Jenn Isaac / "His Ways are Perfect"

Jenn Isaac

Kindergarten Teacher

Trinity Christian Academy

Trinity Baptist Church

Jacksonville, FL

“His Ways are Perfect” 

Having the privilege of growing up in church, I have heard the story of Naaman from II Kings 5 many times. Naaman was the captain of the king’s army in Syria. The Syrian army went into battle against the Israelites and took a little girl captive which became the servant to Naaman’s wife. However, Naaman had a problem - leprosy. The little servant girl suggested to Naaman’s wife that Naaman go to see the prophet Elisha in Samaria. So Naaman went to the King of Syria and the King decided to send a letter to the King of Israel with Naaman asking for help. When Naaman reached the King of Israel and gave him the letter, the King’s reaction was outstanding, in my opinion, considering Naaman had just led a battle against the Israelites and taken at least one captive. The King of Israel responds in II Kings 5:7 by tearing his clothes and saying, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy?” To make a long story short, the King of Israel agrees to help Naaman and sends him to Elisha’s house.  

Upon arriving at Elisha’s house, Elisha sends his messenger out to greet Naaman and give instructions to cure his leprosy. Naaman is instructed to go down and wash in the Jordan River seven times in order to be healed. In II Kings 5:11, we see Naaman’s response. He was ANGRY!!! He said, “Behold, I thought…” Naaman had an idea of what he thought was supposed to happen; however, what he thought was very different than the reality he was facing. I have found myself in Naaman’s shoes. I have been there questioning things that didn’t happen as I thought they should.  

We certainly have our own thoughts, ideas, plans, etc., but they aren’t always what God wants or have planned for us. Many of us, me included, seem to question God when the “bad stuff”- the problems, the difficulties, the challenges come our way, but we never question all the wonderful things He does for us - blessings of children, family, church, jobs, etc. God makes this very clear in Isaiah 55:8-9, that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. He goes on to say that “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are “His” ways higher than your ways, and “His” thoughts higher than your thoughts.”  

Even when things happen that we don’t understand or don’t turn out the way we think they should, we need to remember II Samuel 22:31, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” A buckler is a shield. God promises that He will be a shield to all those that trust in Him. So many times, we are quick to tell others to trust the Lord when they are facing a challenge, but it’s a totally different story when we have to live it. 

Last February, I found a lump in one of my breasts. Spring break was filled with appointments, tests, and finally a breast biopsy on Friday. On Tuesday, March 29th, I received the dreaded news that afternoon, that indeed, the tumor was malignant…I had breast cancer. However, 2 minutes before the dreaded phone call came, my best friend walked into my classroom. This is unusual because I NEVER saw her at school until this particular day. God showed me right then and there that although this next part of my journey was going to be difficult, He was there and I could trust Him through it. He sent a wonderful nurse called a breast care coordinator that was extremely helpful and informative in the first few days as I was adjusting to having cancer.  

A few days later I had an MRI to determine the size of the tumor, if there were any other tumors, and if it had spread to my lymph nodes. During the MRI, the nurse asked me if I would like to listen to music. I immediately responded yes. She then proceeded to tell me it was already on the Christian radio station which is what I was going to request. The first song that came on was a version of Blessed Be Your Name which really uplifted my spirits at this scary time. Throughout the course of the MRI, the songs that came on felt like they were specifically picked for me. Then the last song that was played was the well-known hymn, “It is Well with my Soul.” The Lord helped me to realize at that very moment no matter what happened throughout this journey,  IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. I would say that was truly my turning point when I truly gave this whole situation over to Him and fully trusted Him. 

 I elected to have a double mastectomy on April 20th. I remember feeling the prayers of so many uplifting me during this extremely difficult time. Surprisingly, operation day came and I was very calm and collected which was completely opposite from my previous reactions any time a nurse or doctor came near me.  I have no doubt it was God and the prayers of so many. Thankfully, everything turned out with the best case scenario. The cancer was contained and didn’t spread to my lymph nodes. All of it was removed during the surgery, and recovery went very well. At the time I am writing this, I am sitting in the chemotherapy chair getting my last round of chemo to prevent any future recurrence. I can say with confidence that God is good and He has blessed me in so many ways throughout this journey.  

Just like Naaman, God brought something totally unexpected and life-altering into my path. As I learned in the days following, there wasn’t a thing I could do to change this situation. I knew God was in control and I wasn’t. Day after day, He showed me He was there.  

No matter what He has brought into your life or will bring in the future, you can rest assured that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). He is always there and has a purpose and a plan. Whatever you are facing may have been a surprise to you, but it wasn’t to Him. Rest in His promises, trust in His ways, and allow Him to be your buckler. As for God… His way is perfect! 

Continual Resort / Mrs Charissa Andrews

Mrs Charissa Andrews

Pastor's Wife

Amazing Grace Baptist Church

O'Fallon, MO

CONTINUAL RESORT

Wouldn’t it be a nice treat if all of us ladies could gather in a plane and take a trip? I was thinking specifically of going to a resort. A private resort, created specifically for each of us. What would your resort be like? I know what mine would be like. I can close my eyes and see it. At my resort I would see white sand that glistened like diamonds. The water would be crystal clear. I would see lush green foliage dotted with flowers that are bright yellow, pink, orange and purple. I can picture my little thatch roofed hut. There is a porch with a rocking chair. Next to the chair is a table with a pitcher full of lemonade; the homemade kind. Alongside the pitcher is a tray with all kinds of fruits, crackers and cheeses. The breeze is gently stirring the long grass that sits as the roof. Tied to the trees right outside my hut is a hammock, and on it lies a soft pillow, light sheet, and a book; a worn, familiar, comfortable book that I have journeyed through many times before. I can smell a mixture of sea salt and coconut. Every once in a while a sweet scent is carried over from the beautiful flowers. I can hear the tropical birds as they sing back and forth. My ears feast on the sound of the waves gently breaking on the shore. I feel the sun’s warmth as it shines its rays. How I love the warmth!! And the warmth mingles with the gentle breeze. I am completely at rest; I’m not fearful, not anxious, not rushed. I don’t have a worry in the world. I feel safe, at peace. I am comforted and refreshed. What a resort!!  

Psalms 71:1-2 David is praying and he says, “Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, WHEREUNTO I MAY CONTINUALLY RESORT: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.” (Emphasis is my own) 

How many times in life have we faced situations that we long to escape from? The stinging words from a friend, the phone call in the middle of the night, the child that chooses to turn from truth, the doctor’s report that changed everything in an instant, the empty chair at your dinner table, the betrayal of someone you loved and the pursuing of the enemy. How quickly our life can begin to feel overwhelming, scary, stormy and unsure. Our God desires to be our CONTINUAL RESORT. He is the place we can run to and be safe. He is peace, and comfort, and warmth, and safety, and satisfaction, and fulfillment. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” 

I do not own a private island off the coast of Florida (or anywhere else for that matter). But that is okay. Because as nice as the island resort sounds to me, I know storms will hit there as well. The winds will howl, the lightning will flash through a dark sky, the thunder will crack. That grass roof won’t stay put during 60 mph winds. The pitcher with homemade lemonade will shatter to pieces and my hammock with favorite book will be blown, torn, and perhaps lost forever. But God, He can be my CONTINUAL RESORT, even in the midst of a storm.  

You know, I enjoy a good thunderstorm every once in a while: IF I am safe inside. I look out the window and see the strength of the storm. The trees in my front yard bend from the gusts, the rain comes down in sheets, and the windows rattle a bit with every BOOM of thunder. I think the part I like so much is the reminder that I am safe. That feeling that even though the storm rages all around me, I am secure. I am safe.  

Do you ladies know this song:                                                                                                                With Christ as my vessel I can smile at the storm, smile at the storm, smile at the storm                With Christ as my vessel I can smile at the storm, until He takes me home   

I love some of the definitions of resort:                                                                                                           to go, especially frequently or customarily:                                                                                                 a place to which people frequently or generally go for relaxation or pleasure, especially one providing rest                                                                                                                                               habitual or general going, as to a place or person                                                                                        use of or appeal to some person or thing for aid, satisfaction, service, resource:                                      resource, a help, an aid, a remedy                                                                                                                     That. That is what our God is for us. The Creator of everything can be our CONTINUAL RESORT.  

I really would like to take each and every one of you ladies on a tropical get away. I’d love to load you all up and on the back window of our bus would be a sign that said, “Resort or bust”. Maybe one day that will happen. Until then, let us practice CONTINUALLY RESORTING in our God. It is His desire as much, or perhaps even more so, as ours.  

Lesson from Legos / Mrs Laura Doss

Mrs Laura Doss

Pastor's Wife

Faith Baptist Church

Richmond, KY

Lesson from Legos

A few weeks ago my four year old brought his Legos to me and asked me to help him build a boat because his kept falling apart.  I gladly accepted the request!!  I grabbed the big green piece and told him we needed this piece as the base to keep it from falling apart.  He took the pieces from me and said, "No, Mommy, that's not how you do it."  He tried it his way again and it fell apart!  He asked me again to help him build his boat.  Once again I tried to help him using the big green piece.  This scenario went on for several minutes.  Back and forth we went.  I eventually gave up and left the room.  My thoughts were "Why did he ask me for help and then insist on doing it himself?"  He's four.....of course he wanted to do it himself!

Later that day I began to think about the happenings earlier that morning.  I began to wonder how many times have I asked God to help me with something.  He was so excited that I included Him and then I went ahead and did it my way anyway.  How many times have I not followed God's instructions after He clearly let me know what to do.  I thought about Noah and the instructions that God had given him for the Ark!  What if Noah had not followed God's specific instruction?  We would not be here today!

I also thought about the wise man and foolish man in Matthew 7:24-27.  The foolish man did not follow God's instructions and when the storms came and the winds blew, his house fell.  However, the wise man obeyed God's instructions and his house withstood the storms and winds.

The second thing I thought about was the base piece...or foundation piece... that I wanted to use to build the boat but my kiddo refused to use!  God has given us a foundation for our lives to be successful and to keep us from falling apart: Bible reading, prayer, and church.  Without those 3 things as our foundation our lives will fall apart.

I will never look at Legos the same way again!!

Parenting the Adult Child / Mrs Michelle Woster

Mrs Michelle Woster

School Administrator

Grandview Christian Academy

Beavercreek, OR

Parenting the Adult Child 

Welcome to the next phase of life!  I am a mom of four boys. My oldest is 30 years old and my youngest is 17.  I firmly believe in the special bond between mother and sons.  I am privileged to have a close relationship with all my boys.  We have shared conversations about dreams, fears, girls, college, careers, and more. I treasure that time.  I cling to it. It fills my soul and makes me feel like God has given me the desires of my heart in these young men. My idea of a dream vacation is not being stranded on a remote island with the man of my dreams (the husband)…..but spending an entire day screaming at the top of my lungs at a theme park somewhere riding rides all day with my sons and laughing!  I know…wicked?  Maybe.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my husband.  But there is something different about the mom/son relationship. <insert contented sigh here> 

So, what is the problem, you may ask?  They grow up! LOL. Being the mom when they are little is really, fairly easy.  Wipe an occasionally tear or nose, a few trips to the ER for broken bones or stitches, early morning snuggles and tickle fights in bed wearing feet-y pajamas, some late night chats about how rotten girls are when they are tweens…. I’ve got this!  But now they are men.  Independent. Strong.  Why is this so hard?  I still see my little man.  My baby. My sweet smelling snuggle-bug that I adore. I have to <gulp> let go and allow some other woman to take their heart.  Again, I ask, why is this so hard?  Isn’t this what we have raised them for?  This is supposed to be what we consider as a successful job of parenting.  Why does my heart ache then?  How do I continue to have a relationship with this new MAN now when I am not the center of his world any more? 

We need to change our perspective. You can ask any of my students – I talk a lot about perspective.  It is life changing -  and when life is changing it can make what seems sad, stressful, or otherwise crazy – exciting, joyful and downright awesome! 

Remember the goal:  Deut. 6:6-7 – “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” 

God charges parents with raising children who will become adults who follow God.  He did not mention hanging onto their shirt tales and keeping the home.   

Remember the good:  Matt. 6:4 – “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” 

I love memory lane.  I can look at old pictures, reminisce and smile over all the fun we had.  

Remember the gift:  Psalm 127:3 -  “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 

It is not over yet!  I am still a major part of my son’s lives.  I now just have more people to love and be a part of the fun..  Wives, girlfriends, buddies, they are all a part of this now. A few pointers... 

1.  Your schedule is now second.  When the phone rings or the text comes, my stuff gets set aside and I am running on their calendar and clock.  When they have a minute to spend – I rearrange and make it happen!   

2. My opinion is only needed when asked for. They are adults. My sons are men.  My husband and I have taught them to be a leader in his home, to guide his family, and to seek God for direction and help.  

3. My job remains – just different.  Encourage. Edify. Empower. No complaining. No critiquing.  

I still have a great relationship with my sons. I have frozen yogurt dates. We go shopping together (well to be fair, only one likes shopping). We vacation together – but now with more people! Holiday traditions stay the same. We worship together. Talk about God together. Do Life together. Enjoy this new season in life!