Friday, March 10, 2023

Porch #82 * Joy in Chaos Edition






PORCH
a soft place to land
a calm weekend haven
a gentle pause from life's busyness
so we may experience
the tender lovingkindness of Jesus
as we do life together
in community

๐ŸŒž

Yay, we're together again!

Was this another weird jumble of a week or what?  From crummy disappointments to awesome answers to prayer to living with a half-done kitchen, March has been a topsy-turvy ride.  Knowing that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever is the most glorious stabilizing force in the Christian's life (Hebrews 13:8).  I'm so grateful He's written the end of the story and I don't have to figure out every last detail of what's going on.

Meanwhile, when I read something that grabs my attention, I'm always excited to share it.  Because we're all students of life, sitting at the feet of The Master Teacher, our friend Jesus.  And there's no place I'd rather be.  Here's what came across my radar this week:

Jon Acuff
'
If your teenager has a hard time managing their phone, remember, there wasn't a single time during your entire childhood where your parents gave you a fragile, pocket-sized, distraction casino worth $500-$1,000 and said "Here, good luck.
"'

3 Reasons Your Adult Child Treats You Like Dirt 
- Psychology Today
'As children grow up, they may develop values or beliefs that conflict with those of their parents, leading to disagreement and tension ...'

A Stubborn Habit 
- Pam Ecrement
'We prefer our own way of doing things and for us they become the “best” way and as a result we can be judgmental and critical of how anyone else does it and a stubborn habit of dissatisfaction develops without even realizing it’s there ...'

Pondering the Pillars of a Healthy Spirituality - Humility
- Jean Wise
'To be honest, being humble is tough.  Elusive.  The minute you think you captured humility and can practice it well – poof! – you are no longer humble.  This characteristic isn’t high on many lists of desirable traits yet still belongs in the mix for cultivating a healthy spirituality ...'

Jennifer's response to This is Helping Me Grieve Well
'Speaking my father’s name and remembering his genuine and all-encompassing love for my children have helped me to grieve well.  When the pain of missing him overwhelms me, I go someplace quiet and allow the tears to fall.  The year after my dad died, my husband had a sign made for me.  It contains a quote from a dream he had, where he encountered my Dad in a park.  Knowing how sad I was, my husband asked my father in the dream, “What message can I give Jen from you?”  His response: “Take a little piece of the Gospel and make it part of you every day.”  The sign hangs in our bedroom, where I see it every day. ❤️'

*
And this song refuses to leave my head: 

May the sun shine brightly on your weekend.  And may you continue to move through March holding joy in chaos and cherishing peace that makes no sense.
Linda ๐ŸŒž

P.S. 1
Thanks, Judie, for sharing that Scripture right up top.

P.S. 2
To clarify, my adult children are not treating me like dirt but there's some important cautions for us all when it comes to 'making intrusive comments and showing problematic listening skills.' 

P.S. 3
Subscribers - click on today's title, scroll down, and jump right into the conversation.  Not a subscriber yet?  Click here now to join the party.

P.S. 4
Thanks Paula & Jeanne & Donna & Richella & Lisa for letting us bloggers share our work at your online homes.

42 comments:

  1. Good post Linda! The comments about children and their phones or "treats me like dirt", made me recall times when my kids were young and i was a little surprised when they didn't act like how I had raised them!! Looking back now, I think it was good - they weren't just parroting what we were teaching them, they were testing, trying to figure out what was right or what they could get away with and what they wanted to believe. I want my children to make their decisions because they love the Lord and knows what pleases Him, not just because we expected a certain behavior!

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    1. Exactly. So well said. I've heard we can't take the blame or the credit for our kids' choices. Whoever said that was a wise one ... and this truth hopefully keeps us from defining ourselves by shame or pride.

      Last time I looked, no one had perfect kids. Or parents.
      ๐Ÿง

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  2. Visits to your place always delight and inspire, Linda. I heard an interview with Acuff and one of his daughters a few months back talking they book they wrote. Something I recommended to our daughter. The links you share are always a treat. - Debby

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    1. I've seen Acuff here and there on LinkedIn. And since all 6 of our grandkids have phones, this made me sit up and take notice.
      ☎️

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  3. Thanks, Linda, for once again preparing my perspective anew as we enter the weekend. May it be a time to refresh and nourish you in body, mind and spirit. Blessings!

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  4. Thanks for including me! I enjoy listening and reading Jon Acuff -glad to see you do too. Happy weekend!

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    1. Jean, your writing deepens my relationship with Christ. Thank you for mentoring me from afar. I really appreciate the spiritual depth of your thoughts, actions, and words. Bless you!
      ✍️

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  5. It has been a crummy week and we had a disappointing blow today. However, God is in control and I know this will get worked out in His timing. I hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. I'm sorry, Cindy. Sometimes these things come right out of nowhere ... and other times we see it coming. I'm praying for you even as we speak. May you experience His peace.
      ๐ŸŒบ

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  6. When the world erupts in chaos
    and all the known is changed,
    I step into God's naos,
    and there am rearranged
    from the angry worldly man
    raging at the foolish tide,
    not seeing in the gyre His plan,
    seeing only damage to my pride,
    but He in quiet calms the storm,
    helps me walk upon its wave,
    shows that tumult is the norm,
    and that I need be so brave,
    but lean my head against His chest,
    a tired child at last at rest.

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    1. Andrew, your ode this weekend is reminding me of Twila Paris' old song, The Warrior is a Child
      https://genius.com/Twila-paris-the-warrior-is-a-child-lyrics
      Being brave can be exhausting. I'm so glad God scoops our weary selves up and carries us closely to His heart.
      ๐Ÿ‘ฃ

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    2. Jehovah Jirah..myOrivider.Jireh is perhaps also spelleddl gyre..?

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    3. Praising God for being our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.
      Genesis 22
      ๐Ÿคฒ

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  7. That is a good point about the cell phone. I'm glad they didn't have those when I was raising kids.

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    1. Oh, me, too! Or cable TV or the internet or all those devices that have now intruded on our peace and sanity and family life.
      ๐Ÿคช

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  8. Such an insightful and strengthening gathering here, Linda. Thank you. I love those patchwork quilts on the wall, too. :) Love and blessings of joy in the midst of chaos because of the grace He has given us in Christ Jesus (as the verse says)!

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    1. For sure, Trudy. Where would we be, who would we be without Jesus at the wheel. I can't even begin to imagine.
      ๐Ÿ˜“

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  9. When I was a teenager, I had a hard time managing the length of my telephone cord! And broke a toe or two running to a my ringing phone! lol! Every generation has its challenges, but I am grateful God never changes and is our source of rest in chaos!

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    1. I know, I know, I remember! And our parents thought WE were addicted!
      ๐Ÿ™„

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  10. I loved the sign Jen's husband had made for her. I do not grieve my parents since my relationship was not close (although I do wish my mother was around to call from time to time) but love the practical advice her dad offered.

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    1. Good point, Bill. Sometimes we need a listening ear. And sometimes we need some solid nuts and bolts, hands-on counsel. Dear Lord, help us discern.
      ๐Ÿ› ️

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  11. Some really great quotes to make me think and put things in perspective. Especially about kids and phones. And thinking about my preference to want things "my" way and coming across judgey when it's not. Visiting from Sweet Tea and Friends today

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    1. Yeah, you're right. A lot of us tend to come across 'judgey' ... there's a fine line in there about being truthful yet grace-filled.
      ๐Ÿคท‍♀️

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  12. Oh, My Goodness! You posted this on Friday, but what encouragement for my Monday morning! The dream and quote for Jennifer - what a heritage/legacy a good, good Father leave. When I read father stories like this, it's God telling me - "I have this for you, too." Then - stubborn habits don't last long in my house - I know when I settle down into a groove - God always wedges me out of it (LOL - upside-down smile and eye roll). Our blogging community has such goodness in it!

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    1. Maryleigh, I'm always in awe of God's timing. Thanks for reminding us of God's love for us and His desire to give us His good will. Always.

      Sending an eye-roll back your way this morning, friend. So glad you're here.
      ๐Ÿ™„

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  13. I love that song too! And amen to our stabilizing force. So thankful for Him!

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    1. Amen to worshipping the Lover of our soul through music.
      ๐ŸŽถ

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  14. I think the upside of not having a cell phone until I was in my late teens is that my friends had to call our home phone number to reach me. So my parents got to briefly with my friends when they called me. LOL.

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    1. That's FUNNY! My Dad loved to get in on conversations, too.
      ๐Ÿคจ

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  15. P.S. This is Margie from Tea in the Valley.

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  16. Ah, Linda ... I remember the fun of living with a half-done kitchen. (Not sure if your renovation involves much dust, but that pretty nearly did me in for a while!) And this: "I'm so grateful He's written the end of the story and I don't have to figure out every last detail of what's going on." I'm grateful too, but in a season of needing frequent reminders of this! Also love Jennifer's comment and so glad you included it here.

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    1. Yes, Jennifer's story moved me deeply. God still speaks to us in dreams. That her husband heard Him loud and clear and acted on it speaks of love at its best.
      ๐Ÿ’˜

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  17. Such an insightful and inspiring post, Linda.
    That quote by Jon Acuff is so spot on.
    Hugs and blessings.

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  18. The quote on the plaque Jennifer's husband had made for her is so fitting. Such great advice. Thank you for sharing, my friend.

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    1. What a hopeful lovingkindness for the broken-hearted.
      ๐Ÿ’

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  19. Linda, I appreciate you sharing the articles that spoke to you. The song you shared is lovely; I had never heard it before. Thank you for the #4 mention. You are so very welcome; I love it when we all come together and meet up for friendship and fellowship every month.
    As always, thank you bunches for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month. {{Hugs}}

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    1. You're so very generous with your time and space, Paula. Thank you seems insufficient ...
      ๐Ÿ’ซ

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    2. Thank you, Linda....you really make me think! Read this morning: "You are a child of a conquering King. You are a son or daughter of a victorious Savior. You have been raised and made alive....This is how you are welcomed to live, all because of the victory of Jesus on your behalf." Paul David Tripp's book "Journey to the Cross"
      In the midst of your chaos, no matter what the circumstances, it is God's Plan for you and so is His victory for you in your situation. I want to speak the Name of Jesus!
      (I'm new at this, Linda! Praying for you....lovingly, Judie)

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    3. Judie, yay! You're here! And thanks to our Stephen Ministry people, I now know who Paul David Tripp is and fully appreciate his devotional writing. Such good stuff.
      ๐Ÿ’ž

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