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Teething Troubles

8/27/2013

I could feel God so close to me as I held my daughter, hoping the Tylenol would kick in soon. Molars. My little toddler was being gifted with her molars coming in, swelling up her gums, and painfully trying to make an appearance. She’d woke up that night screaming. And even when I soothed her she whimpered with pain.

I thanked God for the painkillers, carefully measured them into her tiny mouth and held her close. The night seemed so large and empty for a while. I’m so used to filling space that for a few moments I panicked, wondering what I should do (MP3, Kindle?) as I willed her body to respond to the painkillers and to relax into sleep again. Then I remembered, I could pray.

But I was too tired to think of words for Him. Too tired to think up a genuine praise. All I wanted in that moment was for the night to seem less empty and daunting. I wanted to feel God’s presence more than anything I could think of right then.

And, I’d just read an article that recommended a very Yoga-like exercise. The author had said something to the affect that one should breathe in God’s grace and to exhale your worries, fears… So I did. Breath after breath. Slow and deep. I let God fill the emptiness.

And He showed me something precious. He showed me that right there, right that moment, He was pleased with me, pleased with my love towards my daughter, pleased with my honest care of her life, and pleased that I wanted Him to fill my heart.

I rocked her so long, her little hands open and limp at her sides, her long black eyelashes resting on her flushed cheeks. Through my exhaustion and beyond my desperation, God filled up the night with His presence.

Photo by Valentina Powers

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us...

Romans 8:26

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To My Empty-Nest Parents

8/21/2013

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I just wanted to make sure you know this. You see, Mom and Dad, I still haven't left home. Now, don't laugh. Yes, physically I'm in Australia, on the other side of this world God created, but there is so much of me still there with you, curled up on your couch.

I don't think children ever really leave home. How could I? You hold something precious for me...unconditional love. That's why I still call you when I have good news and I want someone to cheer for me. That is why I call when I have a fever and all I want to do is hear your voice. That is why I call you when the baby is teething and I know you can't reach through the phone and hold her, but somehow I still feel your love over here on the other side of the world and it strengthens me.

So, while there are many morning I wish I could come over and cook you pancakes, drink a cup of coffee with you, and talk that idle chatter about things that matter not except that they fill quiet spaces with friendship, I just wanted you to know that your nest isn't empty. I'm still there. And yes, my old room is more a library now and I have my own home and loving family, but your home is still and always will always hold part of my heart.

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 17:6

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Interview with Deborah Heal

8/17/2013

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God daily leads us to opportunities to grow and learn when our eyes, ears, and hearts remain open. There has been two predominant themes in my writing these last couple weeks--the struggles of young people in our culture and remembering our faith in God to overcome fear.

Deborah Heal is the author of young adult novels. I met her in one of the Christian Books clubs on Goodreads.com. When I visited her blog I was very upset to hear that she was being criticized by reviewers for not only addressing the subject of sex in her Christian novels, but also presenting her main characters as making the choice of abstinence before marriage. Click here to read the article. But, even with the fear that her book sales might drop, Deborah Heal faithfully marches on in her choice to follow God's voice and write His truths into her novels. My interview with her follows.

Lora: I love your honesty, Deborah. Your blog has been happily bookmarked on my browser.

Deborah: Thank you, Lora. I'm so happy to meet you on FB and Goodreads. Thanks for liking my FB page. Are you referring to a specific article?

Lora: Yes, yesterday I read "Warning! Prudish Characters on Board." and I just wanted to give you a round of applause. Then I looked up your books on Goodreads and put them on my "Want to Read" shelf. There is no excuse for anyone who studies God's word to say they approve of sex before marriage and I love it that you didn't tiptoe around that issue when writing a young adult novel.

Deborah: What an encouragement you are! I felt down after my encounter with the two reviewers I mention in my article. It's wonderful to talk to others who believe the Bible and live by it. It's a rough world out there, isn't it? I think it's becoming increasingly easy for Christians to feel isolated, like they're the only ones holding to the truth.

I keep thinking of how Elijah felt in I Kings 19. How gracious God was to him in his depression and distress, assuring him, "Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal." How cool that God used social media to connect me to you so that you could encourage me! Here's the Elijah story with one commentator's explanation. http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/1119.htm

Lora: Your article reminded me of a recent conversation I had with some high school kids wanting to know if people should still remain abstinent before marriage. I had a long conversation with them about how my marriage was benefited by waiting for my one true love and how God put that rule in place for us to be protected physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It just hurts my heart that their are churches out their who are more interested in going with popular ideas and culture than with following God's word.

Deborah: Wow! What a great opportunity you had. It must be doubly hard for young people today to stay true, so keep on talking. I read an article some time back that was very encouraging to me as a parent. It referenced research that indicated that teens today are more receptive to adults' advice and modeling than in years past when there was more of a generation gap. (Even though they are still prone to roll their eyes while you're doing it.) I was so encouraged by that information as a parent and as a high school teacher. We won't know until Heaven how many people we influenced.

Lora: What made you start writing Christian Fiction?

Deborah: I believe (as C.S. Lewis did) that fiction can be a powerful tool for introducing and reinforcing the message of the Gospel, I consider my books a big part of my ministry to both Christian and non-believing teens. I tried to create characters that are realistic and imperfect, but also faithful Christians as worthy (even heroic) role models for teens.

Lora: My favorite characters in novels have always been those that seemed real to me and grew emotionally and spiritually throughout the story. How do you think your novels come across for non-Christian readers?

Deborah: I've been careful all along to avoid using the sledgehammer technique for presenting biblical truth in my books. Even so, some of my critics find too much "God talk" in them. At times, I have to admit, I've been tempted to tone down the Christian elements in my future books. But then I remind myself that my job isn't to please everyone out there--only God. You thanked me for being courageous. I'm going to remember your words as I continue work with my next book. Thanks again for your encouragement!

Lora: Since teens today are constantly bombarded by sex, so prominent in our culture today, I wonder how churches have chosen to approach this topic. I know that most Christian books completely cut out sexuality and profanity, yet is that “hear no evil, see no evil” really helping our young people figure out what choices they want to make?

Deborah: I asked readers at the end of my article to comment about the teachings on this subject of churches they're familiar with. I'm hoping to prove to myself that my Episcopal friend is wrong about the extent of the liberal idea that sexual purity is passe in most churches. If any of your readers would like to chime in on this, they can do so in the comment section of my article. Click on link.

Lora: I look forward to reading your novels, Deborah and recommending them to young adults who are hungry to read truths about God and what He wants for us. Do you have a specific technique you've used while writing?

Deborah: I realize that no matter how much biblical truth I weave into my books, they still have to be well-written and have a good plot for people to read them. You can read about them here. Click on Link. If anyone would like to try one out, they can get Time and Again, the first book in the trilogy, for 99 cents. Of course, I'm hoping they'll like it and go on and get the other books too. And I'm hoping readers will take the time to post reviews. Not only do reviews (positive ones anyway, lol) help sales, they are also such an encouragement to me that I'm on the right track.

Lora: Thank you for taking the time to interview with me, Deborah. God sees the works that you do and your fearless faith is a great example to all.

Learn more about Deborah Heal, her writing, and her incredible live journey at http://deborahheal.com/

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Buried Fear

8/16/2013

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“They say God made Australia last when he got tired of making everything else the same.” Those were the words that rolled around in my head as Ayer’s rock loomed up in front of us. There is no photo that does justice to the majesty of this place. The domed mountain rises from the desert ground conspicuously different from land surrounding it. As I gazed at Ayer’s Rock, my breath caught and I could feel God’s presence.

It was like marveling at butterfly coming out from a chrysalis or holding my newborn daughter’s hand and noticing her tiny flawlessness. God has knitted together his creations with destined perfection.

I love it that my husband and I have the courage to pack up our life and see the world. But, this last weekend I had to battle my fear before we got on the roads. Half of the 15 hour trip (one way) is on unpaved, isolated highways. Engine trouble could result in being stranded for hours, or even a day, depending on when and who comes to your aid. I already have an unreasonable fear of car accidents. To top it off, I wasn’t thrilled about taking my toddler out of her routine for four nights in hotels and three days of driving.

But, as I gazed at Ayer’s rock, a buried mountain in the middle of a desert, I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Courage and faith got me out my comfort zone and God showed me his majesty.

Isn’t that the way it always goes? When we battle our fear and step out in faith, our world expands and God gifts us with experiences that we could never imagine.

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Love Life of the Young

8/12/2013

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A very sweet young girl approached me the other day needing advice about a guy. At first I puffed up, totally ready to tell her that the world is more than high school and how the opinions of one confused young man shouldn’t alter her own feelings of self-worth. But a voice whispered to me to be still. So I listened. And when I listened to her, I remembered.

Oh, did I remember. Those young teenage years are brutal. Your world is closed up in the bottle neck of the social norms of a group of people who haven’t yet figured out who they are and have no business telling you who you are either. And, when you meet that guy that makes your heart fall to your feet and your mind imagine your very own happily ever after, it is so cruel to be rejected.

A distant reminder of that pain blinked through my heart and instead of giving rather callous advice to this young lady, I realized that some things just have to be lived through to be understood.

That didn’t stop me from encouraging her to be strong, to remind her that she is more than what one guy thinks about her, and that God loves her more than she could ever imagine.

I know that many of my words were like putting Band-Aids on a wound that only time can heal. The Band-Aids won’t really help, they only let her know that I care. I care about the pain she feels as she goes through this journey. She’ll get there. And, perhaps life won’t get easier, but God strengthens us along the way.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7

Photo by Moyan Brenn

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Learning from Camels

8/5/2013

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And they were off! The camels had lined up then shot out of their position, zooming down the track in the lanky, oddly graceful, gate of a racing camel.

Yes, this was my Saturday entertainment the other weekend--camel races. My toddler thought it was awesome getting off the ranch and seeing some new faces. I felt like I'd taken her to the zoo. She had no fear of strangers and instead watched everyone with avid curiosity as if she wanted to say, "This is way better than Sesame Street." My husband and I looked forward to the event because besides the horse races and the rodeo, camel races was the only major attraction sported in the local little town down here in the outback of Australia. I think we were looking forward to seeing some new faces too.

Well, it was the second race I think when the announcer eagerly informed us that a jockey had come off his galloping beast. (That has to be a harder fall than off a horse--those camels are tall.) And, after all the camels had rallied beyond the finish line, one lost-looking camel, riderless, came into view. He had no chance of winning the race. Not only was he disqualified for loosing his jockey, he also had lost his drive and passion for making good time down the track.

No guidance. No eager nudging in the right direction. No helpful hints on how to pass the camel up ahead. No encouragement to give more than what he wanted to comfortably give.

I know that as a Christian devoted to my awesome God I should have Him in the driver's seat everything I do. I see such a pattern in my life. Those days that I rise, spend precious moments in prayer, commit my time and passion and love to His will...those are the days that I am productive, peaceful, and happy. But, when I shrug off God and settle into my own route, I rarely end up finishing the day where I pictured I would be.

So, I'm a camel. But that is ok. Like a said, they were oddly graceful and I know my grace can only come from God.

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Miracles Happen Everyday

Teething Troubles

To My Empty-Nest Parents

Interview with Deborah Heal

Buried Fear

Love Life of the Young

Learning from Camels

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