No Nobler Career

"There is no nobler career than that of motherhood at its best. There are no possibilities greater, and in no other sphere does failure bring more serious penalties. With what diligence then should she prepare herself for such a task. If the mechanic who is to work with "things" must study at technical school, if the doctor into whose skilled hands will be entrusted human lives, must go to medical school... how much more should the mother who is fashioning the souls of the men and women of tomorrow, learn at the highest of all schools and from the Master-Sculptor Himself, God. To attempt this task, unprepared and untrained is tragic, and its results affect generations to come. On the other hand there is no higher height to which humanity can attain than that occupied by a converted, heaven-inspired, praying mother." ~~ Anonymous, quoted from The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot, page 95

"... let in the light of heaven."

I think that I have commended Timberdoodle in the past.  Timberdoodle is a solid, family-owned, business that I adore.  When we lived in Washington, I would drive to their place to pick up my order.  I probably didn't save any money, with gas and a latte for the road, but it was a peaceful drive through the woods, and they were always so kind to me and the kids when I picked up the box, and that was priceless. 

Anyway, in their December email, the letter to customers is just what I've been pondering, and struggling with, in the last few days.  It distills some of our culture challenges on how to celebrate Christmas in the midst of a very commercial world.  It challenges me, and might inspire another post in the process.

(I was going to post just part and link the rest, but I don't think there's a link, so I'll post the entire note.  Blessings!)

Dear Friends,

This year we are taking a slight departure from our annual bashing of secular Christmas, to urge you to take inventory on the condition of your children's hearts.

What if you discovered, quite by accident, that your married daughter was flirting with the UPS man? Would you not beg her to remember the vows she made before God and man? And wouldn't you feel sick if she laughed and continued to engage in such destructive behavior?

Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians implored "...I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ." If your children are to spend eternity with Christ, as a godly parent, don't you see a need to train your children to treasure Him above everything else?


For all the warmth and joy that the Christmas season can bring, it can also become a cesspool of impulsive passions. Or it can be a season of opportunities, uniquely designed to sanctify your family. The caroling missed because of the flu, the must-have toy not purchased because of a scaled back budget, the annual Christmas pie tossed because the cat sampled it, are all occasions to take a peek into where your child's affections are. For all the hoopla surrounding Christmas, there is disturbingly little emphasis placed on pleasing the One whose birth we are celebrating, and wholly too much importance placed on making ourselves happy.

Samuel Rutherford, a Scottish Presbyterian theologian (1600-1661), wrote "... if you see a man shut up in a closed room, idolizing a set of lamps and rejoicing in their light, and you wish to make him truly happy, you would begin by blowing out all his lamps; and then throw open the shutters to let in the light of heaven."


This Christmas, may we all remember to whom we are betrothed and set our affections fully on Him,


Enjoying Timberdoodle products in a whole new way,
Dan, Deb, Joy, Hope, Grace, Abel, and Pearl

(photo credit to tollen at Flickr)

A Beautiful Inheritance

this post, taken from Andree Seu's series on the Book of Joshua, challenges me- am I satisfied in God alone?
In the work of parenting, of wife-ing, of serving His people, am I satisfied in God alone?  His inheritance is beautiful. 
Do read the entire piece.

Or have you even gotten to the point where the choice of God is not a sacrifice? Have you gotten to the place where you have stepped into obedience enough times, and chosen the way of faith often enough, that you have learned a very cool secret—that the joy is immediate and the deepening intimacy with God is something you wouldn’t trade for all the olive oil in Asher?

“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” (Psalm 16:5-6).

(art credit:  Madagascar Olive Leaves, Elizabeth Thompson, 2008)