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.
God’s continual provision amidst a season of storms is reason to celebrate!! I keep looking for him in mighty, obvious, written in the cloud ways.. but while driving today I was reminded of God’s whisper to Elijah in 1 Kings 19. Knowing he was near was enough for today!
Beth (I feel much more appropriate writing Mrs. Beth, and knowing how dear to my heart you are.. Aunt Beth.. or Bethie), but in these “rainy parts” of the country, can you help a siesta out and share what tanning lotion you use?! I’ve seen you in person at a lpl event and it looks so natural!
Here’s my most recent story of laughter and amazement at just what my God can do:
My husband is one hard working man. When our second child was born, she was premature and we couldn’t put her in day care. So, he picked up a second job(so I could stay home with her)–which he is still doing now 4 years later. It affords me to only work 2 days outside the home and be basically a stay-at-home mom (I am so very blessed!) Great, great man! Okay: the second job fell through a few months ago. We fought panicing, got on our knees and took it to God. We reminded each other through the night as we talked about it–“God will provide for us. Have faith.” But still wrestled feelings of uncertainty. WELL– By the end of the week, my man not only had a new job lined up, they were giving him $10 more an hour than he had been making at the other job! We laughed so hard on our kitchen floor. Only through the goodness of God can you in a weeks time, loose your job, get another one, and a raise!
OK… I am knee slapping because of your last comment – typing while the self tanner dries! Mama Siesta, I can relate to that one! (grin)
The scripture you quoted is one that means a great deal to me. A few years ago I had to read this portion of scripture during a church service to our congregation. I remember when I got the assigend scripture for the week I was to be the lay reader I laughed out loud. (with joy). For many, many years I suffered with infertility. The deep sadness and emptiness in this girls heart seemed like a bottomless pit. I have never had children of my own. We never adopted as it was not what God had put on our hearts to do… we are childless. But the Lord filled that hole until it overflowed with joy. It took many years, but His healing balm worked a miracle in this woman’s heart. My years of prayers, my cries to Him were answered. He gave me children, just not children of my own. He gave me nieces, nephews, Godchildren, my friend’s children (they think we are the coolest). I remember the day that I felt those chains of my infertility bondage fall to the ground. He released me… and I can laugh… with joy! I read that portion of scripture that particular Sunday and the Lord had done what He had promised me! It wasn’t a child… but it was healing! He taught me to not live on the what ifs! He taught me to love the life He has given me! So I share my story with all my gal pals! Who would have thought the answer to infertility would have been infertility! But the Lord knew He would be glorified more in my ability to not have children! I am confident of that!
from one white girl to another: what kinda tanner you usin’? i could use some help. share a little summer beauty secret with a pale siesta. *wink*
I hope you have a great birthday Beth! My sweet niece, Emma Kate, shares your birthday!
I mentioned the other day that I was challenged by an Elisabeth Elliot devotional to stop complaining or saying anything negative. My goal was to do this successfully for 14 days. It then turned into 30. One night, my husband and I were out in the front yard discussing how we needed to take off the crumbling front step and replace it. I then said something about how we’ll never find the brick to match it. He promptly grabbed me and bent me over and gave me a “dip” and a kiss and said, “So much for not being negative.” He said it really loud and I just busted out and laughed my head off. I couldn’t stop laughing. You see, my husband doesn’t dip or smooch in public and this was for all the neighbors to see and hear. In fact, one neighbor was walking by with his daughter and said, “Hey, we’ll have none of that here!”
So much for my 30 day goal…maybe I need a more realistic goal of a week, or a day or an hour!!!
Mama Beth,
Happy Birthday! I bet your tan turns out as gorgeous as you are!
AS for the knee slapping laughter only a sister in Christ would appreciate…I just want to thank God for my girlfriend who decided to take the “dieting”/life change plunge with me. We are like fish out of water, but we press on and we are making progress despite our distinct lack of perfection…we compare notes daily via emails and lots and lots of giggles.
I need that laughter like grace, and I appreciate it almost as much.
xo
Jen
Sometimes when I start to leave my mom’s house we stand at the door and talk for another 20 minutes. I love that!
A funny thing happened to me Sunday after church. Our daughter found out recently that the baby she’s carrying is a boy. I was talking to an older lady in the hallway after church when a lady walked by us and said to me “I heard it’s a boy!!!” I said “Yes! We’re so excited!” She went on to tell me congratulations etc. Meanwhile the older lady I was talking to asked me if I was going to have a baby. I said “Heck no!”
Also, Beth you share a birthday with my very precious son-in-law. He’ll be 27 tomorrow.
You’re a doll….tan or no tan. Happy Birthday…..again. 🙂
Love you!
I needed to hear this promise for me to hold on too! Thank you! I don’t have a laughing moment right now but this met me in a unique and timely way… to be still, and see what the Lord is doing right now … I have been thrashing about in my spirit… my thrashing has kept me from seeing Him all that clearly… this Word… was exactly what I needed to here! I dearly hope to share a laughing joyous God thing with you soon!!
Eight months ago the Lord spared the life of a very dear friend. While people were dying all around He pulled her out of a firey tent at a sweat lodge in Sedona, AZ. Two days later, my friend invited Christ to be her Lord and Savior. Praise You, Lord!
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. [a]
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 40:1-5
First things first… Happy Birthday!
Laughter, fists in the air, and as a friend I work with says, “that’s hankie-wavin” worthy… called MY LIFE!
I think every night when I tuck myself into bed and mentally review my day, God cracks me up! I mean, why would HE use me? And for the things that are far greater than I could imagine. That in itself makes me bust a gut! The adventures HE has fashioned out of this pile of filthy rags can only be celebrated with a belly laugh! You know the kind, deep down, cant breath, snortin, tears streaming kind!
You see, I get to reach children all around the world with a simple gift but more importantly with the Gospel of His Son! WHOOHOOO! A girl who was once in a deep pit, now shares the freedom of Christ! Now that’s hankie-wavin!!!!
So today, know you are celebrated for the way the Lord uses you to bring about His freedom, with laughs, snorts, fists in the air and hankies a-wavin!
Oh sweet girls. This is a season of rejoicing amidst the storm for us. Even though we are going through some REALLY BIG things with my kids (step) and their bio mom…we are learning so much…about what it means to truly wait on the Lord….about what it means to “laugh at days to come”. God is showing me how I have allowed this woman to steal so much of the joy and sweetness of life. I am learning to let go of the anger and bitterness that have crippled me for years…and pray fervently for her salvation…for God’s healing grace to fall upon this family in a mighty way. I am so glad I can share these victories with each of you….that brings me GREAT JOY!
Love you,
Andrea
You know, life has been very dry and very difficult for quite a while now. Lots of sorrow and sadness, and yet, I rejoice that the Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF is present, and real, and active in each of these circumstances. I will yet praise Him! He will redeem the loss and the difficulty and make beauty out of the ashes. The sorrow will turn to laughter and He will prove faithful. Only the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, All-powerful, All-knowing God of the universe can do these things and I will yet praise HIm!
Blessings and laughter to you,
Gretchen
P.S. Happy, happy birthday, Beth!!
Thank you so much for your uplifting post! I really do miss the fun you can have with women friends.
By the way, I go to a place where they give you a massage and apply self tanner as part of the process. Totally worth it!
Happy Birthday!
Much love!
God has truly blessed my marriage beyond what I could have ever imagined. Now I’m a little over three weeks away from the due date of our first child, and guess what? I’m 39, and he’s 40!
We were suppose to return to the mission field in a few days but I now have a herniated disc in my lower back. That’s not the funny part. We were about to be without house or car and I was stressing. God showed up on Sunday and gave us a car to use and a house in the country complete with swimming pool and farm animals! My girls are going to flip! Now let’s just hope I don’t have to kill any snakes. Not funny either. God is so good!!!!
Beth, you are such an example of the most mundane things. How we should feel joy in small things and large things and the picture in my mind about the tanning, I rolled with laughter. Laughter is good for the soul and today I needed a good belly laugh that my day was not providing. Thank you Beth.
I Love it! I could sit and listen to your stories all day. My mom and I have been reliving some of the knee slapping memories of our childhood. I think the funniest is when they were going to adopt a little girl, except it turned out to be a little boy and someone had already spoken for the boy. A few months later my mom started bloating up. She thought she had cancer. 9 months later she gave birth to a perfect little girl. (Her other kids were 16,14,and 12). Her cancer was healed at that moment.
I have suffered a financial loss here recently. God has been so good and has opened possible doors back in Texas!! I won’t be texatheart, I’d be texagain!! I have a sense of peace about it all. He is sooooo good. Have a great birthday tomorrow Beth! Hoping to get to St. Louis on the 25th.
Jan
Beth,thankyou so much for all you do for women and for sharing your heart so deeply. I do not have the words to say on what it has meant to me over the past several years. Recently we are studying your series on Revelation, The Here, Now, and Then. Last week in the bible study you shared about how we are Overcomers and Conquerers. It was a word from God straight to my heart that gave me some confidence. I’ve lost who I once was due to some circumstances. I have some large decisions that I need to make but have been fearful and insecure about them. Praying for my dear Lord’s wisdom and direction. I just found your blog today and what you shared touched me deeply. I thank the Lord for giving you the gift to teach and mentor us in His Word. God be with you this evening and give you Peace.
Happiest of Birthdays, Beth. God sure had some big plans for your life, and He is using you to touch the lives of so many women. You are a blessing to me, and though we will probably never meet until Heaven, know that the Lord has used you and your teaching of His Word to change my life. I could never thank you enough, and that is a blessing in which I find joy. I am really going through some tough circumstances in my life right now. Your books and studies are helping me to see the truth of my Savior through my circumstances. Thanks for giving of yourself so willingly and serving so faithfully!
Goodness–I just laughed OUT LOUD when I got to the end of the blog post about the self tanner–what a hoot! I’ve come to the conclusion that when we are at peace with our selves and our situations, and we KNOW down deep (in that part of ourselves that KNOWS things), that where we are is part of a glorious plan that is beyond our imagination it makes the “ordinary” “extraordinary” and unleashes the joy that leads to those moments of joyous laughter. Beth, I know that you are at that place–thanks for showing it to me….I’m working on getting there with ya!
Happy Birthday!
Can you share your self tanner product name? I’d like to be tan for my birthday too!
Oh Mama Beth,
You just make me laugh. I love the whole tanning thing. I am pretty sure if I tried that, well it would be everywhere except on me….I have just never gotten those self spray things. So my fair skin and I have come to an agreement that we will survive without the tanning.
Now I think God has a sense of humor. I have a purse addiction..honestly I love them. Well lately I had been very good and wouldn’t you know my favorite purse had a desaster occur in it…don’t ask…but just let me say…it was the smelliest thing ever…so I thought fine I have one at home…we had rain this week…lots of it and it rained in two of my purses. Left me the smelly option or the one left in the closet that was not my favorite. Today I said Lord you know how I feel about purses but goodness sake I have lost 3 of them this week. Could you just let me find a silver one with a bow on it and then I can put this matter to rest for while…lo and behold I found a silver one with not one but two bows…I laughed…I was like this is good. I am a happy purse woman. My hubby said nothing like a woman who has lost her favorite purse to pray and God said yes. I so love my man for understanding me.
I did chuckle at you saying how you love being a woman…I am doing the Esther study and boy did I find it tough being a woman…but I have to tell you I found out I have enough beauty treatments to last until I get to heaven. I thought I was low maintance…i have decided thter is no such thing as low maintance when it comes to beauty treatments. They suck you in. so I did a cleaning out and it felt good. The Lord helped me see I am beautiful on the inside and that is where it counts…so I smiled as took the garbage out and said by by. I am sure my hubby thought I had lost my mind. I mean who says by by to garbage.
Happy birthday sweet mama and love you dearly. Thanks to all you sweet siestas for letting me smile and giggle today as I read you comments. We are something else.
love to you all
My husband and I tried for our second child for 4 years. The doctor couldn’t explain my infertility and recommended I go on birth control to “jump start” my system. I said no. We started the adoption process and I went on birth control because we would lose our referral if we got pregnant before getting to a certain stage in the process (my agency’s rules). Once we reached that stage I went back off the pill. Don’t you know it…I got pregnant my first month off the pill. Our bio daughter was born 11 weeks before our adopted son came home from Guatemala…and I broke my arm 1 week before traveling to bring him home. It’s been over 2 years but we we still laugh (almost daily) at God’s sense of humor!!!
My husband was born with very unusual congenital heart issues. Before he was even 12 he’d had two open heart surgeries and a stroke. Praise the Lord, all of it just made him the strong, determined man he is today at the age of 40. We’ve been told for the last 10 years that his heart will eventually just wear out & a transplant will be needed. Last month he began to feel strange….tired all the time, just not right (which is what we’ve been told will happen as the heart wears out). We bumped up his annual cardiologist appointment to have him checked out, thinking that the 10 years was about up & it might be time to look into transplants. There’s a key measurement they check for him every year, the Ejection Fraction. In a normal heart it’s 50-60%….his has been in the 20-29% range for the last three years. We asked friends & family to pray that it would at the very least hold in the 20% range, but also that God would surprise the doctors and actually let it increase and improve if He saw fit. Well, that’s exactly what He did. The number we’d been watching hold steady in the 20-29% range for three years actually went up…..yes, I said UP! He’s in the 30-39% range now, which is astonishing given his heart is one that should never show any improvement at all, according to all the doctors. My husband and I could not stop giggling & laughing out of sheer relief & joy when we got the news in that doctors office last month.
PS: I was on that first bus out of Israel & got to see you click your heels & Melissa flip those cartwheels with my very own eyes. We could NOT have had a better send-off! I thought of that funny moment many times on the long plane flight home & many times since being back. PRICELESS!!! Happy Birthday, Beth….love you so much.
My 25 year old daughter sounded upset and “teary eyed” when I talked to her one afternoon last week. When I asked what was wrong, she said she couldn’t talk about it right then. (She was at work). A year ago she got out of an abusive relationship and she had recently been having some nightmares and anxiety about it so I assumed that was what was upsetting her.
Later that night when we talked she told me that a couple had come to her workplace to repair the central vac system. They had done mission work in Africa and were talking about Jesus and their experinces there. My daughter was called away to answer the work phone. The couple sought her out before they left and said “Repairing the central vac is not the only reason we are here today. We felt led by the Holy Spirit to come and tell you how much God loves you”.
WOW!! I have been praying for a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit for my daughter. Our “laughter” came in the form of grateful and happy tears. Thank you Jesus.
A couple of months ago my 12-year old son had a go-kart accident at a friend’s house. He suffered a compound fracture to his left arm and crushed his left elbow. At first the doctor told us he could have permanent nerve damage and that hs elbow might remain in a locked position. This was devastating news for a middle school boy who never met a ball or a sport he didn’t like. BUT God is working and healing that arm little by little, day by day. We have prayed and prayed and he is now out of a cast and making progress in physical therapy. I have been pretty stressed about all of the doctor bills and constant appointments but out of the blue God has provided the opportunity for a part-time job that I can do to off-set the bills and the braces his brother needs! God is so good! I want to laugh with all of you and rejoice in your testimonies also!
Today I am celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary! We eloped six months after meeting at Bible College. God has brought us down a rough road full of sacrifice, hardships and blessings all wrapped into one… here we are seven kids later! We are still head over heals in love with one another and God is Good! He has sustained us through it all-to Him be the Glory and the Laughter!!
Well, you just don’t hear that everyday. Eloped, eh? My doll of a husband and I eloped after five months of dating: that was 21yrs ago, God alone be praised!
Seven? Did you say seven kids? Ever hear of a chick named Fraulein Maria? Impressive. Happy Anniversary!
Beth~Who would have predicted I’d have 4 beautiful children: healthy, fun and full of life & laughter. My 4 year old sang on our wagon ride this evening, “God is bigger than the boogie man” from Veggie tales. Made me smile & my heart so full. I’m such a crybaby when I read your posts, attend your bible studies and read your books~I love how God has chosen you to touch me when my heart was hardened and sick. Thank you Lord for my Siesta Mama Beth! love to you and yours…
I have a question? i am too chicken to ask my pastor
Why the closer you get to God ,Things just get crazier and crazier.( not in a good way of course)I try to live a life of Obedience,but i have Absolutely nothing to laugh about lately i used to a few months ago when i was not as close to the lord as I am today?weird? sometimes i worry that these many trials will make me doubt my faith and the promises of My God!and is not just me a lot of People who serve the Lord are going trough a lot of sad Trials.it makes a bit angry.
A new job!!! One that I can honestly say, “who would have thought I would be here” but God has a plan and HE opens the doors, we just have to walk through them!!!
Happy Birthday Beth!
I have a God story.
Several months ago I was looking for a particular scripture, I knew words in it, like prosper you, plans I have, etc, so I got my husband in on the search and this man is a Bible whiz, we used Esword concordances in diffeent versions, etc.It is like our almost 60 old brains were mush. Anyway, my 3 granddaughters came to spend the night and we took them to church the next day, and my husband worked childrens church that day, and the kids pulled scriptures out of a bag,to read aloud 2 of the 3 girls pulled out…..Guess…go ahead GUESS…. Jeremiah 29:11…For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future. I could have fainted. I love this verse, I especially love *declares the Lord* He says it and it IS! That was a GOD thing and he brings that scripture up in my life frequently.
Again, Happy Birthday. Many Blessings.
The last year has been attacked. I have come to know the Lord and I have become close to Him.
Beth, I love how your studies show us about your life and your challanges, I can relate to you ALOT. You have really pushed me to be a better person and I just wanted to thank you and to wish you a Blessed Happy Birthday!
Thank you beth!
a new Siesta
Amanda
Life’s been a bit rough this last year, but God has been GOOD and has sent me much laughter. My five year old boy cracks me up everyday. Today he told me, “Mommy, I love you more than sharks, and I love you more than cherry trees.” Sharks? uh, I hope so! God has given me such joy in my precious boy. I praise God for him constantly – and God constantly reminds me of His goodness through this little one, who will quickly point me to our Savior everyday. Thank you Lord for this gift of joyous laughter, even in the midst of hard times.
And happy happy birthday Mama Beth! I am so thankful that God created you and breathed life into you. God has mighty plans for you, and we are all so thankful for your faithful walk with Him. We are all celebrating with you!
I was on the Green bus and watched Beth, Melissa and Ruthie’s silly farewell show in the Jerusalem Hotel parking lot. It was one of the top 10 highlights of our trip. You 3 had us all in stitches on that bus. I laughed till I cried and I’ll never forget it. Thanks for being such an amazing teacher as well as being such a nut. I had a blast!
Like several others who have commented, I also struggle with infertility. Exactly one week ago, God blessed us way more than we deserve with the adoption finalization of our son, Andrew. We got him through a Divine miracle the Lord did in the foster care system four days before Christmas. He will be three in August, and let me tell you, there is MUCH laughter in our home now. He’s the most darling thing most of us have ever seen, and we couldn’t be more in love with him.
“He gives the barren woman a home, making her the JOYOUS mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:9
Happy Birthday, Beth! Oh, and my small group just finished When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. Wonderful! Just Wonderful! I was Had but am so glad to be Healed and to have always been Son!
Happy Happy Bday tomorrow:o) I’m sure you are all of 25 since you were 24 last year:) Love that you shared all the things that brought you laughter and love being a woman. Esp. that you shared all of this while you were waiting for your self tanner to dry, of course!
I can totally relate to laughter and laughing with girls/women. The past couple of days was one of those girl laughter times with my youngest and her good friend from “hand camp” and her mom. We were just rejoicing and laughing over our sweet girlies with hand differences and how much a blessing their hands are. God has truly blessed us and them. They keep us laughing ALL the time!! WE just LOVE being GIRLS!
Have a BLESSED day!
Can guys read this blog? Just curious…..
Many do…but they don’t admit it. If we start talking girly stuff….and we WILL….oh well, we’re girls. And we LOVE being girls!!
Melana 🙂
Go for it…. all us ladies love each other … so there is room to love you too!
Read on Ron. 🙂 Sometimes guys are even asked to comment. 🙂
Only the brave ones…! *grin*
You’re welcome here.
Adrienne
I would google John Eldredge and read his blog…if I were a man in search of the Father’s heart towards me.
You are such a hoot! I love that you share those details. I do that often and always wonder if I am the only that thinks that way.
When I turned 30 I was going through a divorce and thought that my chance for children was over. I was ok with with the thought that God had a different path for my life. one without children. Now I’m almost 39 and I’m due in two months to have my second child. God has blessed me with a girl and soon to be with a boy. I’m still amazed at His amazing provisions.
Saturday morning my husband got a call from our former pastor, who happens to be his best friend-(He’s married to my best friend.) We’ve been serving with them for almost 18 years, but felt the call out of their church about six months ago, which has caused a strain in our relationship. I’m an extremely loyal person, and while it hurt like mad for my best friend to leave me, I assured her that I would always be there for her. Period.
Anyway, back to Saturday–Our friends were in a neighboring community (40 minutes away) when they received a call that their house was on fire. They called my husband to go to their house to see what was up. My man left the soccer field immediately and went to their home to find it completely engulfed. He called me to tell me and let me know that our friends would be on the scene in about 10 minutes. I raced to my car and got there about 3 to 4 minutes before our friends pulled up.
My best friend, and sister of almost 20 years ran from her car right to me and it was INSTANTANEOUS RESTORATION. We stayed with them the whole day–and have been in constant contact with them since the fire. Some pretty miraculous things have happened in the midst of their devastation–like finding a rubbermaid container of pictures in perfect condition underneath the rubble of an incinerated two story house.
Anyway, while I’m definitely not laughing about the destruction and total loss of their home and possessions, I am full of joy with the reconciliation that happened in our friendship. I know one day we will look back on this time and see the life that rose from the ashes.
Please pray for Jon and Phyllis–and their children Taylor and Daniel.
Thanks so much, and God Bless.
Teri
I am sure I will get in trouble eventually for replying much today, but Teri…you have such a heart. I think that’s all I can say without crying. I love your heart for your friends.
God has done AMAZING miracles, the greatest of which is just keeping my marriage together. I marvel many times a day over what He has done to restore our marriage and to show us both grace and mercy, and teach us to show that to each other.
We have a beautiful and smart little girl we adopted from China 3 years ago. God orchestrated family situations in two parts of the world to bring our family together and it has been amazing.
I am looking forward to the other blessings God will add to our family in the very near future. It has been 3 years since we became a family and my husband and I both are itching to have another little one running around the house. We’re not sure how it will happen but I’m believing we will once again look back and say “That was SO GOD!!”
God has done so many things in my life to make me laugh! I have 3 boys. My oldest is 19. Then there are the babies 3yrs old and 21 months old! There are days that the only way I can get through the day with my mind half way intact is to laugh out loud! 🙂 The boys are the joy of my life and God has so blessed me with outstanding children!
Laughter? Yes, it’s a simple thing, but I am more in love with my man than ever. We’ve been married almost 13 years and I just have to say that my heart breaks for him over and over. It’s like we’re newly married. So, simple and complex. Joyous and reverent. Lovely and sacred. Thank you, Lord, for our marriage.
P.S. Still processing Deeper Still in Denver this weekend. You know, I totally thought about you all going to dinner on Saturday! What a fun dinner table that must have been!
P.P.S. Happy Birthday, dear Beth!
I hope you have a fabulous birthday!
I don’t have anything particular at the moment to share that made me laugh but I am really happy!
Much love and blessings to you!
michelle in VT
About 15 years ago after having 2 boys (6 and 3 years old) I convinced my hubby I wanted another child. I knew
God would not “give” us another boy! He laughed and told me, “No, with our luck, we would have twin boys!” Well, you guessed it, He did!:) However, I found NO laughter in his remark nor God’s “double blessing” in our lives until several (well, more than several) years later……….and now, I laugh everytime I tell someone our “luck!” We have had so many hilarious moments with our boys and I know we will have many more years of laughter as we reflect back on their presence in our lives.
My best friend, Misty, had breast cancer 2 years ago. A few weeks ago, she went for a mammogram and the Drs said that the cancer had returned full force in her left breast. They were talking about stage 3 or 4 cancer so we were preparing for the worst while praying for God’s healing. Today….she spoke with the Dr and the biopsies they did last week came back and….there is NO cancer! Talk about a GREAT God!!! The prayers of a righteous man avail much 🙂
Wow He is Awesome! Blessings to you and your friend Misty!
Beth….I <3 you! This post is the best! Having fun and laughing is the best medicine for what ails you….I try to do it at work,(they usually say "who put the quarter in her")at church, at home ….life is way too short to be serious and unhappy! A good belly laugh makes you feel so good. The thing that got me tonight tho was "Your Mama loves you!" thank you for that…my mama is with Jesus and can't say that to me, but I think I heard her say it through you tonite. Have a BeAuTiFuL week, beautiful you!
this one got me with my mouth open, hanging on every word. this sunday, I had someone pray for me. i had just had a rough 2 months with heaviness and mind battles! yuck! she said she saw a large vatt that seemed to be in my belly, open up and the joy of the Lord shine inside that thing!! REALLY BRIGHT!!! That’s something I could testify to. I had prayed that very morning for joy unspeakable…well, HELLO! I am free to feel and experience joy from MY GOD!!
Happy Birthday, Siesta Mama!! So thankful to the Lord that He decided to put you on the earth during this time and for our generation!! What a blessing you have been to so many of us. We praise Him and wish you many more Happy Birthdays!
Love in Christ, Nancy