I'm STILL Waiting!

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Just a small word of encouragement for all y’all today:

I was spacing in and out of our morning announcements at our homeschool co-op a couple weeks ago waiting to be dismissed so that I could proceed to teach my pre-k class. There was a devotional being spoken out of Luke 2 and I honestly wasn’t thrilled about another mundane Christmas word. Something she said caught my attention though.

Christmas Isn't About a Baby.

     

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     Christmas isn't about a baby. I mean, Absolutely it's about a Holy, Perfect King clothed in glory who gave it all up to be born an "illegitimate" birth in a stinking, filthy cow-pen.  Just don't stop there people! Tell the rest of the story.  It's about a perfect man; a cross; an empty tomb and a single open door to heaven. It's about a Savior; About Redemption. Christmas is about Love and self-sacrifice. It's about hope of eternal things and complete joy in the temporary.  It's about lost souls; about forgiveness. It's about a guy named Jesus; the Carpenter's Boy and God's Son.

The Innkeeper's Savior

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The Innkeeper’s Savior

He awoke with a start and sat straight up in bed;
He blew off the cobwebs by shaking his head.
He blinked in the dark, adjusting his eyes.
His wife still lay snoring, “heh, there’s no surprise!”
He just sat there, quite still, too stunned to perceive.
Yeah, he heard it. He saw it; but could he believe?
A bright light; an angel; a deep, booming voice;
A task, special mission; a cause to rejoice.

Now becoming more conscious, he turned to his wife.
He had to inform her, this could change their whole life!
He shook her. She swatted; but this was no time to fold.
When you’re given big news, it has to be told!
So he shook a bit harder and called out her name.
He’d eventually wake her if he kept with the game.
Whether she sensed his excitement, or felt his stiff poke,
To him made no difference when she finally woke.

He’d been leaning in when she started to stir.
Now they had matching bumps and a slight achy blur.
“What is it?” She growled. “It’s not even dawn!”
This lack of excitement he hadn’t planned on.
While rubbing his head, he took a deep breath.
She took this moment to ask “Is it life or death?”
Knowing her patience would quickly elapse,
He began to describe what he could yet grasp.

“I saw it my dear; or, I heard it, more so.
A vision; An angel with bright, blinding glow.
He had a scroll in his hand and a sword at his side.”
The man stretched out his arms, “His wings were this wide!
The angel took the scroll and busted the seal.
I’m tellin’ you darling, he was the real deal!”
With his eyes now adjusted, he could make out her face.
His wife gave him that look, so he cut to the chase.

“The angel, he told me, that within a few days;
Something would happen for which we’ve prayed.
The Leader, our Conqueror, the King of the Jews-
Would stay in this town and it’d be our inn He’d use!
He said to prepare, to make everything fine.
So, let’s ready the room and bust out the good wine!
We’d better get to it, I don’t know when He’ll come.
I don’t know what He’ll look like, or where He’ll be from.”

It was then that he finished, his vision now said.
His wife made a face and then shifted in bed.
With daylight approaching he could more clearly see-
The surprise on her face, her eyes filled with glee.
“You mean to tell me,” her voice soft and low,
That Rome’s biggest threat has no place to go?
That He’d pick this little dump in this little town?
Why, there’s a much better place just a few houses down!”

He understood her dismay, for he felt it himself.
This place had cracks in the ceiling and dust on each shelf.
But no matter the reason that they’d been picked out,
They’d make this place something worth talking about.
“Let’s get to work, honey, there’s no time to waste!”
So they rose from their bed and got ready with haste.
After a quick bite to eat and a wash of the face,
They set out to clean the best room in the place.

They aired out the curtains and swept clean the floors.
They washed all the bedsheets and re-hung the doors.
With a bit of warm water, the room almost shone.
Who knew this old building could feel like a home?
With days turning to weeks, they just kept it up.
They repaired the ceiling and washed every cup.
But before they’d turn in, they’d give one last sweep-
To the best room in the house; where their hero would sleep.

Just a few months later, their lives changed a bit:
New leader; A census; Every town would be hit!
People would travel from far city and town-
To get back to their home-place and put their name down.
To the innkeeper and wife, this was a great win.
They were right where they should be and they owned an inn!
They could fill up each night, not room left to be sold;
Except one for the guest that the angel foretold.

They’d keep that room empty, in its spotless way;
No one would spoil it as they awaited the day.
The day that a man, so mighty and strong-
Would ride into town with his army along.
The day that their problems and burdens abound-
Would be stripped from their backs and kicked ‘cross the ground.
The day of conquest in the year of our Lord;
When Rome would crumble under his mighty sword.

The streets soon were filled. The town burst at its seams,
With people and donkeys and oxen, in teams.
From such complete chaos, the innkeeper was right.
For weeks they were solid, booked full each night.
Patience wore thin and tempers shot high;
Rome messed up their lives without batting an eye.
The hope of a victor faded slowly each day.
The thought of a vision would soon pass away.

But that room stayed empty, though they wanted its space.
They turned people away for not using the place.
His wife grew concerned that he’d dreamt the whole thing.
That there never was an angel and there’d be no king.
She trusted her husband. He kept of the same mind.
She might confront him one day, but it wasn’t the time.
By the end of the day, they were bone-tired and beat.
With so many people, who had time for a seat?

One particular night, he remembered quite well.
It was extra dark out, although, who could tell?
Hardly a star up above to light up the sky.
There had been not a cloud, so he wasn't sure why.
People were leaving just as fast as they'd come;
But there'd always be others from where they came from.
There were boat-loads of faces and pages of names,
But one couple stood out as not-quite-the-same.

Their clothes were all ragged, their faces sunk in.
The man was quite tall, although gangly and thin.
She was hunched over and notic'bly round.
She looked about ready to just lie on the ground.
The man draped his arm and supported her frame.
When the innkeeper came out, he said "Joseph's the name.
We’re from out of town, from quite far away.
We wondered if you had a spare place to stay?

You see, my wife’s time is soon and she needs her rest.
Trav’ling all this distance hasn’t offered the best.”
Joseph looked at the keeper, and awaited reply.
Suspense made it feel like hours flew by.
“I’m sorry my boy,” the innkeeper said,
“But we’re all full up. Haven’t even one bed.”
The answer came smoothly, without even a rasp.
It was then that poor woman let out a shrill gasp.

The keeper’s wife came behind to see the alarm;
With such a pitched note there just had to be harm.
She found the young woman hunched over in pain,
And her young man’s face had complete color-drain.
She rushed to her side and set her straight on that stoop.
Both men were frozen, completely out of the loop!
The young girl was so worn, like she’d lived a hard climb.
She grabbed her man’s hand and said “Joseph, it’s time.”

With no room in their inn, at least so they told,
They left her deliver outside in the cold.
With the animals moved, a cave was their place.
The women went to work, the men had to pace.
What started at sunset went well into the night.
It took hours of torment and lots of sheer fight.
And then sometime in the dark, on an unmarked day,
A baby was born and then laid in the hay.

Whether what they were told, or the truth in their heart,
The inn-couple knew that they had to restart.
The angel’s message was not one of brute might;
But rather, a baby, born this very night.
A message of hope; A message of love;
A message of God coming down from above.
This baby, their Savior; the one the angel foretold.
Now, their great job was to get him out of the cold!

Once extra guests left, and the angels were through,
The innkeeper and wife did what they had to do.
That special guest room was the new family’s place.
The keepers closed the door and just thanked God for grace.
They had missed the whole point of what the angel said.
They’d made room for the ‘finest’ and left Christ with no bed.
They had lost sight of God and just worshiped the thought.
Our Lord isn’t honored in what’s trimmed up and bought.

Don’t Ever Let That Happen To You.

Elecia Hoffman, Dec. 2015

Don't Eat The Junk Food!

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Let me tell you a story. A story about a little girl; a little girl with dirty blonde pigtails, hazel-colored eyes, a handful of freckles over the bridge of her nose, and one front tooth missing from her sweet , little smile. This little girl’s mama was making her favorite supper. Everything was gonna be made from scratch, all hot and ready, steaming on the table with delicious aroma when her daddy got home from work. The only problem was that daddy didn’t get home for 45 more minutes, and the little girl was hungry; really hungry. Disobeying her mom, she grabbed a chair, pushed it up to the pantry shelf, pulled down an armful of her favorite snacks and commenced to eat them. She took a couple nibbles of the cookie, a few handfuls of crackers, unwrapped some candies, and then went back and finished them all off. By the time her daddy walked in the door, the little girl had chocolate smears on her face, crumbs on her jumper, and a bellyache to rival all bellyaches! After indulging in every piece of junk she could finger, there was no room left to enjoy the prize that was now within reach.

What would you have done if you were that little girl? Would you have waited patiently? Or would the junk food be your choice as well? The culture of the world screams the priority of making yourself happy and taking advantage of everything life offers. The little girl listened to that message.

I read a quote the other day that I strongly disagreed with. It stated:

“A girl can wait for the right man to come along but in the meantime that still doesn’t mean that she can’t have a wonderful time with all the wrong ones.”                                                             -Cher

You know, that little girl did exactly what this quote inspires. Even though she was waiting for a wonderful goal, she ruined the beauty of the whole thing by being greedy and impatient. What would you think if I told you that you are that little girl? You, as an unmarried young person, are a representation of that young child waiting for your ‘special supper’; and you have a choice. Will you actively wait, patiently wait, purely wait for your future husband or wife; OR will you indulge in every available Jack or Jill who offers momentary pleasure; and I’m not just talking about the big stuff guys. Every part of your body, every new triumph, is a gift; all wrapped up. Every gift that is unwrapped before you say “I do” is one that you can never re-wrap for your spouse. Your parents get to unwrap your first smile, first words, first steps, first tears, and first laugh. I’m sure they can say more than I how special those firsts were. Likewise, there is no greater gift to give your future spouse than your first kiss, first-time holding hands, first front-to-front hug, first slow dance, and, of course, your unblemished physical purity.

Let me tell you another story; this time, about an old man. This man (Abraham) was married, well, to an old woman. God had promised a lineage more numerous than the stars in the sky [Genesis 15:5]; quite a big family! The only issue was: they had no children. Not even one! How were they supposed to receive the blessing of such a huge family without one child to even carry on their name?! They asked. God told them to wait. They waited a while, and then asked again. God renewed His promise and told them to wait. The older and older they got, the more impatient they became. Then Abraham took matters into his own hands. He started eating the junk food, so to speak, and created a child with his servant. God rejected this child as the promised blessing. Abraham spoiled his ‘special supper’, his blessed family line, with an impatient substitute. The Lord did eventually fulfill His promise to Abraham through his wife (Sarah); but even to this day we suffer the effects of Abraham’s rash decision. Abraham couldn’t, and didn’t, escape the consequences of chowing on the junk food; and neither will you and I if we try!

It’s hard! I know. It’s not easy to be a patient waiter. It’s challenging to always be focusing your mind and heart on God until He points out “the one”. You can look around to your peers and see the obvious results of their not quite making it. Now in no sense am I saying that because of any slip, big or small, that they are bad people or that they have ruined their life or spoiled their chance. Maybe even you have missed the highest mark a little. No one is perfect. DON’T DESPAIR! I think Abraham is a great example, and a source of hope, to those of us who may have been impatient. Even after many others may have thought he blew it, God turned his man-made mess into a wonderful, fully forgiven, life. Yours can be too. I want to encourage you friend. I want you to know that even though the entire world pressures you into compromising, YOU CAN STAND FIRM. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 

The Bible talks of another man (Timothy), very close to our age, who was being looked down on, maybe even pressured, because of his standards for God. God, through Paul, encourages him to stand firm. Encourages him to:

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 NLT)

The little girl messed up. Abraham was forgiven (and still called righteous, mind you! [Hebrews 11:8-12]) Timothy overcame. I’m sure, somehow, you, too, have messed up. We all have. You can stay there OR you can seek forgiveness from God and overcome in the future. It’s up to you. 

A Letter From Daddy

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A Letter From Daddy

"My precious daughter, My earthly delight,

None is more special than you in my sight.

Your features are mine. My reflection you are.

Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not up to par.

Your figure is pleasant, you’re not a disgrace.

I love every “blemish” that appears on your face.

Some proclaim you as “ugly”; too fat or too thin.

Please don’t ever listen to their opinion!

I set the standard and the goals you should preach;

And I never said the exact pound you should reach.

So don’t focus on that, keep your eyes only on me.

Then I will change how it is that you see.



As far as those scars that you cover and hide,

The ones that are seen and those deep inside.

I know how you got them and right where they're at.

And I love you in spite of them; yes, that's a fact.

When you're hurting I hurt, so I know your pain.

I won't hold sins against you. I don't play that game.

Let me mend all your scars and heal all your hurt.

Let me clean every wound from the grit and the dirt.

Run to your Daddy. Let me wipe all your tears.

Tell me your hopes and your dreams and your fears.

I'll understand if you make a mistake.

Don't give me that brave face; I know it's fake.

Remember, I knew you before you even were.

I haven't changed just because you're not sure.

When you're in it so deep that you don't even know how;

Remember: I loved you then and I love you now.



Now just one more thing, baby, before I close.

I love your whole body, from you head to your toes.

I made you real special; all your curve, shape and line.

I did it on purpose, 'twas my unique design.

Just do me one thing. It's not much I ask;

Yet I understand that it's no easy task.

Dress modestly, darling, put on some clothes!

I have reasons that even Eve needed those!

You know all those trinkets you have out on display.

They're the ones that get touched and messed with each day.

They're exposed to the dust and the filth of the air;

And they're looked at so much that you start to not care.

But the most valuable ones are wrapped up and secure.

You want to protect them. Keep them stainless and pure.

Now that's not to say that they'll never get used!

But only when it's special and they won't get abused.

Your body is like this; A valuable prize.

Don't let it be devalued by everyone's eyes.

Cover, protect it; don't flaunt it around.

I know how counter cultural this sounds.

Your body's not bad and don't hide it for shame.

If it's done for wrong motives it'll all be in vain.

I've told you "you're beautiful" and I never lie.

But this is one instance where I'll go on to say why. 

You're My temple, you see, if I live in your heart.

This is the reason that I've set you apart.

You need to be different 'cause you’re shining my light.

No matter what people say; and sometimes in spite!



So My precious, My child, My princess. That's you!

You've heard what I've said and you know what to do.

I've given you the tools. Now you've got this girl!

Step with me in faith and go rock the world.

I'll always be with you. Like an unmovable stone.

Friends come and friends go, but you're never alone.



In closing I'll say one more thing; okay, two:

You're Daddy's little girl; and I sure do love you!"

-God

"Watching and [ACTIVE] waiting, looking above..."

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“Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His Love!”

Frances J. Crosby, Blessed Assurance

Have you ever been told the phrase “A watch-pot never boils!” ? My mom used to say it to me all the time; especially when company was coming over! I used to sit by the window eagerly hoping that every passing car would be our visitors. To be honest though, I never really understood that expression until I starting cooking.

When it was nearing time for supper, mom would call me out to the kitchen and she would talk me through one of the night’s dishes while she prepared the rest of the meal. It was during those moments, while I was literally waiting for water to boil, that I would hang on her every word. She would tell me what to add next to her infamous gravy, or what a proper substitution for shortening would be when greasing a pan. As I got older, I was given more responsibilities in making the meal. Now I am fully capable of preparing the entire dinner on my own. I must say, when you have 3 pots cooking away on the stove, a dish or 2 in the oven, and possibly an item or so more on separate cutting boards across the counters, there isn’t much time to watch and wait for something to boil. I have to constantly be moving forward with the meal plan, knowing eventually that stubborn pot will bubble and hoping that it’s just in time to pull the whole meal together.

You know, last time we talked about surrendering to God and resting in His perfect plan. There isn’t too much that is more terrifying and yet completely satisfying as when we raise our hands to God and say “it’s in Your hands now, I give up!” These are the moments when, like a little girl watching her momma cook, we stand by our God and hang on His every Word. We cling to every morsel He says and, in that moment, we watch and wait for our own proverbial water to boil.

There certainly are those instances in our lives where we just have to “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.” [Psalm 46:10 AMP] Yet I believe that there are moments, forks-in-the-road, where we have to be more like the girl with 15 things going on at once. Sometimes the Lord doesn’t want us to just wait-it-out. Instead, He asks us to tend to the dishes in the oven, or the ingredients on the counter AS WE WAIT for that one pot to boil. This is what I mean when I say “Active Waiting”.

Let’s Pause For A Moment

Ruth is one of my favorite Bible accounts. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s a biblical love story, or that it’s only 4 chapters long, either way, I really like it! (Read it here.) Anyway, Ruth is also a great example of active waiting. For those that aren’t as familiar with her book, I’ll summarize. Ruth was not an Israelite. She was a gentile from an entire other city, but she married one of God’s Chosen People after his family moved to her home town. It wasn’t long until her husband, father-in-law, AND brother-in-law all died and she was left with a grieving sister-in-law and mother-in-law (not to mention herself!). Her beloved mother-in-law, Naomi, decided that with nothing left, it was time to go home. Ruth’s sister-in-law easily moved on, but Ruth didn’t. Even though that, at this point, Ruth didn’t know the God of Naomi, she was still stuck in this water-boil waiting game. She could’ve easily threw her hands out screaming “HOLD ON!” and just froze until she had everything figured out. I think we’d all relish doing that once in a while. However, Ruth didn’t freeze. She didn’t even pause. She just pressed forward, blindly following Naomi, placing her hope in a foreign, unfamiliar God that everything would unfold for her, and Naomi’s, best interests. Ruth was an active waiter.

Apply It

Sometimes God asks us to play a game of follow the leader. Remember those? One friend was the “leader” and everyone else followed behind exactly copying that leader’s every move. I played this often as a child. I don’t, however, remember ever quitting the game just because I didn’t know what was coming next. That was the whole point! We just followed the leader. God is our leader (at least He SHOULD be!) and He, well, leads. We are the followers and our job is to follow. That’s it! We just follow. Sometimes we’ll know what’s coming next, more often than not we won’t have a clue, but that doesn’t change our role as a follower. We still have to walk behind Him copying His every move. We need to be active in our waiting. Jumping back to that verse from the hymn in the very beginning, “Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.” That basically sums it all up. Just the verbs alone tell us to ‘watch’, ‘wait’, ‘look’, get ‘filled’, get ‘lost’, OH and get moving!

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
 –Martin Luther King Jr.

"Perfect submission, all is at rest..."

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“Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”

Blessed Assurance- Frances J. Crosby

Alright. I’m gonna ask you to do something for me. Scroll back to the top and re-read those words again- Slowly.  Go on; I’ll wait. Done? Great! Why did I ask you to do that? Well…

I was standing in church, hands raised, singing along with the meaningful words of that hymn when this verse came up. I continued singing the words by heart, almost by rote, when they began to speak to me in a new way. Just the first line alone states “Perfect submission, all is at rest…” That is a powerful statement right there! Where there is perfect (complete) submission our spirits are at rest (in peace). Oftentimes this verse is thought to be speaking about nearing the end of one’s life; and I guess that makes sense, but I suggest that we look at it in another light; a more relatable light.

Back to the Bible-

Do you remember reading about Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane? That part where, right before He is crucified, He spends the whole night praying? Jesus is faced with such extreme torment that He actually asks His Father to take it away if HE be willing.

⁴¹ And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.” [Luke 22:41-42 AMP]

Jesus surrendered His life to His Dad in perfect submission and what did it get Him? This:

⁴³ Now an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. [Luke 22:43 AMP]

Can’t you almost visualize the instantaneous comfort brought to Jesus through this messenger sent by His Father? Now I’m not saying that because of this angel Jesus felt completely great about the ordeal he’d soon endure. I do believe, however, that because He was in perfect submission with God, He felt peace.

So what does this have to do with you and me?

I firmly believe that there are circumstances and situations facing you right now that you would rather God just take away from you all fairy godmother like. Maybe it’s your ‘single’ relationship status. Maybe there’s something going on in your home that’s out of your control. For me, I’d love for God to just lay out a detailed life-map of the next 50 years and clue me in on what He’s got planned. Even the next 10 years would give a good idea! Yet it’s in those moments that we have the opportunity to submit. It’s in those valleys in which we feel like everything is towering above our heads and we have no choice but look up to God.

Let’s Make It Real

One of the definitions for “Submit” in Webster’s dictionary basically says to stop fighting and resisting. The Lord has been laying it on my heart that I need to stop fighting to know the details and submit to His yet-to-be-revealed plan. You know what? When I do that, I feel peace. When we allow God to have way in our life, when we submit to His will for us, He will not only grant us peace (rest), but the next phrase becomes reality for us: “I in my Savior am happy and blessed…”  

Believe you me; I know VERY well that it’s not easy to surrender the big things to God. It’s easy(er) to let Him have control over the little things like: “Lord, let me be safe today;” or “Lord, give me good sleep tonight;” but when it comes to situations like what college to choose, or our struggles passing an important class, we often withhold those things from Him while we attempt to juggle the “solution” ourselves. There are moments when I become restless with the thought that my future is not set in stone; that I’m really not sure what the Lord has for me. So what do I do? I rip the control away from God and put it back into my own hands. It is super easy to fall back into the thought process of figuring it all out myself. I begin to make plans and have big ideas. I’ll go researching different avenues and stressing out over career paths. All of this is not only bad for my physical being, but it’s more grossly bad for my spiritual being. What does withholding control from God say about my trust in Him? Scripture says:

“Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].” [Proverbs 16:3 AMP]

Give it a try today. Those situations and circumstances that you’re withholding from God, give them to Him. Submit your will to His; like Jesus did. Experience the rest, peace, happiness and blessings that He has waiting for you. 

Veterans' Day Tribute

We're All Under The Same Flag

High on a pole, flying in the breeze;

All across the country, Even overseas.

The symbol of our nation waves strong and proud.

Freedom’s silent message is ringing clear and loud.

America the beautiful, My country ‘tis of thee.

A simple colored flag says “I’m proud to be free!”

The Diverseness of our nation has been tested time and time;

But the strength of our Country raises no doubt in my mind. 

We're all under the same flag.




Waving in the front yard of a white picket fence;

A minivan and yellow lab, sparing no expense.

A foreigner’s dream, now a citizen’s life.

Heading to the game with his daughter, son and wife.

One road over, one more man, Just trying to get by.

Times are tough and jobs are scarce but he’ll never cease to try.

With a head to think and a will to work he pulls on his other boot.

He then pins on that medal and gives those stripes a salute.

We're all under the same flag.







Working in the field, harvesting the hay;

The farmer wipes his brow and signals it a day.

With a wife at home to greet him and a son to call tonight,

There’s promise of some biscuits and trust that all is right.

Living cities away, running fingers through his hair,

Looking over plans, fighting off despair,

He’s going toward his dream, although afraid to speak too loud,

He picks up the picture and says “Dad, I’ll make you proud.”

We're all under the same flag.




Living in a duplex, way down in the south,

She combs her hair and scrutinizes the features ‘round her mouth.

Her skin’s darker hue would at one point cause dismay,

She’s just thankful for a time where all have equal say.

One door down, her neighbor girl, was applying makeup too.

It was voting day and she was ready to go shell out her view.

With progress made in recent years, she could live out her goal.

In a quick glance out the window she nodded toward the pole.

We're all under the same flag.



Answering the phone, he finally had a break.

He’d lost count of the hours that he’d had to stay awake.

7 months into deployment, with no limit to near-harm;

He treasured talking with his parents, hearing of the farm.

A few cots down, another man would not give in to rest.

He’d climbed up in the ranks just by giving it his best.

Not a native to this country, but now he fought her cause.

At the soonest chance he’d joined her fight without the slightest pause.

We're all under the same flag.







Our Nation's Capitol, peak of fall, she wheels over to the stand. 

She picks up the well-loved picture as best with her good hand. 

She smiles with the memory of his returning home that May. 

With uniform and duffel he was finally home to stay. 

In Arlington, that very day, a mother, too, recalled. 

She stood over her baby's grave and with silent tears she bawled. 

She rubbed her baby's final bed, only wishing he'd have stayed. 

As she turned away she'd wrinkled where the flag on top was laid. 

We're all under the same flag. 




You see, my friends, it doesn't matter what stage of life you're in. 

It doesn't matter what you look like or what you're past has been.

This Nation is "One Under God". We all are like that way. 

But it's not about that Nation when we commemorate today. 

It's about the people, young and old whom have given up so much. 

Whom have sacrificed their lives just to keep this land untouched. 

It's about the stories. About the lives. About the pain and fears. 

It's about the joy and victory. About the unshed tears. 

It's about the heroes, big and small, that have fought the biggest fight. 


The ones who gave it all so you could sleep in peace tonight. 

It's about the men. It's about the women. Those that gave and give some more.  





The veterans. The ones on guard. Those currently on tour.
 





So black and white and red and tan; guys and girls the same. 






In your prayers this very night, lift up a hero's name. 






So, Put aside your feeble fights. There's nothing worth a brag. 






Remember: we're all made by God and all under the same flag. 

What Am I Waiting For?

Okay, so I don’t know about you, but I am pretty impatient. I despise waiting! Even in this ready-made, prepackaged, microwave society there is still a lot that we all have to just grin-and-bear, am I right?! I mean, the earlier it is in the morning, the longer I feel that it takes for that hot water to heat! [Side note: I’m a hot tea drinker, forget that coffee stuff.  J] Seriously though, we wait for the weather app to load, because who gets dressed before they find out what they weather will be for the day?  We wait for a response to our questions. We wait for the day to be over so that we can go to bed; and then when we’re in bed we are basically just waiting for morning to come so we can start the next day! We wait at stop signs and red lights and sometimes even green lights! Our whole world goes 100mph and every little slow(er) zone gives us a good case of life-rage. (See what I did there?)

So if almost everything in life forces us to wait, and I, personally, am so terrible at the whole idea, WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I CHOOSE THIS FOR MY BLOG THEME? Well. Because the more I learn about the Lord, and the closer our relationship gets, the more I believe that patience and the ability to actively wait are VERY important traits to not only master for ourselves as individuals, but also teach and encourage in those around us.

What do I mean by all of this? Well, have you ever heard the parable of the 10 Virgins? Jesus told it to the crowd following Him during one of the last messages He would ever speak. (You can find the whole account in Matthew 25. ) To quickly summarize, there were 10 young women waiting for the return of the Bridegroom. Upon his return, they were to celebrate He and His bride’s wedding with feasting and merriment. No one knew when He was coming, so these women were in anxious anticipation. As the day(s) went on 5 of the women began to prepare extra oil for their lamps while the others only mocked their forethought and, eventually, fell asleep. When the Bridegroom arrived late one night, the 5 that were prepared were able to go directly to the celebration, while the rest had to (first wipe the sleep out of their eyes and) go and purchase enough supplies to survive the party. Being that they arrived to the feast late, the door was locked and they banged for entrance. The Bridegroom answered the door and sent them away saying that He had no relationship with such foolish women.

So what? Ladies and Gents, guys and girls, WE ARE THE ONES WAITING!  ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet HIM.’ (Matthew 25:6 AMP) Jesus is coming. You know that. I don’t have to tell you that. I’m only encouraging you on what to do with that information. Yes. We know not the day or hour. It’s true that we can’t always be looking to the skies. You know what else is true? The Lord has jobs for each of us to do while we wait. As ‘a Heart in waiting’ I only want to help you understand what some of those are.

Something else; this heart is in waiting for her literal bridegroom. Maybe you’ve already found the man or woman that the Lord has for you, but I’m not there yet. Many of us aren’t. I want to help you realize and bring to fruition the fact that there is a lot that we, as unmarried young people, can be doing in preparation for the blessing of marriage. This goes for both young men and young women. I won’t single either gender out on here; it’s a free-to-browse-internet. Just know that some of the content on here may be slightly angled toward the ladies, simply because it’s coming from my brain and I am, well, a lady… ANYWAY, there are countless physical, emotional AND spiritual things we can be doing before we are ‘marriage material’ for anyone. Together I hope we can begin to lay out some of those points and apply them to our own circumstances.

Ultimately, the main reason I’m doing all of this is because I felt the Lord’s leading in doing so. I don’t want to get up to glory and hear “‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’” (Matthew 25:12) So, as for this ‘Heart in waiting’, I purpose to ready my lamps. The only question is: WILL YOU JOIN ME? 

About Me

So, confession time: I’m not very good at talking about myself; but, for your sake, let’s give it a go.

I’m Elecia Hoffman. (pronounced “ee lee sha” if that helps at all) For starters, I want you to know that I am a proud daughter of the One True King and that I claim the victorious blood and saving grace of Jesus Christ.  I am the oldest of 12, with 5 living siblings and 6 awaiting me in heaven. At 18 years old I am a home-school graduate and am currently looking toward a Nursing Assistant Certification (CNA).

I live right in the middle of apple country Pennsylvania and, when I’m not in “big-sister” mode, you might find me horseback riding through the orchards. I am fascinated with the art of home-making, make a pretty mean apple pie, create homemade greeting cards as a mini business, and LOVE to pour myself into writing. Oh, and did I mention chocolate in there anywhere? Chocolate fixes (almost) everything…

But enough of that; I’m sure that you’d rather know why I am writing this. Fair question.  In all of my almost 19 years I’ve experienced a lot. The Lord has put a burden on my heart, a desire in my heart, to encourage and inspire this generation of young people; my peers; You!

Okay. Please don’t think me weird or anything! I just have this strange urge to act like a four year old again and pronounce you my new best friend. I don’t know anything about you, you know just a little about me, but hey, it worked when we were kids, right?

So go ahead over and read my other posts; Oh, And don’t forget to subscribe to get all of my latest ones! Go on… what are YOU waiting for?