Hey, Siestas! How are my favorite bloggers doing?? I don’t get to really tarry right now on the blog because I am officially one month out from my Esther manuscript coming due (you won’t waste a prayer on me) and I’ll need every second of it. When I sign a contract, my schedule is nothing but a well planned theory. It never takes into account that sometimes over the course of a project Dad’s die, daughters get married, bodies get viruses, ministries need running (I praise You for the privilege, Lord!), husbands need tending, Christmas needs celebrating, dogs get cancer and might, if it’s a hard year, even need burying. Deep sigh. Anyway, you’ve heard enough about that so I’m not going to go there with you again. Just wanted you to know why some of my times on here have to be briefer right now. I always forget to take life into account when I plan my work schedule. Then again, I wouldn’t be much of a servant to you if I weren’t living life right along with you.
I just had to hop on and tell you something I thought was kinda fun. Yesterday Amanda stopped by the ministry with Jackson. He’s almost two and a half now and at the cutest age imaginable. I’d met AJ out in the parking lot because I love to surprise the boy by popping up at the window next to his car seat. He’s always so glad to see Bibby and makes such a big deal out of it. Man, I’m so drunk on the little guy I can hardly stand it. Anyway, after the half hour it took me to unlatch him from that gosh-awful carseat, we brought him in and he immediately owned the place. Of course he did. He gets to. What I found so delightfully endearing was that, no matter where he went (and he went practically everywhere in the building), he patted things in that particular office and confidently, possessively chirped, “Daddy’s work!” Mind you, Curtis has one office just like the rest of us and it is down on the first floor but to his son who thinks he is the END ALL, the whole building was Daddy’s work. Even Sabrina’s office was Daddy’s work and she directs the whole shebang.
I loved it. So did she.
I just wanted to remind you today that no matter where you go, you can freely pat everything in the room or everything in sight, for crying out loud, every single thing on God’s green earth, and say, “Daddy’s work.” Go right ahead. Be confident. Act possessive for His Name’s sake. Sound a little sassy when you say it because it’s the truth beneath all truths. It’s all Daddy’s work. He owns the place. For “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1. He not only owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He owns the thousand hills under the tails of the cattle.
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.'” (Is. 66:1) If it’s on Planet Earth, Darling Thing, it’s under His feet. Don’t sweat it so much. It’s Daddy’s work.
Tags: Jackson
Beth,
It is so great to be reminded of this. It’s all His ~~ to the Glory of His Name!!
Dawn
precious, precious, precious. thanks for the reminder. one i need to hear (and live out!).
also, thanks, beth for taking the time during this busy month!
Thank you, Beth! I’m still smiling!
…and not to mention the girl is going to be in ATLANTA this weekend…ME TOO…can hardly wait. My sister-in-love lives in Valdosta…she is coming up…I am coming down from Indianapolis…that was our Christmas present from my sweet husband and her darling big brother…see you in 3 days! HOORAY:)
Needed to hear that, Mama Siesta! Thanks for that good word!!!
That’s a beautiful thought, but His work in my life isn’t looking so pretty right now. My pastor really messed up all the positive I was thinking about my life and my future and my kids are not doing anything they’re told and they’re having a fit about being punished for it, so I can’t even think straight. Anybody want a 9 1/2 year old boy who loves baseball so you’ll have to watch a lot of ball games, a 7 1/2 year old girl who loves music and art, so she makes a big mess with art projects, and an almost 6 year-old. She’s adorable when she’s not screaming her head off and she refuses to clean up after herself. But if any of you want them I’m giving them away. In fact, I’ll pay you to take them. Whatever money I can scrape up, I’ll pay you. I’m kidding really. (I think.)
Thanks! I needed that today. In a world that is so full of gloom, wars, future anti-Christ president (HA), it’s always nice to get those reminders that God is in control of EVERYTHING because it’s His!!!
Amen sister.
Thank you…I needed that reminder.
Whew, am I experiencing “Daddy’s Work” in a powerful way right now! I am doing my homework in the 7th chapter of the Daniel study and oh my goodness it is overwhelming how Daddy set His Words on the pages of His Book for us to know Him deeply and know His plans!! He is knocking my stinkin’ socks off!!!
I am always impressed at how Daddy lays such a message on your heart, Beth, so that it is made more clear to those of us who study His Word through your Bible studies!!!
Thank ya, Daddy, thank ya,Beth!!
Man this stuff is rich!!!
and little Jackson, to have so much insight at such a young age!! He’s something!! 🙂
Thank-you Beth! It’s soooo good to hear from you. I got teary reading about the hills under the cattles tails. I don’t know why. I cry at commercials for heavens sake!
Melana in Wyoming
Thank-you Beth! It’s soooo good to hear from you. I got teary reading about the hills under the cattles tails. I don’t know why. I cry at commercials for heavens sake!
Melana in Wyoming
Thank you for the inspirational story & application. I needed that reminder. You are covered in prayer!!!!
EE-taow! IT’S TRUE! Kelly from Michigan
What a special reminder that even you and I are “Daddy’s work”. Out of the mouths of babes.
Kim
What a great illustration. I had never thought of things in quite that manner before. I knew it is all God work I just never put it all together that way. What a cute story about Jackson. Kim B. in AZ
That is so precious! You know some of life’s best lessons come from our babes. I’ve had such a great day with Abba that this is just the icing on the cake. I’m doing Living Beyond yourself this summer and day 1 of week 4 made me just stand right up and do a happy dance to the Lord. He loved it and so did I!! Thanks, Beth, for helping me know Him in a way I could never have imagined before I began doing your studies.
GOD BE PRAISED!!
Dana
Couldn’t you just eat your grandbabies alive? It’s such a precious age, and they really like to show how independent they are. And thank you Lord, for all Your work.
Winette
PS, looks like I’ll be getting the workbook soon as I got notice of the shipment. Yoohoo!
I think that is just the cutest thing….and I am praying for you sweet siesta Beth…
love you much
Delightful – needed encouragement.
Dearest Beth, you always minister to us! Please know we pray for you and for your strength. I do hope you can relax and feel the gift you release to us each day as you forward God’s divine words to us. My birthday is in June also and for some reason we June girls “I’m not talking astrology”- just have that summer feel to us. My sense is that as your students, we need to communciate how much joy and release we receive through your ministry and that we recognize that your “recharging” is your family and friends who surround you. Our desire is that you will have the opportunity to spend as much time as possible with them and refuel. Thanks dear sister in Christ and lots of blessings and love, an appreicative student “old girl” in Austin
Thank you Beth, I needed that encouragement today. Life is overwhelming at times and I needed to be reminded that God’s got it all.
As my very southern 97 yr old aunt used to say right in th middle of the preachers best sermon:
AIN’T THAT SO !!!!
((( he professed as he was speaking at her funeral that sometimes it would get on his nerves )))
I am absolutely ‘busting at the seams’ to hear you speak a some of “Daddy’s WORD” on Friday at Deeper Still! I just can not wait!
It is about the only thing that would make arranging childcare, packing, and driving all day through Hotlanta worth it! I bet Melissa is so excited, too!
I am praying for you!
You stay so busy that I know these times with your grandson are special. As a little kid I thought my father was invinceable – “bigger than life”. Just knowing that OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN is really invinceable – created life – is just a awesome thought!!!
Great analogy! God’s got his handprint on everything. Including that sweet little Mr. Jackson. I’ll be praying for you during this hectic time. I know you must need extra doses of wisdom, vision and time. I’m super pumped for Esther to come out. I can’t wait!
I love this! I seriously can’t believe God’s timing. We’re moving to LA this week, and I have been endlessly sorting, and donating HUGE amounts. It’s an uneasy feeling, letting go of some of those precious children’s clothes, toys with so many memories attached, lovely gifts we no longer need. Yet, you made me realize, they were never really ours in the first place–they were His–and they are still His–and He will place them where they need to be in His family. I feel SO relieved. I feel so grateful and humbled. Thanks for the perfectly-timed reminder. xo
Chris
That was so sweet – and, of course, a lesson too!!
Love you much, Mama Beth
And I’m so grateful to be able to call Him my “Daddy”! I’m reminded of His work every time I see Mt. Rainier. It takes my breath away! If any of you who live in Wa. haven’t been to Snoqualmie Falls this, whatever season we’re in, you should make the trip–it’s gorgeous after our very wet winter.
I can only imagine how wonderful it is to have Jackson in the same town with you! ‘bet he loves it, too!
I hope you have been staying cool, I spent last week in College Station & Houston and was reminded how HOT & HUMID it can be there!
Blessings,
Bobbie
That’s neat! I think I will go around tomorrow patting everything and saying “Daddy’s work”.
I’ll share a funny story if it’s o.k. I got a tick bite last week, no biggie I’ve had a million, but this one I had a severe reaction to.
The rx….antibiotics, anithistamines and soak in a chlorine pool! That’s the truth. The chlorine kills the bacteria in my pool so I guess it kills the bacteria in my bite as well.
Everyone remember that…if you get a bite head to the pool.
The Journey Continues ~
Beth you sweet thang ~ thank you for bringing your life to a movie book and photo for all of us siesta’s. I LOVE how you and your precious girls can make all of us feel as though we are experiencing your stories right along with you.
I arise every morning to pray clarity and compassion over you as you fulfill your gift that our Precious Savior has given you.
I want to share what happened to my 21 year old son this past weekend.
Our son, David was traveling home from Santa Barbara to visit us when he viewed a motorhome broken down on the side of the road. David pulled off on Highway 101 thinking he might “just help”. At that time he and another traveler (who had also stopped) noticed smoke and found that a young man age 16 was trapped inside. They kept yelling for the boy to open the stuck door. Apparently, the boys father was able to get out and was in shock while walking around when finally the door unlocked and as David and the other man opened it, found the 16 year old young man on the ground with black smoke inhalation and burned hands and flesh while pulling him out by his feet. David held the young mans head and the other man began to lay him on the side of the highway when David commented ” we should move him away from the motorhome” and while they were moving him, David shared that a very hot air was felt behind him and the motorhome exploded. They were far enough away from the flames.
The highway patrol said David did a great job. The young 16 year old was taken by ambulance.
When David arrived at our home, Our 21 year old became a true MAN in hearts.
Life is PRECIOUS so enjoy every single moment with Jackson, your girls, etc.
WE are all a day closer to meeting our SAVIOR!
With “Heaven Bound” Blessings,
Kim ~
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Amen!
Oh the lessons we learn from our little ones…
Amen Siesta! I love how the words of a child contain such wisdom! Thanks for interpreting!
Wow!! What a great post and I am so thankful you took time out of your busy day to share this!! Jackson is the cutest little boy. That was such a sweet story. I bet Curtis loved every minute of it and it really makes me smile that they live back in Houston and Curtis is working at LPM. There is nothing more precious than moments like this!!
Love You,
Patty
p.s. Praying for you!!!
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to post that. “Daddy’s Work” it is so true, but we forget so often that it is his work, we just get to be along for the ride.
Amen. That word, so good!
I loved reading about little Jackson’s (I almost typed “Jack-man” because that is what I call my son, whose name is also Jackson when he is ALL THAT!) time at Daddy’s work! Precious!
Oh, and I almost forgot…Beth, it is humbling to read about how hard your year has been knowing how in the midst of it, you continued to pour your life out. Thank you for being such a beautiful, beautiful servant. You are truly an amazing example of Christ.
I just love the way you make connections. It does my heart good to read about them. I have a 3 year old grandson, Hayden, and he is such a joy!!!! I pray that someday I will see connections and lessons and reminders of our Father in my every day living like you do. You are such a blessing in my life. I can’t wait to see you in Atlanta this Friday evening.
Praise God!
Daddy’s work…the work of the hands of our loving, interested Father. Both simple and profound to think about. Praise God that He is faithful to complete the work which He began!
Thanks for sharing that. Put such a smile on my face. “Daddy’s Work”. Love it.
Okay , I broke into tears over this one , too. It might be my fave blog entry from you too.
I love it that your mind thinks like it does and that God blesses all of us with it – with reminders like ALL of this is ” daddy’s work ” and we can say it with sass , this truth beneath all truths ! The Truth is beautiful , and satisfying, peaceful , freeing. It literally DOES set us free.
I love you Beth ,
( Prayers for the Esther wrap-up going up for you , too. )
Elizabeth
I always love your word pictures!!
Will be praying for you as you finish up your manuscript for Esther.
Jackson sure is cute! I love looking at it from his perspective, everything is Daddy’s work!
Well, when I read the “cattle on a thousand hills” reference I knew I had to post a comment! My husband and I are adopting a child from Russia and we are in the process of trying to raise about $30,000- $40,000 to complete the process. My mom has mentioned that verse to me so many times to encourage me that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He just has to sell a few for us to be able to bring our child home! I have to admit, I laugh the thought of that off at times, however, the closer we get and the larger our goal, the more I am learning that it is truth and I have to claim it in order to receive His blessing! So, thank you for that reminder! On a side note, we are beginning the process of doing a cookbook fund-raiser in the next couple of months in order to get us closer to this goal. If anyone would like to offer a recipe to be included we would be so very appreciative! You can email me at [email protected]! To Beth and your sweet family, thank you for allowing God to use you in such mighty ways! I’m blown away by His goodness each and every time I encounter Him through your writings, etc. Wow, this was really too long of a post! 🙂
I just love you, Beth! I love how you can take a 2 1/2 year old and apply what he says to our Father. You are always so encouraging to me. I am so thankful for your blog.
Thanks for the reminder that ALL things belong to HIM….we only have them on loan. And I’ll be praying for Esther with you!
Children are wonderful for reminding us of the truths regarding our Creator. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It’s so good to read your stories – “hear your voice!” Hugs and Prayers!!
you bless my heart beth!
THank you so much Beth…I needed this more than ever after a long day at work. I think we all forget sometimes who is really in Charge!