Rebekah's Insights

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As a child I grew up attending a Baptist church and though I heard the term "Maundy Thursday" each Easter season, my church held no service for that day. Consequently, I was entirely unaware of what that word meant. As a matter of fact, I always thought adults were saying "MaunDAY Thursday" and since THAT made no sense to me, I thought they must be intending to say "MONDAY Thursday." Don't ask what I thought was meant by THAT either, but these are the humorous thoughts of a ten-year-old girl who mildly wondered about the talk of adults, but obviously didn't wonder enough to ask anyone. :)

Nearly twenty years later I would desire to attend any and all services offered during the week preceding the celebration of the Resurrection. This meant actually attending one of those Maundy Thursday services! But still, I wondered, "What does Maundy mean?" While there was no indication given at that particular service, a few year later would find the Lord leading my family to a church home which annually observed Maundy Thursday. At last--an answer to the question, "What does Maundy mean?" :)

Just on the off-chance that you, dear reader, may be wondering as I did, I refer you to the explanation provided by Wikipedia. Wikipedia explains that the Thursday before Easter Sunday has been referred to either as "Holy Thursday" or "Maundy Thursday." I quote:

The word Maundy is derived through Middle English, and Old French mandé,
from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do
vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give
unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement
by Jesus in the Gospel of John (13:34) by which Jesus explained to the
Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet. (Wikipedia)

So, whether you call it Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, or just 'the Thursday before Easter,' I encourage you to take a moment to remember...read the Scripture for yourself and reflect. This is what our family will be doing this evening. :)
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Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand." Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me." John 13:1-8

When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:12-17

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34 & 35

As we prepare our hearts for and devote our time to remembering Jesus' sacrificial death and glorious resurrection:

But then what return did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:21-23)

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

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Broken and poured out for the love of His creation
God paid a debt that He didn't owe
Bearing my pain for not one was His equal
And wearing my shame so that I could know Him

He gave us all He had to give
So that we could truly live
So let's give all we have to Him
So that we can be completely free

As they placed the thorns on His brow
As they drove the nails into His hands and feet
He looked past the moment to where we are now
And gave us the victory from what seemed His defeat

He said here's My body
It's broken in two
Here is My blood let it cover you
All that I have is now yours to receive
Payment in full so that you could be free

Oh without a doubt completely
So that we can be completely free

Completely Free by Mike Weaver, 2003
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I recently came upon another poignant quote by the late C.S. Lewis, which caught my attention. Here it is:

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be." (C.S. Lewis)

I know from Isaiah 55:8 & 9 that God says...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

It has been my experience thus far, that the roads which "seem" the most welcoming, pleasant, enjoyable, and happy to ME, are NOT, in fact, the BEST for me. (Sigh!) Undoubtedly, had they been the best, they would have been the roads upon which the Lord would have placed me. Now, at times I have been given that incredible opportunity later to observe how the harder road produced something of even greater value to me. But on other occasions, I am left only to accept that *this* is best, because I know that God is Sovereign over all things. Honestly, it is at these times, that my human emotions do not immediately (or ever) line up with my beliefs.

I suppose it comes down to this: when I truly enjoy the things He is doing in my life, believing in His goodness is really not a matter of faith, it is an emotional response to my circumstances. However, when I am in pain and struggle with what He is doing in my life, THAT is when believing in His goodness IS COMPLETELY a matter of FAITH, despite my emotions. My faith is established on the knowledge that while I was yet a sinner, Jesus died for me (Romans 5:8.) It is strengthened through past experiences when I have observed His goodness. It is to those facts which I must cling when the days are dark and the nights are bathed in tears. I believe it is the truth, but it still HURTS! And it is easy to lose perspective while I walk through the valley.

Such are the thoughts running through my head on a daily basis. Such are the thoughts running through my head especially when someone I love is experiencing a new and painful valley. You know who you are. You know you are not alone, though it may often "seem" that you are. My thoughts are with you often, as are my prayers to the Lord lifted on your behalf. Trust Him. Though it is soooooooooo much easier said than done.
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A Heart That Knows You

Thought I knew so much
But I've got so much to learn
Got so far to go
So much left to burn
Thought I knew You well
But I struggle in Your hands
Here again You bring the truth before me
Freedom only comes when I let go
This I know

...And a heart that knows You
Is a heart that can wait
Die to the dearest desire
...And a heart that knows You
Is a heart that can still celebrate
Following on through the fire

You would never lead
Where You had not been
Every road I face
You go down again
Time has come and gone
Since You walked into the flame
Still there is the pain before the glory
And it is Your will I must embrace
Oh for grace...

...And a heart that knows You
Is a heart that can wait
Die to the dearest desire
...And a heart that knows You
Is a heart that can still celebrate
Following on through the fire

It may be for my sake
Just to help me grow
Maybe for Your kingdom, Lord
I don't need to know

...And a heart that knows You
Is a heart that can wait
Die to the dearest desire
...And a heart that knows You
Is a heart that can still celebrate
Following on through the fire

(music & lyrics by Twila Paris)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Even if I exercise the right (and I DO) to adjust the schedule when our routine makes it necessary...OR...I just don't feel like eating on Saturday what I had planned for Saturday, I still find it quite helpful to plan out my menus for the week.

When I was first married, I never did this. Cooking has always been a stress-reliever for me so I enjoyed keeping a variety of ingredients around and when I'd arrive home after work, I would enjoy whipping up something fun and delicious. :) However, these days if I didn't make a plan, I would approach dinner time with frantic thoughts of, "Oh, no! What will I make for dinner!!!!" Weekly menu planning helps me in several ways: (1) I am sure to make all the necessary purchases when shopping; (2) I am sure to thaw needed ingredients; (3) I do not have to try to put something together in late afternoon, when the children seem to need my attention the most.

So for those (like me) who enjoy seeing others' menu plans for future meal-time inspiration and just plain curiosity, here is our flexible plan for the coming week:

T: B= granola & yogurt
L= leftovers
D= shrimp scampi over pasta & lemon/dill green beans

W: B= granola & yogurt
L= leftovers
D= creamy tomato sauce over pasta & herb broccoli

H: B= hot oat bran cereal
L= ---------
D= homemade pizza & herb broccoli

F: B= oatmeal
L= pb & j sandwiches
D= ricotta/dill pasta & cuke/tomato/onion salad

S: B= sausage & waffles
L= leftovers
D= beef-stuffed shells w/mushroom bechamel & cuke/tomato/onion salad

U: B= eggs, toast, hash
L= leftovers
D= hungarian goulash & veggie TBD

M: B= hot oat bran cereal
L= leftovers
D= (roast chicken) cheesy chicken roll-ups & steamed broccoli

T: B= oatmeal
L= tomato soup & grilled cheese sandwiches w/dijon mustard & raw veggies
D= sundried tomato/ripe olive alfredo over pasta & veggie TBD

W: B= hot oat bran cereal
L= leftovers
D= pesto salmon cakes, garlic bread, & buttered asparagus spears

AM/PM Snacks: fruit, multi-grain cakes, pretzels, raisins, olives, crackers, yogurt, cheese

Mmmmm...now I'm hungry. Gotta go get a snack! :)

Yes, we are are still here, despite the deluge outside. The water level has not receded much since the flooding 1+ weeks ago, so it will not take as many days of constant downpour to flood again. This experience is providing me with a fresh, new perspective on rain. We were promised a rainy season in the winter, and we are not disappointed. ;)

Here is a synopsis of what the rainy season is like...

Drenching
Outgushing
Wind-riding
Never-ending
Pounding
Overflowing
Unrelenting
Raging

But inside, all is calm and dry. :) I think I will go brew a cup of tea and enjoy a biscuit or two. Cheers!