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My Daily Battle

Valerie Basham

March 24, 2011

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Romans 7:19-20

I battle so many sins in my life! For those of you who believe that Pastors and their families are immune to sin, well, think again. I can only imagine what life in my glorified – perfect, sinless – body will be like. Until then I am robed in flesh and I must fight to keep it in check.

I battle anger, covetousness, discontentment, selfishness, gossip, criticism, Phariseeism, laziness – need I go on? No, I didn’t think so. You’re thinking “Stop already! Just reading this makes me feel sinful!” And I agree.

I want to tell you honestly that I do not set out to covet someone’s new home or clothing. I do not wake up and say “Great! Today’s the day I get to blow my top in front of my kids!” I don’t plan to make today a “me” day and live only for myself. These sins, and many others, seem to creep in when I’m busy. Maybe I’m planning a ladies event and the children start bickering, the phone rings, the baby pulls a glass off the counter (which awaits my clearing it off) and it breaks into a million pieces, the toddler has an accident on the floor, while the baby is bleeding from a piece of broken glass in her foot – right then I blow up!!! I raise my voice at the children ordering them all to their rooms, I angrily sweep up my baby in my arms stepping over the glass and trying to sooth her, and fix her “owie”. Inside, I’m boiling! I then clean up my toddler’s accident while exclaiming to her “Why didn’t you go to the bathroom?? You know how!”

The phone goes unanswered, my planning goes uncompleted, and realization of my sin washes over me. I lost my temper again. I did not intend to do wrong. It just happened. It happened because instead of reacting according to Scripture, I reacted the way my flesh wanted. Guilt grabs me. I cry and ask God to forgive me, telling Him that I don’t see how He could forgive me when I knew better!! He gently reminds me of Peter in Matthew 26:33-35,69-75. Peter failed Jesus terribly. He knew better, too. He almost let guilt and shame keep him from serving the Lord anymore after he failed. The Lord tells me I can be forgiven, again, and I can keep going forward, again. I then apologize to my children, and finish cleaning up. I go on numbed by guilt and shame for the rest of the day. I’m always fearful that in another blink of an eye, I’ll fail Him again. Inside, I’m still beating myself up over the past. I even think to myself that “A pastor’s wife should never have this kind of problem!” That however, leads me back to the beginning of my story. We are all flesh, even Pastor’s wives. Anyone is full of pride if they believe they are better than others.

I must let go of the guilt and go forward, but I must always be aware of how quickly sin can take hold. If I stay on guard, then perhaps I won’t give in as much as I used to.

Lord, please forgive me for continuing in sin. I long so deeply to live a holy life for You. My flesh wars against me in these efforts. Please give me victory over sin, and over guilt when I do fall short. Help me to back up my words with my life.

We all struggle with sin, whether outwardly, such as swearing, alcohol, etc. or inwardly, such as covetousness, discontentment, etc. What do you battle?

What verse can you claim to help you defeat that sin? What other precautions can you take against it?

Don’t allow guilt to defeat you. Get up and go forward with Christ as your Helper!

I’m Not Qualified!

Valerie Basham

2 comments

March 23, 2011

I Thess. 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

My life has not exactly turned out the way I had thought it would. I never dreamed that I would be married to a preacher, much less a pastor! I have never felt qualified to be set up as an example for other ladies or girls to follow. Those that knew me as a child and teen would agree – I just wasn’t the “pastor’s wife type”!

Regardless of my “type”, however, I gave my life to the Lord as a sixteen year old girl. I told Him I’d do anything; go anywhere. He had me marry a preacher! That preacher became a pastor, and here I am, doing what I never dreamed I’d be able to do.

A great relief came to me one day when I read the above passage. God called me to do this work – to be a pastor’s wife and mother of five – so He will have to do it. I often place too much responsibility on me, when it all should rest on Him.

I now know why God made me a Pastor’s wife and a Mother. Those are two occupations in which I feel very inadequate. Because of my inadequacy, I tend to seek His help more than if I worked at something I’m naturally good at, like…uh…well, you know…like…okay, I’m sure there’s something! 🙂

The Lord is pleased when I depend upon Him. And let me tell you, I need Him! Every hour I need Him!

Tell Me More!

Valerie Basham

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March 22, 2011

John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

I love to read. I could stay in the public library all day, if I had the time. I would love to read more about Jesus. I would love to know what else He did. Even though I could never read a “world full” of books in my lifetime, I would love to read as many as possible. I have written in my Bible, right below this verse, “What else did He do? I can’t wait to find out!” It’s exciting to realize that I will know all about Him one day! One day, when I arrive in Glory, I will worship at His feet and I will know everything about the One Who died for me.

It’s fun to sit and think about an entire planet full of books that are all about my Lord. But, the reality is, I don’t have that available. I do, however, have the privilege of owning a Bible and I don’t even know all about it yet. I suppose that’s why the Lord gave us one Bible – instead of zillions of books. He knew that reading and living one book would be a big enough task for the few short years that we live on Earth.

In Heaven, though, I will have eternity! Perhaps He will let me use His library then. 🙂

My Greatest Need

Valerie Basham

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March 21, 2011

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Note: I wrote the following devotional thought several months ago while my husband was away at a fellowship meeting.

Here I am, alone again. Well, I’m not really alone, of course, but I feel alone. My husband is away hearing some preaching to encourage his heart, and I’m happy for him. I also desire to be with him, soaking up that good preaching and enjoying fellowship with the saints, myself! I am home caring for our children. As I began my day, I started to feel sorry for myself. I soon felt the gentle pressure within from the Holy Spirit. “This is only a season in your life. And you have my Word to encourage you.” He whispered to me. Yes, I have His Word.

At that moment, I realized that while I cannot always go to preaching conferences to be recharged, I can always be recharged through the reading the Scriptures. In fact, it is imperative that I spend time daily in God’s Word. To neglect my Bible time leaves me languishing in my Christian life. I realize that His Word will sustain me during this lonely hour, and every hour! The Lord reminds me of the above passage. I thought I needed preaching and fellowship to encourage me, but the Lord tells me that I need Him above all else. Mary chose the good part, and so must I. It is my greatest need.

My greatest need, Lord, in every hour,

Is to see Thy precious face!

I must have Thy strength and power,

And feel Thy tender embrace.

Genuine Contentment

Valerie Basham

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March 20, 2011

1 Tim. 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Contentment has always been one of my biggest struggles. The Holy Spirit within strives against my flesh in a battle for my desires. I know I should be satisfied with my life, but my flesh only wishes for that which I do not possess. For instance, when my husband was longing to pastor a church, it was very hard to be happy for a friend who had just taken a church. When a woman is barren, it is very difficult for her to be happy for another lady who is expecting. We can all fake a smile and a kind word to someone’s face, but to be sincerely happy for them is much harder to do. It’s a matter of the heart.

The Lord looks on the heart. He knows when we are honest in our words, or when we are just “putting on” for others. I remember that, when I finally became content with the place we were living and the job we were doing, the Lord began opening doors that had once been sealed shut. Perhaps He saw that the state of my heart had caught up with my words.

To be content, I had to surrender my will to my Father. I no longer sought to fulfill my own agenda, but I desired to live up to His. I also began counting my blessings daily. This allowed me to see that the Lord was, indeed, very good to me even though my desires were unfulfilled. I have learned, and am still learning, to be genuinely content.

Matthew’s Better than Laundry :)

Valerie Basham

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March 20, 2011

Here’s a couple of short clips of Matthew doing what he does best…being cute! He’s not performing any amazing feat, we were just hanging out together on the bed. I thought filming him would be more fun than folding the laundry…which you can clearly see in the background. 🙂 Guess what!? I was right!

Making Memories Everyday

Valerie Basham

2 comments

March 19, 2011

I’m so blessed to be at home with my children each and everyday. I get to see their smiles, hear their stories and watch their antics all day. Yes, some days, I would love for Calgon to take me away, but most of the time, I am truly grateful to be have this calling. I love being called “Mother”.

I wanted to share a few fun photos I was able to snap during our days at home.

Three of a kind – the “polo” kind, that is! 🙂

Big brother showing him where to find truth at a young age. 🙂

A fun little “puppet show” by two cute girls.

I have so many memories to treasure forever. 🙂

Leslie Loves Everyone! :)

Valerie Basham

3 comments

March 18, 2011

I often post videos of Laci. She is a cut-up and not at all camera shy! My other children are equally adorable. I don’t want to appear as though I have a favorite. Leslie is a shy, loving and quiet girlie-girl. She is so special, as are each of my children. She has been hard to video because she withdraws from the attention.

I recently had a rare opportunity to capture Leslie on video! I wanted to share it, because I’m so thankful for her sweet personality.

I love her that much (adult size arms), too!

Milton the Mule

Valerie Basham

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March 18, 2011

Laci, age four, is not officially part of our little homeschool. However, that doesn’t stop her from learning during school and beyond! She is constantly listening to us and copying the older kids. She also asks lots of questions!

She loves to organize and sort things. Here’s how she sorted our alphabet cards today — by color! heehee!

I got this little video of her singing the ABC’s of ACE, the Letter “M”, about “Milton the Mule”. She says “Milton the Mole” when she sings it, and I just love that. 🙂 Leslie does a great job singing these, too, but she’s a bit camera shy. {smile}

The words are:
“Milton the Mule, he made a mistake, while he read the map he walked in the lake. Mmmmmm…”

Hold the Fort!

Valerie Basham

4 comments

March 18, 2011

Our sweet church people worked on several projects during our church workday last Saturday. They did some painting, laid some baseboard, repaired odds and ends and weeded the flower beds. We also raked up piles and piles of pine needles. Well, “we” doesn’t include me exactly. My contribution was two crockpots of chili, some crackers and a pan of brownies for the workers. 🙂 And, fortunately for them, they didn’t have to actually rake the pine needles, they used a sweeper attachment for a riding lawn mower. What a blessing, especially since we live in the timberland region of our fair state and pine trees are over abundant!

Anyway, our city has a gigantic vacuum cleaner that will come suck away all of the pine needles, all we have to do is pile them by the road. We are still waiting for the truck to come by, so, in the meantime, my kids had a little fun…building forts!

Lauren inside her fort…my she’s getting tall! *sniff sniff*

She had so much fun!

Mitchell and neighbor enjoying the fort they built together.

The whole, fort-building crew…I forget what they are saying here. Sorry.

Laci, hamming it up for the camera. She built a fort, too, but didn’t want me to photograph it! She’s crazy. 🙂

The kids are holding their “forts” and my hubby and I are holding ours, too. We’re holding to the Lord during very trying times. Disasters are occurring daily, our economy is teetering on the brink, and fear rules the hearts of many. Satan has had a fun time prying apart the “fort” of our church. We have lost people and the financial resources they represent. In the midst of this, however, there is a peace and a sweet spirit that only comes from obeying the Lord and claiming His promises. We are holding the fort, but we do not hold it alone. He has a very tight grasp and will not let us go.

Keep holding on,