One Word

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:22-23

Last Tuesday, when I turned on the TV, there was breaking news of a horrific tragedy. A 35 year old mother had killed her seven year old daughter and five year old son, and then shot her husband in the head, leaving him in critical condition. She then tried to kill herself, but couldn’t do it.

I know mothers everywhere, including me, are asking how she could do that to her own husband and children. Our instinct as mothers is to protect our children at all cost, even if it means sacrificing ourselves. Many, I’m sure, would agree that losing a child would be their worst nightmare.

Today, my husband and I put our 19 year old daughter on a plane for the first time ever-to California of all places-to meet her boyfriend’s family. Now, flying isn’t one of my favorite pastimes. I just can’t get over the fact that you are 35,000 feet in the air with nothing underneath. So sending our daughter off into the wild blue yonder to the opposite side of the country was not a comforting thought. When her plane lifted off the runway my stomach lurched forward. What if… scenarios kept creeping into my mind. I prayed the entire time she was in the air, asking God to keep her safe in the palm of His hand. I know some of you must think I’m crazy by this point. It’s just an airplane! But no matter, fears assuaged me just the same. Everything within me wants to protect my children.

And so, as I was praising God for our daughter’s safe landing this afternoon, thoughts of this young mother swirled in my mind. Why on earth would someone kill their children? Did she think in some warped way she was protecting them from something? Or did she just snap after a period of trying to deal with the worries of life? We may never know. I can’t help but wonder, though, if there was someone she could talk to before she lost control; a church family who could pray for her; or if anyone had ever introduced her to Jesus Christ and the hope He brings. Would any of this have happened? Again, we don’t know what resources were available to her. All we are left with are the questions why and how could she?

Someone posted a picture on facebook of this mother happily hugging her two beautiful children. Several people who knew her said she was a good parent who was active in her children’s lives and was even a room mom at school. Sounds like she was much like many of us . On the outside looking in, no one suspected the danger lurking beneath.

Never judge a book by its cover.

I must say that, before learning all of this, I was thinking she must have been an unfit mother whose actions didn’t surprise those who knew her. But when I saw her photo as I was scrolling through facebook, I stopped cold. She looked so… normal. Unless I’d seen the words killing and children, I probably wouldn’t have noticed the pertinence of the photo. As I stared at her seemingly cheerful countenance, one word came to mind. Grace. Give her grace.

That’s what Jesus would do. He proved it over and over again as He walked through the New Testament; forgiving the adulterous woman as well as the tax collectors, sharing the gospel with the Samaritan woman who’d had five husbands, even allowing the criminal who hung beside him on a cross to enter Paradise with Him that very day. What this woman did was wrong in every way, but it’s not unforgivable with God. Although my heart aches for this family and their tragic loss, I know God loves this mother as much as anyone else. Their pain is His pain. Her pain is His pain.

I’m not saying she shouldn’t suffer the consequences of this heinous crime. But we need to remember that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, ready to steal, kill and destroy, and the family is his primary target. Yes, Satan won this battle, but he hasn’t won the war. Instead of condemning, let’s pray for her and her family. We don’t know the circumstances that led to her unthinkable actions, but God does. We are called to be ambassadors of God’s love and, if we can live in obedience to that, we may never know this side of heaven how God will use us to avert evil and destruction in this world.

Have you been able to make an impact for God’s kingdom by showing someone His unconditional love? Why don’t we commit daily to asking God to reveal those who may need a

kind word or gesture shown to them?

The Perfect Place

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. ~ Isaiah 32:18

I’m dreaming of a beach vacation….

I don’t know about you, but this cold weather is starting to get to me. I’m ready for flip-flops, shorts and walking out the door without having to find a coat to match the temperature and outfit of the day.

So I’ve started looking at beach houses, trying to find one that fits everyone’s schedules, beach preference, bedrooms and budgets that doesn’t look like something decorated in the disco era. I feel like I’m looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack. I can’t believe how many beach houses are booked all summer already and it’s only the beginning of March!

But, unfortunately, there’s one particular house that isn’t available this year. One that is loved dearly by our family for the special memories acquired there. A wonderful house we’ve managed to stay most summers for the last 15 years. It suits our families perfectly. This home has a beautiful spirit about it that keeps drawing us back each year.

A doctor and his wife, who’ve traveled extensively on medical mission trips, were the dear owners of this multi-dimensional house. I’ve never met them, but their fingerprints, photos and souvenirs from exotic travels are scattered all over. Every bedroom is themed after a particular country; England, Africa, India. The den has a large beautiful hatch from a ship engraved with a Bible verse hanging over the fireplace. There’s a long picnic table outside the kitchen on the screen porch where we’ve had many good meals and sweet fellowship. There are also hammocks swinging on either side of the porch, usually occupied by a body exhausted, but happy, after a day in the sun.

It’s not a fancy house. You can tell it has been lived in and loved well. But there is such a peace there. Life’s worries just fall away and you only consider the nature and loved ones around you. It’s almost magical in some respects. But the atmosphere isn’t achieved through magic. I believe this house has been prayed over and made as welcoming as possible by the owners. There are subtle signs of their Christian faith everywhere, from the books that line their shelves to the framed photos the good doctor himself took of God’s beauty observed all around him. I believe the Holy Spirit is the secret ingredient to the wonder of this place of solace.

You may think I’m exaggerating, but if you’ve stayed there, I know you’d agree with me.

On our last visit, we discovered the doctor had recently passed away and the house had been sold. We found a newly published book authored by him containing many of his beautiful photographs. The last page, however, contained a letter from his sweet wife explaining the book was published after his death. It’s a shame he didn’t live to see it, but what a special gift he left behind for others to enjoy.

I believe this couple endeavored to show God’s hospitality in their vacation home. I pray others will feel the same spirit of hospitality as they enter my home, whether through words, actions or items sprinkled about. I would cringe at the thought of anyone giving my house the white glove treatment, but hopefully I’ll always open the door to share God’s love, food and fellowship. How wonderful it is to be blessed with homes we can invite others to enjoy. And who knows? We may even have the privilege of entertaining angels.

As we were deciding our vacation plans for this summer, my daughter immediately piped up saying she wants to go back to the beach house. She explained to her boyfriend the significance of this special place. “Many of my best childhood memories were made there,” she said, with dancing eyes.

Looking back, I agree. We have experienced so many wonderful times in that summer oasis. I hope God will allow us many more in the future, whether it be there, or some other special place with Christian hospitality.

But as for right now, I’ve got to get back to searching for that illusive beach house …

Is there a special place in your life that brings you peace and rest? I would love to hear about it.