Musings from a Pastor’s Wife
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests
My heart grows ill
And I wonder still
Is there place on Earth
So much hate
It seems our fate
To find no peace on Earth
Yet you came
To take the blame
To offer peace on Earth
My faith grows strong
That we’ll right this wrong
As I pray for Peace on Earth
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Luke 1:38
Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”
Then the angel left her.
I am fourteen years old. I have known forever that our Redeemer was coming. But I NEVER imagined he would be coming like this. Through me!
Who am I?
I am just a young girl from Nazareth. Everyone knows nothing comes from Nazareth.
But yet you chose me. Me. You called me highly favored.
Who am I?
I am a young girl. I am not even married yet. Oh my! My poor fiance. He could have thrown me to the side. He could have killed me.
But he didn’t. He loved me. He cared for me. He accepted this child as his own.
Who am I?
I’ve never delivered a baby. I am so far from home by myself. Without my family. What if I do this all wrong? What if I am a terrible mother? What if you hate me?
But you didn’t. You were so tiny. You loved me. You changed me. You came to save and redeem me.
Who am I?
I am every woman and man who has been called to a purpose. A bigger purpose than themselves. A purpose they feel so ill-equipped for but answer “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Mr. Murphy, with his stupid law, was my BFF today.
I started my day dropping everything I touched. Proceeded to fill my car and gas spit back out all over me. Went to the bathroom (I work in a high school), came out, got back to my classroom only to have a teacher walk in after me to tell me I forgot someone. Yep, I looked down and realized my service dog was not attached to me. Good news, he was exactly where I had left him, in the stall.
Go ahead laugh it up. I can hear you from here!
It gets better!
On my way home, I looked down and realized I had gone all day with my shirt on inside out. Did I mention the shirt had pockets and they had been hanging out the entire day.
Told you it got better!
Some days you should just stay in bed!
So….what could I possibly be thankful for today? Well, let me tell you…
This Guy!
This is my wonderful husband, Todd. I texted him when I got to work this morning to whine about my awful start to the day. Then, I called him at lunch to grumble about how my day had not gotten any better. I walk in the door and griped about the rest of the story of my day and my outfit being inside out. What did he do?
He laughed his head off!
I don’t mean a giggle. I mean roll on the floor, belly laugh with tears streaming down your face laugh!
I mean a totally contagious laugh.
I couldn’t be grumpy anymore.
Thank you Lord for putting this guy in my life. You knew there were going to be days like this and I would need someone to laugh me through.
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Psalm 37:30-31
30 The godly offer good counsel;
they teach right from wrong.
31 They have made God’s law their own,
so they will never slip from his path.
Do you remember the game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
A player was asked a series of multiple-choice questions of increasing (or, in some cases, random) difficulty. Large cash prizes were offered for correctly answering each level. There were three lifelines you could use if you got stuck on a question: 50/50, ask the audience and phone a friend.
Today, I found myself stuck at one of those questions in life that I could not answer. As a matter of fact, the more I thought about it, the more frustrated I got.
Now, I know as a Christians we are called to go right to the source, pray and read the bible to find your answer. However, sometimes I just need that human contact. I need to be able to phone a friend.
God was prepared for that! I have been blessed with a group of friends I can call when I need them. They provide Godly counsel.
My phone a friend was not only able to talk me off the ledge today, but gave me a new perspective. I was able to see my situation from different viewpoints.
I pray that you have Godly counsel and if not I will continue to pray that God brings someone into your life. I will also pray you will fill those shoes for someone else.
So keep those phone lines open! I just might need to phone a friend.
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
My student looked at me and said, “I think I fit a whole week into today!” All, I could do was look at her and say, “Amen, Sister!”
Wowzer! What. A. Day!
It started with a dead battery in my car. Followed by $183 mischarge to my credit card. Next came a painful phone call to my doctor’s office who cannot get me in until December 11th. Did I mention I did this whole day without one arm? I have popped the tendon in my left elbow and have to keep it in a sling.
Oh, and please do not get me started on drama club after school! We are two weeks from curtain and my crew still does not know their lines or blocking. It was painful to watch!
So, what can I do about all of this?
Nothing.
What am I doing?
Whining!
Why?
Because I am human and contrary to some people’s beliefs, Christians do not come equipped with rainbows, unicorns and pixie dust!
We get to have long days. We get to have bad days. We get to have Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days!
It is OK. It doesn’t mean God is mad at us. It doesn’t mean we have done something wrong. Hold on to your hats, but it doesn’t even mean Satan is out to get us. Sometimes they are just terrible, horrible, no good very bad days.
So what do Christians do about them? We thank God and move on. God has called us to thank him in all circumstances.
Besides, I know exactly what I am going to thank him for right now.
THANK YOU GOD THIS DAY IS OVER!
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
A dear friend and one of the strongest women I know spent her first Thanksgiving without her mom. She wrote the most beautiful dedication. I wanted to share her words with you.
I hope it brings you peace and joy. I hope it reminds you, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Today this chair sits empty because of a battle that is over.
However in the sadness of the first holidays without mom, we can find thankfulness.
I’m thankful for the 43 thanksgivings I got to spend with her.
I’m thankful for the gift of adoption that made that possible.
I’m thankful to the stranger who gave up her child and made that possible.
As a mother of 4, I know that was the worst day of her life.
I’m thankful for all the stories people who knew and worked with her have told me this past year.
I’m thankful for all the great memories I have and we are able to share.
I’m thankful that I have an awesome family and the best friends.
I’m thankful for my mom.
She was the best. ❤️
~Wendy Dement
Thank you Marsha for heeding the call to raising a beautiful, strong, Godly woman who has touched my life in so many ways.
To all of the chairs that may be empty this holiday season, know our hearts never will be because you were part of our lives!
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
Recently I head someone explain how she had gotten hurt by something a friend had said. She wanted to go all Chuck Norris on this friend, but then took a breath and stepped back. She asked her self why was she really angry with this person. What was her motivation for wanting to go and yell and scream at this friend?
Can you imagine for a moment if we all took the time to ask ourselves this question every time we started to open our mouths? What a different world we would live in!
I am not saying there are not times we need to be firm or get a point across, but even those types of situations have ways of working out better when the words used are kind and considerate.
I know as a teacher when my kiddos are getting a little out of control, I do not speak louder. Instead, I begin to speak quieter. Yes, there may be a firm tone in my voice but it is still gentle and soothing. They calm down and are usually ready in a few moments to explain to me, in a much calmer way, what happened.
I am not for one minute saying I have this all figured out. Just ask my hubby. There are many arguments where I speak first and think later. Oh man, now not only did I admit to that, but he has it in writing…lol!
I am going to end this with one more saying I heard this week…
“When you put your mind in neutral, don’t leave your lips in drive!”
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Mark 4:38
And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”
I can’t take it anymore, I am laying down and taking a nap! I need the world to go away for awhile.
Scarlett O’Hara had it right when she said, “I’ll think about that tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day.”
Sometimes, I find myself in situations where I just need to walk away. I need to find my cup of coffee, eat the cookie, buy the shoes or take a nap. My family refers to these as I need a normal minute, please. A moment where the world as you know it doesn’t exist. The world stops and you get off. You excuse yourself from reality.
Jesus did it too!
In Mark 4 we find many stories Jesus was going around preaching and teaching. He had a full day. An exhausting day. Full of people. Lots of needy people! I am sorry dealing with all of those people all of the time always needing things from him makes him a saint in my book.
At the end of his long day, he asked his disciples to escape the world with him.They got in a boat and headed out. It says some other boats followed him. O goodie more people with needs right. What did Jesus do? He took a nap!
What is my point here? Well, that is an easy one. It is OK to just take the nap! We need moments to recharge our batteries. We need moments of normalcy. Jesus took naps. Be like Jesus!
Now, if you don’t mind I am going to go take my nap!
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I want to start by thanking all of you for your thoughts and prayers for my family. My father came through surgery fine. He did have to have some of his esophagus removed but the doctor was very confident of the work he did.
He will be in ICU for the next couple of days and of course, the next seven days are the critical ones. I have to say, he looked wonderful tonight when we left the hospital. My mother is also doing well and much more relaxed.
My family has spent many days in and out of hospitals through the years including ICU waiting rooms. Families tend to bond while there. Never do you stop and ask if you are the same race, religion, political viewpoint or sexual orientation. You hold each other’s hands, cheer, cry and pray together. Today was one of those days.
A family across the room from us did not get such great news. The matriarch of the family was brought in for open heart surgery. Once the doctor got in, he realized there was so much more wrong. My families hearts went out to them as they received the news.
I don’t know what people do when they receive horrible news and have no hope. I turn to my family and God and no matter what comes my way, I have a place to go for comfort. I am not saying things are always unicorns and rainbows, but I know rainbows will come. I just have to hang on.
God will sometimes calm the storm, but he will always calm the child! Just cast your cares on him because he truly loves you!
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
First I would like to apologize for not blogging the past couple of days. I have been battling the stomach flu.
It is amazing just how horrible you can feel from a little itty bitty microscopic thing! This dude can bring you to your knees in a matter of minutes! I am not ashamed to say I found myself in the fetal position praying God heal me or take me now, don’t leave me like this!
I was physically in pain, but have you ever been in so much emotional pain that you felt this way. Well, I know a couple of guys in the bible that did!
Jonah was:
Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
–Jonah 4:5-11
Elijah also had his issues:
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the Gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.
“I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
1 Kings 19:1-4
If these two great prophets can have issues that make them feel overwhelmed and distressed why don’t we think it is OK for us to feel that way sometimes too?
We are all going to go through periods of our lives that seem like too much to carry. The important thing is to hang on, call on and move on.
Hang on…James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Call on…Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Move on…Philippians 3:14 I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.
Don’t give up! Never Surrender! Simply Hang on, Call on and Move on!
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.