God's Mountain Cabin

In prayerfully planning the 2016 Scarf Sister Reunion I felt that I was led to encourage us to focus on beauty.  That should be easy enough, right?  We were to be in a very beautiful part of the country during the autumn, a very beautiful time of year.  But as I thought more about it I was led to expand that idea to include personal beauty, the beauty in our sisters and of course, the beauty of the Lord. In preparation for our time together I asked that each sister spend some time with the Lord and bring one beauty product to share, as well as some thoughts on the beauty we see in each other and the beauty of the Lord to share in our devotional times.
We had a fun time experimenting with our beauty products and each of us were deeply touched by the encouraging words of the sisters and the beauty they see in us.  We also spent precious time in worship and in focusing on the beauty of our Lord, sharing Him together...which truly was food and drink for our spirits.
The sisters who attended have asked that I post the devotional I wrote for our time together focusing on the beauty of our Lord.

Ps. 27:4-6, to paraphrase...."One thing have I desired of the Lord...that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life...to behold the beauty of the Lord, to inquire in His temple, the temple of the Lord. His beauty is in His house, His temple...He is found there.  In times of trouble He can be found in His house and He shelters me there.  He lifts me up and fills me with joy and praise."

As I meditated on this thought I said to the Lord, "This is beautiful...but the temple of old no longer exists, you no longer dwell with men in a house built of stone.  Where can we find you now since Jesus came?"

Eph 2: 19-22 came to my mind...

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

		And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
		In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
		In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."    The NT interpretation of God's House is this..."members of God's household, built together with Jesus as the cornerstone".  I see our relationship as Scarf Sisters such as this; we once had blogging and scarves and aprons to bind us together along with Jesus.  Over time all that has fallen away and we only have Christ.  He has joined us together and though I wouldn't call our group "Church", I would suggest that we are a small out building...a shelter He has built.    A place of comfort in times of trouble, a place of rest and rejoicing.  A place we can always go to find Him.  His beauty can be seen in this shelter, this dwelling...in the faces and lives of our sisters.  Here we can cry out or be lifted up and filled with joy and praise just as in the temple of old. We do that for each other and He is the One who has given us this opportunity, this place, this shelter....we have been joined together in Him and by Him to be a dwelling for His Spirit. A rare blessing indeed!  His beauty can be seen in our love and care and support for one another and in our hearts for Him in this little dwelling He has made for Himself.  And perhaps He finds respite here as well.... Not a church or true house of God....more like a getaway place...a cabin in the mountains.... My deepest love and gratitude to each of you, my sisters...

the Scarf Sister Reunion of 2016

The Lord Met us … that is the way I feel about the Scarf Sister Reunion of 2016 … that at every turn, the Lord met us!

He provided safety for us all during the miles driven in Georgia … even though we knew of accidents and even saw accidents during our travels … like a flaming semi on the side of the road, as we were driving back to the airport, which had happened only minutes before we went by … 

This was my first time at a reunion.  I didn’t know what to expect at all … and I hadn’t met any of the Scarf Sisters attending - face to face … even though I had known most of them for 10 years through blogging … I was filled with excitement to be able to hug these precious ladies in real time!

Four of us flew in and literally landed within minutes of each other!  We met up with no difficulties at all … there were big hugs and complete recognition (we all do like to take pictures after all!) … so our trip began, as we had fun navigating the underground trains and overhead mono rails of America’s busiest airport to get our rented vehicle … those of us who flew were so in sync that it was as if (wink wink) God was our travel agent (of course HE was!) …

The flyers (Pat, Trish and Mrs. Mac and me) , decided to spend the night at a hotel close to the airport and meet up with Cheryl and Deb the next day … that was a good plan!  Everything at the hotel was just perfect … there was even a Mexican restaurant attached to the premises that we thoroughly enjoyed!!  It was an early night for us all, after a long day of travelling - along with the excitement of the day …  

We had decided to tour a little of Atlanta before heading to our mountain cabin … and even in the choice of where to eat, what to see and where to sleep … it was perfect … even valet parking turned out to be FREE for the scarf sisters!  We were travelling in heavenly style!  I personally started to fall in love with the Georgia I saw …  

The next day, on way to our cabin, we stopped at the Amicacola Falls Lodge to view the fall foliage.  The first thing I did there was to lose my change purse and $200.00!  I’m so glad that I had headed the prior warning in my head to store my vacation money in 3 different  spots .. When I discovered that my change purse had fallen out, I was disheartened!  first because I didn’t want my sweet sisters to be concerned or ruin our time together in any way …  then I prayed and gave the money to the Lord and asked that if it was lost to me, may it be found by someone who needed it !  The sisters prayed while Mrs. Mac and I retraced our steps … nothing turned up … next I went to the lodge desk to inquire if anyone had turned in a pink change purse … and PTL!  Someone had, a sweet couple returned what was lost!  Yup, we all rejoiced!!!  

we continued with our delays (which later proved to be “God’s delays” to bless us) … even seating for our yummy buffet lunch took 20 minutes (but we did get the best seats in the house!) … 

We finally reached the Amicacola Falls nature trail which was mobility friendly ...  Deb was able to do some of the path … we each received our own blessings at this beautiful spot that Cheryl had found for us.

After our wander in nature, we met at to the parking lot … Cheryl's car wouldn't start .. the battery was dead! ... an older couple appeared with booster cables … the fellow tried to get it going, but heavier booster cables were needed - and OF COURSE, God provided those to us through  a park employee who drove in right on cue!!   As it turns out, the couple who helped us were believers!!  their kids were in Atlanta as missionaries with operation mobilization! Cheryl told the fellah he was Jesus with skin on!!! because of our previous delays, the timing was perfect for  help with our dead battery problem!!! 

as we all drove on to Ellijay, Mrs. Mac and I noticed a big truck with " his majesty" written on it and a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky even tho it hadn't rained!!!   Felt like God was smiling at us …

 God had prepared that cabin to suit our needs perfectly …  we had good fellowship, prayer time, ALL THE TIME - as we encouraged each other in the LORD.

These are some of the things that I remember … and I’m sure each of the girls received personal answers and had their own quiet times with the LORD … as I did … during our stay at the cabin …

It was so good for me to be able to be in a ‘safe place’ … with women who love Jesus and are trying to be workers in His field … 

And to top off the trip for me, when I got to my connecting city for my trip home - I checked to see if I could change my flight, so that I wouldn’t have to wait 5 hours (and get home after midnight!) … I was told the flight was 100% full … I walked to my own gate and watched the flight I wanted to be on, boarding … I thought (at the prompting in my spirit), I’ll just go sit there and chat to the ticket agent … I did that … I told him I had nothing but time and if by chance there was an empty seat - I would like it, please … everyone had boarded … they waited on some stragglers … then the ticket agent said: “I have one seat that has become available” … *SMILE* … I got home at 8:30 pm instead of after midnight … sigh … isn’t GOD good!

Yup … the Lord met us and answered our prayers, sometimes before we even knew to pray them!

Longing

Wish we could sit long and talk much...I need to hug your necks!
I love you bunches. 

EMMA'S BLESSING

So the blog prompt is YEARNING and the Lord did something so amazing today that I have to share!

Today I cleaned at Jim and Maria McBride's home like I do every Tuesday morning. Dave and I know the McBride family from church, we served on the Hospital Visitation Team together and we see them at church every Sunday. Ezra their youngest, is about to turn 5 this week and when he was born, they discovered that he was deaf. I remember Dave and I praying over him with others from our church, before he had his Cochlear Implant surgery when he was around eighteen months old. He's a bright eyed, red-haired, curly top whose speech today gives no indication that he has had obstacles he's had to overcome. Jim and Maria's oldest son James, just finished the fifth grade; he is another red-haired, curly top who is quiet, hard-working and sensitive.

Two weeks ago, I cleaned at their house for the first time since school let out for the summer. Emma, an adorable, red-haired, curly top (there is a definite theme here) just turned six and when I saw her I thanked her for making her bed for me. Knowing that it's really important to encourage, acknowledge and appreciate children's efforts, I told her that she made my job a little easier when she did that. (I remake the bed when I clean her room but that's not important.)

Today when I came to clean I saw a little kleenex tissue wrapped parcel, that said "EMMA" and a little tag that read, " THIS IS FOR CONNIE" next to my check. I gently began to open it and to my shock she had placed three one dollar bills inside. Three dollars is a LOT of money for a six year old child! I immediately choked up and started to cry. The more I realized her sacrifice, the harder I cried! My immediate thought was, "I can not take money from a little girl!" I was very overcome with emotion.

As I began to collect myself God told me that I HAD to take her gift, given from a joyful heart. How else would she experience the gift of generosity and blessing someone, if I didn't receive it? This is the note I left for her:

"Dear Emma, Thank you so very much for blessing me today with your gift. I know your Mommy and Daddy are proud of you. God is proud of you too. It makes Him happy when He sees us acting like Jesus. Jesus was always healing people, blessing people and honoring people. Thank you for honoring me today. Miss Connie"

I left another note for Jim and Maria:

"Dear Jim and Maria, Your daughter made me a big puddle of tears this morning. After composing myself , my first thought was that I couldn't take money from a little girl. However, I realized I had to receive her gift so I would not rob her of blessing someone or miss the opportunity to reinforce the generosity she is learning at home and at church. Emma is a very special little girl as you already know. So many times as parents, we second guess our decisions and beat ourselves up over missed opportunities. Emma's sweet spirit is evidence of parenting done right. She was an enormous blessing to me today. A giant blessing in a tiny package."

This evening Maria sent me this message on Face Book:

Hi Connie, Thank you for the encouraging note you left! As I'm sure you know, when in the midst of parenting littles it can feel chaotic and like you are treading water. Especially right now I have been feeling like "gosh am I being a decent parent or just screwing my kids up?!" Your note was God working through you to let us know we are doing something in Him and His will for our little family. I can't express how that has lifted us up tonight. Thank you! Love to you and Dave!!

In the course of our exchange I told her that had I wanted Emma to know that I had noticed she had made her bed and that it had made my job easier.

Maria's reply: Thank you for noticing as she is very observant to detail and lights up when others notice her small acts.

Inside all of us is a yearning to be acknowledged, appreciated, understood...It's an intricate part of our DNA and the way God has wired each of us. What acts of kindness, blessing and honor would we inspire if we took a moment from our day and called out those things we see in the lives of those around us?

Pride - Margie's Tidbit 1

Good gravy I have had this Timbits box for wwwwaaaayyyyyy too long!  The truth is that November and December were just crazy and then I had to travel for work…  it’s about time I write…

I think about this verse all the time.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

I learned it like this “pride comes before the fall”

I love the message version

First pride, then the crash—
    the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

Often people think about people who are prideful as someone who is kind of stuck up or thinks highly of themselves.  But sometimes pride masks itself in what people think is humble but people who say bad things about themselves hoping that people will combat the negative.  I lived in that spot for a long time, I didn’t recognize the gifts that God had given me as just that, I looked at everyone else and tried to validate myself. 

And let me tell you, it happened.  I fell and I fell really hard.  I came to a place where only God could rebuild me.  And even though it hurt like heck to come to that place, I’m thankful that I fell and God was there to pick me up. 

As He repaired my heart, He used the fruit of the spirit to tell me who I am, in Him, and to help me to carry out His will for my life. 

Gal 5:22-24 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

I really learned during this time as I studied the Fruit of the Spirit (and continue to study it) how its really not about me, but about sharing God’s love and doing what He wants me to do.  I can't help but be thankful for this fall because I became more dependent on Him.

1 John 3:19-22 ¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.

January blog prompt

"All things New" is the new blog prompt.  Looking forward to seeing what comes out of your creativity.

December's Blog Prompt

"Looking for Emmanuel".....I wonder where all the sisters will find Him this season.