They’re not the Waltons but They Make Me Smile Or How Some Crazy Duck-calling Family Won my Heart

Happy, happy, happy gets my attention as that is what my main dream is for my own family. To be happy, happy, happy.

Then the title “A Dynasty Built on Family and Faith” also got my attention and I figured I needed to find out how the Duck Dynasty family got so happy. It is a story in Guideposts magazine written by Korie Robertson about their life.

Along the way to a happy, happy, happy family I have taken a long detour. Maybe you have, also. What got in the way of your happy family? What came in and took your dreams. What stole the heart of your children and perhaps even your grandchildren?

Did addiction rear its ugly head and everything that you thought your adult child would become just seem to vanish one day? Did you lose a loved one, a spouse or a child and think you will never be happy again. Does someone in your family wrestle with mental illness and you wonder if all hope is gone? Did cancer invade the body of someone you love? Do you have a loved one in prison?   Life can seem anything but happy at times like these.

What can you do to get your mind into a mode of happiness again?

My first and best answer would be to find a word of hope to hold on to from the Bible. You know the kind, a scripture that just jumps out at you; instinctly deep within your heart it seems as if it was written just for you. Written for such a time as this. While you are searching for a word of your own, find one for your children or that adult child that is breaking your heart. We have to know and believe that the God who created them has a plan and it is an even better plan than you, as a parent, could even dream for them.

“O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
 All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:11-13

My next thought for happy, happy, happy,  is give it over to prayer. Perhaps you are saying, I do that, I pray. We all have had to come to the point of not only praying but then letting go. Let go and let God is more than a slogan said at recovery meetings. It is the real deal. As a mother, though, I have to admit, I sometimes have to let go again and again, but that is OK as the Lord looks at the heart. He knows exactly the timing that we can yield that burden to Him. He is a protective God and He knows what we can deal with and when and He won’t push us or shove us to dealing with something when it is too painful for us. He deals the same way with our families.

I’ve found that what might make me happy, happy, happy will have the opposite effect on my husband or children. Sometimes I want to scream, “Let’s just all get on the same page.” But the story written from one person’s viewpoint will have a different slant and timetable in another family member’s life and so I must yield again.

What does all this have to do with the Robertson family and their Duck Dynasty? Take a comedy break as often as you can and watch their programs and reruns. It will do your heart good to see people interacting in a loving and kind way. The way families used to interact. No they aren’t the Walton’s, they don’t live in Mayberry, but they have something to teach us. 

The main lesson is God first, and then family. In my view that is a winning combination. No, my family isn’t the Walton’s, the Griffith’s or the Robertson’s but I can learn to lighten up, smile more, listen more and embrace the unique family that the Lord is building, one day at a time. My favorite quote that I say is “There is enough love to go around.” Our family is a work in progress but one day I know I will be “Happy, happy, happy” just like the Duck Dynasty family.

http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/inspirational-stories/a-dynasty-built-on-family-and-faith?page=full

 

 

My Heart Cries out for the Breath of Heaven

My heart cries out today, for me, for you and for our children and grandchildren.

I find myself doing it all over again. Looking to something or someone to do what only the Lord my God can do for me and in me and in my family.

I see that I still want my own timetable for healing and relief and that peace that only comes from the Lord. In my mind, I can fix it. As the firstborn daughter that was part of my job description for so long, fixer/caretaker of the family. When the fixer got weary, things needed to change, I needed to pull back; I need to pull back even now. No fixer or caretaker lives forever. Sometimes as with the case with my mama, the Lord seemed to have taken her early, perhaps to spare her from some acute pain, both physically and emotionally in her life. The Bible even has a verse that says He takes those early to spare them. It is His mercy yet we at home still grieve the loss of her love, her humor and her hearty laugh.

I repent once again Jesus. I repent of wanting a counselor to fix my family. I repent of looking to the world for what only You can do. I repent of getting weary in praying and wondering if You hear me? Do You see me still? Will You send an angel as You sent to Hagar; she named You the “God who sees.” See me, Jesus; see my hopes, dreams and aspirations. See my children that I love and have failed in so many ways, but yet I am blessed to have had the privilege to bring them forth for You and give them back to You. Thank you for each one and for some wonderful grandchildren. As I look to this day, knowing I have given it over to Your hands, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will rise up strong in me, that I can face the day, future and even the dreaded hour, that I can get through anything by Your strength and power. The old song, “Where Can we go, but to the Lord” has been in my heart since I was a young girl and knew I needed a savior so much. One thing I have always known is You are the one who holds the words of life, the only one I can constantly go to, my source of peace. You are the One who holds me. You will get all glory and praise. You are my heart’s desire. Live through me this day.

The lyrics to this song can apply to others than Mary, “Breath of Heaven”

I am waiting in a silent prayer

 I am frightened by the load I bear

 In a world as cold as stone

 Must I walk this path alone?

 Be with me now, be with me now

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

 Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

 Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

 Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

 Breath of Heaven

(Read more: Amy Grant - Breath Of Heaven Lyrics | MetroLyrics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW2OBT-5qfc

Paying it Forward

I admire people who take the pain of life and pay it forward in wonderful ways to help others. I have always said one woman can make a difference; in this case it is four wonderful women, check out:
"Family charities keep memories of loved ones alive"
http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130901/news/130839857

You Are Wanted, Today and Always

I know that I have gone way too long without updating my blog. Today though, I want to feature a friend and writer who has expressed herself so well and I glean from her often. It is through trials and pain that we all grow and learn to lean more on our Lord. He is ever faithful. I had never heard the song that is on the link here but I feel that there are many today who need to take this message deep into their heart. I welcome Elaine Creasman today and her post, You Are Wanted:

http://elainecreasman.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/you-are-wanted/

 

I want to add a note to those who feel broken today. The Lord, the great God who made the universe and everything within it loves you and He only can fill the broken heart and make you whole. Let Him be the healing balm that you need for each hurt, pain and sorrow. Praying every day in every way for each of you.

In The Answer to Arguments the word acceptance is the word for the day, today and every day

It amazes me when a word or phrase comes to me, and then I see just the same thing in morning devotions. Amazing again, as this very phrase had come to me, "You have seen that the hurt was not intentional but came within the principle of hurt people hurt people." as I pondered the pain in my life. I have never met or spoken to the Robinsons but sometimes it seems they have a window into my life. Another key thing is there are two destinies intertwined (“Your destinies in God are known in Hell. Satan has enjoyed sifting and is standing ready to do it again. But the Lord says, "Jesus has prayed that the hurting stop and that you use these occasions of hurt to point the way to help heal others.”) that the Lord wants to use in power and satan is so trying to destroy. All of my children and grandchildren have powerful destinies and that is why we continually seem to be under attack. Family is the heart of God and if destroyed the victory for the dark one will be major, but I stand on the fact that the battle is the Lord’s. His banner is truly love even when that love seems damaged. I may not be able to help or heal my own family but if our pain and trauma will help you on your journey, then my life in the Lord has not been in vain.

"What The Lord Is Saying Today," July 26, 2012. Someone very close has disrespected and dishonored you on two occasions recently. The hurt was raw and unredemptive. But you have survived the hurt as a stronger person in grace and forgiveness. You have seen that the hurt was not intentional but came within the principle of hurt people hurt people. Somehow that cycle of hurting out of hurt must cease. A battle has been raging in the pits of Hell over these incidents. Your destinies in God are known in Hell. Satan has enjoyed sifting and is standing ready to do it again. But the Lord says, "Jesus has prayed that the hurting stop and that you use these occasions of hurt to point the way to help heal others."

Luke 22:31-32 (AMP) "Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain, but I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren." Ras Robinson  

July 26, 2012. Part of the reason for your success in many things you do is that you expect so much of yourself. Most times this is a good thing. But along with high expectation, extend grace to yourself. You are a person among people and people act like people. You are not God. You are a human being. Many times you are harder on yourself than I am. I know you are to be perfect as I am perfect. I have set a high goal. But it's a goal. You and I know sometimes you miss the mark. When you do miss it, don't spend time picking yourself apart. Confess and start again.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV) "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Bev Robinson

July 26, 2012. Embrace yourself as being someone like Barnabas. His name means "son of consolation". He was the one who befriended Paul when Paul was young and vouched for the sincere change which took place within Paul. He was the one who sold all he had and put all of it at the feet of the apostles. He was sent with confidence by the church in Jerusalem to Antioch because he was highly esteemed and respected. You are a person admired by others because of your inner character traits of excellence. Don't discount yourself. You have My charisma within you just like Barnabas did. Continue to stand up and be one who comes alongside.

Acts 11:22-24 (NKJV) "Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord." Kevin Robinson

"What The Lord Is Saying Today," © Fullness In Christ Ministries, Inc.,

Permission is granted for non-commericial use to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep the date of the word, "What The Lord Is Saying Today," and the author's name (Ras and/or Bev Robinson and/or Kevin Robinson) intact and include this entire copyright notice.  For any other use, please contact us at: info@fullnessnetwork.net.

 In The Answer to Arguments the word acceptance is the word for the day, today and every day. And it is just what I need to apply to my life. It's a great day for Recovery in the State of Florida!

From "Grace for the Moment": Max Lucado

Get along with each other,and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Col. 3:13

 

Unity doesn't begin in examining others but in examining self. Unity doesn't begin in demanding that others change but in admitting that we are not so perfect ourselves. ..

The answer to arguments? Acceptance.The first step to unity? Acceptance. Not agreement, Acceptance. Not unanimity, Acceptance. Not negotiation, arbitration, or elaboration. Those might come later but only after the first step, Acceptance" Max Lucado

I Have a Dream, too

An old poem revisited: A Mother who Dreams


Will I ever have the family

Of my dreams

Or will I forever be

As my friend called me

A mother who dreams?



I’ll never forget the day

I was discouraged.

She was cheering me up

She meant it in a special way, as if I was the mother of her dreams, a prayer warrior, faithful and kind.

Yet I, knowing myself as I do, struggling at times to just keep my sanity,

heard it as what I truly am,

a “mother who dreams.”



I dream of sanity in our lives instead of chaos.

I dream of peace and right standing with God for all my children and grandchildren.

I dream of testimonies given of overcoming by God’s grace and the mercy He lavishes upon us each day.

I dream of happiness, wholeness and health.

I dream of restored relationships.I dream of learning to go down a different path and being happy to stay on it, instead of falling in the dark pits of familiarity.

And I dream of the day that all my children will be taught of the Lord and great will be the peace of my children

Heal our hearts, Lord

And may my dreams come true.


Donna Collins Tinsley

I dream and yet every day I am also doing this:

“I emptied myself of all my old ideas of what my life should be.” (From the al-anon book Discovering Choices)
Click on the link to see Dr. Martin Luther King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBx4vPr27fo&feature=related