Facets of Faith

Conversations about life, faith, and friendship.

The Road to Restoration

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I (Jennifer) would like to introduce you to our guest this week, Tracy’s husband, Sam Stella. He’s continuing our topic: What are you going back to? The Facets team think you’ll enjoy reading his story about God bringing something wonderful out of an old interest of his. Kick back with your favorite cuppa and enjoy the ride, friend.

I (Sam) was asked to guest write this month and, truthfully, I’m a little nervous about placing my words on the same site with such beautiful writers. I’m not typically a writer, but God has given me such great stories to share with others, I guess they thought I might have plenty of material.

My story starts back in September on my 10th birthday of being a Christ follower. God brought me back to a desire I had as a young man—to own a motorcycle. I found myself in a paint shop sitting on a 1974 Honda CL450. The second I sat on it a big smile came to my face and old passion was ignited. The passion was so strong I started saving money from my small weekly allowance.

Take delight in the Lord,
 and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV

Fast forward to February, and the temperature outside was 70 degrees. The local motorcycle shop had all the bikes lined up outside, and it was calling my name. Tracy and I turned in just to have a look, since my savings was only about $450.

In the back of my mind, I hoped Tracy would say, “You’ve worked hard. Just get one.”

She never said that, but she was a good sport when I asked her to throw her leg over one of the bikes outside the store. She hesitated but gave in to my persistence. She threw her leg over one and said, “I always wanted a Candy Apple Red motorcycle.”

Seeing her smile, I knew we stumbled on a hidden passion in Tracy as well. Oh no—now I needed to save enough to buy two motorcycles.

As a believer, I try my best to include God in all my decisions and included the bike purchase into my morning prayer. Yes, I was praying to God about motorcycles. My prayer was more a list of questions. God, why do I have such a strong passion? Lord, what is it you’re doing in this? What will you do in this, Lord? Lord, I pray to hear you clearly. Lord, is Tracy to get a bike as well?

This prayer time was interjected with other prayers I had been praying for a while. One was that Tracy and I could find a healthy outlet to refresh on the weekend from her job as Program Director for a home that restores women who have been rescued from sex trafficking.

Another prayer heavy on my heart was that, over the years, it seemed my two brothers and I had become distanced and rarely interacted much beside holidays. My prayer was that God would bring us back to the brotherly bond we had when we were young.

To move this story along—I eventually picked up a small, clutch-driven motorcycle I could use to teach Tracy how to ride. The purpose of the bike was just that, but it needed a little work before it would run.
It just so happens my brother, Scott, restored an older bike, and I called him for help. He knew exactly what I needed to do to the bike to get it running, and he had the tools for me to take the motorcycle apart. God provided a great opportunity for us to interact.

When the bike was running, Tracy and I needed a place for her to learn how to ride a clutch-driven motorcycle. One of my recent real estate clients was a pastor of a church and had a nice big field and parking lot that he offered us to use. It turned out to be a perfect place for a first ride. Tracy picked it up quickly and moved off the lawn to the pavement right away. Once we got on the pavement, my prayers were really ratcheted up for her safety as she whizzed around the lot with a big smile screaming, “I did it! I did it! I’m riding a motorcycle.”

God answered the prayer we asked for in our small group the night before: for Tracy and I to have time to disconnect from work and laugh and be filled with joy. Prayer answered, Tracy and I had a blast. And for the first time in weeks, we had a refreshing weekend. Who says God doesn’t work through motorcycles? We were refreshed.

A couple weeks later Scott called and asked if I wanted to go to a bike night at the Harley dealer with him and a friend. I thought, “Really? I’m riding a 1974 Honda CL125.” But he was serious, and I went. Below is a photo of the motorcycles lined up ready to go. The cool one on the right is mine.I began praying, How does my brother, Sandy, fit into this, God?

He answered that, too. Sandy watched Tracy on Facebook having a blast riding our little motorcycle. He was amazed my cool wife was riding. This ignited an old passion of Sandy’s too.

After a few weeks of practicing, Tracy and I attended the motorcycle class at the local college, and Tracy passed. She’s a licensed motorcycle rider now.

I wanted her to have a helmet right away. We went to a local motorcycle shop to purchase one. Before leaving the store we ended up talking with a sales guy and mentioned I wanted to purchase a 2005 or newer Honda Shadow Aero 750 for her. I thought it would be a good starter bike. Tracy added that she would like it to be candy apple red.

That same night we got a call from the shop, and they just happened to have a 2005 Honda Shadow Aero 750. And the color was Candy Red. Ok, the apple was missing, but I give all the credit to God for leading us to her new motorcycle. The next day we purchased it for her birthday.

My brother Sandy saw this on Facebook and called me up. He was shocked to see Tracy riding such a big bike and decided, “That’s it, I’m getting one.” So Sandy and I headed to Wisconsin to look for his bike at a couple of large dealers. When he walked into the second shop a bike caught his eye right away. He purchased a beautiful 2010 Harley Street Glide.

God had his hand on the purchase, I think. The bike needed a new front tire so Sandy wasn’t able to take the bike home that night. Since Sandy still didn’t have his license, he needed someone to drive it home for him. Once the bike was ready, Scott offered to help get it home. The two of them spent the day picking up the bike and had all that time to bond. God has his ways, and I truly believe this was him working on us brothers.

Ok, I ask again—who says God doesn’t work through motorcycles?

At this point both brothers and my wife had nice motorcycles. I was sitting with my little CL125, which barley went 45 mph. On the evening of July 3rd I posted it for sale and prayed God would bring a buyer for it. Within an hour God had a guy text me about the bike. I called him, and he said he wanted to come get it the next day. I agreed if he came early.

He stopped by at 8:30 in the morning and rode away by 9:30. It sold for a little more than I paid, and now it was time to find a bigger bike.

I looked for a Honda Shadow Spirit model, a 2007 or newer. The closest one was 3 hours away, and I couldn’t go look because the workweek had started. The next day at work I decided to check again—again, God provided. The exact bike I was looking for was 15 minutes away, and the price was right.

I drove out on lunch and purchased the bike.

Come on, what are the chances of that? God definitely has his hand on this.

Take delight in the Lord,
 and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Today as I write it’s July 26th, and yesterday I was nervous about this post because the vision God laid on my heart had yet to fully mature. I prayed to God yesterday that I needed his help in bringing us three brothers together. God, I have a deadline for this article…

That same day God arranged for us brothers to take our first ride together—the three of us. Here is a picture just before heading out.In September of 2016 I thought God was bringing me back to an old passion for a material item, a motorcycle. To my surprise, God planned all along to provide for a desire that has been in my heart ever since giving my life to him over 10 years ago: the desire to bond again with my brothers like we did when we were young.

Take delight in the Lord,
 and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

As an added bonus, he also provided me with the bride I prayed for—an active, adventure-loving bride.

I want you to know God’s hand is in everything you do, and if you take joy in the Lord, he will give you the desires of your heart.

This may appear to be the end of the story, but I know it’s only the beginning and faithfully look forward to what God has planned. Amen

 

Humor and Joy—in the Everyday

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Welcome back, friend! I (Jennifer) am thrilled to introduce our guest this month, my good friend Jenna Meister. She continues our topic this month: How has God brought joy or humor into your life?

I have the honor of knowing Jenna’s heart and her beautiful family. I love her and all the Meisters—and so does everyone who gets to know them. Jenna shares in her authentic style, so get ready. Her story is real and reflects the “mommy of littles life” that she lives every day. I hope you love meeting my friend.

Hello! I am Jenna, wife of my hero husband and mother of four young children. I serve alongside my husband, Tim, in ministry where we collide head-on into amazing, crazy, fun teenagers. I also have the privilege to serve our young women’s ministry. These are just a few of my roles. I giggle at the crazy my life has become. I don’t mean the “busy” kind of crazy (yes, we’re busy) but rather, the constant moving parts of our family, ministry, marriage, friends, opportunities, and disappointments that make every day a beautiful story.

In our busyness, it is easy to lose sight of today. The beauty of laughter and joy can get lost in the middle of it all…

Laughter and joy.
We must first understand that they are very different. I laugh. A lot. I also feel pain deeply. However, in pain or peace, joy sustains you. Let me share examples.

2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!  Psalms 126:2-3

Last Thanksgiving, I was driving to my in-laws’ house. Tim and my oldest daughter led the way in one car while we followed. We went a different different route, cutting through back roads that were not familiar to me. About half way there, one offspring shouted, “I have to pee!” (all the mamas nod and smile). We were between small towns, and I had no idea when we would arrive at the next usable restroom (by usable, I mean clean—and all the mamas nod and smile). So I did what any dignified mother would do. I pulled off onto the next quiet road and parked. I proceeded to assist said offspring to pee in the grass. Then the next one shouts “Me, too!” (repeat steps until all children are happy, pee free, and buckled in). Then it was my turn. Yes, folks, I said it. I needed to go, too.

I should mention that it was raining, and the grass was slippery… In mid-stream I slipped. Pee everywhere. Now what? Well, I couldn’t very well put my jeans back on! I took my pants off, tossed them on the floor, and jumped into the driver’s seat. No big deal, right? I would call Tim when we arrived, and he would bring me pants. I started to drive, and a still, small voice whispered, “If you get pulled over, how will you explain why you have no pants?” I pulled off the road again, took a deep breath, and got out of the van. Butt naked. I found pants in my luggage and started driving again. Twenty minutes later I was pulled over for speeding. (I got a warning. Praise God, I had pants on!) When the Holy Spirit tells you to put your pants on, put your pants on! I tell you this story because I am still laughing!

Laughing every day is important! When a child pounces on you at 5:30am… When you put the cereal in the fridge and milk in the cabinet… When you have awkward encounters… When you find yourself in bizarre situations… Laugh. And laugh again. Enjoy this gift that brings healing.

A cheerful heart is good medicine… Proverbs 17:22

Joy…
Joy doesn’t equate laughter. Joy brings hope that your story is still being written. When all is right in your world, joy cannot be mistaken. However, joy is also present in pain.

Last year, I had an unexpected pregnancy. We giggled at God’s desire to bless us in spite of our planning. God had overcome the impossible! We couldn’t stop laughing! We had to see a doctor to remove the birth control option we had prayerfully chosen two years earlier. He said baby was perfect, and all would be well. We started making plans. We stayed up late dreaming of what our family would become after the little one arrived. A few days later, the miscarriage began. Nothing could be done. No one could fix it. And God didn’t change it. “The tears did not come from my eyes or throat but from somewhere much deeper,” I heard someone say once. There is no other way to describe it. Tim and I were both devastated.

But joy—

Joy was always there. It is not happiness or an emotional high. Rather, joy is the gift found at the very roots of our faith. In our grief, we knew that this child was in the hands of the Creator. We cannot understand the whys and what ifs, but we can confidently say that our current reality is not our finality. We grab hold of joy and hang on with every fiber of our being.

Yes, joy is found when you’re at peace with the world. But we cannot forget that it is present when disappointment is real. Joy is not determined by outside circumstances but what is found within. It is a worthy pursuit—because where joy meets the roots of your faith, Jesus is there. And He is enough…

No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened. C. S. Lewis

Mama Guilt: the Compare Snare

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This week, please welcome back our friend, Erin Nicole Thompson! It’s an honor when she visits FACETS of Faith with her experience and wisdom. She’s wrapping up our conversation on this month’s question, and we think you’ll be blessed by it. Thanks for sharing with us, Erin!

I made it!! I had conquered Costco. With two kids in tow, I endured the miles of aisles, deals of the day, and made it to the check-out lanes on budget and with the same number of children I walked in with.

(Insert: fireworks.)

As I rejoiced over this small miracle, it seemed right to celebrate with the insanely huge but inexpensive pizza Costco serves. I proceeded to get a small taste of heaven and asked the cashier to slice it in half, rather than having to drag a plastic knife through it.

Life. Was. Good.

Actually, near glorious!

My kids were playing so sweetly by the water vending machine when I noticed a large puddle under my two-year-old daughter. (Note—though she strips down every day to her birthday suit and attempts to use the potty, she is still in diapers.)

So as the other cheap lunch dwellers studied my kiddos and my parenting choices, I went over and swooped my daughter up only to realize she was soaking! What?!? This has never happened, at least with just wetness.

As a mom of four, I pride myself in my extensive diaper experience and knew I had put one on her and properly. Period. This certainly wasn’t my fault.

So I had to check. What was going on? I pulled back her pants only to realize I had put on my 21,901st diaper inside out. Yes, inside out.

So the wetness puddled on the concrete floor, drenching her legs and top, and now saturating my clothes, was none other than urine. Or pee-pee we call it in my house.

(Insert: Big-time Mama guilt here.)

And of course, there were still the onlookers.

So I dragged my kids out of Costco and drove home in defeat.

Mama guilt. It’s an issue.

We get it from the should’ves, could’ves, and can’ts—the compare snare we willingly walk into as we look at the strengths of another mom and compare them to our weaknesses. Those combustible moments overcome us, and we become someone we don’t want to be. Mama guilt. It’s there.

My mama guilt always seems to highlight my insecurities, imperfections, or inadequacies. Though my mama guilt is real and I can feel it, I am learning how to face it.

I am facing it so that it doesn’t define me or drown me in its defeat.

Whether our kids are grown and out of the house or are yet to breath on their own, we can face Mama guilt by…

  1. Receiving God’s grace and love.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

The book of Lamentations reminds us that God’s love and compassion never fail, that it is there for us each and every morning. Anew. Afresh. Filled to the brim. Let me highlight that is what God declares through the book of lamenting, I mean Lamentations. He always has enough, no matter how far gone or finished we may feel. Let’s receive it.

We forgo Mama guilt by…

2. Remembering who God says we are.

“I will be a Father to you,

    and you will be my sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18)

We are not our actions or attitudes, we are an adopted child of God. Adorned and arrayed in his righteousness. Welcomed and wanted in his family. Who he says we are in his Word defines us, not our past or our performance. When we walk in that security, insecurity flees. Trust me, I know.

Mama guilt gets mini-sized or mini-me’ed by….

  1. Realizing God chose us to be the mama for our child, guilt and all.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16)

God chose our time and place. He chose the same for our child. He entrusted us with his creation, made in his image. He knew we wouldn’t get it all right, and that’s why we still need our big Daddy. And our Heavenly Father loves to be needed.

I am just about to go over my word count for this post, so know this. You are not alone in your mama guilt. We all have it. But I pray we don’t let it define us or drown us in defeat. Rather, let us face our feelings, receive God’s love, remember we are his child, and realize we are their chosen mamas by the Maker.