-sleeping issues in our home. Usually I just look at this time as a time to pray or write or read my Bible and other spiritual books.

Myriads of details are on my plate right now–Nathan needing a job in California; Joel’s scholarship issues; Sarah’s book and possible pending move; Joy’s schooling and final years with me; ministry conferences and all that is there; book proposals; 14 people for lunch today; supporting Clay in his work and multitudinous responsibilities and pressures;Christmas, Bible studies and celebrations and book parties in my home; sad circumstances of friends; the future; etc. etc.

And yet, God is above and over all of these things. His work is done in faithfulness. God is good and He is good to me. And He will always be good. As I turned my heart to praise Him this morning in the dark hours of the early morning, my heart was deeply touched and so deeply grateful for His sustaining and loving presence.

Verse after verse flooded my heart. He deserves all of our worship and thanksgiving. He is working in and through all of us in this moment in history. He is bringing us closer to the time when He will cast satan away and rule as our righteous judge forever. He is preparing a place for us. He has promised never to leave us. He works all things together for His good to those who are called to Him.He loves us with an everlasting love. He hears our prayers and He even prays for us. He is with us, always, everywhere.

There are no details of my life that He is not over and in which He cannot help. Mine isn’t to figure out all of the answers to my families’ needs. Mine is to rest in Him; to adore Him as a child who cuddles against its mother. To sing to Him the songs and peace of my heart because I am in worthy hands.

As I ponder so many of these truths, I see His wonderful faithfulness through all the other busy years, so that I can say with David, “I have been young and I have been old and I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or their seed begging for bread.” Even when I didn’t know how things would turn out, He was at work, in faithfulness and love.

May we all bring a smile to God’s face today, because of the appreciation in our hearts and on our lips and in our deeds for His faithfulness, righteousness, generosity and love. May God be praised in our land today and in our homes.

I pray you have the happiest of Thanksgivings.

Filed Under: Beauty, Family, Food, Holidays, Hospitality, Joyful Life, Our Family, Ponderings, Table Settings

Beauty–created by God for his glory

June 20, 2009 by Sally 3 Comments

A couple of weeks ago, Sarah spoke at a tea in our home about beauty. Beauty is one of the attributes that we see in creation. There is something in God’s very nature that must express itself in beauty. We have noticed over the years, that often, when a culture adopts a godless philosophy, like communism and socialism, the beauty begins to disappear from the culture of the people. Buildings and furniture and art become either more utilitarian or abstract. However, beauty is one of those attributes of God’s world that hushes us in quiet admiration. Just the other day, when we went out walking, there was the largest, double rainbow in the sky than I had ever seen. We had to stop and marvel and call Clay on the phone to be sure he had a chance to see it.

We have had 45-55 degree weather here in Colorado lately and rain most days. Consequently we know why this state was named Colorado–the dark blues of the sky and the greens of the trees and grass and a proliferation of wild flowers are evident of a very colorful artist who designed this colorful state.

Back to the tea–We had mother’s and daughters and had lots of fun together. Each person had to bring something that they thought was beautiful and tell a story about it. (One of the great stories was a beautiful stitchery that had been framed that one of the mom’s husbands had made for her when they were in high school. Then they each had a quotation about beauty under their luncheon plate that Sarah had cut out.

Finally, she read a beautiful passage from The Secret Garden. When Colin, the crippled boy from birth, is wheeled into the Secret garden that his two friends have been working on, he marvels, breathlessly at the beauty of the garden, the roses, the robin, all the vibrant colors–and he says, “I know that now I can get well because of what I have beheld.” She then talked to the girls and moms about the intrinsic beauty that God had placed in their souls–to reflect Him in their lives, the way they live, the way they serve, the way they dress–and a reminder that when we subdue and create an atmosphere of beauty and creativity in our homes, we were giving one more testimony of His reality in our lives. The end was even better than the first, because she had made a lemon cake with raspberry filling. She also gave each daughter present a real pearl necklace on a ribbon. Jesus, the author of beauty, was considered the pearl of great price–the only one worth giving up everything for, in order to have it! Joy was the trusty servant!

And so a great memory was made by gathering people and celebrating life.

What fun I had speaking in Denver this week and being with so many new and old friends. Especially grateful I am to two friends, Deb and Jerrine, who went with me, prayed with me, whisked me away to tea for a quick lunch–which included scones and yorkshire gold tea! and were just the pals I needed.

Now I look forward to Father’s day, cinnamon roll breakfast, church, salmon lunch with basil potatoes and homemade rolls and then off to the airport. California here I come. Looking so forward to it! I would appreciate your prayers as I attempt, with a generous talented friend, to make a new Bible study video set for each chapter of Seasons and for Mission, also will see lots of great California friends, speak 5 times and need health and strength and just the right words–and of course I can’t wait to be with a couple of bosom friends who I will share girl time with and tell secrets and have fun. There is nothing like an old friend who knows you and still loves you and gets you as you are. Cheerio.

Filed Under: Beauty, Classics, Family Favorites, Food, Home, Homemaking, Hospitality, Joyful Life, Our Family, Reading, Table Settings, Tea

The Legacy of Motherhood

May 8, 2009 by Sally 6 Comments

Mom with her new Chinese Pashmina and me–her only daughter!

I have been thinking a lot lately about leaving legacies.
What are my children going to remember? How are they going to be different
because of their life in my home? What skills have I developed that give them
foundations of confidence?

I am just now flying on a plane to Dallas to visit my own
mom in Canton who is 86. I wanted to spend a couple of days with her over the
Mother’s Day weekend because I don’t get to see her very often any more and
because I so appreciate the legacy she left me.

When my father, who worked with IBM, met my mom, she was a
systems engineer with IBM. She was a new generation feminist who had a job and
was working and making her own way. But when my father proposed to her, he
said, “One of my requests, if we get married, is that you stay at home and are
available every day for our children, so they can have your influence on their
lives.” What that meant for my mom, was to pick us up from school, to be
available to us, and to build a good home base.

My mom didn’t understand the whole concept of passing on
righteousness to the next generation, or discipling her children, but she was
committed to making our home a place of beauty, love, traditions and where
marriage was foundational to our family’s unity.

When I was a teenager, I remember that my mom would rush
about the house every day around 5 pm and she would say, “Quick, you kids help
me straighten up the living room and kitchen. And then she would light a candle
and put on music. Next she would cut some cheese and place on crackers or put
out some small snack. Then the finale was painting her lips with the ruby red
lipstick I so well remember.

One day, I asked my mom, “Why do you do this every day and
go to so much trouble around this time.?”

She said, “I want your father to come home to a wonderful
environment—that home would always be the best place to be. You see, your daddy
is surrounded by beautiful secretaries every day, who are paid to meet his
needs. So, I want him to feel that it is even better to come home, because
someone he loves has given effort to meet his needs and to give him extra
reason to be faithful.”

My mom was also a lot of fun. One day, on my birthday, I
awakened to a pathway of pennies outside my door. I followed them through the
house and it led to a pile of birthday presents—even the smallest present from
the dollar store, was wrapped in fun paper. Also, on the breakfast table was a
cinnamon roll (the Pillsbury kind) and orange juice and a little card that
said, “Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter.”

I don’t remember the presents I received that year, but I do
remember that my mom went to great lengths to create fun.

We did not read scripture often at our home, but we did go
to church regularly where my dad was an elder. I remember that there were 3
verses that were my mother’s favorites. I don’t even remember why I know them,
but she must have repeated them often enough for them to stick. “I can do all
things through Christ who gives me strength.” “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
not want.” “If God is with me, who can be against me.”

My mom and dad were gifted at hospitality. We had people in
our home for meals every week if not several times a week. They also used to
have big dinner parties—for between 50 and 100 people. As children, we were
expected to help. We would help clean house, cook food, mow lawns and put out
flowers and candles and decorate the house. Then, we were expected to answer
the door, greet their friends by looking into their eyes and welcoming them. We
would also be given trays of food to take around offering people a treat or
drink of some kind. It was a part of our training—to make all of us comfortable
with talking to adults, serving people in our home and engaging in
conversation. It prepared us to be comfortable with paupers or kings. It also
gave me a heart for hospitality—it was second nature after all the years of
opening our home.

When I would come home from college, my mom would have notes
all over the house—at the front door, in the kitchen, on my bedroom door and on
my bed, “Welcome Home, Sally!” and “Yeah, Sally is home!” There would always be
some of my favorite food in the kitchen—homemade chocolate chip cookies, and
all sorts of other goodies. I always
felt loved and welcomed and couldn’t wait to get home.

My mother modeled to me that mothering and building a family
was hard work and it took place every day. But it shaped me in such a way, that
it prepared me to be responsive in my heart, when the Holy Spirit stirred, to
see motherhood as a calling—a Biblical design from the mind of God, for passing
on righteousness to every generation. My mother’s hard work prepared me to be
able to have a ministry to other moms because she was faithful with what she
knew to do. Her love and commitment and personality was such a wind of life to
my soul.

So on this Mother’s Day, I honor my sweet mom, Wanda Bone,
for serving the Lord by serving me, and my brothers! And she didn’t even know
she was setting me up for my life’s work.

Happy Mother’s Day, to all of you who work so diligently in
the big and small details in life.
Just as my mother, you are just as surely building a legacy of memories,
love and values in the hearts and minds of your children. You may not even know
what miracles are taking place in your home or how you are preparing your child
for a great purpose—but God will take the fish and loaves you offer to Him as
worship—and multiply your work into a miracle that will truly influence the
whole world as you send your wholehearted children into the world from your
laboratory of life. Grace and peace from our Lord Jesus to you!

PS Thanks to Mill Creek Ranch Resort for letting me use their internet to upload this article!:)

Filed Under: Family, Food, Holidays, Home, Homemaking, Hospitality, Marriage, Mothering, Our Family

A light in the darkness

March 30, 2009 by Sally 16 Comments

“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

This quote is the way Joy began her history report about Eleanor Roosevelt. Seems Mrs. Roosevelt had much in life to get down about. Her parents expected a boy, she was a disappointment from the very beginning. Her mother told her she was homely, and she died when Eleanor was just eight. Her father was an alcoholic and died when she was 9. She married FDR and he was disloyal to her and had an affair off and on throughout her marriage. There were other issues, too, but this amazing women decided that it was up to her to take hold of life and conquer all of her sadnesses. She left a legacy as one of the most hard-working presidential wives and began and developed many wonderful community service and organizations that helped many unfortunate people. She was beloved by many.

Her life has been captivating to Joy. She has talked and talked about her over the past days. “I really want to be like her, Mom. She could have been a victim, but she chose to rise above her circumstances and do great things.”

I have to agree with Joy. This whole issue of depression and discouragement is rampant in our culture today. Many people are sad and overwhelmed about finances, divorce, immorality, broken relationships, loneliness, illness, contention, and so many other things. We have had quite a bit of disappointment in our lives, but some of it I may never be able to write about out of loyalty. Yet, in the midst of a mission trip a few years ago, after having been in 4 countries, working with so many wonderful leaders and missionaries, I was struck with how many were depressed and disappointed with life. I realized that it would be very easy for most of us to be disillusioned in a fallen world. The issues each person was struggling with were so similar to the ones I so often heard about at home: difficulty in marriage; less than perfect children and the baggage that goes with rebellious children; finances, loneliness and all the things I mentioned above. As I sat pondering this on a park bench, I realized that my own life was filled similarly with disappointments, but that I did not want to be sad all my life!

As I have studied scripture, it is very clear that there is a way to find joy in life and move from the darkness of depression to the light of Christ. He Himself said, “I am the way, the truth and the light.” He is the way–not just to God and to redemption, but also He points the way to live on this path of life. He is also with me on the way. His life showed me secrets to follow to maintain my own joy and to move toward contentment.

1. Don’t let the nay-sayers get you down. There are plenty of people around who are immature and are readily available to criticize, say hurtful things, reject us and argue with us or let us down. I call these people nay-sayers or Job’s friends. The nay sayers want to disagree with you, your ideals, your spirituality, your personality and so on. Job’s friends are those who smugly sit by feeling free to say hurtful things or offer critical opinions in their Pharisee robes. Though it is certainly ok to be saddened by people who hurt us, we don’t have to take on their criticism or hurt. I have some irrational people in my life who will be there forever! But even if they become angry or hurtful, I don’t have to let their words or behavior enter into my life or allow it to determine how I feel about myself. But I can trust in the one who will always love me to build me up, to affirm me and to comfort me. Jesus did this.”While being reviled, he did not revile in return but kept trusting Himself to God who judges righteously.”

The other thing is, don’t live by guilt–so you blow it once in a while or sometimes often, accept God’s forgiveness and move on–wallowing in self-condemnation only leads to more depression. You are forgiven–live in His forgiveness and don’t rehearse your problems over and over again in your mind. Take your thoughts captive and put them in jail, never to bother you again.

He just trusted God. He put the situation in God’s hands (I picture it as God’s files) and then closed the drawer for God to deal with in His time. I have a choice about whether I will be bitter and mean spirited back to those who hurt me or to be a peace maker and just to practice “love is patient, love is kind,” and so on. If it is true that what we sow we will reap, then if we practice love and peace-making and sow seeds of kindness and grace, we will certainly become more kind and gracious and our souls will be filled with satisfaction.

Does this mean that the mean people will go away? No, there will be sad times ahead, but I don’t have to be a victim–or take it in.

2. Learn every day in every circumstance. I observed a very difficult relationship problem this week and the sadness of it deepened my compassion for those who are lost and hurting. it even made me rethink some messages I was working on for an upcoming mission trip. My message will now be much more filled with grace, comfort and love because of the lessons I learned in my own circumstances. I had a choice–to let the hurt overwhelm me or to say, “What can I learn? How can I move forward in graciousness and be sure that I never do this to anyone? What does a person who has been hurt like this need? How can I pass on this kind of love and comfort in my messages? God’s hand can deepen our hearts and love–He can turn things out for the good–when I walk the road with Him as my counselor.

3. Figure out just what is bothering you and resolve how to get rid of as much of the stress that you can. I met a young mom last week who was very down and crying. She was very hard on herself and felt like a failure as a mom and was quite discouraged with her children. I asked how old her children were and she said, 7, 5 and 6 months. Then I asked her if she had gotten a full night of sleep lately. Immediately her tears began to fall and she said, “No, and I feel like this season will never end.”

We arranged for a friend to keep her precious children for an overnight, and this mom had time alone and time to sleep 9 hours, and by the time I saw her again, she was a different person. “I though I wasn’t going to make it, but you can’t imagine how much better I feel about life and I even missed my children.”

Sometimes it just takes sleep to feel better. Sometimes, it is the messes or the relentless of it all. It is at these points that sometimes, I have stopped all activities for a couple of days and just spent time getting everything back together. I hired someone to help me put my house back in order again and then I felt immediately better.

Other times, I have made a fun plan–to make time to do some things that I knew would fill up my emotional cup–as well as put things into my schedule that would be something to look forward to. Years ago, in the spring, I would always plan a fun trip for me and the kids and some other friends. This is the time of year I would become weary of the relentless work and Clay had to work long hours, so I would plan a short or long history trip out of town with a friend and it gave us a break from mundane life, and we all became better friends and my children and I have a great diversion from the mundanity of life.

4. Of course, pray and spend time with the Lord. We are indeed needy people in a fallen world, and yet we have the profound privilege of coming into the presence of God with hope, because He listens to prayers and because He listens and answers us even as we would answer our own children. Learning to persevere in prayer and wait for God has been a lesson He has been teaching me for a long time. Often the very things I was worried about, over time, changed and showed me that He was working all along. Even as a toddler, who is exhausted, still doesn’t want to take a nap, and yet a kind parent will see that he gets a nap, even against His permission, so God, who knows what is best for us, will put up with our tantrums and put us down for a nap against our will, because He knows what is best for us. So the sooner we learn to submit to His plan, the more easily we will find contentment and joy.

5. Read, read, read. C.S. Lewis said that we read to know we are not alone. My favorite authors became my friends. Just reading about their lives and stories fed my soul and showed me how to live my life. In the absence of having older women or grandmas in my life, my books became my friends and fellowship–especially throughout the 17 moves, I needed a friend and so my books became my friends and fellowship and shaped my life.

6.Organize relationships in life so that you can be blessed. I have had to start many groups and Bible studies and kids groups in my home. But when we initiate or organize a way for friends to meet, we find that we are blessed in the midst of it. I have started book clubs (where you read a book and then get together for dinner and discuss it); once a month dinners for several families, prayer groups for myself with a few close friends; taking turns to host all the families at a home; started Bible studies for the girls and their moms and the boys and their dads (Clay did that); tea parties, picnics, meet at park days, Christmas parties and so on.

Some of these attempts fizzle, but some end up blessing me and our children.We had a spontaneous meal with a friend the other night and we all had so much fun and felt so loved in the midst, and I just ran into her at the grocery store. It was worth the trouble to get together. Often when we are too busy, we don’t take time for this and eventually we become lonely.

Often just the reaching out to others or opening my home, brings more friends my way and in the long term meets my needs. I also plan things that I know I will enjoy into my schedule–Saturday morning breakfasts downtown with Sarah and a long walk by all the old, mansions, hot chocolate with Joy; breakfasts with my boys, alone dinners at home with Clay when I feel like I miss him–I sent the others out for a trip to a book store/coffee shop and I light candles and have a simpler dinner all alone–without anyone bothering our conversation.

I also save each year for travel by putting away 10-15 dollars a month–because for me to get away from home and dishes and internet and phone calls is always a great break and rest for my adhd, restless soul–and of course I keep chocolate hidden to have as a treat on a needed day and always have tea in a real china cup with candles lit and civility–even if just for 15 minutes. When I organize life with delight, I often find I end up with a happier soul and fun and make friends in the midst. All the leaders I have ever known have said that they always have to initiate more to people and people don’t always reciprocate, but I would rather have the opportunity to have friends and fellowship, even if I have to do the work, than to always be by myself.

Most of all, though, I remember, intentionally, over and over again, that God, my precious Father, loves me and wants me to experience His joy. I have resolved to look for His love and to receive His love by faith, even when I don’t feel like it. He dearly loves each one of you precious moms, too, and wants to lead you away from darkness or sadness and move you to joy and peace. So, may His warm hand grasp yours in the midst of your darkness and may He lead you to a way to light a candle in the darkness so that you can see His face and be assured of His tender companionship in the midst of it all.

Filed Under: Hospitality, Joyful Life, Mothering, Ponderings, Reading, Relationships

Community inspires life

December 1, 2008 by Sally 7 Comments

I awakened to this when I opened my eyes!

I received such sweet letters and emails the past week as many of you shared about your hearts that were lonely. I wrote my article last week, because I have felt it myself –having moved 17 times in our marriage and know what it is like to long for a friend who understands you, prays with you, and also to have your children have such friends. There is a Biblical need and longing for community. Yet, in our day, community is not local as it used to be. It has to be intentionally built and cultivated.

In our days of faith-challenging changes of moral foundations and volatile uncertainties, in an era of confusion when biblical motherhood is often disdained or dismissed as irrelevant or unimportant in a post-modern culture, we are ripe for a movement of the Holy Spirit. There is need for an intentional movement of godly women to hold forth the ideals, to inspire confidence, strength, faith and good works and in the midst, to develop deep friendships–as I believe that God created women to be the wisdom bringers, gate-keepers and civilizers of culture through relationship.

I have a wonderful friend who is such a joy to me. She is 68, and yet her desire for bringing life and beauty and love to women so burns in her heart that she is almost always alive, energetic and engaged whenever I see her. She has made her home a haven, so that just to be inside her rooms is a pleasure. Soothing colors on her walls, pictures, small relics and treasures through out her home that bespeaks of the many places she has lived and traveled, her love of the Lord, her value for family. And always a candle lit, soft music playing, and a pot of fresh tea ready in case someone might want to come by for a few minutes of fellowship. There is a lovely little room in her basement, just ready for someone who needs to get away–two single beds waiting for the next guest.

Every year for the past 15 years, she opens her home to young moms once a week. Her “cupa” is shared, sweet fellowship for the first few minutes, prayer is offered, scripture is opened and taught and discussed as the Basic tenets of the Biblical design of women and mothers is studied and discussed. Literally hundreds of women have passed through her doors in these studies, including me. Each week, women leave with hope, conviction, ideas, love and renewed and refreshed spirits.

Where there are real relationships and real love and heartfelt devotion to the Lord, life takes place. God built us for relationship. God built us for love and friendship and intimacy–the desire to be known and still loved. When we as women experience this kind of relationship and warmth, our whole demeanor is different, our emotional and spiritual cups are filled and we become better at everything–walking with God, loving our children and husbands, bringing beauty in our homes and in reaching out with God’s grace to others. It is what we were designed to do.

One of the reasons I have come to disdain television is that it replicates real life–but it is not real life–there are virtual friends, virtual stories, entertainment is sought to fill the cavernous holes and vacuums in the soul–but it replaces real relationships, real love, real ministry, real service and only placates and dulls the soul. Television replaces visiting and sharing friendship, book discussions, creativity–cooking, painting, sewing, writing letters, articles and books, reading aloud, playing games, having groups and families in the home and so we live an isolated existence. Consequently, Christians have not had an impact on culture–but media has. It has defined the moral values and character of this current generation. But it has not satisfied their souls. Real, hand to hand, voice to voice friendship and intimacy is what is longed for–hoped for.

That is why we must figure out a way in the midst of our busy-ness to recreate community and fellowship. We need to connect heart strings from one to the other–and have a helping hand for each other in the midst of our burdens and our joys. I do see an amazing thing taking place amongst many beautiful blogs and websites where women are connected to each other. I applaud the talented women who do such a great job at bringing these loving messages and beauty to each other all over the world. At this time in history, we are able to connect to women all over the world in a moment’s time, to love and encourage.

Yet, we all need to know that there is someone nearby who is real, to touch, talk to, cry with–to know. Yet, I have learned that often, if this kind of fellowship was going to happen, I would need to be the one who would initiate it. God was an initiator–he came to give, he healed and blessed and taught and sacrificed. It was what we were also made to do. I travel so much that I cannot always do as much locally as I would like, but I have come to really appreciate the encouragement I receive when I open my home from so many sweet, like-minded women.

The first Tuesday evenings of each month is something I look forward to with growing excitement each month. About 35-40 women gather in my home and we meet over snacks, fellowship, the word and prayer.This is our third year running. This month, we will all bring our favorite Christmas appetizers or deserts and a favorite mug or tea cup. Christmas traditions will be shared and a devotion about the beauty of the soul and faith of Mary will be given, as together we reflect on the strategic role a mother played in the life of Christ.

Later in the week, I will have a luncheon for a sweet group of women who will help me with the Mom’s conference here in Colorado Springs. Just meeting for lunch and working on a ministry project together will bring our hearts closer together. I will also have a Christmas tea for a few friends and some friends of my daughters as it is an anchor each year in our lives for the past 15 years. We will have a Christmas open house and invite people we know and people we don’t know very well into our home for snacks and goodies, and to get to know some better. There are a couple of more dinners and pot lucks that my children have asked us to have for their various groups.

This will mean much more work for all of us, more cleaning, more cooking, more food shopping and preparation and more giving of all of us. And the goal this year is to do it on a strict budget–but I have found that others don’t mind throwing their own snack or salad into the mix. This in the midst of the deadline of my book, my boys coming home for Christmas (yeah!!!!); ministry meetings for Clay and me and out of town company, and so I take a deep breath, knowing it will be quite busy. Not to mention the family Christmas traditions.

Yet, it is a commitment we have made–it is work we have decided ahead of time to embrace as a defense against the isolation and separation–the thing Satan would love to accomplish–the isolation and separation of people from loving and connecting and serving one another.

I think that when women have this kind of fellowship, they will hold to ideals, grow stronger, and continue to cultivate vision. Spiritual fellowship is essential to spiritual growth and hope. This is why Clay and I started our Mom’s conferences many years ago–to give moms a chance to be in a room full of hundreds of others who celebrate these ideals. This is why I write my books, based on Biblical principles, with Bible study questions at the ends of each chapter, so that moms will gather in their own homes and do the same thing–experience that amazing fellowship and life that takes place when women take time to open their hearts together. It is why so many of you open your homes and teach small groups in your churches.

It is not about being a great teacher or hostess, but about having a heart to encourage. Anyone can light a candle, invite moms over and open the word of God over a chapter of a book. Then, somehow, the Lord take over and friendship and fellowship grows. I know of so many moms who say, “I can’t add another thing to my already over-burdened life. Yet, I really believe that most women cannot afford not to reach out as it is a life-line to encouragement and hope. It also brings life, love and hope to a family.

Sometimes my house is clean and ready, and sometimes people have to come into my little piles–sometimes there is china and real food and sometimes there are paper plates and pizza. But my goal is love and friendship, not to be Martha Stewart. Some seasons, especially with small children, just a little group was all I could muster–especially during those ear-infected, asthma years–but we still made some attempts every year as a foundational commitment. Some seasons, I have been weary, wondering if anyone would every recipricate–but now, I have grown in this area, slowly, knowing that whether anyone recipricates is not the goal–just having that environment where life is and love is helps my soul.

This is where my passion has grown to start the Mom Heart Ministry–to establish spiritual groups of women all over the world who can stand strong together. To train leaders to start groups and supervise and encourage the moms who will also lead.To write devotional resources so that moms can have guidance in knowing how to study the Bible, a website that is geared to this spiritual fellowship and helps and messages and God’s design and help.

I do look so forward to seeing what God will do at our Mom Heart meetings before our conferences this year and at our conferences. I hope that there will continue to be an army of women, committed to the well being of their children’s spiritual life, education and training; marriages repaired, husbands love and supported, homes a place of life and beauty and grace. What a privilege to be a part of what God designed us to be and to know that by our faithfulness in this, we are going to see history changed as we live out what we are designed to do. I look so forward to seeing many of you there. But for those who can’t come, know that our desire is to have a place for you to come hear the messages and to be encouraged with your own friends right where you are in your own homes, as we seek ways to make our conferences and materials available to your groups right where you are. (Of course it will only happen at a snail’s pace if Clay and I have to get it all going in the midst of what is already on our plate–but we are counting on the Lord raising up a team of women–writers, administrators, web whizzes, and prayer warriors who will by God’s grace be a part of what we think He is already doing!)

So, in the midst of the many activities this month, make time for fellowship, love, friendship and prayer together. When you model this to your children, they will become lovers of people instead of lovers of things; they will perceive themselves as people who have something to give and serve because they have had to do so in your home. They will learn to have compassion on the downhearted and lost because you made your home a place of refuge for all who would come there. These are the essential things that will fill their souls and satisfy their hearts. They, like us, were made for love and purpose not toys and things and entertainment. They were made to be a part of something bigger than themselves–they learn it by you being involved in others’ lives and in your giving of yourselves as a family.

It doesn’t have to start with something big. I could only do one activity a month when my children were little. But God grew my capacity over the years. He stretched me, he trained me, showed me how to be more efficient. Maybe when I grow up a little more, I will do it all better and give more easily. But it has become such an area of passion for me–to see the connection of real hearts to each other–real support–real friendships even as Jesus shared with His disciples.
Have a wonderful week and gather with at least one person or family and celebrate friendship. I prayed for all of you this morning.Peace.

Sally
Sally@wholeheart.org

Whole Heart Ministries

PS Be sure to connect to the conference links above at the top right column. Today we will be picking the November winners for the $50 coupon. If you advertise the conferences in December, you will also be entered into the drawing for 2 more $50 coupons to be applied to a conference, book tables or the book store. (Write to Jennice@wholeheart.org if you put an announcement on an email list, facebook, blog or other list!) We want to reach as many sweet moms as possible with the encouragement of our speakers and great fellowship! Thanks for your help.