And I think to myself "What A Wonderful World!"

Don’t we serve an all-amazing, wonderful, beautiful, sweet, giving God?  I mean, just look around you.  Creation is blooming with delights He created for His children to enjoy, to savor, to relax in.  

Last night as the sun set, the moon was rising.  A full moon, bathing my ‘hood and the horizon with a soft light.  As I stared up at it from the gazebo, I couldn’t help but think where its light came from.  It reminded me of what my oh-so-precious first grandson said to me once about how I was the sun and he was the moon and he revolved around me.  Those words melt my heart each time I think on them but as I pondered last night how the moon reflects the glory of God, they struck me anew.

God is the Light.  We are parts of His universe and we each have a special part to play.  As He shines on us, we are to reflect to the rest of the world that light, that presence, that life.  Look at the flowers in this picture. See how their glory is revealed?  That is their purpose and as they do their job, they bless us in return.  As they bloom, we revel in their simplistic beauty.  Their aroma is a sweet one, causing us to breathe in their scent, and to sigh with rapture.

Our lives are to be the same as these flowers, as the moon.  We are to be pleasing to our Lord with our presence and in our day-to-day living.  While we will have seasons of growth, of hibernation, and of being resown, our duty is to stay attached to the Vine.  And, as the moon goes through its phases, so do we.  At times our lights won’t shine.  Other times, our illumination will be hard to see because we have been diminished or only allowed partial viewing because our time is not yet.  Regardless of the phases of the moon and the seasons of the flowers, friends we are to reflect the love of God in our lives.  So, go on.  Be pretty for Jesus!  Flash those pearly whites (or, as in my case, what’s left of them).  Put your smell good (what my gsons call aftershave) on.  Do all to the glory of God.  After all, look what He’s done for you!

Let’s pray!

Oh dear Father, what a wonderful world You made!  Thank You so much for flowers, for birds, for trees, for stars, and a moon.  Thank You for children and the sound of their laughter.  Thank You for freedom and time and eyes to see what You have designed for Your children--for me!

You are lovely.  You are good.  And somehow in all of Your wonder, You took time to acknowledge me and to love all that I could be once Jesus came into my life.  But You didn’t stop there, oh no.  You daily show me new things to love about You.  Throughout the moments that pass me by, often You teach me lessons on what a vast favor You bestow on creation.  Mostly though, dear Father, You love me.  Quietly, as when the breeze whispers by.  Fiercely, as when the storms rage.  Simply, as the sunflowers grow.  Devotedly, shining on me even when I don’t want to see Your light, when I try to hide from the brilliance of You.  Ahh, Lord:  You amaze me.

I do love You ever so much, even when I don’t appear to.  Thank You for grace, for the fruits of Your Spirit, for Jesus, and for all the things You do that work together for my good.  It is my honor to serve You in return.  I hope to make You proud!  In the name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.

A Lighter Shade of Pale

When do you see Jesus?  How far do you have to look to see Him at work?  What is His job anyways and how can you even be sure He exists?  If you cannot answer these questions, read on, and perhaps what I share next with you will help.

As usual, my husband called to check on me at lunch.  He's done this for years, as well as when he's made it to work to let me know he's there safely.  He's even been known to send me Hangouts messages throughout the day when he has one of those rare moments of peace and lets me know he is using it to think about me.  When he comes home to me at the end of the day--regardless of who else may be there, pressing for his attention--he makes his way over to greet me with a sweet kiss, a murmured "Hey Granny," and a hug.

So, what was different about today's call?  Not much.  He's always nice, wondering how my day's been, what I've been up to, and (because he knows I need it so much) asks about my writing for the day.  Lately, I've not been feeling so great.  It's not that I've been feeling bad, it's just...I've been so tired.  For years, I've not slept well and often take advantage of a morning and sometimes an afternoon nap but for the past month or so, it's been more.  I've been going back to bed for hours (up to three!) before being functional and quasi-ready to tackle the day.  But enough about me--well, sort of.  It is my blog and my story, after all.  Instead of fussing at me, wondering if I am ever going to turn back into a normal housewife (as if!), and harping on me about all I am not, instead my wonderful husband says to me (when I have apologized for not being as hip and with it as I used to be) that...that it's okay.  He understands.  I don't have to make excuses for myself because he is making them for me.  He knows I've not slept well for years.  He knows about my aches and pains that disrupt a good night's sleep.  He knows all too well about the rabid thoughts that have my mind wandering all night, and how I am chasing them around, and fighting the demons that threaten to jump out at me.  He consoles me about my health, my lack of luster, and my overall sense of blah that has permeated my soul since the death of my mother.  He keeps on loving me, encouraging me, building me up, and being my rock.

Hmn.  Kind of reminds me of Someone...oh, what's His name?  Ahh yes.  Jesus.  Jesus Christ, the Lover of my soul.  Jesus Christ, the One Who was preached about last night as being the One Who knows me.  Me.  My thoughts.  My heart.  My intentions.  My fears.  My hopes.  My failures and my wants to do better.  The One Who was mentioned mightily in the story of Martha and Mary in yesterday's morning sermon, Who gently reminded Martha to not miss out on the better part in her busyness of doing all of the right things.  Jesus.  The One Who invites us to sit at His feet and let the cares of the world go by.

So, in conclusion, I again ask you:  when was the last time you saw Jesus?  Hopefully you have some Steves in your lives to get a glimpse of Him.  How far did you have to look to see Him at work?  Not too far, I imagine, as you catch His glory all around creation.  What's His job anyways and how can you even be sure He exists?  Oh, beloved, He does more than exist!  Can't you see it, feel it, taste it?  All of that love and goodness He supplies you with--that's His job.  To make you more like Him and since He is love, you are becoming more loving in response.

I know we can't all have our very own Steves, our personal cheerleaders, and best friend by our side to give us what we need, when we need it, and when we don't.  But, my friends, we have something better:  we have Jesus Himself.  Let Him abide in you.  Let Him bear your burdens and not criticize you when you feel poorly and less than.  Sit at His feet today.  Hear His praises as you bask in His light.  Read His Words and let them wash over you as you realize and contemplate that in a world where so many are only out to tear down, He is only out to build you up, to welcome you to His kingdom, and to love you--even when you don't have much to offer in return.  I should know!

Let's pray!

Ahh Lord, where to begin to thank You?  Yes, surely, for my husband whom You have shared with me and use to prove that in spite of how lowly I am, Your love doesn't kick one when she's down but instead offers an encouraging word and a hand to uplift her from the pit.  

Lord, You are so good to me.  I glance out my window and see the tree gently swaying, the dogs frolicking around, and the tremendous blue sky, reminding me that Your creation was meant to delight me--and it does!

I also hear the clock ticking, quietly but firmly, reminding me that one day, one day You are coming back.  I can't wait to see You!  To look upon Your face is where I will see that the beauty I've been privy to compares to what I will see when I behold You, Lord God Almighty!  These old knees that can barely get down on the floor will be perfected as they bow before You in worship.  This voice that screeches will sound more like those You are accustomed to that sing Your praises and Your worth in that angelic choir.  And this mind that is so befuddled will be cleared as I see and realize beyond any earthly comprehension that I think I have now just how magnificent You truly are.

Come soon, Lord?  I'm waiting!  

Love,

Your Wandering Child

The Chosen One

Spoiled. Brat. Rotten. The favorite.

Rotten to the core? Spoiled brat!

Hey now: let's not call names! The first three were okay but to be rotten to my core, to where Jesus is--and make no mistake, He's there. You just have to get around a lot of flesh to find Him.

In all seriousness, I have never felt highly favored by a parent in my life. Or by a teacher. Or as a leader or contributor to a class, project, or the like. But lately, lately I have begun to see myself through a different set of eyes and you know what? I like them! I like those eyes that see my best, my true intentions, and my desire to please. I like those eyes that look ahead of me and keep me from danger. Those eyes that scope out my pathway before I even trod on it. The eyes that behold the beauty, checking it over for one last look, before presenting itself to me. Ahh yes, those are the eyes I like to be seen through.

Case in point. Last night was date night for Steve and me. We had it all planned. Supper at The Pie Hole and then we were going to the Mimosa 7 to see the new Risen Movie. As we pulled up to the restaurant, I remarked how I hoped those sprinkles would hold off until we finished eating and got to the movie without getting drenched. "It's one thing to go home bedraggled but quite another to sit through the movie all soaking wet," I told my hubby. After explaining what bedraggled meant, we then enjoyed our pizza and made our way back to town as the raindrops once again began in earnest.

"Oh, wouldn't it be so nice if the Lord gave us an upfront parking spot" I asked Steve. "We are His favorites, you know."

I'm such a princess, huh? Well, as we made our way down the street, it didn't appear that that was going to be the case so I pulled into the left lane and put Celine in park when, lo and behold, to our right, there it was: an upfront parking spot! As traffic cleared, I made my way over, hoping to dodge those raindrops that were still thinking about giving me a shower (and it not even Saturday night! ). Ta da! Mission accomplished. We made it inside with little fanfare, little wetness, and happy hearts.

"Wow, Stef, I'll bet once you got inside, you gave God your highest praises for treating you so royally, didn't you."

I'm embarrassed to admit it but, no I did not. I murmured a hasty "Thanks, God" and went on my merry way to the popcorn counter.

But it bothered me. Through the movie and through the night and on the drive to Morganton again today, I was reminded of how my Lord treats me like such a princess and I? I am rotten. A brat. Spoiled by His goodness. For you see, had He not made the way clear last night, don't you think I would have spent a lot more time, chewing His ear off as to why He hadn't let us get into the movie dryly so we could enjoy it better? Don't you think on the drive home with the heat blasting as I tried to dry off that I would be uttering some not so nice things as to why I was so persecuted and couldn't even enjoy my date night without something trying to ruin it?

Oh my.

Zephaniah 3:17 states that "...He will take great delight in you..."

What a kind Father we have! What a wonderful Dad to take care of His ungrateful kids. What love He has bestowed upon us to call us His own. Funny thing I noticed the other day. You know in the Bible where it talks about...well, never mind: read it for yourselves ;) from Mark 10: 

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life."

For much of my life I thought I'd get a new family but...do you see it? I didn't until the other day, though I've read this passage numerous times. I will get brothers, sisters, and mothers but...Do you see it now? No mention of a new father. Hmn hmn hmn. Why? Pretty obvious if you ask me (although yes, it has taken me 52 years to see it). We don't get a new dad 'cause we already have the best Father ever. Period.

So, the next time you see me and I'm acting a bit puffed up and full of myself, remember this: while God loves you, I am His favorite! Kidding! Sort of. He loves me as if I was His only one. He does you this way too. Makes us pretty special, huh, if even we do smell a little rotten once in a while. ;)

Let's pray!

Dear Fa--, no Dear Dad. Daddy. Ooh, that's a tough word for me to write, Lord God. To think of You as my Daddy, my Protector, the One Who will indeed grant me the desires of my heart is a tough concession for me to make. Not because You have failed, oh no. But, You and I both know the faults and failures of my earthly father and Lord? You are so much different, so much better than He ever was or dreamt of being!

How I love You! Not just because You kept me dry last night and gave me the prime parking spot. Not just because You take such good care of me and grant me so many wishes and not because You have given me the three best grandsons, husband, daughter, and SIL. I love You because...because I didn't know how to love before You came along, Daddy. I didn't know how to express my feelings without thinking they had to be bartered for and begged upon to be validated.

I love You, God, for this and for so much more. Thank You for allowing me to see me as You do: not perfect, not a brat. But definitely as Your favored child. I cannot wait to see You and better express my delight in having You as my Father! The taste You have given to me now is sweet and oh Lord: I crave more of it. When my soul is resting in Your presence, I'll be satisfied. Until then, though, please keep looking out for me, looking ahead for me, and seeing within me the righteousness of Your Son Jesus. May I be ever more like Him is my prayer. Amen.

PS: in case you, like my sweet hubby, don't know the definition for bedraggled, Webster defines it as this: wet or dirty from being in rain or mud. Now you know!