Sufficient Hope for Mother's Day {and a giveaway}

This Mother’s Day will be a unique one for all moms. So much has changed in our lives in recent months. So much has flipped upside down. Our normal daily life is nothing like it was when the calendar rolled over into 2020. We’ve spent all our waking time with our families. We’ve juggled work, parenting duties, and schooling for our children. We’ve gotten creative in cooking with what we could find at the store. We’ve learned to connect with people through virtual platforms. And any plans we had for the future are on hold or tentative at best.

As moms, we’ve had to navigate explaining this crisis to our children, when we don’t quite understand it ourselves. We’ve had to find ways to engage our children when they are bored and miss their friends. We’ve watched far too much news and laughed over more memes than we’d care to admit. We’ve likely hid away in our closet just to get a moment of peace and maybe even shed a tear or two—or is that just me?

And in the back of our minds, we wonder, what will school look like this fall? Will sports and other activities resume as usual? When will we have a normal celebration with friends and loved ones? Will our finances ever get back on track? And for goodness’ sake, when will the stores ever have toilet paper again?

In the midst of all this, we celebrate all things motherhood this weekend. Yet it won’t look like previous years. We won’t celebrate it with extended family, and if we do, we’ll stand six feet apart with masks on our faces. We may not be able to go to our favorite place for brunch or dinner, and if we do, the restaurant will look different than before. Most of us won’t say “Happy Mother’s Day” to other moms in church because we’re still worshiping from the couch in our living room.

I don’t know about you, but I could use some gospel encouragement and hope right about now. I could use a reminder that in the midst of all this upside down craziness there is One who remains steady and sure. I could use a reminder that Christ is King. I could use a reminder that while I don’t know what the future holds, there is One who does. I could use a reminder that my Savior faced my greatest fear in my place and he holds me safe in his grip.

Dear mom friend, what we need most in uncertain times is the certainty of who Christ is and what he has done for us in his perfect life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection. He conquered sin and death and now reigns at the right hand of God. He gave us his Spirit who lives within us, comforting, guiding, encouraging, and transforming us. He is our sure hope in uncertain times.

Let these truths from the book of Romans wash over your heart. Fix your gaze on Christ. Recite to yourself the good news of the gospel. Let it light your way in the darkness. And whatever you encounter today, remember that Jesus Christ is your sufficient hope.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

In honor of Mother’s Day, I am giving away copies of my book, Sufficient Hope: Gospel Meditations and Prayers for Moms. To enter for a chance to win, visit my Facebook page and leave a comment on the giveaway post or find me on Instagram @christinarfox and leave a comment on the giveaway post. US residents only. Giveaway ends May 8 at 12am and winners will be messaged through social media.

Quarantine: Two Months In

Our family has been homebound since the beginning of March. Two months of staying at home. Two months of social distancing. Two months of this new way of doing life.

In previous posts, I shared some of the disappointments, laments, and thoughts I’ve had during these weeks. Today, I thought I’d do something different and just share what I’ve been up to during quarantine. Granted, nothing too exciting has happened, but I find it interesting to hear what other people are up to, perhaps you do too?

Much Remains the Same

The past two months have found me doing a lot of what I would normally do: keeping up with household chores, cooking, supervising my children and their schoolwork, writing, and other ministry related tasks. Some of these normal tasks have grown though. For example, my husband typically travels each week for work so the kids and I don’t make a big deal about meals. Since we have all been at home, I’ve been cooking A LOT! And running the dishwasher! I actually enjoy cooking so I’ve tried new recipes, made some I haven’t made in a long time (blueberry zucchini bread is a family favorite), and even developed a habit of writing out a menu—two weeks worth at a time.

Our church has kept all the same activities and ministries going, just virtually, so I’ve participated in Bible study and small group. My kids remain involved with youth group through virtual prayer and Bible study and weekly youth group gatherings online.

Enjoying the Simple Things

Having to stay at home has certainly afforded me time to enjoy simple things. I’ve taken many walks and hikes. I’ve had lengthy quiet times with the Lord each morning. I’ve enjoy reading books, both fiction and non-fiction. One of my current reads is Help[H]er: A Churchwide Response for Women in Crisis, a book on crisis care ministry in the church. Spring is a favorite time of year and I’ve enjoyed watching spring unfold in all her splendor.

New Projects and Opportunities

One of my mom-isms that I have my children repeat to me out loud is “When God gives you extra time, use it wisely.” With my extra time these past two months, I completed two books projects. One is a book and study on the fear of the Lord. You can read a post inspired by it here. The other is a children’s book. You’ll hear more about that in coming months. I’m excited to see how the Lord will use both of these projects.

At my church, a few of us who are counselors started virtual support groups to help fellow church members think through and process all their emotions and uncertainties during this time. I’ve led one on lament and have found it mutually encouraging. I’ve loved digging back in to the Psalms and walking through the laments with my sisters in Christ.

I’m a wannabe creative and one day hope to learn to draw and paint. A group of ladies at my church meets each week to work on projects together. The past few weeks, I’ve joined in on their virtual calls to see what they’ve been creating. The only creative thing I’ve done during quarantine is a few black-out poems, which I shared with the group. I find these poems both challenging and relaxing at the same time and hope to do more of them.

Family Matters

I’ve enjoyed watching my kids navigate this strange and upside down in history. They’ve taken up working out together—strength training and running. We found an opportunity for them to train for a virtual marathon as well. They enjoy connecting with their friends via video conferencing and my youngest has set up a green screen to make fun backgrounds during his calls. They complain of boredom from time to time, but overall are doing better than I expected. It helps that they have plenty of school work to keep them busy.

Our family loves to laugh together and we’ve had plenty of time to do that these past two months. We’ve also played the board game, Pandemic, which I thought was a fitting game to play. It’s a bit complicated to learn, but I like that you play as a group. Each player works together to help stop the spread of viral outbreaks. One evening, we played some games virtually with another family via video conferencing. It was hilarious!

We’ve also been watching Tim Challies’ new video documentary series, Epic: An Around-the-World Journey through Christian History. We love history and have read many biographies of missionaries over the years. Tim’s journey around the world takes him to many of the places we’ve read about. It’s fascinating and a great activity to enjoy as a family. We’ve also been reading The Hiding Place together as a family. You can read some of my thoughts about it here.

So, that about sums up what I’ve been up to. How about you?

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. To learn more about those links, click here.

On Spiritual Grief and the Body of Christ

Each Sunday since this crisis began, I’ve found my eyes tear up during virtual worship with my church.

Easter Sunday, I cried the whole way through the service.

I cried because I wanted to hear all the voices of my brothers and sisters in Christ singing together praise to our glorious Christ who conquered the grave. I cried because I wanted to hear our voices together proclaim the truths in the Belgic Confession. I cried because I wanted to hear the word preached in person. I cried because I miss feasting together at the Lord’s table. I cried because I miss the gathered Body of Christ.

As I’ve thought about these emotions, I’ve come to realize I am experiencing a kind of spiritual grief. Though I have remained virtually connected to my church body, we are still physically apart. Though I am grateful for the technology that enables us to continue in our Bible studies, small groups, and Sunday worship, it is not the same. I can relate to Paul’s words in Romans 1:

“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (vv. 10-12).

Though Paul communicated via letter and through fellow ministers with the churches he planted throughout the Mediterranean, he still longed to see these church members in person. I too feel that longing for in-person community.

That longing is there for a reason: We were created for community. We were not made to live isolated and independent from others. We were not made to do life on our own. We were made to image our God who is a community within the Triune Godhead. We were made to love, serve, and honor one another and in so doing, reflect our glorious God.

When Christ died and created the church, the gathered body of believers, he united us to one another through his blood shed for our sins. Paul compares this union we have with Christ and each other like that of a human body. Christ is our head and we make up the parts of the body. We are so connected to one another that like the human body, when one part suffers, every part suffers. I think that’s why this separation is so difficult. So painful at times. And why my heart grieves to be apart.

I don’t know how long this situation will last, but one thing I do know, I don’t want this longing and grief to go away. I don’t want to grow comfortable with this new way of virtual church life. I don’t want to think that I can do life on my own apart from the Body. In truth, I want this unsettled feeling to remain.

And so, I will continue to grieve until the day I can reunite with my church family, until the Body is once again together and whole. And I will continue to long for it as the Apostle Paul did: “For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:8). 

Lord Jesus, keep your church strong and healthy during this challenging time. Strengthen our bonds while we are apart. Keep us united as one in Christ. Use us to show the love of Christ to those around us. And endure us until we can come together again. Amen.

Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had to limit my intake of news. Mostly because it has overwhelmed me. It makes my heart heavy. It triggers my worries and fears. That’s why I’ve appreciated the efforts of many who have gone out of their way to highlight and share the good taking place. Whether it is stories of school teachers driving through their student’s neighborhoods or neighbors helping neighbors or the creative ways people are making the best of a difficult situation—all such stories remind me that there is good in the midst of the bad.

And don’t we need a bit of good news right now?

As I read or watch these stories, I’m reminded all the more how Christians have a greater reason to enjoy good news. Even more, we know the best news there is: the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because we know this good news, we always have reason to rejoice. We know a joy that brings light even in the darkest times.

Perhaps that’s why Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (16-18). Many times in my Christian life I’ve wondered how it was possible to rejoice always. Even when my heart is breaking? Even in the face of loss? Even when I’m fearful? What I’ve since learned is that Paul’s not calling us to be uber-optimists or to say that something is good that clearly is not. He’s not calling us to grin and bear it and deny the pain of the suffering we experience. The truth is, the bad things that happen in life are the result of the Fall and we should lament those things for this world is not as it should be. We ought to call evil what it is.

However, in the midst of our pains and sorrows, we have a joy that acts as a steady undercurrent; it keeps us moving us forward, despite the swells of a storm-filled life. We can rejoice always because of Christ. We can rejoice because we’ve been rescued from sin and saved for eternity. We can rejoice because we know God and are known by him. We can rejoice because we are beloved by the One who rules all things, sustains all things, and determines all things. As Calvin noted: “if we consider what Christ has conferred upon us, there will be no bitterness of grief so intense as may not be alleviated, and give way to spiritual joy.”

Paul links rejoicing and prayer and thanksgiving here because there’s an interesting relationship between the three. They work together, contributing to and reinforcing the other. When we are hurt and suffering, we cry out to God in prayer, placing our burdens before him. In doing so, we find peace and joy in the mist of that pain as the Spirit encourages our hearts and we are reminded of who God is and what he has done for us. In this, prayer and rejoicing go hand in hand. And so, Paul urges us to pray without ceasing, so that our joy would be full and we can rejoice always. Then in turn we respond in thanksgiving for the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness to us. It’s really a condensed chain to what Paul wrote about in Philippians 4:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (vv.4-7).

Rather than fret and despair and be filled with chronic worry, we are to have “reasonableness,” a moderation of spirit. We are to bring all our concerns to the Lord in prayer, wrapped in thanksgiving. The Lord then gives us a peace that would make no sense to those outside of Christ, for it surpasses all human understanding. It’s a spiritual peace. A gospel-anchored peace. A peace rooted in our union with Christ our Savior.

I love what Spurgeon said about this relationship between rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving:

“The more praying the more rejoicing. Prayer gives a channel to the pent-up sorrows of the soul, they flow away, and in their stead streams of sacred delight pour into the heart. At the same time the more rejoicing the more praying; when the heart is in a quiet condition, and full of joy in the Lord, then also will it be sure to draw nigh unto the Lord in worship. Holy joy and prayer act and react upon each other…When joy and prayer are married their first born child is gratitude. When we joy in God for what we have, and believingly pray to him for more, then our souls thank him both in the enjoyment of what we have, and in the prospect of what is yet to come.”

So, if you are like me and are weary of all the bad news these days, remember the good news. The very best news. The news of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for sin. And rejoice in the Lord. Bring all your needs, concerns, sorrows, and cares to him in prayer. Then respond with thanksgiving for who he is, what he has done, and in what he will yet do.

On Lament, Psalm 142, and this Current Crisis

How are you feeling these days? This crisis is bringing up many difficult emotions for all of us. It certainly is for me. Throughout the day, I find myself hop-scotching from worry to loneliness to frustration to boredom to discontentment. Some days are better than others. Especially when I don’t allow myself to consider the unknown future.

I am sad for all that my children are missing. I am disappointed by cancelled plans. I am lonely and miss friends and family. I am worried about our health. I grieve the losses many have experienced and will experience in the weeks to come.

The question is: what do I do with all these difficult emotions?

All I know to do is to lament. To lament is to cry out to God, to bring our emotions before him and seek his help. It’s to be raw and honest with the Lord. It’s to verbalize our fears, sorrows, and cares in his presence. It’s to voice our longings, hopes, cares, and dreams. It is to seek his justice, salvation, and provision. It’s to dwell on who he is and what he has done. And it’s to trust and wait and hope for his deliverance.

Psalm 142 is a lament, one written by David while he was on the run from his enemies—likely King Saul. While hiding and fearful for his life, he cried out in prayer to the Lord. It is a prayer that was later turned into a psalm used in Israel’s worship, sung as we do our hymns and praise songs on Sunday morning. This lament is apropos for our time. You might say David was in quarantine, sheltered away not at home, but in a dark and desolate cave.

“With my voice I cry out to the LORD;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him”

David brought his emotions and cares to the LORD. He used God’s covenant name, Yahweh, the Great I AM. This is the name God gave Moses at the burning bush and refers to God’s aseity, his eternal self-existence, his sovereignty, and his covenant-keeping presence with his people. David cried out to the God who rules over all things.

“When my spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
Look to the right and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul”

David was weary and worn. His enemies were relentless. It felt like no one could help him; there was no one who even cared. He was abandoned, alone, and afraid. He voiced these troubles in his prayer. He was honest with God. After all, God already knew how David felt and what thoughts were going through his mind. God knew he was stuck in the cave, far from home and from his loved ones. God knew everything that was happening in David’s life. As C.H. Spurgeon commented, “Observe his comfort: he looked away from his own condition to the ever observant, all knowing God: and solaced himself with the fact that all was known to his heavenly Friend. Truly it is well for us to know that God knows what we do not know. We lose our heads, but God never closes his eyes: our judgments lose their balance, but the eternal mind is always clear.”

“I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!”

David sought God’s help. He asked God to hear his cry and respond. He asked for rescue and deliverance. He asked God to intervene in his life. As he did, David looked to who God is: his refuge and his portion. He humbled himself before the Almighty, the Great I AM, seeking his help and strength.

“Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.”

David ended his lament with hope and trust. He hadn’t yet experienced God’s rescue, but he expected God to intervene and help him. He looked forward to rejoining God’s people. He anticipated giving thanks to God for his goodness to him. This is a response of faith. The process of lamenting, of crying out to God, reshaped David’s emotions. In the face of the Great I AM, his lesser fears weakened. He knew God was his refuge and trusted that he would deliver him.

I don’t know about you, but I can relate to David’s emotions. I too am weary and worn. I feel overwhelmed by our current circumstances. Like David, I don’t know how long I’ll be stuck in my home. Like David’s enemies, this illness is also strong and relentless. But as this psalm reminds me, God is greater. He is the Great I AM. Therefore, this crisis will not have the final say.

So, I will do as David did and what God’s people have done for centuries. I will cry out to God in lament. I will pour out my soul before him. I will ask for his help and rescue. And I will trust in who he is: my refuge in times of trouble. “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence” (2 Samuel 22:2-3).

A Virus and the Idols of My Heart

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” The recent events brought on by the Coronavirus are shouting pretty loud, wouldn’t you say?

At least it is in my own heart.

Everyone has been impacted by this pandemic in a myriad of ways: lost jobs, cancelled plans, missed friends and family, and most notably a sickness that continues to grow and spread. Children who would otherwise be in school are now learning from home. Our movements are restricted to what is most necessary. Those who are sick wait for hours to find testing and treatment. And we don’t know when it will end.

Trials such as this shine a light in the dark recesses of our hearts, revealing what we cherish most. What we love above all. What we put our hope in. What we trust in. The god that we serve.

In my own heart, this pandemic highlights my idol of control. I’m a planner at heart. I enjoy making lists and crossing them off. Next to my computer lies a list of reservations I need to make for our long-awaited family trip to Europe in May. Our epic homeschool trip. The one where we were going to follow the Allied invasion and tour battle fields from WWII. The one where we would visit the Ten Boom house we’ve been reading about in The Hiding Place. We’ve had to cancel the trip and I can’t help but feel sad.

This situation points out to me how much I trust in my plans and worship them. I rest in those plans. I find hope in those plans. And with everything in my life now cancelled, I am reminded afresh of James’ admonition: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:13-15). 

James reminds us that we don’t control the future. God does. We don’t plan our lives. God does. He wrote the story of our days before time began. It’s already etched in the annals of time and nothing can change it. He determines the plan, we live it out.

I also see this idol when my heart bristles at losing the freedom of mobility. I am a homebody and love sitting at home reading a book or working on a writing project. I don’t need to be surrounded by people all the time. But I want to stay at home on my own terms. I want to be able to determine when I come and go. I don’t like the control taken from me.

This idol also reveals itself in my fears for the future. My husband just heard his pay was cut and we worry about his job security. I find myself looking ahead and wondering what will happen if things continue for a few more weeks. A few more months. Not knowing what the future holds makes me nervous. Worried. Anxious.

No doubt, a pandemic can highlight the idols of our heart. And for myself, I am thankful that it has. It’s easy to live life as though I am the ruler of my personal kingdom. It’s easy to go about my day trusting in my plans and relying on my bank account. It’s easy to live as though I have control over my days. It takes a situation like this to remind me what is true and to point me to the One who reigns over all things.

While I don’t have control, I know who does. The One who flung the stars across the sky and spoke this world into being holds all things in his hands. He is not surprised or caught off guard by anything. He knows the end from the beginning and governs all things, from the gravity that keeps me in my chair to the speck of dust dancing across my desk. This is the real and true God. Anything else I trust in is false and counterfeit. There is nothing and no one in this world who can rescue me from the curse of sin and death but God through his Son, Jesus Christ. The eternal Son of God came to live in this sin-sick world and live a perfect life in my place. He took my sin upon him and died the death I deserve. In doing so, he freed me from looking for hope in lesser things. He freed me from looking for life in anything else but him. He opened my eyes to see that nothing else I put my hope and trust in compares to him. He alone is my refuge and my deliverer.

This truth anchors me in the current chaos.

And so, as I sit enclosed in my house and wonder what the future holds, I have to turn from the idol of control and rest in the God who controls the world. He is a good God who only does what is good. I may not know what that good will be, but I trust in the God who does. For I know I am safe in his hands.

How about you? Are you learning anything about your heart during this time?