Titus 2 Tuesdays

The Proverbs 31 woman needs no introduction to most of us, for scripture portrays her as a woman of character and wisdom. Superwoman, maybe an overachiever, often comes to mind when we think of her. Yet, if you look carefully at Proverbs 31:10-31 you will soon discover that all she accomplished flowed from her inner character. This woman applied her knowledge of God in skillful ways so that her life grew to be a lovely picture of an inner beauty.

I find it interesting that her name is never mentioned in scripture, her appearance isn’t highlighted nor what kind of personality she had. However, we do know that her husband and children praised her. She was not praised because she was up at the crack of dawn, working well into the night, or because she was so organized in the home, cooked gourmet meals and served endlessly outside the home. No, they praised her for her godly character. Spiritual character cultivated before the audience of her God. What a tribute! Of all the women her family knew, she held first place in their hearts.

This ordinary woman became extraordinary because she believed in a Sovereign God who was in control of her life. But she also believed that God had called her to make godly choices as she lived out her days. Choices such as making herself attractive by the
“fine linen and purple” she wore (verse 22) and ruling over her tongue (verse 26). You see, circumstances did not control the Proverbs 31 woman. The demands of her family, her household, or her home business did not leave her frantic and frenzied. She was the ruler of her attitudes, her time, and her schedule. How was she able to handle all these spinning plates? By making her relationship with God central. All that she became and all that she accomplished was a result of her yielding to His sovereign control over her life. And because of this she was able to rest and yes, laugh knowing God had ordered all of her days.

May we find sufficient grace, strength and wisdom as we remember that all aspects of our domesticity must be rooted in the Gospel! ~ Rhonda Calabello

Being Busy in the Home

“You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” -1 Corinthians 7:23

Now that’s the kind of verse I like to read. Especially on Mondays when I’m particularly busy in our home. Don’t become a slave to men- that’d be Chris and the children. (Can I get away with this train of thought for even a moment? No, I know… not amongst my GCC sisters.) All joking aside, this verse reminds me that I am the Lord’s possession and that He is worthy of my total allegiance.

What does allegiance to God look like in the midst of keeping my home? Total allegiance to God seems abstract for me today. Allegiance while washing and folding laundry and tidying the house from the weekend and guiding the children in their morning duties and then teaching school… serving God in these areas doesn’t feel very overt. But consider this with me for a moment. Where are our hearts more on display than in our own homes? Is there another time when you find your desire to be loving, self-controlled, patient, kind, self-controlled, not irritable or sarcastic (did I mention self-controlled?) more tested than at home? I can’t think of one!! I can handle drivers turning without blinkers, slow lines at Publix, even Starbucks discontinuing decaf Frappucinos! But at home, I am often quick to expect my loved ones to give *ME their allegiance instead of focusing on all of us giving the Lord 100%.

When I grow irritated with Timothy for taking twenty minutes (True story! He’s really slow!) to put his dirty laundry away instead of lovingly training him, I am dishonoring the Lord.

The fam & I read some provoking thoughts in Tabletalk recently. “We must exercise that love that overlooks a multitude of ‘minor’ sins (1 Peter 4:8). As servants in the kingdom of God we must be ever conscious that He takes our treatment of His people seriously; thus, we must do good to them just as we would do good to Him.” They are referring to other believers in the church- but how much more should we put on this love towards our families!

Tabletalk continues, “That we are all servants of the same Lord and master forbids us from ever thinking that certain people or deeds are beneath us. It also means that whatever we do, we must do it unto the Lord with our very best.”

Allegiance to God for me today includes joyfully catching up on laundry. When Andrew spreads his neatly folded pile all over the floor, I must resist the temptation to think that picking it up and folding it again is beneath me. I’ve been bought with a price! My Lord and Saviour purchased me- not on my own merit- and I will try to extend a bit of this love to my family as we do our Monday chores together. Today, I’ll “strive always to serve the Lord in humility and with a true love for other believers...” starting with my family. ~ Allie Olsen

Frugal Fridays

I love the idea of sharing ways to be frugal!! Over the years, the amount of money I’ve been given to use within the family budget has changed significantly. But since the number of bodies to clothe and mouths to feed has increased along with the grocery budget and clothes section, I have always found it helpful (even necessary) to be frugal.

Noah Webster’s definition of frugality is very helpful in determining whether it is a trait that we should desire. He defined being frugal as “saving unnecessary expense. It is not equivalent to parsimony (covetousness, cheapness), the latter being an excess of frugality, and a fault. Frugality is always a virtue.”

I have a lot of little ideas I look forward to sharing, but today I thought I’d start simply. The best way I know of to ensure frugality is to stop, think and pray before you purchase!

STOP: Don’t just grab something from the clearance shelf and throw it in the cart! Hold it in your hand and really look at it.
THINK: “Will I use and enjoy another pair of brown flip-flops?” -Or- “WOW! That framed print is marked down to $15! But where will I put it? Will my hubby really like it over his dresser?”
PRAY: The Lord has entrusted me with enough to supply my family’s needs. Will this purchase be a blessing to us or a strain? Ask the Lord for wisdom and to help you not be impulsive.

All the other ways to be frugal could be filtered through these simple ideas. It won’t make for fool-proof shopping, but it will lead to a lot less time in return lines!

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:19 ~ Allie Olsen

Thoughtful Thursdays

Here is a story shared by Allyson Broka on Honoring the Aged.

Leviticus 19:32 Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God

Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

I don't know why, but I have always had a tender affection for old people. I actually enjoy being around them. So I was delighted when the book we were reading for school this week had to do with the elderly. A theme I highlighted from the book was how when we are young, most people love, respect, and adore us...especially if we are gifted at something or physically good looking. But then we grow old and people withhold their affections and respect. Perhaps because they were never taught or because our culture does not value people that don't appear to have anything to offer them.

Being respectable seems to be lost amongst our young. I know my young family certainly struggles with it, I struggle with it....perhaps most of us struggle with giving honor to whom it is due. So this week I really tried to hone in on how we should honor specifically the old. I went to talk to my 'old' (not really old) neighbors about visiting some of their elderly family and to my great surprise they told me about a Senior Luncheon they were having at their church. Perfect! We painted pictures and passed them out at the Luncheon. We had such a great time. We met one lady who was 90 years old, still lives by herself, has chickens and a garden. She even knows how to shoot a gun and will use it when necessary. She told me, "They say you shoot the feet, but not me, I go straight for the eyes." She is the one in the pink dress and she was quite reluctant to have her picture taken.

The old folk don't care what you look like or how you are dressed. They are just glad you are there and will just come up and start talking to you. Wow, that was so refreshing. I felt so comfortable there and they gave me such a gift today. We went to show them honor and instead I felt like we were shown such honor and respect. I hope my kids learned something today....that old people are still very much alive, still able to give and receive, still able to learn from, and still worthy of our respect and honor.

Devotions - Keeping My Focus

Having a quiet time with the Lord is somewhat new to me. Over the years I have spent time with the Lord but it was never consistent and I thought as long as I said a few prayers and had quiet moments that I was doing good. Which really only shows my self centeredness and self reliance. As a wife and a mother of four children how could I not start my day with prayer? My independence from the Lord was a sign that I was far from Him.

Thankfully the Lord is merciful and kind and has more patience with me than I deserve. My focus needs to be on Him. If I can give the Lord a portion of my time each day how much better equipped will I be when things get hard? How can I get through a busy day filled with children, laundry, dishes, and all the little surprises that come my way? By keeping my focus on the One who can keep me from falling. “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—.” Jude 1:24 (NIV)

I want to leave you with a quote from the book titled Faithful Women & Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper. My favorite story so far has to be about Lilias Trotter. She said: It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused, and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day?...Dare to have it out with God…and ask him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His glory. How do we bring things to focus in the world of optics? Not by looking at the things to be dropped, but by looking at the one point that is to be brought out. Turn your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him. ~ Sharlyn Eddy

Titus 2 Tuesdays

An interview with Allyson Broka by Lana Calabello

When I was first asked if I would be willing to participate in interviewing the women of GCC I went to my mom to inquire about interviewing her. Her response to my question did not surprise me as she humbly declined and said she thought I should use this as an opportunity to choose another woman that we could glean from. After thinking and praying about it, I went to her a few days later with the woman I felt the Lord had impressed upon my heart. The Lord was kind to confirm my choice with my mom affirming that she had the same person in mind.

Allyson Broka was one of the first women I met upon moving to Jacksonville and I was so very blessed and encouraged by her gentle and loving spirit. It was clear that her foremost desire was to honor God and serve her family. Her humility was also evident in the way she actively sought the counsel of others and pursued accountability in her life. She is always quick to confess her sin and quick to encourage others. Though daily struggles bombard her, she finds her peace and comfort at the feet of her Heavenly Father. As you read Allyson’s response to each question I am sure you will agree with me that God’s work of grace is evident in her life. – Lana Calabello

How did the Lord sustain you when going through a trial and what did you learn from it?

There is no question that it is His grace that sustains me! I also am grateful that He has always been faithful to give me a verse to hold onto while walking out difficult circumstances. Beyond that, I have always been very comforted by being surrounded by people who love me dearly. When a crisis has happened in my life I have called my family and most treasured friends and have found the sweetest comfort. Through my trials I have learned two things. First, I have learned that sometimes there were things in my heart that I didn’t know were there. Then, when the pressure was applied, God graciously showed me all kinds of things that needed His tender pruning! How kind He is to use trials to bring out what is really inside of me and then aid me in dealing with those issues. Secondly, I have learned that God is so faithful. I am a person who constantly struggles with trusting and feeling abandoned. So for me to look back and see how God has lovingly cared for me in the hard places gives me tremendous faith and hope for the future.

How would you encourage moms during the busy seasons of life?

I guess I would tell them what I tell myself….that seasons pass quickly and I don’t want to wish this busy part of my life away, but rather embrace everything the season has to offer. I also look at pictures of my kids a lot. It gives me perspective as I can see how much they have changed and how time truly does fly.

Are there times as a young mother that you feel ‘stuck’ at home and how did God change your heart and give you a love for Homemaking?

I don’t normally feel ‘stuck’ at home because I actually love being home and taking care of my home. It’s the homemaking and being a mother together that cause me to feel drained and depleted in my role. One of the things that has really helped me is to fellowship with other women who love being homemakers and that have qualities I want to emulate. I can do this by talking on the phone, e-mail, or being with them in person. Sometimes just being around someone who I admire can really inspire me and give me the encouragement I need.

What does a quiet time with the Lord look like for you during this busy time of life?

My quiet times have evolved and are always evolving! Consistency is not one of my key qualities. Through the years of pregnancies, newborns, babies, and toddlers I have switched back and forth between rising early or before I go to bed at night. For a while, I was even incorporating all of my kids into my quiet time (and to some degree still do). We would worship then I would tell a bible story and then I would pray while they listened. Though at times it was hard to focus and give myself to God wholly. I actually look back at those times with great fondness.

What is an area of fear or anxiety that you struggle with and how has the Lord helped you overcome that particular fear or anxiety?

The sinful struggle of fear has dominated my life. I can’t really remember a time where I was not afraid of something. One ongoing example would be fear for my children. I can easily get consumed. One way the Lord is helping me to overcome my fear is by giving me situations to trust Him in. For an example, when we had a near death experience with our youngest son, I learned that God is in control and I am not. I learned to lean on Him during one of the scariest moments of my life. This one moment in time has proved invaluable to me. For when I am afraid I can look back and see how God cared for me through a situation that I had no control of. This has brought me great comfort.

What are some books that you have read that have encouraged you?

“The Enemy Within,” is an outstanding book. I have read it and re-read it and re-read it again! It was that good to me. “Running Scared – Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest,” is a great encouragement for me and it reads like a devotional. This will be one I will revisit as well. “Don’t Waste your Life,” is another book I highly recommend and has really encouraged me to be passionate about getting outside my ‘comfort zone’ and not wasting my life. Be prepared to be challenged if you read this one!

Being Busy in the Home

“Jesus is coming back soon. Look busy.” That bumper sticker caught my eye and made me laugh a few years ago. As if Jesus is some incompetent supervisor, easily fooled by frantic activity that looks productive on the outside.

How often do I appear busy to others, when I’m really just “spinning my wheels?” As women, we are called to be busy at home. Does this mean non-stop activity? Color-coded daily schedules? Filling up every moment with productive work?

The irony of our spiritual life is that to be fruitfully busy at anything, we need to first be quiet in our heart. Without quiet hearts, our days feel more like duty than delight...and joy is hard to find.

My boys know better. They can sense when my heart is frantic. I suspect to them it looks a lot like impatience, defensiveness and anger.

The gospel teaches that busyness before quietness is probably self-reliance. Self-reliance says I don’t need God. But, I do. Every moment – every day – I need Him. We all do. ~ Adrea Thomas

Frugal Fridays

I grew up in a loving, middle-class family in a small mid-western town. I was in my teens in the early '70's and the nearest shopping mall was a two and a half hour drive to a city near Chicago. So my mom would plan the day and take my sister and me on an all-day shopping trip once a year to buy new school clothes. After shopping for 7 or 8 hours we would end our time with a bountiful meal and then the two of us girls would sleep contentedly as she drove us back home. (Looking back now I can imagine she was much more exhausted than our youthful frames!)

Fast forward a decade to me living in Texas as a young wife and mother of three year old Justin. In order for Ed to make the most of his 2 years at Dallas Seminary we chose for him to spend his time studying and to derive our income from the money I made teaching piano. (Much thanks also to a few friends and family who also generously supported us). So how did this mid-western girl adjust and learn to become frugal, not just to save some money but in order to survive? Like Paul who said he had LEARNED to be content....I learned frugality through these very trying circumstances. We prayed allot and many times He miraculously supplied our need. But many times the essentials were met first and there was only $30 left over to buy a week's worth of groceries. This is when I began experimenting with tuna casserole 3 times a week and how to divide one pound of hamburger into 3 tasty meals, learning how to cook pinto beans from the package and make my own burritos. Ask me sometime about that Christmas with no tree (I shed many tears of self-pity living in this very affluent city).

We've been here in Jacksonville 21 years now and I find this a great city to support the frugal shopper. When the kids were little I would purchase most of their toys and clothes at garage sales. One secret about garage sales: Pick your neighborhoods carefully. Mandarin can tend to be overshopped because of the volume of people concentrated in this one area. I prefer Julington Creek, Ponte Vedra, San Marco or even Ortega. If the area is too affluent the prices may be too high. Get an early start as most of the good stuff will be snatched up by 10:30 or so. Most Estate Sales go half price after noon on Saturday (they also begin on Friday if you want to have first shot). I have two favorite thrift stores: The Goodwill on Southside Blvd. is the best organized in town (Talbots, Lauren, and Hillfigger are common labels found here); and if you don't mind pawing through lots of stuff I like the Betty Griffin Thrift store on San Jose in Julington Creek (ask what the special of the day is as it is often not posted). If you are ever in Winter Park near Orlando that is my all-time favorite place to garage sale due to the combination of an affluent area and a seemingly generous spirit. Just keep in mind that garage sale money can feel like monopoly money because you can practically afford everything at every garage sale. You must learn to be a discerning shopper and ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate self-control and only buy what you truly need. Happy shopping! ~ Brenda Edwards

Thoughtful Thursdays

Thoughtful Thursdays are designed to bring you something fun. Perhaps it’s a favorite family recipe or a quote from a book. The possibilities are endless! So today I am going to share one of our families favorite recipes, thanks to Alissa Garth.

Chicken Paprika

1 Whole Chicken cut into pieces
(OR 2 chicken breasts w/bone and 2 thighs w/bone)
2 Med Onions, chopped
1 16oz can Stewed Tomatoes (I like diced tomatoes)
1 Lrg Green Bell Pepper, chopped
4 Tbs Olive Oil
3 Tbs Paprika
½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Black Pepper
½ tsp Garlic Powder
¼ Cup Sour Cream

Heat oil and onions in large pot over medium heat until onions are clear; add paprika and stir. Add chicken pieces and brown. Add can of tomatoes (juice and all), green pepper and spices. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 1 ½ hours until chicken is done. Pull chicken pieces out and let cool until you can pull the meat off the bones. Add the sour cream to the mixture and then the chicken and simmer for about five more minutes. Serve over rice or egg noodles. ~Sharlyn Eddy

Devotions -

“I love you, O Lord, my strength.” -Psalm 18:1

The note in my study Bible says that “love” here is not the usual Hebrew word for love. It emphasizes intimacy, expressing David’s personal devotion to the Lord. What a sweet picture it brings on this Wednesday morning! As I take a few moments to reflect on my own personal devotion to the Lord, I ask myself… is my love for God, like David’s love here, one of intimacy and devotion?

David doesn’t just shallowly say he loves God. He continues in his praise to our Redeemer: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,and I am saved from my enemies.” (verses 2 & 3)

I desire to delight in the Lord. One way I can do this is in prayer and praise. We can use the Psalms as a springboard for our prayers- try it with this passage! This morning, this is what the first verse prompted me to pray. “I do love you, Lord. You are worthy of my love- and have proved yourself so in my life time and again. I can see your faithfulness in the Word (thank you for your Word!) but you don’t stop there!! You are so kind to me. So faithful and really patient to grow me up in knowledge of You and love for You and how to walk that all out. Thanks. And your Word says you are my strength. Please make that real to me today as I try to integrate the young children into our new school. I want our family life to be pleasing to You- help me not to put teaching and our schedule above loving my kiddos and training the children to know & love You. I think I’ll definitely need your strength to accomplish that!! When I’m physically done and when I’m emotionally spent… no, long before that… help me to turn to You and rely on You to be my strength!!”

I learn best & am most encouraged when I have an example, so I hope that’s helpful to you. Why don’t you take the next passage of Psalm I typed above and pray it? It’s such a wonderful way to prompt both prayer and praise. Our God… He’s so amazing. He even teaches us how to pray. He thought of everything, didn’t He?! ~ Allie Olsen

Titus 2 Tuesday

Today we have an interview with Laurie Harrington by Candance Harrington

I chose to interview my mom because she is truly a Proverbs 31 woman. As a little girl my mom became very familiar with what it is like to be a “helpmate,” doing all the cleaning and some cooking for her father because she lost her mother at the age of ten. Six kids and twenty-six years after my parents wedding, mom is still in a very busy season of life, whether it has been moving from state to state, helping dad with his business ventures (a full-time job alone!), homeschooling the kids, or maintaining the house. At an age when most women are done with raising children and more, she is still laying down her life to serve my dad and her children for the glory of God.

I never sense a complaining attitude (let alone a complaining mouth!) from her but a joyful heart to serve. Something that I love about my mom is that she really does “[laugh] at the days to come.” She continues to remind her children of the truth that God is faithful in EVERY season of life, and she happily supports my dad in EVERYTHING. I pray daily that when my time comes to be a wife and mother, I can be just half of what she has been to my dad and her children. It is a privilege to call myself her daughter! ~ Candace Harrington

1. How has the Lord been sustaining you during this busy season of life?

Somehow He always provides. I feel like I live on the edge, but God uses the demand to keep me dependent on him.

2. How can you encourage moms during the busy seasons of life?

The busy season will change and start to look different but for me it does not seem like it will ever end because of the make up of my family. There are new challenges & joys with every year of growth so it is good to expect them. Having an attitude of "When am I ever going to get a break!", is not helpful. We need to be prepared to serve our families for a lifetime as long as God gives us strength. Children grow and become more independent but they never stop needing us in different ways.

3. What are some books that you have read that have encouraged you?

Because of the busy season I’m in right now I don’t have too much time to read. Here are a few books that I have read in the past: “Streams in the Desert” (a daily devotional), “Keep a Quiet Heart” by Elizabeth Elliot, “Calm my Anxious Heart” by Linda Dillow, and day to day I mostly just read the bible.

4. Were there times as a young mother that you felt that you were "stuck" at home and how did God change your heart and give you a love for Homemaking?

I have never felt stuck at home. I love being at home and taking care of my family and house and the Lord has always given me plenty to keep busy.

Being Busy In The Home

It’s that time of year again. The end of summer is upon us and children have gone back to school. For many of us this tends to be a busy time. There have been book bags and new shoes to buy that made that first day back special. And if you home school there was new curriculum to choose and pencils to be sharpened. If you have little ones you are probably trying to figure out what you’ll be doing in the near future. Maybe you don’t have children yet but have nieces and nephews or sisters and brothers. You know just how busy it can be too and at times it can be overwhelming and the smallest of tasks seem to be put aside for another day.

As women we are called to manage our home. Titus 2:5 says...to be busy at home. But how do we manage our home in the midst of a busy season? It can definitely be crazy at times, right? Martha Peace says this in her book The Excellent Wife: A godly wife is organized and works hard to operate her home with the least possible chaos. She also creates an optimistic, joyful atmosphere for her family.

Part of a joyful home is, well lets face it, a clean home. And some of us have different likes or dislikes in this area. One of you may love to cook rather than clean and one would rather do the cleaning than do the laundry. Whatever the differences are one thing is for sure: Whether we work in the home or outside the home we are called to be busy in the home.

These are some things that we’re going to look at every Monday. So grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us as we learn to be workers in the home together. ~ Sharlyn Eddy

Welcome to A Cup of Grace

All of us can, at times, become overwhelmed with the many duties and activities that fill our lives. Day to day responsibilities can become challenging instead of doable. Even preparing for a family vacation or outing can become tense instead of joyful. It is wise to heed the words of Jesus when he said, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matt. 6:34

In keeping with that thought, we can easily view our lives with a wrong perspective. We get caught in the trap of worrying more about everything we have to do tomorrow or the following week rather than living in the present. We can become weary and overwhelmed thinking, "How will I ever get to all that I must do today or in my life?" God has a solution for us when we feel that way. He says his grace is sufficient. Yet God's grace is most profound and sufficient when he grants us the strength and the faith for what is before us each day.

'A Cup of Grace' is a blog about women helping women find the grace of God in much of what we do. Here you will find helpful thoughts and ideas from women you know, shared from their own experiences of how they have found grace, one day, one task, and one thought at a time. We all know what it's like to spend our days worrying about tomorrow in ways that shut us down today. So, we must seek to find grace that is sufficient for each day of our lives and each day of the week.

Our hope is that you will find the stories, interviews, and tips on this blog helpful. Each time you read this blog, you may catch yourself crying or laughing, but hopefully connecting with the stories and experiences shared by the women you know from Grace Covenant Church. So grab your favorite beverage, whether it's a Starbucks, Earl Grey, or a Diet Coke, and steal away for a few minutes to enjoy 'A Cup of Grace' for each day of the week. ~ Rhonda Calabello