Leanne's Legacy & Lessons Learned

Under His Wings

2009-05-19T10:05:00.002+02:00

Hannah, Lydia and I went on a walk last night just as the sun was setting. The days are getting longer here, so it was around 9PM. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous! We had actually headed out to see the swan family we've been watching, but we got side-tracked by the sky for a while. After about 15 minutes, we walked in the opposite direction to go see if the family was at "home." Sure enough...
As we approached the reeds we could see white objects moving, so we waved to Lydia to hurry up (she was trailing behind). We must have come up on them a little too quickly, because the mother hissed at us, which is strange since she seems to have grown accustom to our presence. What a sight we had as we slowly crept closer! First of all, as usual, the male was in the water grooming himself. Oh brother! The mom was on top of the nest with her babies. After a bit, the babies slid down the side of the nest to join their daddy in the water. One, two, three...seven. I was happy they were all still present and accounted for. Then Mr. and Mrs. Swan began working away to make the nest more comfortable and roomy (?). Apparently it was getting a little TOO cozy. LOL! Mrs. Swan was on top of the nest stretching her neck way down and pulling what looked like seaweed from underneath the water. Mr. Swan was pitching in and dumping beak-fulls onto the nest as well. I can't imagine sleeping in that junk, but...whatever! LOL! Then the mom went into the water for a snack break, and he got up on top of the nest and kept working away with a vengance. He just didn't seem satisfied. It sounded as though he was irritated as he ripped reeds off and worked away. After a bit, the mom got back on too. She fussed a little more at the twigs below her, but then she settled down for the night. But, Mr. Swan kept picking and moving twigs, reeds, and that seaweed stuff into place. Then the babies tried, almost in vain, to get up onto the nest. It looked like quite a chore, and it made us laugh. Finally they were all "inside" for the night. The dad still kept picking a bit, but the babies nestled down beside their mommy. It was a sight to behold! They squished as close to her as they could. I can understand why. If you lived here, you'd know that the wind seems to constantly blow. Anyway, some of the babies were plastering themselves to their mommy and pushing their heads up under her wing. They longed to get into that safe, warm place for the night. As I sat there watching this sight I thought of the spiritual meaning it had for me. It made me think of the old hymn, "Under His Wings."

Under His wings I am safely abiding.
Tho' the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

It was getting dark, and the wind was blowing through the reeds, but the babies were safely tucked away with their mom and dad. Sometimes the trials of life can make the days seem so dark, and the problems bash against us like stormy winds, but through all these struggles, we can trust the Lord when we are one of His children. He will keep us and make a safe place for us to abide ~ Under His Wings.

Under His wings ~ what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

I think about the painful time I experienced after my mother died. Less than two weeks later, I had to get on a plane and fly away over the ocean that carried me far from her grave and from the shared loss and comfort of my father and siblings. Yes, I had the comfort of the Lord, but in a human sense I was very sorrowful. My heart yearned for rest and healing. I was like one of those baby swans pushing up under the mommy's wing so I could get the comfort I so longed for. I remember time after time lying completely flat on the floor by my bed with my face buried in the rug ~ crying and praying. I couldn't get any lower. I pictured myself ~ Under His Wings...finding comfort so I would be blessed. I was...

Under His wings ~ O was precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me.
Resting in Jesus, I'm safe evermore.

Yep, those babies sure seemed to enjoy squishing up close to their mommy! It made us smile as we watched this precious sight. I wish you could've seen it. It was so cute to see the babies struggling to get under their mom's wing. We laughed. It must have felt like a warm blanket with the wind blowing as it was. I'm sure they feel protected when there, safe from all harm. One thing's for sure, they love their babies. How do I know? Tonight Mrs. Swan hissed at us to let us know to keep our distance. And, a few days ago when Hannah, Josiah and I went hunting for them...well, Mr. Swan let us know without a doubt that he didn't want us coming any closer. They were on the OTHER side of the canal, but when I went to the edge on OUR side, he began swimming towards me with his wings puffed up to make himself look bigger and more threatening. I wasn't gonna wait to see what his plan of attack was, so I backed up enough until he seemed to relax. He WAS going to protect his little ones! I don't know about you, but sometimes I get pretty tired of life's trials and the evils of this world. I think of the verse, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." Psalm 55:6 I'm glad I can find shelter, protection, and rest ~ Under His Wings.

Refrain:
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings, my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

I'm thankful that I'm loved...and that nothing can separate me from the love of God.
I'm thankful that even when everything seems like a mess...I'm safe forever...safe ~ Under His Wings.

Hymn ~ Under His Wings
Text: William O. Cushing
Music: Ira D. Sankey

If you want to see pictures and get more information about the swan family, you can visit my daughter's blog:
http://lydia-joy.blogspot.com/

THE ANSWER

2009-04-07T11:38:00.003+02:00

I wrote this poem not long after I got saved at the age of 21. I tried many things that did not satisfy. The break-up of a relationship was one of the factors that brought me to an end of myself...the emptiness and loneliness that it left in its wake. I often hear people say, "Oh, you just turned to God because you needed a crutch!" Ugh! No, I didn't need a crutch, I needed Someone to carry me, and He does!

THE ANSWER

When he left me I felt so empty,
But I really never loved him at all.
I was sad and cried and felt so empty,
But I never heard the Father’s call.
Day by day I wondered thoughtfully…
Where will I go when I die?
Why am I here?
What is life’s purpose?
Is God real?
And then I’d cry.

Still the Father faithfully called to me,
But I never heard His loving voice.
I had to be brought to my knees.
I was not ready to make my choice.
In bed at night I wondered thoughtfully…
Where will I go when I die?
Why am I here?
What is life’s purpose?
Is God real?
And then I’d cry.

I could not sleep…and I felt so empty.
The darkness seemed huge and I so small.
I was sad and I cried and I felt so empty.
Then I began hearing the Father’s call.
Day by day I realized fearfully…
I’ll go to hell if I die.
I’m here for a purpose.
My life has meaning.
God is real.
And then I’d cry.

Still the Father faithfully called to me,
And I clearly heard His loving voice.
He tenderly brought me to my knees,
And patiently waited for my choice.
Then one night I realized joyfully…
I’ll go to Heaven when I die.
I accepted Christ.
Now my life has meaning.
God loves me,
And He is nigh.

Now God has filled my heart that was empty.
I find in Him what I need; He’s my all.
Are you sad? Do you cry? Do you feel so empty?
Will you ever answer the Father’s call???

Written by: Leanne Driessen

Honoring Mom

2009-01-20T17:53:00.024+01:00

Today it is 6 years ago that my mother died from ovarian cancer. It was one of the most difficult times of my life. I will not go there, as I try to forget it. One thing I know is, death is a terrible thing, especially when you watch someone you love wither away. I remember for years praying for her to be healed and live, but near the end my prayers became, "Lord, please take her home!" God never intended for man to die, that all came about because of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Death was then pronounced on mankind. I have a real problem with what seems to be a recent fashion of clothing with skeleton heads/bones on them and other sick stuff like that. Ugh! I think of the Bible verse, "...all they that hate me love death." Proverbs 8:36 Something is seriously wrong with people who enjoy death!!!

But this is not the reason I am writing this post. I want to pay honor to the memory of my mother, Sally C. Driessen. I could say many things about her, but the most important thing I guess I would say is that I'm so thankful I had a mother who stayed at home. It was wonderful to have her there to greet us when we walked in the door from school. On the rare occasions that she couldn't be there...well, we always found a note on the kitchen table telling us where she was and approximately when she'd be back home. It was a comfort to me, even as a teenager, to know my mom was there.

"She looketh well to the ways of her household..." Proverbs 31: 27

Beloved, Mother, we bid thee not "Farewell,"

but only for a little while "Good night."

Thou shalt rise soon,

at the first dawn of the Resurrection day of the redeemed.

It is we who linger in the darkness;

thou art in God's own light.

Our night too shall soon be past,

and with it all our weeping.

Then, with thine,

our song shall greet the morning of a day that knows no night.

Then, at His voice,

thou shalt spring from thy couch of earth,

fashioned like unto His glorious body.

Until then, beloved, sleep.

We praise God for thee

and expect to praise God with thee.

Amen!

Credits: This is the eulogy (somewhat modified) given at the end of the Sheffey movie, during his graveside funeral. This is a portion of the eulogy given by Archibald G. Brown at the graveside service of C.H. Spurgeon.

First Love

2008-12-20T12:01:00.006+01:00

Do you remember when you 1st fell in love with your spouse? Nobody looked better!
"Behold, thou are fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes." Song of Solomon 1:15
I met Jake at the end of July 1983. He had a bicycle accident not long after I met him. He lost teeth and had wounds on his face. I don't think his teeth were fixed until just before we married, and he was left with scars! I must have been smitten, for it didn't matter one bit to me. I was captivated by his "dove's" eyes. At first they were the only thing I recognized about his face. It's especially funny if you look at chapter 4, verses 2 & 3. "Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn (They weren't!), which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them." They were "barren" all right! But, I was in love, so I didn't notice! Ha! "Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet..." And, his poor beautiful lip was torn!
(By the way, the first time Jake was at our church I didn't even see him. I heard there was a young man visiting the service who was called to preach. THAT got my interest. I didn't know what he looked like, and I didn't care. I wanted a man who loved God. But, I will write a post about that another time, lest this becomes too long.)
Do you remember that you couldn't even see anyone else for only one held your attention?!
"...comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love." S of S 2:5
Will an apple pie help, Jake?
We old married folks need to strive to continue to be this love-sick!
Remember how you could hardly wait to see him...to get just a glimpse?
"My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall (taking a peek), he looketh forth at the windows (Can I get any glimpse?), shewing himself through the lattice (Just a peek, please!)."
But the Lord "charged" me "...stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please." S of S 2:7
He told me yes, but I had to wait. It was the Lord's time when Jake was ready. I was to follow...not lead. This is what He told me. I remember it so clearly:
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalms 27:14 and "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD..." Proverbs 3:5,6&7
On November 23 we got engaged. Six month later, on May 26, we were married. It will be 25 years in 2009. After months of chaperones, then we could go away together...finally alone...it was wonderful!
"...Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." S of S 2:13
Do you remember how during your courtship you could hardly wait to see him...to hear his voice?
I was a secretary/receptionist before we got married. I used to love it when he called me; I would melt from the sound of his voice. He worked the night shift cleaning McDonald's restaurants. Sometimes he would show up at my parents' house a while before I left for work and bring me an egg McMuffin for breakfast. Sometimes he would bring breakfast for my mom too. I think he was buttering her up. Ha! Anyway, THAT would make my day...to see him first thing in the morning!
"...let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and they countenance is comely." S of S 2:14
Then the next verse says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes."
Ouch! Is the Lord trying to say that our every-day irritations with each other spoil the vine of our marriage? Yikes! A three-fold cord (The Lord, my husband, me...Ecc. 4:12) is not quickly broken, but that cord (vine) can be slowly eaten away by "foxes" that spoil the vine. Then the tender grapes will not grow; we will not have the fruits of a good testimony. Lord, help!
"My beloved is MINE, and I am HIS." S of S 2:15
Someone once told me, "Oh, you're just jealous," when a woman (not a lady) was trying to get in MY place! Yep, that's right! I was jealous...and I had EVERY right to be! He is MINE! Yoohoo!!!? Next time I won't stand back and be so nice. Blaaa!
"By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth..." S of S 3:1&2
Hey, do the things that bother your husband concern YOU??? Sometimes the kids and I kiddingly call Bro. Jake, Chief Walks At Night. It's a long story. Anyway, sometimes I wake up during the middle of the night and I just feel that his presence is not in the room any longer. Sure enough, I check...he's gone. So, I go downstairs to see if he's okay. Now, I don't always "seek" him, but when I know something is bothering him, you can bet I will go see if I can do anything. We tend to get so lax in our marriages that we don't even care like we should. Not like we did at first. I am guilty too. God help us! The enemy wants to destroy marriages, especially Christian ones. Why? Because marriage is a picture of Christ's love for His church, His bride. Satan hates that picture and wants to wreck it! Lord, HELP!!! We need YOU! You are the glue Who holds us together!!!
"I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?" S of S 3:3
Uh, do you use endearing terms to refer to your spouse? Him whom my soul loveth. Like: Honey, dear, sweet heart, etc. These words help YOU, especially when trying not to be aggravated. Yes, Dear, I did such and such, like you asked me to. "A soft answer turneth away wrath." Prov. 15:1
"It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go..." S of S 3:4
I believe in the hands OFF policy before marriage! I believe it with my whole heart! I'm practically 50 years old, and I have figured out some things in my lifetime that make LOTS of sense. It's very clear in this passage - I Cor. 7:1. I couldn't touch him before we were married, but let me tell you, I couldn't wait until I could hold him after our marriage. But, do we still have that longing after marriage? Or, do we take our beloved for granted? I'm telling you, I'm not sure men have a clue of how powerful their touch is. I believe God made us ladies this way. THAT is why HANDS-OFF before marriage is of utmost importance! Anyway, I will not go there or this will be really long. What I am saying is that a man holds LOTS of power in his touch. More than I think he realizes. All Jake has to do is take me in his arms and I can believe everything will be okay. The world can be falling apart around me, but crushed against his chest everything will be all right. Do you practice holding him? Uh, it's okay now that you're married...and highly recommended! :)
"He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love..." S of S 3:10
Our home can be decorated all pretty, but if it is not "paved with love" in the middle, well...then we need help. Who cares if the house is nice, if there is a bad spirit and lack of love.
"Thou are all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee." S of S 4:7
Ugh! All I can say is...ugh! It's so easy to be blind to the faults of the one you love when you fall head over heels in love. But, after marriage it's another story. Lord, help us to be blind!
"Thou hast ravished my heart..." S of S 4:4
The Lord commands, yes, it is a commandment, "...and BE thou ravished always with her love." Prov. 5:19 It's written to the husband, but certainly He expects no less from us ladies towards our husbands!
"A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed." 4:12
"...Let my beloved come into HIS garden, and eat HIS pleasant fruits." 4:16
Well, I'm not sure I have the right take on this; I am no theologian. But, when I compare it to Proverbs chapter 5:15-20, I think it's talking about marital fidelity. Uh, your "garden" is only for the two of you. You are his "fountain" and his alone. Adultery is rampent, even amongst Christians. Sisters, these things ought not to be so!!! By the way, emotional adultery is also wicked!!!
I mean, look at the verses:
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
The Lord asks:
20 And why wilt thou, my son (daughter), be ravished with a strange woman (man), and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
Once again I say, Lord, help us! Satan would be thrilled to wreck your marriage through the act of adultery. WATCH OUT!!!
"His mouth is most sweet; yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend..." S of S 5:16
Before anything romantic, Jake was 1st my friend. I'm glad my husband is my friend...my best friend. We don't just coexist. What's sad is, we are often the nastiest to those we love best. We know they'll put up with our grumpiness. Why is that? It is because we take them for granted. This is not right, and it needs work. Uhhh, Lord...? We need YOU!
"Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me..." S of S 6:5
I'll never forget the look in his eyes when I knew Jake loved me. I could hardly breathe. That look that passes between lovers should EVER be there.
"How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!" S of S 7:6
"I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me." S of S 7:10
Do you desire to please your husband as you did when he was courting you? This will help to keep your marriage alive. It is truly more blessed to give than to receive! Want an apple pie, Jake? :)
Your heart's cry to your spouse should be, "Set me as a seal upon thine heart..." S of S 8:6
For you belong ONLY to each other! It is a most beautiful and precious thing! You can both have rings on your fingers, but they are only a token. Is your love for him set as a seal upon your heart? There are times you'll be so angry with each other. In the first love of your relationship, you thought this would never be, but that is not reality. What we need is a HUGE dose of COMMITMENT!!! That's what the seal on your heart is. A seal of commitment to your marriage vow! Are you committed because you made a promise before God? It was not just a commitment to a man, you know. But, are you committed to him simple because you told God you would be? What about your children? Are you committed to him because of the children you've had together? This may seem a strange question, but are you committed to him so your parents won't lie awake at night worrying? And, for his parents too? Are you committed to him so your marriage will be like a beacon in a very dark world? So that the lost will see something different between the two of you and will seek to know what (Who) it is?
My blog is called, "Leanne's Legacy and Lessons Learned." Jake and I are certainly far from perfect, but I hope that a part of the legacy I will leave behind for my children is that their mother loved their father...and that he loved me. I finish this post begging, "God, help our marriages; PLEASE help us to be committed!"

More Curtains!

2008-05-27T15:16:00.003+02:00

New Curtains

2008-05-18T19:27:00.005+02:00

Hey, everyone!

I’m pretending to be Mom right now. She’s too busy to do stuff on her blog, so I’m helping her out. =D Lol. Maybe one day, when all of us kids are grownup (we’re still working on that), married, and out of the house, she’ll have more time.

Anyway, I thought you might be interested to know that the new curtains Mom ordered finally arrived on Thursday morning. She was so excited, which made me excited. Moms have that affect. =)

She immediately took our old curtains down and began putting up the new ones. We stood back to admire them, and at first we didn’t like them at all. But, as the day wore on, we liked ’em more ’n more. =)

Mom bought the curtains at Piper Classics, an online décor store. We had looked at several prints, and Mom asked all our opinions (so sweet!). Josiah and I both wanted the Hen House print. We thought it would match our couch the best. It really does too! Ties the whole living room together!

Anyway, I just thought I’d share our good news. I think our living room looks really cute! Mom’s such a great interior decorator, and that without having taken any courses! Pretty smart! =)

~ Hannah