family Archives - Simply Gathering Grace

WHAT DOES KNITTING HAVE TO DO WITH JESUS?

February 23, 2016 By Mikki Jo 14 Comments

I am super excited about the new heel pattern I found for my hand knit socks! It’s much easier and quicker.

It involves using a shadow stitch and knitting them together as one. Without the shadow stitch being knit together with the original stitch there will be a gaping hole left in the heel. I found that out the hard way. The shadow stitch became the foundation and gave a secure join…no HOLES left behind. The shadow stitch with the original stitch makes one strong NEW stitch and one stitch without the other would not produce a sock heel. Both together, strengthened the other, and completed the original design. Genius pattern!

This scenario gave me a “Ohhhh….Hmmmm” moment. Yes, I do this on occasion. I think it’s pretty awesome how God speaks to us through the simplest of things.

The Holy Spirit dropped these scriptures into my heart.

Hebrews 10:1 (NIV) The law is only the shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves.

Colossians 2:17 (NIV) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

John 1:17 (NIV) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

I think sometimes we neglect the teachings of the Old Testament and toss them out as obsolete, old fashioned, or not needed because we have the New Testament now. Oh how wrong we are.

The Old Testament is a schoolmaster. Galatians 3:24 (KJV) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The Old Testament is a sure foundation that the New Testament was built upon. It tells of the coming of the Messiah, and of His death on the cross. Jesus taught using scriptures from the Old Testament. One without the other is incomplete. But both of them together, the Old with the New, is the greatest love story ever told. (Ephesians 2:19-20)

Jesus came to fulfill the scriptures. He is our new covenant.

Below is a photo my brother took. His and his brides wedding rings with one placed inside the other rest in the center of the Bible. Both together make a heart-shaped shadow. Very symbolic. With the word of God being their foundation their lives are joined together and make one heart.

I have an old valentine candy box full of love letters that my Grandparents wrote each other. A shadow of the love that was yet to come. A beautiful love story of good times but hard times that would be passed to many more generations. I am thankful.

I’m reminded of my Grandma and one of our conversations. She was telling me the best way to do something and I said, “Grandma you’re just old-fashioned.” She smiled and said, “Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.” I’m sure I rolled my young eyes at the time but not where she could see me of course, but I hear the wisdom in that simple statement today.

After all, if it weren’t for the old the new would never exist.

Thank you Lord for the gift of salvation.

WHEN TWO HANDS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

January 29, 2016 By Mikki Jo 5 Comments

I glanced over at my son and my niece during Sunday morning worship and what they were doing made my heart skip a beat.

After a horrific car crash my niece escaped with her life and a broken arm, a very significant break, but it could have been so much worse. God indeed had angels encamped round about her. We are so thankful she is going to be okay.

During worship as everyone began clapping hands, my niece Hannah only had one hand with her other in a cast. I glanced over and they each held one hand out and together they clapped their hands in worship. It reminded me of the scripture in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Oh how many times I’ve fallen and needed help getting up. And no, I don’t wear a medic alert necklace although that may be a good idea.

My family is very close. We’ll feed each other, help wash the other’s hair as in my niece’s case right now, make each other laugh, and pray for each other. But mostly we’re just there for each other. Even if we sit and don’t speak, we’re there, present, helping each other up when we fall down.

Sometimes we give space, sometimes we invade space, according to our need at the time. Above all, we love one another. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Even as much as we love someone we can still fail them at times. But God will never fail us. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

We have a burden bearer and His name is Jesus. When we are overwhelmed we can go to the one who is greater than our circumstances. We need only to call on Him and He will meet us right where we are. Psalm 46:1 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Thank you Lord for the gift of salvation, thank you for bearing our burdens!

Psalm 68:19 (NIV) Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

MEMORIES OF AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

December 13, 2015 By Mikki Jo 21 Comments

I’ve heard of a ghost from Christmas past but this is a post from Christmas past. Past Christmases have been on my mind more this year than any other, which led me to create an old fashioned Christmas tree. I wanted to share it with my children and grandchildren.

The magic of Christmas through a child’s eyes, in a child’s heart, on a child’s face, is peaceful and chaotic all at the same time.

I remember Grandma’s Christmas tree, an oddly shaped cedar tree with sprawling branches reaching clumsily in every direction. It would be all lit up with big gaudy bright lights, red and green and blue and yellow and orange. The tree would glisten with silver icicle tinsel and hanging from each branch was the old “Shiny Brite” glass balls.

In Grandma’s window were candles with orange bulbs. As Daddy and Mom and my brother and I would head home on Sunday evenings I would watch through the back car window until we were over the second hill, and the candle lights would finally fade away into the night. I always felt a sense of sadness when this happened and I don’t know why. Even now, it brings tears to my eyes and I still have no idea why.

Growing up, the magic of Christmas was important in my family. Mom and Dad always made it special. Traditions have been passed down from my grandparents to my parents, then to me and my children and grandchildren.

Always pass those beautiful memories and traditions down to your children. And encourage them to make their own traditions as well.

Along with the magic of Christmas my Grandma taught us about Jesus. My Grandma and Mom prayed us all right into His arms, never ceasing to pray for us. And I know a few of us gave them a run for their money.

Mom and Grandma have their own stories. Through the years they shared of the goodness of the Lord and what He done in their lives. And we remember these stories and speak of them often and we thank Him for His wonderful grace.

It’s good to remember the days of long ago and have a HALLELUJAH party! Psalm 134:3 (NIV) Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

As I remember the Christmases past, I also remember the goodness of God. Both yesterday and today. I look back and see the blessings from my childhood and how they have molded me into who I am today. And I’m thankful. I’m thankful for God fearing Parents and Grandparents. And I’m thankful for an old fashioned Christmas that reminded me of so much love. Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

EVEN IN TRAGEDY THERE IS COMFORT

November 30, 2015 By Mikki Jo 7 Comments

The phone rang, it was one of those calls. The one to tell you that someone you love has passed away. I was sure I heard the name wrong, this can’t be true. He was too young, it’s impossible. You ask again, saying the name out loud, to make sure you heard them correctly.

Yes.

It was him, he’s gone.

At first I sat there in shock, then I cried, then I got angry. I cried again. Then I began to pray for his family.

I never questioned God, because I know His plan is perfect. I know His ways are higher than my ways, His thoughts are greater than my thoughts. He wants even better than I do for those I love. Because you see, He loves them even more than I do. Isaiah 55:9 (NIV) As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

How do we make it through such a tragic loss?

1 By trusting in Him. Psalm 9:10 (NIV) Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

2 By holding tightly to Him. Psalm 63:8 (NIV) I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

3 By allowing Him to comfort us. Matthew 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Remind ourselves of the beautiful hope for the future. Revelation 21:4 (NIV) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

We can’t allow ourselves to refuse the comfort of God. Let’s run to Him with our broken hearts and He will be waiting. When our pain is too much to bear He will rescue us. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

BETTER THAN PASTEL SKIES AND APPLE PIE

October 22, 2015 By Mikki Jo 8 Comments

The last dish is put away and I join the rest of the family on the porch. There’s a slight chill in the air on this fall evening and the conversation is, “That apple pie was delicious!” And everyone is in agreement.

I smile.

Everyone has a full belly and just enjoying each others company. Family, food, love. Peace and contentment fills the atmosphere as we watch the lazy pastel sky. Cotton candy sky is what my sister Jenni calls it. A beautiful sunset, family, and apple pie. Ahhh, what could be better than this?

I wish I could take this sweet time of contentment and can it like apple pie filling and put it on a shelf, so I can pull it back down when I need it. Life can become so crazy and overwhelming. Chaos always seems to plop down right in the middle of my tenderest moments.

I don’t like chaos. I don’t like change. I don’t like surprises, sometimes I don’t even like good surprises.

I like unchanging, same, stable, settled.

I equate insecurity with change, fear with surprise, irritation with interruption.

As long as we live there will be seasons of change, and surprises. Life is as ever-changing as the pastel skies. God wants us to seek His plan during change. We tend to make plans and forget to consider His plans. Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

We see interruptions as an inconvenience and sometimes even blame it on satan. (Yes the s in satan is supposed to be capitalized, but I have always refused to give him a capital s.) The truth is, the best of plans maybe edited by God for any number of reasons. It may be for our protection, for our spiritual growth or a need for ourselves or someone else.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. There’s that word TRUST again, I spoke of trust in the last devotion. Keep our mind upon Him and trust Him, and He will keep us in perfect peace. I love that! In the middle of the CHAOS that got plopped down in my lap I can have perfect peace? Yessss, that’s what I want! Perfect peace IS contentment.

Let a contented spirit be the contentment we seek. This world will never give us the contentment our heart hungers for. Jesus Christ is the only one who can fill that void. Prayer and daily reading of His word will help us to walk closer with Him. 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

We can remain content no matter our circumstances when we cling to the fact that Jesus never changes. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

How about you, don’t you want that? I think we all do. Let’s choose to trust Him with our life, our changes, our chaos and our fears. Lord keep our minds steadfast, that we may learn to trust you more and live in the perfect peace that you speak of. Perfect peace and contentment, nothing is better than that.

IN THE LORD’S BOSOM

September 25, 2015 By Mikki Jo 12 Comments

The road was winding and dusty, my heart was beating faster. I was about to drive down the narrow road that my Daddy used to walk down when he was a child living at the end of the “holler”, up a little creek, in the shelter of an Eastern Kentucky mountain.

My eyes couldn’t take it all in fast enough. I felt the tears stinging my eyes as I blinked them back, I didn’t want to miss a single moment. I felt I had finally come full circle. I was finally here, where my heart had desired to be since I was a child. The place where I’d heard my Daddy and Grandparents speak of all my life, their old Kentucky home. I never understood my longing for this place, until my feet stood in the lush green clover on the bank of Frozen Creek in Knott County.

My heart was content. I was home. I knew that this is where I was supposed to be. God had indeed marked this date in time for me to be standing exactly where I stood. I looked at the mountains surrounding me, I felt a security that I’d never experienced before. I explained to my Dad how I felt and he said, “Yes honey, I know that feeling. Like you’re cradled in the Lord’s bosom.” And yes, that’s exactly how I felt.

I’d never been here before, but yet I felt like I had left something here, and I had this day came back to reclaim it. These emotions came from the deep bond I have with my Dad, and my family roots that remain deep in the heart of these mountains.

Many years ago, my Grandparents took the great Ship Mary and Ann from England to the Jamestown River to escape religious persecution. Years later a young man was born. A brave warrior, a man of honor who helped to attain my freedom during the Revolutionary War. He met a young dark haired woman, kind and patient and strong. They fell in love, had their own children, and eventually made their home in these beloved mountains.

The more I have learned of my family and their past, the more I have learned about myself and who I am. And I am thankful for the sacrifices made. I can never repay the debt that I owe to those that went before me. But I have walked in the shadow of their precious footsteps, down a dusty winding road, that lovingly led me back home. Truly, home is where the heart is.