I loved my devotional this morning. It helped that I actually got to sleep in because I have the day off. Worked all weekend. And I do mean WORKED. I love the Deeper Still events but, because they last a half day longer than a regular LPL’s and the sessions are super long, you go home pretty wiped. Hence the day off. (I don’t take Monday’s off because of staff prayer time.) So, I was really rested when I was sitting propped up in my bed having my prayer time this morning. The Scripture hit me so tenderly that I nearly cried. You know the story. It’s about God’s fulfilled promise to Abraham’s wife, Sarah. Read the portion again and intentionally look at it as a woman because that’s sort of what this post is about. Be amazed and thankful that God has a long history of also making and keeping promises to women.
Genesis 21:1-7 (GW)
1 The Lord came to help Sarah and did for her what he had promised.
2 So she became pregnant, and at the exact time God had promised, she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age.
3 Abraham named his newborn son Isaac.
4 When Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded.
5 Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born.
6 Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.
7 Who would have predicted to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet, I have given him a son in his old age.”
I got stuck on that part that says, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” I sat in a carload of women in front of the hotel in Denver Saturday night. We’d just spent all evening together at a restaurant. You might reason that we’d spent all weekend together but we just kept talking a hundred miles an hour and didn’t want to get out of the car. It’s just a woman thing. Our ages ranged well over twenty years but for that moment, we were BFF. Kelly Minter and I were in the back seat and I looked straight at her and said, “Yep. This is what I love about women. I love being a woman.”
Cheesy. I know.
But I do.
I thought it was so cool that Sarah knew that many would laugh with her. If I were a betting woman, I’d wager that she was talking about other women. I can’t see the men really slapping their leg over it, then clapping, and then throwing up their hands and shouting, “Glory!” like me and my buddies would do. I’d bet they just slapped Abe on the back and said, “Way to go, man.” Most of the time, if God’s really done something cool in my life, I like to tell my girlfriends about it because I know they’ll laugh and clap their hands, too. In fact, I intentionally tell the ones that I know will most appreciate it.
It doesn’t have to be something really huge like Sarah’s miracle either. Women can find all sorts of things to laugh with one another over. Here are a few I’ve experienced just here lately:
Melissa: While we were in Israel, we went out in the parking lot to wave good bye to the first half of our group departing for the States. The rest of us would not be going till the next morning. There was a bit of a delay and they had to sit for a few minutes before taking off so I decided to start entertaining them (outside the bus on the pavement) with cheers, a few little dance moves, and kicking my feet to the side and clicking my heels (yes, in a dress. It is a move I do very well). To my great surprise, Melissa got into it with me and up and did two cartwheels for them. (Not in a dress.) It made me so happy that I laughed and laughed. My little budding scholar! I said to her while I bent over laughing, “You have what it takes for women’s ministry, Honey!”
Amanda: Melissa and I always say that AJ is the funniest one of the three of us. She’s just not the extrovert so it’s not as obvious. Here lately she hopped in the car with me on our way somewhere and I said, “What’s that in your hand?” She said, “My Weight Watchers charm. I got it for reaching my goal. I’m going to put it on Annabeth’s charm bracelet so she knows what I had to do to get over her.” I clapped and laughed, not only over AB’s well deserved charm but over AJ’s darling college-looking post-partum figure. A met goal is worth laughing and celebrating together.
Kelly Minter: You know what a big fan I am of Kelly’s. I love her. I love watching these young women teachers come and take their places. I cannot describe my joy or my peculiar feelings of elation over it. I sat on the front row at Deeper Still next to my beloved Priscilla when Kelly took the stage to share a devotional early Saturday morning. As she took that platform, she would speak to more people (by several thousand) than she’d ever addressed before…and she killed it. (I hope you realize that’s a good thing.) Honestly, I pumped my fist in the air and yelled, “Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!” Hawk looked around and said, “Did anybody hear her do that but me?” I couldn’t help myself.
A person I can’t name yet: A very dear loved one of mine is expecting her first baby and I am beside myself. I nearly hurt myself with joy when she told me over the phone. I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. I love God for what He’s done in her life. I will love this child next to my own blood grandchildren.
Another really close loved one: She’s the one whose 1-year chip from AA I showed you several weeks ago. God is so busy restoring the years the locusts have eaten in her life that, if He weren’t omnipotent, He’d honestly have no time for the rest of us. We have laughed and laughed over the wonders He has done in her behalf.
What about you? Is there anything wonderful God has done in your life – big or small – that this community of women could laugh with you about? Look back at those Scriptures. Has God done anything for you about which you could say, “God has brought me laughter” or “Who would have predicted…?” Give us the chance to clap our hands and laugh with you.
I’ll close this post with the devotional that accompanied those Scriptures this morning. It’s Charles Spurgeon. It about killed me in the Spirit. I loved it so much. Enjoy, Siestas. Your Mama loves you.
It was far above the power of nature, and even contrary to its laws, that the aged Sarah should be honoured with a son; and even so it is beyond all ordinary rules that I, a poor, helpless, undone sinner, should find grace to bear about in my soul the indwelling Spirit of the Lord Jesus. I, who once despaired, as well I might, for my nature was as dry, and withered, and barren, and accursed as a howling wilderness, even I have been made to bring forth fruit unto holiness. Well may my mouth be filled with joyous laughter, because of the singular, surprising grace which I have received of the Lord, for I have found Jesus, the promised seed, and He is mine for ever. This day will I lift up psalms of triumph unto the Lord who has remembered my low estate, for “my heart rejoiceth in the Lord; mine horn is exalted in the Lord; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies, because I rejoice in Thy salvation.” I would have all those that hear of my great deliverance from hell, and my most blessed visitation from on high, laugh for joy with me.
Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening.
PS. Speaking of things fairly peculiar to women, I thought I might go ahead and tell you that I typed this whole thing standing up in my wrap-around terry cloth robe so my self tanner could dry. I want to be tan on my birthday.
Happy Birthday, Beth! May God richly bless you!
God has done INCREDIBLE miracles in my marriage and ministry life this last year…He has FAR outdone Himself and I may clap until I die over just this year’s joy!!! 🙂
Praise GOD! Clapping for you
Dear Siesta Mama Beth,
I am laughing and delighting in God’s timing! I had been worried about a new position I am taking on in our convent – I am training in the new women that want to be sisters. Daunting right?
Well, the Lord arranges all things with wisdom. He arranged schedules and construction and a zillion other factors to allow for me to have time off before I begin this work AND arranged it so that I could go to Living Proof LIVE in St. Louis.
My delight knows no bounds!!! Thanks for sharing my joy – can’t wait to read and laugh with my siestas!
Blessings – sister Lynn
Sister Lynn, I’m so thrilled! I will finally get to meet you face to face!
Beth, can I just tell you how much this photo of you and Keith blesses my heart. You are beautiful in every photo I have ever seen of you, but none of them compares to this one.
Happy Birthday to the dearest Siesta Mama a girl ever had.
Deirdre
Sister Lynn – That is so great! Hope we get to meet in St. Louis!!
ME TOO!!!!
Praying for heaps of blessings on the event!!
Sister Lynn-
I dreamed last night that you called me!!
Isn’t that wild!!!
Its funny how we come to “know” each other across this web. Blessings! sister Lynn
I enjoy reading your posts. A group of girls from church and I are taking some time off to head up to St. Louis from Arkansas for LPL. It will be fun knowing there are kindred spirits in the crowd : ) I hope your new position continues to go well. And yes that sounds daunting (I love that word).
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Blessing to you Siesta Mama! My most recent laughter has been our new pug, Kirby. He is definitely one of God’s little wonders. Kirby is 3 years old and just such a joy to the whole family. This little 11-lb wonder has wrapped us all around his “little paw.” Last night after a day of work, he was so happy to see us he ran around the great room jumping from chair to sofa like a speeding bullet and then pooped, he fell asleep on a pillow and snored to his heart content.
Blessing for a great day all!
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
I thought you meant he literally pooped! I had to read it a few more times!
My morning devotional was Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest II Peter Chapter 1. He was pointing out that we are to add to our faith and went on a different tangent than I did. I noticed in verses 5 – 8 Peter said “add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity.” That made me run over to Galatians 5:22 to revisit the fruits of the spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. That got me so excited that I went to Ephesians 6:14 to read the armor of God. Ok, here is the laughing part. I wrote all these words in my journal and as I read over them I felt myself sitting higher in my chair and I could hear the recitation of the Knight’s Code from Dragonheart in my head – A Knight is sworn to valor, his might protects the weak (or maybe it’ meek). I started laughing (and almost crying in joy) – Jesus Christ, my Lord has issued a battle cry using beautiful meek mild words!!! This may not be exactly what you meant about sharing laughter but I know had a couple of my most closest Jesus girlfriends been there we would have been laughing at the total excitement and wonder of Him, our most Gracious Shepherd spurring people to battle with the word gentleness and meekness!! The Bible is all around us. What a most awesome God.
Just needed to correct my quotation from Dragonheart since it had more of a connection to the Bible than I had realized – a knight is sworn to valor. His heart knows only virtue. His blade defends the helpless. His sword speaks only truth. I am wondering which movie or book I got the ‘his might protects the weak’ from. Hmmm maybe the BIBLE?!!
I love the quote and the movie connection! Thanks for sharing Rene. I’ll laugh with you over that. 🙂
My husband and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. Amongst the tears and laughter there was alot of praising God. We were the ones that no one said would make it because of how much help we needed. In my family only one couple stayed married and that was because one spouse passed away….It is only because of Jesus and his ability to redeem, heal and restore a generation that we can testify that God is able to do anything.
I’m laughing because there is an almost 4 month old in my house shouting for joy at this very moment. Laughing because after years of infertility I never thought I’d hear a sweet baby’s voice, but thanks to the gift of adoption we are joyously laughing. 🙂
I am so happy for you! We had our first child after 13 years of infertility, so I know that struggle.
Blessings,
Adrienne
Emily,
That is so awesome! Praising God with you for your miracle.
Emily,
So happy for you!
I too have been blessed by adoption. We have a wonderful 21 month old girl and I STILL laugh over how God blessed us at her birth. We got to be there for the birth, and even did some nursing/bonding. But what really still makes my heart leap for joy is the amazing birth mother (Mel). The nurses wanted to hand baby Ginny to her first, but she insisted that they clean Ginny up, position Mel so she could see our faces and present Ginny to us first! Mel kept insisting that “you ARE her mama, even though you didn’t give birth”
What a miracle my life has become.
Deirdre
p.s. I’m going in for that surgery that starts with an H but sounds like tonsilectomy on Thursday.
Deirdre,
Praying for God’s hand upon your surgery.
In Him,
Andrea
D-
Another adoptive Mom here. I’ve got you on my prayer list for tomorrow. I know it’s emotional as well as physical. Phil 4:19.
-Tiffany M.
awww!! so sweet! rejoicing with you emily!!!
Who would’ve predicted 3 months ago that I would be working out with a personal trainer 2 days a week, working out on my own 4 days a week, be DOWN 25 lbs, and enjoying the whole thing? God has SHOWED OFF with this one. He has answered a prayer that has been prayed thousands of times over the last 10 years.
And I’m realizing that the last 10 years were totally worth the joy that I’m feeling now.
Praise HIM!
good for YOU !!!!
3GirlsMom,
Rejoicing with you! And please pray for me! I’ve been working out and lost a little weight but have a long way to go. I need the kind of inspiration and determination you have. Keep up the great work!
When I read the phrase, “joyous laughter” I started to cry. Honestly, God has been shoving me through some life changing circumstances that have been stretching and growing me. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, just for the record, but though I’ve been able to choose joy in them, I have been rather sad. (I can’t believe I’m admitting this!) I never knew I could be filled with joy, but not necessarily happy, you know? So when I read, “joyous laughter” I cried because I want THAT! I have joy, but I need some laughter to go along with it.
Praying for joyous laughter over you, dear sister!
So nice to meet you at Deeper Still! What a blessing!
I too know the feeling. The past 2 years have been rough to say the least and while I know that I am being prepared for better things and I have grown I still have experienced a lot of sadness. I have peace and joy but there is still sadness there. I kept questioning myself why am I still feeling like this when I am supposed to count it all joy when I am tested and when I have grown and developed. I’m glad to know that I’m not alone in feeling this way. Thank you for sharing and I wish God’s best for you.
Laura
wow, thanks for putting MY life to words while you were talking about yours..! take a bite of this: “though you do not see Him now… you trust Him, and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” i don’t know about you, but i can’t see Him right now… yet i WILL trust Him and practice REJOICING with some genuine, glorious, inexpressible joy! lord help me! 🙂 (1 peter 1.8)
Beautiful! Can’t wait to “laugh” w/my Siesta Summer Bible Study group!!
A friend of mine has had 5 miscarriages, and a little over a year ago, we were walking and talking about it, and we talked about the story of Abraham and Sarah. She wanted a child so badly, but after so many years, finally consented to God’s plan and God’s timing.
COOLEST THING – a few months later, she conceived, and last month, she had a beautiful baby boy.
She named him Matthew Isaac. 🙂
* HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow, MamaBeth!!!
Love,
Michele
WHAT A BLESSING! I AM THRILLED! MATTHEW ISAAC, I LOVE THE LORD’S TIMING. I DON’T ALWAYS GET IT, BUT I KNOW WHEN IT PLAYS OUT, HE IS FAITHFUL! TELL HER CONGRATULATIONS!
So happy for you and your family! God really does answer prayers in unexpected ways sometimes!
When I was in Germany, I went to the doctor for an ultra-sound and my husband went with me. The doctor told us I see one baby and it looks like a boy. The other baby I cannot tell what it is but it looks like another boy and I think there might be another baby…wait no just two. My husband who was sitting in a chair raised up to look closer at the ultra-sound really fast. I laughed, because the week before I jokingly ask the Doctor if he heard two heartbeats!
I still laugh about it and I cried too after they were born. They were precious.
Thank you for your story, it is God-send!
Laughter is so much fun that it has to be from God… I mean the good kind, the laughter that is truly the blessings and irony and joys of life bubbling over…
Happy Birthday, Beth! I know you will be tan and cute and have good hair on your birthday!!! Seriously, have a great day with those you love. We all love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for mentoring us and loving us, and bring us laughter, tears, and a deeper love and joy in the Lord Jesus. I personally have been “dragged” from the pit by your help to learn to drag myself. You rock!
Amen!
May the good Lord bless you richly on your precious birthday! I am praying that I will be a Sarah one day. May the Lord grant me the opportunity to laugh with him when he gives me a child in my “past my prime” years! I’d love to give God a chance to show off!
I love to delight in what God has done, and I love it when it brings out a laugh! My family was asked to sing at a gospel singing on Friday with a very famous group that the majority of the audience came to see. Admittedly, I was intimidated because not only were we singing at the same event, but we were scheduled to sing, RIGHT AFTER THEM!!! Of course they were awesome and anointed. However, to my delight, the anointing fell on my family as we delivered our song, and the house came down! I have to laugh at such a wonderful experience and know that God shows up even when we are shaking in our boots and for that I am thankful! I laugh as I recall that event over and over and am in awe that “he used me to do that!” Praise God!
Beth,
To my heart, your post this morning was like a gentle spring rain to a wilting plant. I sure needed the “perking up” that it gave me. I’ve spent the last three weeks recovering from major surgery. The Lord gave me this verse two days before my surgery:
Psalm 118:17 “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.”
It’s so easy when recovering to just focus on the next nap, meal, or pain med. I had forgotten to proclaim what the Lord has done. Today I want to laugh with you and proclaim that the Lord is GOOD and has done Wonderful things for me! I am thankful for His healing touch and for bringing me out on the other side of this surgery with hope for my future.
Thanks for reminding me that my God is faithful and will perfect that which concerns me. It reminded me of Romans 8:32 –
“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
Happy Birthday!!
Laura in South Dakota
(p.s. We women of South Dakota just can’t wait to see you on November 19-20!!! Whoo Hoo!!!)
Laura – THANK YOU for posting that Psalm 118:17 verse. That went straight into my journal as a word from the Lord today. I needed it.
Bekah,
You are SO welcome! I love it that the Word of God is alive and active!
I peeked at your blog. I enjoyed “getting to know you” a little!
Blessings!
Laura
I would like to share about my current job at our local university. I was looking for a part time job. I had been asking God and trusting God for a good part time job. I applied for this position and to my surprise, was hired. A few days into it, I had to go to HR to fill out paperwork. While I was there, I found out that this part time job has benefits. When I got back to my office, I mentioned this fact to my supervisor. She told me, “You know, that was a funny thing. I called HR and told them I was looking for a part time secretary. That is all I asked for. They kept calling me back and telling me – ‘If you word this job description this way and that way, this person will get benefits.'” I get paid vacation, paid sick days, paid holidays, 401K and retirement! God was certainly working in the background on my behalf and I am so thankful for this wonderful job that He found for me! So go ahead and laugh and clap. It makes me excited just to write it again. Praise Him, ain’t He good, ain’t He though!!!!!
I love this! I remember a few years back we were struggling a little financially, and I remember thinking the only way I can take on one more job is if I work from home, and me in my ignorance didn’t even pray about it. But a few weeks later I got an email from an old friend that I hadn’t talked to in a while that said she had a client that was looking for a bookkeeper and was I interested…so I told her I would visit with her. I called and the first thing out of her mouth was I can either make room for you at my office or you could work from home! It still makes me laugh! I love our GOD…..he is so very very GOOD!
In Him,
Andrea
Thanks for sharing some laughter! I loved this part: “PS. Speaking of things fairly peculiar to women, I thought I might go ahead and tell you that I typed this whole thing standing up in my wrap-around terry cloth robe so my self tanner could dry. I want to be tan on my birthday.”
I hope you have a great birthday tomorrow! You share a birthday with my precious first born. She will be 14 tomorrow.
Beth, can you please publish the commision you read at the end of deeper still on Saturday! I agree that we need to share intimate details of God’s work in our lives with our friends that appreciate it and when we feel led to others that could be receptive to it.
I wanted to point out that I found a reference to being blessed in Revelation 19 right after the reference to rejoice and be glad….it says that ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb’ I thought it fit perfectly to your last point (which I would love to know the 2 you had to skip)
Thank you for exhausting yourself for us so that we my be blessed by your conviction sincerity and message.
Laughter? Oh yes, I have a story. After giving birth to my son after a couple of years of infertility, I suffered from debilitating postpartum depression. Once recovered, my husband and I made the decision once and for all to not have any more children. The fear was too great of having to deal with all of that again. A friend had just gotten (surprise) pregnant and one night we shared our decision with her and her husband, I gave her all my maternity clothes and pregnancy books.
Well, God had the last laugh. The VERY NEXT MORNING I found out I was pregnant. It was a Sunday morning. I got to church, saw the same friend, and had to ask for my stuff back. I thought she was going to fall over. And all we could do was laugh.
We now have a precious 3 year old girl in addition to my 5 year old son and we couldn’t be happier. My PPD experience with my son was completely redeemed by His amazing grace, and the surprise birth of my daughter, Savannah Grace. 🙂
This time last year I was preparing my family for a 900 mile move. That in itself is hard, but I was moving 3 teenagers!
As we were attending all of their year end awards programs and they were receiving all kinds of awards, and I was mourning instead of celebrating. I was sure that in a new community and at their ages, they would not be recognized for being the outstanding, God-honoring teens that they were, because those places were already being taken by other teens. I was reminded of Hamen in last years Esther study and realized and confessed that I was addicted to honor!
Fast forward one year and this years awards programs where my teens rocked! The difference was that this year I saw it as how amazing God has been, not how amazing my teens are. He has blessed my children for being faithful to him and his plan for our family.
What a sense of humor God has! He and my friends who walked me through this hard year have had the best laugh with me!
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Tracy–how reassuring it is for me to read your post. In a month we’ll be relocating, my oldest will be starting college, and my two younger daughters will be entering 8th and 5th grades. Just yesterday my middle daughter and I were talking about our upcoming move, and she shared with me that she wasn’t sure who she was anymore. Left me a little worried about how she’ll adjust in our new community. You reminded me that I need to continue to trust in the Lord, and pray…
Thank you for sharing!
Donna
Oh. My. Word.
I can’t even tell you how this post just hit me square between the eyes. In a fabulous way, of course!
So here’s the scoop – I’m 31 and my man is 42. We’ve put each other through the ringer and, honestly, it’s only a miracle of God that we didn’t kill each other. We certainly tried. After more pathetic behavior than I have room to share, we finally put Him as the center of our world and we truly love all of each other’s personalities about 98% of the time at this point. Miracle #1!
So fast forward to the part where I’m aching to have another child. He has two from his first marriage and the youngest just graduated from high school. I have a 10 year old from my first marriage as well. Last year, due to some circumstances, we decided to do three IUI attempts and all were unsuccessful. This was in the midst of a year of extreme difficulty that began last June when my grandfather died while we were at Disney World. Then my daughter broke her elbow, which required surgery and rehab in October…and the list goes on…
Well, we saw a fertility doc right before my man has knee surgery in March that sidelined him for 12 weeks (bedrest – told you it was wild). He couldn’t see any reason we’re not conceiving and I just haven’t known whether we should even try again. So I’ve been asking the Lord to take the desire AWAY if it’s not His will. And, if it is, to let me know.
And today I find your post. Talking about Sarah. Which is exactly what I was studying in The Patriarchs when we first agreed to try and have another child. And I had just finished homework in The Beloved Disciple, literally five minutes earlier, where you talked about Jesus making everything beautiful in its time. And how He doesn’t allow a season of despair for no reason. WE just have to SEE IT THROUGH to find the beauty.
Now I don’t know what all of it means exactly but I do know that He is right in the middle of our story – and the story of everyone else in Siestaville – and that alone makes me laugh and slap my knee.
AND, if we do conceive this year, this babe is being named ISAAC! 🙂
Love your story!
I cannot type. I am laughing too hard. Beth, you are the best! Blessings and joy to you on your birthday!
The story of Abe and Sarah is one of my favorites. In fact, Romans 4:20 talks a little bit about their story and it was my first memory verse from our Siesta thing last year! I memorized it by turning it into a song. (And if I’m brutally honest it’s the only one I remember off the top of my head because of the song! I couldn’t think of songs for all of them. So this year’s memory verses are last year’s memory verses. :-0)
“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith giving glory to God and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to fulfill.” YES. Go God.
If you want songs to memorize scripture check out SEEDS family worship albums. I promise you that you will not regret it. Almost half of my verses from last year were songs from my favorite SEEDS album. they are all straight NIV scriptures and most of the songs even included the scripture address as part of the song!
I love them also. And you know, when you find ones that appeal to kids, teens and grown-ups you have a winner!!! Great plug!
Gurl!
Let’s jest go ahead and give God the glory. That’s a given. But, I must say…you are the coolest thang since sliced bread! (That butter topped kind) YOU make me laugh and clap my hands. I am a visual person, so I could see that wrap and drying self-tanner. A funny commercial here: I didn’t know how to use that stuff the first time I used it, so Buddy, I SLATHERED it on. Thinking to myself…I’m on git a GOOD tan. I’m a grits and gravy housewife in Alabama. We always do things all out. Well, you know the rest of the story… ORANGE COUNTY, AL! (sigh) Oh well, tis the life of a redneck housefrau.. Thanks for the laugh. Now my hands hurt from all the clapping. (big ole grin) I love you dearly!
Carol Skipper
AL
BTW…Happy Birthday! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Mama!
Hey Beth,
Happy Birthday! I just started reading your blog recently and boy has it been an encouragement. Thank you for challenging and encouraging women to walk closer to the Lord and our relationship with him and have some fun along the way. I love it that you told us about your self tanner! 😉
Much love and many blessings! 😉
The other day I had opened my Bible up to a verse and it so encouraged me but I didn’t write it down and when I tried to find it again I couldn’t. I knew it said something about God being with HER and after reading SLI and the fact that “SHE” is clothed with strength and dignity I’ve been more aware of any references like that in the Word. I tried to even look it up online but couldn’t find the verse and so I asked God to remind me where it was. The next day, a storm was rolling in and the weather was beckoning me outside. I felt like God told me to go stand outside and look up Psalm 46. A breeze was blowing and I opened it up and got goosepumps all over as I opened up to the verse I had asked God to show me — Psalm 46:5 — God is within HER, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. I just LOVE how God speaks…He does it in a gentle way and yet in one that we can hold onto through whatever comes!!! I have been journeying through a difficult time and have come to be so much more thankful for His Word than I used to be because of it…it’s the perfect verse as mornings have been quite difficult lately and yet his promise is that He’ll be with me. Praise you Father!!! It’s worth doing a little dance over 🙂
Love that story! Check out how Beth feminized this one-
Psalm 112:7-8 (NIV)
7 (She) will have no fear of bad news; her heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 Her heart is secure, she will have no fear; in the end she will look in triumph on her foes.
Thanks Bridget — that’s SO good!!! 🙂
Also Prov. 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” Another version says “She shall rejoice in time to come.” Love ya siesta.
Thanks Tiffany!!!! 🙂 🙂
Beth,
LOVED the devotional….loved your post..LOVE and thank you with every fiber of my being for pouring out and blessing me and so many I love.
You have made a difference in my life…in my world.
Happy Birthday!
Exaggerating the goodness of God!
Donna Hazelwood
Moma Beth, We adore you so… Your words bring laughter to us and we praise God for YOU! Happy day bfore your birthday…. I hope you get lots of grandbaby loving and look stunning doing it with your “natural” tan. (it’s perfectly natural to put on lotion….its just a plus that it gives you some color :))
~Amanda
I am laughing because God has given me a new job after being unemployed for a year. Thank You, Lord and…. Beth, Happy Birthday tomorrow.
Carolyn,
Happy with you!!! I was out of work for 8 months…it’s rough, but glad He pulled you through!
Happy Birthday Beth…!
I don’t know about self-tanners, but if it has to dry after you apply it, doesn’t that mean that it is like, well, …. spray paint? I’m a little worried.
I love the mental image of you leading the cheers and doing the heel-click dance, and Melissa turning cartwheels! I’ll bet it was awesome.
A few weeks ago I talked to my sister on the phone about, of all things, the Bible studies she is doing. This is my sister who, until last November, was completely unsaved, humanistic, living by the philosophy that “…if there is a heaven I’ll get there because I’m a good person”. It gives me so much joy to see her flourishing as a new believer. And on Mother’s Day, she had all four of her children dedicated at her church. I can see a new legacy being born, and it makes me HAPPY! And you and Amanda played such a big part in this, because my sister went to see you at LPL Portland last year. In her own words, that was a “huge thing” for her.
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
Remember praying for them! Great to hear!
Oh Adrienne…Glory to God! I am clapping…laughing…clapping…and clapping some more!!! Wooh Hoo!!
This is what I know God is going to do for my sister too!
I must be hormonal as I cried thru this whole entry…the girlfriends, the laughter, the fact that God answers, the fact that God “makes funny”, the fact that a woman is so intensely happy for another who is having a baby…sometimes, I just think to myself “Girl, you have issues!”
Thanks for this reminder to find laughter in the places where the enemy would rather just reflect the tears!!
PS – your last little bit there about the tan…classic!!
My husband is an addict. I use “is” there because he’ll always be an addict, even though he’s been sober, from alcohol, for almost 15 years. We dated in high school, but he was the proverbial round peg, and I was, decidedly, square. And ya’ll, I LOVED that boy! He was the funniest person I’d ever met, kind, generous and real! (I love his blue eyes, too!) We broke up within 2 months, because I liked being square, and he liked being round.
Eleven years later, we met again. He was clean, still funny, kind and blue-eyed, and life had smoothed my pointy edges. 🙂 Nine months later, we married.
…Skip forward a decade and four yummy kids… My husband of 10 years became ill with acute diverticulitus. (say that fast 5 times!) After a year of horrible pain, an MD firing, 5 weeks in the hospital, my husband thanking me through his tears for bathing him, and 22 weeks out of work, they finally agreed to allow him to have surgery. Extract two feet of colon, add in four months of wearing an ostomy bag and a then a reversal on the ostomy bag, and you, essentially, have some tough times. But, we pressed on and made it through. Unfortunately, 12 months on Loritab and other pain medications, had made my husband a no longer recovering addict, but an addict once again. Not alcohol this time, but pills. How can you have sickness without them?
Six months after his reversal, my heart was shattered. I couldn’t take living with an addict, and refused to allow our four kids to live with one, either. Bless his heart, he knew, but felt powerless. We prayed, we cried, we fought, we prayed some more. I LOVE that man…and was going to leave. And then he came to me, and cried his heart out and begged for the opportunity to get clean. The next day, he took a week off from work. (his family owns restaurants, and I’m forever grateful God allowed us the luxury of just taking time off) During that week, my strong man who had laid the bottle down and never looked back, laid in bed with shakes, sweats, prayer, and me. God had, once again, given him strength to lay down addiction. That was three years ago, and he’s clean.
I’d be lying if I said it was all easy. It wasn’t, and for time and space, I’ve left a lot out. But, I can stand here and tell you, ladies, that he was worth it, my marriage is worth it and God is good. I have much to laugh about and be thankful for. I can tell you without so much as a blink that my marriage is stronger today than ever before.
We have survived sickness and health, better and worse, richer and poorer. We have seen one another at our worst, and our best. God has graced me with a love that’s real. Deep down, hard core…REAL! Not one that’s perfect, or even close. But one that’s stood the trials and is, happily, still running the race. And every night that we say our prayers, just before we spoon (do ya’ll know what spoonin’ is?!), one of us will typically end up laughing, or teary eyed, at all we have to be thankful for.
Kristi Walker 39
happily married to her high school sweetheart for the last 13 years and looking forward to decades more!
wow Kristi. just wow.
praise God.
He is so good
Kristi,
You have given me hope. I’ve been married for 14 years and love my husband, but we are not without our baggage and issues. One in particular seems so ingrained that we will never be free from. Your story encourages me that this may not be the marriage of happily-ever-after, but God is not done with us yet. Thanks for reminding me of this truth.
Diane
Friend and dear Sister – all I can say is Wow! You have so blessed me with this testimony! Glory to God!
I will be celebrating 13 years of marriage in August with an amazing man and we are shortly thereafter expecting our second child after nine years of infertility…our son is thrilled to become a big brother! We often think of our years together – we were just “babies” when we got married! 🙂 – and are so thankful for all that God has taught us through them. We have not had such situations as you have had, but praise God he has taught us along the way. And often at night, while spoonin’, we laugh or cry at the same thoughts of our bountiful blessings. 🙂
May you continue to be greatly blessed…and Praise the Lord!
Wow. What a story! What a God to use it all for His glory! Thanks for sharing!
God Bless you Kristi, what a wonderful story.
Yes! I am standing here clapping for joy! God is good!
What a powerful testimony! I am so happy for you; you have been faithful through some very difficult trials. God is honoring your faithfulness. Thanks for sharing.
What an incredible gift you just gave countless of siestas in sharing your story! God is so fatithful! Continued blessings to you and your MAN! What an amazing love story!!! Thank you!
Kristi, I was so deepely moved when I read your post. It is refreshing to hear of a young couple that stuck it out and refused to use any excuse available to call it quits. God is faithful and great is and will be your reward. Marriage is hard work ,even without any extra issues, but well worth it as you said.Continue on and know I’ll think of you often. Carla
Goodness! I haven’t stop by in a few days but I was anxious to read my siestas posts, so I snuck in here while the kids eat lunch.
Thank you so much for all those sweet blessings! I’m so thankful for the fellowship that God has provided for us here!! It’s wonderful to be able to fully disclose parts of ourselves with other women and know that they’ll clap, laugh and “virtually” jump up and down with you. I genuinely love that!
To Misty: I’m so glad you knew what spoonin’ was! lol And we’ll be praying for that precious, much loved, baby coming soon. My sister-in-law has struggled to have children, so I know what a true, much awaited, gift those children are when they get here. Many blessings sent your way, dear sister!
I hope you had a wonderful, tan, birthday Siesta Mama! You are loved and appreciated.
God has brought someone very near and dear to me back into my life after a dozen years that the locust have eaten. She’s my cousin, more like a sister, and there is no one in my life that knows me like she does. Nor makes me laugh like she does. We are having an absolute BLAST catching up.
This Sunday during worship I was so overcome with gratitude to God that He would even think to do this for us….that He would even CARE. And CARE HE DOES. “Icing on the cake kinda blessings” like this just blow me away.
Wishing you a tan birthday! Thank you Beth!
You are too much!!! I will list briefly, but know that I stood in awe at Deeper Still. First time, and yes intense but so needed.
– I stood stunned (happy but stunned) when I was driven down a side road of DU campus and my friend asked directions from a woman who turned out to invite me to come on in with her. She didn’t know why she said it, or what it meant, but apparently GOD had a job for me, I was meant to be an encourager. Out of my comfort zone (Priscilla!!) but when HE opens a door…you walk on thru!
– You touched my knee! I realize how odd that sounds. But as you were telling a very intense story, you walked around the stage and right about the place you were saying, “you knew the Holy Spirit has been stirring, something was up,” you were about to walk by, but you leaned forward and you fingers momentarily pressed my knee when you spoke, “do you know what I’m saying.”
When I came home and acted out the whole moment for my mom (she played me and I was you) The second I touched her knee just the way you touched mine, she was in tears. She said that was a annointed touch, she said she knew it was she felt it right then. That a touch from an annointed teacher is huge. Maybe that was why I was there.
WHO KNOWS!!!
-I met fellow siesta’s that I have emailed and seen their comments here. What made me smile was their care for me. They would come around the stage to the other side and check on me like ‘Big Sisters.’ How blessed.
GOD has brought me laughter in that HE puts me in moments of ministry and blessings being fully aware of who I am. HE dosen’t call the qualified, HE qualifies the called.
Thank you for bringing it – Love you
Siesta OC
I ‘heart’ YOU!
You are so cute – I ‘heart’ you back!
We care for our little siestas 🙂
This week I had dinner with a friend and was sharing a few things on my heart with her. One of the things I’ll admit right here and now is that one of the struggles I face at times is enjoying the life God has given me 365 days out of the year. It’s a flaw. I might seem like I have it all together, but I don’t. No one does. I have a hard time enjoying life when things are not going the way I think they should and according to my plans. I’m finding myself constantly questioning God and his plan when that’s not my place. He doesn’t need my help. But it’s getting that knowledge from my heart to my head. I’m robbing myself of precious time I can never get back. My friend really just encouraged me that I have got to stop doing that.
Also, one other struggle I face is loving myself and seeing the positive versus purposely seeking out and pointing out all my flaws. It boils down to having a struggle seeing myself as a child of God at times and in the same mirror as he sees me. Why is that so hard? It’s something I’m going to have to continually bring to him each day until I get better in this area.
I say all that to say this, I left my time with my friend feeling so much better than I found myself walking into that restaurant.
So I woke up the next morning to turn on Joyce Meyer. The lady reads your mail. Or maybe God does, either way, the message she had was one of those “you talking to me moments” and it blew me away that God would know exactly what I needed to hear that morning. Her message was on loving your life and loving yourself!
Ummmm, coincidence, I think NOT!! And I had to laugh, because his so tender and whenever you think he’s not meeting you where you’re at, he’ll show you otherwise!
I’m still in the waiting stage – still hoping a few long-prayed-for longings will be answered with joy and laughter and praise (tears welling up). And yet, praise be to God, I can authentically laugh and rejoice with the joys you and the other Siestas just shared. That is a gift!
But there is one thing I rejoice in today and another that just made me laugh: our boys and I made it through a very busy, demanding school year – yay! they’re all mine for the summer!; and our sweet golden retriever just decided to clean my dangling foot as I typed this. Eww!
I am laughing at so much in my life right now. Who would have thought that after being diagnosed with diabetes 18 months ago that I could lose 60 pounds and get my diabetes not only under control but I am coming off medication next month. My husband and I are communicating better than ever before. Our church is growing each week and not just in number but with spiritual maturity and a fire to win souls to the kingdom. Last but most definitely not least – our church held its first VBS last week and we had 38 children make salvation decisions! How awesome is that!!!
Rock on, girl! That is awesome! Our VBS starts next week…we’re praying for many miracles, too!
I met my Boaz last year, and we were wed in July. I am in my 40’s. I was blessed by this post as we are trying to have a little one. I hope to laugh about that one soon. Pray with me!
Happy birthday
xoxo
CONGRATULATIONS!!! PRAYING!!!!
thanks, my sister! 🙂
He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence. Psalm 103:3-5 (Message)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Celebrate another year with Jesus.
How could I forget?! Happy Birthday, Beth!!! I’m so very glad you were born. In fact, I think the angels might be having a big birthday celebration in heaven over you as well. They knew it was a good day the day you were born.
BTW – BETH, YOU LOOKED GORGEOUS! YOUR HAIR IS BLONDER THAN EVER, I LOVE IT! UP CLOSE YOU ARE STUNNING!
AND FORGIVE MY BOLDNESS, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A FREEDOM ABOUT YOU NOWADAYS. WHEN YOU SPEAK, THERE SEEMS TO BE A NEW FOUND ‘LETTING LOOSE’ I’VE NEVER SEEN IN YOU. I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT IT IS AWESOME. I DIG IT.
I am in agreement with that:)
Joy does come in the morning!! We adopted and fostered children and raised them along with our two birth sons, and when the foster kids had to be moved and the adopted ones chose to go back to birth family (and jump into the pit) it felt like a very dark night. . . but, the two foster daughters have come back into our lives and we are so enjoying the opportunity to watch the Lord restore what the locusts have taken!! We are inspired to hold onto Hope for the rest. God is greater still!!
Happy Birthday Beth, thank you so much for your ministry!!
God Bless, Helen
You know what God did? He scooped me up by my scrawny neck at Deeper Still and set my feet on the Rock. I had slime on my shoes, I guess, cause I was slipping off…I know the Rock has no slime.
Paige Greene asked me if I enjoyed Deeper Still, so I replied (read this with love and conviction in my heart, not sarcasm, at all): “Enjoy? No. Getting wrecked by the love of God is not enjoyable. But necessary & blessed? YES! :)”
So that’s what God’s been up to…and by the way,my friend, thank you for coming and saying hello to me there. Little did you know that this child was getting wrecked–and BLESSED, ANOINTED, TRANFORMED and REDEEMED at that very time. I still can barely walk from the brokenness I experienced. GOOD!! GOOD THING!!
I LOVE YOU! And I am so thankful for the day you were born, Beth–like what you prayed over Kay, I know God was anxiously awaiting your day with Egaleo (sp) kind of joy.
My new 2 yr old stood outside the bathroom door while I was trying to get a moment of privacy. When I came out, she asked if I had gone to the potty and I answered that yes, I had indeed. She clapped and exhorted me with, “Hooray, Mama, hooray!! You went to the potty! Good job, Mama!” And we all just laughed- this child was a very unexpected one and I had a rough time with the idea of a 3rd baby. I’m SO thankful God knows best! {and we’re really done this time!:)}
Now that’s just delightful! A potty celebration. I’m still giggling.
Okay, maybe one more thing. If your tanner is still drying, you have time for this and it is a KNEE SLAPPER! I’ll condense it for sake of time.
Last week, my 9 year old daughter and I went to take some food to a family that lost a loved one. He was a member of our church and he had a massive heart attack. I knew this guy from my childhood and his sister is still one of my very best Buds. A cousin (whom I’ve never met) was hosting the wake at her home.
When I arrived at the subdivision, I realized I didn’t know the house number. So I called Rita (James’ sister) and asked her which house. She couldn’t remember the house number and as we were talking, I came upon a house with a TON of cars. I said, “This must be it. Is there a blue wreath on the door?” She paused, and said, “Yeah, and there are lots of boxwoods in front.” Well, sure enough..there were boxwoods. I hung up, a bit smug with the assurance that I was there. Jamie (my daughter) and I carried our ‘nanner puddin up to that door, walked in, and set the puddin on the stove next to 2 pans of baked beans.
As we entered the dining room, I saw a young man leaning over an older lady, offering condolences. I heard her say, “Well, we didn’t want him to suffer.” I’m thinking, “Yep, this is it.” There were lotsa people and LOTSA kids running around. I noticed everyone was on the sun deck, so Jamie and I took that puddin and put it out on the table next to a huge spread. I asked a gentleman where “Becky” was. (She was the hostess). He pointed in a general direction and said, “She’s over there.” As I am trying to pick her out, that same gentleman said, “Can I have your attention please? We are about to bless the food.” I almost said, “Can we wait for Rita? She is on the way.” But..I didn’t. Everyone, including Jamie and me bowed our heads. This guy offered up a beautiful prayer, which I was sure was gonna include something great about James.
He said, “Lord, we just thank you for this beautiful day, and we ask you to bless it. Bless everyone here and bless the food. And we just THANK you for the opportunity to have Luke’s BIRTHDAY PARTY. Uhhh…I have to confess, I opened my eyes way before everybody else!
Jamie and I did a Scooby Doo double-take and went Rut Roh! I slowly eased my puddin’s lid back on…(Hey, I needed SOMETHING for the real wake! Besides, my name and cell phone # was on it!)
We just kinda moonwalked outta there backwards, but not before I confirmed what I heard with a lady there. I said, “Um, scuse me..did he say this was a birthday party?” She goes, “Yep.” I’m like, “So this isn’t a wake or anything..” She looked a bit bewildered and said, “No.” Needless to say, I got the biggest belly laugh of my life (in the car, of course) Jamie didn’t think it was that funny. I guess the balloons on the mailbox shoulda clued me, but hey, a Homegoing Celebration? It could happen! I do love my life.. lol
(Shakin my head cause I got this far in life)
Carol Skipper
AL
I laughed and laughed when I read this!!!! Sooooo funny!
Adrienne
So funny!!!!! Your story gave me a big smile (actually a laugh) this afternoon
This is a good one. Funny
Oh that was to funny I am still laughing we need to have a blog post of who is the funniest I am serious we need to put warning labels on our comments saying you might need to go to the bathroom before reading or please finish your drink before you read any futhur I just spit my water all over the front of my blouse LOL
Blessings to you seista
CAROL SKIPPER
Beth: I love that you wrote that post standing up so your self tanner could dry. THAT brought me laughter. I’m coming to the Living Proof Live event in Irvine in a few weeks and I am VERY excited to see you in person. I’ve been studying the Bible with you for years.
On a side note, what self tanner do you use? I’m also a fan of doing it that way 🙂
I’m so glad somebody finally asked which self tanner! I’m scanning through the comments to see if I’m the only one wondering! 🙂
Your studies and insight into your life, specifically your relationship with your husband, has been very encouraging for me during these past few months. I’m so blessed by God that He would walk me through these hard days with specific encouragement from your ministry – things you published over the years and through some 2007 blog postings! Thank you for being a vessel! God is sooooo Good! My faith is stronger, my love for Him has grown, and I am depending more on Him for my happiness and fulfillment.