from humbled hands

Cora arrived March 4th, 2014 with a bang...or splash? I'll post her birth story for the five people that want the deets someday when I'm sleeping a little more regularly.  I know that post is not for everyone and neither is this one. BUT THERE MIGHT BE A MOM OUT THERE THAT NEEDS TO HEAR THIS! So, if I can help even just one person from this post, it's worth it.  I am a pretty stubborn person so when I committed to breastfeeding I meant that I would do any and everything to accomplish that goal for the sake of my daughter.  At 2 months now, we have not had it easy.  From the get-go she couldn't latch so with the help of lactation consultants we hand expressed the colostrum and gave it to her by a spoon. She continued struggling with the latch so we reverted to the nipple shield.  I was very thankful for these things because my daughter was getting what she needed; she was getting what was best for her, despite the annoying interventions.  We had to use t...

Today, I am thankful. So thankful, in fact, that I want to share my thankfulness with the world! To spare you the time I'll just talk about one thing today, mmkay? VINCE REDIGER How does he do it,  this man that holds my heart? Gently loving me, carefully tending to my needs His service comes from the depths of his heart. A natural response from his love within. Quietly listening,  holding me close. His sacrifice is mirrored after the Lord's. An example he joyously follows. This man who holds my heart- He cares for it as his own. I am so thankful for my husband.  This past year hasn't been a cake-walk but the Lord has used it ALL to bring us closer to Him and closer to each other.  So thankful that God has given me Vince as a gift.  from humbled hands,  Jessie Rediger

destitue, displaced, distraught all I give, I give for naught intentions immoral, I quarrel with my pride mechanical motions busting out notions of love and charity for me my glory my honor  my story is me. not You. take me, break me make me Yours- use me. use me for Your story,  for Your glory. give me a burning passion to bring honor to Your name. i'm sick of satan and this game. forget about me and my wicked desires. i turn to you and live with a passion full of raging fire. i'm at your will,  waiting for Your call. Lord, You have my all. from humbled hands,  Jessie Rediger

I live in a place surrounded by death. W e live by dead people, work with the families of dead people, and even mark where those dead people will be buried.  (Occupation= Cemetery Sexton...its real, look it up ) Strangers come to me after they have lost a loved one and I help them with some of the essential aspects of a funeral.  We determine the location of the grave and I schedule the opening/closing of the grave.  I go through the motions, I deal with the emotions.  I empathize with the hurt and try to be as helpful, understanding, and comforting as possible.   I tell people, "It's not supposed to be like this.  You aren't supposed to lose your teenage son."  What I mean is that God didn't intend for us to live in a world marred by sin and thus by death.  We were made for eternity.  That is why death is so hard.  Death hurts because we were made for life, eternal life with our Father God and Savior Jesus Christ.  While deat...

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5 Amen. Thankful for that truth today. It has not ever been overcome by darkness and it will not ever be overcome by darkness. Even in the dimmest and bleakest of situations God's light is shining.  Today is it from a small crack in the wall, a faint flicker of light from a distance- God's promise that he is there through the trials and pain, through the hurt and sin? Look for it, it is there. Or is it like the sun, an overwhelming reminder that His abundant grace is new each day bringing life, healing, growth, and restoration?  Whatever it looks like or feels like in your situation, it is there ever reaching, ever shining, ever piercing the darkness in this world.  From humbled hands,  Jessie Rediger http://www.flickr.com/photos/wtlphotos/1010219236/

I have this problem. Generally, its called sin. Specifically, its called believing false things about myself and my Lord and Savior.  I picture it as looking at things other than Jesus. My eyes often stray from Him, the founder and perfecter of my faith, to, say, lies of the Enemy.  Lately these lies have been debilitating.  When my eyes shift, things become disproportionate.  My perspective becomes distorted. I look at myself as a failure. I believe that lie. Then I begin to wrench my neck around to see more.  I see my situation as hopeless.  I believe that lie.  I take a step to turn myself around so I can get a better picture of what else I am supposed to see. I am already walking the other direction when I realize how low and discouraged I have become.  My head is down.  All I can see are lies.  Only darkness.  Everything feels heavy and unbearable. We can't do it on our own.  Thankfully, Jesus doesn't let us.  He is...

I can only share this because I have overcome my fear (at least of this one roach): Roach. Gross. Agile. Alert. ALIVE! Creepy crawling. Speedy Running. Hiding under dusty desky. I am dancing, prancing. Sweating, fretting. I'm a wreck. Heavy breathing, tip toeing. Check here, over there.. Oh, under that!!! It fits?? So huge! He sprints. Stops. Stares. I spray. Douse. Destroy. It disipates and then I see him. There he lay. He's donefor. Roach. Gross. from not-so-big-'n'-bad and humbled hands, Jessie Rediger