Love Is Time

 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her Ephesians 5:25

Busy lives cause us to forget what is important. The best expression of LOVE is time. The most valuable thing we can give to anyone is our time. This is an area where I need to improve and has always been more a weakness than one of my strengths.

My husband is very good at giving me his attention. He is also good at giving attention to my children and my grandchildren. He gave more of himself to his family than to his work or any other thing in his life. There was never anything he preferred doing or had any desire to do more than just being around all of us. When the children all left the nest he especially enjoyed our time together. He still reminds me when I get too busy with making plans to be sure to schedule plenty of time for just US!

I used to be at a “Mach IV” with my hair on fire on a daily basis but many things have come into my life to make me change my perspective on time. My priorities have changed for the better and I make plenty of time to do the things that really matter most. I don't always get it right but I do have a great example that I live with who gives me good counsel when I begin to find myself too busy. 

God blessed me with a man who will give me all the time I want or need ~ He shows me that I am his priority and that he values me. Time is a special gift!

Each week after work my husband takes time to have a tea party with each of my sons daughters. They love having him sit at their little tables and sharing their drinks and snacks. He loves it too! This picture was taken February 2014.

The Beginning of the Battle between Good and Evil - Genesis Chapter 3

 

Genesis Chapter 3 tells the story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience and the consequences that followed marking a significant turning point in human history.

This chapter took place before records were being made so it is called pre-history. Also, it doesn’t specifically tell us how long they lived in the Garden of Eden. 

This chapter continues to discuss God, Adam & Eve. This is the introduction of the serpent who is described as a deceiver. 

Verses 1-7: The serpent came to Eve and asked her what rules God made about the trees. Eve explained which tree and what would happen. The serpent deceived her by telling her that wasn’t true at all but instead eating the fruit would make them more like God. Eve ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband. Immediately they felt shame for being naked.

Verses 8-13: Adam and Eve tried to hide from God in the garden. When God found them Adam blamed Eve for his disobedience. Eve blamed the serpent.

Verses 14-19: God cursed the serpent. God told the woman she would have pain in childbearing and her husband would rule over her. God told the man he would have to labor to grow his own food and eventually return to the ground in death.

Verses 20-24: God made Adam and Eve clothing from animal skins. He removed them from the Garden of Eden.

Sin causes separation from God. Adam and Eve’s relationship with God was not the same. They went from living in a garden of ease to living in a cursed world. The serpent made it sound like life would be better but it definitely wasn’t. Satan tempts us the same way today making disobedience look like fun and full of promises. Obeying God always brings blessings but disobedience brings curses to our own life.

Jehoshaphat’s Secret Weapon: Worship in the Storm

Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” II Chronicles 20:12

When the world closes in and anxiety knocks on your door, remember Jehoshaphat's masterclass in faith. Instead of trying to wrestle the problem to the ground or relying on his own strength, he chose to lift his eyes and his voice to God. He prayed and worshiped, surrendering his ears and worries to the Almighty.

When the weight of the world threatens to crush you, let the anxiety be a trigger to turn to worship. Dive into the Word, immerse yourself in prayer, and find community in Bible studies and church. Let the sweet embrace of worship envelop you, and watch as it chases away the shadows of worry.

In the midst of chaos, Jehoshaphat's example reminds us that worship is the ultimate game changer. It's the secret weapon that turns fear into faith and anxiety into peace. So let's choose to worship our way out of worry, and into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.

This picture was taken when we traveled through Massachusetts, June 2024