Getting Ready for a Roadtrip

 This post begins a series on Holy week...... ( yeah....as it turned out, God had other plans for me this week. And, as is the nature of stomach bugs in a house with young children..... this was a series of one : )   Hopefully, as Christians, we are already celebrating Easter, sharing the greatest of good news with others and giving thanks for our salvation.  But, even to believers......... especially to believers......... it can become more habit than heart. We want to see the stone rolled away, the morning light break and the tomb empty.........it is my favorite part of the story, too. But, is it possible in our celebrating- in our focusing on the resurrection- that we forget the road that was, literally, walked to Calvary? We forget the significance of each word, each day and event that led to the cross. There is nothing accidental or superfluous about Jesus. There is nothing about Jesus, not worth noting.......every word and action, meant to teach or demonstrate to others who He is.

The passage that gives us Palm Sunday is Matthew 21:1-10........The Triumphal Entry. But, as one of my good friends often reminds me, sometimes the Rabbi teaches the most important parts, before and after the "important part."

The Gospels are jam packed with information, moving quickly from birth, to teachings, to death and resurrection. This portion is no different. Just before the Triumphal Entry, in Matthew 20, Jesus gives the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, foretells His death and resurrection. This is also where James and John send their mother to ask for preference for them, and that they be seated beside Jesus in heaven. Finally, as they set out for Jerusalem- Jesus stops to heal the blind men on the side of the road, including Bartimaeus. Some of the greatest parts of scripture are right here, all unfolding in a matter of days.

Go back and read this chapter this weekend. Keep in mind Jesus knows why He is heading to Jerusalem, He has always known- and He has told the disciples what is about to happen, He stops to tell them again, in Matthew 20, just to make sure they understand what they are walking to. This is His Triumphal Entry, right? But, not the triumphal entry many had hoped for, though it was triumphant, indeed. He is making a journey on a road that God has ordained as His will, but will ultimately end in suffering and death........ and He knows it. Just as He knows the hairs on our head, He knows the stripes He will receive, the insults hurled against Him and the thorns that will soon tear His brow. He has seen all of this before and a few chapters later we will see Him praying to His heavenly Father, "let this cup pass." Jesus knows the road He walks, He knows that each time He falls asleep and wakes again, He is one day closer to the ultimate victory.....but before the ultimate victory, is the ultimate suffering....... the ultimate sacrifice.

Have you ever prepared to make an important trip? A vacation? Maybe you were being recognized or honored for your job? Everyone of us has prepared for an important event that concerned us, and as is our nature, WE are the focus. What do WE need? What do WE pack? What helps US make the best presentation/impression? Hair, check. Nails, check. Dry cleaning, check. The closest I can relate to this as a housewife/pastor's wife is........and it's quite a stretch, mind you........ the few times a year we  go to conferences, go to other churches, speaking/music engagements or retreats that we've done for others. A few days max, and even Andy and I have been known to travel with an entourage.......(ha! I just wanted to see what that was like to say! By entourage, of course I mean Mimi......just Mimi. And, she's less hair and make up and more child wrangler/chaos management. For us, a successful trip is determined by how much we can limit the withering and blithering of our offspring. ) You see, even on the less grand end of the spectrum........even our little jaunts, the occasional coming or going....... all are planned and mapped out according to our need, preference, comfort and convenience.  We are no different than you, and when we make a trip......"WE" are the focus, for us. That made sense in my head, but when I see it written out.........."we are the focus for we? I?" Say it however, the gist is, it is all about me....... But not right now, I mean, just on "me" trips........... It's about you, too......when it's a "you" trip. I'm making this worse, I see that now.   "Kids, honey......don't get in my way, because this is about ME, I have to do my thing, be focused, sharp.........Get your camera, baby, cause I'm about to be great!"

Have you ever seen a souped up tour bus driving down the highway and wondered ( strike that, we rarely wonder anymore....... we google....)  googled what concerts are in town or tried to guess who might be behind those drawn shades? Whomever is in that bus, has a rider......... not a person tagging along...... a tour rider. Some written set of instructions, that lays out everything from lighting, sound and equipment..... to food requests, water preferences.......the normal and not-so normal demands of a person. We have fulfilled many a rider in our day........from a specific brand of mayonnaise, to favorite candies and munchies, chilled or definitely un-chilled water, to foods that meet dietary restrictions for an allergic child who is traveling with, unnamed important person. And, you never mind doing it. It is fun and exciting and you are thrilled that this person is coming and you are thrilled that you get to host and you go out of your way to make them welcome. And you do all of this because they, whomever they are, IS the show.  Whatever event is happening, is happening because this person is coming and people will come to see them.........pay real money, in fact! Actual American dollars will be paid to see this one person........and for that, they get to ask for as many mayonnaise's as their mayonnaise loving heart requires!!  So, pretty much exactly like Jesus entered the city, right?!?!

It's such a contradiction, it's kinda funny to think about.........Jesus..... uber rock-star of the desert? Making demands left and right? With his elite entourage........of fishermen? Ha! Jesus is the antithesis of self-importance or ego. Short of a donkey, I don't know that He made a lot of demands of His band of merry men. Even the things He needed, were for other people.........fishes and loaves to feed, a bowl to wash others feet, even the donkey He rode in on........was to fulfill Old Testament scripture. I'd like to see that in a rider........."Um, yeah.....we are gonna need all the green M&M's extracted, separated and placed out of sight........Why, you ask??? Oh, just to fulfill hundreds of years of Old Testament prophecy.....that's all."

Let's compare and contrast, shall we? How did Christ prepare to make the most important journey of His life, His destiny? With patience, kindness, humility and grace. His "rider" was not a list of demands, not a list of things He required....but things He promised to give. A beautifully executed to-do list........not showing what is most important to Him, but who is most important to Him....... and that, is us.  In Matthew 20, we get a perfect picture of our King.
 
 

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because

 I am generous?’  “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

 
 First, He tells His followers about the kingdom of heaven- that it's for everyone..... Jew and Gentile, those that come early and those who arrive late, ALL are welcome....... He shows such kindness. Grace. He tells them........This was made for you.

 

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

He tells the disciples- I will submit, I will suffer, I will die and I will rise again......... What humility and grace.  What Love! He tells them.........This will be done for you.

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

   He tells them again, whomever is first, is last and last is first, in the Kingdom.  You cannot do this; which requires Me to do it, but, I do it for you. He takes the time to answer a seemingly silly question and He answers it, with Truth........ Encouragement. Grace. Love....... I came to serve you and show you that My Father has prepared a place for you.

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.  “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

   He finally gets on the road- have you ever thought you would never get on the road?  With kids and the endless gear we require to make travel joyful (bearable).......... 8 o'clock is never 8, it's 10.......... and 10 o'clock is always 12:15......... and 1:00, means someone needs to stop.  ARE. WE. THERE. YET?  I hate waiting to go somewhere or for something to happen...... not waiting for half an hour, waiting...... but the days of waiting, ticking down time until whatever it is...... is. You do the required duties of the week, but you're not fully engaged in anything, you are just there...... waiting.  Jesus gets on the road......... and what happens? Blind men shouting at him, begging for mercy and healing. Rather than inform them, that He IS Jesus and is on His way to die and save the world..... and as a matter of fact, is running a bit behind..........He stops and heals their blindness......... He is Patience. Mercy. Compassion. He tells us...... I care about what troubles you. I always have time for you.


His Triumphal Entry was about anything, but Him. Think back to the seating of the new pope, the ceremony, garments, the papal robes, hats, the scepter.......all of this for a man...... maybe even a good man, but just a flesh-made man. I can't even begin to imagine the months....years.... of planning and coordinating that goes into executing this tradition and ceremony.

How I wish I had been in charge of party planning for Holy Week, for my King. He wouldn't have walked miles through dirt, in the heat. He wouldn't have stayed in friends houses, dealt with crowds or ignorant people. My King should have had the finest accommodations, the finest clothes......... there should have been pomp and circumstance, an entourage that served Him, instead of Him serving them. There should have been rejoicing and celebrating all around Him, banners and music. There should have been red carpet, people lining the roads......... anything to show what care went into preparing for Him. I would have done everything in my power to demonstrate my devotion and appreciation........ to tell the world, that Jesus IS the show. Jesus is King and He is here!! I would have pulled out all the stops for my King........ had I been there, had I known. But, my King, is not a man. His ways, are not man's ways........and nothing fit for a man, would be fitting for Jesus.  Jesus' road to being crowned King, had a cross in the middle of it.

His Triumphal Entry, before it even began- was marked with humility, loving kindness, mercy, patience, grace, compassion and faithfulness. You see, my King was a King- long before He was ever crowned....... long before the crowds lined the streets of Jerusalem with palm branches and shouted  “Hosanna to the Son of David;  BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!!! Hosanna in the highest!” Long before He was recognized by the world as such, long before those who doubted......believed...........King Jesus was ALWAYS King, always THE King.  Jesus was showing us He was King on the highways and byways, with the clean and unclean, with the filthy, spotted and stained, the poor and afflicted, with the dying child and the orphan, the helpless and hopeless. He was showing us how to be King as He walked the dust of the desert, as He prayed in the Garden and taught on the water. Jesus did not need the robes or crowns of the world, His garment was righteousness and His crown Glory- bestowed on Him, a faithful Son, by His heavenly Father. He IS King, not by wealth, or position, by election or inherited status.........His power and authority are given divinely, by the Creator of All. He was King in the beginning and He will be King, in the end

And yet, the King comes to us as a friend and Father. He makes time for us, He shows us grace and mercy, He answers our silly questions and calms our fears. It is us He stops for, on the side of the road. It is us, that He patiently slows for, making time for our healing and redemption.

What road are you walking? And, how are you walking it? Like an earthly, worldly king-with puffed up pride, demanding attention and respect? Or, like our heavenly King, our Savior- with compassion, mercy and grace? Are you walking your road to God's will, with obedience, humility and time to love others? Or are the needs of others whizzing by you....... a blur outside your window, because you are going so fast......... on your way to being great?

I love everything about Jesus, about His life and Word- but, I especially love the important parts before the "important parts." It is there I find Him, in the parts before the glory and in the verses, before the verses worthy of  a sermon series. There He is, just being Jesus, everyday.........walking on the road towards me.

Shalom Y'all
Sara

A Merry Little Christmas

Some of you have asked for a recap of a message I gave at a recent event, a message that was more directed to myself, in an effort to remain "merry" during this very merriest of seasons. So, for any of you who might be in need of that same reminder.........I present you:

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

  If I am being completely honest, and I most always am- I don't know why I say that, but it's one of my favorite phrases.....if I'm being completely honest. It is a most handy precursor, that I use to give myself permission to reveal most anything. People ( I ), use it like bait in hopes the listener will then interrupt with "No please Sara! Be completely honest!......Tell us how you really feel." And, I readily admit this, but, since most of what I reveal is only telling on myself, being open about what the Lord is showing me, convicting me of........using to humble and prune me, I'll keep sharing until the Lord spares me the lesson. But, I digress.        
  If I'm being completely honest, I've had a bit of trouble getting Christmasy this year. I've been in a bit of a fog lately, discouraged about what I see, about what I sense in my spirit is happening around me, around us.

  If I am being completely honest, it is easier for me to get down, than up. There is life, stress, kids, church, finances.......... shut downs, lock downs, roll outs and gridlock........ shootings, storms, hunger, need and suffering. The world has produced a thousand things, any one of which is capable of consuming us with worry, anger, sorrow and grief. It seems like this year more than ever, there is less to be ecstatic about and more to be heartbroken about.

  So you can see why I might have struggled to come up with an appropriate message to get people in the mood for Christmas, and not just in the mood, but genuinely get their hearts ready for the most joyous and blessed season of all. I spent weeks praying about it, trying to come up with something light and funny, or at least clever. I considered taking a Christmas carol and using that as my theme or a holiday movie and making it the basis of a devotional.......... but, the more I prayed, the more I felt the Lord repeating to me "Have yourself a merry little Christmas." I kept going to the song and reading the lyrics and every time I did, I found them uninspiring........."from now on our troubles will be out of sight"...... Ha!! ......"hang a shining star upon the highest bough......" Nothing. Nada. No hidden nuggets of wisdom or previously skimmed over meaning, that now came to life. "Merry Little Christmas" is no "O come, O come Emmanuel," if you get my drift. Surely not, Lord.
This can't be the message of encouragement I'm looking for? But, there it was again,
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas, NOW." I knew I was supposed to camp here, but wasn't sure why, so I took it to Scripture and started researching what it meant to be "merry."



  Did you know "merry" is in the Bible 38 times? Old Testament and New Testament, in Hebrew and Greek.......Merry, merry, merry.....all over the place. I read every occurrence and every variation, but the one that jumped out at me was James 5:13 - "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any among you merry? Let him sing psalms." Other translations use happy, rejoicing and of good cheer, but merry is the intended word from the Greek.

The word "merry" in this verse is the Greek word euthumeo, which is a compound of the Greek words eu and thumos. The word eu describes a good feeling, and it is where we get the word euphoric. It pictures a person who is absolutely elated, thrilled or ecstatic about something. The word thumos is the idea of swelling emotions or a strong and growing passion about something. When these two are joined together to form euthumeo, the new word expresses the idea of a person who is just about to explode with joy! A person who is so excited they can hardly contain themselves, so overwhelmed with joy it floods uncontrollably, out of them!

Great. Fantastic, in fact. This didn't encourage me at all, in fact I was more discouraged than ever and now feeling totally convicted, to top it off! I didn't feel "merry" at all and I certainly didn't feel merry about Christmas! Whatever the opposite of merry is, that's how I am feeling! I'm feeling so anti-merry, so consumed with fear, sadness and discouragement that a black hole-like implosion, that actually drains the merry out of the atmosphere............ is the more likely outcome right now.

Merry is the word of the father in Luke, when his prodigal son returns home. Merry is what was made during the feasts of Esther and the loving romance of Ruth and Boaz. Merry or euthumeo is the word for courage that the angel of the Lord gives to Paul as he faces storms at sea, on the way to Rome.

Merry is not a nation in peril, dangerously close to being handed over to itself. Merry is not families with no jobs and no money during the holidays, merry is not nations at war and merry is definitely not 20 precious children ripped from the earth in the cruelest, most appalling violence. What could we possibly have to be merry about now? It almost seems inappropriate to rejoice during times like these........... and yet, this is exactly the time to rejoice. As it was then and so it is, again.

The greatest, Good News- the entire reason for Merry Christmas- came in darkness just like this. Think about it, Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem for a census.......and why a census? Taxes. And why taxes? Oppression. Merry Christmas came under the rule of Herod, the cruelest and most wicked ruler of the time. Herod was so evil that God sent angels twice, once to the wise men and once to Joseph, warning to stay away from Herod. It was Herod who ordered the murder of baby boys under two, hoping the Messiah would be included.

If ever there was an inappropriate time for rejoicing, it was then. A world so shrouded in darkness; you were much safer, anonymous, silent and in the shadows, then speaking "Messiah" on the streets. This was no time for heavenly hosts; or fixed and radiant stars, that pierce the night sky. And, yet God sent forth His light into darkness then............. just as He does now. Just as we are incapable of readying ourselves for redemption, cleansing ourselves of sin- the world was incapable of bettering itself for the good news of the Savior's birth. You'd think that society, the world................ mankind.......would have gotten it's act together a bit better as they waited for the Messiah, after all they had hundreds of years, to just "be ready"- Right? But noooooo! That's not how it works, is it? His ways are higher than our ways, His timing is not our timing, is it? Love came gently, quietly and innocently as a baby......into a world that had grown tired of waiting, a world that had lost it's way, it's hope, it's beauty and innocence, long ago- a world much like ours is today. Christ came as light into the world, but the world which He illuminated only seemed more filthy and disappointing in His radiant reflection. But, God works in darkness, doesn't He? If you've been redeemed, you know it's true. The most magnificent backdrop for the Light of the World to marvel and astound us, is darkness, total and consuming darkness.

A Light from on high will dawn upon us…to shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet…into the way of peace.
—Luke 1:78–79
 
God chose that time, that season, to send His one and only Son to earth- to begin His journey as both Savior and Sacrifice, for us. God gave us "good tidings of great joy" when the world was most desperate and undeserving. And, God chooses this time, this season to remind us of that- to remind us that the Good News is STILL GOOD. Lord Jesus, in a world so full of pain and so desperate for You, remind us that even if all really was lost, the gift of Your Son is reason enough for endless rejoicing! O God, even if we have nothing else to boast of, let us burst with unspeakable and overflowing joy, for unto US a child- a Savior, was born! Let us be Merry at Christmas and for Christmas!

And, what should we do if we are merry? Sing psalms. Not songs, psalms. Two different things. "Sing psalms" comes from the Greek word psallo, which has several meanings. First, to pluck, as to pluck the strings of a harp or bow. Then later, it meant to play, as a musician would play an instrument, a heartfelt expression. But, by the time of the New Testament, it pictured a person who sings and becomes a hymn or some other special heartfelt expression of music. I know that seems like all the same thing, but it's not. It is a difference of degrees. Here is how I understand it, when I am merry, I should: sing songs, but sometimes I need to do more- I need to use my gifts and resources, my instruments, to create a song that glorifies my King. But, there are times when my heart is empty of songs and I am no longer the musician, but the instrument. I have nothing, and yet, God "plays" the strings of my own heart to create His song, in me.......through me.

And, that is the place the Lord has found me now. I have nothing to offer, no song worth singing- my heart is simply to heavy to be merry. But, the Lord soothes and comforts me, reminds me of who He is and who I am, reminds me of His promises and His gift given lavishly to us, in love, at Christmas. And He strums the strings of my heart to create a song, that only He can and it brings me to worship Him, again.

James 5:13 is perhaps better understood as this: "...Is there anyone among you who is so excited he can hardly contain it and who feels as if he is about to burst with overwhelming joy? If that person is so overjoyed and tickled that he can no longer restrain the happiness he feels, let him rejoice, let him sing a song, the song the Father has placed in his heart."

When I presented this message last, I ended with this thought: The other verse that the Lord put on my heart was Revelation 12:11, now I know we are changing theological gears here, but just bear with me........"They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony."

When I really thought about why I wasn't very merry, I realized something was lacking........and it certainly wasn't the blood of the lamb. According to this verse, "overcoming" requires just two things- the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. What is Christmas? The time we celebrate God's redemptive, saving work on earth through Jesus Christ. With Christ's death on the cross, it was finished, the victory won.

   But, there would be no blood of the lamb, without the birth of the lamb. There would be no resurrection, had there been no death........no death, had there been no life...... and no life, had there been no birth. Perhaps, you can think of not one single, other reason for rejoicing and giving thanks this Christmas..........but perhaps, you only need one this year- maybe this year, remembering that the work has been done through the birth and blood of the lamb, is enough? Maybe this year, you are struggling with life, with kids, with marriage or money........maybe this year saw more losses than triumphs, more agony than laughter. I bet you're not the only one having that same year. What if this year, all we had to celebrate was............ Him? What if this Christmas, was only about............ Him? That would be enough, right? Jesus Christ coming to earth as God's Word made flesh, to save us from sin and despair, to give us hope enough to sustain us through the darkest of nights.......until eternity begins...........that should be enough for a Merry Christmas, shouldn't it?

   Maybe you know all of this in your head, it just needs to come out of your mouth. Where is your word of testimony, Overcomer? If you are not enjoying victory right now, can you at least remember the last time you did? Can you remember the last time God was faithful and merciful to you? Maybe you need to say it out loud.....a lot. I dare you to pray that the Lord would bring to mind, an answered prayer, a remembrance of His faithfulness............. and just see if He doesn't do exactly that. How would you respond? Would you tell your kids, or the man in line at the store? Our "word of testimony" is testifying of His Word and testifying of His goodness........and testifying means out loud, with our voice, with our song and with our life. Is your life testifying to God's goodness right now? Is your life so filled with "merry" - uncontainable, overwhelming joy that you burst with the love and goodness of Christ? Are you so overjoyed and brimming with excitement over the Still Good, Great News- that your very being cries out..........."Merry Christmas!"

"Is any merry? Let him sing psalms." James 5:13

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, Now.

Shalom Y'all
Sara

Home is where the Heart is

This is not the post you are waiting for. I do apologize, I know I have left you hanging and I promise, we will get there - soon! But, there are occasions, anniversaries and people that are worthy of a brief interruption, a loving tribute if you will. And, I find myself needing to pause for just such a thing.

I have had the unique privilege of being surrounded by some of God's most extraordinary children and I have been an eyewitness to some of His more glorious acts of love and faithfulness. I have seen His word come to life in the mundane, I have lived out some of my favorite Bible stories and I bear witness that God is Good, all the time. God has graciously given me a "good seat" for His show, but I haven't been placed here to simply watch and enjoy. He placed me here, with pen and paper (keyboard/coffee,) to humbly and inadequately, try to tell His stories.

Mom would never ask me to tell this story- but it's my pleasure to tell it, nonetheless. It is my own sincere form of verbal applause, it is applause well deserved for endurance, patience, faithfulness and for graciously surrendering to the Lord, all that you are and all that you have. I give you the last- story of houses.

Today, was a deja vu day. But, it's been a deja vu day, all week. You see, a sign went up this week, not just any sign....."THE SIGN," and not in just any yard.........in my parents yard.  The Huggins House is on the market, my mom called this morning from such a familiar spot.........her car, down the street......waiting for the realtors to do their walk through. I have hated to not be there with her, it has killed me all week long, because I know exactly what it is like, to prepare to hand over, something so treasured.

If you are joining our show, already in progress, this will seem indulgent and absurd. You would have to know the history of the last year to appreciate that this, is not at all, about selling a house, it is about surrendering to the Lord, all that He asks of you and doing it with a glad heart. It is about trusting the Lord, with your life, your hopes, your wounds, your family and yes..........your home. For both Mom and I, part of what the Lord required us to lay down, was our homes. Let me be very clear, NOT THE STUFF, never the stuff. Only a fool, would lament stuff.......things, decorations, furniture, ornaments, possessions - all, just stuff. In my family, homes were never about stuff. Homes are filled with memories, moments of joy and pain, shared tears and laughter. Homes are far too sacred, to be filled with just, stuff. My parents home, in particular, has been filled to the very tip top, with some of the most special people, most precious occasions and some of my very favorite memories........not to mention, ridiculously good food.

Let me tell you how this house, came to be theirs. When I graduated high school, I moved from DFW to Lubbock..............about three years later, my parents joined me. I still remember getting a phone call from my parents saying that they were thinking of moving, kind of.....maybe........ thinking about moving to Lubbock..........I honestly thought they were kidding. So, color me surprised when a month later, they both retired........at 50.......sold their lovely home.........and moved to Lubbock.........and surrendered to full time ministry! Huh?



I was ecstatic! Confused, but ecstatic! I hadn't grown up in a pastor's house, I grew up in an exec's house-let me qualify that with saying, it was with one of the most godly, ministry-gifted execs. The Lord had been preparing my parents and family for ministry for a number of years, they waited patiently on His calling and in 2000, the call came.  So, we set out looking for a house. Moving is kind of a hobby of ours, I should restate that........moving was necessary, growing up - and is still loathed (the actual packing and unpacking part,) buying and selling houses is the more enjoyable hobby. I remember the day Mom and I found their house. She had come by herself to look for the weekend and we saw all kinds of houses, old - new, south - north, big - garden......on and on. Until, we got to the last house.......and we knew immediately, that this, was the one. It was, at the same time, the most amazingly fabulous and god-awful house, I'd ever seen. It had soaring ceilings and windows, a grand ballroom, enormous kitchen..........and kelly green foil wallpaper with giant orange and yellow daisies, burnt orange and white flocked walls, a 1970's suspended tile ceiling, and a lipstick red bathroom that had golden cranes and chinese writing on the walls! I called it the Lotus Blossom Massage Parlor, because it truly looked some awful Shang-Hai cat-house.......it was perfect!

When Dad got to town, it was clear he knew our game all to well. He told the realtor, a dear friend of theirs, "Now, I know this is a setup. You're gonna show me garbage all day long, so you can show me the one she wants, last......why don't we just skip to the one she's picked and go get a burger?" Excellent! We took Dad to "The House" and he laughed for several minutes before he realized we weren't joking. "You've got to be kidding me, Kell! It's hideous!" "I know!" Mom squealed, "Isn't it great!!! It has all the right things wrong with it!" Classic.

Mom's a smart cookie and can make anything look gorgeous. Dad's a smart man and knows this. That house was so "cosmetically challenged" they got it for almost 100k under market. Now, that's a deal! At the time, I was still working as a designer, so I had a crew of contractors start on it immediately - scraping ceilings and walls, painting and clearing out debris. And man, was there debris!

The house was built in 1978 and had never been updated. It had been bought by a Romanian doctor and in their culture, you don't change things.....or mow, apparently. My folks house sat on a fairway of a country club and when they cleared the yard, they found almost 200 golf balls! 12 years later, and we still give golf balls away in stockings.

Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary

And, so began their time.......in the house. My mom has exquisite taste and is an incredible hostess. They have hosted dinners for congressmen, university presidents, weddings, and any number of other important people and events. And, if you asked either of my parents to name their most favorite people or events to host, none of those would make the list, not even a long list. More treasured than any fancy party, would be countless "singin's" with the senior adults from FBC Lubbock, Apples of Gold - a mentoring bible study, that saw hundreds of women welcomed to their home, countless church gatherings, home groups and shared meals, mine and Andy's wedding reception, holidays, Mimi/Papa camps for the grandkids........my parents hosted every "welcome to Lubbock" party and, as it turned out, every "going away party" for some of the most amazing ministers we've ever known. They celebrated countless births, engagements, marriages, anniversaries and even home-goings, where everyone would gather to love on a grieving spouse or family.

To Mom and Dad, it was never just a house, it was a ministry tool.......an actual, physical extension of Christ's loving kindness. Their home, was an intentional opportunity to practice the most genuine, biblical form of hospitality. Mom has the gift of hospitality, and she's got it good......but it's so much more than being able to put together a party or a meal. Mom's hospitality is, as according to scripture, "contributing to the needs of the saints, a place of refreshing and protection from life's storms, a gift given without grumbling to glorify Jesus, given with joy and given to friends and strangers alike." And, according to Hebrews 13:2, given to angels like Brother Blevins, Mr. Heagy, Sandra and Bubba. Mom and Dad certainly entertained angels, some of earth's finest jewels, before they went Home.

I remember countless holiday meals with 30-40 people, anyone who didn't have a place to be, family close by or someone who just needed encouragement, was welcomed to the Huggins table. It was always interesting to see who might show up with a covered dish, because more often than not there would be, at least a few strangers- someone new to church, someone from a grocery store.....but more likely, one of the "strays" my dad would find at the hospital; someone crying in an elevator, or by themselves in a waiting room or someone headed out to their trailer in the parking lot, those were dad's favorites to invite over. There must have been hundreds of loads of laundry rounded up from families camped in Covenant's parking lot, people who were there from hundreds of miles away, keeping watch over children receiving chemo or loved ones care-flighted in.......if they came within 100 yards of my mom or dad, they were fed, clothed, prayed over and then someone would visit them.......every single day, for as long as they were there - and if they went to a hospital in another city, someone met them there - on behalf of my parents.

Even though, I am their daughter and even lived in their home for a few seasons.......as a semi-adult

Thanksgiving 2008

even I got to be the recipient of their hospitality. I have countless favorite memories there as well. Mom sent me the MLS and as I read through the list of all the amenities, the value and price per foot.........it struck me how different my list would be. There is not a buyer on the planet that could give me enough money for the worn and bare track around their home and the golf-course, where my dad has walked as he prayed, every night for 12 years.  I still remember standing in their living room, broken and defeated, and being shown the utmost mercy, grace and respect. I remember driving into their driveway, and seeing through the back windows Andy- my future husband, sitting at their table..........a blind date, my dad had orchestrated.  I remember dancing our first dance as man and wife outside those same windows. I remember Thanksgiving 2008, Berkley had been born 3 days earlier and I had been in cardiac ICU for five days. I was discharged the day before Thanksgiving at 4 in the afternoon and I came home scared, tired, physically and emotionally exhausted and most certainly didn't have a plan, for turkey day. My parents had been at the hospital around the clock, but somehow Mom managed to hit the stores and pull together a feast, that made it seem like everything was going to be Ok.  "Precious memories, how they linger...... How they ever flood my soul.   In the stillness of the midnight, Precious sacred scenes unfold." I'd like to meet the person who could afford to buy that, if matched dollar for worth.


This is not so much a story of houses, as it is a story of hearts, of lifestyles and legacies whose greatest purpose was to show the love of Christ with whatever they had. My parents are so good, about encouraging others to really examine how God has equipped each of us for kingdom work. What do you do? What do you have? All of it, is given for His glory. Do you bake? Do you fix cars? Are you an accountant or an attorney- start drawing up wills for church staff, young families or senior adults. Do you tinker- wanna go fix something for single moms or widows? Do you drive- let's go take the Lord's supper to Hospice.  They only thing they do better than meet people's needs, is introduce people to the lifelong blessing, of serving others. For my folks, they happened to have a house - and every inch of it was fair game for serving and loving others. Every bed, every serving piece, the yard, the driveway- every meal and every blanket were always at the ready for anyone and anything that required it.

This is not just their story, perhaps it is yours too? I can think of at least five other women who are leaving the same legacy to those around them, women who I have heard say out loud that "I know God gave me this house to bless others with." Not surprisingly, some of my mom's closest friends are women who have ordered their home and their lives around serving others, loving others and showing extravagant hospitality, in the Name of Jesus. And, it's not about the size of the house or even the "niceness" of it. Let me give you an interesting contradiction- by no means, was every house we lived in, growing up, like this house. This is not the house my parents started in, or I was born in- there were at least 12, lesser houses and apartments along the way. And yet, every house we ever lived in - was exactly like this house......with the same open doors, open fridge, open hearts. I could write this exact same story about every house we ever lived in.........whether there was 1,000 sq ft or 10,000 sq ft, that would not change anything about my parents desire or ability to serve others, or glorify God with their whole heart.

After all, it is not the grandness of the house, but the grandness of the heart..........and yours is a real stunner, Mom.

I waited until I was done, to tell my mom I would be sharing this, and asked if she had any thoughts.......I'm sharing that with you, because I could not say it better.

"I am filled with gratitude that He loves us so much. We have tried to be faithful and obedient and we have been given God's grace and when you see God's hand every step of the journey, then you KNOW that He WILL redeem the years the locust took away. It would have been so easy for Him to pat us on the head and put us on the shelf. But, He was faithful to hear our specific petition and work out every detail and recreate the exact same job that Jerry was willing to walk away from, and allow him to do the one thing that his heart was aching to do - to serve God, to make a difference in people's lives and to reflect the glory of his Savior! Isn't that what we are all called to do?  Sara,  it gives me courage to know that in the face of our trials, we were faithful and even though there were days when we thought we could not go another day, we did not waiver.

     God honors that kind of faithful obedience and I am going to giggle and howl, at what will come next.  Yes, it will be beyond painful to drive away from a home that I have loved and cared for.  But, from the first day you, Sara, and I were caught peeking in the back window by Amy, our next door neighbor, I knew that the Lord brought us to this house for a very specific purpose.  Where could we have had the party after the party at your wedding for 100 people, but in this house?  Where else could we have hosted Life Groups every Sunday night for three years, sometimes 35-40 people, but in this house?  Where else could we have shared Christmas morning with Berkley and Emerson, but in this house? Where else could we have prayed with anxious fellow believers about their illnesses, their children and grandchildren, their petitions for lost family members, but in this house?  

    It has been our sanctuary. Especially, in this last year, when I was so horribly lonely, and felt so isolated, this house enveloped me and gave me comfort.  I could walk through these rooms and remember all the many things that have happened here and I didn’t feel so alone.  It is like saying goodbye to an old dear friend, who knows all your stuff. You can just pick up where you left off when you move from one room to another and remember why you had  the words “and they danced by the light of the moon” painted on your back window.  I remember when Andy was so smitten with you    ( and you with him) and we caught him doing a “drive-by” just to see if you were at home and he gave some lame excuse about a friend looking at a house, in this neighborhood.  You were busted, Andy. And, you were in love with my daughter, even then. I remember the Sunday Night Singings we had with our dear senior adult friends from FBC Lubbock, many who have gone on to Glory. Andy fired up the keyboard, and Ann Apple played and Jerry Brownlow brought his mandolin and there were several guitars.  We sang those old hymns out of Daulton’s songbook and there were people in the room who knew what shape notes were.  Precious memories that will never fade are vying for space within these walls.  I loved every lovely minute of it. I can say I even loved every dark agonizing minute of it because out of the trial comes the growth and my, my how we have grown.

 

      One several occasions I remember telling you that I felt like I was a passenger on this journey because it was really Jerry, who was driving this bus.  It was his call to ministry, that brought us to this place and I was supporting him in whatever way I could. But, I now realize, that much like Jerry, who sacrificed the work, the job, the calling that meant everything to him; what he loved and what gave him such satisfaction, I too, will be called to make a sacrifice.  And, my sacrifice will be to surrender this home that I loved, that allowed me to use my gift of hospitality, ( I didn’t even get to the whole Apples of Gold Era) that I welcomed my babies to, that I cooked my Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Birthday dinners in ( how can we forget Superlatives), and hosted countless WMU, Sunday School parties, Life Groups, Women’s Ministry meetings.  I can’t even imagine how I would have done all that, without this HOUSE.


It was perfect for me and God is at work right now, planning and preparing the next house for me.  And, I bet it will be big enough for everyone to come home at the same time and have a place to sleep, and it will be on some rolling green acreage with a pond and a pier, for Emerson and Zachary to sit on and watch their corks bob in the water, waiting for the tug of a brim. And, there will be a bunkhouse, for all the babies to sleep in when they come to visit and it will be a little bit girly for Berkley, and Hannah and Maddie. And, it will have Mimi’s Secret Closet where I will stash all the treasures that I collect for each of my babies, as I await their next visit.  It will be grand and inviting and we will have Sunday Night Singings, and Life Groups, and WMU, and Women’ s Ministry meetings, and Bible Studies, and I’ll cook Thanksgiving dinners, and Christmas dinners, and Birthday Dinners.  And, who knows, one of my granddaughters or grandsons may fall in love, and get married and we will have to paint “and they dance by the light of the moon “ on my back window, when we celebrate their wedding.  Oh My, I can hardly wait to see what God has prepared!!!"

Me, too!!!!

     Almost a year ago, I sat in my car in front of my house and watched as the sign went up. A dear friend sent me this verse,   "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create streams in the dessert!" Isaiah 43:19
    And, to add to it - "But without faith, it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them, that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6  The Greek word used here for "without" is choris - meaning to be or live outside of something, such as someone who lives outside the perimeters of the city. So, the verse says "When you live outside of faith - living beyond its boundaries and perimeters.....you make it impossible to please Him."
   Do you get it?  Faith has a physical address, and you can live at it or outside of it. Faith, is that place where God called you; that place requiring your obedience, faith, and patience; that place where you are confident God wants you to be working and living. It requires commitment, patience and faithfulness to stay there and it requires the same to move there, but how rich is the reward, for those who do!

 My parents are moving to Gainesville, Tx........to begin serving at a church there. They have not found a house yet, but know without a doubt that this is where God is calling them to. They are leaving their home, city and friends and moving to a new location........... but, their address will remain the same, and it is the address of Faith.
    And, all will be welcome there, all will be fed there and all will know the love of Christ, there.

..........And, there will be Mimi camp there.

Shalom Y'all,
Sara
                                             UPDATE     SEPTEMBER 24th, 2013
*I am so pleased to share an update with you! I have promised I won't share inside pics before it's done....... but this very day, my parents are moving into their new address of faith! I can't wait to share more about what God is doing in their lives and there will be time for that- but for today, I just want to say "Congratulations!" to them and "Be encouraged!" to you.  It's hard to believe it has been almost a year to the day, that their house went on the market, until now....... when they move into their new home. It was a tough year of trying to wait patiently, trying to see where God was taking all of this, looking at every opened and closed door through the lens of God's will- believing and knowing that absolutely everything that happens passes through the filter of His perfect plan.......... even when you couldn't see it or make sense of it. I'll be sharing more soon- but for today, be encouraged! God is the God of order, perfection and thorough completion....... and sometimes, though not always, He gives you the most precious glimpse of what He has been working on, working on in light and darkest of nights, in seen and unseen places, softening and chiseling.... refining and pruning. God has been faithfully working for your good and in the end, is something so personal, something that grew you and glorified Him. My, my....... His ways are higher than our ways! 
      Today is the day of "giggling and howling" for my parents and I love to think how that must delight our Heavenly Father, when the scales have fallen from His children's eyes and we truly SEE our God's GOODNESS, we SEE His overwhelming GOODNESS and LOVE for us. Could there be anything worth more? Could there be anything that comforts or encourages more than knowing the Creator of the heavens and earth, LOVES YOU?

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