Mama's Lunch

She gave birth three mornings ago.
She's the best mama.
She knows that right now she needs to stop everything and tend to her littles: 3 blind, helpless ones.
She knows to keep everything clean to avoid attracting the enemy. She values safety and believes it when she's found it.
She knows how to balance firmness and gentleness.
And she knows when she needs a break.
She took her first one today--a glorious 12 minute, lunch.
ALONE.
She knows she needs it.

a want, a need

My MawMaw used to say, "Sometimes you want something so bad it becomes a need."
Wanting giving to rise to adoration.
Adoration isn't ice cream-love.
It's the die-for-you kind.

How right we are to adore you, Lord! (Sgs 1:4)

He adored us exactly that way.

And He did die.

But loving-adoring Life kills death.

And so loving all Life made Resurrection.

I want to want Him and the Life He gives.

Life He gave.

Adoring Him I lay down mine.

Then when He's all that's left of me, I know what it is to need Him.

I receive and Live His Resurrection.

I want His promise of Life so bad that I need Him to Live it.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty.

Everything on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom.

We adore you as the one that is over all things.

I Ch. 29:11 (NLT)

Alive and Well

This past Sunday Pastor Curtis spoke about Scripture being alive.

Living. Breathing.
Thriving. Vigorous. Strong.
Burning. Glowing. Like a coal.
Flowing free. Like water.
Suitable for existence and subsistence.
A picture.
Unchanging.
Rooted in its original place.
Perfection.

And the word became human and made His home among us.

He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

according to John 1:14 (NLT)

"God-expressing-Himself," says John Piper.

In Him, the secret-made-known of abundant life.

And I can't help but fall to my knees from that kind of weakening power

In that moment, I live well.

Tripped by the Transition

I think I've figured it out. It only took 35 years, 8 months and 3 days. Ready for "it?"

Here it is...

I'm pretty stinkin' good at change, but I'm BAD at transitions. The moment before things are different but the knowing that what's been is about to give way to what will be.

Jesus in Gethsemane.

The moment before you say, "Yes."

The instant before the dentist gives the first numbing shot.

The day before the first day of school.....

My three boys went off to school today. I've done five years of first days, but my heart can't seem to escape the Compression Chamber it insists on entering the weekend before school starts.

So excited to see them grow, but so reluctant to let them for fear they'd burst the bounds of their love for their momma.

Which they will. And they have to, and I want them to so that they'll go and be what He's created them to be. I'm thankful that happens in small steps. Otherwise I couldn't bear it. They are such treasures!

Thank you, Lord, for giving them to me to hold and let go. Help me to have faith that leaves no room for fear in the transition-times. Teach me joy in Your plan that overpowers the creeping feelings of sadness and loss. Amen

Hiding

She's a pro at hide and seek.

She must've watched me hiding from the Lord for the past couple of months.

"I can totally see you, Rory Jane!," her siblings say.

You totally see me, Lord.

I'm so glad You found me.

What does that mean?

I've come to the conclusion that I'm never going to write a blog post that doesn't feel ridiculously awkward......So, I'll take step one toward getting over my freakish aversion to getting started.

I've wrestled with this title waaaay too long too. Is it trite? Cliche? Plain dumb?

Doesn't matter!! Because it's precisely where I live right now!

THERE'S MORE.

I am utterly convinced that there was a packed out showing in Heaven the day I threw out the words, "I don't see me having a huge family." And lo...There are seven of us. Breakin' it down: Brian--cute husband that looks 20-something, Desmin the teen, Caleb--blonde #1, Noah--blonde #2, Elliana--the princessa, and Lorelei--the bonus kid. And then there's me, Crista. I'm younger than my years, often late, sometimes lazy, surrounded by life. I love to learn, watch my children grow and my husband think, and I love a good road trip. And for some reason I'm borderline obsessed with birds--which I assure you started before everyone else's obsession. I also love spicy food and rivers. I can't imagine my life without Jesus and the gospel and scripture.

So now, having heard a bit about some of my quirks and craves, I'll wrap up my first and reluctant post by saying...

Life always offers more than we first observe, consider, expect, and I figure that's what I'll write about.

More than planned.

More blessings always than reach me aware.

More complex than I first thought.

More than just surface.

More than mere appearances.

More depth and application.

Just more.