Today started just like any other day. Up at 4:30am to see Aaron off to work, downstairs with a warm cup of coffee to wake my self up. I opened up my email to find only "junk mail." Disappointment lurking as I hoped for "something" to encourage me. You know those days, the kind where you can't put your finger on it, but you are just....."something." The treadmill stood staring at me, but this morning I just couldn't do the 4 miles I've become accustomed to. My mind was working overtime now. I sat down to do my devotions and nothing clicked. "What is it, Lord?" Nothing. Just silence.
I don't know about you, but I can handle just about anything except silence on God's part. I start questioning, asking, pleading, begging, and then I get angry. I struggled like this for several hours. I had made plans with my mother in law to run some errands together, lunch and then home again for naps (the way my morning started, everyone was getting one whether they wanted it or not). I had a pile of laundry waiting for me. On top of that, my MIL just called saying she would be late, and how in the world can a clean and dressed little boy get mud on his face...where did it come from? Oh, never mind....and then I saw it. Sitting on my end table, surrounded by dust and legos, was a book I had checked out from the library. Not just any book, but one I just knew I need to pick up and read. The 283 pg. hardback titled "Ribbon of Years" was written by an author (Robin Lee Hatcher) from Boise, ID., whom I had just recently contacted and asked to come and do our 2012 Women's Retreat for our church. I had read some of her other novels and while we exchanged information, things we had in common and encouragment, she confirmed dates with me, and mentioned several books that she utilizes during the breakout sessions of the retreat, one of these being "Ribbon....."
As I read I began to see myself in this book. So quickly we become tired of the "mundane" in life and long for "something" more. Through "Miriam's" life, grace was there at every corner, over every mountain top, and through every valley. I won't ruin it for you, but somehow through this book, I felt like there were splinters in my hand from grabbing hold once again to the Cross, in thankfulness for my life, my family and for those around me and most of all for the God who loves to give us second chances. A "do Over." I am humbled by the grace so freely given that was portrayed so beautifully in this book. It is IN the mundane that God shows up. In something so simple as this book of another woman's life, that point us back to the truth- Jesus. In the midst of what you or someone else is going through He has never left. He is the "something" our hearts long for.
As I finished the book, the verse that came to mind was this: "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart" (Psalm 86:11). There is my new "something" to replace the old.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Behind the Title.....
I have always had an interest in writing. Like my mother, I also have a passion for reading. There is rarely a moment that I don't have a book of sorts with me. My husband often rolls his eyes at the size of purse I carry- large enough to be a carry on, but small enough to manage with a toddler in tow. Rarely are chiropractic services required- or wheels for that matter!
About a year ago I entered this children's writing competition for short stories with a limit on words, including factual content and depth. The winner was given three professional editors who would critique your piece, and contact you to talk about it. Well, I won! It was a great opportunity to talk to these women about writing. Come to find out, the large majority of magazine writers and children's books are stay at home mom's who entered a contest, much like the one I did - if not the same, and went on to write more (i.e.- the popular "Harry Potter Series"). Their comments for me were extremely positive, and very encouraging...so much so that they had a publisher ask if they could hold my story for a possible printing in the children's magazine "Highlights."
Honestly, I was shocked. I didn't think it would go anywhere, but I just wanted to know. I love a good challenge like that, and was simply curious as to what would happen. No, I am not in the process of writing a novel, but I have started to journal. Writing down things that Cade comes up with, events that happen, hilarious stories about life that leave me wondering "why" and "how in the world did I get involved in that one?" Goodness knows my life is never dull and I could probably fill a book with stories that would rival a bestseller!
Life is interesting at best and rewarding! Many have asked me about the title choice of the Blog and now you know the story. A lot happens beyond the backyard. It isn't so much what happens, but what we do with it, how we respond, and who we become because of it. With that, I will leave you with what I entered......
Beyond the Backyard
By Erin Shafer
Back before the days that technology was foremost in the minds of young people, like me, my brothers, sister, and I dreamed of adventures that took place many years ago. For us, it began in our back yard.
My family and I grew up on a farm in Southwest Michigan. We lived several miles from town. There was farmland all around, where our animals grew up "in the wild" on our 80 acre farm. We had several horses, cattle, a couple pigs, two dogs, a sheep, and several stray cats that came and went.
Our garden tractor and wagon often became our covered wagon that carried not only us and our "supplies" but our dreams for the future as well. The two barns and outbuildings around our place became the new town just beginning in the Old West. We’d stop in at the General store to replenish our food supply which was often at the sand box and swing set, and the many acorns laying around on the ground doubled as our ammunition.
The animals were less than willing to accommodate our re-enactment of the Oregon Trail, and would often run to the furthest corner of the pasture to avoid another cattle drive. Our mom often wondered why her set of dishes was no longer a set, and dad had his share of confusion when the trees would boast bare spots. To us, it was a matter of survival. Food and firewood were essential if you were going to make it out West.
Today the days of free time and covered wagons are far behind us, yet one dream still echos in all of our hearts. Though dreams usually don’t cost anything, Freedom has never been free. It cost men and women their lives back then, and it is the same today.
Our grandpa always told us, "If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. Stick with the truth. It always stands the test of time." Like the code of the West, this is the code that we live by today. For us, it began in our backyard.
About a year ago I entered this children's writing competition for short stories with a limit on words, including factual content and depth. The winner was given three professional editors who would critique your piece, and contact you to talk about it. Well, I won! It was a great opportunity to talk to these women about writing. Come to find out, the large majority of magazine writers and children's books are stay at home mom's who entered a contest, much like the one I did - if not the same, and went on to write more (i.e.- the popular "Harry Potter Series"). Their comments for me were extremely positive, and very encouraging...so much so that they had a publisher ask if they could hold my story for a possible printing in the children's magazine "Highlights."
Honestly, I was shocked. I didn't think it would go anywhere, but I just wanted to know. I love a good challenge like that, and was simply curious as to what would happen. No, I am not in the process of writing a novel, but I have started to journal. Writing down things that Cade comes up with, events that happen, hilarious stories about life that leave me wondering "why" and "how in the world did I get involved in that one?" Goodness knows my life is never dull and I could probably fill a book with stories that would rival a bestseller!
Life is interesting at best and rewarding! Many have asked me about the title choice of the Blog and now you know the story. A lot happens beyond the backyard. It isn't so much what happens, but what we do with it, how we respond, and who we become because of it. With that, I will leave you with what I entered......
Beyond the Backyard
By Erin Shafer
Back before the days that technology was foremost in the minds of young people, like me, my brothers, sister, and I dreamed of adventures that took place many years ago. For us, it began in our back yard.
My family and I grew up on a farm in Southwest Michigan. We lived several miles from town. There was farmland all around, where our animals grew up "in the wild" on our 80 acre farm. We had several horses, cattle, a couple pigs, two dogs, a sheep, and several stray cats that came and went.
Our garden tractor and wagon often became our covered wagon that carried not only us and our "supplies" but our dreams for the future as well. The two barns and outbuildings around our place became the new town just beginning in the Old West. We’d stop in at the General store to replenish our food supply which was often at the sand box and swing set, and the many acorns laying around on the ground doubled as our ammunition.
The animals were less than willing to accommodate our re-enactment of the Oregon Trail, and would often run to the furthest corner of the pasture to avoid another cattle drive. Our mom often wondered why her set of dishes was no longer a set, and dad had his share of confusion when the trees would boast bare spots. To us, it was a matter of survival. Food and firewood were essential if you were going to make it out West.
Today the days of free time and covered wagons are far behind us, yet one dream still echos in all of our hearts. Though dreams usually don’t cost anything, Freedom has never been free. It cost men and women their lives back then, and it is the same today.
Our grandpa always told us, "If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. Stick with the truth. It always stands the test of time." Like the code of the West, this is the code that we live by today. For us, it began in our backyard.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Finally.....
I have finally broken down and entered the Blog world! I think I have finally figured out enough to be able to post this little bit. A friend suggested this as a journal of sorts, and a way for family and friends to keep up. (Thanks, Linda!) So, stay tuned...
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