Joel and me in Oxford Parks
Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!
Many people write me all the time saying, “We want to hear from your children!” And so today, I asked Joel to chat with me about life, beauty, music, art, and all the ways he is putting that into the world. My composer, PhD, artist son is one of my besties and it was so much fun to talk with him.
Waiting is a theme for us all! Join me as I speak today about the Biblical meaning of waiting. Advents finds us waiting for His light to come into our darkness. So many eras I didn't think I would live through — crying babies with colic; ear infections and nocturnal asthma; hysterical fits and fusses and tantrums for never-ending years, one day at a time, with a mysterious child with ADHD, OCD and ODD; marriage struggles between me, a totally romantic, relational woman married to a totally rational, organized man who had to work way too many hours to keep this family afloat; messes, rejections from family for our ideals; 17 moves; loneliness, too little help or support systems; financial crisis; illnesses and hospitalizations and testings never ending; church splits; irrational people; and on and on.
Today, as I look back, I am still here, but God has changed me through it all. I am more patient with everyone because I see how much I needed patience and still need compassion. I appreciate my faithful husband who has stuck with me through it all and has continued to dream of how we can change the world and write new books and keep this ministry afloat (amidst him doing 4 loads of laundry last weekend, while I grocery shopped, bought birthday presents — again, and wedding presents for family).
The failures and mistakes I made gave me humility — a gift that allows one to be more appreciative of God's forgiveness, love and grace. Humility prepares one to minister to others with compassion and sympathy. Few leaders are wise without a dose of failure and having to submit to God's discipline. Children have a way of humbling mamas.
Today, Tea Time Tuesday is a long one. Hope you enjoy! Recipe, books, different teas, and more.