Sunday Morning Grace

Sunday is always an interesting morning at the Hansen's. I get up early to review my Sunday School lesson, print off the kids' coloring sheets, feed the dogs, iron dress clothes, and prepare my heart for the message I know our Pastor spent all week (and possibly the last couple of months) working on with God.

My husband will wait until the last second to roll out of bed and I'll roll my eyes when he says, "I'll be ready in one second. I just have to find..." Because I know all too well that whatever he's searching for, it will be a 10-minute ordeal. Then it will be a rush to see if we can actually get out the door by 9:30. Which never happens.

But at least we try.

I think that I spend too much time worrying on Sunday mornings. I worry that we'll be late. I worry about being a good teacher because I want my preschoolers to know Jesus. I worry that I'll falter in my personal life and it will affect my church life. I worry that I won't rise to the occasion when one of my church people needs words of encouragement. I just worry.

This Sunday, however, I accepted the fact that I will get to church at 9:45, even though I wake three hours before I'm supposed to be there.

I accepted the fact that I can't teach my preschoolers anything without God's unfailing grace and mercy.

I accepted the fact that I will make mistakes and that God will have to wash those stains clean from time-to-time.

I accepted the fact that I won't always have the right words to say, but a hug will soothe any trouble.

And so my eyes were opened to see God on Sunday morning. And He didn't disappoint.

When one of the boys asked me if he could pray for us before story time, I choked up a little. And when he prayed that "Miss Jessi has a good day," I almost lost it. Then, he turned and taught the others how to 'say a really good prayer.'

When one of the elderly gentlemen rose from his chair, weak and trembling, to pray over our congregation, tears filled my eyes. Because even though is body was frail, His mind was focused on all things Jesus.

And when I was told by one of the older ladies that she's ready to see Jesus, with his arms outstretched waiting for her, I smiled. "Don't be sad for me," she reassured me, "when I go, you can know that I'm with my Lord. And I'm happy."

I have missed these God moments for many months because I let this world and all of it's troubles carry me away.

But I am eternally grateful for God's Sunday morning grace. The next time you find yourself rushing out the door for church, don't forget to thank God for His endless grace.

Quote of the Day: Grace Abounds

Are you in need of God's grace today? I sure am. I'm grateful that regardless of the trouble I find myself in, God's grace is sufficient for me.

Hands and Feet Overload

I'm not sure if you've ever found yourself in a 'Hands and Feet Overload', but I find myself there quite often. It's the point I reach when I am emptied of every need Jesus has filled me full of for others.

When those needs run out, I find myself crying out to Jesus, asking for a break. Because if I'm being honest, sometimes I'd really rather run away than do one more thing for someone in desperate need of my help.

It's the weeks when every person I know will call, text, Facebook, etc., needing my expertise that I find my hands and feet sore and worn. I'm far from being an expert at anything. But God has given me--by His grace and mercy--an abundance of talents. I'm not really sure why I possess these talents, but I am truly grateful. And I do my very best to bless others with them.

I can clean a house. I can nurse a sick dog back to health. I can write website text, business letters, blogs, and books. I can carry on a conversation for hours. I can easily make contacts and acquaintances. I can pull up my bootstraps and lift heavy loads. I can gently listen. I can firmly correct. I can tell elaborate stories. I can tell funny stories. I have the gift of discernment. On rare occasion, the gift of prophecy. I can budget. I can balance. I can somehow manage to turn pennies into dollars. I am fierce and brave. But I am also kind and compassionate. I can teach any subject to any person and they will learn. I can fill out paperwork like it's going out of style. I can bake well. I can speak well. I can give a lot of love. I can give a lot of hope and encouragement, too.

My talents are endless. And when the world has taken all from me, I know that Jesus restores and replenishes. So, when I find myself on 'Hands and Feet Overload', instead of running away, I remind myself to thank Jesus. I thank Jesus that every need every person he sends to me is met. I thank Jesus that he uses me to share his message with the world. I thank Jesus that my willingness to be the Hands and Feet of this world accomplishes great strides for his kingdom. Because if I'm being honest, I long more than anything in the world to hear these words: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

If you don't find yourself on 'Hands and Feet Overload' very often, maybe it's time give until it hurts. You are the light and the salt, the hands and the feet. If you aren't doing much to further God's kingdom, maybe it's time to ask Jesus for a 'Hands and Feet Overload.'

Quote of the Day: Gratitude

I don't know about you, but today I am in desperate need of gratitude. Because I would really rather run away than face this day. This day, which will be ripe with responsibility and expectations. This day, which tests my limits and forces me to rely more on God than I ever thought I would. This day, which I long to be grateful for despite its struggles and anxieties.

So, my prayer is that today, and all other days, I wake with gratitude.

Quote of the Day: Charater Matters

Character matters. How we treat others matters. Our attitude as we go about our about day matters.

If you looked in the mirror and saw your character, what would it look like?

The Good Wife Chronicles: Why Marriage Still Matters

Divorce has become an epidemic in this nation. And I speak from experience when I say divorce is ruining our families.

Current statistics show that 50% of all marriages are likely to end in divorce. 

50%

 WHICH MEANS...

Every 1 in 2 marriages has a 100% chance of failing. 

Statistics aren't good. They're not good at all. If you have attended two weddings so far this year (and you probably have because June is the most popular month to wed), statistics say one of those marriages will end with a nasty split. One that will force the couple to divide those presents neatly wrapped on the wedding gift table and go on their separate ways.

It's sad to me. Is it sad to you? 

Recently, someone told me my marriage would fail because I got married at 22. At first I was shocked; but once I recovered from this person's brutal opinion, I began to see things more clearly: our society views marriage as something that it simply is not.

What Marriage Is Not:

1. It's not about getting your way. This may sound harsh, but marriage is not about finding a spouse who will spend the rest of their life letting you have your way. It's about compromise. If you want your way, get a dog. A spouse is a lifetime commitment that requires you to put someone else's needs above yours. ALWAYS. Don't complain; you said the words "for better or worse." Stick to your word and work through your selfishness. 

2. Indispensable. Things aren't working out the way you envisioned? Surprise, surprise. The fact that you thought it would be a fairy tale speaks mainly about your willingness to let Hollywood sell you false ideas about love. Marriage is not a fairy tale. It's a relationship. One that should be the most important thing in your life. The more you give to your marriage, the more likely it will resemble a friendship laced with romance and passion. Stop fooling yourself; the fairy tale NEVER ends well (ask a divorcee). If your aim is kindness, you'll create something far superior to the stories you see in movies. Don't throw your marriage away on something trivial. The grass is NOT greener on the other side (ask a divorcee).

3. Being happy. Your happiness in your marriage depends entirely on you. Your spouse is not responsible for 'keeping' you happy. It's an impossible feat. If you want a happy marriage, try getting involved in your spouse's passions. And practice kindness. I've never met a man or woman who complains about their 'nice' spouse. Seriously, kindness goes a long way. Practice it!

4. Control. I'm mainly speaking to my wife friends here, but I'm sure a few husbands could stand to learn a thing or two about control. STOP TRYING TO CONTROL. Seriously, just stop. I can't stand when a wife yells at her husband in front of me for ___________ (you fill in the blank). I'll give you some examples: spending money, coming home late, taking too long, spending money. I'm just being honest here: it makes YOU look bad. There is a time for expressing your feelings BUT it is not in front of other people. Also, most men understand that their jobs pay for bills (just like yours, if you work). Give them some credit. The men I know spending money are doing it to better their family's future. Control makes for two very miserable people. And let's face it: it's better to scrape by in a happy home than to live in a tense environment with mounds of gold. Sure, that BMW will keep you comfy on your way to work, but it doesn't sleep in the same bed as you every night.

The Takeway: MARRIAGE is not about YOU. 

So...why does marriage still matter?

IT MATTERS BECAUSE...

We can accomplish more in pairs.

My husband and I are far better together than we ever were apart. But our marriage takes work. We spend hours pouring over each other's passions. And kindness is a daily practice in our home. We fail, but when we set aside our false ideas about love and focus on this one Bible truth, God blesses us with more than we could ever imagine. 

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

10 Things Dads Need To Teach Their Daughters

My father has taught me some valuable things over the course of the last 25 years. And though my father is far from perfect, I'm grateful that he has instilled many wonderful things in my life. They have been some of the most useful tools I've ever been given. So, here's to you, Dad!

1. How to change a tire. Over 9 years ago, I bought my first car and my dad took it as a opportunity to teach me how to change a tire. He also taught me how to change the brakes, too. But I have since forgotten how to do the latter. However, he spent many hours helping me loosen lug nuts and put tires on. When my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and I had a tire blown in Arkansas, those hours came in handy. We put on the spare tire, drove to the nearest Wal-Mart and had a brand new tire in less than an hour. My father gave me the gift of empowerment when he taught me how to change that tire. If fathers don't empower their daughters, who will?

2. How to use a screw driver. I use a screw driver every single day. And I can tell you the difference between a Phillips and a flat head. It would be hard for me to accomplish half the things I do in my day if my dad hadn't taught me how to use a screw driver at the ripe age of 6. When fathers teach their daughters how to use tools, they give their daughters the ability to build and dream. And that's priceless.

3. How to cook. This may be a long shot for some fathers, but I truly enjoy cooking with my dad. I spent a lot of time watching him whip up delicious meals for me when I was younger. It was a great experience because it made me realize that both men and women can do each other's jobs well. Husbands and wives should have a healthy respect for each other in this regard. I was blessed to have two parents who both possessed the ability to cook, clean, and work. My father also showed me that the kitchen is really the heart of every home.

4. How to carve a pumpkin. My dad used to carve my pumpkins for me as a child. I'd sit in the driveway and watch as he'd remove the top of the pumpkin, scrap out the insides, and then cut out a silly face on the front. While I can no longer remember the silly faces, I do remember the hours we'd spend sitting on the driveway together. Fathers, whether or not you celebrate Halloween, take a moment to sit beside your daughter in the driveway and work with your hands. She will be eternally grateful for the simple memories she will treasure many years down the road. Because it's really time--not the activity--that matters most.

5. How to have fun. My dad is the "King of Fun". I remember he would take us hiking and tell us crazy stories of mountain men. We'd spend all day at the beach surfing and he'd paddle us out past the waves to sit in the undisturbed sea for a while. We'd go to the desert and sleep at the base of a hillside for a night. My dad taught me that no matter how hard we work, there should always be time for relaxing and exploring. And having fun.

6. How to build a robot. It was one of my elementary school projects: build a robot. With things we had lying around the house--beads, buttons, shoebox, toilet paper roll--we built the coolest robot I've ever seen. My dad spent hours working with me on this silly robot that stood a foot and a half tall. But I think every creative bone in my body stemmed from that first lesson on creating something beautiful out of the remnants of things that used to be. Life is so much like that. The leftover scraps can be molded together to build something magical.

7. How to dream big. My dad has been and will always be the biggest dreamer I know. I can't tell you how many dreams he would talk about when I was younger. Here's what that taught me: dreams propel us forward. They motivate us to get up early and go to bed late. My father did both. And while some dreams didn't come to pass, I believe he's still dreaming today about the possibilities of tomorrow. I'm grateful he passed that down to me.

8. How to love strangers. How to love strangers well; it was the most inconvenient lesson I've ever learned. If someone crossed our path who needed help, my father always stopped. If someone was off-roading and got stuck in the mud, he'd pull them out. If they were out of gas, he'd drive them to the nearest gas station and then back. If someone had a flat tire, he'd help them change it. The heart of every father should be focused on this one truth: others matter and it's of great importance that your kids see that.

9. How to love herself. There were two things my father always said to me growing up: a. "I love you" and b. "I'm proud of you". I've never had confidence issues; trust me, it has (and still does!) annoy a lot of people. My father was always really good at injecting me with a ton of encouragement. In those moments when I did have a problem with myself, I could always count on him to help me change it. My dad always gave me room to be who I was, but still made it clear he had realistic expectations for who I'd turn out to be. It was a fine balance between holding onto his little girl and letting her go. Because he believed in me, I believed in me. And when you believe in yourself, there is nothing you can't do.

10. How to love Jesus. My father was always very open with me. Our relationship was--and still is--very much centered around conversation. Because I see my father as someone I can talk to often and about any subject, I view God the same way. I talk to Jesus throughout most of my day. I know that I can approach him about anything troubling my heart. I'm so grateful for that. I'm grateful for knowing that God longs to have these conversations with me. And that He's also in the business of constantly aiding me, much like my father used to when we lived in the same state.

Fathers, you are far from perfect and you will mess up a time or two. But the gifts you pass along to your daughters will forever change their hearts. Make them good gifts; make them lasting ones.