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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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March 8, 2014

Prone to Wander

I’ll never forget the first time I heard it. It was my sophomore year of college and I was standing in chapel singing along to all of the usual worship songs. They were typical of the songs being sung by students in Christian universities all around the country and whether we heard them in chapel or sitting around a campfire while some wannabe Michael W. Smith strummed them on a guitar, there was nothing about them that made me stop in my tracks.

But this one did.

Ebenezer stones atthepicketfence.com

“Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; 

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it.

Mount of Thy redeeming love.”

As I listened to the words I felt like I was standing at the edge of the ocean watching a wave forming far off in the distance. Slowly at first, barely a ripple. These words, these beautiful words, were meant for me. It was a time in my life when I was searching. Longing for something more, something deeper. Then I heard something strange. A part that didn’t quite make sense to me.

“Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I come.

And I hope by Thy good pleasure; Safely to arrive at home.”

Why on earth are they singing about Ebenezer? What could this song possibly have to do with Scrooge? Oh well, I thought. The rest of it is amazing so who cares if they talk about that classic Charles Dickens character. Maybe it’s just encouraging us to be generous!

Fast forward several years and I found myself standing next to my new husband at our new church in a new state and suddenly I hear the familiar words again. And yet it felt like I was hearing them for the very first time.

“Jesus, sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God.

He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.”

Robert Robinson wrote this hymn in 1757 at the age of 22. The words are based on 1 Samuel and particularly the battle that was being waged between the Philistines and the Israelites. It reads like a scene out of a movie. The ark of the covenant being stolen by each side, plagues, idols, sacrifices, great thunder. Ultimately, God delivers His people and Samuel leads them to victory. In order to commemorate this moment, Samuel raises a great stone and gives it the name ‘Ebenezer’ meaning ‘stone of help’. From that moment on, whenever the Israelites saw it they would be reminded of God’s faithfulness in delivering them from their enemies and stop to praise Him for His faithfulness and grace.

“Ode to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be.

And let Thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee. “

Close up on the Rocks with a Small Tree - Snow Canyon Utah

When we think of wandering the Israelites definitely come to mind. Oh man did they wander! I did a Bible study a few years ago on the book of Exodus and I found myself feeling very judgmental. What was wrong with them? How many times did God have to prove Himself to them before they would trust Him? How could they so easily forget How much He had done for them?

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.”

And then it hit me. I’m the Israelites. I’m ‘prone to wander’. Big time.

I have experienced His faithfulness and grace and generosity towards me time and time again and yet I still wander. I find myself in the desert not knowing which way to turn, whining, complaining, questioning.

I’m prone to that.

Here are the Israelites, years and years later, still struggling as they battle the Philistines. Still calling out to be saved. And what does Samuel do? He grabs a rock off the ground, raises it above his head and gives it a meaningful name.

They needed this ‘Ebenezer’. They needed a tangible reminder of how God had delivered them.

Maybe I need one too. I don’t like that I’m prone to wander. I wish I was always content to stay right by His side. But it is my human-ness, my sin, that pulls me away from Him.

And it’s that same human-ness, that same sin, that receives His abundant grace.

making Ebenezer stones atthepicketfence.com

I’m indebted to Him for His grace. It’s given to me, to you, freely without ever expecting to be repaid. Imagine that!

A debt, which at the very moment it’s incurred, the only thing required of you is to receive it.

Which, of course, then makes it a gift.

Ebenezer stones atthepicketfence.com

So, I make my own ‘Ebenzer’ stones. My tangible reminders of His

Love

Mercy

Grace

Help

And I say…

“Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it.

Seal it for Thy courts above.”

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31 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals Tagged With: devotions

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Comments

  1. Jackie A says

    March 8, 2014 at 1:56 PM

    Thank you for those words of encouragement Vanessa. I love that song, too. Especially that line. It’s the one that repeats over and over in my head.

    Reply
  2. Marty Walden says

    March 8, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    So beautiful, my friend! I know I sing the old hymns without usually questioning the words and the one who wrote them. It is Well is a favorite of mine because of the writer’s heartache when he wrote the words.

    I love the stones as reminders of the price that was paid for us. Thank you for sharing this reminder!

    Reply
  3. Thistle says

    March 8, 2014 at 2:02 PM

    I love it when I’m right.

    Beautifully written post.

    Thanks for the inspiration rock star.

    🙂 me

    PS Love the Kleenex post. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Karen Grier says

    March 8, 2014 at 2:10 PM

    What a blessing! We all need to have our memory stones to remind us of God’s faithfulness! I am an adult Sunday school teacher and I think we will study this and make our own! I also did a Bible study on Exodus and had the same reaction,but the Holy Spirit checked me on that real quick! Because I too have been prone to wander,but He is always there waiting for me! God bless you!!

    Reply
  5. Nancy Sharp says

    March 8, 2014 at 2:55 PM

    Recenly during a Sunday School lesson our teacher asked if we had an Ebenezer. I had never thought about it. Thanks for another reminder during this season of Lent. I applaude you for sharing your faith. I’m new to the blogging world, but I am so pleased with the ones I’ve joined so far.

    Reply
  6. June says

    March 8, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    Wonderfully inspiring, Vanessa!

    Reply
  7. Lori Alexander says

    March 8, 2014 at 4:10 PM

    My oldest daughter had this song played at her wedding. While they sang it, they both had their faces turned up towards the sun with eyes closed. It was a beautiful moment with powerful words

    Reply
  8. chelsea says

    March 8, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    Such a beautiful, beautiful song.

    Reply
  9. Elizabeth Brooke says

    March 8, 2014 at 4:26 PM

    A beautiful post. Yes, we always do need reminders. I am going to make my own set of stones. Thank you so very much! Hugs.

    Reply
  10. Marilyn says

    March 8, 2014 at 4:41 PM

    Now one of my favorite hymns has a much richer meaning for me. Thanks for sharing this great post! ♥♫

    Reply
  11. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says

    March 8, 2014 at 6:05 PM

    LOVE this post. LOVE that song. I too did a study of Exodus a while back and too felt like shaking my finger at those Israelites…only to realize that I’m an Israelite. I’m prone to forgetfulness. Which leads to wandering. Forgetting how God has covered me with his grace and mercy time and time again! Thanks for the reminder! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  12. Julie Kimmel says

    March 8, 2014 at 7:17 PM

    Love your openness and soul searching. I just saw today that only 58% of people between the ages of 18 to 40 believe with-out a doubt God exists. We have our work cut out for us. I believe that when blogs like yours post a personal view many readers who may not be following The Word will see your human side to this…..your witness! And it only takes a post like yours to maybe have one person take a look deep inside. Than you for being so open!

    Reply
  13. Jake's a Girl says

    March 8, 2014 at 7:22 PM

    I too am “prone to wonder”. Thank you for His beautiful reminder.

    JaG

    Reply
  14. Jill Carlson says

    March 8, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    Thanks so much for making one of my favorites even more powerful. Love it and thanks for the blessing today!

    Reply
  15. Nici ~ Posed Perfection says

    March 8, 2014 at 8:35 PM

    This is one of my favorite hymns. I always wondered what an Ebenezer was too. 😉 Thanks so much for posting this reminder of these truths. The “prone to wander” line gets me every time, because it is so true. Have a wonderful Sunday!
    Blessings,
    Nici

    Reply
  16. Joy says

    March 8, 2014 at 10:13 PM

    I too love this song, I often wondered what some of the lyrics meant. Thank you for sharing, it brings a whole new meaning to me. I will be sharing your enlightenment with my group of friends, and we will make our own Ebenezer stones. Thank you so much, God Bless!

    Reply
  17. Michele says

    March 9, 2014 at 3:23 AM

    I have often likened myself to an inattentive child who wanders off or gets separated from their parent while at the shops. But being the ultimate parent God finds me, sets me straight, forgives me and sets me on my way again. Thanks so much for sharing this. Really thought provoking. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Kathy says

    March 9, 2014 at 7:05 AM

    Thank you so much for the post Vanessa. I have always loved that song and, like you, the words just seem to reach out and grab me. I love the rocks of remembrance. We all need those in our lives! Thank you for sharing your heart!

    Reply
  19. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    March 9, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Lovely post, Vanessa! That hymn is one of my favorites… how wonderful to be reminded of those words! Blessings to you, friend!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  20. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    March 9, 2014 at 12:46 PM

    So completely moved by this today. This is one of my favorite hymns of all time – I have a lot but found myself singing along while reading this. I love your “Ebenezer stones”.

    “I have experienced His faithfulness and grace and generosity towards me time and time again and yet I still wander. I find myself in the desert not knowing which way to turn, whining, complaining, questioning.”

    Yes, yes. Thank you for always being such a blessing and inspiration, sweet friend.

    Reply
  21. Ashley @ 3littlegreenwoods says

    March 9, 2014 at 2:02 PM

    By far “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” is my most favorite hymn. Thank you for the remind that though we wander we can always turn back to Him. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Vicki Crowe says

    March 9, 2014 at 8:13 PM

    Thank yiu for this today! I loved it!

    Reply
  23. Carol Reddin says

    March 9, 2014 at 8:22 PM

    Thank you Vanessa! Your post warmed my heart! Mom

    Reply
  24. Julia G. says

    March 10, 2014 at 7:49 AM

    Thank you for this much needed reminder. You are such a blessing!

    Reply
  25. SueBE says

    March 10, 2014 at 5:53 PM

    What a powerful post and what an amazing way to remind ourself to be more aware of our own wanderings. I am definitely going to need to find four stones and pen.

    Reply
  26. Jeanette @ Creating a Life says

    March 11, 2014 at 1:50 PM

    Oh, I love it, Vanessa! Last Spring I wanted to make an Ebenezer for my front porch. I knew it would be a daily reminder -coming in and going out- of God’s grace and provision for me and my kids. He has done so much!
    Life happened, and I never did it, but you’ve re-inspired me!
    Thank you so much for your beautiful writing and meaningful content today.

    Jeanette

    Reply
  27. Mare says

    March 18, 2014 at 7:24 PM

    This is so me! I wander all the time. I love that Christ referred to us as sheep, b/c it’s so apt! I’m off track half the time, and the older I get, the more ‘wander-y’ I get.

    Reply
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On Monday my heart just felt so heavy. Yes, the po On Monday my heart just felt so heavy. Yes, the pouring rain outside contributed to my feelings. But the primary cause was this overwhelming flood of thoughts about how much in our world and in our culture is going off the rails. I’d planned to make pumpkin bread that day but I was tempted to just curl up in a ball on my bed, pull the covers over my head and pretend that this would actually solve something. I didn’t give into that temptation though. Instead, I got out my favorite pumpkin bread recipe and found that, as I worked and prayed and hummed worship songs, my spirit began to settle. When the world feels very loud, the demands of family and home can actually help to quiet our souls. As each family member walked through the door later in the day, they commented on how wonderful the house smelled. It’s better than any fall candle in my opinion! And I knew that the extra loaf that I get from the recipe would be a welcome treat for my widower neighbor. So, if your heart is feeling a bit unsettled this week too, maybe this recipe will come in handy!

Pumpkin Bread:

Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7×3 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 🍂
Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super simple centerpiece that you can make in five minutes (or less) with just a few pumpkins and extra faux greenery. Let’s spend less time decorating and more time enjoying this season. It’s my favorite!! 🧡

#fallcenterpiece #falldecor #centerpiece #fiveminutedecorating
"Define your day", she told me as I held my newbor "Define your day", she told me as I held my newborn son. My mom and I were talking about how blurred my days and nights had become and how easy it would be to just stay in my pajamas 24/7. She encouraged me to make an attempt to put on 'real' clothes in the morning even if they were just nice sweatpants (bonus if they were clean!) and to throw a little bit of makeup on. That simple advice helped chart a course for my years of motherhood that continues today. And recently I began thinking about how critical it is that we not only seek wisdom from those ahead of us in our stage of life but that we are willing to apply it as well.

So, I asked this question on my personal Facebook page; "What is something you feel you've done well to create a peaceful/meaningful home for yourself and your family?" The catch was that the question was geared towards women in the 40+ age range. The responses came flooding in and were so wonderful and insightful. So, I'm going to be starting a new series where I share this wisdom with you and will include the first name of the woman who offered it. 

Today we start with Alison who said "I learned to set my alarm early to get up and moving before my kids woke up. I showered, got dressed and did my devotions while the house was quiet. It set my heart and perspective for each day.”

Is this something you do in your life too? What wisdom would you offer to a mom of young children?

I truly think our culture would greatly benefit from more women in different seasons of life being willing to invest in each other. 🍂

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #motherhood #parentingwisdom
If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a resta If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a restaurant I’m definitely ordering it! It’s one of my all time favorite treats. So I decided to try my hand at making some here at home with a little fall twist and it was SO delicious!! 🍎

Ingredients:

6 slices of day old bread (french, sourdough or even brioche works great)
2 cups of heavy cream
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
For the apples:
3 peeled and chopped apples of a tart variety
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour (or corn starch)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350
Cut bread into cubes and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish
Whisk together in a bowl the eggs, cream, vanilla, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg and then pour it over the bread cubes. In a separate bowl, mix together the apples, brown sugar and flour/corn starch. Pour the apple mixture on top of the bread mixture making sure to spread the apples evenly across every part of the bread mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes. 
Enjoy!

#falldesserts #breadpudding #fallrecipes #desserts
When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after onl When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after only a week of school, you take the opportunity to make Saturday a truly restful day. Pancakes on the griddle, puttering around the yard admiring the way the limelights have begun their autumn journey from white to green to pink. Sprinkling touches of fall around the house a little bit at a time. Savoring the slowness of it all and taking care of my people in this place that provides us all with a respite from the world even if just for a day.

Hope you’re weekend is off to a great start and that you make it a priority to slow down for a bit and soak up the beauty around you. 🍂

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #falldecorating
As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but thin As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but think about how grateful I am for the reminders all around me of God’s Sovereignty over everything including the seasons. It can be challenging in our world today to trust that there isn’t a single thing happening that surprises Him.

In a way, decorating my home to reflect the changing season serves as a tangible reminder of this trust. Even something as simple as seeing a pumpkin on my mantel or a basket of mums on the coffee table fill me with peace because they represent the things that remain constant and true.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #club31women
I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
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