| Page 88

Back to Reality

Valerie Basham

October 24, 2011

Psalm 63:1-2 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Well, as some of you may know, I just returned from a whirlwind trip to the windy city, Chicago! Thank you to those of you that prayed for me. I cannot begin to explain how wonderful it was to be at that conference. The people there said I was a blessing to them, but I know for a fact that they ministered to me far more than I did to them. Their friendliness bowled me over, I haven’t been made to feel that wanted in all of my life! The music was so beautiful, their smiles radiant, and their laughter contagious. My dry, parched soul soaked it up and wanted more!

It was wonderful to wrap my arms around my sweet babies yesterday afternoon, and of course, get a smooch from the man. 😉 But, I wasn’t home long before the dirty laundry, messy floors, and needs of the children (combined with my extreme fatigue) overwhelmed me. I wanted to go back to my Chicago friends, sing songs, laugh and visit. But, I’d take the kids with me this time!. 🙂

I’m sitting here, amid the clutter that collects when mom is away, reading my Bible, wishing to go back, wishing to feel that “soaking” of joy and love again. But, my Best Friend came to meet with me today. He knew that I’d feel a bit sad and lonely to have left such wonderful people so far away. He knows I’m thirsting for Him in this dry land. He knows I’m longing to see His hand work miracles! Here are some words He said to me today:

Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalm 63: 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

I cry out to Him today, I pour my heart out before Him now, I follow hard after Him during these melancholy moments. He gives me strength, He restores my joy, and renews my spirit. He is…so very good to me.

If anyone from First Baptist Church of Sauk Village, IL, is reading, thank you so much for all you did for me at the conference. God used you to help a very weary sister (me). Thank you!!

Where to Take Broken Toys

Valerie Basham

no comments

October 21, 2011

Ps. 59:17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

The excitement and nerves surrounding this trip to Chicago has been a blessed diversion from the fact that daily, I’m in a battle. Problems, temptations and enemies are all around me. When this excitement is over, I will still have these battles to face. What will I do, then? Will I sit down and wallow in it? Will I mope? Pout? I hope not!

This verse today was an encouragement to me. It reminds me that GOD is my strength! HE is my defense and HE will take care of me. I don’t run to him often enough, though. I first try to fix things myself, sometimes many times, before I hand the situation to the Lord as a child hands a broken toy to their parents. One thing about children, though, is that they don’t try to fix a broken toy, they immediately bring it to their parents! I suppose they realize their lack of ability to repair it, so they take it to the person they love and trust the most, hoping they have the answer.

That’s what I need to do. I need to immediately run to the Lord, the one whom I love and trust the most, for help. I am too inadequate, I can’t do anything without Him. I want to be a blessing to the ladies today, but guess what! I’m too inadequate! I’m just flesh and blood, sinful and not smart! I need the Lord to use me, to work through me, to fix me up so I can do this work.

What might it be for you today? Caring for a sick child or parent? More month at the end of the money? Illness yourself? Job loss? Criticism from those whom you though loved you? Loneliness? Whatever it is, take your “broken toy” to the Lord, and let Him fix it. Run to Him for strength and protection. He is only a prayer away.

Fear of…Everything!

Valerie Basham

no comments

October 20, 2011

Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

David knew about fear. Saul, the King of Israel, was out to get him. This means that the armies of Saul were after him, and anyone loyal to Saul. That’s something to fear!

When I became a mother for the first time on August 27, 1999, I began the amazing journey of motherhood. Everything about it was fearful to me. What if she caught some terrible disease and I didn’t know what to do? What if I didn’t feed her enough? What if the house caught fire and I couldn’t get her out? What if we had a car accident and I couldn’t get her out of her car seat? On and on. Yes, this was exacerbated by terrible case of PPD, but I’ve felt fear regarding my children since then, too. I fear flying, driving long distances, tornadoes, and so on.

Regarding my own safety, I often think, “Why would God protect me? I’m not doing enough for Him! I’m not worth His protecting!” But that’s where I’m wrong. God loves me…that’s so hard for me to understand. You see, I know me! I’m flying today to Chicago. I will be away for three days! I haven’t been away from my entire family in a lo— ever! I’m nervous about how they will do while I’m gone. I want to be here to care for them, yet my husband and I feel that this opportunity is from the Lord, so I need to go.

I’ll be speaking at a ladies conference during my trip. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, hearing the other speakers, laughing at the skits, and visiting with believers. But, along with that excitement also comes fear: What if something happens on the flight? What if I totally make a fool of myself? And on and on.

What a joy to read today this wonderful verse of comfort! Instructions from the Lord on how to handle fear! Boy, do I need that today! This is proof He loves me, that he cares for me. My fears are not the same as David’s, but fear is a powerful force regardless of what we’re fearing. It could be fear of the future, fear of financial reversal, fear of sickness or fear of everything!

I’m consciously handing my fears over to the Lord today. I’m trusting Him for strength, and I know He won’t let me down.

A Clean Heart

Valerie Basham

1 comment

October 19, 2011

Psalm 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

It wasn’t too long ago that one of my children came to me in tears to confess a sin. This child had taken some candy and eaten it, without asking the person who owned it – they had stolen! My husband and I would have never known had this child not come to confess. Punishment had to be given, and of course, restitution of the stolen candy had to be made out of their own cash reserves.

I know it sounds strange, but I was so happy that this whole thing happened. I wasn’t glad my child had stolen, but I was so glad that they confessed! They could have buried this sin deep within their heart, and no one would have been the wiser, but they didn’t. They came, in tears no less, and made things right. Joy was immediately restored to this child’s heart. They had confessed, apologized and made things right. It was over and all was well.

That’s how I feel when I do wrong. The Lord sees all of the sins I commit, even the ones that are only in my heart. He doesn’t require that I make things right but I’m miserable until my sin is confessed and forsaken. After I talk to the Lord about it, joy is immediately restored. It’s almost like a physical burden is lifted! Life never looks as wonderful as it does after I’ve experienced forgiveness.

Recently, I sat in church, feeling horrible. I knew what it was…it was sin! I had sin in my heart – no one knew about it but me and the Lord – but it felt as if everyone could see. I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to lay that sin down, but on top of the sin in my heart, I also had the sin of pride! Isn’t that how it works with sin? We start off when one, then it seems to multiply! I didn’t want to admit that I was wrong. I stayed unhappy most of the day. Finally, I acknowledged my sin. I asked the Lord to forgive me and immediately felt relief.

The Lord had forgiven me, but I was concerned that I’d slip back into this sin again. I can relate to Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me. I felt as though I needed to be “renewed”. I needed a clean heart, free from the guilt of the past. I need to pray each morning asking God for a clean heart.Why? Because sins of the heart are very easy to fall back into. They require no outside activity. You can have a bitter spirit, bad attitude or angry heart without anyone knowing or seeing.

I’m so grateful that the Lord not only has power to forgive me and cleanse me of sin, but He also has the power to help me to stop committing sin. For me, crying out to God daily (or hourly) is the best way to stay clean.

Under the Weather

Valerie Basham

5 comments

October 18, 2011

I’ve been struggling with asthma and allergy trouble since the end of August. I kept thinking, “This will get better…this is getting better…I just know it.” But, this week, I had to admit it isn’t. Even with insurance, medical costs add up quickly so money was a concern, too. This week we finally ha d the funds available for me to see the doctor. I went this morning, first thing, and didn’t have to wait very long! That’s an extra blessing because on the way over there, I realized I’d forgotten to take a book to read!

The doctor didn’t have to spend much time with me to hear me wheeze and cough. He listened to me, asked me a few questions and then said, “You know that asthma can still kill people, right?” He went on to share the signs that I should watch for that would mean I need to go to the hospital. He gave me a breathing treatment in the office. I felt immediate relief with that and I’m so grateful! Rather than give me a steroid shot, he gave me a prescription to start right away. He also gave me a new (and cheaper!) rescue inhaler, a preventative steroid inhaler and a Z-pack for infection. I also got a script for a cough syrup, but he said that Robitussin DM would also work fine.

I came home from the pharmacy and took more medication than I’d had in a loooong time! This medicine proceeded to upset my stomach, so I took a Pepcid on top of everything else! 🙂 (He warned me this could happen.) I’m feeling much better now and so very grateful for modern medicine, a husband to watch over the kids a while so I could rest, and the finances to take care of this need. God takes such good care of me! I am so blessed.

When I got home, the little girls had set this beautiful table for me! They put out the tablecloth, placemats, dishes and fruit! It is really beautiful. They did a very good job for only ages 4 and 6! 🙂

I would appreciate your prayers as I prepare to leave for the Chicago area on Thursday. I know it will be a busy two days, but I can’t wait! 🙂 I’m excited about what the Lord is going to do in my heart this week. I’m in desperate need of refreshment, of renewal. Please pray for my family as they manage a few days without me. I’ve stocked the freezer, so they should be okay until my return.

Thanks so much for reading and for caring about me, a person some of you don’t even know. It means so much to me!

The Formula for Peace

Valerie Basham

no comments

October 18, 2011

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

10 Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, will be exalted in the earth.

I’m a homeschooling mom of five kids and a pastor’s wife. This means I live in a fishbowl. Everyone watches me, and most criticize me. No, not to my face. But do I look stupid? Wait. Don’t answer that. Forget I asked that, okay? 🙂 I know what people say…it gets back around eventually. It may not be, and probably isn’t, their exact words. But it gets around. It gets distressing. Oh, and guilt! Wow! Do I know about guilt! I often think, “Why don’t I do that?” “I’m such a bad mom because I don’t do that!” “Oh, wow, I blew it there!” And so the guilt mounts.

Criticism + fatigue + guilt = a very distressed me.

These verses today reminded me that when the criticisms come, when the storms of life are raging, He is my refuge and strength. I run to Him! How? By praying and studying His Word!

Then, I get still. This is the hardest part for me. I want to fix the problem. I want to do something. But He wants me to relax and rest in Him. He will handle the critics. He will give me rest. He takes away the guilt by reminding me that I must not compare myself to others. I must do what HE wants ME to do.

HE + ME = PEACE!

I have a lot to do today: Groceries, house work, budgeting, homeschooling…oh and I have to go to the doctor for my horrible asthma. I usually have to wait a long time at the doctor’s office, which stresses me. But, I won’t let it bother me today! I’m planning to just be still, to wait, to rest.

These verses reminded me of a song with wonderful words. I hope you like them, too.

When the storms of life are raging,

Stand by me (stand by me);

When the storms of life are raging,

Stand by me (stand by me);

When the world is tossing me

Like a ship upon the sea

Thou Who rulest wind and water,Stand by me (stand by me).

Are you in a storm today? Is your life rocking you to and fro, up and down? The One upon whom we call is the One who said this:

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 4:39

Thanks for the Memories

Valerie Basham

3 comments

October 17, 2011

We finally endured something that we’ve been dreading for about a year now. A good family in our church, with five children, moved to Oklahoma this last weekend. It’s been particularly hard on my son. He has so enjoyed having three boys to play with! Lauren is taking it hard, but not as hard as Mitch. I recently dug out an old Bible study that I completed over a year ago. In it, it asked me to list answers to prayer I’d received. One that I listed, and remember begging God for, was a family with children! He answered when He sent this family to us. I remember hearing that they were leaving, wondering why the Lord would move them after He’d sent them to us. Then, I remembered Job’s words, after the loss of his property and children. He said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

I’m…we are all very sad to see our friends leave. We miss them. Their seats are empty. We are wondering if more people will leave (we’ve lost many since we came) before more start coming. But whatever happens, we know that God does all things well and we praise Him in the good times and the bad. All the time He is good!

To this dear family, thank you for the memories. Thank you for your friendship. May the Lord make your way prosperous and bless all that you do. And always remember, we miss you.

With love,

Letterhead Giveaway Winner!

Valerie Basham

1 comment

October 17, 2011

Thanks to all of you for entering the giveaway for the free letterhead from UPrinting! I’m happy to announce the winner is Misty D.! Please contact me with your email right away. 🙂

The winner was selected using the number generator at Random.org

Thanks for playing! 🙂

Hope

Valerie Basham

no comments

October 17, 2011

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me and heard my cry.

This verse gives me hope. Hope that if I keep waiting for the Lord, as David did, I will receive answers to my heart cries. My dad would often say to me the old adage, “It’s always darkest just before dawn.” Surely our dawn is nigh, though I do wonder. We are saying goodbye to an answer to prayer this week. A family with five children joined our church almost a year and half ago. God sent them just for us! Their children are the same ages as our children. Their oldest daughter was our babysitter! They are a sweet, dedicated family. Then, his job relocated him! We heard they were moving about a year ago now. He works for the post office, and they move slowly. When they told me the news, it was like a punch in the stomach. I walked home, telling the Lord all about it. “Lord, why? Why must they go? They were the answer to prayer that You gave us!” I knew in my heart that God will do that which He sees fit and He knows best. It was as though He said, “Valerie, will you trust me? When things are confusing, will you just trust that I know best?”

Yes, Lord, I will trust you.

I can’t begin to describe the pain of the last three years, especially the last few months. I tried typing it all out, but it just seemed too painful to re-live, so I deleted it. The bottom line is that things have been bad, and then worse. But things were bad for David, too. He faced some of the same situations we have. He cried out to the Lord over and over. Finally, we see in Psalm 40 that the Lord heard his cry! Praise the Lord! Help came! He was delivered! That gives me hope. One day, I will be delivered, too. It may be when He takes me home to Heaven. But I think I’ll be delivered here, from these problems. I have hope, from the Lord, and that’s really all I need.

A Misunderstood Verse

Valerie Basham

1 comment

October 14, 2011

Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Part of my reading today was Psalm 35, 36, and 37. The above verse jumped out at me. I first heard this verse misused by a prominent lady in Independent Baptist circles. I was only about 16 at the time, and didn’t even realize it was being misused. Since then, I’ve heard about a half dozen preachers misuse it, as well as several ladies. They didn’t mean to misuse it at all! In fact, the way they used it made perfect sense to me!

In the years that have come and gone, I’ve tried to learn more about God’s Word and theology in general. I’m certainly not up to par with my husband, who can seem to wrap his brain around truths that just leave me scratching my head. But, I’m learning, bit by bit, little by little, more about God’s Word and His lessons therein for my life.

This verse was often interpreted to me to be saying, “If you delight yourself in the things of the Lord, He will give you those things which your heart desires.” If you want a new car, He will bless you with one! If you want a friend, BAM! You got it! Want a new ______ (fill in the blank)? Then you will get it, if you’re delighting in the things of the Lord. The inverse was also said to be true: if you aren’t getting the desires of your heart, you are not delighting yourself in the Lord.

However, this verse isn’t talking about my desires. My desires are fleshly, carnal. That doesn’t mean they are bad, necessarily, but they stem from my sinful nature. After a bit of studying, we can see that this verse is saying “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires that you should have in your heart.” He will show you what you should desire. He will give you a desire to know more about God’s Word. He will make a part of you want to pray. He will prompt you to witness to that friend at work. He will make us want what He wants. Does that mean if you’re wanting a new dress, and you faithfully serve the Lord and pray for one, that He won’t give you that because it’s a fleshly thing? No, I’m not saying that at all. God frequently blesses His children in very special ways with things that are not necessities of life. In fact, He often gives me tangible blessings even when I’m not faithfully serving and living for Him; even when I fail Him, He blesses me!

The ultimate blessing that a child of God can receive is a relationship with the Lord of hosts, the Creator of the universe! Think about it: He doesn’t just save us, He wants to be our very best friend. He wants to talk to us and have us talk to Him. He wants to lead us, comfort us, protect us, and yes, even chasten us. He wants to give us joy, peace, love, and on and on I could go! No carnal blessing can come close to matching that!

To think that God cares about me and wants to show me what I should desire! It’s better than a new car! I am of all people most unworthy. I fail Him everyday, yet I long to do better. I let Him down, I know I do, and yet He loves me and forgives me. He helps me get up and try again for Him. Why do I want to do better? Because He wants me to. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to walk with Him. I pray the Lord will help me to walk closer everyday.