What's Love Got To Do, Got To Do With It?

 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Good morning!  This is my third attempt at writing a blog so far and I thought it was going to go one way but it didn’t.  I thought it might go down another path but that too was a dead end.  As I began this one, I thought I was on the right track but just received a message from a friend who wrote of a loved one’s condition and in that message there were these two words--words that I had been considering anyways but wanted to keep this blog light and airy today rather than sad and melancholy, so I put them on the back burner, saving them for another day.

Okay then, let’s see how this one goes, Stef.

Bruised heart.

Those were the two words she wrote.  

A couple of days ago my heart--nay, my soul!--was hurting.  I had been invited to a celebration ceremony where many hard-working kids were about to be rewarded for their diligence in their studies for the past school year.  So many proud parents, grandparents, and other caretakers (hmn, that’s an interesting word:  caretakers.  It implies ones who take care, right?  Keep that in mind as you continue reading.) were on hand to see their precious child(ren) receive ribbons and certificates.  Cameras abounded and the gymnasium was...well, it wasn’t as full as when other types of programs went on, but perhaps that was because this order of events was limited to a certain sect of the whole population.

Or was it something else?

As I gazed about the mostly cheerful faces, I noticed something missing.  Perhaps I should say I noticed someone missing.  Where was that one’s dad?  And that kid over there--where was her adoring fan club?  The little kid beside me who kept talking about her daddy really broke my heart because, you see, daddy and mommy were no longer a pair but apart.  Why didn’t he come to see his kids be rewarded, even if it meant sitting on the opposite side of the gym?

Trying to focus on the good that was going on, I purposed myself to pay attention to the better things.  So many achievements by so many students!  How wonderful to see their love for knowledge and to hear of their excellence.  But then, as I listened closely, maybe not by so many after all.  It seemed like I kept hearing a lot of the same names called, just for different categories.  I watched the faces of the classmates as their peer’s name was called.  Some smiled as they shared the pride of knowing that was their friend who was getting an award.  Some clapped enthusiastically when the child’s name was read out.  One parent was quite exuberant in his excitement over what his son had accomplished and let out a huge “Whoop!” which was soon mimicked by the toddlers around me who were getting bored by this time.

But then there were the students who just sat there with blank looks upon their faces.  They knew they were just there because, well, they were just there.  Nothing special was going to happen to them and they knew it.  No awards were coming their way and they knew this as well.  No one was going to take their picture as their hands were shaken and ribbons placed around their necks.  Un unh.  Pats on the backs and words of “Well done!” or “Excellent job” and mostly “I’m so proud of you!” would not be spoken about them.  Getting that one certificate of promotion to the next grade was all that was in their future.

Sigh.

Bruised heart.

Hurting soul.

When do kids lose it?  When do they lose the favor of the ones who brought them into this world?  When did they lose the attention span of the adults who used to hang on their every word, their every achievement as they learned to speak, to walk, to run, to read, to jump, to sing, to learn?  When did mom and dad turn their focus away and basically left the kids to their own devices?  When did the caretakers stop taking care?

Sigh.

Bruised hearts.  Hurting souls.  

Someone used to sing to them “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.  You make me happy when skies are grey.  You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you.  Please don’t take my sunshine away.”  When did their light stop shining?  When did the parents stop looking for that light and instead choose to live in the dark?

At the start of this blog, I quoted from First Corinthians.  My meme featured a verse about the same topic.  Love.  The title of my blog asks what love has to do with it.  And though it’s been a scattered essay, I leave you with this question:  are you loving today?  Are you truly loving or are you just making noise that you are a good parent, a true friend, a considerate person, or are you just performing when it makes you look good to the world rather than to the one who needs you the most?  Those kids shouldn’t have had to had sad faces and gone home without ribbons around their necks.  They shouldn’t have had to try to find things to amuse themselves with while their friends were being photographed and fawned over.  They didn’t have to maybe collect the awards they did receive and tuck them carelessly in their backpacks to maybe show off later--the next time they got to see mom or dad...whenever that might be.  They didn’t have to not know love.  Their hearts didn’t have to be bruised nor their souls filled with anguish.  They’re just kids!  They didn’t ask to be brought into this world but here they are, waiting to be loved, waiting to be someone’s sunshine.  Let’s not leave them in the dark, friends.  May we all love in deed and in truth is my prayer, my plea, asked in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Question:  why do you love someone?  Is it because of what they do for you, how they make you feel, how they treat you, because of what they purchase for you?  What is it that allows your heart to care so deeply for this one?

Question number two:  what happens when all of their gifts cease?  When they stop listening to every word you say, when they take your feelings for granted, and when they stop catering to your every need:  do you still love them then?

Question number three:  when the good times end, do you still consider this person worthy of your affection?

Psalm 116 begins with the writer saying he loves the Lord because… Because why?  Because He heard him.  Because He listened to his voice, to his requests, and not only did the Lord hear the writer, He really listened.  He got up close so as not to miss a word.   

Ahh, how I can relate!  So many times in my life I have just wanted someone to listen to me, to put everything else aside and fully concentrate on the words coming from my mouth.  I longed for someone to hear what I was saying and not to interrupt during the pauses, the moments when the words weren’t coming out as succinctly as I needed them to, or to not butt in as I was collecting my thoughts so that my sentences would make sense.

Can you relate?  I’m sure most have heard that “God gave us two ears and one mouth to better hear and speak half as much” or something to that effect.  James may have said it best in 1:19:  “...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…”

When you are troubled and want someone to just listen to you, is there a certain soul who comes to mind?  Someone that you just know will understand, will nod sympathetically as you pour your heart out, and who will not interrupt with her own stories and try to fix you when maybe you aren’t really even broken but just a little scattered and need to just sort things out as she wordlessly just...just listens?

The psalm writer found that One when he looked to God.  And, apparently, he had called upon Him more than once since his love for our Lord filled his heart with thanksgiving and praise.  That type of relationship doesn’t just happen, you know.  It takes trust and attention.  Sometimes I test folks with a casual or outlandish remark to see how they will respond.  I’m seeing if they are going to allow me to explain myself or to just think “That woman is nuts!” and walk away or describe how they would never do or think this.  Depending on their reaction, I then know if I can further open myself up and find an earthly friend worthy of my praise and loyalty.

In conclusion, sadly, it’s rare that one can find that type of friend. Thankfully though, we don’t have to keep our thoughts and emotions and dreams and wonderings to ourselves.  Nope!  Our heavenly Father is there, waiting and wanting to bend low to hear our every word!  No wonder He is called the Lover of our souls!  May He love on you today, friends, as you call out to Him with your concerns, with your most personal cares, and with your cries?  He wants to to be your Friend.  While others--not when--don’t drop everything when your voice calls out, God does.  His ear is inclined to you.  

He Loved Me Ere I Knew Him

Do you really believe that all things work together for good to those who love Christ?  I do!  

Case in point:  yesterday I was compelled to look over some of my previous writings and came across several that touched me, saddened me, and/or made me reflect on how far I have come.  As I read through several of these stories, many highs and lows were there but instead of dwelling on them and letting them control my thoughts and feelings as they had been prone to do in the past, I set them aside.  I went on about my day and didn’t give them a second thought.

Imagine my surprise and delight--which was one of the key points to last night’s message but wasn’t revealed until after this song had been sung--when voila`!  Once again God showed Himself mighty and made something so clear to me that I just marvelled then and am still dazedly shaking my head at the simplicity of it.  We sang the song “Victory in Jesus” and as the chorus echoed around me, these words stood out:  He loved me ere I knew Him.  No big deal, right?  I mean, haven’t we all sung these words hundreds of times before and just assumed that of course Jesus loved us?  I mean, after all, why would He have created us if not because of love?

And then I remembered.  I remembered the story from earlier that I had read.  It was about my first grandson’s impending arrival.  Oh, how excited I was!  How happy, thrilled, and ecstatic I was that a precious child was being added to my family.  I had been given the opportunity to see this babe while still in Mama’s womb and I was already enraptured.  While the ultrasound was grainy and truthfully I had to have the technician’s assistance to see, there he was.  This tiny little glob of cells and DNA and flesh and blood and...hope.  Love.  

Excitement built within me as I thought of all of the things to teach this kid, the songs to sing, the stories to tell, the memories to make, the preparations, the wondering of how much I’d get to be in his life...On and on my thoughts ran and the wonder of creation.  

So, in conclusion, as the congregation and I sang this song last night, the words “He loved me ere I knew Him” really sank in.  Much more than the overwhelming affection I was feeling for this soon-to-be-grandchild was the love that God had for me.  Before the foundations of the world, He was planning for my arrival.  Before He took the dust to form me, He loved me.  And just as my grandchild had no idea about me until he learned about me after his birth and through his life, the love was already present, already waiting, already being fulfilled.  I didn’t know Jesus first.  I had to hear about Him, to be introduced to Him, to accept this love He so wanted to give to me.  I had to be taught to love Him because He was a stranger to me, just as children are to their parents.  They learn love from being held, from being taken care of, and smooched upon.  They learn what security means--and dependence as well.  They have no idea how much they are cherished until one day it all clicks and those three words we say often so casually make sense:  I love you.  And then when they are repeated back to us?  Oh my!

Jesus loved us first.  “We love Him because He first loved us” is how John the Beloved explained it in his first epistle, chapter four and verse nineteen. Eugene Monroe Bartlett wrote the song “Victory in Jesus” to share further that truth.  And yours and my responsibility is to continue in love (Hebrews 13:1).  We have the best Teacher.  Let’s fulfill His commandment to love one another as He loved us, shall we?  I think so too!

Let’s pray!

Dear Father God, how precious You are to me!  The constant ways You show me--remind me--of just how special I am to You confound me.  It’s not easy for me, as You know, to feel adored but here lately You seem to be making that more and more clear to me.  Even though Your Word tells me, it’s often hard for me to accept such tenderness and mercy because I feel so undeserving.

As I strive to be more like Christ Jesus, I ask You to keep giving me these flashes, these insights, and these revelations of the promises You made and make them personal like in this song because, hard as it is for me to sometimes believe, You do love me.  You loved me first and have taught me how to love in return.  Oh what a gift!  May I pay-it-forward without hesitation is my hope today.  In the name of Jesus I pray:  amen.

PS

I love You too!

No Love Lost

No love lost. That was the title of an email I received today and it struck me. Usually, when I hear this phrase, there is a negative connotation to it so I was curious as to what the email was about. Seeing that it was from a photo company that wanted me to save all of my precious pics, it gave a whole new meaning to this term.

No love lost. Hmn. How much love do we have setting around, lying in our hearts, and aren't using it? How much love do we have in our eyes but aren't allowing it to shine forth? How much love are we withholding from our arms as we refuse to touch those around us who might need a pat on the back, a hug or two, a touch on the shoulder in empathy? And our fingers? Why aren't they picking up more phones, writing more notes, and cooking little goodies to take to those who are homebound?

Lost. Unable to be located but...not unable to be found. Remember when Jesus said that "none would be plucked from His hand" or when He said that He came "to seek and to save that which was lost"? I John 3 tells us quite a bit on how Christ first set the example and what our responsibilities are once we become children of our King. As I read through this passage, I determined that it's really not that hard--to love, I mean.

The other night, Steve and I actually did a study on verse one of this passage:

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

While Steve's immediate thoughts led him to how much he loves his grandsons and all that he wants to give them, mine were focused more on the name calling aspect of this scripture. To be called a child of God, to be associated with His family? Many of you know the shame I have dealt with over the one I was born into so to be chosen to be a part of the family of God is an honor! What we both agreed the most on, though, was just how absolutely wonderful to be lavished, to be adored, to be able to love those gsons of ours because we were first shown how to by the wonderful Jesus.

In conclusion, let's not leave any love behind. Friends, as we go about our days, our hours, our minutes, let's look for ways to shine, to lavish, to love. Verse 18 says:

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Sounds like a great plan to me! Let's pray!

Dear Lord, how great and wonderful You are to delight in us, to choose us, to love us. May this love not be lost. May it not be taken for granted. May it not be hoarded up but instead spread widely for all of Your other children to relish and revel in.

Thank You for loving us, for loving me. I love You too! Amen.

Working 9 to 5

Welcome to my world.  This is so typical of me as I struggle along, trying to get myself in gear, and do the things that are necessary in my life if I am to take up my bed and walk.  I found this comic strip, liked it, and kept on reading more of them.  Then I sent one to a writer friend and then...then I realized I had to stop.  

Last night, Steve and I watched the fourth video in the "Armor of God" study.  It dealt with the shoes of peace.  Here's the best part:  

Peace is not only your guard, it is also your guide. You’ve got shoes so you can move forward.  

Those last two words really got my attention and they are what I wish to discuss briefly (yes, I will keep it short today!).

For a while now I have been putting off going back into the workforce.  My reasons are my own but the truth of the matter, the heart of the matter is, that it is time.  As I consider all of the moments I have misused these past few years, I hardly think that writing blogs is my sole purpose in life.  While my hope is that they have been beneficial to those who read them or that may one day come across them in due season, unfortunately they aren't sought after by some publishing company who is just knowing that they will be the next big thing and want to pay me oodles of money to write them, perfect them, and publish them for all the world to see.

So, it's time to dust off the old resume`.  It's time to put into practice the lessons learned and shared.  It's time to walk.  I can't just keep sitting still, letting the world go by, letting my own impotence keep me near a pool where I see others getting victory while I just lie and wait my turn.  It's my turn now and I've been commanded to pick up my bed and walk.  Jesus said to arise.  He asked if I wanted to be made whole.  I do.  And while I know that a job won't complete me, it is a step that I need to take to make me better, to make me less Stef-centered, and to put myself out there physically instead of just emotionally.

It's funny.  Last night as I was praying about this, I asked the Good Lord to put me in a place where I wouldn't fall in love with the folks I worked with.  Each place of employment I have been at, I have felt compelled to give my ears, my gifts, my heart to (most of) the ones I have been in contact with.  I didn't want that this time, I told the Lord.  I want to just have a job and it be just a job that I do and come home each night from without dwelling on it or the people whose paths have crossed mine.  I could almost hear Him silently chuckling as He reminded me that if I am to be more like Jesus, then I am to love.  Even when it hurts.  Even when it isn't reciprocated.  Even when it isn't asked for.  For God so loved and if He did, then I am to too.

Let's pray now!

Dear Father, as I take the plunge and dig up that old resume` and seek to reenter the workforce, I ask You to guide me to a place where my talents are used, where my brain is not on standby, and where I can grow in my walk with You.  I'm not sure where You will lead me but I am on guard and with You as my Guide, then I declare to move forward.  You know my path, Father, and my hand is clenched tightly into Yours as I make this effort.  It's hard because of my insecurities and such but You said when I am weak, You'd be strong.  Lead me, I pray, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

A Lot of Love

What makes us love someone?  What is it about one that we would give up our selves for?  What characteristics are we seeing that few others do?  Though they betray us, use and abuse us, take advantage of us, and hurt us to no end, when they throw a crumb our way, we devour it as though our very lives depend upon that morsel.  And then, we get introduced to Jesus, the very One Who really showed us what love is and what love can be.  For many, this revelation is too much to bear and yet something won't be denied about it and they are drawn to Him, basing their lives around Him, and doing all they can to please this One Who is so worthy.  But for others, for those who don't know or understand compassion, who don't know that love doesn't have to hurt, or that love heals the wounds left by the ones we foolishly gave ourselves to, such love is hard to understand and even if we did, we feel we aren't worthy.  No one has ever put us first nor given so freely on our behalves.

I've been cheated

Been mistreated

When will I be loved?

I've been put down

I've been pushed 'round

When will I be loved?

Ever felt this way, friends?  Ever felt no one gave a rip about you and that all you do is give give give and all others do is take take take?  Not a great feeling, is it?  But what about that other feeling you get sometimes?  Some would call it jealousy and while it definitely involves envy I think there is much more to it, more of a longing to be so cared for that someone would do anything--and I do mean anything--to have you in his life?

In Sunday School, we have been going through the book of Genesis and are up to the part of Abraham and Lot.  Remember him--Lot, I mean?  He was the guy who was Abraham's nephew, the one who took advantage of his uncle's kindnesses and chose the best land for himself when their cattle needed to have more room.  He was also the guy who began to pull away from his righteous uncle and set his sights on Sodom, and eventually moved there.  He was held captive and his uncle risked many men to save him and what did Lot do to show his gratitude?  Kept living in this wicked city that he'd been saved from and wound up nearly throwing his pure virginal daughters to its depraved men in order to keep his home safe.

Through it all, Abraham had his eye on Lot and his heart was spent in much prayer for this wayward nephew.  At this time, Abraham didn't have any children so maybe that's why he devoted himself so his brother's son.  I remember doing that--focusing my heart and all the love in it for my sister's first born.  Oh, how I loved that child and would do anything for her!  I stayed up nights taking care of her when she'd cry.  I spent my free time babysitting her when I could have been out in the world having my own fun.  I hurt when she hurt and when she moved away for a time, I was devastated, feeling as though part of me was missing.  Then, when my Steve and I married and waited for the arrival of our own bundle of joy, this niece of ours was...not a substitute by any means!  But she was our fun.  She completed our little circle and went everywhere with us her mom would allow.  Through the years, we loved and lived much of our lives around her.  I guess you'd say she was our first love and we cherished her like none other that we'd ever been exposed to before.  We would have done anything for that child.

As I pondered yesterday why Lot would have so much love for this nephew, I couldn't help but think of another's love.  For me.  For you.  For the lost sheep in His pasture.  His first love.  The one He'd do anything for--including becoming a  human That would suffer the utmost shame and humiliation, Who would give up His home in glory so that we might one day live there with Him, Who would be mocked, scorned, beaten, and denied just so I could be His bride.

My sister (not the same one who provided me with my first niece) once loved this guy.  He was her world.  She gave up her family, her home, her pride, her body, her sanity for him.  Time and time again he threw it in her face--or her sides where he'd kick her.  Or in her belly when she was carrying his second child.  He'd steal from her, wreck her cars that she worked so hard to obtain, leave her, come back to her, beat her again, and the vicious dysfunctional cycle just kept spinning round and around until one day she finally came to her senses.  But her love for him was so deep, so embedded in her, that it took many days for the realization to hit home (pardon the pun) and she saw that this love was not healthy, was not right, nor was it what she and her daughters needed nor deserved.

Sigh.

Friends, sisters and brothers in Christ, we have got to show this world real love, love like the Father has for His children.  Love that knows no bounds but in the right way, not in the way that causes shame, leaves scars, nor wounds us beyond repair.  We cannot show favoritism and choose one over another.  After all, consider yourselves.  Somebody saw something pretty special about you, now didn't He?  Jesus Christ chose you--you!!  Wonder of wonders, He also chose me and as such, this generous, undeserved gift must be shared.  I can't repay it but I can definitely tell others my story of His amazing grace and unending love.

Throughout my life the devil has stolen much from me and had me believing I'd never find love, never have someone choose me first or even want me on their team.  Even when God sent me Steve all those years ago, I still had a nagging in my heart that one day he'd leave; that one day even his sweet supply of love, forgiveness, and acceptance would run dry.  Those lies caused mistrust and kept us from a closerness (yeah, I made up another new word) to God and to one another because of the doubt that I allowed to fill my soul.  While I did that, it was slowly and steadily being replaced by Christ's love for me and though my earthly eyes often fail me and my hearing doesn't always allow me to get it the first time, my spiritual eyes are being opened and my heavenly ears are tuned to another's voice, one that doesn't lie or whisper that I'm not good enough.  Through the blood of Jesus, I am righteous and one day I shall see Him, be enveloped in His arms, and behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon me.  Will I see you there too?

Let's pray!

Thank You, Father God, for such a love.  I cannot fathom it, cannot explain it, and cannot have it taken from me.  My election is sure and I am so thankful, Lord, that You saw something in me worth saving.  May I honor You with the sacrifices made for me with my life is my prayer today.  In the sweet name of Jesus I pray it, amen.

And I will lift my hands

Ahh, what a nice weekend I had. Steve and I stole away to Gatlinburg for a couple of days and...rested. Ate. Saw a movie. Rested. Ate some more. Met up with some family who were also on a quick getaway. Played in the pool. Soaked in the hot tub. Ate some more. Got some firewood and lingered by the river which was next to the hotel, built a fire, and...rested. We were still. We were at peace. We were in harmony with one another.

You know what is so great about all of this? This is what we can have with our God when we just take the time to be still with Him. We can't always jump in our cars and go hundred of miles away from the cares of our ordinary lives but we can jump in His arms and rest. Relax. Let Him soak our cares away. We can.

Yesterday, on the way home, we stopped at some overlooks on the Parkway. It was so beautiful and my heart was full. I had Steve take this photo of me, lifting my arms in praise to my wonderful God Who allowed me this time of refreshment. The sun was shining brightly down upon me and with the beauty surrounding me, I felt as though I could fly away to heaven, should He call me to do so. He didn't and I am still here, still in my recliner, back at my temporary home, praising the Lord. I have breath and I don't take that for granted the way I used to. I have hope, which once seemed like a far off, unreachable prize. I have assurance that one day my soul will be totally at peace and the One I long for most will be by my side.

Thank You, Lord. Thank You for the mini-vacation, the reminders of the need for stillness, and the love from my husband. I have more than I deserve and it's because of You, God. Thank You for my family that I get to see regularly. Thank You for my church and the ones who make me feel so special. Thank You for Steve's job that provides for us. But mostly? Thanks for loving me. I lift my hands even now in worship of You, Father. I breathe Your name in a happy sigh. I claim Your love and shall continue to bask in it for the remainder of my days.

I love You, Lord! Amen.

Happy Father's Day!

                         

June 21, 2015  

Today is my and Steve's first father's day as orphans. Losing our last parent in February sealed the deal in us having no parental guidance as we make our ways in this world that is so in need of leadership. Thankfully, though--as I noted on another's Facebook page earlier this morning--it takes a village to raise children and we have been very blessed to have uncles and aunts to offer assistance on the way.

So, as many celebrate Father's Day today, remember that you too are affecting your village. You are molding and shaping and defining lives today. Be Jesus to folks today that may be bereft as they too mourn losses that are so deep. Comfort where you can. Love always.

Let's pray!

Dear Father, thank You for Your promise to not leave us alone. We ache for the tenderness of a father's touch, the gentleness of his tone. One day, Lord God, one day this will be true again for us. Even so, come Lord Jesus. We need You.

What is that smell?!

June 6, 2015

I love Facebook.  Many of the inspirations for my blog come from it.  Case in point:  yesterday a friend of mine shared the following statement that I think you will enjoy:

As I was entering the Home Depot ladies room a cute little girl ( who appeared to be about 7 years) was exiting. She whispered to me "It is going to stink in there. It was my Mom!" Lol. Priceless little children.

I indeed laughed out loud as I pictured this scenario.  Can't you just see the mortified look on the little girl's face and then picture the mom who couldn't have been far behind meandering out as though nothing out of the ordinary had taken place?  How hard it must have been to keep a straight face (in more ways than one if you catch my drift--or the drift that was left behind).  

As children of God, do you ever wonder what scents we are leaving behind?  When we leave a place, is there a fragrance of something pleasant or do we instead leave a stench and have people holding their noses and wanting to get as far away from there as possible?


2 Corinthians 2:15 tells us

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 

I don't know about you but I for one surely love to follow my nose to things that please it.  Roses, fresh-baked chocolate-chip-pies like I am about to bake for my favorite seven-year-old grandson, the smell of the earth after a solid rain, and who doesn't love the smell of bacon frying and popcorn popping?  On the other hand, popcorn that is burning, a woman with too much perfume, and little boys who use their little bottoms to make dreadful noises and smells are most unwelcome in my aurora.  

Today, as we do whatever it is we have planned, let's purpose to leave behind an aroma that makes people stop in their tracks, turn around to see what that wonder was, and make our Lord Jesus proud of His kids.  Let's create a hunger for those nearest us to want more of that spectacular fragrance to fill their hungry hearts and to create an appetite to learn more of Jesus.  Most importantly though, let's be sure we can truly give them the bread they need.  Are you prepared to share the gospel today?  Let's see if we can get a little help first, shall we?

Dear Lord God, today is another opportunity for us to be lights for You.  You have given us a day to honor You and my prayer is that we all check up before leaving our homes today and make sure we have our dress in place.  May we not have too much Bible and not enough of You.  May we not be overbearing in our knowledge but subtle in our love so that others are attracted to what our testimonies are saying in spite of the things that might come out of our mouths.  

Should someone leave a room where we have been, may the remarks be favorable so that others are enticed to come in and see what the fuss is all about rather than dread taking another step into an arena that is foul and stinky.  Help us, I ask, to be pleasing to those we encounter today and may they smile when we pass and think "I wish I was like that!"

Thank You for this day, Father.  As my family and I celebrate my oldest grandson's special day, may we delight in him the way You delight in us.  In return, may we glean more knowledge of just how very much we are loved by You by the way we love this special boy?  Thank You for him, my other two gsons, and my family.  Thank You for teaching me how to love.  In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

Soul Survivor

May 22, 2015

Misery. Troubles. Pain. Excruciating or acute distress. What words describe that darkness in your soul? And what is a soul really? Dictionary.com describes it this way: the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect, or as believed to survive death and be subject to happiness or misery in a life to come.

At some point in our lives, each of us has suffered heartache. Each of us has been tempted to throw in the towel, give up, scream, cry, beat our fists against the wall. Something--or someone--has so torn apart our worlds that had it not been for the mercy of God, we wouldn't be here today to see that we indeed were not alone in our roughest times, our darkest days. Joy did come in the morning--even though it may not have been the first morning after. Or the next. Or maybe even the next.

I've been reflecting on how much my life has changed over the past two plus years since my mother died. There was so much heartache, bitterness, hurt, red-hot anger, humility...I think I ran the whole gamut of adjectives that described my bruised and battered heart. Many of you started on that journey with me while others left me on the way because my pain was just too real and you had your own things to carry. And that's okay. Now. There is no limit on grief, no certain day when one suddenly wakes up and the loss is no longer felt. No, it takes time and our Lord often works so gradually that we aren't even aware that progress is being made but you know what? It is. We may not be able to measure it nor track it but one day...One day the hurt isn't as strong. The tears don't come as easily. That memory makes you smile instead of buckle. You find yourself calmer, your temper is settled.

How does this miracle take place? Through God's unfailing love. I'll say it again: through God's unfailing love. Unfailing: now there's a word for us! The definition goes like this: not giving way; not falling short of expectation; completely dependable; inexhaustible;  endless.

Yep, sure sounds like God to me! His supply of patience while we mourn, grieve, or just feel sad is inexhaustible. His love is endless and does not fall short. When others can no longer give, He is completely dependable and ready to comfort us, to listen to our woes, and to let us just relax in Him as He holds us while we cry. Too many times we think we are in the process alone when instead, we have the Great Comforter beside of us, stilling us, healing us. How great is our God?!

Let's pray!

Dear Lord in Heaven, how my heart thrills as I think on You. The way You love me and put up with me and continue to inspire me dazzles my tiny little brain! But even more so than that, God? It--You!!--amaze me. Always there. Always ready to help. Always putting me first. To say "thank You" seems too small but it's all I've got, God.

Thank You. I rejoice in You this moment and I am glad, so very glad, You are my Father, Friend, and Faithful Companion. Thank You for loving me when I have been most unlovable. Thank You for not running off when my emotions were too raw for others to handle. Thank You for teaching me all of the lessons I learned through this season of life. I am better because of it and though I probably wouldn't have done so at the first, I praise You now for allowing this trial in my life to become a testimony of Your love.

There are still some issues and many more lessons to grow from but with You by my side, I can do this. You can do this through me.

In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Put me in, Coach!

May 9, 2015

Good morning!  It's a beautiful spring day and I plan to go out and enjoy it.  In a few minutes, Steve and I will head to the ball field to watch our two oldest gsons play some Tball.  It should be a fun--and humorous--experience.  

These little kids go out and try to hit a ball that has either been pitched to them or--if they were unable to connect--they try to hit it off of a tee.  The expressions on their faces as that ball makes impact with their bats is priceless.  What they do next is even more fun because some are just so excited to have hit the ball that they aren't sure if they should run to third base or first, or if they should look around to see who else saw that, or whether they should jump up and down from the pure joy of the occasion.

Shouldn't that be us today, friends?  Shouldn't we be so excited in this game of life that when it's our turn to bat and we get a hit that our exuberance knows no limits?  Shouldn't we bask in the sunshine as success comes our way?  And lastly, shouldn't we be like little kids, expecting to be praised and patted on the back for our attempts, even if in our success we get a little confused and we run the opposite way?

As you go about your day today, take time to see the opportunities ahead of you.  If the first pitch doesn't go your way, try again.  And again if necessary.  And remember:  when you can't hit it on your own, don't be afraid to rely on a little help from others.  We're all in this together, folks.  Get your bats ready.  Don't forget the helmet 'cause you know someone out there is going to try to knock you down.  Keep that battle gear on!  Lastly, don't forget to have fun.  God wants us to live the abundant life and I intend to go do that.  Join me?

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, as this day holds so much promise for fun, sun, and maybe a burger on a bun, may Your children honor You with our actions.  May we support one another even if it appears we are on opposing teams.  May we cheer when success comes.  And, when it's all over with, may we shake hands and be friends with those on the other team, showing them our spirit is one of camaraderie and is a reflection of the love You have given to us.  We love You, God.  Thank You for this beautiful day!  In Jesus' name.  Amen.