Ellen Chauvin's Blog

There’s something to be said for bladders that surprise us: we must be prepared.

After running errands one day, I rushed into the house, determined to get to the toilet before I had an accident. Of course, I needed to sneeze, and I knew this would cause a catastrophic explosion of my bladder.

I made it just in time, but almost catapulted right off the toilet seat because of my hurry. I slid right across the top and caught myself before I fell to the floor! Can you imagine the calamity if I hadn’t been able to stop??

It’s funny (not ha-ha, but interesting), isn’t it? Things change with age. Road trips, or even quick trips to town, are planned around bathroom availability. Which stores have public bathrooms? Are they clean? Is there a Bucee’s nearby?

We prepare ourselves physically for growing older. We exercise to stay limber, we know where all restrooms are for our weak bladders, and we keep all maintenance doctor visits.

Why don’t we prepare ourselves spiritually for aging?

Preparation is Biblical

The Jewish people had a day of preparation (Luke 23:54), which was when they readied themselves for the Sabbath. No work or cooking could be done on the Sabbath day. They had to cook meals and do chores the day before. They had to prepare.

Jesus also believed in preparing. In Mark 9:30, we see that “He wanted to spend more time with His disciples and teach them.” Jesus didn’t want them to be unaware of what would happen to Him.

Jesus is also preparing a place for us (John 14:2). One day, we will join Him there. If Jesus prepares for the future, we should do the same.

Suggestions to Prepare Ourselves 

There are so many things we can do to prepare ourselves for what will come with aging. But as for preparing ourselves physically, it’s more about being than doing. Here are a few suggestions:

*Be rooted. To be firmly rooted, you must have a solid foundation. Our foundation is Jesus Christ. When our roots grow down deep into Jesus, our faith will grow. Our spiritual lives will flourish, even in old age (Ps. 92:14). 

With a firm foundation and deep roots, we won’t be blown about like tumbleweeds that have no roots (or like me slipping and sliding to make it to the toilet!). We will be strong, upright, and able to stand firm even in the midst of the hardships that aging brings.

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Col 2:7 NLT

Old tree, deep roots

*Be Dependent. I admit, the older I get, the more self-supporting and independent I become. A simple problem arises? I can handle it. Why bother God with this little thing? Before I know it, I am no longer depending on Him for all things!

Return to dependence on Him. Give each day to Him in prayer. Recognize that He is sovereign over all. Remember that He knows all things. Never believe that you are bothering the Lord. Our Father wants us to come to Him with every little bump and scrape on the knees of our lives.

In the same way we depend on certain stores to have the facilities we need, when we need them, Jesus has all we need for every day. 

Be surrendered to the will of the Lord. Depend on Him. Trust Him. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

*Be at rest. Jesus is the ultimate “rest stop” along our way. When we find our rest in Him alone, peace that surpasses all understanding will fill our hearts. Disasters, trials, and tribulations won’t disturb our peace or the calm within us. We cannot be shaken when we rest in Jesus (Psalm 62:6).

Like being near a restroom, being near Jesus brings comfort. We can scoot ourselves up next to Him, tuck ourselves under the shelter of His arms, and find rest. 

And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Maybe, to prepare spiritually for the autumn years of life, we need to BE: With Jesus, growing deeper roots into Him. Our roots will deepen when we depend on Him and rest in Him. Then our connection with Jesus will naturally grow deeper. And that’s the best preparation for spiritual aging!  

Abide in Me, and I in you. John 15:4

For His glory,

The post Growing Older, Growing Deeper: The Case for Spiritual Preparation first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

Bathrooms and Jesus. That’s a combination you would never put together, right? Let me tell you how I got here:

Recently, we attended my husband’s fiftieth high school reunion. If you haven’t made it this far in life yet, let me tell you, it’s an interesting time. It’s also a time when you don’t want to look bad in any way.

So when I got stuck in the bathroom stall, I panicked a bit. I could imagine having to scream so loud that someone would come to my rescue. How silly would I look?!? Turns out, all I had to do was slam my shoulder into the stall door. Yes, I had a bruise the next day, but I didn’t look stupid!

That wasn’t the first time I’ve gotten stuck in a stinky situation. At a car show with my husband, I had to go to the restroom. All they had were port-o-lets. EWWWW. But you do what you’ve got to do. I went in, held my breath, and just as I was getting ready to (thankfully) leave the “belly of the whale,” a rainstorm blew through. Opting to maintain my nicely coifed hair (because I didn’t want to look like a drowned puppy), I decided to wait it out in that stanky old outdoor outhouse. Nasty!

Unlike me, stinky situations didn’t bother Jesus. Remember when He went to Lazarus’ grave and told the people to remove the stone? Lazarus had been dead for four days. The full implication of this act really shines through in the King James Version when Martha tells Jesus, “Lord, by this time he stinketh (John 11:39).”

Lazarus’ body was decomposing after four days in the tomb. Let me say this right now: “Oh, no, not me! I will not stand next to that stinky grave!” But Jesus didn’t shrink or cower at the thought. He had a larger purpose in mind.

Jewish tradition indicates “a belief that the soul hovered over the body for three days, hoping to reenter it, but then gave up and departed⁠1.”

Jesus wanted the people to see the glory of God in the resurrection of a dead man. That’s why He waited until Lazarus had been dead four days. Past the point of no return. The people who saw this miracle would believe that God had sent Jesus (John 11:40-42). 

Isn’t that just like Jesus? Barrelling into a stinky situation to bring life to it? 

Jesus barrels into our stinky situations to bring us life.

If you’ve ever thought, My life’s a mess. It stinks. Jesus could never love me (or forgive me, or want me), you’re wrong. While we may not like our stinky lives, Jesus wades right into the middle and pulls us out of the muck and the grime.

Before Jesus came into our lives, we were all Lazarus-dead. We were dead in our sins, trapped in a tomb, and wrapped in grave clothes. We were stanky.

But Jesus. He has a heart for sinners like you and me. He cares.  Jesus wants us to throw off the grave clothes and walk in new life with Him! And as with Lazarus, Jesus wants us alive for His glory.

How has Jesus been working in your life recently? How can you bring Him honor and glory with the way you live?

For His Glory,

 

 

 

[image error]

1 Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2045.

The post Bathrooms and Jesus first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

Valentine’s Day is almost here!  I’m sharing some hints on loving your husband.  The list is endless, so I’ve narrowed it down to fourteen. Feel free to pop over to Part 1 for the first seven helpful hints.

8. FORGIVE

Let’s face it. Guys sometimes don’t think like we do. My sweet husband was concerned about the weight I had gained several years back, and rightly so! It was more than I had ever weighed in my life. However, when he talked to me about it, he used the “O” word: OBESITY. Now, before you get your feathers in a ruffle, he DID NOT say I was obese. He was just concerned that I was headed in that direction. But, bless his heart, you don’t use that word when you are talking to a woman about her weight.  I don’t think I spoke to him for two days. TWO DAYS. Two days out of our lives that are wasted, because I didn’t have the sense and maturity to forgive him. Ladies, please don’t ever waste precious time being angry with your husband. Forgive him.  “…love keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

9. YOUR HOME, HIS CASTLE 

Make your home a haven for your hubby.  Make it a peaceful place for him.  John used to travel quite a bit for work.  When he was gone, I didn’t cook, do laundry, or do dishes.  But when he walked through the door, I tried to make sure all the mess was picked up (not tonight, I’m writing tonight). Ok, I’m not as good at this as I used to be. I’ve relaxed a lot in my old age. But I do try to be his helpmate. I know he’ll be tired when he comes home, so if necessary, I’ll take care of the chores that he usually does. Yes, like take the trash out. Make your home a peaceful, loving place. He’ll look forward to arriving at his castle each evening!

10. BE KIND

Titus 2:4-5 says that older women are to encourage the younger women to love their husbands and children, and to be kind (among other things). It was odd that the younger women had to be taught how to be kind. After all, kindness begins at home, doesn’t it? Sometimes you would never know this by the way I act. When I’m “in a mood,” I can be kinder to a stranger in Walmart than I can to my husband. Let’s be kind to our husbands, “so that the word of God may not be dishonored.” (Titus 2:5). 

11. PRACTICE PATIENCE. Count to ten. Then, count to ten again. And again, and again. Deep breaths in, deep breaths out, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10! Next thing you know, that little temper tantrum has been avoided.

12. DON’T HUSBAND BASH 

Ever been in a conversation with some girlfriends that went something like this:

“You wouldn’t believe what a slob my husband is. I wish he would learn to pick up his stuff!” 

“You think yours is a slob, mine is such an idiot! He can’t even make the simplest repairs around the house!”

And on it goes, getting worse and worse.  This is dangerous and destructive behavior.  It is contagious and spreads like a virus! RUN FROM IT! Husband bashing is extremely damaging to your marriage. The more you dwell on your perceived wrongs in your husband, the more unhappy you will become.

Don’t participate in these conversations.  Try to steer them back to all the positive aspects of your spouses. If you can’t, I say again: RUN FROM IT! Guard your heart against this kind of talk. 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. – Proverbs 4:23

Be especially careful around the children or grandchildren. They need to see your respect for your man, not your scorn for him.

13. SAY THANK YOU. 

Always. For every little thing. Let him know you appreciate him.  

14. LAUGH. 

Laughing together is good medicine for any marriage. And it relieves stress (like hugs).

Remember, there are many, many ways you can love and encourage your sweet hubby each day. Be alert to hints he may unknowingly give. You won’t be sorry!

Because of His love,

The post 14 Ways to Love Your Husband, Part 2 first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.  This week and next, I’ll share with you some suggestions I’ve learned over the years for loving your husband.  I’m not perfect at this. Matter of fact, I’m writing it as a reminder to myself: These are things I need to put into practice, or continue practicing, in my marriage.

1. RESPECT

In her book “What Men Need Most,” Shaunti Feldhan states, “The most important aspect of demonstrating respect: It is a choice.  A choice we make out of reverence for God and love for our husbands. Just as men can choose to demonstrate love toward us even if they don’t feel it at the moment, so we can and should demonstrate respect toward them.”  Choose to respect your husband. Hold him in high esteem. Respect his leadership in your family (1 Cor. 11:3). Respect his provision for your family. Reduce complaints and increase compliments. Show him respect with your actions. Do you roll your eyes when he comments on something? Do you slam a door or throw things when you’re angry (yes, I have)? Let’s stop. Let’s show more respect to our husbands.

2. HUGS, hugs, hugs! Hug your husband frequently!  Hugs are powerful gestures that promote emotional and physical well-being. Science has proven that hugs release oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” which encourages bonding and reduces stress. Hugs can lower cortisol levels, improve mood, and even boost immune function, making them beneficial for overall health.

3. LISTEN 

Listening shows the highest respect.  When someone looks you in the eye and focuses on you while you are talking, you know they care.  Take time to listen to your husband. Listen with your ears, your eyes, and your body language.  Show him you care.

4. ENCOURAGE

Give your husband some encouragement. Be his biggest cheerleader. He works hard. Give him a standing ovation when he comes home from work. Tell him what a great job he does with repairs around the house. If the yard looks great after he mows and trims it, let him know. Acknowledge his job well done. When you admire what he’s done or how he’s handled a situation, be sure you tell him. These words will go a long way to lift your husband’s spirits: “Honey, you handled that so well!”

5. PRAY

Prayer and respect should always be at the top of your list of ways to love your husband. Lift him in prayer.  His spirit needs reviving as much as anyone’s. Ask him how you can pray for him. Then do it.  Right then (I’m sorely lacking in the ‘pray for him now’ category!). Pray for strength as he leads your family.  Pray for his spiritual growth. Pray that he would be a man after God’s own heart.

6. HOLD HANDS. Bring a little bit of first love back into your marriage. Hold his hand!

7. LEAVE HIM A LOVE NOTE. Hide it in his computer bag, his socks, or his underwear drawer, LOL! What a sweet and fun surprise! A little love in a note goes a long way.

Be sure to come back next week for seven more helpful hints!

Grace be with you,

The post 14 Ways to Love Your Husband, Part 1 first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

NOTE: This is the blog that started it all. I realized I was a stranger, just like Abraham. I was Longing to Belong in the aftermath of my Mama’s death. Writing this blog led me on a journey through grief and to the other side, the better side. God showed me the better things He has in store for us. He gave me hope in the midst of grief.

~~~~~~~~

Slow tears trickled down my face. I watched the pallbearers carry Mama ever so gently up the steps into the white clapboard church she called home.

The hot July day would have been unbearable if I had noticed it. I did not. I was in a fog, depending on the grace of God to get me through the next few hours.

I could hardly put one foot in front of the other; it felt like I was walking through a river of mud. Struggling. But there were things to do. People and family to greet. Slowly, they arrived, their murmured condolences not even beginning to comfort my grieving heart.

Her service was beautiful! Exactly what she would have wanted. Mama’s pastor told us about her love for Jesus and explained the plan of salvation. Her church family fed us after the funeral, hugged us, and loved on us. They told us how much she would be missed. Oh, how well I knew!

One bittersweet scene replays in my mind. On a whiteboard in the church choir room, these words:

Ann Eason

July 28, 2011

Oh, happy day!

Oh…happy…day. I was trying, but my heart was broken. It’s a hard thing to lose a mama. She was the glue that held our family together. What now?

My heart was in Mississippi. My family was there. It felt like home. For the first time in thirty years, I felt like a stranger in Louisiana.

I didn’t belong here…or there. I was homesick. For Mama. For the family time we had shared. For home – wherever that may be. Nothing felt the same – like someone had re-arranged the furniture. Familiar, but not quite right.

Stranger. Sojourner. Exile.

Like Abraham.

Genesis 23:2-4 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sara and to weep for her. Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, “I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”

Abraham and Sarah had been living in Canaan for many years before Sarah died. Yet Abraham felt like a stranger.

The original Hebrew use of the word “stranger” indicates an alien – someone living in a strange land among strange people. These strangers did not identify with the group among whom they were living. Yep, that was me.

Why didn’t Abraham return to his homeland if he felt like a stranger in Canaan?

We’re told in Genesis 12:1-2 ‘Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you: and I will make you a great nation…’

God sent Abraham to Canaan. Abraham was seventy-five when he obediently left his homeland. He didn’t question God or ask “Why?” He just went, based on God’s word and promise. The Lord put Abraham there for His purposes, and Abraham chose to stay, and grow, and make a life where God had placed him.

When the Lord moves you into a strange land, it could be your place of promise.

If this was Abraham’s land of promise, why did he feel like a stranger after so many years there?

Abraham knew—deep in his heart—what I was beginning to understand after Mama’s death: This earth is not my home. I am a stranger here, a temporary resident.

“For he (Abraham) was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrew 11:10

My heart ached for this city created by God. My whole being longed for it. I’d never felt this more acutely than after Mama’s death. This longing that wouldn’t go away, that stayed months after my grief had subsided, was a longing for my real home, my heavenly home.

Abraham stayed in Canaan, even though he was a stranger, even though he grieved his wife, Sarah. He was able to endure this grief in a strange land because he kept his eyes on the city that God was building for him. Abraham’s hope was in the Lord God.

Have you ever suffered a loss and suddenly felt like a stranger—out of place and homesick? Let this promise from God’s word comfort you:

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3 (NASB)

Jesus Himself is preparing a place for us! In the meantime, we must live as strangers here on earth.

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 

 

 

If you find yourself in the midst of grief, Longing to Belong: Filling the Longings of our Heart with the Hope of Home can help!

 

The post From Homesick to Home: Stranger first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

Frank Sinatra and his contemporaries are some of my favorite singers. However, Frank Sinatra had it wrong on Strangers In The Night. He says, “Do be do be dooooo.” Take a listen here, if you’re not familiar with the song (especially at around the 2:20 mark).

The words should say “Be do be do beeee.” Why? Because when we stop doing, we start becoming.

Everyone rushes around at the beginning of a new year to make resolutions, set goals, or set intentions. But what’s the difference?

A resolution is a decision to do, or not to do, something. It’s a promise you make to yourself. It generally has no specific time frame for change. And, let’s be honest: We set resolutions, but after about two weeks, we forget them. Resolution? What resolution? They are only a list of things I want to do, but never do! Raise your hand if you feel the same way!

A goal is an outcome that has a short- or long-term timeline. Goals need a specific plan of action to complete. They have specific outcomes you aim to achieve.

Intentions focus more on mindset or feelings. They are our determination to act in a certain way. Intentions can lead to more sustained personal growth. Intentions can be your guide. They can help you complete your goals. They can help you grow into the woman God intends you to be.

Did you see it? INTENDS YOU TO BE. 

You must first pray and determine the person you want to BE (and who God wants you to be). Then, you can DO things to help you get there.

 Here are some examples:

DO: I want to lose 15 pounds.BE: I intend to be healthy.Goals to help me get there: Eat lighter meals, no sugar, no processed foodsExercise 3-4 times per weekDO: I want to write.BE: I intend to be a writer who writes for the glory of God.Goals to help me get there:Write regular blog postsBrainstorm book ideasSet aside daily time to writeDO: I want to read the Bible in a year.BE: I intend to grow in my spiritual life.Goals to help me get there:Read my Bible daily.Pray without ceasing.Cultivate godly friendships.Establish an attitude of gratitude.

The goal is not to do so much that our lives overflow with busyness. The goal is to become.

As James Clear (Atomic Habits) said in his weekly e-mail:

“Improvements are only temporary until they become part of who you are.

The goal is not to read a book; the goal is to become a reader.

The goal is not to run a marathon; the goal is to become a runner.

The goal is not to learn an instrument; the goal is to become a musician.

Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.

This year, focus on the identity you want to build.”

So, let’s make this resolution:

Whereas the term resolution has become increasingly associated with a lack of action, 

Resolved, that we, as God’s children, intend to STOP setting resolutions.

Resolved, that we intend to BE the women God calls us to be.

Resolved, that we intend to stop doing and start becoming.

Now, go, pray, and set your intentions. Then, set some goals to help you get there! You’ve got this!

The post Stop Doing, Start Becoming first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Psalm 90:12 CSB

Years ago, when I stopped working, it surprised people that I adjusted so well to retirement life. I always told them, “I had a plan.” I didn’t simply jump into retirement without giving thought to what I would do with all the extra time. While I didn’t have every day mapped out to the minute, I knew (in general) what I wanted to do. I set goals.

At the end of every year, I try to do the same thing. Yes, I’m in my late 60’s, but goal-setting is still a practice I want to continue. It’s important to me that I don’t coast through these final decades of life, and that I live for God’s glory.

Time to Reflect

Before I set my goals and intentions (more on this next week) for the year, I set aside time to reflect on the past year. This is NOT to rehash your mistakes or everything that went wrong or goals you didn’t accomplish. It isn’t a performance review. 

Reflecting on the past year helps you see ways you’ve grown and acknowledge ways you may still need to grow. It’s also a time to see and remember God’s goodness and faithfulness over the past year.

Reflecting on our relationship with God helps us see how He has been with us this past year. We can see where we’ve run ahead without Him. Reflection helps us reorient our hearts and lives around Jesus. This, in turn, directs our steps for the next year. 

The week between Christmas and the New Year is slow and relaxing. That’s the time I set aside to practice the spiritual discipline of remembering. So, grab a cuppa coffee or tea and let’s begin!

Prayer and Reflection

Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness to spend time with His Father in Heaven (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, 6:12). We should do the same. We don’t want to walk into a new year with intentions and goals that aren’t prayed over first!

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 NASB

Now, reflect on the past year. Ask yourself some questions to help you determine how the year went. Here are a few to start with:

1. What was a great use of my time and energy last year, that I’d like to do more of this year? What worked well?

2. List any distractions or obstacles that kept me from achieving my goals (busyness, fear, pushback from others)

3. What victories, accomplishments, and milestones am I celebrating?

4. What small moments of joy, peace, or simple pleasure did I experience (check your calendar or your journal to help jog your memory)?

5. Looking back, what have I learned this past year? What have I learned about God this past year? Where have I seen His faithfulness? What/who am I most grateful for?

6. What prayers are answered, and for what am I still praying?

Review Your Current State

Next, let’s take some time to review our current status. An inventory, if you will, of the different areas of our lives. The following are a few sample questions:

1. What is the current state of my heart (emotional health)?

2. What is the current state of my soul (spiritual health)?

3. What is the current state of my mind (what occupies my thoughts; mental health)?

4. What is the current state of my body (physical health)?

5. Who is in my life for me to love? What is the current state of my relationships?

6. What matters most (When I reach the end of my life, will this answer be the same?)?

7. What are my dreams and passions? What gifts do I have? How can I use them to bring glory to God?

8. What are my limitations?

A tool that I’ve found helpful is the Wheel (or Circle) of Life or the Personal Vitality Plan. It helps you take stock of different areas of your life. Full disclosure: I have not been consistent with using this tool. But I know that I should use it (at least quarterly) so that I won’t coast through life. It also helps me make course corrections if I am drifting.

Remember the Past to Plan the Future

We remember and reflect on the past year to make God-honoring plans for the new year. This reflection helps us revive dreams and goals that got pushed to the side. It gives us fresh vision for the work the Lord has called me to do. We look to the past and see what distractions kept us from being the person the Lord called us to be.

Looking back, we are encouraged by God’s faithfulness in His guidance. We see the victories, accomplishments, and milestones marked, all to God’s glory! And we see the simple, small pleasures in life that bring great joy (More of these in the new year, please!).

What’s Next

Next week, we dive into goals, resolutions, and intentions for the year. And lest you think it’s too late by then, know this: There is nothing special or magical or super spiritual about having goals set by January 1.  The point is to align your life with Christ, pray, and see what He may have for you in the year to come!

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. Colossians 3:23 NASB

Until next week,

The post Resolved to Reflect, Reorient, and Revive first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

December 25th will mark the fifteenth Christmas without my Mama. By far, her death was the hardest circumstance in life that I have ever gone through. It’s a hard thing to lose a mama. Mom’s death threw me into a pit of grief that I didn’t think I would ever crawl out of. I wasn’t sure I could claw my way to the surface and see the light of day again. Only my sweet husband realized the depths of my sorrow. He asked if I needed to talk to someone—a pastor, a counselor. And tell them what, exactly? That my heart has been ripped out of my body? That my grief was—literally—a heart that ached?

Dear friend, if this is how Christmas finds you, please know you are not alone. Here are a few things I learned all those years ago:

ALLOW yourself time to grieve. Oh, I know, I know. Life goes on, the world keeps turning, and you only get three days of funeral leave. But don’t tamp down those feelings you have. Don’t push them aside. Give yourself time and space to grieve. Visit with your family. Talk about your loved one. Those memories you made together? Remember them! Look through pictures and share your stories. It’s okay to grieve.

KNOW that grief is a long, winding road with many twists and turns, hills and valleys. Many days you won’t be able to see the forest for the trees.

Grief is a slow process. The deeper the love, the deeper the pain.

Grief will blindside you when you least expect it. You may be in the grocery store looking at bunches of bananas and suddenly burst into tears. Shoppers around you will give you strange looks, wondering if they should call the EMTs. But the thing is, those bananas reminded you of homemade banana pudding. It tasted okay, not great, but Mama’s banana pudding had cups full of love as the main ingredient. Grief rears its ugly head at the most inopportune times. Know this will happen. Know this is normal. And don’t worry about the old man in the produce section who thinks you are a fruitcake. We all know it’s about banana pudding! If tears come, let them flow.

CLING to Jesus. Reach out, grab the hem of His cloak (Luke 8:43-48), and hang on for dear life! Hold on to Jesus with all you’ve got! Read His Word, even though it may not soak into your soul. Read devotions for those who are grieving. Pray, even if you have no words. Groan if you must (Romans 8:26). Grab Jesus and don’t let go! His grace is sufficient. It is a supernatural, enabling grace that will carry you (or drag you) through the darkest days of your life. God’s grace truly is amazing.

Right now, your heart is tender and hurting. But it will mend, over time. Oh, yes, there will be a scar. Your fingernails will break and tear from clawing your way out of the pit. But when you cling to Jesus, you will see Son light again!

To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

Are you or someone you know grieving this Christmas season? Longing to Belong: Filling the Longings of Our Hearts with the Hope of Home may offer help. This book is a journey from grief to hope. It points you toward eternity and all the better things God has in store for us. Please know I am praying for you as you navigate this new normal.

 

The post When Grief Steals Christmas Joy first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

It was a Christmas Eve tradition: Mama would dress my brother and me in our candy cane striped pajamas (my brother denies the pj’s, but I’m 95% certain we had them. I think we had matching caps too!). Daddy would pack us in the car, and we’d drive through beautiful neighborhoods and look at Christmas lights. Back then, the lights were the real deal – no multi-colored string of lights flashing to the beat of some hip-hop Christmas song.

These lights were luminaries: a layer of sand in the bottom of a white or brown lunch sized paper bag, with a candle placed in the sand. Many of the bags had Christmas designs cut into them – Christmas trees, Santa Claus or stars. The bags were placed along walkways and the candles were lit.

As we drove, I would peek out the car window, watching people walk from one circle of light to the next. Just when I thought they would have to walk in darkness, we’d slowly round a corner, and another luminary would be there to brighten the path. The warm, golden glow from the candles radiated out a few feet, lighting the way.

Those were REAL luminaries. But, if you want to read about a TRUE luminary, you must begin with the story of creation.

“God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.” Genesis 1:16-17

The lights and stars God placed in the sky are luminaries, or light-bearers. Their purpose is to provide light to the earth. And so it has been throughout scripture.

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him…the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.” Matthew 2:2, 9

The Star of the East guided the Wise Men to the baby Jesus. The light of the star led them to THE Light.

“Then Jesus spoke to them saying ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.’” John 8:12

Jesus is the Light who illumines the earth.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16

The morning star (generally Venus) is the first star to appear in the east before sunrise. You’ve perhaps heard the phrase “It’s always darkest before dawn.” That’s when the Morning Star really shines – when the world is dark. Jesus provides light when we need it most.

It’s simply beautiful. And beautifully simple. Jesus IS our true Christmas light.

God placed the stars in the sky to light our way. He gave us Jesus, the bright Morning Star, the Light of the world, to do the same. Jesus illuminates our path and guides us, even through our darkest days.

Son of God, love’s pure light…

Grace be with you this Christmas,

The post The Lights and THE Light first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.

It’s the season to be thankful. But you’ve forgotten all that happened this year, and can’t be very specific with your gratitude. Has this ever happened to you? For me, it’s ALL. THE. TIME. Because of this, I’ve been putting together a Monthly Memories page, attaching it to the end of each month in my planner. I choose my favorite photos from the month to help me remember how much I have to be thankful for. 

Imagine how much fun it was to look back at the whole year! A year of memories, most good, some sad, but always a reason to be thankful. 

Since I haven’t posted a blog in a while, I thought I’d share some of my favorite moments from the year.

The sneaux in January was such a gift! We had almost nine inches! In south Louisiana!! I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to play and watch the snow fall. Several months later, we had a surprise hailstorm. Watching from the front porch, I was amazed at how large the hail was: like wren eggs.In early spring, I spent a weekend with women from my church. We fellowshipped, had scrumptious food, and worshipped by the creek. I even kayaked for the first (and maybe last) time! I was asked to be one of the speakers at a women’s event at church, where I shared my testimony of God’s faithfulness through the book-writing and publishing process. What a joy to tell of His presence and guidance throughout my writing! I’m still overwhelmed with gratefulness at how He never failed me.

We celebrated twenty-nine years of marriage and spent time with friends and family for our birthdays. We are thankful for each year the Lord gives us.

I attended my first-ever Literary Festival and had a book table. I’m always happy to celebrate my book, Longing to Belong: Filling the Longings in Our Hearts with the Hope of Home.

We celebrated the life of my oldest half-brother, recognizing that, along with all the good, hard times come, too. I’m thankful to have had him in my life.

We enjoyed God’s glorious gift of nature and toured the Ark Encounter. It was fantastic! I highly recommend it.

We survived my husband’s 50th high school reunion (I must say, we’ve aged marvelously!) as well as a kitchen update .

And finally, we drove up to the Blue Ridge Mountains with my brother and sister-in-law, watching the sunset from the top of a mountain.

Now it’s your turn. Pull out your pictures and memories from the year. Remember to thank God for all He has given you. Oh, and let me know what your favorite memory is!

The post A Picture (or two or three) of Thankfulness first appeared on Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting.