You’re so strong!

Posted on by kristamarieaustin

I was standing at the receptionist’s desk in the doctor’s office yesterday.  The young lady at the computer paused for a moment and looked up with recognition.  “You do Body Pump, don’t you?”

Surprised, I nodded affirmatively.  We all try to be pretty anonymous as we glisten together (girls don’t ‘sweat’).

She continued with a seemingly off-the-cuff comment.  “You’re so strong!”

We returned to the routine ‘name-and-address-the-same?’ before I took my seat in the waiting area.

Those three little words really struck me.  Yes, I’ve graduated to the blue weights with the green and red plates over the past few months.  But there are many others who lift double what I do.  Still, what she said meant a great deal.  My step was a little lighter as I left the office that day.  Someone noticed.  Someone thought I was strong.

I was encouraged.

Lord, help me to notice those you send my way.  Put three words on my lips that will be a blessing to them.

“I love you.”

“I’ll do it.”

“May I help?”

“You’re a blessing.”

For His glory!

Spiritual tenacity

Posted on by kristamarieaustin

There are just SOME days.  Days when it’s cloudy and cold in July (for the 5th day in a row).  Days when the pile of work sitting on my desk seems overwhelming and vacation is just too far away.  Days when the telemarketer is the cheeriest phone call I’ve had all day.

I know.  First-world problems.

What is it that will get me through the doldrums, with a gracious tongue and grateful spirit?

“…in His Presence, daily live.  I surrender all, I surrender all.  All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.”  I’m sure you remember the hymn, too.  In fact, the tune is going through your mind right now. 🙂

What does ‘in His Presence’ mean?  I have a habit of NOT singing in church if I don’t honestly mean the words.  So, if I’m going to sing the hymn, I need to consider what this phrase means.

God is holy, just, pure, merciful, omnipotent, loving and righteous.  Being in His Presence helps my courage and joy to grow.  Nothing else matters when I’m simply in. His. Presence.

Spiritual tenacity — the ability to not just withstand the drought, storm or difficult growing season.  It’s the ability to thrive because of His Presence.  It’s a small seed dropping into a sidewalk crack where there’s virtually no soil, with many small feet walking over it daily.  Even so, it grows upward.  Strong, tall and with the Designer’s purpose.

I’m glad you can’t hear me humming the song right now.  For I long to be, I need to be in…His Presence.  That’s the recipe for spiritual tenacity.IMG_0770

And what say you?

Posted on by kristamarieaustin

Many blogs are either heralding or lamenting today’s Supreme Court ruling.  I turned to God’s Word for what response would be most honoring to Him.

“He walked with Me in peace and uprightness…” (Malachi 2:6)

There it is.  God values a peaceful (and loving) spirit instead of being hate- or fear-filled.  God values personal integrity.  I’m responsible for my own walk with Christ.  Isn’t there another verse somewhere that admonishes me to ‘take the speck out of my own eye before trying to help someone else with his/her plank?’  (Yes, there is — Matthew 7.)

Our ‘church time’ during last week’s family camping trip included the Grand Children acting out the story of Jonah using the Jesus Storybook Bible.  When Jonah was told to head to Ninevah, his quick response was “No!  They don’t deserve it!”  For indeed, they were engaged in some pretty heinous activities (although the little ones played this out as pushing each other around — ever so gently!).  It was plain to Jonah that the Ninevahites were deliberately choosing to not follow the Lord.  He absolutely didn’t feel the need to give them a helping hand.

And God’s response?  “But I can’t stop loving them.”  It’s God’s very nature to love, even if it’s not reciprocated or downright rebuffed.  Hence the great fish, Jonah’s deliverance and ultimate trip to Ninevah.

The adult version of this story is simple.  Who are the ‘Ninevahites’ in my life?  Who does God want to love through me?  

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“I just want to watch you so I know how to do it.”

Posted on by kristamarieaustin

My husband and I just returned from a family camping trip.  Some of our Grand Children are now old enough to enjoy a sleep-over with Nana and Poppa in the rPod.

The campfire had died down and it was time to get the two boys tucked into the table-that-turns-into-a-bed.  It had been a fun-filled day with swimming and playing at the park.  For some reason, the Camping Fairy did not slip in to do the dishes that were slowly becoming a miniature Pike’s Peak in the sink.  Rog and I prayed with the boys, gave them a sweet hug and kiss on the forehead.  It was time to tackle the dishes.

In a thinly veiled attempt to stay up later, Wesley stated very matter-of-factly, “I need to watch you so I know how to do dishes.”

Now I know that our daughters-in-law ALL are very intentional about making sure their children participate in all household chores.  So, sorry Wes, not quite true.  But I love you for the spiritual truth it showed me.

Our children are watching us All The Time.  This isn’t anything new.  You already see it in action at your house.  The way your child tips her head or his voice goes up at the end of a sentence…they are the greatest of imitators.

It was that second word in Wesley’s statement, though, that struck me.  He used the word ‘need.’  Our children DO need us to show them how to do life.  That is why God has entrusted them to our care.  It is the rare parent (or grandparent) who seizes these opportunities to come alongside and help our kids walk in a way that honors and reflects Christ.  Better caught than taught, they say.  Rog and I realized early that surrounding our children with other adults who shared our Christ-centered worldview was a critical piece to our own parenting.

Wes also showed me that I need to watch my heavenly Father ‘so I know what to do.’  Lord, I need to watch You so I know how to…love others deeply, serve with a pure heart of compassion, and so much more.

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Hello world!

Posted on by kristamarieaustin

I have been struck by the word ‘heart’ lately.

“…acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with WHOLEHEARTED devotion and with a willing mind.” (David to his son, Solomon, in 1 Chronicles 28:9)

“…you do not set your HEART to honor IMG_0405My Name.” (God’s warning to the priests in Malachi 2:2)

May the Lord be pleased with all that He sees on this blog.  For His glory.  Alone.