Dear Sisters,
Hi! I woke up this morning at 3 am. I couldn't sleep anymore, so I got up and headed toward the kitchen. Quincy had been sick all night, so I stopped and put a fresh log on the fireplace in the living room where he slept. I just wanted to be alone with the LORD, hear His Beautiful Voice in His Word, and talk to Him about so many things. I lit a candle in the kitchen and put on the coffee. I opened up my Bible that is so well loved it is falling apart at the seams and once again asked Him to let me lean against Him and breathe Him in.
"When You said, 'Seek My Face,' My heart said to You, 'Your Face, LORD, I will seek.' " Psalm 27:8
Quincy heads out for Afghanistan the first week of January, and Brady is still in Iraq. Art's company has seen so many layoffs right before Christmas with more grim prospects ahead. And the pleasure of getting a baby girl from China after all these years of waiting is now looking dimmer and dimmer. But I knew there is peace in those Blessed Pages, and I prayed for "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" once again.
"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee."
Before I knew it, it was 5:30 am and my heart was at rest once more in His Precious, Precious Promises. I never tire of hearing them. I never tire of thanking Him for them. His Love Letter to me every day.
"All my fruit is found in You."
"I will love You, O LORD, my strength!"
"Each day has enough trouble of its own" were never truer Words; which is why I need so much to sit with The Living Word each morning before starting out yet another day. He is ever my strength.
"Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word which proceeds from the Mouth of God." The Living Word which nourishes and nourishes beyond description. Without it, I am a bundle of raw nerves when the trouble hits.
"LORD, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me!" Luke 10:40
A wise pastor once said, "Ministry makes a poor master."
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is absolutely necessary, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42
It is a choice to sit at His Feet every day. But I have learned that in order not to be troubled and worried about the "many things" and then to start blaming others for it (including the LORD Himself), it is absolutely necessary. I need His Word resounding in my ears all day as I face yet another day "with trouble of its own". For "the Kingdom of God is righteousness, joy, and peace." And I want to walk in His Righteousness through Jesus Christ my LORD, His joy in the Holy Spirit, and His peace that passes all understanding.
It's not about "doing it all", rather doing it with Him and for Him. For apart from Him, I am nothing. But with Him, all things are possible. And peaceful.
"Faith working through love."
Those are the Words I've been hearing over and over again lately...
"Faith working through love."
"Faith working through love."
"You will show me the path of life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your Right Hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
His Pace
His Pleasure
His Power
His Patience
His Perfect Love
His Passion
His Priorities
His Purpose
His Praise
His Peace
all, all, all in
His Presence.
I'm still learning. Believe me, I'm still learning. But by His Grace, I will keep on listening, learning, and leaning against Him. For He truly is my all.
Love,
Laine
Hi! I woke up this morning at 3 am. I couldn't sleep anymore, so I got up and headed toward the kitchen. Quincy had been sick all night, so I stopped and put a fresh log on the fireplace in the living room where he slept. I just wanted to be alone with the LORD, hear His Beautiful Voice in His Word, and talk to Him about so many things. I lit a candle in the kitchen and put on the coffee. I opened up my Bible that is so well loved it is falling apart at the seams and once again asked Him to let me lean against Him and breathe Him in.
"When You said, 'Seek My Face,' My heart said to You, 'Your Face, LORD, I will seek.' " Psalm 27:8
Quincy heads out for Afghanistan the first week of January, and Brady is still in Iraq. Art's company has seen so many layoffs right before Christmas with more grim prospects ahead. And the pleasure of getting a baby girl from China after all these years of waiting is now looking dimmer and dimmer. But I knew there is peace in those Blessed Pages, and I prayed for "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" once again.
"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee."
Before I knew it, it was 5:30 am and my heart was at rest once more in His Precious, Precious Promises. I never tire of hearing them. I never tire of thanking Him for them. His Love Letter to me every day.
"All my fruit is found in You."
"I will love You, O LORD, my strength!"
"Each day has enough trouble of its own" were never truer Words; which is why I need so much to sit with The Living Word each morning before starting out yet another day. He is ever my strength.
"Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word which proceeds from the Mouth of God." The Living Word which nourishes and nourishes beyond description. Without it, I am a bundle of raw nerves when the trouble hits.
"LORD, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me!" Luke 10:40
A wise pastor once said, "Ministry makes a poor master."
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is absolutely necessary, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42
It is a choice to sit at His Feet every day. But I have learned that in order not to be troubled and worried about the "many things" and then to start blaming others for it (including the LORD Himself), it is absolutely necessary. I need His Word resounding in my ears all day as I face yet another day "with trouble of its own". For "the Kingdom of God is righteousness, joy, and peace." And I want to walk in His Righteousness through Jesus Christ my LORD, His joy in the Holy Spirit, and His peace that passes all understanding.
It's not about "doing it all", rather doing it with Him and for Him. For apart from Him, I am nothing. But with Him, all things are possible. And peaceful.
"Faith working through love."
Those are the Words I've been hearing over and over again lately...
"Faith working through love."
"Faith working through love."
"You will show me the path of life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your Right Hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
His Pace
His Pleasure
His Power
His Patience
His Perfect Love
His Passion
His Priorities
His Purpose
His Praise
His Peace
all, all, all in
His Presence.
I'm still learning. Believe me, I'm still learning. But by His Grace, I will keep on listening, learning, and leaning against Him. For He truly is my all.
Love,
Laine
Dear Laine,
ReplyDeleteI hope this finds you and yours well. I miss reading news from you; you have been such an encouragement to me. Thank you for keeping your website open; I direct friends to it and you encourage them as well.
Is there some way we could get an update from you? Even if we just traded snail mail for a bit. You have been on my mind a lot lately, and I pray all is well. Please know that someone in Illinois is thinking of you and wishing you well.
God Bless you this day. xxx
New Jersey, too...like your husband once said, there are lights on in the early morning all over our land because God chose to speak through you to so many women to challenge us to rise early to seek Him and see what He would do to change our lives and our families' lives. Mine is just one more family that's been changed.
ReplyDelete"She gets up at four o'clock. That's kinda crazy, but maybe I can manage 4:30." And I'm still here, by the grace of God, 10 years later. :)
It would be great to hear from you again on this blog or through the email list. Just an occasional update. Hope you're all doing well.
Dear Laine,
ReplyDeleteI am a young homemaker and mother with three boys and one sweet baby girl. I found your website around the time I had my first son (six years ago!) I have been so refreshed and encouraged by all of your archived letters and was so sad when the website disappeared. You have been such a blessing to me and my family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am praying for you and your wonderful family- that our precious Lord would strengthen you and refresh you. You are in my heart and in my prayers.
Live in Christ,
Lauren
Dear Laine
ReplyDeleteI've only just found out about Laine's Letters through a friend. What an encouragement you've been in the few letters I've read so far. I am drawing nearer and pressing in closer to the Lord, inspired by your example. Thank you for this ministry and I hope, as others do, to hear from you again.
grace and peace,
Jane, Australian Capital Territory
I just found out about you on another website and have read every post I can find what a gift you have in glorifying God
ReplyDelete