Are There Rocks in the Garden?

Again this morning I asked the Lord, "What do you want me to discover today?" And I immediately pictured a rock. The words came to my mind, "My love is hidden under the rocks of your life."

Rocks are hard and of different sizes. I can stumble over them, complain about them, or remove them. The smaller rocks I can remove on my own; with the big rocks, I may need help.

Editted free image by Joeri Römer on Unsplash

If a farmer owns a large rocky field, he could plant crops between the rocks, but crops would not thrive. Those rocks have got to go!

The rocks in my life are anything that hides God's ever present love. His love is hidden by hurtful actions and harmful attitudes. I am stumbling over them all the time. When I am ill and am tempted to doubt God's love..., when someone needs to talk and I am reluctant to give up my time..., when I feel blamed and respond with angry words..., when I am faced with challenging tasks and I let discouragement take hold..., etc., etc.  All these rocky occasions prevent me from seeing God's love.

The Scripture reading that was especially meaningful to me this morning was, "her deserts He shall make like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord." Isaiah 51:3. What a hope-filled verse!

And so I imagine my life becoming a beautiful garden filled with prayer and good works and the amazing love of God. Just as the farmer has to remove those rocks to have a productive field, I need to remove whatever is hiding God's love. May the wastelands of my life become "like the garden of the Lord."

All glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

What Do You Want Me to Discover Today?

There's a priest I know of who each morning asks the Lord, "What do you want me to discover today?" The ideas that come to him guide him throughout that day.

I've picked up on this, and now I also frequently ask the Lord, "What is it You want me to discover today?"

This morning what came to mind was the account of Jesus' final moments when He was dying on the cross. His mother Mary and his disciple John were standing close by, together with Him. Jesus said to John, "Behold your mother," and "from that time the disciple took her into his home." John 19:27.

John was a disciple of Jesus from the earliest days of His ministry. And John lived a very long life, according to Biblical scholars. How very much he accomplished during his lifetime as a Christian. It was at the time of Jesus' death, however, when the first thing he did was especially profound. He provided for the mother of Jesus so she would not need to be alone. He loved her as his own mother. He offered her caring, loving hospitality. How much this must have meant to Jesus.

As I thought about this, I think what the Father would have me discover today is the immeasurable value of truly loving those who are closest to me, to do whatever I can to show loving care. It means doing those routine chores for the family, like preparing meals and doing laundry, etc., not just as chores to get done, but as ways to honor those in my life. It's a way God provides for His love flowing in me and through me to grace the lives of others. There is immense value, even in my routine houseold responsibilities. To God be the glory.

The Water Jesus Gives

Jesus says, "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water, welling up to eternal life." cf. John 4: 13 - 14.

The footnote in my Bible says that "welling up" is an expression with a vigorous meaning like "leaping up." Jesus was speaking about a vigorous abundant life.

When we call on the name "Jesus," we enter into his presence. What a beautiful name it is!

Jesus, Our parched lives are in need of your living water. Please be a fountain of life welling up within us and may your precious life and love overflow into the parched lives of people around us. Come, Lord Jesus, come. 

Speak, Lord

People who read the Bible regularly, or perhaps even occasionally, have favorite verses - words that have a special personal meaning. I have one very special verse. That one verse confirmed for me a life-changing decision.

Well, actually, there are two verses. The first one is Luke 11:12: "If you... know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Thinking about that verse I was able to open my heart to receive God's love for me - his Holy Spirit - in a profound way.

The second verse is Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." I still remember where I was, the room and the chair where I was sitting, when I stopped to consider those words. What were the desires of my heart?

Even though life seemed to be going well, the desire of my heart was not to be living where I was. This confirmed for me a decision that changed the direction of my life. I decided to move back to my hometown. I changed my job which led to a new career. And this decision eventually led to an amazing marriage.

Today when I pick up the Bible, I like to read the passages slowly. There are times when certain words "jump out at me" and I pause. I wonder, what is it the Lord is speaking to me through these words? And this leads to prayer.

What are you saying to me, Lord?
How can I respond to what you are saying?
What are you asking of me?
How and when do you want me to do this?
What do these words tell me about who you are?
About who I am with you?

And then I often take notes about the ideas that come to me.

I've been keeping a small notebook with short Scripture verses that I see as helpful to me in my daily life. Sometimes I will read them aloud and let the Holy Spirit inspire me through the written word. 

Free photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

God loves to reveal himself to us, and through the Bible is one powerful way we can come to know him.

Our Lord of the Dance

Not long ago, I was thinking about how much the Lord loves a party. There are quite a few Scripture readings about feasting and banquets. Even the first miracle of Jesus was at a wedding feast. 

There is feasting at weddings, and there are even occasions where people come together to feast after a funeral to celebrate life and good memories.

Where there is dancing there is celebration. I thought of the song "Lord of the Dance." I found a video on youtube.

During our life the steps and rhythm may change, but the dance goes on.

Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of life. Thank you for joy and thank you for all the moments of our lives that we share. Through it all, you are Lord of our dance. May we always follow your lead and may we continue the dance with you and one another forever in our Father's Kingdom. 

Opening the Door

About a week ago when I was praying, an image came to mind of a heavy wooden closed door. I wondered what that could mean.

Today I read, "Faith is important to God because it is our surrender and this opens the door for Him to work." Dr. Mary Healy.

Wow. I began to think about surrendering and about opening closed doors. 

 Free image by Karson on Unsplash

To surrender means to give up completely to another. A faith surrender is giving up to God. Wherever I may find myself, in whatever circumstances, His love has me surrounded.

What is it I am trying to battle on my own? Is it a relationship that is not working? Is it illness? An addiction? Guilt? Procrastination? Loneliness? Is it __________? What are the real struggles in my life? Have I been shutting God out of my difficulties? 

"I am the Lord, your God, who grasp your right hand. It is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13.

"When you call me, when you pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, your will find me with you, says the Lord, and I will change your lot..." Jeremiah 29: 12-14.

Lord, You know what it is that I struggle with behind closed doors. I've struggled a long time. I've been trying to make things better on my own.
You are a helper in times of need, and all you ask is that I open the door to let you in, to let you take over so that your Holy Spirit can work according to your amazing plans for my welfare. I surrender myself and all of my concerns to You.

Jesus, I trust in You. 

Steady or Shaky? How's Your Balance?

A sense of balance is a much needed ability. When I lose my balance, it's easy to fall over. Falling puts me at risk for injury, like bruises, broken bones, or even a concussion.

One of the after effects of chemotherapy that is still with me is some loss of balance. One night I got out of bed in the dark and I fell over, hitting my side against the sharp edge of a table. Oh, the pain! I had thought I was moving straight ahead, but helplessly I began falling sideways. It took at least a month for the soreness to leave me. 

Balance is something I no longer take for granted.

So I am doing balance exercises . I am practicing walking heel-to-toe. I bought a spongy floor mat to stand on, one foot at a time, for as long as I can without grabbing that chair next to me for support. My balance is improving.

To keep my balance, it helps to focus on something directly in front of me. When I turn my head to the left or to the right, it's easy to lose it. If I try walking in the dark, it is also much easier to lose balance. 

I realized that there's a spiritual lesson here about following the Lord. When I keep my focus on Him, my steps are steady. Once I start looking at distractions that pull me away from Him, I put myself at risk for falling. And when I am distracted, I cannot see my destination, much less get there.

Walking in the darkness of sin is when I am really out of balance. Jesus says that He is the Light of the world, and those who follow Him do not walk in darkness. How true! The more closely I follow Him, the more light - goodness, peace, joy, love, generosity, etc. - there is in my life. 

And so I look to Jesus and I follow Him, one step in front of the other. I walk in His light. When I am distracted and begin to lose my balance, my brothers and sisters of my faith community are there to give me support, His support that I need. If I fall over, they are there to help pick me up and to help me heal.

Just as I am improving in physical balance, hopefully I am developing spiritual balance. I want to stand firmly and to walk forward - not with hesitation, but with confidence. I want not only to walk, but to run to my destination. Jesus is the destination, and He is the Way to get there.

Jesus, keep my focus on You. Keep my steps steady. Keep me from falling. As I move ahead by following you, increase my faith and my confidence. Let your holy light shine upon me that I may walk not in darkness, but in your light of life. 

Our world is in need of your light. Especially when we experience darkness, confusion, and doubts, and when we have lost our way, may your bright light shine upon all of us.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

This is the Easter season.

On Saturday I had prepared for the family to visit. Since we are not able to get together as often as we'd like, we sometimes celebrate holidays, birthdays, and good news all on the same day. So on Saturday I cleaned, I decorated, and I baked, even trying out some new recipes with great success.

Easter Sunday - what an amazing day! Our church was filled with so many people and the songs were uplifting and joyful. Afterwards the family arrived at our home for an early afternoon dinner. We had a fun time and, for a grandmother, there is nothing sweeter to treasure than hugs from the grandchildren.

Easter Monday turned out to be a sunny day. I looked out at the backyard to see green grass, a blue sky, and yellow daffodils beginning to bloom. This is Spring! I spent time gratefully working in the garden for the first time this season.

Today is Tuesday. I awoke and looked outdoors to see heavy, wet, sloppy snow covering everthing! Even the electricity went out, probably because of power lines downed by the snow. What a difference a day makes.

I noticed that even my mood has changed. From the joy of a day or two ago, it seems that concerns, problems, and worries want to creep into my thinking. What a difference a day makes.

How appropriate that I read this morning, "Why are you downcast, my soul? Why groan within me? Hope in God. I will again praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11.

My mood may change and my circumstances are always changing, but our God is unchanging. He is forever kind, loving, and merciful. And He has chosen to be a Savior for me. Times of discouragement, worry, pain, and even my inadequacies and sinfulness - all remind me that I do need a Savior. Our God is a Savior who is always available.

And so I come into the presence of Jesus who has experienced the depths of despair and pain and brutal death on a cross. His lifeless body was carried into a tomb for burial. His executioners and even his friends thought that it was the end. Their hopes were dashed. Those who had been closest to Him were confused and so very sad. However, it was not the end. It was a new beginning, for on that first Easter Jesus rose to a brand new life, conquering every evil, even death itself. He offers this life to me, to every person who ever lives.

Once again I turn away from and I renounce my sins, I release my worries and concerns to Him, and I gratefully receive the grace of the new and transforming life He shares with me. This lets me embrace the present moment with hope and look to the future with confidence. This is my joy, that He truly is my Savior. 

From Holy Saturday and death in the tomb to Easter Sunday and the experience of new and glorious life. What a difference a day makes!

Alleluia!

A Time for Waiting

 I had another Doctor's appointment. I made sure I'd be there on time. Not long after I arrived, I was called in to a small room to wait for the Doctor. And I waited...

And I waited..., and I waited and waited. Where was he? No doubt he was with a patient who was in more need of attention than me. I looked at the clock. Fifteen minutes have gone by..., twenty minutes, twenty-one minutes, one half hour... And I am waiting.

Much of life is taken up with waiting.

We wait for pain to end.
We wait for test results.
We wait in lines at the grocery store.
We wait for green lights.
We wait for food to be served.
We wait in darkness for sleep to come.
We wait for the cake to bake.
We wait for answers to prayer.
We wait for the Doctor to come.
We wait...

As I was sitting in that small exam room, impatience and anxiety was building within me. I tried focusing on my surroundings and listening for the sounds outside the closed door. Mostly I was listening for the footsteps of the Doctor.

Finally he came in to see me and he came with his apologies. Yes, there were two very sick people ahead of me, one who needed to be admitted to the hospital.

What about all that waiting time? Each and every moment is precious to the Lord. Our waiting may be His way of asking us to slow down, to "hit the pause button." To become aware of His Presence. 

I did take time to pray while I waited, even in my anxiety. I know that the Lord was with me as I waited. Jesus may well be the one who was waiting for me, waiting for me to give Him my attention. 

Waiting time is not wasted time. It's a time to reflect, to grow in patience, to pray. It's a time to listen for the Lord's "footsteps," coming to meet us. It's a time to become deeply aware that He is the One who meets all of our needs. He is the One so worth waiting for, waiting with. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

In the Boat with Jesus

I was reading an account in Mark 6 where Jesus said to his hardworking apostles, "Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while." (Verse 6) They all got into a boat and headed toward another shore.

What would it be like to be in a boat with Jesus? So I used my imagination, thinking of a sunny day, light breeze, and a clear, calm lake - a really relaxing place to be.

It would be so very quiet, with just the sound of water lapping up against the boat. I'd look up and see a flock of birds flying overhead. In the middle of the lake the boat would be gently rocking with the motion of the waves and freely drifting along. Sunlight would be brightly glistening off the water. I breathe in the fresh lake air and I feel very much at peace.

Then I look and - in my imagination - I see Jesus in the boat, and he is smiling. It's as if he is happy to be here, and happy to show off the beauty of his Father's creation. 

Then he takes up the oars and starts rowing toward shore. In no time, we are there. In my mind's eye, I see crowds of people, each moving in his or her own direction, not really looking at one another. One is carrying a lot of heavy packages, another is limping in pain, one has fallen. Another is looking around as if lost. All of them are just walking by one another. And I think of the words of Heidi Baker: "Stop for the one." 

I know what I am to do. 

There are people I encounter every day who are in pain or some suffering. Others have heavy burdens. Some are on the verge of giving up because life, for them, has become hard to bear. With mostly all people, I have no idea what they are going through. I cannot walk by. Although I cannot help everyone in need, I can "stop for the one."

The One has stopped for me. And this has made all the difference in my life. Others have supported me over the years when I have been in need. And I am grateful.

In Mark 6, the boat with Jesus does make it to the other shore. When they arrive, there are crowds of people who are there ahead of them. Jesus looked upon them and had compassion on them. They were people in need. He stopped for them, he taught them, and he gave them food to eat. That must have been a day they remembered for the rest of their lives.

And so I am reminded to come away and rest for a while, to be at peace, renewed, and energized. Then I shall be ready to "stop for the one."

Keep On Going!

Yesterday I walked out of the doctor's office feeling like a new person. I had been nervous about this appointment. After the exam, the doctor said, "Everything looks great."

Whew! Relief. Joy. And much gratitude! 

Good news makes me feel energized. I wanted to celebrate. When I returned home, I decided to go for a run.

It was about 46 degrees, cloudy and very windy. "I'll just do one mile," I said to my husband as I was headed out the door.

(If you read the previous post Cool Running, you know I'm not as fit as I'd like to be.)

It was not an easy run. Before completing that one mile, I wanted to stop and walk and catch my breath, but the desire to reach my goal was stronger than that desire to quit. I was determined, one step at a time.

For me to run is a celebration. I do it simply because I can, and out of gratitude for good health. And I will persevere for as long as I am able.

"Alive and Breathing" is a song I love. It's another Matt Maher song, but his lyrics really speak to me and I am pleased to share it. Happy to be alive and breathing!

Jesus is the Way and He is the Destination. To follow Him is challenging - not always easy - but the joy of journeying with Him, wherever He takes us, is truly awesome, beyond description.

It's Almost Spring

On my walk the other day, I stopped by a nearby brook. It was flowing powerfully after the snow melt.

Today I thought about that brook as I read, "Grace is flowing in my direction, and I yield myself to its powerful current that's taking me places beyond my wildest imaginations." Brian Orme

Today "grace is flowing in my direction."
Grace is God's love coming after me.
His love is coming after me in whatever circumstances I find myself.
His love is coming after each and every detail of my life.
He never gives up seeking me - longing for a real personal

relationship with me.
He doesn't want us just to be acquaintances, but the closest of friends, of family.

I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. John 15:15.

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9.

Today I take the time to be still before Him and let His love

flow in my direction. As in a strong current, I'll let myself be swept off my feet and be carried along in His grace "taking me to places beyond my wildest imaginations."

It's almost Spring.
Come, Holy Spirit of God's love, come!

Lesson from the Fig Tree

I never liked figs. Fig Newtons - ugh! A few months
ago, I mistakenly bought a big bag of dried figs,
thinking they were dates. I didn't read the label.

Fig trees were very common in Biblical times.They
lined the roads leading to Jerusalem. Even today,
figs are abundant in the Middle East.

There's an account in the Bible about Jesus actually 
cursing a fig tree. It happened in the Spring of the
year as he was heading to Jerusalem with his disciples. 
Jesus was hungry and he saw a fig tree in the distance.
There were leaves on the tree, but it was not yet
the season for ripe fruit. He went up to it looking
for figs. There were none. He must've been very
disappointed. He said to the tree, "May no one eat
fruit from you again." Matthew 11:14. The fig tree
withered.

The lesson I take away from this is that the Lord
expects "good fruit" from me at all times. It may
be the kindness I extend to others, generosity,
helpfulness to those in need, prayers, etc. I sometimes
say, "This isn't the right time." Or, "the circumstances
aren't quite right." Or, "I'll do this at a more convenient
time." I often want to wait for the "perfect time" to 
get things done.

Scripture also says, "preach the word; be prepared in
season and out of season..." 2 Timothy 4:2. So when
I am inspired to share an encouraging word or make
the effort to do something good for others, even
though the time doesn't seem quite right - and I
question myself - I need to just do it. Otherwise it
may never get done. 

About that bag of figs, I ate them even though I 
didn't like them. By the time I got to the last of the
figs, I discovered I actually developed a taste for
them. I no longer dislike them.

Maybe that's something else I now have in common
with Jesus. We both like figs. 😊

Let the Children Come

We had a great visit with the grandkids. They are healthy, happy, energetic, loving, and so much fun. After coming home, I missed the excitement of being with them.

Then I turn on the TV and see images of Ukrainian children who are like our grandkids, who are walking long distances and some being carried, many crowded into busses - all leaving behind the security they have known. Leaving behind toys and friends and routines, their homes, and even their Dads. Children and babies clutched by anxious mothers who are fleeing terror into an unknown future. Then there are the orphans who have no relatives to care for them. They are all refugees. As I am writing this I see video of a maternity and children's hospital that's been bombed by a massive explosive. 

What is happening to Ukraine is evil. More than a million children are displaced from their homes and millions more may follow. Even millions more will be left behind, unable to get out of a country under military attack. Many will die.

Last night I listened to this seven minute Meditation on Ukraine of a personal account of how children are being received in Poland. It ends with a way we can respond in a spiritual way to support the children. I am taking up the challenge and also doing what I can, even in a small way, to financially support humanitarian efforts.

Jesus said, let the children come to me, and do not prevent them. Matthew 19:14. I can imagine Jesus gathering the children to himself, smiling and laughing with them, placing his hands on them to bless them.

I am grateful for all the children in my life and I thank the Lord for each one. May Our Lord bless the Ukranian children and make a way for them that they may have a future full of hope and peace.

Keep Leaning

So worth seeing, praying, meditating on again, and again.

Especially when we feel we can't stand on our own, when we feel helpless - even in seeing senseless evil destruction sadly happening in the Ukraine.

Be inspired. Have hope. Keep trusting. Keep leaning on the One who saves.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H

On this the second day of Lent, I asked the Lord, "What are the 'nets' that I should leave behind?" (If you missed it, please see the post from May 2, 2022: Resolutions: Now is the Time .)

The words that came to me were: "Be flexible." So I admit that I can be stubborn at times, wanting my will to prevail. Stubbornness is something I need to leave behind.

One of the prayers of the church today is, "Prompt our actions with your inspiration, we pray O Lord, and further them with your constant help that all we do may always begin from you..."

My resolution today is to be flexible and to respond promptly to the needs I discern, to be open to the fresh and ever new blessings of the Lord and to the unexpected ways he may want me to show his love.

Just as I exercise by stretching to maintain and increase flexibility, I need to stretch spiritually, and by Holy Spirit's inspiration, to reach out to meet needs, even those that seem beyond me. Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Free image from Unsplash, courtesy of Rowan Chestnut

Now is the Time

Sometimes I find myself wishing for a do-over. Regrets. If onlys.

"If only I had not said that."
"If only I had listened."
"If only I hadn't done that."
"If only I had taken the time."
"If only I weren't so..."
"If only things were different."

We are now beginning a season of Lent that gives us dedicated time to change for the better, for a real transformation. Change, however, is not always easy. That's the suffering part.

From grade school on, I remember being reminded to give things up for Lent. Usually it would be candy. Or maybe a favorite TV show. One year I gave up coffee. (That was tough.) Some years it would be more about being generous, like what can I give rather than what can I give up. It has always involved some sacrifice.

This year the Scripture verse keep coming to me, the disciples "left their nets and followed him (Jesus)." Matthew 4:20. The first disciples left behind a most familiar life, that of fishing. Fishing was something good. But they left it behind for the possibility of something so much better. They were drawn to a person. They were drawn into a new life. It was far beyond what they ever could've imagined.

So I'm thinking, what are the "nets" in my life? What are some of the good things I could leave behind for the sake of something better. What do I not want to give up that keeps me at a distance from that intimate relationship with Jesus? 

What are the opinions I hang onto that keep me from listening?
What are the activities I engage in that keep me from being available?
What possessions do I cling to that keep me from being free?
What are the "nets" that occupy so much of my time?
Can I let them go? 
Can I leave them behind without turning back?

Why would I? Only for the possibility of something so much better, out of love for the sake of another, to follow Him, for a truly new and transformed life, one far beyond what I could possibly imagine.

And so I will be asking Holy Spirit to show me what I need to give up to leave my "nets" behind me on this Lenten journey. Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Behold, I make all things new. Revelations 21:5.

God, I am Yours and You are Mine

I found this on youtube and a "share" option was provided, and so I share it here:

  

Matt Maher is one of my favorites for worship music. I listen to his music often.

Let this song be my prayer this evening. Jesus, be the Lord of my life!

How Am I Going To Get Through This?

All of us face situations at one time or another and we ask ourselves, "How am I ever going to get through this?"

Maybe it's the loss of someone we love, or it could be a diagnosis of a really serious illness. It could be any challenging, difficult time we are living through. "Am I going to make it? How will I make it?"

Just this morning I saw a video posted by Matt Maher (who happens to be one of my favorite musicians) who raises these questions and he offers his response. (The video is a trailer of what is coming.)

Nightebirde - Look Lower

Nightebirde, Jane Marczewski, is famously known for her amazing performance on "America's Got Talent" TV show. She wowed the audience and the judges with her music and her presence. She left the show while battling stage 4 cancer and, just a few days ago, passed into her new eternal life.

Her reflections on life and her quotes are striking. One of them about her experience with God is: "If you can't see him, look lower. God is on the bathroom floor."  This is from Nightbirde's blog, dated March 9, 2021.

We tend to think that we need to reach up to God, and He seems so very far beyond us. Nightebirde found Him by going lower. She found Him when she was at her very lowest.

When was I at my lowest?? For me it was also with a cancer diagnosis. Was God there?

I remember the feelings of shock and disbelief. "This can't be happening. What will the future be like?" and imagining the worst. I felt trapped with no way out. I went into my closet and sobbed. I cried out to God.

Soon afterwards I came across Psalm 84:6 that I read: "They shall go through the Bitter Valley and make it a place of springs." What I was going through was my bitter valley, and I became determined to make it a "place of springs."

I knew that at my lowest point, I was not abandoned. There was a way out.

What are the low points in my life today? Someone once said that God can be found in the midst of our problems. "Here's the situation, Lord. What can we do about it?" Listen for His answer.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day..." Psalm 139: 7-12.

Mercy, Peace, and Love be Yours

Here's a favorite photo of a favorite place, the shores of Lake Champlain in St. Albans, Vermont. Having grown up near Lake Michigan, I always feel most at home near a lake. I am grateful that Lake Champlain is just a short drive away.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:2

Who Do You Trust?

Today I opened a new book written by my friend Mark, My Questions God Answers. Chapter 1, page 1: "Is God Safe? Can I Trust Him?"

I paused to reflect. Was there ever a time when I trusted someone and that person betrayed my trust? Have I ever been let down by someone? How did that affect our relationship? Have I ever been disappointed by an organization or institution that I was part of? Have I ever felt disillusioned by the church? By church leaders?

Who is it I trust the most? What is the difference this makes in my life? Who is the first person I ever trusted? 

For me the first person was my Dad. He took me by the hand and led me out into the world. The "world" was the barber shop where he got his hair cut and winked at me from the chair. It was the bakery where he let me pick out any cookie I'd want (a sugar cookie!). It was the restaurant where we'd meet my mom who was a waitress and short order cook. I'd go anywhere with him.

Back to Mark's book. Is God safe? Can I trust Him?

The only way to really know is to give Him the opportunity to demonstrate how trustworthy He is.

Just as I trusted my Dad when I placed my hand in his, I will trust even more for Father-God to lead me. And so I begin again to lean on Him. Maybe a place to start is to let Him know (well, He already knows, but I need to tell Him) about the times I've felt disappointed, betrayed, disillusioned. What will happen when I bring to Him the hurts I've experienced, even things I wouldn't want to share with anyone else? Can I trust Him to "catch" me when I "let go?" What will happen? What difference could this make? I can only know when I dare to try.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,
'plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

Lesson from a Lemon

I bought a large bag of lemons. I was attracted by their bright lemony yellow color. When I came home, I looked up lemon recipes. I found one for a lemon cake.

The recipe called for grating, then juicing the lemon. So I am vigorously grating away and saying to myself, "Poor lemon." That's a lot of abrasive action against that beautiful peel! Then I sliced it and pressed it against the juicer. I noticed the wonderful lemon aroma. I then added the zest and the juice to the other ingredients for the cake.

There's a lesson here, I'm thinking. Even from a lemon. To be useful for the recipe, it had to undergo change. The outer layer was scraped off for the zest and it was pressed for the juice.

There are experiences that I come up against that are grating, abrasive. When I am in the midst of these situations, there is no avoiding them. They are unpleasant. But these are the situations that can release beneficial inner qualities, like forgiveness, kindness, generosity, perseverance, etc. Like the lemon that undergoes change to fulfill a purpose, I also can fulfill a rightful purpose in trying circumstances. Hopefully, abrasive situations will bring out the best in me.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Let's eat cake!

Cool Running

I'll admit it - I've been a "couch potato" for the last few months. Blame Covid, blame the cold weather. I haven't been to the gym. I haven't been running outside. And I've been feeling sluggish.

Yesterday was a brilliantly sunny day. The temperature was 38 degrees. (That's above freezing, right?) So I dug into my closet to find my sneakers and layers of clothing I could wear. (I wanted to be warm, but still look the part of "a runner.")

I started with a brisk walk from our house and headed toward the rec path. I decided no goals. No time, no distance, no pace, no intervals. I'd be out here just to have fun. I brought my phone camera with me.

Once I started jogging, it was even better than I had expected. Sure, I'm out of shape, but I was doing it. Honestly, it was exhilarating. I recalled the many times I've been out here in warmer weather - yes, even in hot weather. This felt refreshing, although challenging. I watched my step so as not to slip on ice. Even though above freezing, the air was bracing.

I stopped to take photos. I loved seeing the blue tones of the shadows on the whiteness of the snow. I loved seeing the paw prints of dogs and of other animals I could not identify. I loved looking up and seeing the patterns of the white clouds in the blue sky. I truly loved being in a familiar place that did not look as familiar. And I loved greeting people I passed along the way.

 

I don't think I will ever become a cold weather runner, but when the day invites me, I will do it again. I'll not put off the opportunity. Covid and cold weather shall no longer be my excuses.  

Frost and chill, bless the Lord; 

praise and exalt him above all forever.

Daniel 3:69 (New American Bible)

"Are you coming with me?"

When I take our dog for a walk, she often likes to pause and sniff her surroundings, or she likes to walk slowly when I want to pick up the pace. I turn around and say to her, "Are you coming?" and I might give a gentle tug on the leash to keep her moving.

I thought about this as I was reflecting on what it means to follow the Lord. Ideally, I want to be right behind Him. However, sometimes I am distracted by my surroundings, or I am off on tangents that I have to admit are a waste of time. Or sometimes I procrastinate and the moment passes (like the phone call I neglected to make to a friend, and later learning that he had recently died). In these situations, I can envision the Lord turning around and saying to me, "Are you coming?"

So I look up to Him. At times He is so far ahead that I can hardly see Him. With just a desire, I again can be following closely in His footsteps as He makes a way for me where I've never been before.

Or is He the one who comes back to me, exactly where I am, to continue our walk?

If I don't follow Jesus, I have no idea what my destination is or how to get there. If I'm lost, He is the one who finds me. He calls me out of my distractions. "Are you coming?" 

And for this I give thanks.

The Best Gift of All

My cousin posted a photo yesterday of her son about to open a present he received for his 7th birthday. I felt somewhat mesmerized by that photo. The present was large and it was just about to be opened. The little boy's eyes were wide with anticipation. What would be inside the box under all that wrapping? What was the gift chosen specially for him?

I imagined his parents intently watching him open this present. How would he like it? What joy would be his - would be theirs - when he saw what was inside!

I began to wonder about the very best gifts I have ever received, the ones for which I am still grateful. Mostly, they were the ones that were unexpected:

- The warm homemade cinnamon rolls our neighbor brought over when I was exhausted from cleaning up our flooded basement;

- The silly pear-shaped toy our daughter sent me when I was undergoing chemo;

- The cup of hot coffee and chocolate chip cookies the nurse brought me when I was receiving yet another infusion.

These were simple gifts that came to me when I felt at a low point, and they truly lifted my spirits. Joy! With these simple gifts I felt loved and cared for.

"No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:12.

God is the best gift we can ever receive.

The Real Me

I picked up a used jigsaw puzzle. It looks like new. The picture on the box is attractive and I thought I'd like to spend some time relaxing and putting this puzzle together.

When I opened it, I was actually shocked to see that the pieces in the box in no way matched the picture. "This can't be," I thought. Did someone do this deliberately? Or did they put the puzzle pieces in the box and mistakenly put the wrong cover on it? This puzzle is not what it seems to be. I was disappointed.

When I read Proverbs this morning, verse 13 of chapter 14 jumped out at me: "Even in laughter the heart may be sad..." I thought about people who seem to be so very happy and accomplished, who seem to have everything going for them, but they may have an inner sadness that they do not show.

People tend to think - I tend to think, "If people really knew me, would they accept me as I am?" 

I thought again about the puzzle and whether there might be a lesson here. When do I pretend to be someone I am not? Am I authentic? By my actions and demeanor, do I show people who I really am? Or do I try to project a false image of myself, of what I would want people to think of me?

It is a liberating, healing experience when we are loved and accepted exactly as we are. It's like the puzzle pieces of our life that we feel don't belong, come together and are truly appreciated and valued.

I pray for the trust to be vulnerable and to let my guard down, to be an authentic me. And may I be trustworthy to allow others to do the same. No pretenses. No false images. Just to live and walk in truth in the image of our Creator God. (Genesis 1:27)

Faith and Football

For years I've enjoyed watching NFL football, especially the Packers. This season I've been doing so with even more attention. When I learned that Derek Carr, the star quarterback of the Raiders, is also an evangelist, and that there are videos of him sharing about his faith, I definitely wanted to hear what he had to say. I watched one of him being interviewed a few days ago by Pedro Adao.

Even though Derek has a passion for football, and he has attained the fame and wealth of being an outstanding quarterback, he says, "In my heart I am an evangelist."

He spoke about a time he was in a Chipotle restaurant and a young woman came up to him asking for a picture. His immediate thought was to tell the woman, "Jesus loves you." He said that he didn't want to do it, that he would feel super awkward saying this. More than that, however, he knew that he wanted to be obedient to that inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He simply said, "Jesus loves you," and the woman was touched by his words. Tears began to flow and, Derek said, she accepted Christ.

In the video Derek also said that one of the very first things he does when he wakes up each morning is to reach for his Bible. He asks, "Lord, what do you have for me today?" "Where do you want me to go?" "Show me the conversations you want me to have." He looks to the word of God for wisdom to give him direction and strategies.

As a quarterback he is leader of his team the Raiders. The wisdom he gains by his daily reading of the Scriptures is applicable in the locker room and on the field. He says that, with so much on the line, and with aggresive competition, anger easily builds up among the players. One of his gifts is that he can bring a sense of calm to heated situations.

I will keep my eye on Derek Carr and his career. Now I will watch his games, keeping in mind that how he plays and how he conducts himself, is from his strong foundation of his relationship with Jesus.

                          derek-carr-1080p-hd-wallpapers

I am very inspired by his humility and his faith. 

Where's the Kale?

I haven't posted for a few days, not sure what I wanted to share.

It's frigid-cold outside. I'm inside, looking out from my window. The yard is covered with snow. The trees are bare. It looks bleak. The wind is blowing, making it seem colder than the actual temperature. Nothing much is happening, except...

there are animal tracks in the snow in all directions. I see exactly where the rabbits and squirrels were scampering. There's been a lot of action under the bird feeder. Just now, one large bird flew overhead; I didn't see the bird, but I saw its shadow flying across the snow.

If there are favorite moments of a winter day, they are usually at night when I take our dog out, and the darkness is brightened by the whiteness of the snow, the air is sharply brisk, and there is a hush over everything that is not as evident in other seasons. Those are quiet precious moments.

I've slowed up a lot during the past month. I've been spending many more days at home because of Covid precautions, because of the cold, because of a painful ankle. It seems like not much has been happening. I know otherwise.

Some thoughts I become aware of only in stillness. Some things I see only by the loving imprints left on my heart. I hear the whisperings of the wind when all other sounds are silent. I know the bird is there because I see its shadow.

Winter may often seem long, bleak, and dreary, however the season is very much bright and alive when I pause to notice. The signs are there. This gives me hope, and hope motivates me.

So now I'm looking out toward the garden. Where's the kale?? The rabbits got to it. I see their tracks in the snow where I had planted kale last spring. What I did not harvest in the fall, I just left there where it froze. The rabbits have had a feast on what I planted many months ago. I wish I could've seen them. Even though I didn't see them, I do know they were there.

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