Burning and Pruning is Worth it All

Pruning & burning is painful...and I'm not talking about my children, although that is true too.  I truly believe God allows hardships into our life.  Look at Job's...that is the perfect example.  God is in the business of molding us into his image...and at whatever costs.  Sometimes those costs are expensive and painful in our human flesh, (physical/mental/emotional pains, cancer, death of a loved one, child, spouse or parent, divorce, addiction etc) but nothing compared to what he gave up for our eternity.  He keeps bringing me back to a place of solace...in him and him alone.  In my flesh this can be a lonely place, but in my spirit...this is EXACTLY where I want to it.  I want to rest in his presence, in his promises.  As he snips and burns away everything that is between me and him...I want to run back to him.  He is my Abba, my Father, my Rock, my Comforter, my Redeemer.  No one but HE can heal my hurts and make me new...white as snow.  Meredith Andrews is still (a week since hearing her in concert) blessing my socks off...so I will leave you with lyrics from two of her songs.  In your circle today, open the door and allow God to take your hand, allow him to begin the burning and pruning...He is "Worth it all."

Burn Away"

Only You, only You
All I need, let nothing stand
In between, make me Yours
Consuming fire

Only You, only You
All I need, let nothing stand
In between, make me Yours
Consuming fire

Burn away
Everything that breaks Your heart
Everything that is not love
Purify my every thought
Take away
Everything that comes between us
Everything that is untrue
Jesus make me more like You
Burn away

You are love, You are love
Blazing light, holy flame
Fierce and wild, have Your way
Consuming fire

Yes You are love, You are love
Blazing light, holy flame
Fierce and wild, have Your way
Consuming fire

Burn away
Everything that breaks Your heart
Everything that is not love
Purify my every thought
Take away
Everything that comes between us
Everything that is untrue
Jesus make me more like You

Make me holy, as You are holy
Refine me in your fire, oh God
Make me holy, as You are holy
In my life be glorified
[x2]

Burn away
Everything that breaks Your heart
Everything that is not love
Purify my every thought
And take away
Everything that comes between us
Everything that is untrue
Jesus make me more like You
Burn away
Burn away
Consuming fire
Burn away

"Worth It All"

All I am Lord here before You
Reaching out for more
You're the promise never failing
You are my reward,
Jesus, You are my reward

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say
You are worth it all

There's no riches or earthly treasure
That will satisfy
Every longing is for You Jesus
Set this heart on fire
Oh, set this heart on fire

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say
You are worth it all
You are worth it all

When I'm there in Your glorious presence
Every knee is bowed before You
Hear the sound of heaven singing
You are worth it all
All the saints cry holy holy
Angels singing worthy worthy
Forever I will shout Your praises
You are worth it all

When I'm there in Your glorious presence
Every knee is bowed before You
Hear the sound of heaven singing
You are worth it all
All the saints cry holy holy
Angels singing worthy worthy
Forever I will shout Your praises
You are worth it all
You are worth it all

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say
You are worth it all
You are worth it all
You are worth it all
Jesus, You're worth it all

Psalms 62:1-2  "I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken."

Big Families and opportunities

     Oh darn it...see I missed February!  Sigh.  The best of intentions...anyways moving along.  Its March already...we are so ready for Spring.  Actually as I type this Brett & the children are outside riding bikes, power wheels and playing football.  Its still chilly, too much for my "wish I lived in the South" veins.  Here comes S...super tired.  And now E...hungry...and I think I can keep a blog up...haha!
     Well, I was wanting to write about how much I LOVE being a Mom...how much I love the challenge of learning new things like cooking for a large family, organizing clothes & shoes, thrifty savings, behavior challenges, teenage craziness and encouraging others Mommas.  So, I'll just write about this morning.
     Z gave her up opportunity to crack the egg into the pancake batter to E!  Very impressed, she did it all on her own!  AND its her favorite thing to do!  I love her heart, her willingness to give and love.  I took the opportunity to talk about being last and putting others first and challenged E to find a chance to put Z first today.  Then at Breakfast, E read us devotionals...one was about serving, so we talked a bit about that, real life examples of how we serve.  The kids are smart and watch us carefully.  We pointed out that we can do little things to serve...like Mommy getting Daddy his coffee.  I know...this sounds so wonderful and it is, but I want Mommas to know...we don't plan this out in our home.  But I do GRAB the chances when they arise, I'm hot on it.  I would truly enjoy planning these learning moments, but my life is a bit chaotic for that....just me being transparent so be gentle with the judgments.
     Well, guess what?  They are ALL in the Kitchen now.  Time to go.  I'll leave you will a picture!