Painting Pictures of Egypt

October 14, 2012

Here we are.  Two months away from leaving the Air Force for good.  Starting a new business.  Moving to a new state, one with a much higher cost of living.  One with a LOT of traffic.  New schools for the kids.  Having to find a new church.  A new hairdresser.  A new dentist.  A new... everything.  As a military family, we have done this dozens of times before.  But this... this is a different move.  This changes everything.

And while we are convinced and assured that this is where God has been leading us for some time... I need to stop there.  We are convinced.  And assured.  That THIS is where God has been (and is still) leading us.

He is calling us out of the military - where things are familiar, and secure. Where we have financial security, both present and future.  Where housing is provided, where health care is provided, where we have an instant community of people to welcome us in and make transitions easier.  Where we automatically have things in common with everyone around.  It's easy.  It's familiar.  Why on earth would we want to leave?

Because this is not where God wants us to be anymore.  Our decision to join the military 13 years ago was just as God-led as our decision to get out is.  Our time in the military has grown us and stretched us as individuals and as a family... but we are ready to have Duane home... to have "Dad is away" be the exception, not the norm.  To be settled in one place while our kids are in their teen years.  To be closer to aging parents.  And to start this business where we can be peacemakers, providing social services to low-income families.  To be bright lights in the darkness, to live as Christ's example.  

 So I need to be on guard.  Right now.  To be sure that I'm not glorifying in my mind the good that the military life provides, without remembering that God is calling us beyond that and will provide for us just as surely as He has in the military.  Without remembering the struggles of the military life.

There is a song by Sara Groves called "Painting Pictures of Egypt"  (It is linked below for you to listen and see the lyrics) The Israelites, called out of bondage and slavery in Egypt, complained and wanted to go back after time in the desert proved to be challenging and not what they had envisioned.  How are we different?  It would be so easy to sit back into the endless pity party - "Oh if only we hadn't left the military - remember the health care?  the free housing?  the community?"  we paint in our minds this glorious paradise... without remembering not only the struggles and reasons for leaving, but most importantly  the fact that GOD called us out of there and provided a way out!

And the thing is, I feel like as we are looking ahead at the next couple of months and the transitions ahead, I feel like I'm already "Painting Pictures of Egypt".  And I need to stop that.  Yes, I can mourn what we are leaving.  I will definitely miss many aspects of being in the military.  And that's ok.  It's all a part of the process.  But I need to keep my eyes fixed on Christ, leaning on Him for guidance, knowing that He is not going to leave us.  He will provide.  He will not lead us into this new life and abandon us.  He has more planned for us than we can even imagine.  Looking back and holding on to what we "had" will only prevent us from seeing what He has in store for us.

Fathers and Daughters

Tonight we were watching a movie together as a family.  And as I looked over at the loveseat I saw my husband sitting with our daughter.  As she leaned against him, I saw him with his arm around her.  Affectionate.  Protective.  He raised his hand and brushed her hair back from her cheek and said "You're my princess." And she snuggled closer to him.  The bond of a father and daughter... tightly wound... he is her protector, her champion.  She is his princess, for whom he will fight to protect and provide.

Every daughter needs that assurance.  That example of what a true man is to be, how she is to be treated.  Not pampered but treasured.  Cherished.  Respected.

As a little girl, my fondest memories are of sitting on my father's lap as he read to me from my Children's Bible.  He was the one who heard our prayers at night.  And he was the one I called when I was in trouble.  And yet, he didn't stand up for me in the face of abuse and unfairness.  I treasure words - and those that aren't spoken speak just as loudly as those that are spoken aloud.


Fathers, treasure your daughters, be their prince.  Husbands, adore your wives and never give them any reason to doubt your committment to them.  Be their fierce protector.  Be the champion.

Week 9 Questions: When Doubt Whispers "I Can't Stop Worrying"

I started reading this week's chapter, simply proud that I was reading it a few days before our study was to meet instead of the night before, skim-reading it just so I got the major points.  I wasn't really reading it expecting to hear God's voice.  I woke up this morning disgruntled, exhausted, and sat down to read this chapter.  Not because I thought I needed it, but because it was on my list to "get done".  oh how God knew I needed this time and spoke to me... Convicted my heart and turned my spirit 180 degrees back to Him.  In the midst of my own created chaos, He met me.

So friends, lets journey together on this week's questions.

1.  How often do you feel exhausted, anxious, scattered, or depleted?

2.  When you get overwhelmed, do concerns ever consume you?  If so, what does that look like in your head and heart?

3.  Do you ever catch yourself wondering if God notices everything you are doing?  Do you ever doubt you can do all He has called you to do?  Are there some things in your life He may not expect or want you to be doing?

4.  If Jesus came to your house this past week to spend time with you, would you have been able to walk away from unfinished laundry, dishes, or emails if He wanted to talk with you?  Imagine hearing HIm say "You are worried and upset about many things"  What were some of your many things?

5.  What will you do for the next thirty days to make sure you have a date (Determine A Time Every day) to be with Jesus?  Is there someone you can ask to help or to hold you accountable to spending time with God, so you can listen more closely for HIs plans, rest in His promises, and experience His peace?

6.  Which of God's promises in this chapter will you cling to so that you don't lose your footing and slip into a pit of discouragement?

7.  How can you transition from going to God with a list to going to Him with a listening heart?>  What are some practical things that can help you relax and listen to God in the midst of your busy life (walking, journaling, listening to music, taking a bubble bath, etc.)?

Week 1 Questions

1.  What is your earliest memory of doubting yourself or feeling insecure?

2.  Has insecurity ever kept you from doing something?

3.  Describe how it makes you feel when doubt whispers:
       "I can't do this"
       "Things will never change"
      "My life isn't going to get better."
       "It's too hard"
       "I might as well quit"

4.  Describe what happens in your heart when you read God's words:
        "Those who hope in me will not be disappointed"  (Isaiah 49:23)
        "See, I am doing a new thing!"  (Isaiah 43:19
        "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose"  (Romans 8:28)
          "All things are possible to (her) who believes"  (Mark 9:23 NASB)

5.  What do you think hinders you most from living with God-confidence on a consistent basis?  Is there a promise listed above that speaks to your heart right now?

6.  How would you describe a woman with a confident heart?

7.  Read Jeremiah 17:7.  What does this verse promise and encourage you to do?  Think of one situation where you could live in the power of this promise and describe what that would look like this week.