Carrie C. Stone's Blog » Personal Life http://carriecstone.com Tue, 25 Jan 2011 05:29:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Entertaining Thoughts http://carriecstone.com/entertaining-thoughts/ http://carriecstone.com/entertaining-thoughts/#comments Mon, 03 Jan 2011 23:27:03 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=1161 Reading is like singing to me. I do not remember a time I have not done either one. Although there have been seasons when they were lacking, my life has been most fulfilling when they were present.
I have never been one who enjoyed being instructed on what to read (i.e.- school). But that fact aside, I am an avid reader. You may even say I am a voracious one to be more exact. If I have invested in anything to a great extent, I have invested in books and knowledge. Wisdom, as the Word says, is more valuable than silver or gold. I whole heartedly agree!
I love the power of reading. I read for the purpose of learning, growing in wisdom and understanding, knowing God at a deeper level and being better at my positions in life. I have never read one book at a time that I can think of. I usually have a stack of three of four screaming out for my attention, and I do my best to please the pages by making time for each one. Maybe that is why I felt so compelled to take on the new title of “author” last year. My love for the written word drove me to creating 200 pages of it for others to read. I will soon begin writing my next one!!
I was taken aback the other day when I happened upon a blog which recommended my new book “Defeating Fear” as a must read for 2011. I was excited about the mention needless-to-say, but what surprised me the most was my inability to get the blog off of my mind since then.
The author of the blog mentioned all of the books she had read over the year and why. It made me wonder how many books I had read in 2010. (It made my husband wonder how much money I had spent on books over the year!!) As I quickly added it up off of the top of my head, I was well over 25 books and that was without traveling for the year (which always increases my reading). That was also not including my intensive Bible study, the countless books I have read to the kids about history, the Bible, character, the Great Depression, etc., or the books I have read and loaned out or borrowed and returned and cannot remember to add to this list. After reading over my list, I realized it is no wonder people find me to be such an anomaly!
I cannot say that I recommend all of the books on this list, but if I read them all the way through it was either because I was writing a review for it, interviewing the person who wrote it or I love loved it and learned much from it. A few of the books fall into all three categories. So without further ado, here is my reading list for 2010 in no particular order.

1. The Spirit of Divine Interception by Dr. Francis Myles
2. Fearless by Max Lucado
3. Captivating by John and Staci Eldridge
4. Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets
5. Defeating Fear by Carrie C. Stone (seriously, I read this one about 15 times in 2010!!)
6. Transforming Church in Rural America by Shannon O’Dell
7. Revealer of the Enemy by Jack Serra
8. Esther by Charles Swindoll
9. Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado
10. Jesus on Leadership by C. Gene Wilkes
11. Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham by Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley
12. Get Out of that Pit by Beth Moore
13. Home Educating with Confidence by Rick Boyer (A must read for home schoolers)
14. Everyones a Coach by Ken Blanchard and Don Shula
15. The G Free Diet by Elisabeth Hasselbeck (great for new Celiacs)
16. The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson
17. The Truth Behind the Secret by James K. Walker and Bob Waldrep
18. How to Reach Your Full Potential for God by Charles Stanley
19. Fasting by Jentezen Franklin
20. The Bait of Satan by John Bevere
21. Jesus by Charles Swindoll
22. The Way of the Worshiper by Buddy Owens
23. Unmasking the Jezebel Spirit by John Paul Jackson

I ended the year by reading three Richard Paul Evans books in three days while I was sick. I have never read one of his books which I would not recommend. When you want a fast read which will have a good, positive story, he is a great choice. I also concluded 2010 in the middle of reading “Intercessory Prayer” (for the second time) and “12 Extraordinary Women” by John MacArthur.
I can already see that 2011 is going to be a year of learning more about Christian leaders of the past. I am already enamored with Charles H. Spurgeon and am reading his devotional “Evening by Evening.” I will focus more on books about people who have overcome great obstacles to live out their destinies. I will also focus heavily on any books which will draw me into a closer and more intimate relationship with God.
What will you focus on this year? What will you put into your mind through the written word? Whatever you use to entertain your brain will impact your life for good or for bad. Which will you choose? I pray you will decide this year to go deeper than you have ever gone before. You have a destiny and a purpose only you can accomplish. Choose not to waste time on the trivial when you can be triumphant instead. Do it now! Your destiny is waiting!!

]]> http://carriecstone.com/entertaining-thoughts/feed/ 0 The Fear of Failing; From a Mother’s Perspective http://carriecstone.com/the-fear-of-failing-from-a-mothers-perspective/ http://carriecstone.com/the-fear-of-failing-from-a-mothers-perspective/#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:22:22 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=1145 I think all of us in business tend to have a firm understanding of the fear of failure.  Especially if you are in network marketing or sales.  I mean, let’s face it, if you fail – you starve.  It’s just that simple. That is the reason we spend the money on classes, books and seminars to help us get better at what we do.  But often those in the business field tend to overlook the masses of women around the world who have chosen to put aside their careers and personal ambitions for the higher calling of raising up the next generation. And those mighty women are faced day after day with the responsibility of not failing, for if they do the result will be far more devastating than hunger.  Now add to that mix the responsibility of home educating and you have the perfect combination to bring on a severe case of the paralysis of fear caused by the fear of failure.

I am a home school Mom and I have a calling which often takes me away from the nest.  That gives me the opportunity to feel that fear at an even deeper level!! I often talk to other Mom’s who have chosen the same path, and every time I do I discover we are all struggling with the same challenge.  What if what we are doing is wrong?  What if we choose the wrong path for our kids and they are rejects in society?  What if we do too much, or too little, or not the right things, or the completely wrongs things?  What if we make these sacrifices to only find later this was not our destiny after all?  What if….????  These endless questions can keep us up at night and if we choose to dwell on them in our waking hours, they will rob us of all peace and joy.

I have yet to meet a home educating Mom who hasn’t made great sacrifices to be one.  By making this decision, you are choosing to live on less income, to be mocked by your neighbors and often your family, to die to yourself so you can live for you students, to make endless sacrifices for no visible return and to put yourself into the position to learn to say repeatedly “please forgive Mommy for…”.  That sounds treacherous doesn’t it, yet I know for me, I would choose nothing else.

So how do you overcome this paralysis of fear caused by your desire to do an excellent job raising your kids?  You keep trusting God who promised to complete His good work in you.  (“He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Phil. 1:6)  You keep reminding yourself of all of the reasons you chose to take this path to begin with. (I highly recommend the book “Home Educating with Confidence”)  You submit your life, your kids and your schedule before God every day and allow Him to lead you in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.  You seek grace and mercy while administering grace and mercy in abundance knowing that whatever you sow, you will reap.  And you get yourself surrounded by people who motivate and inspire you to live out your greatness.  I am so grateful for my friend Diana Morse who reminds me consistently of who I am and why I am here.  She is the reason I have continued home educating my kids and I will be forever indebted to her for that.  And it is to her that I dedicate this blog.

So go on!  Trust God to complete what He started, remind yourself of all of the reasons you embarked on this journey, submit your household, give grace and mercy and connect with someone who inspires you to keep on keeping on. And then, Mom, release your babies to fly. Know that you if you poured your life into theirs, they will soar as an eagle! Do it now!  Your destiny is waiting!!

]]> http://carriecstone.com/the-fear-of-failing-from-a-mothers-perspective/feed/ 1 Review for “The Boy Who Changed the World” by Andy Andrews http://carriecstone.com/review-for-the-boy-who-changed-the-world-by-andy-andrews/ http://carriecstone.com/review-for-the-boy-who-changed-the-world-by-andy-andrews/#comments Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:55:36 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=1124

When I was asked to review a book by Andy Andrews, internationally known speaker and author of New York Times Bestsellers The Traveler’s Gift and The Noticer, I was really excited.  This man is certainly someone who has been leaving his mark on the world. In a time were heroes are made out of men and women who are esteemed as important because of what they do and how much money they make, this book was a breath of fresh air!  The stories were captivating, the illustrations were exceptional and my two children were drawn into the excellence of this work from the first page.

The next generation needs to inspired by the previous generations of men and women who have selflessly impacted the world with their God-given gifts and talents.  With more books like this one, we will change the world one boy and one girl at a time!

I highly recommend this book to parents, grand parents, teachers and childcare providers who want to make a difference in the life of a boy or girl destined impact the world and disciple nations!  So get out and buy this book today!  Somebody’s destiny is waiting!!

]]> http://carriecstone.com/review-for-the-boy-who-changed-the-world-by-andy-andrews/feed/ 0 Tangled and Full of Knots http://carriecstone.com/tangled-and-full-of-knots/ http://carriecstone.com/tangled-and-full-of-knots/#comments Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:40:24 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=1044 It was a winter evening in 2001. I was sitting in our living room in Nashville, TN when my husband walked into the room to find me sitting in a pile yarn and crying. I was trying to learn to crochet, and my skeins of yarn had gotten tangled and knotted. I was losing my cool as I grew more frantic by the minute when I looked up at my husband who lovingly asked if he could help. Calmly, he took the yarn into his calloused hands and went about the job of freeing the skeins one from the other.
We must have spent two, frustrating hours working on this task, but he never abandoned me. What is even more astounding is that he never complained! Was there something more important that he could have been doing? I am sure there was, but a person stealing a glimpse of our encounter would have never guessed it.
And that is the story of our relationship. When Rod and I met on September 28, 1995, I was a pile of knotted yarn. Another man would have walked away considering me too much work to take on, but not this man.
For 15 years, my husband has lovingly maneuvered around this pile of tangled emotions, gently tugging here, pulling there and gracefully releasing the binds that held me. And with the love and guidance of our Savior, we have been knitted together for all of eternity.
Even now, there are days in which my sweater will pull and fray. That is when I look up and see those same loving eyes, and suddenly, as if by magic, I am restored.
Rod and I are celebrating 14 years of marriage today. We were not the couple anyone in their right minds would have put together, but we were the couple that God saw to be a perfect fit. We have shared a lot of laughs, a few major disappointments, two great accomplishments in the lives of our babies and a couple of down right scary moments we hope to never relive. We have been abandoned by others, but never by each other. We have been attacked, but never stopped. We have been struck down, but not destroyed.
Many have asked what our secret is. I can honestly say there is no secret. The truth is this – we both love God more than we love each other. It seems so simple, yet it is so true. It was that love which drew us to each other, and it is that love which keeps us loving each other even when we do not feel like it. Rod felt compelled by his love for God to release me from the knotted hold of the enemy, and I will spend the rest of my days in gratitude and utter devotion to him and to God because of it.
Who has taken the time to release the knots in your life? Take the time to thank them today. Do it now! Your destiny is waiting!!

]]> http://carriecstone.com/tangled-and-full-of-knots/feed/ 1 Writer’s Block! http://carriecstone.com/writers-block/ http://carriecstone.com/writers-block/#comments Thu, 23 Sep 2010 02:25:23 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=1034 For some time now, I have had a hard time writing.   I cannot put my finger on what is going on in my head, but it just seems there is so much to say, yet no way to say it.  At first, I thought it must be writer’s block.  I mean, let’s face it, I have just spent over a year of my life writing a book, so it only makes sense that I would be a bit “dry,” but that is not it.  Even in my journal, I find myself incapable of sharing even with God what is piercing the very core of my heart.  Have you ever felt that way?

If I were to analyze my life as I would for a client, all of the obvious things stand out.  Such as the loss of our home, the move, homeschooling responsibilities,  stressed family relationships, the economy, the world at large, etc.  I also have a heart to minister and with that comes not only great responsibility, but also great sorrow as I listen to the outpouring of needless pain  women all around this country have experienced.  I am tired of watching women lose their true femininity as they pursue worldly promises which will never pay them enough to cover what they are losing in exchange for it.  My spirit has been grieved too as I watch God’s people coming against one another because of doctrine and man-made belief systems, and I wonder if anyone realizes how easy they are making things for the enemy when the church is willing to tear itself apart.  If we are not destroying one another then we are busying ourselves seeking the latest and greatest “new” way to get closer to the God who has never left us nor forsaken us to begin with. He has never changed. He is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Even as I write this, I have the need to throw up my hands and scream!  I mean really.

Obviously, I have no shortage of things to write about, but the fact remains that I cannot figure out where to begin.  All I desire is to live out the love of Jesus with everyone.  That is truly my heart. So how do I share what I know needs to be heard while walking in love?  I guess until I have that answer, I will continue to wait upon the Lord and just listen.

Well, I guess in the process of sharing my feelings, I actually wrote something!  Not my greatest work, but maybe, just maybe it has inspired you.  If it did, will you do me a favor and take the time to inspire someone else today?  I hope you will.  Your destiny is waiting!!

]]> http://carriecstone.com/writers-block/feed/ 1 He Will Revive You! Praise Him in the Storm! http://carriecstone.com/he-will-revive-you-praise-him-in-the-storm/ http://carriecstone.com/he-will-revive-you-praise-him-in-the-storm/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:03:11 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=1022 “I’m drowning here!  Hasn’t anyone noticed my need for help?  Can you not see my arms flailing? My head bobbing up and down like the bobber on a fishing line – undetected by the distracted man holding the pole.  I am in the midst of trouble, yet there seems to be no one to rescue and revive me.  With all of my remaining strength, I will push up one more time, give one last scream for help and hope…”

Have you been in that place? Are you there now?  In the midst of the raging sea with waves crashing all around you?  In the natural, it seems that all of your dreams, all you have hoped for, all you have worked for are now all lying at the bottom of the dark ocean.  All is lost, your energy has vanished, your strength is gone, your faith has taken a holiday, but then you read these words…

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me.” Ps 138:7

Yes, the Lord does revive His people; those who are drowning in the sea of foreclosure, divorce, death, disease, deception, bankruptcy or rebellion. Those who have lost sight of the dream He placed within them because of the storms around them, He will save.  He will revive them because even in the midst of this storm, you need to know, “the Lord will perfect that which concerns me…Forsake not the works of Your own hand.” Ps 138:8

When the waves are crashing around you, look up.  Get your eyes off of the obvious storm and cast them on the source of all strength.  He will see you through because “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.”

Today, choose to put your eyes back on the One who created you “for such a time as this.”  Thank Him for all He has done, make a list of the ways He has blessed you this week, and expect Him to be true to His word because He is.  Do it now!  Your destiny is waiting!

I dedicate this devotion to Jeff and Julie Anderson as they fight the waves of oppressive paperwork in the war for the life of their son, Jensen.  I have been touched by their strength in the midst of endless opposition and saddening set backs.  Please pray for the Anderson family as we await a miracle in the life of precious Jensen.
Casting Crowns; Praise You in this Storm

]]> http://carriecstone.com/he-will-revive-you-praise-him-in-the-storm/feed/ 2 Eating Crow from the Buffet of Never http://carriecstone.com/eating-crow-from-the-buffet-of-never/ http://carriecstone.com/eating-crow-from-the-buffet-of-never/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:22:38 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=1003 It seems I will never learn the lesson to “never say never.” In my life, this lesson has played out more times than I care to admit and yet, I continue to forget that never is a mere stones throw away from reality. My list of “nevers” is long and actually quite amusing from this perspective! And it is supplying me with an abundance of crow to consume as we go through this lean economic time.
Let’s see, I said I would never marry and if for some reason I did, I would never marry anyone who was not incredibly wealthy. (Rod continues to hide his riches from me, but I think he is just wanting to be confident that I love him for who he is!!) Then, I emphatically declared that I would NEVER live in a mobile home. I did that. I said I would never have children. Did that times two. I would NEVER under ANY circumstances be somebodies Suzy Homemaker; I could NEVER live without wheat – EVER and I would NEVER, NEVER, NEVER move to Washington State so don’t even bother to ask. Ahh, yup. Did it. Did it. Did it. And lest we forget the all powerful “I will never lose my home to foreclosure.” The list goes on, but you get the point. NEVER SAY NEVER!!
Today, I had to face another “never” head on, but unlike my other “nevers” which when defied they changed my life in a positive way, this one is grieving me. This “never” was not some childish whim or a stubborn proclamation made out of fear; no, this one was stated out of passion for our beliefs and because of what we feel is in the best interest of our children. Today, I registered my two precious blessings in public school. Some of you may read that statement and think I’ve lost my mind. That’s okay, many have thought that before. Others of you will understand and maybe even shed a tear with me simply because you yourselves have made the endless sacrifices it requires to home school your children. No matter how you feel about homeschooling, my heart says it is the right thing for us to do. My love for Jesus and the truth of His Word has caused me to make this sacrifice for our kids in spite of the inconvenience. The joy I find in just being with my kids, experiencing their victories and their struggles, impacting their lives in a powerful way and pouring out all I have to them is simply satisfying. These feelings obviously made this an incredibly hard decision for us, but it is one we knew we had to make, so we are trusting God with the outcome.
For now, I will need to trust in my Father in Heaven to guard and protect the treasure in the hearts of my children as they spend 7 hours a day, 5 days a week being influenced by ideas which go against all we believe in and know to be true. I will trust Him to give them courage to buck the system when necessary, to bless them with love to reach out to the lost and to strengthen them for the inevitable battles to come. I am confident that He will care for all of their needs, He has prepared them for such a time as this and He will give His angels charge over my babies while they are away from their Mommy.
So what is on the menu for dinner tonight? You guessed it – fresh baked crow with a side of crow. There is plenty to go around, so if you are in the vicinity come on over, fill your plate and share your “never” stories with me. I know you have some!
Decide today to never say never again! Your destiny is waiting!

]]> http://carriecstone.com/eating-crow-from-the-buffet-of-never/feed/ 2 “The Symphony of Silence” http://carriecstone.com/the-symphony-of-silence/ http://carriecstone.com/the-symphony-of-silence/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:21:29 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=996 “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

Do you ever take time to just get silent before God?  Not in a way that says “I need something from you, so I am going to do this,”  but just to “be” with Him.  He instructs in His Word to do that, but it seems that far too many people are just too busy to be still before the Father and marvel at His creation.

I had the chance to get still before God today.  For me it seems to happen more in the very early hours of the morning  before the children arise and the phone begins its endless ringing.  When I got still today before my Creator, I discovered the symphony which is found in silence.  Yes, you read correctly.  There is a symphony of silence.

The sun steps up to the podium to take her place as the conductor of this orchestra.  She raises her arms in majesty and splendor, and as her rays pierce the darkness all creation comes to life.  In one accord, all of nature joins in the glorious song.  The seagulls begin to squawk, the swallows join in the chorus and as if on cue, the lone rooster who somehow found his home in this small town, proudly proclaims his “cock-a-doodle-do” for all to admire.  As a bow draws across the strings of a violin, so the cars go by in the distance – close enough to know there are people with jobs heading to work- but far enough away to not be a constant distraction or annoying clanging of the symbol.  Even the occasional fly has a part to play as his wings break through the cool morning air adding a gentle “buzz” to the arrangement.

I can feel the presence of the Lord with me as I enjoy this special performance.  I can almost see Him leaning against the wall with a proud smile upon His face which seems to say “Well, what do you think?”  To which I humbly reply, “Thank you, Father.  You are too good to me.”  Then He leans down and whispers in my ear, “There is nothing too good for my people.  Taste and see that I am good.”

Take time to be still before your Father.  It will be one simple way you can say “Thank you” to the One who created you.  Don’t put it off…your destiny is waiting!

]]> http://carriecstone.com/the-symphony-of-silence/feed/ 3 Joyful in all Circumstances! http://carriecstone.com/joyful-in-all-circumstances/ http://carriecstone.com/joyful-in-all-circumstances/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:32:40 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=990 “Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.”

Nehemiah 8:10

Tuesdays are my favorite day of the week.  On that day at 1:30 PM PST, I meet with incredible people from all around this great land of ours and pray.  We are a group of people who are all involved somehow in entertainment or media, but we are all committed to one purpose – seeing the Lord our God glorified in all things.

Three years ago this month, the Lord led Virginia Morton of  http://www.marchingthroughculpeper.com  to begin these calls with the intention of making her riveting book Marching Through Culpeper into a movie.  My husband and I had the great fortune of becoming a part of this team after I read about Virginia in Rick Heeren’s book Marketplace Miracles about a year and a half ago.  Our lives have been blessed as we have grown deeper in our faith through this Holy Spirit led association. This morning during my private time with my Daddy, God spoke to my spirit and gave me a message on joy which I thought was for me alone.  As we prayed on the call today, it became very apparent to me that God’s messages are never singular in focus, but are intended to be universal and for the edification of the Church.  As I spoke this message over these saints of God, I knew in my heart that I was to share it with you too.  So right now, I call your spirit to attention as I share this word of encouragement from your Father with you.

“I love your intensity for Me, but in that intensity, do not forget to be joyful in all circumstances.  Let your passion for Me bring you constant joy as I unfold the truth to you.  I know the revelations of My Truth can be overwhelming with the responsibility it carries, but still there is joy in it.  As you learn more and more, see your spirit dancing around in an open field full of wild flowers; full of passion and able to grow in even the most adverse conditions.  You have always seen yourself as a rose – in need of special care and attention, but you are not that fragile.  A rose is beautiful for a time, but it is here today and gone tomorrow.  You are stable and deeply rooted.  Your beauty is appreciated by the multitudes, but it is not  your outward adornment for which they marvel.  It is Me in you that they see.  Remember that as you go out into the world.  Carry My Spirit of joy with you for that will attract the masses to you.  It is My peace which is the bait.  I will pour it out through you to draw the world in to Me.”

Take the time to be joyful today no matter what your circumstances may be.  You are not alone.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  He is a God who inhabits the praises of His people, so praise Him while you dance in the open field of beautiful wild flowers!  Do it today….your destiny is waiting.

]]> http://carriecstone.com/joyful-in-all-circumstances/feed/ 5 “If My House Could Talk” http://carriecstone.com/if-my-house-could-talk/ http://carriecstone.com/if-my-house-could-talk/#comments Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:32:02 +0000 carriestone http://carriecstone.com/?p=980 Recently, my husband and I went through one  devastation most wish to never face, but far too many in our society today are having to work through.  We like millions of other hard working, big dreaming Americans have lost our home to foreclosure due to the real estate collapse.  This is probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to experience not so much because of the loss of the house, but because of the loss of relationship from some I thought would never turn on me, and also because of my passion for integrity which I have taught for 22 years.  Hard work made no difference.  Planning and ingenuity failed us.  But God in His righteousness and goodness for us came through in a big way. Because of His care for us, we were able to move into a beautiful home RENT free for as many years as we need to recover, and we were able to do that two months prior to the auction of our home.

I posted a comment on Facebook the day after my final visit to our beautiful home which my husband so lovingly built with his own two hands.  I was trying to be funny in my comment, maybe just to ease the pain by saying “I went to say one last goodbye to my house yesterday. It had no response!” But the outpouring of love I received brought me to tears and to this page to share my thoughts.  One special woman wrote the following message: “A real loss. Grieve it. Ask: What would my house have said back to me as I said goodbye? If you can stand it, maybe room by room. Remember this is a major loss for Rod and your children, too. Maybe have a “memorial” evening in a special place as a family. Prayers and love as you transition into the new place God is calling all of you.” For some reason, these words caused me to cry.  Even now as I read them again, I cannot help but to be broken before God and to wipe the tears from my eyes.  You see, although God provided for us in a mighty way and, we are beyond grateful for His grace towards us, we still have feelings, emotions, pain and feelings of loss and yes even failure.  Dealing with that is important.  So I will heed the wise advice of my dear friend and post the following:  “If My House Could Talk.”

If my house could talk, what would it say?  First I think it would say “thank you.”  “Thank you, Rod, for pouring your heart out for me and on me.  You did a fine job with excellent craftsmanship.  There is not one area where you did not go above and beyond what was needed or expected.  What I appreciated the most about you was that you didn’t curse even when you were tired, and you were patient with everyone who worked for you even in the midst of stress and exhaustion.  Thank you, Carrie, for insisting there be scriptures put into my very foundation and then into my walls. That made me stronger and will carry me a long way in this world where buildings grow tired and weary and finally break down.  Thanks to all of you for the love, laughter, singing and worship which flowed through my halls and up to my rafters.  I have always carried a spirit of peace because of that.  Thank you for meeting every morning in my prayer window as you discussed the world events, the Word of God and the future together.  The strength in your relationship will be felt in this dwelling for its life.  Thank you for tending to my dings and scratches and for protecting me from the destruction of children.  I always appreciated it when I heard you scold Newell and Olivia, Carrie, by saying “You may not treat our home that way.  Do you not remember how very hard your father worked to build this for us?”  I always felt safe with the two of you.  Thank you for being silly, for taking time to dance around on my hardwood floors, for anointing every window and doorway, for falling on your knees and often your face as you worked with all of your heart and prayed with all of your spirit to keep me as part of your family.  Your tears will forever be a part of me.  I heard you as you cried out to God, and I wept with you.  On those late nights, as you paced the floor searching for answers, I was up with you. And even though I know you are already aware of this, God was here every second of every day.  When you cried, He cried too. When you worshiped in spite of the circumstances, He smiled.  And the day you finally threw up your hands and surrendered, He was the one who caught you as collapsed and grieved over your loss.

“The love your family left is overwhelming.  You are all so close that it will not matter where you live, your love will be your greatest treasure.  I admit I will not miss the pink bunny, but I will miss the two little people who created his life.  Even though I cannot go with you, the memories you created here will be yours forever.  Remember what Olivia said about needing to come back to get her memories?  Well, she already had them with her. I think she discovered that when she saw my empty shell.  You packed everything that matters in this life.  Treasure that.  Treasure the worship nights in the living room, the Sorry games at the kitchen table, the family devotion times, the jokes told, the meals prepared together, the Christmas you were snowed in, the nights on the deck, the mornings of snuggles, the school days in the school room, the book written, the songs created and recorded, the celebration as Rod’s song “USA Today” was performed on live TV by Lee Greenwood, the family get-togethers, the long nights of Scrabble and the baths in the big tub. The bank cannot take those; they are yours to keep, so cherish them.

“One day, you will think of me and it will not hurt.  Instead, you will remember the good times.  Until then, know that in every crevice, in every corner, in every tiny bit of this home, your family can be found. You have made me unique.  You have made me special.  And the next family who lives here will be blessed by what you have left behind.”

Thank you for indulging me today by for allowing me to express my heart to you.  Maybe you have something or someone you need to say goodbye to.  Take the time to do that today.  It may hurt for a moment, but it will release you to live out God’s purposes for you. Do it today!  Your destiny is waiting!



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