I was fully prepared to write another post today, a post that God has graciously allowed me to tuck away for a season; maybe forever. Today he gave me a “pass” on something. Today his favor has come to me and my household in tangible measure, and I am humbled and grateful for his notice.
This is my man.
He is my strength and has been my able arms over the past week. We’ve created a beautiful home together. When God gave me Billy, he gave me a portion of heavenly grace—love as love was meant to be received. I’ve never known a better earthly love. Sure, my parents love me unconditionally. Parents do that, at least they should. But when another human being makes the choice to love unconditionally, well, that’s the stuff of earth’s movement, of hell’s frustration, and of heaven’s notice.
Our love has deepened over the past week; I look forward to more seasons with my man. To marking our grey hairs together and our ills and aches as well. I love you, Billy.
These are my children.
They are the reason behind my pressing on and pressing in to Jesus. The more I know him, the more I’m able to give him to them. They deserve my faithful pursuit of God. They are and will continue to be the recipients of my earnest chase and capture of the Divine. I love you, Nick, Colton, Jadon, and Amelia.
And you, blog readers, you are my friends. I have no doubts that the peace I’ve known over the past week has come to me in large part through the prayers of the saints. You are those saints. You know who you are. I called upon you for prayer, and your prayers have been felt … been heard and been answered.
Today I got a “pass” from God, and that is enough for me. Day to day living with Jesus is all that is required of us. Not tomorrow; not next week, but this very moment we hold in our hands. God reserves the right to all of those moments, no matter their length of earthly time.
When I awoke in the early morning hours, God impressed upon me a few words that I would like to share with you as I close. I thought them profound, even before I got my “pass.” I still think that to be the case…
“It doesn’t matter how long God chooses to preserve my earthly life. What matters is how I choose to preserve him in the earthly life I’ve been given.”
Preserve him well this week, and I will do the same. Nothing in this life, and I mean nothing, is worth losing the flavor of Jesus in us, on us, through us, all around us. Nothing. Tend to his divine preservation within your heart this day, knowing that the aroma you spread has the capacity to shake the foundations of hell. In doing so, the heavens sing their refrain, as our Father bends low for a listen. As always…
peace for the journey~
~elaine
Amen! Amen! Amen! A tear-provoking post!
Girl, this post has had me crying big time! I'm not talking about just a few tears, slipping ever so daintily down my cheek. No siree…this has been some ugly crying! You know what I'm talking about…noisy, dripping, chest-heaving, nose-blowing, puffy-eyed crying!;-)
Your message has ministered to me this day.
The pictures are beautiful. I like them both (the kids are great), but I especially love the one of you and Billy. I'm looking forward to meeting this fine man of yours!
You've outdone yourself with this post, Elaine…definitely one of your best.
Praising God for your "pass".
Love you,
Beth
You are beautiful… your family is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your life and your love of Jesus with us as well as your family!
this is beautiful Elaine… thank you so much for sharing your heart and the lovely pictures of your family! 🙂
Another wonderful and obviously Godly inspired post. Praise God for Godly men who can love like our Billys love us (I'm married to a Billy too!). We are the vessels created to preserve Him here…
Elaine,
What a beautiful post! God is so good. Sometimes all we need is a "pass" because the result of that is usually a breath of fresh air, a lighter load, and a little rest.
What you wrote here today ministered to my heart in a big way. Thanks!
Christy
Oh, I love this! One can build a lifetime on your quote – the word you received from the Lord.
How awesome he is!!! He is great and greatly to be praised!
May God help me to live moment by moment in the love and will of Jesus Christ. And you are right, dear friend, taking our lives day by day is all God requires. It is we who go beyond those requirements and find ourselves in a yoke of bondage. (I refer to my own weaknesses.)
Beautiful sharing and caring!
You are blessed!!!
Love,
Andrea
How sweet to the spirit are those unexpected "passes"!
This post was exactly the one that needed to be written – for unto us you have passed the beauty and grace of recognizing those who walk beside us. They are much more to our journeys than bystanders, we would all do well to stop, savor and honor those who stand by our sides.
Walk on my friend, your journey awaits.
Shalom,
Denise
What a wonderful tribute to your Lord, to your dear husband Billy and to your family. It touched my heart.
I, too, have a husband who loves me unconditionally, and I trust I will never take that for granted, and never fail to appreciate what a treasure that is.
I'm glad the prayers of your family and friends were answered this week. God bless you! Donna
Beautiful words…
Beautiful quote…
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful family…
Thanks for sharing your beautiful heart with us.
Elaine~ The pictures are beautiful … the passage even more. As I read your post, these Scriptures came to mind:
"When the LORD goes through the land …, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and He will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down." (Exodus 12:23)
"And the LORD said, "I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." (Exodus 33:19)
"Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You. Selah
Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion." (Psalm 84:4-7)
"But now, this is what the LORD says—
He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:1-2)
"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)
Praying His richest blessings for you, my precious friend. 🙂
K.
I love love the pictures! I am glad you posted and miss it when you don't. Stay well!
What a beautiful family, and an equally beautiful sentiment, Elaine. I'm sure the source of these thoughts is far deeper than you could possibly pen.
Blessings,
Kathleen
How we choose to preserve Him… what a great thought — and challenge. May the aroma we spread always be worthy of Him!
May God continue to bless your family with His favor, Elaine!
Love the pics, Elaine–yes, God's favor rests on you–so appreciated the heart behind those thoughts…
Love, Sita
Elaine,
It sounds as if God did some amazing work in your life this week. I am thankful. This is a beautiful post that spills out of a heart full of love for Him. Thanks for sharing your joy with us.
Leah
Preserving … mmmmm….
In our couples' Bible study, we've been talking a lot about salt and its preserving nature. (Matthew 5)
You — my friend — are one salty lady, preserving what is good. You are light, shining Truth in the darkness.
Continue to be salt and light to the world, Elaine — you salty mama! 🙂
What a legacy you are leaving, Elaine. Press in and "pass" it on, sister.
Dearest Elaine, thank you for capturing feelings for me. For making me slow down, pause and breathe in the Lord's aroma, His love, all around us. My family brings me such great joy too and I pray deeply that I too can grow old with my man.
Shalom. ~shelley
Elaine, I needed this today! Not only as a refreshment but an a reprimand! This sentence…"Nothing in this life, and I mean nothing, is worth losing the flavor of Jesus in us, on us, through us, all around us."….really spoke to my heart.
I pray that as a Christian I won't be a bad taste in anyone's mouth!
Love you sister!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Isn't God so good to bless us abudantly – with more than we could ever know to ask. Your family is darling. Blessings my blogging friend. This ministered to me,"knowing the aroma you spread has the capacity to shake the foundations of hell." Thank you Elaine.
Blessings,
Lori
So glad to have you back Elaine! Somehow I think the words you shared with us are just the tip of the iceberg (so to speak). There are times when God moves in our lives and the closeness is beyond what our words can convey. Your eloquence though gives us an inkling of where you have been and Who you have been with!
BTW – love the pictures of your Billy and your kids! Love them well my friend!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Isn't it wonderful how we can praise Him for when He blesses us… and when He passes over us.
Celebrating your "pass"over!
Thank you for this heartwarming post! I'm happy for the peace that you're finding.
I read this post yesterday and was EXTREMELY curious. (We'd been away for a week. I thought I'd missed something.) Went back to see what I'd missed – and realized YOU'D been gone, too.
Hmmmmm.
Came back. Re-read. Realized I don't have to know everything. More importantly, I received the message of the value and power of unconditional love (something I need to choose & practice from the heart)…"the stuff of earth’s movement, of hell’s frustration, and of heaven's notice."
Wow! Is all I can come up with! Thank You LORD!
Deep. Profound. Beautiful.
Thank you, sweet sister.
All that comes as I read are tears of joy and gratitude. I understand what you're writing as I feel the same about my precious husband, children and grandchildren.
I don't know the unconditional love of a mother or father but I know that of my grandparents although they are with the LORD now but the LORD 19 years ago gave me that unconditional love in my Peter just as HE's given you in your Billy.
Grateful is what my heart says.
I love you Elaine. I'm praying for you and your family as you already know. Thank you for sharing the sacred preservation of GOD in your lives.
wifeforthejourney:
How I love you, dear wife. There really is no better place for me to be (on earth) than with you. I could ask no better partner, better friend, better mother for our children than you.
We may not be the "perfect match" to the outside observer, but they can't see how God has worked in and through our differences.
In the early days of our marriage I could never have known that I could love you more – and yet here we are. You are God's best for me, and I am humbled at the gift He has given.
Love you!
~ Billy
AMEN!! HALLELUJAH!!
Love,
R&B
“It doesn’t matter how long God chooses to preserve my earthly life. What matters is how I choose to preserve him in the earthly life I’ve been given.”
Wow…just wow. You post make me smile and yearn to spend more time at Jesus' feet!
Elaine, I want to thank you for giving me permission to email you if/when I should ever need to. I really admire and appreciate you.
I'm catching up on some favorite blogs today, and must say that I love the words the Lord gave you as you awoke this morning! Divinely inspired, and a blessing to my soul today (and from the looks of your comments, blessinigs to many others as well.)
Peace to you, too, Elaine~
Jennifer
Elaine,
Your post had me praising God for giving you Billy, and your children. I have read a few of your earlier posts, and so I do understand how much of a gift Billy has been to you. And children, they indeed are the arrows in our quiver . God has given them to us, if we raise and mentor them well, to hit divine targets. God given weapons in answer to the fiery darts of the evil one.
And that simple yet profound thought that God spoke to your heart — thank you for sharing it.
It has touched yet another life today.
Blessings of peace be on you today dear friend.
Love
Lidj
What a powerfully beautiful, powerfully amazing post, Elaine. I too am blessed with a husband who is a daily gift and also with a slight "thorn in my side" which reminds me to rest daily in Jesus' grace. It has come to me in seasons of slight unwellness, physically–nothing to be concerned about, just enough to teach me that we rise up and are torn down like a flower, we flee as shadows…but our God-breathed souls are meant for eternity.
Press on, Elaine. A crowd of heavenly witnesses surround you. your earthly cheerleaders are ever in your corner as well.
Awww. Faith Elaine.
Tears.
Such beauty here.
You are beautiful, friend.
Some read this we a knowing…others with a longing. You share a beautiful love, with your family and with your God.
Tending to His divine preservation within my heart this day.
Continuing in prayer. Love ya my friend,
Joy
Tender, delicate, beautiful…our families, our loves…the Father's touch on our lives.
I love you Elaine.
so a beautiful post..did I already mention that?
Thanks for blessing me with this awesomely beautiful post.
[…] onto my heart a season back when a similar “threat” loomed on my horizon (first written in this post). He has embedded it into my thoughts over time; it will serve as an anchor for me in the days to […]