Life in Sarah's Tent

I am a new mother again.  Yes, “Geriatric Sarah” here. LOL

Two weeks ago today, I had Hagin via c-section.  It was a very wonderful, wonderful, meaningful time to me and my family.  Children are such a blessing.  In fact, one of our family friends said that our last name should be “Duggar”…refering to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of AR, who have 19 beautiful children!!  I wouldn’t mind at all.  I’ve always been a baby junkie.  There is NOTHING like the fragrance and soft, tender touch of a newborn baby..and that’s just all there is to it.

 This is me right before surgery….My daughter Lydia brought the tiara…(rolling eyes)….

As I’ve recounted the events leading up to Hagin’s birth and arrival, I couldn’t help but think about Jesus’ own birth mother, Mary.  I love Christmas and Luke 2:19 – ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  I know how she felt.  I “think” I know how she felt.  Then, I had to look up the word “pondered”.

Pondered – to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate

I like to think that Mary was like me.  LOVED babies and kids.  Maybe that’s why God chose her to carry Jesus and have Him.  Just my thoughts.   Since she loved Baby Jesus so much, every single thing meant something to her.  Just like me.  Anybody who says, “What a beautiful baby” or has something nice to say regarding him, I ponder that.  I treasure it in my heart.  Did Mary do that too?

I treasure my babies and children.  They are gifts from God.  Real blessings. 

Psalm 127:3 (King James Version)

 ³Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

I love that verse.  I feel so rewarded and blessed by God.  We’ve had 6 children now.  Each one is different and unique in his/her own way.  God’s reward to me…my children.

There’s nothing like being a mommy to precious children.  It’s wonderful!! It’s a reward and MY honor and pleasure!!

My kids are pondered and treasured by me and their dad.  But you know what else?  God ponders and treasures YOU.  YOU are His child.  You are are His creation and He loves you so much.  There’s nothing you could ever do that He would ever stop loving you.  EVER.  There’s nothing my children could do that would ever make me not love them.  I might not like or love their actions, but I will always love them. God might not like our actions but He will always love us.  So today, as you go about your routines and jobs, remember…YOU ARE pondered and treasured by God….a God who is rich in mercy and grace towards you today.  He is totally AWESOME!!!

Hagin Isaiah – 9 lbs and 3 oz and 20 inches long

Today, I was feeling like a “geriatric Sarah”.  Yep.  I’m 33 weeks and 6 days (basically knocking on the door of being 34 weeks) pregnant!  I get to the clinic today and meet a mom who is 44 years old! hahaha  What is up with the geriatric patients? hahaha  Never mind that actually…hahaha

Just the sheer delight of being able to carry a baby is a wonderful thing.  I’m so excited to be having another baby!!  This will be our 6th baby!!  Our oldest just turned 20, then we have an 18 yr old, 15 yr old, and a 3 yr old!  Life is full and RICH!!  Children are a reward from God!!  Psalm 127:3 says that children are a reward.  Aren’t rewards blessings?  So we can say that children are blessings!!  I love my blessings!!

I sometimes wonder what it is I have done to be so richly rewarded with my blessings.   I thank God for all He’s done for me, all He’s doing, and all He is going to do!!  He’s an awesome God and I’m so grateful!!

Well, Geriatric Sarah here….feeling richly blessed and rewarded!!! \

Nathan 3 years old...

Nathan dressed up in his church suit!

I love my husband and am just BLESSED!!  It is possible to be married, have kids AND be happy!!

J – esus first

O – thers second

Y – ourself last

I was driving home after dropping my daughter off at the church to complete her cleaning duties.  I turned the radio onto a christian station and heard Kate McVeigh teaching on “Get Over It”!!  That was an attention grabber for sure.  I missed some of what she had to say, but I thought what she did have to say was really good and full of wisdom.  If only I could get it all written down verbatim! hahaha

She went on to say that if you’re human then you’ve had the opportunity to be offended and hurt by somebody and you’ve had the opportunity to forgive people!  Bless her heart…she just cracks me up!  She said that when she was in school, she had to face her school class and give a book report…she fainted!! LOL  She said she had plenty of opportunity to forgive people for their teasing, etc.  She also said she got voted “Less Likely to Succeed”!! 

This dear lady has preached before thousands of people.  She has a very wonderful, faith ministry.  I, for one, really enjoy listening to her teach/preach.  She’s a lot of fun and full of the Word of God!! 

She brought out this scripture.    Psalm119: ¹⁶⁵Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

So, fall in love with God’s word and don’t be offended!!   Forgive quickly!!

I’ve been thinking alot about Heaven lately.  My uncle passed away last week and I couldn’t help but think of others in my life who have gone on before me.  A niece and nephew passed away.  My niece at birth and nephew at about 4 years old. Grandparents.  My mom and then my oldest sister.  All heartwrenching times. 

It seems there was a time that nobody in the Body of Christ wanted to think about Heaven.  We were more concerned with “spiritual” things.  chuckle

Well, Heaven is the Believer’s reward!  If you have Jesus on the inside of you and you are living for Him, you will one day go to Heaven!!  I cannot help but think of the Gaither videos I’ve seen.  Some of those songs I grew up with.  They bring back wonderful memories and I cry listening to them sometimes. hahaha  I am so sentimental.

But I have “this hope”!!  The hope of  Heaven.  I get a little bit homesick thinking about Heaven.  I can’t wait to see my family there.  To hug them, kiss them, and be reunited with them…I have HOPE!!

But seriously…more than anything, I want there to be a time where I can slip my arm through the arm of my beloved Jesus.  Oh I love Him so!  I love love love HIM!  I want to just stroll around Heaven and just spend time with Him…one on one.  Just Jesus and me.  I want to lay my head on His shoulder.  Words won’t even have to be spoken.  Just being right by Him…thrilling! I love YOU JESUS!!!

Here are a few of my favorites.

Sweet Beulah Land

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyYToQfFJbE       (I get lots of requests to sing that everywhere we go….)

Look for Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9YOyEkICyg  (John and I sing this one too LOL ) 

Are you feeling a little tiny bit homesick yet?  Heaven isn’t going to be about sitting around on clouds strumming harps all day.  It’s going to be a place of great excitement!! 

I Bowed on my Knees and Cried Holy    ( I sang this at my sister Beth’s funeral…my honor)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61WSyMjXEOM

Isn’t it wonderful to know that there will be no grief in Heaven…no heartache, mourning, sorrow, fear, doubt or anything BAD will be there in Heaven.

Tears Will Never STain the Streets of that City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efYN0_2JsKQ&feature=related

It’s a comfort to me knowing that my loved ones who are already there (in Heaven) are experiencing this already!  Nothing bad is coming near them!!  Yay!  That’s a comfort!  No sickness or disease, scary things, bad things…nothing but Heaven…which means…JESUS is there!!

Never Been this Homesick Before

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTTO89MlOJ8

This is What Heaven Means to Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoqp29w2wTI

Well, I hope this blog has made you hungry for Heaven!  If Heaven isn’t your home…it can be!  Ask Jesus to live inside of you and live for Him every single day!!

I Wouldn’t Take Nothin’ for my Journey Now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS6w2DOc310&feature=related

What a Lovely Name the Name of Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_zsPccMsb4&feature=related

Have you ever been in the midst of a countdown?  Countdown to a birthday, Holidays, wedding day, or due date of the birth of a baby?  That’s where I am right now.  In the midst of a countdown.

That is my countdown ticker for when we have our next baby!  We are so excited!  We are preparing for him and excited about his arrival.  I have a crib, and a couple of pairs of shoes.  So, we’re really going to have to get on the ball in really getting ready for Hagin’s arrival!!

I’m also in another countdown.  The countdown to when Jesus is returning to the earth for His bride, the body of Christ.  We must all be in preparation for that arrival day!  But the thing is…no man knows the hour when the Lord will return!!  So it’s best to be ready at all times!

Jesus is coming soon.  Don’t let the end of your counter hit the day and you find out you’re too late!  Get prepared now!!

Ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Saviour.

Believe with your heart

Confess Him as your Lord!

The countdown has begun!  10….9….8….7….6….5….4….

The last time I posted on this blog, I posted about how sweet and wonderful babies are.  I didn’t realize at that time that I was actually expecting myself!  My husband John and I are the modern day Abraham and Sarah!  I’m 41 years old now and will be having our 6th baby soon!

At our first prenatal doctor’s appointment, the doctor said he wanted an ultra sound as soon as possible.  I was happy to hear that news!  I want to find out exactly how far along this baby is and eventually find out the baby’s gender.  (I love technology!)  That in itself is exciting!

This morning I was fixing myself a bowl of cereal and was thinking about that ultra sound.  How about an ultra sound of the heart?  It hit me.  I need to search my heart.   Psalm 139: 23, 24 in The Message Bible says:  ^23-24 Investigate my life, O God,
      find out everything about me;
   Cross-examine and test me,
      get a clear picture of what I’m about;
   See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
      then guide me on the road to eternal life.

I want the Holy Spirit to convict me of any sin, wrong thinking, wrong doing that is in my heart and mind.  I need His guidance in every aspect of my life.  I am a wife and a mother.  I am human and am prone to making mistakes.  But God is there to teach me, lead me and guide me, like the loving Saviour He is.  He wants to guide me on the road to eternal life.

Therefore, I will become a better wife and mother.  Even when I don’t want to be nice to my husband who left his shoes out, his towel on the floor after his shower, and his cup on my antique table (and is leaving a water ring on the wood).  SEARCH me oh God and REMOVE that weight that is hindering me!  I can think back to the day when I was sure I would never find the “love of my life”, be an old maid all my life, and be lonely.  So, I cheerfully put his shoes back into the closet (after taking the smelly socks out of the toes! hahahaha), hang the towel up for him, and put his cup in the sink (and wipe down my table!).  He works hard for this family and I want to make sure my heart is right before God.  So, I just do what needs to be done and go on.  There’s no sense in nagging the man.  Afterall, 

Proverbs 14

 ¹ The wise woman builds her house,
      But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

I can tell you how to fall in love with your husband.  First of all, you have to want to please God, then proceed with doing the “right thing”.  That means that whatever situation and circumstance comes up, you do the right thing no matter what the other person says or done.  You’re responsible for yourself.

Get into the Word of God.   Then start praying for your spouse and children.  I cannot guarantee a change overnight or even in a week’s time.  But a change will take place for the better.  You might even find that the change happens in you!  You can find an answer for your every need, circumstance in the Word of God.  It’s very powerful and one of your tools to fight the devil.

When things aren’t going very well between you and your husband or kids, be sure to take an ultra sound of your heart!  Do the right thing and put God first in all you say and do!

I can see God’s hand.

I see it in the face of a newborn baby.  A little, sweet, tiny, innocent, precious newborn baby.  The miniature features, the smell of a newborn baby.  Heaven must smell as sweet!

Even a baby that isn’t healthy or as problems, I still see His hand on that baby.  God has given us a gift.  The gift of life.  Yes, an eternal gift of life in Heaven with Jesus for the Believer.  I believe that living everday “life” is a gift from God as well.

Look for God’s hand in your life.  Where do you see His hand?  In creation?  The mountains, oceans, this wonderful earth we live on.  I see His hand.

I am so thankful for that.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you lost something?  Maybe you lost your purse, wallet, your keys, an important paper, etc.

Do you remember the relief and joy in finding those lost items?  I want to encourage you today that if you’ve lost your joy, you can find it again. 

There are a few things one must do though.  First of all, you have to put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Without Christ in your life, I don’t see how anyone could ever truly be happy and have joy.

The next thing you need to do is to be careful of what you allow into your mind.  Whether it’s news that is depressing, sad songs, sad tv shows, or even programming you know you shouldn’t be watching.  There is a little switch on your radio or tv set that says “On/Off”.  Click it to off or at least put in something worth listening to or watching.  Praise and worship music will lift your spirits!

Do you need something to read?  Get that Bible off the shelf or coffee table, pick it up and start reading in the book of Galations.

Remember, the joy of the Lord is your strength!  Even through the everyday mundane tasks of your “tent”!  With the joy of the Lord your daily tasks don’t seem so hard to get through.

I love watching the Duggar Family on television.  I truly feel they are using this opportunity to be witnesses for the Lord.  They have taught their children a simple little rule that I feel if we all put it to work in our lives, we will see some unique changes, not only in ourselves but the ones around us.

JOY.

Jesus first.

Other’s second.

Youself last.

Isn’t that cool? So I want to encourage you today to put Jesus first in your life.  The joy of the LORD is your strength!!

The world is looking for a hero.  There really are many heroes around us every day.  Police, firemen, EMTs are all considered heroes.  Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, teachers and apostles are all heroes too, as are Sunday school teachers, praise and worship leaders, choir directors, nursery workers and church janitors!

I am also thinking about single mothers who are living right, going to church, and doing their best to raise godly children.  I classify them as heroes.  The grandmas and grandpas who are raising their grandchildren and great grandchildren are also heroes.

My hero is Jesus.  He had such a strong compassion for people when He walked the earth.   I want to be just like Him while I’m on this earth.  Mike Murdoch wrote a song years ago called “I Want to Spend My Life Mending Broken People”.  It’s my life’s theme song.

I want to spend my life, Mending broken people,

I want to spend my life, Removing pain,

Lord, Let my words, heal a heart that hurts,

I want to spend my life, mending broken people.

We are to “bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ”.  Galations 6:2

I want to be like Jesus.  We are to imitate Him as dear children.

Jesus is my Super Hero!  He saved my life from the depths of hell and doom!  He’s standing at the door of your heart knocking too.  Are you going to open the door to this One who can save you?  You won’t be disappointed if you let Him in your heart.  He’ll change your life forever!  You will never be the same again!!

^{Psalm 1-4} Your love, God, is my song, and I’ll sing it! I’m forever telling everyone how faithful you are.
I’ll never quit telling the story of your love—
how you built the cosmos
and guaranteed everything in it.
Your love has always been our lives’ foundation,
your fidelity has been the roof over our world.

There is nothing like know God really loves you. Have you ever been “in love”?? Truly in love? I married my true love!

My first love is Jesus Christ and I am not ashamed. I love Jesus very much. He’s my strength, the reason I live, move, breathe, and having my being.

I love to sing. I am a musician. My husband and I have a strong praise and worship ministry as well. Whether you’re a musician, singer or not, you definitely have something to sing about. The love of God. His love makes me want to sing!

I sing to Him and I sing about Him. He’s so worthy of our praise and adoration.

Easter is this coming weekend. It’s the most important of holidays for the Christian. If it weren’t for Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection – where would we be? We’d be doomed forever. But because of GOD’S love for us, He gave us Jesus, so through Him we could be saved!!

What are we being saved from? Hell, a life filled with no hope, separation from God

We had a song leader in our church back in Texas. He truly loved the Lord with his heart. He always said “Thank God for Jesus”. That is so true.

Be sure to SING everyday of God’s faithfulness to you. If you’re not a Christian and want to be, you can be. It’s so easy even a child can do it.

Simply say and mean: Father God, I’m so sorry for all my sins. I repent and turn away from that sin. Thank you Lord Jesus for going to the cross and dying for me. I receive all that you’ve done for me. I will serve you all the days of my life. Wash me clean. Speak to my heart, change my life, and manifest yourself in me.

In Jesus name – Amen

If you said that little prayer, please let us know. I will be glad to pray with you and help you in your new walk with the Lord.