Sunshine In My Eyes Can Make Me Cry or The Power Of The Pause

I won’t say that he said it best, but John Denver sure did peg it when he sang of the sunshine on his shoulder making him happy and the sunshine in his eyes making him cry.  The sunshine on the water that looked so lovely and the sunshine almost all the time making him high?  I get it.

The other morning on the drive up to Boone, I got to witness this.  I wish my camera did it better justice but the beauty was there and this small reminder of it through this picture serves to lead into today’s (well, actually last night’s) study on the grandeur of God.

Steve and I were finishing up our study as we usually do by reading our responses to the passage we had read.  Usually he shares first but mine was so good (yes, I am patting myself on the back because...well, keep reading and you’ll see!) that I had to verbally express what my words were not containing before even asking him if he was ready to expound.  Without any further ado, here’s what I wrote:

Job 26 Job’s Frailty and God’s Majesty

“I am weak but Thou art strong.” Job knew his own mortality: not about the obvious truth that he wouldn’t live forever. I’m not writing about that.  What I mean is that Job knew he was a worm. In the grand scheme of life, he was nothing.  But God?  Oh indeed but God!

Job shares his awe of him to Bildad.  He tells of the dead and how they’re finally realizing just Whom they shall face when eternity begins.  The Great God Who created the heavens and the earth, yes, but oh the vastness that has yet to be mined by our finite minds!  I mean seriously, who but God could think of such details that make all things work together?  The clouds, the phases of the moon, the sun, and other weather events.  I cannot even begin to fathom them!

“These are the mere edges of His ways” verse 14 says, “And how small a whisper we hear of Him!”  

Just this morning I glimpsed a tiny bit of splendor as the light reflecting on the living room wall whispered to me that something spectacular was taking place outside.  I quickly grabbed my camera and, sure enough, there it was.  Magnificent clouds reflecting the brightness of the awakening sun.  It was beautiful.

But it didn’t last.  In dismay I saw the world creeping in, stealing this momentary partial view of God’s heaven.  Just a whisper, a preview of upcoming attractions, a hint of what is to come.  

“His power, who can understand?” asked Job.  

Not this ol’ gal.  But what it means to me?  It means “Open your eyes, dear girl. Open your mind and learn of Me.  I give you these appetizers so that you will hunger for more of Me.  Now My child, what will you do about it?”

Ahh, how beautiful the sunrises and the sunsets the Lord God Almighty makes available to me, friends.  However, He doesn’t push them down my throat nor sound the bell each day to notify me that they’re here.  Nope.  Instead--as He does with just about all of His wonders--He puts them out there to be noticed by those who are looking for them.  Some are physical, tangible, earthy treasures we can witness with our own eyes.  Others involve His human characteristics that are more noticeable in His children--if we’ll only take our eyes off of self and direct them their way.  

The ways God reveals Himself to us through nature and through mankind are unending and the rewards are ours, dear ones, if we’ll just take a moment to stop and smell the roses, observe the times and seasons, and as little children often say when something outstanding captures their attention, “Look!”  Look with the eyes of a child at the wonders around you but then, look with the eyes of one who already knows but has somehow neglected to practice what s/he has been taught.  Put away the former things and let God make all things new to you once again.  Amen?

Let’s pray!

Dear God, as another day has dawned, may the dawning of understanding be upon us all as we seek You first and just pause to take a moment to consider Your handiwork.  I often joke to Steve that he doesn’t know the power of the pause when he too often interrupts me as I use that moment to further consider what I am about to say.  May the power of the pause be instilled in our lives today, Father, as we enjoy and savor the desires of our souls being fulfilled through Your creation and through Your people.  I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.  Teach us to keep the interruptions at bay and just be still for a moment or two is my humble prayer.

Just A Glimpse

I am so blessed.  There is so much beauty around me and I often am overwhelmed at the sights presented to me.  

I’m also greedy.  I want more.  So much so that I asked Steve to build me a tower so that I could better see the sunsets that my sweet Lord provides for me.  You see, I get a glimpse of them as the sun makes its way down the horizon but...but there’s a house in my way.  There’s not a vantage point from my deck, my kitchen window, or even in my ‘hood when I take a walk to try to consume more of the delights the Lord provides for me through His creation.  I’m only allowed a taste of this and it whets my appetite for what is not seen.  “If I had a tower,” I tell my love, “then I could have a much better view.  I could see over the houses and beyond the trees.  I could take more pictures and…”  And don’t let me forget how I could also see the marvelous sunrises from the east!

But then reality sets in.  Yeah.  Like I’m really going to climb the stairs that would lead up to this turret.  Me?  Ha!  If the dictionary had a picture that defined “lazy” the one featured would be of me.  And yet...yet some things are worth a little more effort, don’t you think?  If I had a tower, with a lift attached to it (an elevator would be swell!), just think how many more sunsets I could witness.  It’s a good argument.  Not a practical one, but if you lived in my ‘hood and saw the weekly joys the Lord provides for me, you’d better understand.  And then again, if you saw my husband’s monthly paycheck, you’d also understand how this is just not a feasible project to undertake.

Moses must’ve felt some of my pain as he too was a witness to the great and glorious splendors of God.  He, however, was on a higher plain (pardon the pun) than I am and Moses wanted to see the most beautiful sight of all:  God Himself.  Now God is a pretty smart fella and He knew Moses could not take this and live.  His--is there even a word for it?--magnificentness(?) could not be beheld by a mortal man but God, Who also is quite gracious, did allow Moses to see a little something of Himself.  Just a taste.  Just a brief view to grant his request, in part, but also to leave him hungering for more.

Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will

proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I

will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have

compassion.”  But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall

see Me, and live.”  And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you

shall stand on the rock.  So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I

will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while

I pass by.  Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back;

but My face shall not be seen.”  Exodus 33:19-23

Now, I’m no Moses but this story parallels my own desire.  If Moses was only allowed a smidgen of God’s glory, how dare I whine about not getting my fair share?  Who am I to think I should get more than what is already provided for me?  

Seriously, Stef?  How many times do you neglect watching the sun set because you are too busy to take a moment to appreciate this wonder?  So many other distractions vie for your attention.  Do you really think if you had a tower that you’d be up there nearly every night and first thing each morning to witness such splendor as is provided for you?  At least Moses was diligent in his mission in life.  You can’t even be bothered each day to spend a few precious moments of your time basking in the beauty that is surrounding you--and not just in the heavens.

Ouch!

Sigh.  I love it (yes, that is sarcasm) when I write to myself.  

Okay, Lord, I get it.  I can only handle so much because of my inability to appreciate all that is already provided for me.  And it’s certainly not that You are stingy, oh no!  You consistently provide delights for my eyes to take in, for my ears to listen to, for my tongue to taste, my skin to feel, and ahh, the aromas You tantalize my nose with!  The fragrance of You is everywhere, Good Lord, and I am blessed.  

Thank You, Father.  Thank You!  I should not ask for more so please help me to...not be satisfied but to be grateful for what I have and anticipate with greater longing the beauty that is not made for these human eyes.  I can’t wait!  I cannot wait to see You most of all and what a day that will be, Lord God, when a beauty like no other is presented to me.  My face may not be as bright as Moses’ was after he saw his portion but may my heart and eyes shine with the love I have for You until that day is my earnest prayer.  Asked in the name of Jesus, with much gratitude, Lord, I repeat the cry of “Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!”  Amen.

Broken and Beautiful

I have truly enjoyed my sunflowers this summer.  They have added light and beauty to my home and seeing them standing proudly, bowed slightly towards the sun, has added new dimensions to my appreciation for our Lord.

Last night when Steve and I got home, there was a full moon, shining down the road to the end of my ‘hood.  Wanting to capture its beauty and light, I quickly got my camera phone out and unsuccessfully tried to photograph it.  The light from it was just too intense for my feeble camera’s ability to truly show what wonder it was creating.  Knowing that the heat from the past few weeks has taken its toll on our vegetation, I meandered around to the side of the house to peek at what was left of my sunflowers.  You may think I am weird (and you wouldn’t be the first to do so) but the verse that popped into my head when I saw them was “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Yes, these former standing-tall flowers were now nearly spent.  Their seeds have long been used to feed the birds and other critters that may have gotten to eat a scrap morsel or two that those hungry feathered friends of ours left behind.  Ooh, that reminds me of when the Canaanite lady was sitting at Jesus’ feet, waiting for a crumb from the Master’s table from Matthew 15.  She had asked Him for help and he replied that He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel.  Her response to this caused a great reaction in Jesus and in those around Him:

The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

“He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs."  

"Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table."

Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your

request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that

moment.”  

Faith. What a tremendous word.  

Take one last look at my sunflowers.  They will soon be pruned down and perhaps they will take root over the winter months as they slumber and when spring comes?  Oh, how tremendous it would be to see them shoot up and grow strong and tall once again!

Notice in particular the sunflower on the far right.  Do you see it?  Stooped over.  Broken, yet still bowing down to its creator.  Its work not done completely yet, it takes a final opportunity to pay homage to the Lord, to the Son, to remind me again that I am to do the same.  As my bones age and bend, may my soul maintain the beauty once given to it.  May my seed continue producing long after my eternal body is gone.  May my faded beauty still shine as brightly as possible for my Maker.

How Great Thou Art!

In life, there is much to consider.  Where to work, whom to marry, where to live, how many kids to have, where to go to church, where to shop, how to spend your money, how much of it to save for retirement and/or investments, and so many other objects of concern vie for our time.  If you are like me and only have a tiny little brain, it can be quite overwhelming sometimes!

In the grand scheme of things, though, do these things really matter?  Whether you wear Levi's or Lee Jeans, eat Papa John's Pizza or Pizza Hut's, live on the coast or in the mountains, spend every cent you have today since you are not promised tomorrow, and have three versus two pets:  does it really matter?  When you step back from yourself and evaluate the vastness of the riches of God's glory--and then take one more step back as you realize He created all of it for you--why bother with the small stuff?  Why contemplate that new color of carpet when you can stare at an infinite sky, full of stars, and realize that there is so much of it that you cannot see?  

I often find myself in awe of God's creation.  The beauty of earth is something so wonderful to behold, especially in the fall season when the land begins to prepare itself for rest as winter lurks in the not so distant future.  The brilliance of the setting sun as the days draw shorter and the nights grow longer causes my eyes to reflect on life and the intricacies of it.

God made man.  He made creation.  The heavens and the earth.  Why?  For you, love.  Now that is something to think about!

Let's pray!

I don't know why, and I don't know how but Lord?  Lord?  You made all of this beautifulness for me.  Me!  Astounding!  Furthermore, You are making a new heaven for me to dwell with You in.  Such love humbles me and makes my heart soar.  Thank You, Father, for all I have now and all that is promised to me.  Your generosity amazes me.  You amaze me.

Am I Beautiful?

I Peter 3:3-4 states:

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Yesterday at church, I got to meet a woman who has been coming for a while but whom I hadn't had the opportunity to talk with.  So, before Sunday School began, I took a couple of moments to introduce myself to her and her daughter.  Here's the kicker:  the woman is blind.  I knew that about her from prior conversations but I treated her no differently than I would any other new soul I was meeting.  Well, almost undifferently.  I mean, seriously, it'd be kind of mean now wouldn't it, to offer her my hand of fellowship without first guiding her to it?

We chatted a couple of moments and talked about our names.  Hers was Mary and I told her I once had a sister with that name so it'd be easier for me to remember her with that association.  When I told her my name, she breathed happily.  "Stefanie.  Stefanie.  That is such a lovely name.  Tell me:  are you beautiful?"

What?  I mean, I know she is blind, but...but how does one answer such a question to a stranger?

I went to my old stand-by friend Humor, and joked "Well, my husband thinks so.  He tells me I am beautiful all the time."

The class was about to start so we concluded our conversation and I was left pondering about her words for the rest of the day.  Am I beautiful was the question posed.  As I think about it, and about what makes a soul beautiful, I am stumped.  Often I get complimented on my pretty blue eyes and I have to agree:  they are gorgeous!  But can I take any credit for them?  Hardly.  God gave them to me and as I think about that I wonder:  do these eyes of mine look at others or do they see them as they really are?  Do they focus on the outer appearances of others (okay visual image of Matthew McConaughey leave me now!) or do I look more deeply at the things which really make one pretty, wholesome, attractive?  It is written that Jesus was not a handsome man in Isaiah 53:2 (He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.).  However, folks flocked around Him everywhere He went.  What drew them to this Man, to this Creature, this One?

Perhaps it was "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" as I Peter states above.  Obviously, the qualities and characteristics of Jesus still make thousands flock to His side daily, albeit via the power of prayer and learning of Him through the scriptures.  His beauty is beyond compare.  The impression He leaves upon our hearts is indescribable.

So, am I beautiful?  When others look upon me, do they see my freckles, my scars, my usually mussy hair, and the laughter in my eyes?  Or, do they look beyond the joviality and see the hidden pains, the unshed tears?  Do they hear the catch in my voice when they realize the chuckles are really hiding hurts that though buried often like to pop up and say "we're still here" at the most inopportune times?  Do they see my ugly, blackened heart or do they see how Jesus took those blights and is turning them into something of rare value and beauty?  He promised to complete me.  I'm not there yet so you tell me:  what do you see when you look at me?  Maybe your opinions can help me to better answer my new friend the next time she and I chat.  

This is the day!

Good morning!  I don't know about you, but I sure am grateful for the rains we received around here this week.  It's so nice to have the yuck washed away and the ground replenished, don't you think?

Psalm 147:8 says "He covers the sky with clouds; He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills."  As you ponder on the different scenarios across the United States, you can't help but wonder why God allows drought in some areas, flooding in others, and wildfires to wreak their havoc in various parts.  Also, there's the threat of Hurricane Danny to disrupt the peaceful weather we are experiencing in my neighborhood this morning.

I have no answer for this.  I have no answer for the discussion of the degrees of hell and the different reward tiers in heaven.  I can't even begin to explain the mindset of us Americans as we go through the process of electing new leaders and guess what?  I don't care.  Not in a mean, sarcastic way.  What I am saying is that I don't have the inclination to get involved with things that are over my spiritual pay grade.  Some things in life are just better accepted at face value as we focus on the wonders of God and His creation rather than trying to figure out the particulars.

On that note, I wish you a happy day.  Enjoy the beauty provided to you.  Love on those whom you get to spend time with and for those you've not seen or heard from in a while?  Give 'em a call.  Write them a letter.  Let them know they are on your heart.  It only takes a few minutes and that is something that I indeed know about and realize the effects of.  Remember:  if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, thank You for the marvelous and majestic scenery around me.  The sunrises and the sunsets, the pretty flowers, the green grass, and the wondrous skies are all provided by You for Your children to enjoy.  

As You know, I have many souls asking me and others for prayer today for either themselves, friends, and/or family members.  Father God, may Your will be done for them and in them.  Whatever situations are going on, my hope is that we will love as You love and that that comfort will show the world that we are different and that we have a hope that they too may cling to.  I love You, Lord, and praise You for the great and mighty things You are doing.  In Christ's name, amen!

Stop and Smell the Roses

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:6

Aren't the flowers in this picture so pretty?  I think so too!  The other day, Steve and I had some lunch at Sonic and there they were, sitting there in all of their glory, just being beautiful.  They didn't put up a sign to say "Notice us!"  They did have a radio broadcast crew out to tell of their fame.  Didn't have flyers printed to advertise that they are on display.  Nope.  They just sat there in the flower bed, basking in the sunlight, and providing me with inspiration.

The dictionary defines the word "acknowledge" as a verb which means:
 to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of:
 to show or express recognition or realization of:
 to show or express appreciation or gratitude for:
 to take notice of or reply to

I like these definitions.  I like how the words for one thing mean so much and how they point me to Jesus.  In Proverbs, we are given much direction and instruction about what it means to follow Christ.  In life, we are constantly made aware of just how easy it is to do these commands, to acquiesce to the calls of the Bible.  How can one not look around and see the mighty and magnificent wonders of our Lord?  From where I am sitting right now in my Pretty Purple Room, I am surrounded by images, sounds, and inanimate objects that all remind me of God.  For instance, if I look out my window, I see the branches of a tree, with a background of beautiful blue sky with just a faint tinge of white clouds in the distance.

The wind is softly blowing and occasionally a bird flits by.  How is all of this beauty available to me?  Easy!  I just have to open my eyes and observe it.   I only have to look up to see the wonders created for my enjoyment.  I only have to attune my ears to listen to the gentle sounds of nature--and tune out the ticking of the clock behind me that is trying to get me off focus.  After all, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of worshiping this morning?  If I concentrate on the minutes passing by that could be spent on other things--things that don't keep me watching for my Lord--then the devil wins.  

In all your ways, Stef, acknowledge the Lord.  All of them!  He gives me my next breath, my next vision, and my next thought.  Christ is all around me and I need to believe that He is guiding my steps, my fingers, my thoughts, and my purpose.  I must not be deterred by the squirrels of Satan as I spend these early moments communing with my God.  

Let's pray now.

Dearest Lord God, I cannot help but sit amazed at the wonders of You.  As I reflect on the pretty picture above and recall just how You don't have to use fanfare to get Your children's attention, I am humbled.  How much have I missed by being in such a hurry?  How many pretty flowers have I not enjoyed, how many little birds have sung their songs only to be ignored because I was listening to less-pleasing things?  How much time goes by without me acknowledging and thanking You for all of this?

Father, I do now thank You.  In my busyness and carelessness, You send gentle reminders of what is true, lovely, and of good report.  You direct my paths and lead me beside the still waters.  I notice this and take appreciation in the good things You send my way.  You are so special, Lord.  Thank You for creation.  Thank You for love.  Thank You for peace.  And thank You for You!  In the name of Jesus, amen.