Bite Size Moments, Please

I am in the place of asking the Lord what He would like my focus to be for the next year.  I have made a practice of doing this each January and I am sure many of you do as well.  I think it is a great idea, to set time aside to seek Him for the whole of the next 12 months.  As I prepare to seek Him for the coming year, I looked back in my journal at what I was talking to him about last January.  I want to include a part of that here:

January 4, 2011
"Lord, I want to confess to you that I once again feel fickle and I am feeling dry and unprepared.  I want to apologize because often times my relationship with You seems somewhat based on circumstances.  I mean that when a situation or project arises I then, more intently, turn my focus toward You.  I spend much of my time regretting that I don't spend more time with You - instead of simply using that time to be with You.  Lord, I am praying that you would make me different, to change me.  I am deliberately turning my focus toward You - to intentionally and passionately seek You.  Please show me Lord how to move into a secure, fulfilled, and anointed place with You..."

If I had taken the same task of examining the upcoming 12 months on July 1, 2011...I confess that my entry for that day would have looked much like the one penned in January.  But I have learned something about myself.  I need to take things in smaller pieces.  The next twelve months, 10 years from now, our retirement account, world politics, the Pacific Ocean, the fate of charitable giving in the United States, the spouses my children will marry....all of those things are so vast and far in the distance, they are hard for me to grasp.  I have trouble gaining a clear perspective on them.  I am not saying that we should be uneducated or short sighted.  I am not saying that we shouldn't consider the big picture and make plans for the future.

But what the Lord has taught me over the last six months...is that He is the "I AM".  He is in this present moment.  He is with me today and today He holds all that I need.  I really can't predict where my relationship with Him will be in 6 months, but I can affect and know where it is today.  I don't know where CareNet or charitable giving with be in 6 months, but He is our provider today and in the months to come.  Today, we are well tended to and our clients receive the love, compassion and truth of Christ everyday.  I don't know who my ten and twelve year olds will marry, but I know the people they are today and the ones the Lord is shaping them into tomorrow.  I can't fathom the depths of the Pacific Ocean, but I felt the sands of the beach between my toes just weeks ago and I sensed His Presence. 

Bite sized moments, that's my focus for 2012.  My prayer is that I will ask Him everyday...what is He purpose for today, because His provision is for that purpose.  I am praying for all of us that we would focus on this moment and to fully experience the Great I Am.

I am praying for you what King David penned in Psalm 61.
"May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him." Psalm 61:7

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish you a memorable Christmas!  It is my prayer that you will experience every moment to its fullest.  That you will linger and hold on to each interaction.  Time seems to pass so quickly and we are so busy getting "ready" for Christmas, that we sit down to relax and enjoy just as the last few moments slip by.  Work less this week.  Require yourself to be less perfect and less prepared.  Enjoy the mess of cookie baking and gift wrapping.  Laugh more and plan less.  Listen more and talk less.  Stay up late and watch a good movie with a child snuggled in close.  Get up early and have a cup of coffee with your man.  Spend some time staring at the beauty of a lighted Christmas tree.  Read Luke 2 with new wonder of a Savior who became man to save us.  Enjoy!  I plan to.

Merry Christmas!  Happy Birthday Jesus!

Oh Happy Day!

As you know 2011 has held many ups and downs for the Gibbs family.  But I would like to introduce you to the most precious addition of the year!  This is my grandson, Bracen Cross.  News of Bracen came in January and admittedly some aspects of that announcement were difficult and painful.  I love the Word..."They that sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." Psalm 126:5 This Thanksgiving, we did just that.  I danced in the yard with my nieces and nephews to Oh Happy Day!  And a happy day it was!  We reaped a little joy!

Things were certainly missing, namely two very precious women in my life whom I dearly love.  This was our first Thanksgiving without my mom, but as I enjoyed the beautiful meal prepared by the ladies in our family...I wondered what my momma's banquet table looked like!!?  I loved the thought of Jesus carvin' a big ole turkey.  I think He likely did!  We enjoyed fellowship and games while watching a little football and having yet another piece of pie.  It was a good day. 

As is tradition in our family, the girls were up bright and early (well actually still very dark) and the guys were off for their Friday after Thanksgiving hunt!  Of course Bracen enjoyed his first annual day with the boys!

Many changes this year.  But we are blessed and highly favored.  We have much to be thankful for. My family is healthy.  My kids are the delight of my life.  My husband is my best friend.  All of my family is near and precious to me.  I have the best friends.  I love my work.  Christmas is coming.  Christ is on the throne.  I have a new daughter-in-law.  I am a GiGi.  I am thankful.

 

Through a Child's Eyes

I had the privilege of taking my youngest niece to pre-school this morning.  It had been a long night.  My sister called last evening to say that one of my nieces had broken her arm.  We all immediately snapped into action; picking up kids, getting them tended to, sitting in the ER, calling relatives, waiting on pain meds, being with my sister and brother-in-law.  Crazy night.  This morning I was on car pool duty so Cara could be home with Brylee.  As usually, it seemed like the morning moments flew by until we were completely out of them and running behind!

I had gotten all of the older children dropped off and was headed to town to get Willis (ok Laynee, but she's Willis to me :)) to school.  On the way, I made at least 3 phone calls and had already re-arranged my schedule for the day.  Life and its crazy busy -ness can over take me sometimes.

Just as we hurriedly pulled up to our destination...3 year old Willis said, "Look Aunt Candy at that beautiful bird on the light pole."  Can I tell you that that simple observation by a child changed my day?  Immediately I was reminded of a topic that the Lord and I have covered hundreds of times...enjoy your life.  Lift up your head.  Appreciate the provision and gifts from the hand of the Father.  Breathe fresh air.  Watch children play. Laugh.  Live.

Praying that you notice the bird on your light pole today.

Happy Day!

Today is my anniversary.  I can't believe the speed at which 14 years have flown by.  I remember being 22 and thinking that I was destined to be an "old maid"!  Sure funny to think about now especially since Tanner is almost 20!  The Lord was so precious to me and really began the courtship for me in my heart before I even met Brian.  The Lord was sweet to give me little gifts along the way to remind me that if I would obey Him, He would give me the desires of my heart.  I even somehow knew through His mercy that my husband would have a son.  Tanner was 5 when Brian and I met and I fell in love with both of them.  Since that time, the Lord gave us Jake (12) and Madi (10) and tons of laughter and memories.

I thought it might be fun to share a few things that I love about my man.
10)  He is hilarious and loves to make me laugh.
9)  He throws his socks on the ground...right next to the hamper. :)
8)  He has loved and accepted me, even with all my ugly and heavy baggage.
7)  He is an outdoors man.  He loves to hunt and fish.  He feels most alive in brisk, early mountain mornings.
6)  I can trust him completely.
5)  He is always on my side.
4)  He works hard and is the best provider for our family.
3)  He prays for me and blesses me in the ministry the Lord has called me to.
2)  He is the best dad in the world.  I love to watch him love my kids.
1)  He is my best friend and he "gets" me.

I pray that the Lord will give you the desires of your heart today.  His plans are always better than ours!

Moments...

Moments are so precious to me. 

That statement may not have been quite so true for me even May 1st of this year.  When you take inventory of your past, do you notice times in which your perspective shifts completely?  Do you notice seasons when it seems that every area of your life changes?

The year of 2011 will forever mark a season of change in my life.  Beginning in January of this year, we began the biggest project to date for us at CareNet.  We completed the creation of a Bible study curriculum for girls ages 8-12 years called Chosen.  The curriculum consists of 26 weeks of study.  We created DVDs, the curriculum and journals.  It was an incredible undertaking and God showed Himself so faithful. I marveled at the way He brought in many different people with many different talents to contribute to the project.  The whole experience was a lesson to me in the full body of Christ, the strength of the Lord and the favor of His anointing.  We had the time of our lives.

Due to the project, the Lord had called me to a fast.  I fasted much of the first 6 months of the year.  Also, the Lord gave me two passages for the year...Psalm 61 and Psalm 116.  I had spent much time in prayer seeking and praising the Father.  I assumed that my focus and precious times with the Father were related to the Chosen project.  Little did I know what the rest of this year would hold. 

One January evening, our 19 year old son came home from college with life changing news.  As we sat in our dimly lit den on a cold winter evening, he told us that his sweet girlfriend was pregnant.  We would become GiGi and Pop to a precious baby in August.  I have served in the pregnancy center ministry for 15 years and purity and honoring the Lord with all that we are, including with our bodies, has been a huge part of our family's core beliefs.  This was difficult news to take in, but serving in the pro-life movement, we knew that the baby would be such a blessing.  We began to deal with the situation and our emotions surrounding it.  Psalm 61:2 became life to me, "...lead me to the rock that is higher than I"  And boy were we seeking that Rock!

Summer soon arrived and we were in the big middle of filming Chosen DVDs.  Kids were out of school and enjoying friends and down time.  The summer of 2011 would be my sister and brother-in-law's 10th anniversary.  Brian and I were set to go on a cruise with them to celebrate.  We spent much time in preparation and there was much excitement in the air!  I looked so forward to a relaxing trip after the big project and just before our sweet grand baby would arrive.  We were ready with school clothes and supplies for Jake and Madi.  The house was clean and all systems were a go.  All that remained was the fun stuff!  The day before we would leave on the cruise my sister, her girls, Madi and I had pedicures! We spent the afternoon packing for the trip and getting the kids all packed to spend the week with my parents, Granddad and Grandmom.  That night, I had a ball with Madi speaking at a slumber party for moms and daughters.  WOW...a full summer preparing for the upcoming week right up until we finally laid down in bed anxious for all that the next days would hold.

Just as we snuggled in to bed, I received a phone call from my dad.  "Something is wrong with your mom and we are on the way to the hospital in an ambulance," I heard my sweet dad say holding back fear.  My sister and I went to the hospital.  My mom had just experienced a heart attack and a massive stroke.  As the days unfolded, it became clear that mom would not survive.  We would spend the week in hospice surrounded by our family and literally a multitude of friends.

My mom's stroke happened on a Friday night.  On Monday, we went to hospice for the remainder of her sweet days on planet Earth.  It was an amazing, grace-filled, sad, beautiful, upsetting few days.  We were with my mom the entire time including all 6 grandchildren; playing, laughing and loving her.  She was never coherent but I am certain she could hear all of the words spoken to her and sense the love and peace in her room. 

On Thursday of that week, Tanner called and Whitney was ready to have the baby.  I sat by my mama's bed with my phone on speaker, all our family there, and we listened together as my sweet grandson, Bracen was born.  Lots of tears shed that day.  Tears of joy.  Tears of sadness.  Tears of beginnings.  Tears of loss.  Tears of new life.  Tears over the last moments of one of the most precious people that will ever grace our lives. 

On Sunday afternoon, at 4:00 pm, the very time that our plane would have landed returning from our cruise...instead of our returning home from a trip...my mom found her way Home for eternity.

Now on October 21...I can say that I have new perspective.  I understand in a new way Matthew 6:34, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  I am learning that I can handle today and all that today holds.  Like manna, I can come to the Father and receive enough of His new mercies for today and for today only.  I will have enough to finish off the last of it as I drift off to sleep each evening.  But every morning I must again gather my share of all that He is to be my provision for that day.   I have also learned that things don't always happen the way I hope and bad things happen to all of us.  But He is enough and He will never leave us.  He understands our brokenness and is patient through our season of mourning.

Now I calculate my moments... I understand in a new way that they are fleeting.  I notice the sparkle in Madi's eye when she gets tickled at her cousins.  I take time to linger as Jake tells me about his day before bed.  I look forward to sitting in bed each night and talking over the silly details of the day with my wonderful man.  I treasure all night rocks with the new man in my life, little Bracen.  I laugh as my sweet Tanner and Whitney share texts of daily funnies that they experience.  I enjoy a glass of tea with my sister and cups of coffee and conversation with my friends.

The moments that are most precious to me these days are early morning moments spent with my Father.  Moments when I have opportunity to thank Him for His kindness.  His kindness that insured that we had not left on this trip when everything changed.  His kindness that prepared us for a particular week on the calendar...one that in January was precious to us in preparation and that is now precious in our memory for an unexpected reason.  Moments were I can tell Him that I am broken and sad and He is able to speak tenderly to me.  Moments that I tell Him that I know I can trust Him with all my moments to come.

Moments are so precious to me.  I pray that they are precious to you.

Live!

Recently my family and I visited the Wiminouch Wilderness.  We could see Pole Mountain behind us and the head waters of the Rio Grande before us.  I met a precious woman. She was in her 70s and she was staying in the same place we stayed.  She had visited the wilderness since 1983 on an annual basis with her husband.  As we looked around she began to point out mountain peaks that we should climb, all of them over 13,000 feet.  She shared with us that she had climbed the tallest one 10 times and her husband had been proud to say he had done it 13 times and the last time he climbed it, he was in his early 70s!  The more she talked, I knew that her husband was now gone.  She spoke of him with at sparkle in her eye and a hint of sadness in her voice.  She did finally tell us that he had passed away 3 years ago, but she continues to come here each year.  She had summitted that peak one more time in his honor, to place a memorial stone on the summit engraved with the words, “he communioned here with God.”  And as we parted ways, she was on her way to hike down to the head waters at dusk.  As we walked on our way, I was so impressed with her zeal for life, that they had lived and they had no regrets.
 
May we all pray that we would live…I mean really live and that we would have no regrets.  Our God is a God of adventure and our time with Him is a thrill.  I am praying that as we enter our 70s, we will have squeezed every ounce out of this life as an offering to our God…and have done it with a smile on our faces!

Sure reward

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages, be he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” Proverbs 11:18

 This morning when I was thinking about my sweet young mom Bible study group, the precious women who serve with me in CHOSEN, and of you...an image came to my mind.  It was of you gardening.  And there was a beautiful garden all around you and the garden was one tended to by the body of Christ, not your garden alone.  There were large, healthy plants and flowers all around.  I saw you on your knees.  Working away, with joy on your face and in your hearts.  You weren’t tending the large, self-sufficient, fully grown plants.  Those plants take less hands-on care…you were tending to the tiniest, most fragile plants.  The plants that can be easily overlooked in the magnificence of the garden as a whole.  The plants that require more hands-on, deliberate and gentle attention.  The plants that need water daily.  The plants that need an attentive eye on them constantly to ensure weeds don’t creep in and over take them.  The plants that the gardener waits in anxious, anticipation to see them grow and blossom into the strong, beautiful and securely rooted creation God intended them to be. 

I want you to know that the work you do for Christ is of the utmost importance.  That it is beautiful to Him and of eternal significance.  Whether you are folding laundry, checking homework, doctoring a wounded baby doll, dancing to Chris Tomlin with a giggling 4 year old, or reading God’s precious word to an 8 year old.  You are tending to the tiniest, most fragile plants in His garden.  He has placed them in beautiful, strong, chosen hands.  And those hands belong to some of my dearest friends.  Your righteousness will reap a sure reward!

 I love you so and I love that we have the same sod under our fingernails!

 Have a blessed day! Candy