Author: Leigh Ann Thomas

Providing Harmony

/ Leigh Ann Thomas / 1 Comment

IMG_2775The recent Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Retreat was a whirlwind of activity. I enjoyed having lunch with DiAnn Mills, Steven James, and Alton Gansky. I studied storytelling with the expert, Steven James. Had a conversation with Todd Starnes of Fox News. Stuttered through a mini-conversation with Brian Bird, movie producer. Soaked up praise and worship time with Rachel Hauck.

Starstruck? Absolutely. To the point of it being a little embarrassing.

“So, um…yeah. I, uh…think you’re awesome.”  Sigh.

I found myself prayer-whining. “Lord, who am I kidding here? I’ll never be a best-selling novelist or screenwriter. And why in the world should I take a class on How to Handle a TV Interview? And Lord, my writing critiques were brutal. Everything seems wrong. I should pack up and go home!”

His still small voice broke through the gloom. Child, are you finished?

“Yes, Lord. I’ll stop whining now.”

Good. Because I didn’t call you to be a soloist. But I did call you to be part of the choir.

God used echoes of a devotion by Edie Melson to break through my pity-party. We’re not all called to be Billy Graham, C.S. Lewis or Max Lucado. Our Lord calls and equips us to be us. We are created to use our uniqueness for His glory. And not just in the writing world.

God’s choir is on a much grander scale.

Music_Notes1He has his people providing harmony by teaching first-grade Sunday School, leading a children’s mission group, and changing diapers in the nursery. He hears the sweet refrains of a servant-hearted deacon serving the Lord’s Supper and a young pastor pouring out his life for his flock. God’s choir is rich with mothers teaching His truths to their little ones and a warrior in the midst of a spiritual battlefield counseling someone in crisis to choose life.

God calls number-crunchers and administrators, planners and servers. He seeks those willing to minister to teenagers and those with a heart for senior adults. He entrusts and equips some to care for those with special needs and others to quietly engage the spiritual realms in prayer.

He calls us to use our gifts and to join the chorus for His honor.

We do not have to carry the weight of being someone else.

Beautiful, liberating…

Harmony.

 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ESV

 

Unappreciated

/ Leigh Ann Thomas / 1 Comment

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Standing in the kitchen, my eyes taking in the chaos before me, I gripped the broom in sheer frustration. Dirty dishes littered the counter tops while someone’s half-eaten breakfast cereal was splattered around its bowl. An overflowing trashcan begged to be relieved from its load while doughnut glaze covered one corner of the floor like confetti after a celebration. How can one family create such a mess?pileofdishes

Fighting a rising tide of resentment, I completed kitchen duty and made the mistake of hitting the living room full tilt without bracing myself for the inevitable. Why should this room be any different? Stepping over an array of toys, shoes, and clothes, I threw up my hands in an attitude of defeat. I’m outta here…

With an exasperated sigh and a not-so-gentle close of the front door, I stepped out on the porch for a breath of fresh air. Full-blown anger was forming a knot in my stomach. Looking up into the clear summer sky, I vented with, I’m so tired of being taken for granted, Lord! Is a little appreciation too much to ask? No one ever seems to notice what I do around here. Seething, I plopped down on the top step.

The late summer sun was intense but a light breeze tickled my face, providing a respite from the heat. A few yards away, sheltering trees swayed gracefully as whippoorwills and crickets competed for attention. Our dog sat beside me, paws crossed in front, content with my companionship. In the unique beauty of His creation, God spoke.

Oh child, how many times have I touched you with a cool breeze or enveloped you with the warmth of the sun? And oh, how often have I anticipated your reaction to the brilliance of the sunrise filtering through towering poplars or the majesty of that same light as it sinks beneath the clouds at night? My daughter, who daily guides your steps and provides strength when you are weary? Who loves you with an everlasting love and forbears and forgives without end?

And then, with tenderness and compassion…I understand, child, I understand.

Oh Father, I am so sorry.  I confess an ungrateful heart and a spirit of discontentment. Please forgive my selfishness. Help me to keep my eyes and my heart centered on You. Restore in me the joy of servanthood.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9

Do you ever feel unappreciated?

The Quiet Place

/ Leigh Ann Thomas / 2 Comments

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I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.    John 15:5

I have the most beautiful place set aside for my daily quiet time. A small nook, alcove, right off the kitchen. Morning sunlight filters in and dances across bare floors. Surrounding windows provide a picturesque view of my tiny flower garden as well as ferns spilling from hanging baskets. An inviting place – lovely really.

I was headed there today when a most important matter caught my attention. Kitchen was a mess and something had to be done. “Don’t worry,” I said to Quiet Place, “I’ll be right there. This is really most urgent.”

With Kitchen momentarily appeased, I eagerly padded toward Quiet Place. “Wait,” I said, “I would be a much better steward of my time if I made a quick visit with Laundry. Then I would be accomplishing a chore while enjoying my time with Devotions.” Good thinking. Brilliant, actually.

Word, Pen, and Journal whispered softly from their special spot in the quiet place. “What about us? We’re waiting, you know.”

“I’m very aware of that. One more minute please.”

And so it went.

Laundry notified Vacuuming, Sweeping and Dusting. Children began their day and needed my attention. Quiet Place watched – quietly. Pen and Journal went silent. They had been here before. They were accustomed to neglect. Word, however, continued to beckon. “I’m still here, don’t forget…”

“I haven’t forgotten,” I stammered with some irritation. “Just a few more minutes, please. These matters really are most urgent.”

Telephone agreed. So did Bills, Groceries, and Yard Work. Even Church Work weighed in and became quite demanding. Fatigue and Anxiousness rang the back doorbell. Are you kidding me? Can someone else answer that?

In frustration I looked to my old friend for help. But Quiet Place wasn’t in his usual spot. Confused, I searched for him, missing him more each moment. I checked with Living Room where Children were entertaining Television and Video Games.

No Quiet Place.

I ran to Bedroom and shouted at Stereo. “Silence please! I’m looking for Quiet Place!”

Meanwhile, Fatigue and Anxiousness had recruited reinforcements. Discontentment and Irritability slipped in uninvited and made themselves at home.

I have the most beautiful place set aside for my quiet time. It’s lovely, really…

Father, please forgive me for not being still before You.Convict me to come to You in quiet and with a humble heart, that I may truly worship You in Spirit and in Truth.

No matter the season of life, there will always be something to distract us from being still and quiet before our Lord. What hurdles do you face as you seek those quiet moments?

Mother’s Day

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I love Mother’s Day, if only because the girls’ secretive excitement is so much fun to watch. Okay, so I like the gifts too. I can’t help it; I’m only human and presents are fun. Especially Mother’s Day presents: finger paintings, handprints, homemade jewelry, confections of every sort, pencil holders, place mats. Each masterpiece is crafted with such love that its value is immeasurable.Katie_Thomas 02

The days leading up to Mom’s big event are also exciting. I can’t walk down the hall without hearing “Mama, don’t look!” and then a quick slam of a bedroom door. The last-minute shopping trip with Daddy is also a yearly tradition. One or two days in advance, my family all proudly announce that they need to run uptown to “run some errands.” Grinning from ear to ear, they hop in Dad’s truck waving and blowing kisses, assuming that Mom couldn’t possibly know what they are up to. An hour or two later they burst into the house with shouts of “Mama, close your eyes!” Then they seclude themselves in their rooms among sounds of wrapping paper and tape being pulled off the roll. They emerge sometime later with those same precious grins, their eyes wide with innocence. “Mama, you can’t go in our room, okay?”

“Okay,” I promise.

I hope they have things hidden well. I’d hate to stumble onto something when I check on them tonight. (Big smile)

Lord, thank You for my family. Thank You for special days. Thank You for the sound of little voices and for childish expressions of love.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

(Excerpted from Time Out: A Quiet-time Devotional for Busy Moms)

Update: Gathering with the family tonight at the home of one of the girls. Celebrating mom-hood and grammy-hood!

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Welcome!

/ Leigh Ann Thomas / 2 Comments

Welcome to the launch of my new blog, Heart Undivided. It’s been a few years since the days of Time Out when I longed for a moment to call my own. When the hours were filled with diapers, laundry, appointments, ballgames, homework, and the constant running, running, running. Oh the sweet chaos of that time! How I cherish the memories!

I look back with awe at how God worked through those years when the girls were little—comforting, challenging, growing me. Through all the mistakes, all the bumbling around as wife and mother, I am filled with wonder knowing my Heavenly Father never quit on me. That He actually used me to accomplish His purposes. There’s only one way to describe it.

Amazing.

Grace.

This is a new season of life. Roy and I praise God for His faithfulness as we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year. To those who watched our girls grow up through Time Out, here’s a quick update:

Laura and Mary are through college and married with homes of their own. They gave us our first “sons,” Charlie and Matt. They are working hard and serving our Lord with abandon. Little Katie is a rising sophomore in college, pursuing God’s plan for her life. Those early prayers continue to be answered!

And three months ago, Laura and Charlie presented us with our first grandson, Jack. Yes, the little girl who put her sister’s hermit crab in the washing machine now has her own little one. I am mesmerized just watching them together.

Even though much has changed, certain things never will. I am still called to prayer—constantly. My roles as wife, mother, grammy, daughter and friend may be different, but God still calls in these areas.

And this I know—God’s women need each other. We are in this journey together, to grow, support and inspire.

Through Heart Undivided, I hope to do just that—share, encourage, and maybe start a conversation or two. So let’s continue walking together in this adventure called life…remembering the foundation of it all…

Amazing.

Grace.

Perspective

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 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  2 Corinthians 4:17

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There are better things ahead than any we leave behind

– C.S. Lewis

 

Thank you, Father, that I am never alone. Your love and Your promises are endless!