I just have a few minutes to climb on here before my staff (and BFF’s) and I head to lunch. I just got a text saying we’re going to Luby’s Cafeteria so I’m already thinking about what I’m going to get. You’ll be happy to know after a year of being unhealthy and underweight and in bad need of surgery, I am back to my normal size and feeling ten tons better. (I am still dealing with some physical pain but I think it’s my trust from God right now. You’ll never waste a prayer on me but that’s another story for another time.) Anyway, the only unfortunate part about being physically healthy again and back to my real weight is that I can’t really get chicken fried chicken for lunch anymore. Grin.
Last night my man and I had the neatest experience and it’s on my mind so I think I’ll share it. We were invited to the 30th birthday party of a young woman we’ve known all her life. Kay’s parents and Keith and I have been dear friends since our early 20’s. Many years ago we served together in our young marrieds’ Sunday School department. Kay’s Dad, Roger (one of the finest men I’ve ever known), taught the men’s class and I taught the women’s. Each set of couples had 2 daughters almost exactly the same age. They grew up together at the same church and have known each other all their lives. We have vacationed together a number of times as families and as couples and leaned on each other more times than I can count. During difficult seasons, we have wept together and in times of victory, celebrated like wild people. Our oldest daughters served in summer missions together and met and fell in love with two guys from Missouri who were best friends. They each married those guys and were in each other’s weddings only two weeks apart.
We got invited to Kay’s birthday party because Roger and Mary Ann (one of the finest women I know) would be the only other older couple there. The rest were all in their late 20’s or early 30’s. As we sat at that table with our life-long friends right beside us, I looked around at those young people and remembered just yesterday when it was us sitting in their positions. We had so much life ahead. So much joy. So much victory. So much defeat. (I’ll just apply that part to Keith and me) So much need. Life – and marriage, for Heaven’s sake – is flat-out HARD. But you really couldn’t tell it last night. It was a celebration and time to put our troubles aside and boast in the graciousness of our God. And we did.
I thought last night how much God used that band of married couples so many years ago to keep Keith and me together through hard times and how much sweeter they made the good times. Many of us from that original young marrieds’ group at our church are still friends today. All but two couples have stayed together (no condemnation to those who haven’t – the devil is relentless) and through many very difficult times. None of us are without scars. None of us are as full of ourselves or as sure of ourselves as we were back then. We’ve been broken over and over and sometimes to pieces but last night there we sat, telling some of those people our stories and hearing a few of them say,
“That’s pretty cool.”
The way God ordained it, we don’t just need our vertical relationship with Him to make it in life and marriage. We need one another. We need Hebrews 10:24-25 kind of people. We need folks around us to cheer us on and even to question us and hold us accountable. We need people who will not only pray for us but laugh with us and cry with us. Eat Mexican food with us. Live life with us! We need more than Facebook and blogs and tweets, as much as I enjoy them. We need real people and real face-to-face, life-to-life relationships. Last night when Kay’s husband, Jerrell, prayed over her before we sat down to the birthday feast, for some reason Mary Ann, Roger, Keith and I grabbed onto each other for dear life and hugged each other with all our might. We are still standing after the enemy has done you-can’t-imagine-what to try to destroy us. Not one of us would take an ounce of credit. Jesus. It’s all Jesus. He’s been so much better to us than He had to be. He did not let the devil bring the destruction he wanted.
It seems only yesterday we WERE those young couples. In the blink of an eye those young couples will be our age, having endured what they were sure they couldn’t and having celebrated more than they deserved.
God is so good.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…Therefore we do NOT lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8, 16.
I think I just met what may be a lifelong friend last night – you know when you meet someone and you just feel something different about them than other people?
We had a fellowship dinner at our church last night, and we are pretty new to our church, and it’s a big church, so it’s hard to really meet people. I met a couple much like my husband and I and talked for a long time with the gal, Sarah. I felt like I could have talked with her for hours longer, but of course we were interrupted by my 4 year old with “Mama!! I have to go POOPY!!!” 😀
Sarah has 4 kids, two older than mine and two the same age as mine, so she just laughed right along with me.
Anyway, I am so astounded by all the gifts God is showering on me since I turned back to Him… definitely some good loot I’m plundering from the devil as I leave my land of captivity! (Three souls saved, plus me, and counting!)
Hilary
I want to say that I definitely fall into the category of the almost “30”(ahem..november it will happen)- yet, of course I am a single girl. And I’ve decided that I am just going to quit wondering if I’ll ever be married, and just be a girl who finds her heart within God’s heart. Everytime I try to “date”, the guy ends up not being someone who God would be proud of me being with. Not to mention everyone in my life. including a few siestas here who have gotten those “texts”.
God has given us all responsibilities, and it doesn’t matter of our pasts, it doesn’t create who we are, unless we allow it too. and AMEN to 2 Cor 4:7-8
TRADING MY SORROWS:) Yep, I love the song too btw:)
🙂 angie
P.S- yes ma’am you better keep yourself healthy!
are you saying guys broke up with you on texts? Are you kidding?
I am 31 and single. And yes I am there too, finding my heart within HIS heart. LORD, I pray for the men that are being prepared for this siesta and me, may they love you JESUS and may we love you and that love be shared between us.
In JESUS Name AMen
sort of. I got a FB message break-up, but no i meant the accountability texts…Siesta OC you need to contact me girl, we should def be IRL friends!
Angie, I am right there with you, sister!! I’ve determined to no longer define who I am by my singleness but by the powerful God that I serve!!
I truly is hard, but I am all for it. He has blessed my life so much. I need to live to serve Him, because of the change He has done in my life! He is the only man for me:) Until, HE says otherwise…:)
I’m going to be 30 this year & I guess I’d fall into the “full of ourselves & sure of ourselves & our marriages” category. This is a great reminder not to fall prey to the convenience of text, fb, email communication alone in order to sustain the friendships with people that will help to sustain me. Seems transparency & trust are key to those relationships. Thanks for the post!
Just needed to throw out a quick book review to go along with our study….sometimes it helps me really get to the heart of a study when I get into other books on the same subject (for example Charles Swindoll’s Great Lives From God’s Word series).
This time I have picked up Francine Rivers’ A Lineage of Grace and the novella on Ruth has brought this beautiful woman to LIFE! I can almost watch her take every step of this journey, feel every tear she shed and every moment her heart was tender toward her mother in law. As I have progressed through these pages (my Bible, Francine’s book and Kelly’s study all inclusive) I have experienced warm memories, renewed frustration, tender heart throbs and even some tears for the moments I spent caring for my mother in law, in and out of our home for three years.
Sadly, she is gone and I can’t share this study with her, but I think this might be my “Only God could have known” moment….that in this season of my life, I would participate in a study of one of His most precious women and think about my own mother in law in a way He would have me remember her.
I LOVE resting in the Word of God and Love of Jesus!
One of my favorite quotes about friendship:
Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.
– C. S. Lewis
My husband and I also cling like crazy to our best couple friends when we pray. We have been through so much, know so much, suffered so much, rejoiced so much and above all been blessed so much. At this point, we know we can’t do it without God. We are humbled by His grace.
Thank you love you seista mama
I love what you said about we need people the Heb 10:24-25 kind of people, believe I need that today just having one of those days my sister from Florida was here on vacation for 8 days and I took her to the airport this a.m. to go back home and I am tearing up writing this I miss her she is my only sister and she comes to help me take care of my elderly mom so she takes a little off me.
But we are the only 2 out of the family that have a relationship that I can laugh with cry with and tell everything to.
You seista mama are a huge blessing in my life and just love you so much.
Thanks for the 2 Corinthians passage I think I need to memorize thatn one.
I will pray for your pain and thanks for all your encouraging words I think you are a pretty awesome lady.
Love Carol
Thank you for that – I surely needed that word today. Man, we are living through some stuff that will nearly drag us under at times these days, but God is ever faithful to us. It is hard to watch people get ahead over and over and over and feel like “when is it my turn” and be paitent on God to reveal his plan in our lives. That story today encouraged me to hold on, there is a bigger purpose and plan and one day when I am sitting at my baby girl’s birthday and she is grown, we can look back on these times and smile at all GOD did through our lives, for He is placing us in a position right now where we simply cannot go through it without Him. Thank you again!
How sweet, Beth!
Thanks so much for sharing- it was very encouraging and inspiring. I love reading a post like that, so personal (I guess becase I”m nosie:P)and truely from the heart!
Love ya….and will be praying,
~Olivia~
Those were precious times – we loved having you both as teachers and count you as dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Beth, you always say you were a sorry teacher in those days, but even as a novice, God’s hand was on you and you made a difference in so many of those young (at that time anyway) women’s lives. Pray for you often and praise the Lord for His work in your ministry.
Marty! What a blast to hear from you on this post! Siestas, Marty and her husband Johnny were our directors in that first young marrieds department! They’ve hung in there, too. Marty, no telling what your prayers spared Keith and me. Laughing. We always need them. Thank you for your servant’s heart. I have such fond thoughts of you.
As a young woman and only in my third year of marriage I greatly appreciate this post. We are still newlyweds and have lots of dreams to hopefully see come true. I often read Titus 2:3 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children”. I long to hear from women who have been through what I am going through…for support and encouragement and wisdom. Yes, it is nice to have friends that are going through it with me. Of course all Praise and glory goes to God for being the ultimate keeper! However, this scripture speaks volumes. Some “younger” people may not want to learn from women and men who have been there done that…but I would love to! So I appreciate these words and it’s so awesome to hear about couple’s who have gone through the hard times and the fun times and are still loving Jesus and each other!!!
Beth,
I thank God everyday that He created you to be the woman that you are. Praise His name! I’ve been reading your books and following you on here, and I just want to say thank you for posting this message today. I’m 20 years old and have been through a battle already in life. Just when I am ready to give up the fight, I hear God say, “Hold on, child. Have faith.” Your words are so encouraging, and your message today gives me hope for the future. Hope that just like you all, I will one day look up and see how faithful Christ is. Thank you for sharing your life to glorify God.
With love and joy in my heart,
Erin
Thanks for sharing- what an awesome testimony of the grace and power of God! You are so right too about needing real flesh and blood people to hold onto and who will hold onto you. Living overseas we see time and again especially with the younger couples that we lead, that so many of them stay SOOO connected to everything back in the US via the internet. I still haven’t figured all this out, because don’t get me wrong, I love blog world, but there is such a fine line I think between staying connected enough to minister to people and share about your lives, and being so connected that you try to live your life in cyberworld. It’s a dangerous game! I’m feeling this especially right now because two dear couples that we are very close to over here are back in the states for the summer so I am needing some face time with some friends! thanks as always for your wise words, Mama Beth!
I am sitting here overwhelmed with thankfulness. crying.
I am overwhelmed with the sweetness of God giving us such amazing friends who love Him and love eachother.
Roger, MaryAnn, Mr. Moore and your sweet self had such an impact on Vernon and I, as we left our families in MO and served in TX. Thank you for loving God, loving your spouse and loving your sweet children…and their crazy friends!
Over the next 2 weeks Vernon and I will celebrate 7 years of marriage and I will turn 30. Both have been at the front of my mind as they approach. Both are big milestones for us. My heart is so thankful its overflowing!
Love y’all to the moon!
Oh my gracious, Amber. I can’t believe it’s been 7 years. We love you guys to the moon, too.
This is such a WORD! I am so thankful for forever friends.
Please lift up Audrea she is a young lady in her early 30’s who is in the ICU in Fort Worth,TX as a result of a miscarriage at 15week. Please pray for this sister and her family.
thank you, Beth for your thoughts today – as always! Especially the verses in 2 Corinthians. I have been carrying around Isaiah 43:18-19 since the LPL in Irvine a few weeks ago – a much needed time of encouragement and looking ahead; I will carry these forward as well – thanks for letting God speak to me from your heart. He IS faithful!
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…Therefore we do NOT lose heart.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-8, 16.
Praise God for Jesus, and the wonderful fellowship with others that we are PRIVILEGED to have because of Him.
I need people in my life – and I’m thankful for our long-time friends, couples who have been through a lot of ups and downs together with my husband, kids and I.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
Yep, we need each other. And I’m glad the body of Christ is big and diverse! Tonight my husband and I are going to lead worship at a prayer meeting for our local Crisis Pregnancy Care Center. We’ve formed a really neat relationship with the people who head it up, and they are from ALL walks of life, attend ALL sorts of churches, are ALL different ages, and it’s really neat to gather together to worship God! The thing that unites us is our desperation for Jesus and our heart to help girls and women who feel like they are alone and don’t know what to do now that they’re pregnant. It’s cool to work together.
Jessica
Wow. This was all it took for me to bawl!! Ugly bawl. I am getting my first baby ready for kindergarten in 3 weeks and all I can think is, “Have I done all the right things so far?” and “How many days into being dropped off is he going to stop giving me a hug and kiss good-bye?” Apparently this is a huge issue for me, I cried during ToyStory 3 with him (on our “date”:), lost it in the school supply isle at Target, and now this 🙂 I am so thankful no one else is home to see this latest display of my girlness, my husband and boys would never let me forget it. Much love and oh, I pray a sweet week for you Mama!
Oh Sweet Amanda-
Those are such hard days….my youngest is going into the 5th grade this year and it feels like just yesterday that I watched him climb those big steps onto that bus for the first day of Kindergarten, I walked back to my car and bawled and bawled, called my husband who so loving said “Are you CRYING!!?!?!” I am tearing up just thinking about it!
You’ve done well by him I am sure….I remember having those same reservations and still find myself in the same place as the kids grow…take care and cry your little heart out…it’s what a mama does! 🙂
Love you,
Andrea
Beth-
Thanks for posting. This story reminds me of the last wedding I was at. The groom was dancing the mom-son dance. Midway through the song, the groom’s dad came over and asked to cut in so he could dance with his bride. I was so touched. It is not getting married that is hard, it is staying married that is hard.
Amen to that! And thank God for his guidance and protection when we are too young and full of ourselves to ask for it! 🙂
Blessings… For some reason I’m just floored by that post. The cycle of life has thumped over and I am reeling with the realization that I am on the bottom of the wheel going down… I am blessed, frantic, sad, and frightened. whoa! I didn’t get to do it right!!!! That post echoed a lot of my own thoughts… but I feel like a failure much of the time. I know that is old Mr. Devil getting his horns in me… I will live in victory if it kills me… Hugs and tears…
I’m so glad you posted this. Tears are streaming as I read through all of the ladies responses. My marriage is struggling to hang on and I just don’t know what to do. It is at the point now where I can pretty much predict how every conversation will go because we’ve been through it all so many times before. If you come across this post say a prayer for us, I sure would appreciate it.
Praying, Destee. I have so been there. Have you ever read the book “How People Grow” by Cloud and Townsend?
No, but I’ll check it out. Thank you so much. I’m tender hearted today. Just watched your vimeo Week 3 Siesta Summer video. I am loving that study of Ruth. I am also working slowly alone through the new taping of Breaking Free. I had to laugh and tear up again because I am watching video 5. How true about the family stuff… I hate hearing, “What happened to your bible study?” when I blow it and act ugly… It is a big theme with my Mama… and she isn’t asking it in a question-way… but kinda smarty! hahaha… Hugs and love… I’ll check out that book.
oops sorry… I thought you were talking to me!!! Oh, well… I may check out that book anyway! haha..
That must have been the Lord!! GET IT!! Laughing.
I’d love to do the Breaking Free one as well. I can relate to those ugly moments too. It’s funny how all of our Bible study convictions pop up throughout the week. I’m so thankful for the Spirits nudging.
No, I haven’t read that one. I’ll be checking it out ~Thank you for your prayer~
This is the verse I’m hanging on lately. I’m applying it to my heart in regards to my marriage.
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender responsive heart.
It gives me hope that God can change stubborn hearts like mine….and his.
Just a quick update for you all……Me and my selfish ways have been praying for my husband to make the first move. I just really felt like I was needing to know he cared enough to initiate working on our marriage. Well even in my selfishness, the Lord gave me what I felt I needed. Unlike any time before my husband called today after getting off work and told me he has been thinking about us all day. He said he is really going to make an effort to make things work and he acknowledged some fault in some of the things I have been so upset about. I told him immedietly though tears that was exactly what I needed to hear right in this moment. Thanks you so much for your prayers. I have no doubt this was God’s blessing on us and that the Spirit moved His heart today. Thanks again ladies for your encouragement and prayers!
Praying too Destee. My husband and I drove to Louisiana from Texas to see a counselor as a “last resort”, and with God as Eddie Parrish’s focus our marriage is now better than it has ever been, and we went through 29 years of pain. I would love to send you his website [email protected] if it’s okay with Beth and comment checkers okay it. 🙂
I googled it and found it (hahaha I’m so impatient lol). It looks like a great retreat, something I’d love to do. I’m wondering if there is anything closer to my home like this (Ohio)? I have two young children and a limited budget so I can’t travel to LA but the idea of a couples retreat is something I am liking : ) I’ll have to look around. Thanks for sharing the information and giving me hope. We’ve been married 10 years and are high school sweethearts so we’ve been together since age 16. I’ve been with him more of my life than without him and I’m going to try my best to keep it that way!
I think it’s wonderful Destee that you were so eager to do your own research and found the site. I will pray for you and your husband that a Godincidental happens and you will be able to visit Eddie or someone close to home who is God’s vessel. The one thing I learned from Eddie that changed me…when he gave us “breaks” he instructed my husband and I not to talk to each other (easy ha ha) and just repeat over and over to ourselves “God make me who You want me to be.” It works.
Praying, Sweet One!
Thank you Rebecca : )
Oh sweet Destee-
Praying that God will intervene, and protect your precious marriage. He has been speaking so clearly to me on marriage for the last few months and he just keeps asking me…what can you do to strengthen your marriage today? What are you doing to tear it down? He so wants us all to be successful in our marriages for HIS glory! I have found that marriage is the truest test of selflessness….and the ability to love someone despite their short-comings and flaws! Hang in there! Loving on you today!
In Him,
Andrea
Thank you Andrea for your prayers and insight. You are so right….selflessness is needed (and I lack in that area). I think more of what I’m not getting than what I’m not giving. Those are some great questions to start the day!
So glad that God is moving in your hearts and touching you with fresh insight daily! Hang in there…cling to Him and he will see you through this!
Loving on you!
Andrea
Let me just testify to the need for real life face to face Mexican to Mexican kind of friends for just a second….
We believe the Lord was calling us to leave the church we had been raising our children in and had attended for the last 10 years last Summer. I had no idea or concept of realizing that all those relationships and friendships would be completely different or not exist any more. It took time for me to realize this and it all but crushed me.
Sooooo…..we ARE created to have real life face to face, heart to heart, life to life, Mexican to Mexican friendships and God is slowly putting them back in our life in a brand new church.
I love FB, blogs, and twitter as well, but nothing beats the real deal. NOTHING.
Love you all! Thank you so much for teaching us Beth.
Love you Fran:)
You know something…hitting 50 ( and watching children grow up) sure brings to home and the heart where we have been, where we are, and where we hope to be going. Isn’t God just grand!
Oh Mama Beth,
thank you for this post today. It was so needed. I am as you would say in the Esther study in a “for such a time as this”. I had no idea when I began the Esther study that it would land me right smack dab in the middle of a situation that is so dear to my heart and oh I am tyring so hard to not do the how. Cause the Lord knows how…He knows how this will work out. But this trust thing is something we are working on. I know fretting is not going to get me across the victory line. I have to trust God. but this situation is breaking my heart right now. So I keep going back to the verses you gave us about how the Lord knows and saying to me. I have been on my knees in prayer and tears and I am pretty sure I am in the wait moment. but oh how I long for the waiting to be over. I wonder how did Esther know when to step through the open door? I was struck by something you said in our Esther lesson yesterday. God’s patience always involves His passion. It was an aha moment. I can’t believe in my heart that this situation doesn’t involve his passion and while it is tough being a woman I know in my heart of hearts that my trust in Him will turn it all around.
I have no doubt that your lesson yesterday was for me. I know it is not about me…but the LOrd knew I had fear in my heart. He knew I needed to hear it so I can’t get past it and take that step through. I don’t know why I felt you needed to know this, but I love you so. You have touched my life so deeply and my hunger for the word would never be what it is today if you wouldn’t have shown me that being in the word can totally rock.
I pray your pain continues to heal and thank you for sharing with us. I love you
Tammy
Wow, Tammy I don’t what you are going through, but I will definely be praying for you. I have been preparing the Esther study for our church ladies too.
The part that stuck me hard was when Beth talked about a period of time she could not feel God’s presence. You want to know He is here and He is with us, then one day she felt His presence bigger than ever. It was overwhelming. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
So, just remember God is going through this situation with you. You are not alone. Waiting for God is hard sometimes, but I pray He will give you strength. Keeping you in prayer. in Christ
Oh, Tammy, I don’t know exactly what you’re dealing with, but your words struck such a chord with me! I, too, am in this ‘waiting’ period….trying not to run ahead and do the ‘how’ but WAIT. It’s so hard!!!!
I keep wondering if God really does want me to do this or that, and then He ever so firmly says, “Be STILL.” I’ve started going through Scripture and writing down every single verse that deals with TRUST. It’s been an eye opener, and has shown me a ton about what it means to really trust God.
I am praying you find a place of peace during this time. Trust Him – we won’t be disappointed. (Psalm 22:4-5)
Long time close friends are an incredible blessing. Your description brings to mind part of a speech my grandfather gave on friendship many years ago. “A true friend is as comfortable as an old shoe, and I know no higher compliment to pay any friend. You all know the comfort of feeling safe with him/her, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will sift them up, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” –Ezra Decoto
Hi Beth,
So glad to hear of your much improved health! Go ahead and eat that fried chicken you are still THIN!!! This was just the fragrance I needed to lift a heavy heart towards the heavens. I am pressed right now, perplexed right now, persecuted right now and struck way down right now…but God is for me and He is for you too. Is that not just wonderful.
Love and Prayers!
Cindy
I love it!!! I am in a small group right now with one of the women I admire most in this world. She is older than me and has traveled the road before me. And let me tell you what a blessing that is … To have her wisdom, encouragement, insight, and example of love for the Lord!!! No matter what age we are we do need each other to lean on … So thankful for her … And for you sweet Beth. I know you are the same for many of those young women you are around. Sweet blessings indeed!!!
Beth – I have to tell you something that just tickles me to death…. My mom (she’s almost 77, but don’t tell her I told you) attends a Sunday School class for seniors at her church, and the name of the Sunday School Class is….. “The Newlyweds of 1952”. I am not kidding!!! Mom says some of the people (singles and couples) in the class have been attending church and SS together for over 50 years! I don’t know whether to laugh my head off or squirt tears of joy at that… What a treasure it must be to have that kind of longevity in friendships.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You bless us all so much.
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
I am bent over laughing.You can well expect me to use that as an illustration this weekend where I’m speaking.
I am just weeping reading this. I am in the young married stage of it all and after having a baby seventeen months ago, the loneliness of being home alone with him all day just nearly overwhelmed me. My decade-long friends are scattered throughout the world making their dreams come true and sometimes I just felt so isolated!!! But when the fog of new motherhood cleared, I realized that I still had some close by and I started calling on them again.
We do just cling to each other sometimes. Sometimes I feel a flood of relief sweeping over me when I work up the courage to say what I’m struggling with and a friend says that she’s struggling with it too. I’m not alone!!!!
Today I feel just like Anne of Green Gables who always felt her friends’ sorrows and victories so keenly she couldn’t utter meaningless platitudes. We postponed our Siesta Summer Bible Study til next week because our friend had an appointment in Ft. Worth to determine if she would be able to have any more children after a traumatic pregnancy, birth and recovery seventeen months ago. She called a little while ago to say that the doctor gave her the go-ahead!!!! I just couldn’t think of anything to say to her as the joy just welled up and up and up and spilled out of my eyes in little streams. God is so good to us! Someday when our little ones are our age now, we will look back and remember the privelege of getting to carry them, the challenge and the joy of being married to their daddies, and the faithfulness of God to bring us through.
I just cannot stop crying. Thank you for sharing. You make the road ahead look brighter. I love you!
Kristi
(ps I am in week six of the Revelation lecture series and I am loving it! God is revealing Himself in my every day like I have never had the eyes to see before!!!)
What precious words, Kristi.
Praying for you pain today, mama Beth. Thanks for sharing, sweet lady. If anyone sees this, pray for a heart ache I’m having this week with a friend difficulty. Love you!
Prayed for your friendship challenge. We’ve all been there. Blessings!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I am reminded how important relationships are in our lives.
Will you please pray for that in our lives? Our family (my man and four children aged 21 months to 14yrs) just made a lifechanging move from FL to Northern VA where we know no one. All our family and those lifelong friends are back in FL where we have always lived. I don’t doubt God’s plan in moving us here but frankly, I am not in the South anymore! We desperately need to find a home church and some of those lifelong friends here in this new home of ours. We feel strongly that we might be here a good long time so we need to find some real friends, flesh and blood, to share those joys and sorrows with! If you could just pray for that for us, I would appreciate it. Moving is a very lonely place to be but I am thankful that God continues to work in our lives and is faithful!
Love, Darcy in FL (well, now VA)
Oh, Darcy…what a drastic change for you. My daughter lives in N. Virginia, Arlington. I’m on the west coast. There are many good churches in the area, large and small, depending on what you are looking for. Don’t hesitate to find a MOPS group, or look online at some church websites to find one. I’ll be praying for you as you settle into your new home. take care. Pam in San Diego
Thanks, Pam, for the encouragement and prayers. I have started looking for churches online I hadn’t thought about MOPS! Since I have some older kids now, I haven’t been to MOPS in years but since I have a little one again I could so find one! Thanks so much for that idea. Blesings, Darcy
Darcy,
Hang in there. I’ve BEEN THERE so many times. We moved from the midwest to Alabama, then to Chicago (which truly became my home away from home, so to speak) then again to Oklahoma. All within 4 years, and with 3 teenagers in tow. Talk about drama (and culture shock)!
When I read Beth’s words, I just cried. I’ve been feeling like I may never again have those friends who have spent years and years together, but you know what? Longevity doesn’t always matter, if God has led you there, He has a purpose for you. He will give you your traveling companions!
Here’s a quote that comforts me when we make a move (which we are looking at doing AGAIN)
“Say not, my soul “From whence
Can God relieve my care?”
Remember that Omnipotence
Hath servants everywhere.” – J.J. Lynch
God’s people are everywhere. I’ll be praying He will lead you just where He wants you and give you a friend to share your day with.
Hello Mama Beth,
So glad you’re feeling better and back to your normal self! I have a praise report to share…the Dr’s were 99% sure that I had a tumor on my Adrenal Glands – yesterday the test results came back saying no major abnormalities!
Praise His Holy Name! As a single gal of 46 I can certainly relate to the friends who you can look back over the hills and valleys you’ve walked together, friends that are true precious gifts from God..and all those songs we sang together back then, they just mean more because we’ve walked those hills & valleys together with Him..
You are a sweet gift Siesta Mama, I love you!
Marylee
God is SO awesome! I am serving as sponsor at youth camp this week, and do not have a lap top, but. . .just couldn’t stand waiting any longer to read our Summer Bible Study greeting from Beth, so I asked the tech guy if I could get on his. This post is amazing! I really share your feelings, Beth! I am beginning to feel that I am too old to be a camp sponsor, but don’t want to quit coming yet! Thank you again for all you do for us. I need all very much, God, family, friends in the flesh and blogging buddies!
Oh Beth, tears welled up as you shared. I know that we have a need for these type of horizontal relationships to get through life. Sadly, my husband and I haven’t had that in quite awhile. Moving to a new city and never really finding our “group” has been the saddest thing of my life. For 6 solid years today it has been this way. It’s the loneliest feeling sometimes in the world — to not have that one true friend or friends other than my precious husband to share life with as a couple.
So I’m praying that we will find that again. God redeems and restores. I’m praying He will do it again for us in this area.
Blessings,
Dori
What a wonderful blessing to have Christian couples as friends! You are so wonderfully Blessed!
God knows just what we need and when we need Him the most!
Especially, enjoyed your Bible verse:
Hard pressed, but not suffocated
Puzzled, but not utterly baffled
Pursued, but not caught or outrun
Struck down, but not out of fight
Therefore, we do not lose heart_We must go
on for the sake of the gospel. Thank God
He renews our spirits and helps us through
our circumstances.
Seems exhausting, but very much worth it!
We owe God everything.
Believe and keep believing
Hope and keep hoping
For His paths lead to righteousnes
And His goodness and truth prevail
His forgiveness is more than we can comphrend
For He is an Awesome, Loving God.
Thank you for sharing from your heart, Beth.
I’m sitting here, tears welled up, shaking my head at the truth of your words. Thirty years of marriage for us next week, and I testify, too–only Jesus! You’re so dear…
I could not make it without my “people.” My husband and I have been SO lucky to have a group of young married couples in our lives since we moved to Dallas. Our families arent here, but we have “family” here and are always taken care of. We have been through some tough times, divorces, affairs, but for those of us that are still here…we are so strong, and always bringing new people in. I love my girls, their husbands, and their kids. I love that when we FINALLY have kids (after 4 years of trying) that they already have a built in support group of friends!!
My husband and I really don’t have any “couple friends” and he believes it is his fault. He has always struggled with feeling that he is not accepted/understood/loved by others. I have prayed about this for 25 years because it hurts me to see him hurt so much. He is a wonderful godly man and I’m so glad he’s mine!! We will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks.
I seem to have lots of friends, but one woman in particular is my BFF. Our husbands serve as deacons together, and their children are several years older than ours. We are close in age; my husband and I were older when we started a family. Anyway, for about 16 years this woman and I were more acquaintances than friends. It seemed that she always held me at arm’s length. It took a long time, but I finally accepted that we weren’t meant to be close friends.
Several years ago a life-altering event shook this couple’s world. They came to our home to share the news with us. I have never seen two people more broken-hearted. Even though we weren’t really close friends, we wanted to minister to them. I prayed about how to do this, and I felt God telling me to go sit with her in church on Sundays. Our husbands had responsibilities that meant they didn’t sit with their wives during the church service. For weeks all I did was sit beside her during the worship service. Then we began talking a little, and things progressed from there. Finally we would give each other a hug and whisper in each other’s ear while we were hugging. We got through their life-altering event, and then she helped me with some family issues of my own. Today we are bff’s and don’t know what we’d do without each other. She says that my act of sitting with her in church gave her strength to go on.
Amen to that.
I love it, Beth! As I was working out today, watching Wednesdays with Beth, I loved the story you told about your pastor friend – how his daughter started acting like she didn’t like him anymore, and he took her on a road trip that would last until she liked him again! As our daughters are reaching the teen years, I have a feeling that’s one testimony I plan to hang on to! Keep doing your thing, Siesta Mama! This girl has sure benefited – thank you, Jesus!
That was a good story Beth told. I told my son that was what I was going to do with him and he just laughed.
I remember James Robinson from way back in 1970’s when he preached. He has a sweet family. I still have some cassette tapes with him talking.
Thanks for your story, Shelli!
My mom and dad will celebrate 60 yrs together in Sept. All three of their girls, myself included, have been married over 20 years to their 1st husbands. God has truly blessed us in spite of ourselves.
Did you order carrot & raisin salad for lunch?
LOL!! 😀 I certainly hope she didn’t!
What a blessing to have those friends.
My husband and I have been on the move for several years now (not by choice, mind you) and we long to have those kind of friendships, the kind with years of living poured into them.
But the Lord seems to have other ideas…..we’re looking at the possibility of yet another move. We’ve been praying so hard that God will open doors for us to stay, but He knows best.
I’m trying really hard to be a big girl about it.
I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes because I understand what you are saying. I just turned 60!! and I look at the young ones at church and remember when I was their age too. I have so much to tell them about the love and goodness of our God. I’ve started investing my time with some of the 20 something kids and its been a learning experience for me! They live in a different time it seems. But we all need God no matter what era we are living in. thanks for sharing Beth.
Love to hear about “having history” with people. We are actually packing to go to Colorado to see some friends that we’ve had for over 20 years as a couple. Despite moves across the country, I have a precious friend that I just went to Living Proof in Irvine with earlier this month…our babies are all grown up. We shared pregnancies, toddlerhood, and teenagers, and now young adults. What a blessing to have friendships that endure through the years. Technology is great, but nothing like the “real thing”. blessings, Pam in San Diego
Oh girls- this blog post has me bawling my eyes out. We are currently in the thick of all of this with some couple friends of ours who are separated right now. We are praying like crazy and fighting mad….wanting Satan to flee from this family. They are some of our best friends and there is just a spiritual battle being waged on them right now.
I am so very touched by this…it is truly what we are in the midst of. If you would all just take a moment and pray for our beloved friends Rich and Kari and their marriage and family. They have two sweet children together, one is 3 and the other 3 months.
I so appreciate being able to come before you with such need and knowing that they will be clothed and covered in your prayers.
In Him,
Andrea
Just said a prayer for them. Keep us posted.
thank you Mama Beth for sharing I so needed to hear that today, right now in this season. luv ya
“None of us are without scars. None of us are as full of ourselves or as sure of ourselves as we were back then. We’ve been broken over and over and sometimes to pieces”
Right there with ya, Sister. At the age of 55, the only thing I’m sure of these days God’s grace.
Thank you for sharing! It’s always fun to hear how God is working among us…He shows up in the most wonderful places, especially among family and friends.
As I walked the floor in the wee hours of this morning, praying my heart out over the ‘stress test’ results I have yet to receive I heard you telling us in multiple studies that sometimes we just need to place our face on the ground and let out prayers flow (you say it lots better than I can!) but the results were the same!! I did and He listened and spoke to my heart! I laid still for several minutes and felt a peace come over me like I’ve not felt before. Thank you, Beth for all the love you share–through your studies, your books and here in Siestaville! Blessings
Dear Beth,
Such a sweet post, thank you. I am one who doesn’t know where she would be without those life long friends. My marriage of 28 years didn’t last. Thank you for not condemning me. For all of you reading this, our siesta mama hit it dead on when she said the devil is relentless. Those life long friends have stood by me and held me up through it all. Thanks again for opening your heart and sharing from it.
Thanks so much for the post today. I REALLY needed that! My husband and I are going through some tough times right now (nothing major) but we have 3 young kids and I am praying heavily that God will help me to fall in love with him all over again. I feel so bad and guilty that my relationship with my husband is not at all what it should be and he is a wonderful husband and father. I don’t really have a friend I could talk too and I certainly don’t want to tell my husband all this because it would hurt him tremendously. But knowing that you have been there and now are so in love with your husband, gives me so much hope! I know God can and will change my heart. Thanks so much for letting Jesus shine and speak through you!
Beth,
It’s interesting that you would be sharing this today. I was reflecting on this blog during my walk last night. I was thinking of the recent tribute that Melissa wrote for her dad, the pics of your garden, your 4th of July, and many others.
As I walked past Jake the horse, I thought, “She’s got it. She has the balance of God, family, and ministry. I realize that this isn’t something that’s happened overnight. As you so eloquently stated, “It’s Jesus.” Plain and simple.
We are living in a society that wants instant everything. If we can’t have it “our way” and ten minutes ago, then we don’t want it. God is not fast food. He is the Bread of Life.
Everything you just shared today confirms what God was showing me. Girl, you been slow cooking and your flavors are manifesting in a big way. But, it TOOK TIME. That’s not a bad thing.
Thanks for sharing… It really touches my heart when I see a life that says “Hey, what you see is what He did.”
Bless you!
Carol Skipper
AL