Today I was reading in Exodus chapters 3 and 4. Everytime I read this section where God called Moses to help free the Israelites, I can relate on a lot of levels.
First of all Moses certainly felt inadequate for this impossible task God was calling him to. Moses wondered if the Israelites would see him as credible (would they believe that God had actually sent him?), as believable (would they even listen to him?, he was worried that he would not know the words to say (what shall I tell them?), and he focused on his physical limitations and inadequacies (he had 'always been' slow of speech and never eloquent).
I can relate to this - can you?
However, this didn't stop God. He assured Moses that he had thought all of this through, and was not surprised nor limited by any of these things.
Moses still, however, after asking questions of God and being answered by Him 4 times, finally just about gave up on the whole thing...He said "Lord, please send someone else."
His fear and lack of faith (in himself - and apparently somewhat in God) almost caused him to miss out on this magnificent plan that God had for him.
Amazingly God was very patient with Moses, and he even agreed to send Aaron to do the speaking. However God assured Moses he was still involved, and was not "off the hook"! He instructed Moses to take the staff and "perform the signs with it".
We all know the rest of the story...the Israelites were miraculously delivered with many signs and wonders, and eventually entered into the land promised to them. Undoubtedly, Moses get great credit - and rightly so - for his role in leading the Israelites.
Here's what I wonder though: how much more might Moses have enjoyed of the remarkable experience of having God's power do amazing things through him, had he not talked God out of the original request? What if Moses would have agreed with God that God could do the speaking through Him? that God could use Moses powerfully just as He was;that God's strength would be made perfect in Moses' weakness?
Here's the challenge for me as I read this scripture....when God calls me to do something remarkably big - seemingly impossible, Oh dear God, help me to agree with you that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And believe that when YOU ask me to do something, you are preparing the way for miracles that will take place as I trust YOU to do the impossible through me, by your Holy Spirit's work, not my own.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Time flies....
...when you're having fun.
Well, using that cliche as a measurement, then I would say that being a parent sure is a lot of fun, because time has flown since Tim and I became parents on Sunday, January 5, 1992. Tyler Jonathan Stitt was born to us that night at 9:02 pm, weighing 7#, 14 oz. and measuring 21 inches long. Today he is tall and thin, dark and handsome and is 6' 1" tall.
Tyler turned 18 years old this past week. And Emily will turn 16 next month. Childhood, where did you go? and what was your hurry?
When my Tyler and Emily were babies people would tell me how fast time would go by, and I truly believed them, but never could I have imagined just how fast the time would go. Honestly, it seems like it has gone by ten times faster than I ever thought that it would.
And to think....since I have chosen to homeschool my kids, I've actually been with them pretty much 24/7 these years. How could time still feel as though it went by too fast? Truly it's a mystery. I just love my two teens so very much!
I've had an amazing time with Tyler and with Emily. I remember thinking many times as did activities together at home or away on an adventure such as the zoo, or hanging out at the mall, or whatever else, "It doesn't get any better than this!" I'm so privileged to have been able to stay home with my two children and raise them in this way. We've done so much together; had so many good times, and I have many treasured memories.
I look forward to making many more treasured memories. Here's to many more good times as I am a parent of young adults!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
December Events
Here are a few pictures of us at the Christmas tree farm...
And Tyler and Emily singing at a Northern Lights Chorale concert....
(Emily sewed her own dress - isn't it beautiful?!)
...and our family at a wedding reception.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Merry Christmas From Our Home to Yours
Merry Christmas 2009 from the Stitt Family!
Our family is doing well and hope that you are well also!
Tim is thankful for his employment and position of leadership at Spectrum Industries. He leads a men’s small group Bible Study, and is serving this year on our church’s Board of Elders, which is proving to be very eventful as our church is undergoing a senior pastor transition.
Paula continues to enjoy her ministry at Kentwood Community Church as Asst Director of Music Arts, and is fortunate to be the home school teacher for Tyler and Emily. She is very thankful that her dad, Paul Davis, is doing much better following a stroke in November 2008. Her Mom & Dad are both quite well, and living in Florida.
Tyler, age 17, is preparing to graduate from High school this spring. He is currently in the decision-making process of where to attend college and what to study. Tyler is a worship leader for the High School ministry at our church and enjoys playing alto sax in a jazz band. His other musical interests are guitar, piano and singing; he is a member of the Northern Lights Chorale. This past year he went on 2 missions trips: one to Arizona and the other to Zambia, Africa.
Emily, age 15, is in her junior year of High School. Extra-curricularly she continues sewing classes, is on the varsity basketball team, and is very involved musically with singing in the Northern Lights Chorale, playing piano, guitar and violin. This past spring she traveled to Arizona on a missions trip, working on a Navajo reservation.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tim, Paula, Tyler and Emily Stitt
*photo taken 8.15.2009
Our family is doing well and hope that you are well also!
Tim is thankful for his employment and position of leadership at Spectrum Industries. He leads a men’s small group Bible Study, and is serving this year on our church’s Board of Elders, which is proving to be very eventful as our church is undergoing a senior pastor transition.
Paula continues to enjoy her ministry at Kentwood Community Church as Asst Director of Music Arts, and is fortunate to be the home school teacher for Tyler and Emily. She is very thankful that her dad, Paul Davis, is doing much better following a stroke in November 2008. Her Mom & Dad are both quite well, and living in Florida.
Tyler, age 17, is preparing to graduate from High school this spring. He is currently in the decision-making process of where to attend college and what to study. Tyler is a worship leader for the High School ministry at our church and enjoys playing alto sax in a jazz band. His other musical interests are guitar, piano and singing; he is a member of the Northern Lights Chorale. This past year he went on 2 missions trips: one to Arizona and the other to Zambia, Africa.
Emily, age 15, is in her junior year of High School. Extra-curricularly she continues sewing classes, is on the varsity basketball team, and is very involved musically with singing in the Northern Lights Chorale, playing piano, guitar and violin. This past spring she traveled to Arizona on a missions trip, working on a Navajo reservation.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tim, Paula, Tyler and Emily Stitt
*photo taken 8.15.2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
What a Difference a Word Makes....
Have a nice day!
Have a great day!
Have a super day!
These are phrases I am very used to hearing, aren't you? I hear them about as often as I hear the word, "Hello". At nearly the end of every transaction at a store, bank, or doctor's office....usually you hear these sentiments in one form or another. It seems that the phrase is stated so automatically that it is sort of simply another option for saying "Goodbye".
At the McDonald's nearest our home I often go through the drive through to order a Diet Coke to drink while I'm grocery shopping. I did so today. There is this one gal who works there taking the money at the drive-through. She is a lovely young woman whose country of origin, I am guessing, is India. Each and every time she encounters customers she accepts the money then smiles pleasantly and says "Have a blessed day!" There is something so refreshingly unusual and encouraging about the word "blessed".
I was thinking about this in greater detail as I left her and her cheery self and drove on to the next window and retrieved my Diet Coke. I realized that her 'blessing' on me had caused me to smile.... and given my spirits a lift.
And then I thought of the great number of people she 'touches' with a blessing each day! What a difference this McDonald's worker might be making in many people's lives. And she may never even know! It's possible that there are many people depressed and discouraged, sad and downhearted, but her "Have a blessed day" comment lightens their load and brightens their day.
Also, I realized that she didn't "bless" me because I had done anything nice to her; all I had done was place my order, reach out my arm and hand her the money. Yet, she was ready to give out a blessing to me, as she does to every driver who passes her window during her 8-hour shift. She's a giver not a taker; a risk-taker not merely a responder.
Isn't it great that there are still people like this in the world?
We all have such great power in the words we offer people.
In this world where slang is king and curses abound, let's offer a change in atmosphere. And like this young lady at McDonald's, let's choose our words purposely. One postive word spoken from the heart at the right time in the right place can make a huge difference!
Have a great day!
Have a super day!
These are phrases I am very used to hearing, aren't you? I hear them about as often as I hear the word, "Hello". At nearly the end of every transaction at a store, bank, or doctor's office....usually you hear these sentiments in one form or another. It seems that the phrase is stated so automatically that it is sort of simply another option for saying "Goodbye".
At the McDonald's nearest our home I often go through the drive through to order a Diet Coke to drink while I'm grocery shopping. I did so today. There is this one gal who works there taking the money at the drive-through. She is a lovely young woman whose country of origin, I am guessing, is India. Each and every time she encounters customers she accepts the money then smiles pleasantly and says "Have a blessed day!" There is something so refreshingly unusual and encouraging about the word "blessed".
I was thinking about this in greater detail as I left her and her cheery self and drove on to the next window and retrieved my Diet Coke. I realized that her 'blessing' on me had caused me to smile.... and given my spirits a lift.
And then I thought of the great number of people she 'touches' with a blessing each day! What a difference this McDonald's worker might be making in many people's lives. And she may never even know! It's possible that there are many people depressed and discouraged, sad and downhearted, but her "Have a blessed day" comment lightens their load and brightens their day.
Also, I realized that she didn't "bless" me because I had done anything nice to her; all I had done was place my order, reach out my arm and hand her the money. Yet, she was ready to give out a blessing to me, as she does to every driver who passes her window during her 8-hour shift. She's a giver not a taker; a risk-taker not merely a responder.
Isn't it great that there are still people like this in the world?
We all have such great power in the words we offer people.
In this world where slang is king and curses abound, let's offer a change in atmosphere. And like this young lady at McDonald's, let's choose our words purposely. One postive word spoken from the heart at the right time in the right place can make a huge difference!
Friday, November 27, 2009
What a Difference a Year Makes....
What a difference a year makes!
Thanksgiving Day 2009 was such a happier occasion than Thanksgiving Day 2008.
Last year Thanksgiving Day came one week after Dad's stroke and found him in the Rehab Center, unable to speak hardly any words or form any intelligble thoughts.
It was majorly frustrating for him and for all of us to see him this way. Despite all that, most days Dad managed to keep a fairly bright outlook on things and to remain surprisingly optimistic considering how greatly things had changed for him.
However, on Thanksgiving Day last year, understandably Dad was deeply down in the dumps with discouragement and nothing Mother or I could say or do brought him any encouragement. So it was a dismal and sad day for all of us.
We were living out the irony that happens when, on a day meant to be festive and joyous/a holiday/one is struggling with negative changes in their life and finding it difficult, if not impossible to celebrate. It doesn't mean that we didn't find gratitude and thanksgiving in our hearts, but it was tough to express because of the "big elephant in the room": all that had been so recently lost.
But thanks be to God, Dad has come such a long way in this past year! The therapists who were working with him this time last year were telling us we'd be surprised how much he'd gain over time, given 6 months to a year; that they expected he'd gain back much of what he'd lost. And he HAS! Dad came home from the Rehab Center the week of Christmas and had already made much process by that time, and has continued to do so. Today he carries on conversations very well, drives the van, plays his guitars, tunes pianos and sings specials in church occasionally. It's a beautiful thing! Miraculous to see!
So it is with great joy and thankfulness in my heart that I reflect on the differences from one Thanksgiving Day to the next!
Yesterday, even though I would have loved to have celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents in Florida, instead I spend it here in Michigan with Tim, Tyler, Emily and Tim's parents and siblings. But I am grateful that Mom and Dad were able to celebrate a happy Thanksgiving Day, with a bountiful feast at their home, shared by my Uncle John and Aunt Carol, and dear friend and angel-in-residence, Gail.
And it was a joy to speak with Mom and Dad on the phone in the evening and recount the good parts about our day and the blessings we feel to be 'family'.
I hope all of you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Day 2009 was such a happier occasion than Thanksgiving Day 2008.
Last year Thanksgiving Day came one week after Dad's stroke and found him in the Rehab Center, unable to speak hardly any words or form any intelligble thoughts.
It was majorly frustrating for him and for all of us to see him this way. Despite all that, most days Dad managed to keep a fairly bright outlook on things and to remain surprisingly optimistic considering how greatly things had changed for him.
However, on Thanksgiving Day last year, understandably Dad was deeply down in the dumps with discouragement and nothing Mother or I could say or do brought him any encouragement. So it was a dismal and sad day for all of us.
We were living out the irony that happens when, on a day meant to be festive and joyous/a holiday/one is struggling with negative changes in their life and finding it difficult, if not impossible to celebrate. It doesn't mean that we didn't find gratitude and thanksgiving in our hearts, but it was tough to express because of the "big elephant in the room": all that had been so recently lost.
But thanks be to God, Dad has come such a long way in this past year! The therapists who were working with him this time last year were telling us we'd be surprised how much he'd gain over time, given 6 months to a year; that they expected he'd gain back much of what he'd lost. And he HAS! Dad came home from the Rehab Center the week of Christmas and had already made much process by that time, and has continued to do so. Today he carries on conversations very well, drives the van, plays his guitars, tunes pianos and sings specials in church occasionally. It's a beautiful thing! Miraculous to see!
So it is with great joy and thankfulness in my heart that I reflect on the differences from one Thanksgiving Day to the next!
Yesterday, even though I would have loved to have celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents in Florida, instead I spend it here in Michigan with Tim, Tyler, Emily and Tim's parents and siblings. But I am grateful that Mom and Dad were able to celebrate a happy Thanksgiving Day, with a bountiful feast at their home, shared by my Uncle John and Aunt Carol, and dear friend and angel-in-residence, Gail.
And it was a joy to speak with Mom and Dad on the phone in the evening and recount the good parts about our day and the blessings we feel to be 'family'.
I hope all of you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
I'm Counting My Blessings...
Well, alphabetizing them actually...
I am thankful for
A: America, Abundance
B: Bed, Bible, Beauty
C: (Aunt) Carol, Coffee, Creativity
D: Dad: who is healthy and well! he's had a great recovery following stroke in 11/08
E: Emily: my precious, beautiful daughter... sweet gift of God
F: Faith: my best weapon against fear, Family, Friends
G: GOD, Grace
H: Home, Health
I: Ideas, Identity, Ice cream
J: JESUS, and Jake (my dog*), (Uncle) John
K: Kingdom of Heaven
L: Laughter, Love
M: Mom: who is reasonably well; and such a dear mother she is!.....and Music!
N: Nice neighbors, Nachos, 'Normal'
O: Opportunities
P: Piano
Q: Quirks which make me "me", and you "you"
R: Relationships
S: Showers...warm, cleansing water
T: Tim, my dear husband of 20 years AND Tyler, most wonderful son a mom could have!
U: Unfailing, unconditional love of God
V: Van: a new van!
W: Water: fresh, plenteous, clean, readily available
X: eXtras
Y: Youth being renewed like the eagle's
Z: Zoos: well, I am thankful for them...and how many other Z words can YOU think of!?
This list is certainly not all-inclusive, but it's a start.
Count your many blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done!
What are YOU thankful for this Thanksgiving?
I am thankful for
A: America, Abundance
B: Bed, Bible, Beauty
C: (Aunt) Carol, Coffee, Creativity
D: Dad: who is healthy and well! he's had a great recovery following stroke in 11/08
E: Emily: my precious, beautiful daughter... sweet gift of God
F: Faith: my best weapon against fear, Family, Friends
G: GOD, Grace
H: Home, Health
I: Ideas, Identity, Ice cream
J: JESUS, and Jake (my dog*), (Uncle) John
K: Kingdom of Heaven
L: Laughter, Love
M: Mom: who is reasonably well; and such a dear mother she is!.....and Music!
N: Nice neighbors, Nachos, 'Normal'
O: Opportunities
P: Piano
Q: Quirks which make me "me", and you "you"
R: Relationships
S: Showers...warm, cleansing water
T: Tim, my dear husband of 20 years AND Tyler, most wonderful son a mom could have!
U: Unfailing, unconditional love of God
V: Van: a new van!
W: Water: fresh, plenteous, clean, readily available
X: eXtras
Y: Youth being renewed like the eagle's
Z: Zoos: well, I am thankful for them...and how many other Z words can YOU think of!?
This list is certainly not all-inclusive, but it's a start.
Count your many blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done!
What are YOU thankful for this Thanksgiving?
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