"Only Because" - 07/09/14 - Isaiah 1-4

"Come, family of Jacob, let's live in the light of God." (2:5)

Last year was the first year we are each taking a turn and picking out our annual family project.
Last year I choose to build birdhouses.
This year Amber came up with the idea to build frames, wrap them in canvas and paint.


Some are still working on their projects, but the family time of building, painting, and two persons just sitting there trying to come up with something to paint, pro...vided us with many memory making moments. 


My family of ABBA - brings much delight to my soul. My heart. My mind.

Last evening was also the last evening for us to have Nichalas/Amber in our home.


They are spending time with her parents before heading out for Phoenix this coming Friday morning. Both of them are stressed because the time spent with each family hasn't worked out to be fair. I am thankful ABBA has changed my heart to not keep count anymore. He is showing me that each moment spent with them is to be cherished. Not calculated and weighed. He is also helping me to not be selfish.


That is the hardest part.


How thankful I am to have Adam back here living in Quincy. The icing on the cake would be to also have Nichalas/Amber here as well. I am struggling with the selfishness of mom versus the joy of being His Servant.


Only because of ABBA am I able to be thankful that Nichalas/Amber are being used by Him in His mission field so far away. 
Only because of looking at life through His eyes am I able to see all the many children's lives - and their families - He is using them to touch through the job of teaching. That Nichalas has a job as a teacher is in itself a miracle. He is going to school to get his bachelor's. They are living in a place where charter schools are available to hire him without that degree.


Only because of ABBA am I able to see there is pain in being a family of Him.


It is because we follow Him, not ourselves.


And at times, that means not doing what we want. Not living where, as we want.


Only because of Him am I able to be content with the moments we have when together.
Only because of our Savior am I confident that one day we will all be together 24/7.
Love living life with my family "in the Light of our ABBA".