Welcome Changes

"Now to Him, Who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."  Ephesians 3:20

So spring hasn't sprung yet, but we Nolands are celebrating two other visible and welcome events.  

1) Julie has had a dark mole on her shoulder since she was a teenager. Multiple doctors have diagnosed it as harmless through the years, but any friend or family member who saw it told Julie to get it checked or that she had better keep an eye on it. However, when Addy's little fingers found and played with the mole (anything's a toy if you play with it) Julie, who's terrified of needles and knives, made an appointment to have it removed.  Even more importantly, she followed through and let them remove it.  They did a biopsy, "just to be sure," and discovered the mole wasn't harmless at all. Julie has since had additional abnormal cells removed.  We've been a bit in shock since melanomas aren't supposed to threaten sweet daughters in their early twenties.  Praise God for concerned, vocal friends and family members, and for tiny probing fingers. 

2) Our second celebration centers on finances: for the first time in fourteen years we're financially clear of credit card debt and have an emergency savings account.  Our problems started with a little bit on a credit card and grew to be a little bit on several credit cards before blooming into real debt on several cards. Just when we were sure we couldn't do it because of a house that wouldn't sell and two sets of utility bills, etc.- God sent the tools, people and jobs to help us pull out of the quick sand and step forward on solid ground.  In two years God has helped us pay off (and tear up) all credit cards, pay a large tax debt for 2011, and manage medical bills for shoulder surgery.  Praise God for Dave Ramsey's plan and for FBC Benton's push for Financial Peace University. Praise God for baby steps and strides of marital determination, teamwork and self-discipline. We're even getting a tax refund this year - unheard of in this house for decades. 

What "harmless" little thing lurks in your life?  How is God highlighting the potential for disaster?  What is He using to get your attention? In our cases, God used concerned comments, toddler hands, bills, and a financial class to drive us in the right direction. It would have been easier to keep sliding downward and for Julie to ignore what she couldn't see, but praise God, He kept working with us until we responded. 

Real change takes time, but a willing heart plus God's power leads to change worth celebrating.

More robin in me than I knew

May the Lord bless you and take care of you;

May the Lord be kind and gracious to you;

May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Solitude and spring-like weather yesterday led me to take my lunch to the river to absorb the wonder of God's creation.  There, in nearby tree tops, I saw a flock of robins and realized how little I know about my namesake bird, since I've always thought of robins as more independant than others birds.  What I did know about them, I liked. For example:

Robins, nicknamed "harbinger of spring," generally flock in wooded areas of their breeding grounds through winter.  Although always nearby, they don't venture out of the woods much until spring, which is why we associate their sightings with the change of seasons. (Like robins, I prefer to flock with family and friends by my fireside through winter months.)

The robin song sounds like "cheerily, cheerily." (Couldn't agree with them more - what's the sense of spreading gloom and doom when singing makes things better?)

What I didn't know surprised me:

Female robins choose their mates by plumage, quality of territory, and singing ability.  Male robins grow temporary black head plumage for the breeding season. Then they lose these feathers in between.  (Now, that I think about it, when we met Tom had a little extra head plumage, lived by the beach, and had an unrivaled talent for and love of music I found irresistible.)

Male robins, like other male birds, fiercely protect the nest - swooping down on cats, dogs, and even humans when they feel encroached upon. (Did I ever tell you how Tom came charging into the fray of carjackers surrounding our car when I happened to be in it?  Or how he courageously keeps on keeping on, no matter what kind of day he's having or how he's feeling?)

Female robins take charge of building and lining the nest, although male robins help collect what's needed. (No explanation needed - I do tend to direct the lining of our nest.)

I guess there's more robin in me than I knew. 

On an  unseasonally spring-like yesterday, I found beauty, fellowship, community, time to reflect, knowledge, rest and peace by the river.  Everybody needs a glimpse of spring in the middle of a long winter. God used a flock of robins to give me mine.    

Father,

Tom's enjoying this week in Savannah, Georgia, with other church musicians.  May You speak to him and minister to his heart and soul, reviving and refreshing him in that beautiful place.

Nick spends more and more time with friends. May You bless him with joy, grow his faith and make him a righteous leader among his peers.

Julie and Addy are missing Nick Akin, while also sealing that lovely mama-daughter bond.  May You provide moment after moment of sweet kisses, memorable books, cuddle time, dress up, comfort, and all that makes the mama-daughter bond sacred. 

Nick Akin and his family are traveling home after ministering this weekend.  May You continue to bless their music, their spirits, their words, and their message of hope in the gospel. 

And those reading this prayer? May You bless them with time to retreat into You and Your fair creation to learn something of You and to get a glimpse of spring to chase the chill of whatever winters they face for a time. 

In the name of Jesus, the Life and Resurrection!