We are living out the "happily ever after" in our story. I want to take a minute to fill in some of the gaps that Hollywood usually leaves out. The dramatic climax was our arrival home as a family. God delivered us home safely from Germany, and most important, we were together. Truly, this was and is a mighty answer to very fervent prayer. Unlike in the movies, however, the story does not stop there.
I mentioned in a previous post that we were very jet-lagged when we came home. It took about ten days for our bodies to adjust. Then I (sunshine) came down with a horrendous cold. After feeling so poorly (and even grumpy) for over two weeks, I was really praying for relief. Had God answered my huge prayer, only to watch me struggle in overwhelming circumstances at home? Just about that time, I was feeling very depressed. Why you ask? I should have been on top of the world. Had I forgotten Gods provision for our family. The answer is no, I had not forgotten. The only thing that I can say to explain is that I crashed. My body and mind had been working on overtime for months, and my little mind and emotions finally was able to feel the release. I am so thankful for a very understanding and patient husband. I am sure that it made no sense to him. "God answers yes to prayer, wife falls apart. Ah, yes, that makes perfect sense!"
Thankfully, before I came home from Germany, a friend back home had some foresight into this issue. Melinda reminded me of a time in Elijah's life... Just after the showdown on Mount Carmel, Elijah experienced those same feelings. For three years Elijah had prayed that it would not rain. A very angry King Ahab and 450 prophets of Baal, and all of the people of Israel went to the mountain. Elijah challenged the people to worship the true God. Then he issued a challenge to the prophets of Baal, build and alter and offer a sacrifice to Baal, then call on Baal to set fire to the sacrifice. As you can expect, after several hours of prayer, no fire. Then Elijah repeated the process with a twist. Around the alter he dug a ditch. Then he ordered the people to pour water on the sacrifice. They did this four times. The alter, wood, and sacrifice were soaked, and the ditch was full too.
Then Elijah prayed. Only God can answer by fire, and He did! The sacrifice, the alter (rocks), the water, and even the dust was consumed. That was quite an answer to prayer. The people cried out in praise to God. Next, the rains came, the drought was over. This was a true mountain-top experience. But, then, just a short while later, Elijah prays again, but his prayer sounds very different. "God, I am the only one left." I think that Elijah crashed too.
I am reminded of another wise thing that Melinda told me not to long ago. Don't think with your feelings. Just because I feel overwhelmed does not mean that God is hanging out and watching me fail. I don't need to assume that every thing that I feel is true. Sometimes, I just need to cling to God and ride out the feelings. I am a finite being. Even bliss can feel overwhelming. Isn't that why we cry when something amazing happens? Someday soon, we will experience the inexpressible and there will be no tear to wipe away. Until then, I will probablycry a lot.
Back to the "happily ever after." We will try to remember the mighty things that God has already done when we face those things that make us cower and shrink back. When God is for us, who can be against us? This is more than just positive thinking. My positive thinking fails me a hundred times a day. True hope in God is steadfast and it only comes through refining trials. Romans 5:3-5 says "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Praise God, this is way better than Hollywood.
By God's grace, we are getting back into the swing of things.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
GOOD NEWS!
The Lord has chosen to bless the Ismert family once again! We are so excited. Here's the proof...We don't feel that we deserve such blessings from the Lord. We recognize that it is only by God's grace that we will train up the children that He has blessed us with. Thank you Lord!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Where no oxen are...
by Michael
"Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox" Proverbs 14:4
When you have children it is easy to become frustrated at the seemingly endless cycle of messes and cleanup. This is especially true as you start to have more children and the children are still relatively little. Sunshine and I (mostly Sunshine) spend a great deal of time each day just combating the little messes that rapidly morph into gigantic disaster zones. Sometimes I'm convinced that our home should be declared a federal disaster zone and that we should be eligible for FEMA relief! Wait a sec... do I really want the federal government involved? Ok, the answer is NO on that point.
In the spirit of truthfulness I'll confess that I get a vacation (meaning: work outside the home) for approximately 40 hours a week while Sunshine is the true heroine that is always on the frontlines. She faithfully oversees the troops and manages our AO or area of operations (home). It is all too easy for me to come home and see the most recent mess and improperly assume that it has been there all day long without realizing that it was probably made within the last 5 to 30 minutes. My assumptions regarding the "mess" are improper for so many reasons.
First, my improper assumptions imply that I don't really think my wife is faithful in managing our home and children. Of course, I am rarely cognizant of this implication but it is implied nonetheless. This thought is formulated into the cognizant when I either ask or think in my head "Hi honey. What have you been doing today?" That question can be very sincere and have genuine concern for Sunshine's day. However, when that question is proceeded by thoughts of "Why is the house [always so messy] or [messy right now], then my asking Sunshine how her day went is probably disinginous and a smokescreen for how I really think.
Second, I improperly assume that my children are liabilities instead of assets. I can also get frustrated at them and react instead of seeing the opportunity for training in righteousness. As I start to think of my children as liabilities it becomes a challenge for me to remember that my children are a blessing from God and not a punishment.
The third improper assumption (but probably not the last) is that a clean house is more important than simply having a house that can be made messy. For our family, having a house also means having children since that is what God has given us. I would do well to give more grace and love. Yes, the house does need to be cleaned and the children do need to be trained in stewardship for the glory of God, but how much relationship with Sunshine and the children am I willing to destroy for cleanliness by having improper assumptions and improper training. I am quite certain that at the end of my days I won't look back and long to have had a cleaner house. If I fall into the trap of placing clean over relationship I will indeed look back and long, but it won't be for the house, it will be for the relationships.
As I was reading Proverbs 14 this morning I came across the verse mentioned above. In the past, my Titus 2 wife has lovingly (as opposed to naggingly) used that verse to remind me that "Where no children are, the home is clean: but much strength, joy and blessing come from the strength and presence of the children." How true. I'm thankful for all of my little "oxen" and my Titus 2 wife that continues to love and serve me.
In Christ
Michael
"Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox" Proverbs 14:4
When you have children it is easy to become frustrated at the seemingly endless cycle of messes and cleanup. This is especially true as you start to have more children and the children are still relatively little. Sunshine and I (mostly Sunshine) spend a great deal of time each day just combating the little messes that rapidly morph into gigantic disaster zones. Sometimes I'm convinced that our home should be declared a federal disaster zone and that we should be eligible for FEMA relief! Wait a sec... do I really want the federal government involved? Ok, the answer is NO on that point.
In the spirit of truthfulness I'll confess that I get a vacation (meaning: work outside the home) for approximately 40 hours a week while Sunshine is the true heroine that is always on the frontlines. She faithfully oversees the troops and manages our AO or area of operations (home). It is all too easy for me to come home and see the most recent mess and improperly assume that it has been there all day long without realizing that it was probably made within the last 5 to 30 minutes. My assumptions regarding the "mess" are improper for so many reasons.
First, my improper assumptions imply that I don't really think my wife is faithful in managing our home and children. Of course, I am rarely cognizant of this implication but it is implied nonetheless. This thought is formulated into the cognizant when I either ask or think in my head "Hi honey. What have you been doing today?" That question can be very sincere and have genuine concern for Sunshine's day. However, when that question is proceeded by thoughts of "Why is the house [always so messy] or [messy right now], then my asking Sunshine how her day went is probably disinginous and a smokescreen for how I really think.
Second, I improperly assume that my children are liabilities instead of assets. I can also get frustrated at them and react instead of seeing the opportunity for training in righteousness. As I start to think of my children as liabilities it becomes a challenge for me to remember that my children are a blessing from God and not a punishment.
The third improper assumption (but probably not the last) is that a clean house is more important than simply having a house that can be made messy. For our family, having a house also means having children since that is what God has given us. I would do well to give more grace and love. Yes, the house does need to be cleaned and the children do need to be trained in stewardship for the glory of God, but how much relationship with Sunshine and the children am I willing to destroy for cleanliness by having improper assumptions and improper training. I am quite certain that at the end of my days I won't look back and long to have had a cleaner house. If I fall into the trap of placing clean over relationship I will indeed look back and long, but it won't be for the house, it will be for the relationships.
As I was reading Proverbs 14 this morning I came across the verse mentioned above. In the past, my Titus 2 wife has lovingly (as opposed to naggingly) used that verse to remind me that "Where no children are, the home is clean: but much strength, joy and blessing come from the strength and presence of the children." How true. I'm thankful for all of my little "oxen" and my Titus 2 wife that continues to love and serve me.
In Christ
Michael
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
There is no place like home
Very late into the evening on Wednesday March 27th, eight drowsy Ismerts emerged from an airplane and walked toward baggage claim. Our path took us to a waiting group of friends welcoming us home. After several minutes of hugs and getting reacquainted, we again embarked toward the baggage claim. Our six checked bags were off of the belt waiting for us. The other passengers were long gone. The Ismerts are usually the last to leave most exciting events.
Most of us are still suffering jet-lag symptoms. My brain feels rather foggy. My thoughts seem slow and sticky. Brain problems aside, it feels great to be home, together! We are looking forward to spending time with friends and family. A month in Germany was a wonderful and providental blessing from God. We had a "honeymoon" as a family. We are amazed at God's great mercy and love to us.
Getting back into the swing of things is slow and steady. Stop by for a visit or give us a call, if we don't get to you first. Thanks for the prayers. We'll be adding postings to the blog as we have time. God bless.
Sunshine
Most of us are still suffering jet-lag symptoms. My brain feels rather foggy. My thoughts seem slow and sticky. Brain problems aside, it feels great to be home, together! We are looking forward to spending time with friends and family. A month in Germany was a wonderful and providental blessing from God. We had a "honeymoon" as a family. We are amazed at God's great mercy and love to us.
Getting back into the swing of things is slow and steady. Stop by for a visit or give us a call, if we don't get to you first. Thanks for the prayers. We'll be adding postings to the blog as we have time. God bless.
Sunshine
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