I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID IT AGAIN!!

Ok.....Here's the truth.  While this house on the lake is truly a God-send, and I am loving the view, I have come to the place where I want to go home.  The vacation has been nice, but I am ready to sleep in my own bed.  I really want to wear those tan dress pants that fit just right.  I want my broken-in, fit-just-right, Nike tennis shoes back.  I don't want to face the ten million decisions that are before me.  I don't want the pressure of making those decisions that will affect our daily lives for years and years to come.  I am tired of worrying about the money and hoping we don't come up short at the end of the project.  What if we pay thousands of dollars for siding and stone, only to decide the colors and design I picked turned out to be hideous?  Oh, if we could only go back to the way things were!!

Do I even sound like the same person who has been writing those blogs about the amazing things God has been doing in her life?  I know....shame on me.  I thought about keeping the ugly side of me a secret, and only blogging the good stuff, but I felt convicted to be honest.  A dear friend told me this week that she believes I have been called to be a blogger.  If this is how God wants to use me, then I must give myself to it wholeheartedly, and allow HIM to decide what is said here.

I admit, I have known people on occasion that have made me want to ask, "How in the world can you be that way?  How can you think that way?"  In fact, there are two cases in the Bible that have always puzzled me:

1.)  Even after God led the Israelites through the Red Sea, delivered them from bondage, provided for them in the wilderness......they still complained and wanted to go back to what they had before.  How could they?  After all they had witnessed....After being delivered and promised a better life?  How could they yearn for yesterday?  How could they keep from rejoicing?

2.)  Even after following Christ for three years, his disciples were unsure of his majesty.  They witnessed the most amazing miracles, and yet they would still doubt, and be overcome with fear.  How could they?  I would think walking in the very presence of Christ and being one of His closest friends would alleviate all things negative.

I judge them, and yet, here I am.....no different.  It has only been three months since God began this amazing work in our family.  We have witnessed miracles in our own life, both material, and relational.  Nothing can compare to that feeling of knowing He is at work in your life.  So, how can I look back and yearn for meaningless things?  How can I look forward and fear?

Here's the Thing:  I have not learned from past mistakes.  Once again, after God revealed the next small piece of the plan, I immediately took the reins, and began to work at making it happen.  I have lived on Pinterest and Houzz, planning every tiny detail of our new home.  I have subscribed to Consumer Reports and have access to research every item we plan  to purchase.  I worked the numbers a dozen ways to make sure everything turns out like "I" want it to.  I jumped right out of the box and took off running.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with due diligence, as long as I don't leave God in the dust.  I have to keep my eye on Him and really work at staying Hemmed In.  I found a sign years ago that says it well:

"Good Morning, this is God.....I will be handling all of your problems today......I WILL NOT need your help......So relax!  and Have a Good Day!!"

Dear friend, I pray that you find peace as you relax in the hand of the Father and let Him take care of it for you today!!

“JUST” PRAY?

James 5:16 - …the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Right off the bat, let me say, “Thank you” to all who have prayed for our son-in-law these past weeks and “Thank you and Praise your Holy Name!” to our God who said, “OK”.

For all those times you felt helpless and wished you knew what you could do to make things better for yourself or for someone you loved, let me tell you what the Holy Spirit did through YOU:

Our daughter’s husband unknowingly began a new chapter in his life recently on an average Sunday when his legs gave out, for no apparent reason, causing him to fall.  It seemed a little odd, but not much thought was given to it….until he fell again on Monday…then on Tuesday….twice!  He was not running, not on the ice, no obstruction caused him to trip and fall.  His brain was telling his body to walk, but his legs would simply NOT.  On Tuesday morning, he fell while just standing by his bed and putting his shirt on.  By Wednesday, he was unable to pass a sock from one hand to the other without his hand giving way.  Diagnostic testing wasn’t painting a very pretty picture as he was failing many of them.  His neurologist advised him to get to the ER in St. Louis immediately.  She suspected a syndrome which attacks the nervous system was the cause and warned that if so, he could “go downhill real fast!” 

So we made a mad dash to St. Louis, trying to walk in faith, but barely able to fight off the fear of what this could mean.  We all began spreading the word to our church families and prayer chains everywhere and people began praying.  It was 11:00 p.m. when I received a text from my dad saying he had been impressed by the Spirit to speak in faith that Tyler “would be alright.”  I thanked Dad for his encouragement but didn’t realize the magnitude of what he was saying. 

The next three days were spent in a multitude of tests, ALL of which came back normal.  The medical experts could not explain it, only to say that it must have been a post-viral infection and his body is just “correcting itself”.  But we do not believe in coincidence.  This syndrome was progressing rapidly until after church on Wednesday night, then immediately stopped in its tracks.  “JUST” pray?

He has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but we know it was the prayers of the people and the grace of God that stopped it early and limited it to a mild case.  He still has a long road to recovery ahead so keep those prayers coming.  We know that will make all the difference.

Here’s the Thing:  I cannot think of one single person in a position of power that would allow me to waltz right into their office, unannounced, and hear my request.  And yet, the Creator of the universe has invited me to “come boldly to the throne of grace”  and He has promised to do more than I can even ask or imagine!  Father, forgive me for taking prayer for granted and often treating it like the last resort.  Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing.”  But, “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!”  My limitations equal the limitations of the Holy Spirit…which is zero!  All or nothing?  I choose ALL!

Here’s another Thing: One day, while driving down the road, I was overwhelmed with thankfulness at the way my daughter’s life is turning out.  God has given her such a wonderful, Godly, man to lead her.  He really does read his Bible and pray and seek God’s face.  He is full of  integrity and has a heart to bless others and give to those in need.  He is truly amazing!  And then God spoke to me:  "Didn’t you spend hours rocking in the chair and pacing the floor with your baby girl 20 years ago, asking me to take care of her and guide her life?  Didn’t you ask me to send her a Godly man someday? Why are you so surprised?"  “JUST” PRAY?

GOD LIKES ICING!!

I am so glad I serve a God that is "full of compassion and mercy." (James 5:11)  A Father that loves to "give good things" to them that call on Him.

There is a song by Casting Crowns that says, " If your eyes are on the storm, you'll wonder if I love you still.  But if your eyes are on the cross, you'll remember that I always have and always will."

I love that! It is so easy to only see the storm, but I am so thankful that God continually shows me that the storm is not the end goal....only part of the process.  He never takes all that we have and leaves us with nothing.  He gives us something different.....something better.....something we never thought of before, but now wonder why we didn't think of that.

Such is the case with our current home.  It "just so happens" that Keith works with a wonderful, generous, owner of a piece of rental property that "just so happened" to come available 4 days! before our house burned to the ground and we found ourselves homeless.  Not just any property....LAKEFRONT  property!!  Not more than a mile from Keith's work....15 glorious minutes closer to school.....and did I mention.....ON THE WATER!!!

Now, friends, those who know us will tell you, we are not wealthy.  There is no way we could have afforded more than a 1 week rental of a lake house, and yet, God has so graciously provided one for the next year!!  Not only is He working things out for our good at our "country home", He's putting us on vacation at the lake in the meantime.... with ducks.....and geese.

One thing I have noticed as I look out on the lake each morning is the movement of the water.  Even on a perfectly calm day when the lake seems peaceful and still, the ripples of water continually approach the shoreline.  They never stop.  The Holy Spirit reminded me that "His mercies are new every morning."  God is continuously on the job working all things out for my good.  His plan is always on schedule (if I am hemmed in and following His plan instead of my own.)  He never stops blessing me.

If I look at the storm, I see a burned out house and a total loss.  If I look at the cross, I see a fresh start, a chance to rebuild.  If I look at the storm, I see a teeny, tiny, old house that does not yet feel like home.  If I look at the cross, I see how God has provided a home that is much more manageable, a stress level reduced immensely, and a closeness between family members we had somehow lost in each of our far corners of a huge house.  If I look at the storm, I see a monumental task ahead that could push me over the edge.  If I look at the cross, I see all I need for today, and an anticipation for even greater things to come.

Here's the Thing:  Jesus told us "in this world you WILL have trouble."  We are not to be surprised by that. He goes on to say...."I have overcome the world!"  Praise our good and loving God that goes before us, and behind us, and hovers above us....hems us in and carries us through trouble....and somehow manages to add a little "icing" to lift our spirits along the way.  Don't miss the icing!  It's the best part of the cake!

BEAUTY FOR ASHES!


Isaiah 61 has become my go-to scripture.  Each time I read it, I hear the Father's voice and He shows me another small piece of the plan:


The first day we were allowed to go back into the house was shocking!  Twenty years - reduced to a pile of ash in the floor.  The picture in the right margin was taken of an iron cross laying in the ash and broken glass on the kitchen floor.  I determined then that I would have that picture enlarged and framed to hang in our new home and I would title it, "Beauty for Ashes."  That promise anchored me as I remembered the verse that promises, "He gives us a hope that does not disappoint."  He reminded me again that He was working and that we would come out better.  I only told my family about my thought for this picture......


From day one, I had been texted and prayed for by an amazing "soul" sister who contacted me every day with a special prayer for me.  It was her suggestion that I begin this blog.  (That idea seemed ridiculous to me, knowing that she would be the only person who would read it unless I made my kids read it too.)  But the day she texted me to say that she was still praying about this blog, and was still convinced I should do it, and that she kept thinking...."Beauty for Ashes!!!!"  Okay, I'm slow, but I'm not totally stupid.  Only God could have put that in her mind.  And so here we are.


There is soooo much in chapter 61 of Isaiah that correlates with us that I must take it to heart.
  Verse 3 refers to the "oaks of righteousness."  Our house was made almost entirely of oak that came from Keith's homeplace. Keith and his dad made all of the woodwork by hand and it was gorgeous.  It represented two years and a lot of heart as Keith and his dad spent almost every night working together.  A time that we will cherish forever.


Verse 4 mentions "ancient ruins."  We definitely had ruins in several areas.  We had become covered up with "stuff" and at the mercy of our home and our lifestyle.  We had way too many things.  We had misplaced importance, and even negative attitudes toward each other that seem to have been destroyed with the fire.  God has given us a whole new perspective on many areas of our life.


And my favorite part:  The NIV titles this chapter, "The year of the Lord's favor!!"  Come on! The Proverbs 31 woman "laughs at the future" and I am beginning to understand her better.  (Now I am not going to think about the double portion mentioned later in the chapter, but I am hoping the "foreigner" that will "work your fields" comes in the form of a cleaning lady!)


Here's the Thing:  For those tempted to say that the McDannels are different....they both come from good stock (which we do)......they have a charmed life......they've been in the ministry a long time (which we have)......God will give them special treatment......let me say this: YOU ARE SO WRONG!  We know that God is not a respecter of persons, and we know that God is love, and we know that God never changes, and we know that his acceptance policy extends to "whosoever will".  Therefore, I know that He loves YOU, He works for YOUR good, He will take care of YOU if you will choose Him and allow yourself to stay Hemmed In.  Everyone has "ruins" and Jesus told us, "In this world, you WILL have trouble" but don't ever forget the rest of the verse, "Do not be afraid, for I have overcome the world!!"


Dear friend, Jesus did not come for a select few who come from "good Christian families" or who live " good Christian lives".  None of us are good....it's all about HIM!!!

SUIT UP!!


Psalm 8:4 - What is man, that thou art mindful of him?.....that thou visitest him?


I know that this part of our story may sound quite trivial....like I am just looking for something to write about, but the insignificance of this event only adds to the WOW! factor of it.


If you read my previous post, you might remember that our first trip to Wal-mart provided enough clothes and supplies to get us through that first week.  Which is why we found ourselves in a local department store the following weekend buying clothes for church.  It was in the men's aisle that God made His presence known in a teeny-tiny-huge-magnificent way:


My husband, Keith, has been a pastor for almost all of his 30 years of preaching.  He always wears a suit when he preaches, but since he resigned from our previous church 8 months ago, he has gotten rather comfortable wearing much more casual clothes for church.  With that thought in mind, we headed directly for the men's clearance racks, looking for a sweater or shirt for Sunday.  There, in the middle of a rack filled completely with sweaters, was one, two-piece, gray suit.  I happen to notice that the tag said $24!! Of course, that grabbed my attention and I had to investigate further. ( Even though all of his suits had been destroyed, he really didn't need one right now so I had put that on the back burner.)  The problem with Keith and suits is that they never fit right.  He has wide shoulders, but short legs, so the pants don't work.  But, for some reason ( I wonder!), someone had hung two separate pieces together.....that's right, each piece the perfect size for Keith, and had hung it in the middle of a bunch of sweaters.   The only one on the rack.  $64 suit.  Perfect fit.


That's not all......shortly after buying the suit, Keith got a call from our pastor, asking if he could preach that Sunday.  Come on!!  Trivial?    Kinda, I guess.  I mean, it's just a cheap price for a nice suit that fits.  Lucky us.  Right place at the right time......OR.......WOW!  With all that God has going on in the world, He took time to piece together a suit.....put it on a rack where we couldn't miss it....perfect fit.....price I couldn't pass up.....prepare Keith for His purpose.  I can't tell you how strongly we felt His presence just in that small little event.


He's got it covered!!


But here's the Thing:  While we were checking out, through a conversation with the checkout clerk, she made a "mistake" that saved us over $140.  But the really neat part was how our conversation with her opened the door to tell how real God is and how much He loves and cares for us.  But then the amazing happened....my 16-year old daughter noticed the young girl's very pregnant condition, and turned the conversation away from us and began to ask about her! (Her baby is due this week.)  And we were able to tell her we would be praying for her.  Remember that "anchor moment" I mentioned last time?  Well, here's the proof.  Here's the fruit.  Our "tragedy" has changed my daughter's heart and transformed her way of thinking.   Yep.....I'd say we are definitely coming out ahead!!!

MIRACLE IN AISLE #7

   I am soooo glad I am part of the Family of God!!! What do people do without God and their church family.  I am still amazed when I recall that way our "family" has supported us through this time.  I actually received text messages while I was en route to our house!  Throughout that afternoon, we were covered with prayers and visits.  It began to feel like old home week!  Brothers and sisters in Christ from years ago as well as recent family members we've only known a short while were there to give prayers and support. (Even one of our youth group guys from 20 years ago made the drive to be there for us!!!)
     That evening, we made that trip to Wal-mart.  I scooped up whatever cash had been given to us that afternoon, planning to use it as far as it would go and just write a check for the rest.  We began in the pharmacy, going up and down the aisles, getting what we needed to take us through the next few days.  We each went to our own department to purchase clothes, shoes, etc. to get us through 2 days.  (The kids were so amazing!  They stayed totally focussed and did not ask for one thing extra.  I actually went to Walmart and did not have to tell them "No" one time!....but that's not the miracle.)

     While we were there, two people even met us in the store to give us money.  I did not even add it up as I went.  We were able to pay for everything with the cash handed to us that afternoon!  We paid cash for our burgers at Wendy's and had $8.00 left!!!  When we left for church that morning, we had no idea what our need would be by that night, but my Father did.....and He had it covered!

Here's the Thing......  I have been praying for probably two years that God would show himself in a very real way to my children.  I wanted them to love Him, not just be "church kids".  I wanted them to have more than me just dragging them to church, and dragging them to Christian school, and quoting a verse for every rule in the house.  And on this day, they saw God show up.  They witnessed His family in action.  They saw how He goes before us, and prepares the way.  They learned that He is FOR them and that they can trust Him....even with the unknown.  They now have an "anchor moment"  that they can hold on to the next time trouble comes, our doubts arise.

If my children can come away with that......well, you can have my house any day!

PECULIAR PEOPLE


I am so thrilled that you have joined me on this journey as I attempt to share what God has done in our family over the past few weeks.  The event that prompted the birth of this blog.  The event that changed our lives forever:


While sitting in church on  Sunday morning, and singing along with the congregation...."Your Grace is Enough for Me".....(God was already preparing me for the day ahead!), I received a call that our
house was on fire.  As I immediately gathered the children and headed for home, something really miraculous happened:  The Holy Spirit got into the car with us and carried us to our home.


In my head, I knew this was something really terrible, something to fear, something to cry about, something to dread.  But, in my heart, none of those ideas took hold.  And moreover, they had no place in the hearts of my kids either.


In John 14:27, Jesus said, "My peace I give unto you....Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."


I have been in church my entire life and I know all the right words to say.  I know what a "good" Christian "should" say in times of trouble.  Please believe me when I tell you that this is nothing like that.  I can honestly tell you that the peace the Father gave us at that time has puzzled many of our friends and family.  We were even able to find a sense of humor in the midst. ( My daughter made note that she sure was glad we didn't clean the house yesterday!)  We knew that ALL things worked together for good to them that love the Lord, and that any time God acts in our lives, we will always come out better.  So regardless of what we were about to see, we knew we would somehow come out better.


Throughout that day, and the weeks that followed, family and friends have been brokenhearted for our loss, and yet....we are not.  Not one time has any of the children cried, complained, blamed God, or even whined about it.  We have been called "peculiar" because of our attitude.  All I can say is that
God gave us a peace that the world does not understand.  A peace that even I cannot understand.  I felt in my spirit from the very beginning that this was God's doing.  He was up to something.  And I can trust this path the Shepherd has chosen.


Over the next few posts, I am looking forward to sharing the miracles God has already done through this life-changing event. I pray you will be encouraged.