Whatever the cause for my contempt of this poor sad soul, it all changed a few weeks ago.  Call it an act of God if you will, but all I know is that I was folding laundry one evening and God dropped a load of bricks on my head (figuratively, of course).  All of a sudden, I realized that I didn’t despise the guy as before.  (At this point, I would love to share some incredible story about God writing on the wall and me seeing the light…but as you can imagine, that wasn’t the case at all.)  I can’t be sure exactly what it was that made me sit up and pay attention, but I did.  I started to listen to interviews a little closer and watch the way he interacted with others.  Above all, I began to see in him what I so longed for…a faith to move mountains.

Literally overnight, I went from scowling and making gagging noises (not really, but the effect here seemed appropriate) every time I heard his name, to this overbearing desire to pray for him.  The people who make up the media are often cruel.  (I studied journalism for a time…believe me, I know!)  Fans, whether they are for you or against you, can be brutal.  Though I am sure it is not always easy, he appears to handle these situations well.

His testimony is what concerns me.  For someone who shares his faith, morals, and values so publicly, temptation is always at hand.  Of course I pray (as we all should) that God will grant him the strength to overcome whatever challenges he faces, but what if he fails?  What if temptation gets the best of him and the great Tim Tebow falls?  With so much of the Christian community on his side, how will they react?  Will they carry on in their support and encouragement of him, or will they turn their backs on him and claim he was never one of them?  I have seen many wounded Christians be shot by their own.  When a bruised and broken Christian reaches out for help, we often kick them back down in an attempt to keep our hands clean.

Yes, I worry about Tim Tebow.  I thank God for the testimony that he has, for his willingness to not only share his faith but to live it out.  But the truth is, we all fall at some point, some of us on a daily basis.  Most of us will get away with our humiliation never being so public, but others are not so lucky.  I pray that this never happens to Tim Tebow, but if it does, will we dispose of another, or will we reach out with God’s unfathomable grace?

“…where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…” Romans 5:20b

(Image courtesy of The Denver Post)

(1) You must be willing to work hard.

Anyone who has spent even a few moments on a farm knows that it requires hard work.  It is the kind of work which begins at dawn and ends when the sun goes down.  Many days, the work even goes on into the night.  Tending fields, feeding livestock, harvesting crops – the work is never really done.  To have a successful farm, to put food on the table for your family, you must be willing to work hard.

It is the same in life.  We have all been called to different positions in our lives.  Whether it is in school, in the workplace, or at home, the job set before us requires hard work.  Artists, athletes, musicians, businessmen, and homemakers all have a job to do.  Regardless of where that job is or what that job entails, we must be willing to put forth our best effort.  Only then will we see the results we desire.  “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23 ESV)

(2) You must learn to work together and share the responsibility.

Our farm was family-owned and -operated.  No individual could handle all of the work by himself; it required a total family effort.  Each member of the family had to do his or her part or else the farm would be doomed to failure.  I remember, at about three years old, standing in a muddy field with my family while we picked potatoes in the early morning light.  We could not do it on our own; we needed the help of those around us – in this case, our family.

We were not meant to go through this life on our own.  Life is far too hard to face as an individual.  God has surrounded us with friends, mentors, co-workers, and pastors so that we do not have to live this life solo.  We have been given people who are willing to pour truth and wisdom into our lives.  We must embrace those around us who are willing to work for us and with us.  “A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 NET)

(3) Do not make friends with the livestock; they will eventually end up on your table.

At this point, you may be thinking that I have lost it…but stick with me.  We had a bull on our farm which we affectionately named Dante.  Someone must have forgotten to tell Dante exactly what being a bull was all about, because he was quite possibly one of the friendliest animals I have ever known.  (This crazy animal loved to be scratched under the chin!)  One day, Dante mysteriously went missing from our farm.  About a week later, our freezer was full of the freshest beef you can imagine.  Much to my despair, I realized that I had found the missing Dante.  I have several more stories just like this one (which should explain my very un-Southern distaste for fried chicken.)  After much heartache, I learned why my dad advised to not make friends with the livestock.

This may be a stretch, but I have heard it said “If you play with fire, you will get burned.”  I believe the same principle applies here.  There are some things in life that are good when kept within its boundaries.  Once those boundaries are crossed, we often find ourselves living with guilt and regret knowing we had been forewarned but failing to heed those warnings.  “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?” (Proverbs 6:27-28 ESV)

You see, growing up on the farm taught me so many lessons – ones I have carried with me throughout my life.  Some lessons have not been so easy; others I have put into practice on a daily basis.  No matter what the experience, I believe God can and will use the lessons learned to shape us into who He desires for us to be.

I received a call yesterday afternoon from my family informing me that my dad had been involved in an accident on our farm.  A piece of heavy equipment fell crushing three of the fingers on his left hand.  While the details are gruesome (I will spare you!), the situation burdening my heart the most is that doctors have told him there is a very strong possibility that he will lose at least one finger.  My dad is a man who works with his hands.  The thought of those strong hands being changed – hands which lifted a pig-tailed little girl to his shoulders countless times – just breaks my heart.  My dad is also struggling, angry at himself for allowing something so careless to happen, burdened with the unknown.

Were you to place my dad in a line-up of other similar-looking 60 year old men, I would most definitely be able to pick him out.  Then I began to think, were you to blindfold me and only describe the character qualities of these men, I believe I would still be able to pick him out from the crowd.  As much as I know my dad by his outward appearance, I know him even more for the man he is inside.  No amount of physical change can alter who he really is – a caring son, a faithful husband, a loving father, a passionate worker.

Then, I thought about our Heavenly Father.  We have never seen Him, yet we know Him by His matchless qualities.  He is the ultimate Loving Father, Comforter, Healer.  We know His touch, His work, His call.  No amount of man-made striving or attempts to lessen His presence can change Who God is or the way He impacts our lives.  We can place labels on Him, try to keep Him inside of our churches and out of our daily lives, but we will never be able to alter Who He truly is.

The same goes for my dad.  Whether he has 10 fingers, nine and half fingers, or none at all, nothing will ever change who he really is.  Nothing will be able to take away from him the titles of son, husband, father, and friend.  I serve a God that does not allow the world to define Himself or His children.  We are only defined by the grace and mercy of a Loving Father.  And that is who we really are.

I have so many wonderful memories from this past year, but it is not without those moments when I wish things could have been different.  God has brought me through some difficult times these last several months, and while I am still learning some tough lessons, I am most thankful that He still desires to use me.  A friend of mine texted me this verse:  “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6 (ESV)

We have much to look forward to in this coming year.  So as we look back over a year of God’s blessings, may we look forward in hope that God will carry us through whatever this new year may bring.

* Visit my 2011 Gallery to see images from this past year.

My favorite Christmas memory occurred when I was maybe 11 or 12 years old.  As I have mentioned before, I grew up in Eastern North Carolina – an area notorious for spring tornadoes, summer hurricanes, and winter ice storms.  My family is heavy on tradition, especially when it involves the holidays.  For as many years as I can remember, we always spent Christmas Eve with my mom’s side of the family.  On Christmas morning, my parents would host my dad’s side of the family for breakfast.  I loved these traditions when I was growing up and have drawn many smaller memories from each year.

However, that particular year will always be one that stands out from the rest.  On Christmas Eve, that part of North Carolina was hit with an ice storm.  My parents decided to take the risk and make the hour drive to visit my mom’s family.  The weather became worse as the night went on.  By 9 p.m., a thin coating of ice had already formed on the trees and power lines.  We made it home safely only to find that the power had gone out.

By Christmas morning, a thick layer of ice covered nearly everything in sight.  We began making phone calls to let the family know that we would not be able to host them this year.  Since we had no electricity, there was no way we would be able to cook breakfast.  However, no one would accept that our traditional get-together was impossible.  Through the use of my uncle’s camping stove, our wood stove, and a small generator to power the kitchen, we were able to serve Christmas breakfast as usual.  Everyone arrived safely without even one person considering that travel would be treacherous.

That Christmas morning would not have been possible had the entire family not bonded together as a unit to make it happen.  It is by far one of my favorite Christmas memories.  It proved what the holidays are all about – family, togetherness, love.

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

I recently experienced one of the most difficult battles with depression I have ever been through.  At that point in my life I felt completely useless; I had lost interest in everything that was going on around me.  The ironic thing is I felt like I was completely in control.  If I wanted to change my situation, I had the power to do so.  Yet, I was content to close out the people and circumstances surrounding me.  The choice to get out was mine…or so I thought.

Following a difficult spring/summer, I was primed for what Satan was ready to throw my way.  I had been holding onto a lot of emotion from past circumstances – anger, bitterness, anxiety, fear.  Around the beginning of October, the emotions began to spill out, and after one particular situation, I completely shut down.  I lost myself in my own world – a world I could control void of pain and emptiness.  A week passed before I even realized that something had changed in me, something was not right.  I felt hopeless.  I tried to pull myself out, but nothing seemed to work.  Eventually, I just gave up trying and gave in to the lies Satan was feeding me.  I was desperate – desperate for a chance to get out of my current circumstances.  I had hit the bottom of the pit.  I had turned my back on God; in my mind, I did not need His help nor did I want it.

Two weeks in, I experienced what I call my “prodigal moment.”  One evening as I was falling asleep, I was mentally lost in the world I had created, the one I could control.  At that moment, God met me where I was (angry, bitter, empty) and showed me one image that I was not prepared for.  It was as if God had said, “I’m going to let you have your way.  But before you go, there is one thing you need to see…”  In that moment experiencing God’s kindness and love, I reached out and allowed God to pull me out of one of the darkest places I have ever been.  In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son.  Verse 20 states, “his father saw him…and ran and embraced him.”  The father met his child where he was on the road.  I had not even reached out to Him, when God chose to come to me…hence, my “prodigal moment.”

The details of this story are not important, but I do believe they are significant.  (Yes, there is a difference.)  Only a couple of people know the full extent of what took place those two weeks in October.  It is a story I would not believe had I not lived it myself.  It is a story that is not finished; I still feel there is more for me to know.  I am learning that in God’s timing, I will know why it was necessary for me to go through this experience.  Until then, He is teaching me to lean on Him and trust that He has only my best in mind.

Have you ever wondered why it was necessary to dedicate a specific day to “give thanks”?  And why is it just one day?  Should this not be a daily action on our part?  When did this “holiday” become a marker for the start of the Christmas season, the kick-off for major sales across the retail markets, a day for stuffing ourselves full of turkey (which personally, I don’t like), dressing, and cranberry sauce (don’t get that one either)?

I will be the first to admit that I often take many blessings in my life for granted.  We get so caught up in this fast-paced world that it is easy to forget the things that really matter.  God has been reminding me more and more lately to just simply slow down.  When I finally stop long enough to take a breath, I am amazed at the things I have missed around me – the things I have forgotten to be thankful for.  When I really pay attention, I see the things that have impacted my life immeasurably:  my husband’s unconditional love, my dad’s sensitive heart, my mom’s giving spirit, my sister’s sense of humor, my nephew’s determination, my niece’s dreamworld, my grandma’s testimony.

While I am thankful for a holiday dedicated to showing gratitude, it is my prayer that I would live daily with a “heart of thankfulness.”  To actually write out all of the many things I am truly thankful for is impossible; there are too many blessings to narrow it down to a simple blog post.  Instead, I would leave you with this challenge:  In a day filled with parades, football, and food, what will you finally remember to be thankful for?

I am an early American history buff and was looking forward to reading this title.  I can honestly say that I was not disappointed.  Vickery provided many lesser-known facts about Washington’s life and based much of the book on original sources such as Washington’s own letters.  The author views Washington in a mostly positive light but does not shy away from pointing out the various mistakes Washington made throughout his career.  The book was well-written and concise making for a quick and easy read.

One of the negatives of the book was that it appeared to end too abruptly.  The book moved very quickly from the end of the Revolution to Washington’s Presidency.  The only other negative was that it was often difficult to keep up with the abundance of names used throughout the book.

I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good, quick read.  It will delight both the history lover and the military buff.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

After the power went out for the final time, we listened to radio reports as the center of the storm drew closer.  With little to do except wait, we decided to attempt sleep.  My mom had decided to stay with me for the evening to try to ease my fears.   Sleep was all but impossible as large tree limbs broke off and crashed down onto the roof and into our yard. Winds at this point were sustained at 75 mph with gusts nearing 100 mph.  At 1 a.m., I lay listening to the deafening sounds around me when a large gust of wind, most likely well over hurricane-force speed, blew against the house.  I remember at that moment hearing a snap and a whizzing sound.  The last thing I remember was a large crash.

When I finally came to my senses, I heard my dad calling for my mom and me.  As I sat up in bed, I realized that I was covered in ceiling tiles, insulation, and pine needles.  About a foot from the end of my bed was a large gaping hole in the ceiling and what appeared to be part of a large pine tree.  Rain was pouring in as my parents, my sister, and I began frantically moving things out of the room in an effort to save them from further damage.   We had escaped without even a scratch.

At 3 a.m., my family had hunkered down in our hallway feeling like prisoners in our own home.  The radio reports were nearly constant at this point, telling stories of downed trees, power outages, and severe flooding across eastern North Carolina.   Just when it appeared we had escaped further damage, a wind gust sent yet another tree sailing down on top of the spot where we sat knocking several ceiling tiles loose.  We began wondering if this storm would ever end and if we would make it through the night.

By the light of morning, we surveyed the damage. The first incident was caused by the top of a pine tree that had snapped off in the fierce winds causing it to come sailing into my bedroom. The second tree had been uprooted by the winds and had fallen across the center of our house. A third tree had fallen coming only within inches of destroying my dad’s work shop. Another three or four trees had been lost in our small orchard. Our yard looked as if a bomb had gone off with branches of every shape and size littering the ground. Our home had sustained significant damage. The roof would require a total replacement. There was significant water damage to my room as well as my parents’ room. But, thank God, we were alive!

Terrified cannot even begin to explain what it feels like to be trapped in your own home. The place that always made you feel safe suddenly becomes transparent. Not only had we never experienced anything of this magnitude, but the storm had hit in the darkness of night, leaving us guessing what would happen next. The light of day had begun to show as the storm began to let up. The first thing I saw as darkness turned to light was a large pine tree lying across our front yard and up onto our house. It was unnerving, and we had no idea what was to come. Yet, God had protected us and brought us through one of the darkest nights of our lives into the light of morning.

* To view pictures of the damage to our home, please visit my Hurricane Fran Gallery.

Because this book has been highly recommended, I went in expecting a phenomenal experience.  I was however sadly disappointed.  The male author clearly wrote the book intending to teach the wife how she should respect her husband.  While I believe the basic ideas to be powerful and even life-changing,  I felt his approach to the subject to be very one-sided and, at times, the phraseology to be inappropriate and demeaning to women.  I also found much of the book to be repetitive.  Many of the opening chapters could have been condensed to make the message more concise.  Though there were many Biblical references scattered throughout the book, I felt many of them were used inadequately.

Despite the negatives, I do feel as though the basic principles set forth by the author are biblically accurate and essential to a successful marriage.  Eggerichs also includes effective tips on practicing these principles within the marriage.

Overall, I do recommend this book to anyone looking for practical advice on improving their marriage.  However, do be warned that the title is a bit deceptive.

Click here to visit Thomas Nelson’s product page for this title.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”