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Summertime

Joanne Cole | Summertime | Wednesday, June 18, 2008 10:24 PM | No comments available

I love summer!

I love having my children home from college; I love sitting in a lounge chair by the pool, soaking up the warmth of the sun with an icy glass of lemonade in hand; I love listening to the incessant chatter of my girls; I love the long, slow, lingering evenings; I love vacation; I love the green of my grass and the bounty of my garden; I love the colors of the sunset; I love sitting out on my patio late at night with my husband, gazing at the stars; I love to grill... I just love summer!

Perhaps the only thing I do not enjoy about summer is the ever-changing schedule and the lack of structure. I find myself staying up much too late at night...it’s hard not to when you have a house full of twenty-somethings...I don’t want to miss a thing. All of our schedules are varied and that alone creates interesting scenarios. Some evenings the dinner I have prepared for five may have to serve seven. On another evening only three will dine at my table. And while this does make the dogs very happy (they have developed quite refined palates) it leaves me in a constant state of wonder. Did I mention I now have two dogs in my home? Definitely another blog opportunity.

Well, with the increased activity and noise in my home, I now have to be a little more diligent about finding and setting aside time for devotions, meditation, and prayer. With thousands of children on summer vacation in our community, I would think I am not alone. Last year I left you some tips on continuing to establish and prioritize your time with the Lord. May I repeat them once again...for your benefit and for mine!

1. Discover your own way of best spending time with God. Each of us is unique.

2. Know the season you are in. God is a God of all seasons and no two seasons are alike. My season with God looks much different than it did when I had four children under the age of seven romping through my home.

3. Prayer and reading God's word are disciplines. Continue to carve out time intentionally.

4. Be reminded that His presence fills your world. No matter where you are or what you are doing, He is there too.

5. Never forget that God is always available and always waiting. And He is calling your name.

I have some big things I am believing and asking God for this summer. I know He is never too busy and is always available and accessible. May I be too!

In Search of Wisdom

Joanne Cole | No tags assigned yet | Thursday, January 17, 2008 12:00 AM | No comments available

Recently, on a late, cold winter evening I went in to say good night to my 26-year-old son who was home for Christmas. His 6'4" frame was spread out on his sister’s bed, his bible carefully placed in front of him. I smiled. I knew he was reading his proverb for the day.

Many years ago my father-in-law shared a simple but powerful part of his daily devotional life with us. Along with his prayer time and daily study of God’s word, he would read the proverb that coincided with the day of the month. There are thirty-one proverbs, so even if you missed a day, it was never difficult to find your place and get back on track.

Proverbs are about wisdom. Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever conditions we find ourselves. Wisdom has little to do with our education or our knowledge. Wisdom has to do with treating others well, using our words carefully, exercising self-control, honoring our parents, handling our money wisely, and conducting all areas of our lives with integrity. "Proverbs keep us connected in holy obedience to the ordinary." In matters of everyday practicality, nothing takes precedence over God.

Let me share a highlight from today’s Proverb and encourage you to incorporate this practice into your daily devotional time. It takes but a few moments a day and will guide your life in a powerful and profound way.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but God determines his steps."

I have watched my son live a life of purity and integrity. He has allowed God to carefully inscribe His Word on his heart. When I grow up, I want to be just like him.

Merry Christmas

Joanne | No tags assigned yet | Wednesday, December 19, 2007 4:50 PM | No comments available

Most of us would agree that we have embarked upon the busiest season of the year. So much to do...a tree to erect, a home to decorate, gifts to be purchased, functions to attend, meals to plan, traditions to continue.

When I was young Christmas seemed so magical and enchanting. As a young wife and mother, I quickly realized that the magic and wonder were a direct result of the endeavors and sacrifice of a single individual - my mother. The mantle (literally) had been passed to me. It was now my responsibility to make the Christmas season special and meaningful for my growing family. This realization was met with brief disappointment and then a sudden surge of excitement and anticipation, as I set about establishing traditions for my very own family.

Many years have come and gone. I’ve put up the tree, purchased most of my gifts, and prepared my home for the impending arrival of my children. One by one they will fly back to my nest, even if it is only for a few short weeks. I am anticipating the magic and enchantment...the laughter that will fill my home, the many hugs that will come my way, and the never-ending observation from my children - the boys in particular - "Hey, mom...we’re hungry."

As we enter this joyous time, allow me to encourage you to do all that is set before you well and with excellence. May God give you strength as you whip up that final batch of Christmas cookies; may He give you wisdom as you make that dreaded purchase for the difficult-to-buy-for person in your life; may He increase your capacity to love those He has placed in your life; and may He bring joy and peace to every gathering. After all, the celebration really is all about Him.

Well...got to run. I have a Christmas luncheon to attend! Happy Holidays.

Observations of a traveler

Joanne Cole | Observations of a traveler | Wednesday, October 03, 2007 4:59 PM | No comments available

The first week of September, our children attending school (one graduated, three to go) returned to their respective universities. Knowing the difficulty I have had adjusting to an empty nest in the past, my husband thought it would be a perfect opportunity for a vacation. And Cabo San Lucas seemed to be just the place. We spent a wonderful week in the sun, enjoying all Baja offers.

We had many experiences, too numerous to list. These are a few of my random observations from our trip...

1. Cabo is replete with honeymooners. They are easily identified by the way they float effortlessly and carefully entwined through the pool. They are eager, uninhibited, and expressive. Ah, young love.

2. The wonder, beauty, and diversity of God’s creation is so vast. How can anyone live on this planet, look around at her majesty, and deny the existence of a Master Creator?

3. People are friendly and love to talk. It is amazing how much one can learn about the life of a complete stranger in just a few moments.

4. Tan skin looks better than white skin.

5. Work is work. Oh, I thought often of my job, my church, and the women I am privileged to serve. But after spending a week on the sands of the Pacific I have a better understanding of God’s original plan for the garden.

6. My husband does not consider himself to be a fisherman, but landing 2 marlin at sea proved to be a sport of great adventure, excitement, and challenge. I think he may be hooked.

7. Bee stings hurt...a story for another time.

8. I missed my children terribly. I actually experienced anxiety one day, thinking of the many miles that separated us. Kind of crazy, especially when one considers that none of them even live in my home.

9. When you retire in the evening and discover your husband lying in bed, the television off, it only means one thing. Young love...move on over!

Loving Well

Joanne | Loving Well | Tuesday, August 07, 2007 5:38 PM | No comments available

This week we will attend the wedding of a precious young couple in our church. It is the fifth wedding we have been privileged to be a part of this summer. It would seem that love is in the air.

Several weeks ago during one of the receptions I could not help but notice the young love that seemed to be present everywhere; the just married, the recently married, the recently engaged, and those just about to say "I do." There may have even been a romance or two sparked that very evening.

I enjoy observing young love...the excitement, the discovery, the newness of it all. But it occurred to me as I sat amidst the beautifully decorated tables, my husband close, that there is something more beautiful than young love, and that is old love. With the many years of loving a person comes maturity, appreciation of differences, shared experiences, and many many lessons.

Looking across the table I watched my mother-in-law glance over at her husband of fifty plus years, the sparkle in her eyes still evident. And I was reminded of the fact that love has the ability to grow with time.

We will conclude our summer bible study this week. It has been inspiring and personally challenging as together we have been studying and committing ourselves to "loving well." Some people are a joy to love and others prove to be more difficult. However there is one truth that endures: We will never be able to love others well until we have been loved well. And only God can ultimately give us the complete love we so desperately need.

As we embark upon the final months of summer I want to encourage you take time for the people God has carefully and strategically placed in your life...and love them well.