I remember when I was in college and I was ready for the semester to end just so I could go home!  I had been homesick more days than I cared to admit.  I’d lie in my bunk and look at the pictures of home and family that I had tacked to the wall by my bed, and I would imagine myself there.  I couldn’t wait to go!  Everything was packed so when my ride arrived I’d be ready to hit the door.

Last night I remembered those feelings of wanting to go home as I watched my mother-in-law’s breathing slowing down, and the awareness of her surroundings become obscure.  She, too, is ready to go home.  She’s thought a lot about it in these months.  She’s wondered out loud to me what it will be like to be in heaven.  Who will she see?  What will she do?  She even said, “Once I get there, I wish I could come back and tell you what it’s like.”  I told her to please warn me first!  =)

But seriously, we don’t need someone to come back from heaven to give us a report.  God’s Word is full of descriptions that make me homesick for heaven!

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev. 21:4

 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; Isaiah 25:8

It was the middle of the night and the sounds from the monitor told me that Mom C. was having trouble sleeping due to her incessant coughing.  Throwing back the covers, I slipped into my robe and made my way to the kitchen where I poured two teaspoons of Robitussin into the cup that accompanied the syrup.  As I stood beside Mom’s bed, she looked at me and asked, “What’s that?!”  She knew what it was – the worst tasting medicine she takes.   I told her it was her cough medicine.

“That stuff tastes HORRIBLE!”
“I know, but it’s the only thing that will help your cough.  You need this.  It will be good for you.”
“I hate that stuff!”
“I’m sorry, Mom, I’m not trying to hurt you.  I’m trying to help you.”

She took the medicine, albeit with a scowl on her face.  Her coughing quieted and I returned to my bed where sleep eventually came.  It was the next morning when I was recalling the previous night’s events that the Lord used that picture to teach me a lesson I needed to learn.  His voice in my heart spoke these words,

What I’m doing in your life right now doesn’t taste good, but I’m not doing this to hurt you.  You need this.  It will help you, just like the cough medicine helped RuthAnn.  Stop scowling.  Don’t argue with me.  Take it from my loving hand.  I know what is best for you.

Matthew 7:11 says, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Women are caregivers – whether it’s little children, our parents, or even a pet, we know how to take care of others and nurture them; to give them “good things.”  We often fail, however, at being the recipient of care from our Father’s hand.  We balk,  We shake our heads.  We scowl.  But we need to be reminded that our God is not doing whatever ill-tasting thing is going on in our life to hurt us.  He knows we need it.  He knows what is best for us.  He takes better care of us than we could ever think about doing for someone else.  Indeed, He cares for you. I Peter 5:7

What “medicine” has the Lord put into your cup?  Look into His face and remember that He loves you.  He knows what He’s doing, and it will be good for you – if not immediately, in the future.

Drink it – and then tell Him “thank you.”

With love,

Do you see that cherry filling oozing out of the side of the crust?  Oh. my. goodness.  This was the best stuff! Then when I looked up the recipe, I was blown away!  Only 5 ingredients that you literally “dump” into the baking dish – you don’t even have to stir it!  It doesn’t get any easier, friends!  But don’t let the simplicity fool you – this is a deadly dessert.  I didn’t add ice cream, but a scoop of vanilla on top of this would be heaven!

What a great idea to keep these ingredients on hand for a simple “go-to” dessert!  Do you have a recipe that you rely on?  What is it?

From my parsonage kitchen,

We are having winter weather in East Tennessee!  The snow started falling yesterday afternoon in heavy, wet flakes leaving us with about four inches of lovely white all over the yard and trees.  Whether or not you’re having snow and winter weather, it is winter here in the U.S.  Winter is the time to be indoors more due to the sometimes cold temperatures – and the fewer hours of daylight.

Hmmm, inside more.  It’s days like these that bring out my domestic side.  I want to bake, iron, and sew.  I enjoy thumbing through magazines or looking on Pinterest and coming up with new furniture arrangements.  I enjoy my crafting times when the sunny weather is hidden for a few months.

Why don’t you tend to some of the domestic chores at your house today – snowed in or not?  Sew on those missing buttons or hem that pair of jeans you bought months ago. (Here’s a neat tutorial on a great method to get that job done!)  Iron your linen napkins and use them at supper tonight.  Bake a new brownie recipe maybe these or a yummy cookie – perhaps this one.  Make a breakfast dish tonight to serve on Saturday morning after your clan has slept in. This Overnight Peaches and Cream French Toast would be a great one to try!

Freshen up your Friday by pulling out all the domestic stops!  What domestic chores do you love?  Which are the ones you put off doing? Try doing it while listening to some good music, a book on tape or while watching a favorite movie!  The time will pass quickly and you’ll be amazed at what you have accomplished!

Be refreshed,

1. Abigail acted immediately.  
2. Abigail took a gift.
3. She chose the best time to speak with Nabal.  
4. Abigail spoke words of respect – “my lord.” 
5. Abigail humbled herself and took the blame for Nabal’s foolish actions, though she was clearly not at fault. 
6. Abigail reminded David of God’s character and care for him – she knew God’s Word. 
7. Abigail didn’t attack David. 

1. Don’t shove trouble under the rug hoping it will get better tomorrow – it must be dealt with.
2. Be generous. Give a gift in love to pacify anger. Proverbs 21:4
3. Use the HALT principle. If you or your husband are hungry, angry, lonely or tired, wait a while to speak.
4. Words said in respect will gain you your husband’s ear AND his heart.
5. Humble yourself and be willing to shoulder the blame. (Ouch, this one is hard!)
6. Be in the Word and fill your heart with it! Speak God’s Words to your husband and bring in Truth.
7. Attack the problem, not the person.

Do these principles make sense to you?  How do you think it would change a stressful situation?