What a Day That Will Be

As my dad is walking through the last hours of his life I'm reminded of a day in October 2010. He called to tell me that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer and that it had metastasized to his brain. Immediately after giving me the news he started to sing over the phone.

There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come.
No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye.
All is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be...

Tears streamed down my face as I hung onto every word.

This past weekend I took a quick trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, and while I was there I found out that once again his health was failing fast. I called my mom and asked her if she could put the telephone to Dad's ear. Knowing that he has lost his ability to speak this past year, I opened my mouth and began to sing...

There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there;
And forever I will be with the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be...

Last night I rushed home from Pennsylvania, tears pouring down my face for hours on end until I finally reached his bedside and took in the smile that spread accross his weary face. His frail hand reached out for mine, and in that holy place where kindred spirits blend we held on tightly for as long as we could. Then I knew that he needed to rest.

Yes--he could go home any hour now, but through the tears there's one thing I know for sure... God's grace is more than sufficient for me.

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

If you'd like to leave a comment, visit Time-Warp Wife on facebook: Click here

If you would like to have Time-Warp Wife delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here: Subscribe to Time-Warp Wife

Where to Stand in a Storm

When Michael and I had our deck built, we picked up a pergola to sit on top of it. If you don’t know what a pergola is, basically it is four pillars that hold up a row of beams, which act as a type of roof. It doesn’t keep out the rain or the sun, but it’s a great system for growing vines that will eventually hang over our heads. I love it.

It’s was standing all summer without a problem, so I figured that all was good—until one day that is. When I walked into the kitchen, I heard an unrecognizable sound booming from the back yard.

“The pergola!” I screamed to Michael--who I’m so thankful was sitting in the living room, rather than putting in a day at work. “The pergola!”

It was all I could think to say as I saw this enormous structure make it's way down to rest on our patio table.

Within seconds, Michael, our neighbor, and I were hoisting the pillars all back in place. It was windy, but we had seen far worse winds over the summer. I have no idea why the pergola decided to come down on this particular day, and then threaten to come down over and over again as I witnessed it sway in the wind.

Immediately Michael shot out the door en route to the lumberyard. He had put off fastening it to the deck since he didn’t have the required screws, but now we had no choice--it had to be fastened. My daughter Madison and I were left to hold the pillars, just to ensure it didn’t come down again.

It had been a very long time since I felt my heart beating as fast as it was that day. Every time a gust of wind shook the structure I feared it would come down once again. My legs were shaking as were my arms, but I stood there holding the pillar as best that I could. Then I did what I always do in situations like this—I called my dad. One of the kids brought the cordless phone to the pillar, and with shaky hands I dialed his number.*

It’s nice that my parents live close by, especially when toilets are overflowing, ovens catch on fire, or pergolas are swaying in the wind. Dad was there within ten minutes, sitting on a chair propped up against a pillar while I leaned on a table propped up against another. Dad is always calm in a storm. Always. There’s just something about that man that doesn’t sway him when tragedy hits, even in those moments when it hits real hard. I can always rely on him to calm my nerves and to guide Michael and I through difficult times. It’s a gift I suppose, that not only reminds me that I’m safe because he’s there, but also the fact that most of all that I’m safe in this world because I have a heavenly Father who I can find refuge in through every storm of my life.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. ~ Psalm 46:1-3

In time, those vines will grow, adding shade to our yard, and protection from the sun. I look forward to those days--abiding in the vine, as I fellowship in the cool of the day, with my Lord.

*This article was written about two years ago--before my dad got sick. It's interesting to look back at this article I wrote then and see how Dad prepared me to face each storm. Even this one--his struggle with cancer.

Read more articles about my dad here.

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

Find Time-Warp Wife on facebook: Click here

If you would like to have Time-Warp Wife delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here: Subscribe to Time-Warp Wife

Time-Warp Wife's Birthday Challenge

In celebration of my first birthday at Time-Warp Wife, I'd like to take a minute to thank each and every one of you for your participation. Thank you for popping in here to read the blog, and for those who have--thank you also for sharing these posts with your friends.

I'm grateful for the many notes of prayer and encouragement that I have received from so many of you. Your faith is uplifting and refreshing to me.

This started out as a blog just any other, but soon it became a passion to me, and a position of ministry that I don't take lightly. What I've began to notice is a strong sense of community being built by strong women of faith who desire more for their families than this world has to bring.

I pray that together we'll continue to seek His will in all that we do, with a desire to strengthen the family unit and build it upon a strong foundation of faith.

This year--this very minute--I challenge you as I challenge myself to draw closer to Him by equipping ourselves with the gospel, taking more time out for prayer, and walking according to His will--not ours. I pray that we as women would hunger for more than a lukewarm faith, by pursuing God with all of hearts. That's how we equip ourselves for the ministry of leading our children and supporting our husbands. Amen?!

And ye shall seek me, and find me,
when ye shall search for me
with all your heart.
~ Jeremiah 29:13

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

Find Time-Warp Wife on facebook: Click here

If you would like to have Time-Warp Wife delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here: Subscribe to Time-Warp Wife

We Wound, We Bully, and We Hurt - {and a Titus 2sday Link Up}

For in the day of trouble he will keep me
safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in
the shelter of his sacred tent and set
me high upon a rock.
~ Psalm 27:5, NIV


This past spring, a friend of mine told me a heart-wrenching story about school-yard abuse. Her nine-year-old cousin was bullied by a group of children who took his clothes away, leaving him naked on a cold winter day.

Humiliated, the young boy ran away hoping to find someplace to hide. Finally finding comfort in the shield of a snowbank, he hid himself the best way he knew how. Naked, ashamed and alone, he froze to death.

Ever since I heard that story I've been reminded of the separation that we see every day among the body of Christ. It grieves me. People who have been hurt by the church are hiding in the best way they know how.

We are sinful, broken beings made perfect only by His infallible grace. But we hurt. We wound, and we bully, and we hurt those people God loves. Among the body of Christ, as with any group of people you will find those who are still growing in grace. Faulty, imperfect, human beings who await their final day of perfection.

Intentional pain? No. But still somehow it happens as every week we see people leaving their congregation because they are covering wounds that won't heal.

Naked, ashamed and alone we run for cover in the best way we know how. Some of us come back to the body of Christ, while others unfortunately never return.

If you are in that place of separation and pain, I urge you to return to home base. Cling to a body of believers that will lead you toward a deeper walk with the Lord. A body of believers that will encourage you along and uplift you in prayer. You, me--all of us need to look past the imperfections in each other to focus on the perfection of an infallible God.

Bringing life to the lost and shelter to those who seek refuge, He will not disappoint; He will not let you down; and He will not cause you pain.

Run to Him, find shelter in His wing of protection, and cling to His glorious name--that's the safest place that any of us can go.


The name of the LORD is a strong tower:
the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
~ Proverbs 18:10


You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

In participation with:



Find Time-Warp Wife on facebook: Click here

If you would like to have Time-Warp Wife delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here: Subscribe to Time-Warp Wife

Looking for a speaker for your conference or women's group? Click here

Today and every Tuesday, I want to invite bloggers to link-up any blog posts that will encourage women to joyfully live out their roles as wives and keepers of their homes I'm looking for posts on marriage, parenting, housekeeping, or recipes.

All you have to do is enter the direct link from your post into the linky tool below!

I'd also like to ask you to link back here with the {TITUS 2}SDAYS code (below) so that other bloggers can join in too!

<a href="http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Atm-ApY4ldP-O7eR0519OFOKnockEQmXWToMkyuK6e87X32qO3bIoYXncuITHrXifevqNtD260If98D1sxiflVBqLGIdIl-9vaL_gQgW5hOYk9GzU947F_vYU-H_JiCHlEFmiTsElVI/s1600/Titus_2sdays_button.png" /></a>

How to Be Happy on the Bluest of Days

Are there days when things get under your skin and you say, “Why me?” Does it seem like the minute everything is going great, it all comes apart?"

Maybe it’s difficulty with your family or friends, perhaps it’s your husband’s attitude, or maybe it’s something as small as a traffic jam. Irritations whether big or small have a way of spoiling an otherwise beautiful day. Don’t they?

So how do we fix it? How can we make our world a better place so that we’ll be happy within it?

The answer is--we can’t and we shouldn't expect to.

There will be days where you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and wish you could crawl back in. There will be people who disappoint you so badly that all you’re left with are the shattered pieces of your heart. There will be pain, there will be loss, and there will be tears. But God in His wisdom is good.

Have you ever wondered why God cursed Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter three?


I will greatly multiply thy sorrow
and thy conception… cursed is the
ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt
thou eat of it all the days of thy life.
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring
forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the
herb of the field.
~ Genesis 3:16-19 (paraphrased)


We know that the curse is the result of man's sin. And why then are we, who are forgiven of sin, still living the curse?

Because the curse is a constant reminder that we are in desperate need of salvation. It was designed with a purpose--put there for our good—so that we might understand our need for a saviour.

We can’t change the world around us completely, but we can change the way we relate to it so that while we’re riding the waves, we keep an even keel.

All too often we have that reversed. We spend all of our energy focussed on changing our surroundings so that we’ll feel better, happier, content, and relaxed--when the reality is that this peace comes from within. No one can take that away, unless you give them that power. We develop that sense of inner peace when we trust in our saviour, the same way that the disciples learned to trust Him in the storm.


And there arose a great storm of wind,
and the waves beat into the ship,
so that it was now full. And he was
in the hinder part of the ship, asleep
on a pillow: and they awake him, and
say unto him, Master, carest thou not
that we perish? And he arose, and
rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea,
Peace, be still. And the wind ceased,
and there was a great calm.
~ Mark 4:37-39


You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

Find Time-Warp Wife on facebook: Click here

If you would like to have Time-Warp Wife delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here: Subscribe to Time-Warp Wife

Vote for Time-Warp Wife daily at:

The Power of Erosion

Nothing holds the power to negatively influence our faith more than the people we are close to. Friends can lift you up, while others drag you down faster than you ever thought possible. But when we come to the place where we see our sin for what it really is, we also see the importance of guarding our heart and protecting it from wear and tear.

Water appears to be weak and conformable when we cup it in the palm of our hand, and yet it has a force powerful enough to erode stone. In fact it's the key element that formed the grand canyon. My point being that people, like elements, carve lasting imprints into our lives, and therefore we need to choose our friends wisely.

I understand that everyone needs love and deserves our respect, but it's important when cultivating intimate relationships that we surround ourselves with people who will sharpen our faith rather than wearing it down.


Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.
~ 2 Corinthians 6:14a


And if we are in fellowship with non believers, we might ask ourselves the questions:

• Is there a common interest we share that will glorify God?
  
• Does our friendship bring glory to God?

For what do righteousness and wickedness
have in common? Or what fellowship
can light have with darkness?
~ 2 Corinthians 6:14b


Don't get me wrong here, we are called to go out into the world and preach the gospel, which means that we need to be friendly and hospitable in the process. That is a must. What I'm referring to are the most intimate relationships we hunger for, such as a best friend or if you are single--a husband. It's important that we seek after people who will shine light on our faith rather than casting a shadow of doubt.

Unfortunately we're inundated with negative messages daily that question the wisdom of God over man and challenge our faith. That's no surprise considering it's been happening since the beginning of time when the serpent deceived Eve. Why couldn't Eve eat the fruit? It only makes sense doesn't it? She wasn't hurting anyone but herself, and she had the right to choose.

Satan used human reasoning as a method to deceive mankind, and it's the same temptation that's prevalent in our world today.

But that's where faith comes in. Faith is based on God's wisdom and doesn't make sense to the world--it never has and never will. It's about trusting in someone you don't see and putting your will in His hands. Why? Because He deserves the glory.


For the preaching of the cross is to them
that perish foolishness; but unto us which
are saved it is the power of God.
~ 1 Corinthians 1:18, KJV


So, while Christians walk by the Spirit--which means they do things that are right, rather than that which "feels" right--the arguments against our way of thinking tend to make so much sense that they pull us right back into sin should we allow ourselves to fall.

A popular argument is, "God wants you to be happy...," when the gospel truth is that God wants us to be saved. He wants us to experience joy and long-lasting peace that only comes through obedience to the Word.

Jesus didn't choose happiness when he went to the cross, He chose obedience, because He knew the power of the resurrection and He knew that eternal salvation is so much better than temporal comfort.

With Good Friday soon approaching, I pray that we will preserve our heart and worship God with that same attitude of obedience that our savior did.


My son, attend to my words; incline thine
ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart
from thine eyes; keep them in the midst
of thine heart. For they are life unto those
that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life.
~ Proverbs 4:20-23


You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

Find Time-Warp Wife on facebook: Click here

If you would like to have Time-Warp Wife delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here: Subscribe to Time-Warp Wife

In participation with:

Take Every Thought Captive

Dear Darlene,

I am a reader of Courtney over at Women Living Well, and I noticed she mentioned you one day, so since that day have been a reader of your blog as well!

First, I wanted to say thank you for your Home Maintenance Schedule! Being a new wife (been married to my wonderful husband for 19 months), and young mom, (my adorable, sweet boy is 6 months old), I'm still working on figuring out the best way to take care of the house, AND take care of my son, AND get everything else I need to done in a day! I trust that if I'm faithful to practice my house-keeping routine now and get a good handle on it, then, Lord willing, when we have more children, juggling all of my responsibilities will be easier.

I've been following your schedule--with a switch in a day or two--for about three weeks, and it's working out great! I really appreciate all of the tips and the way that you have incorporated daily tasks, weekly tasks and even de-junking! It's been helpful to have it as a guide and goal for each day. Again, thank you for sharing it!

I also wanted to say a big thank you for standing up for the truth of God's Word, and for encouraging us readers to be faithful to God's design for us as women, wives and mothers. As I previously mentioned, I'm a new wife so I'm still learning submission and how to take judgmental or even angry thoughts captive and instead love my husband regardless of his words, attitudes or actions.

I really didn't ever think that I'd have a problem with any of this, but man, does marriage show me just how sinful I am! I praise the Lord that He is sanctifying me in this area in the beginning of our marriage, and I thank Him for using some of your posts (particularly "Regaining Sight of His Character") to help point my mind toward right thinking.

Keep up the good work, Sister, and thank you for your words of wisdom. You are an encouragement and example to me.

Blessings,

Sophia

Dear Sophia,

Thank you so much for your letter. I'm humbled and blessed by your kind words. I'm glad that you have made use of the house-keeping chart, and that the system is working for you. My hope is that I'll continually find things to add to the "Home Maintenance Schedule" so that it will be a complete guide to keeping our homes.

Thank you also for your thoughts on marriage. I was inspired when you said, "take judgmental or even angry thoughts captive, and instead love my husband regardless of his words, attitudes, or actions." I think that's a lesson that we should all practice, BEFORE angry words are spoken or negative action is taken.

Our bodies are animated by our thoughts. Words and actions spring forth from our heart so that in essence we become what we think.

No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. ~ Luke 6:43-45, (NIV)

If we’re not patient women, then we’re not going to somehow pull patience out of a hat in the heat of an argument. In the same way, if we don’t love our husband from the core of our heart we’ll be walking on thin ice when the going gets tough. Therefore it’s important that we are continually taking these thoughts captive and bringing them into obedience (2 Cor. 10:5).

There's a popular saying that goes, "If you want to wear a different pair of pants, you have to live differently." The same principle applies to our marriage. If we want a good marriage, we have to do the leg work it takes in making it happen.

I’m excited to see women like you who are taking steps to building a strong marriage. As I’ve said in a previous post, so much thought and effort is given to planning a wedding, but sadly most of us aren’t willing to put the same effort toward planning our marriage.

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net