Reflections

Recently, my oldest child and only son, turned 13. My first teenager! I find this a worthy occasion to reflect! I remember well finding out I was expecting my first child. I was nervous and excited! Also, I remember when he arrived. I had been in labor for over 23 hours when it was determined that he was going to arrive via C-section. At that point, I was exhausted and just ready for the whole thing to be over!

I remember tears of joy upon learning that our son had arrived safely! Then I promptly fell asleep to awaken in a small recovery area some time later. It took us a few days to actually decide what to name our bundle of joy! Josiah Benjamin Ferenczy has blessed us in so many ways. He has a huge responsibility as the oldest child and big brother to three girls! I try to remind him often that God knew he was just the guy for the job, otherwise He wouldn't have done that to him! : )

Thirteen years have flown by, but I remember those early days thinking, surely someone is going to show up to get him because I do not know how to do this mothering thing. Unfortunately, as the first child, he got the brunt of my inexperience as a parent, but all of the love as well. I can only pray that when all is said and done the love will outweigh all of the mistakes I have made or will make.

The Chronicles of Narnia

Last year, my husband and I read "The Chronicles of Narnia" to our children. I had never read the series myself, but have to admit, I enjoyed it as much (if not more than) the kids! One of the things I experienced as we read the series was a greater appreciation and even a deeper understanding of my God. I recently read a book called "The Heart of The Chronicles of Narnia: Knowing God Here By Finding Him There," by Thomas Williams. It was a fun read, as the author highlighted and dug into some of my favorite aspects of the original series, also pointing out how we can experience some deeper truths by allowing ourselves to delve into this magical land of Narnia.

For anyone who has never read the books, I highly recommend that you do. It will be well worth your time investment. If you've read them before, maybe as a child, I would recommend you read them again. The main reason I brought it up is a quote I want to share from the end of Williams' book, a thought provoking question:

"Unlike the Narnians, who can see, hear, and touch Aslan, we no longer have Jesus in tangible form. But in these stories Lewis shows us the first step in learning to love Christ. We can see the boundless scope of his love in his gifts. Thay's why Narnia is filled with the delights of creation. Everything God made is for our delight and joy. In the Chronicles Lewis holds this truth up to our face so we can't possibly miss it. Rather than asking the tired old question, "Why is there so much evil in the world?" Narnia forces us to answer another question: "Why is there so much good in the world?" We can account for evil in the fact of our free will and the fall. But if there is no God, how can we account for all the beauty, wonder, love, joy, and delight in the world?"

Joy!

The Lord seems to speak to me the loudest through repetition! It thrills me that God leads us so lovingly exactly where we need to go! It happens in such a beautiful way that if we are not paying attention we can miss it and write it off as coincidence! Example; you are reading your Bible and your eyes land on a certain Scripture. Then later that day you are driving somewhere and you hear the same Scripture on the Christian radio station. The following day, the pastor mentions it in his sermon. You get the idea. Sometimes, the Spirit speaks to us through music, or nature, or a loved one. The bottom line is, He is there and He cares so much about us, if we will tune in to Him and learn to listen, He is speaking to us, Words of life. The most recent theme that God has been leading me to is JOY!

Having grown up in the church, I heard often that joy and happiness are two very different things. Circumstances can greatly affect our happiness, but true joy is not based on what is or is not happening in our lives. So, what is the secret to having joy? I know what I think it is, but how about you? What do you think is the secret to joy?

Watch the video, visit Brian Bates' website and read his story about the song. I'd love to hear what you think about joy! I pray that your joy will be full and that regardless of your circumstances, you will dance!

Determined Faith

I wonder how many people will receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or some other disease today? There are probably statistics out there somewhere, but I have not taken the time to look it up. I remember when my husband was told that his father had Alzheimer's. Shortly after that, I heard that my father had been diagnosed with it also. I decided then (actually I felt compelled) that I should do a little research since it was obviously going to be something to affect our lives. I checked out several books from the library and looked at websites online. Reading about any disease is difficult. However, it is helpful to gain a greater understanding of what you are dealing with. I am thankful today that I took time to do that and realize once again, that God had prepared me in advance for what was coming.

Not only does my father have dementia, but my mother was diagnosed with it as well. Both of my parents came to live with us almost two and a half years ago. Living up close and personal to this disease has been one of the most difficult things I have done in my almost 45 years of living. It is one thing to talk with people about dementia, another to read about it, but entirely different to live with it 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. As simply as I can say it, I have run out of steam... but still my Savior steps in. This has also been a huge test of my faith, but I am planning to pass the test!

Doubt is a huge factor when you have to deal with things like disease, disappointment and death. This is where the "rubber meets the road" concerning our faith. These are the things that either make our faith or destroy it! We either stand in the midst of heartbreak and loss to say, like Job, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10b), and "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15a). Or, like the rich man , we walk away, convinced that we cannot possibly deal with such great loss (Matthew 19:22).

The amazing thing is that God has given us the freedom to choose. Walk with Him or walk away. Give in to the enemy and all he brings or allow God to be God and be amazed at all He brings! He never told us that we would go through this life free of sorrow and pain. On the contrary, He told us that we would certainly suffer, but that through it all He would be with us and I don't mean as just a bystander. With Him, we are more than conquerors. With Christ I am more than I could ever be without Him. So, as we continue to do our best to deal with the difficult things that life brings, let us do so with strong determination and resolve to walk with Him, holding His hand, or at the very least, clinging to the hem of His robe!