I have a guitar. It is a very useful tool in my life. It helps me get to a place of acceptance when my pain level is rising and I am feeling overwhelmed. I have never taken a guitar lesson. I don't really play guitar. But when my soul is in anguish and I need to express my feelings, I get out my guitar and start strumming.
Well, tonight was one of those nights. In the last few days, several things have been weighing heavy on my heart. I have been over-eating, over-thinking, and filling my time with activity to avoid pain. Where pain is concerned, I would rather go anywhere else.
The truth is we live in a broken world! Things are not right all over the place. I live with regrets over bad decisions I have made and the consequences! Then, there are the choices other people have made which have deeply hurt me. There are circumstances I wish I could change in my life and the lives of those around me. Things I wish I could fix that I cannot!
As I was reflecting on this in my prayer time, I was reminded of a verse in Revelation 21:4. In this verse God promises he will wipe away all of our tears. In a description of heaven, He says; "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain." In this promise, I realized something. Although He is promising no pain in heaven we can be sure there WILL be pain here.
This truth extends to my attempts to defer pain and suffering for those I love by making sacrifices for them. What I've learned is that no matter how sacrificial I am, I still can't stop pain from coming their way. My efforts are futile! The only answer is for me to learn to live with these realities.
Personally, I try to stick with God on everything and make right decisions. Even in these efforts to please God, I know He did not intend for me to live a painless existence while I am on earth. Pain is part of the journey. It is comforting to know that when I get overwhelmed with pain, God has given me a way to deal with the build-up of emotions. A long hard cry!
So, that is what I did. I got out my guitar and quieted my soul. I gave myself the space to feel the pain. I stopped running! Stopped eating! Stopped thinking! I stopped trying to fix everything! And I cried! I told the Lord through my tears what was burdening my heart! And He listened! Jesus said in Matthew 5:4; "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Mourning over the brokenness in this world and in my own life is healthy. And Jesus is there to comfort me!
I can't say my heart is completely healed! It still hurts! But, I did relieve some pressure with my tears! I have entered into an exhausted state that comes after crying. It is much more peaceful! It is kind of a "giving up" in a healthy sort of way. I have given up striving and surrendered to the fact of pain in my life and in the lives of those that I love. I have received comfort from the Lord as I spent some time mourning over sin! One day, I will be in a place where pain will not exist! Until then, I will surrender to the truth! There is pain!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
My Strength Lost Control!
The other morning, I was walking through my bathroom and noticed my pull-up bar. Due to a car accident this summer, pull-ups have been off limits for me per my physical therapist. There is something very satisfying to me about the strenuous nature of pull-ups; however, I had been resisting the temptation.
But in this moment, as I looked at the bar, I felt the urge to flex my muscles. It was an impulse and I knew it was probably not a good idea. So, before I came to my senses,I quickly took action. I grabbed the bar and began to pull. When I was almost to the top with my body slightly slanted in front of the bar, something shocking happened. The bar dislodged and at the speed of gravity (9.8 meters per second squared), I fell flat on my back. (Seriously, I thought things like this only happened in sitcoms!) Luckily, my back and my bottom took the brunt of the fall, and my head did not hit.
Normally, when I do pull-ups, I check the bar and tighten it to make sure it will hold me. In the rush of doing something I shouldn't have been doing, I did not take this precaution. Bottom line was, my strength had lost control (read on and this will make sense)! Just because I can do a pull-up, does not mean I should. This lesson applies to many areas of my life.
As I have reflected on this foolish act, I was reminded of the list of the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. From an apple tree comes apples. From the Spirit of God living in me comes a list of "fruits" which includes; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness), and self-control. In this action, I definitely was not seeing patience, meekness/gentleness or self-control exhibited. Meekness means, "restraint coupled with strength and courage" or "strength under control." Meekness or gentleness deals with the ability to hold back strength in an instance when you could use it.
A great bible story that shows an example of meekness is found in 1 Samuel 24. King Saul, who was the king of Israel, was hunting David for years. David was living a lifestyle of running and hiding from King Saul. One day while King Saul was looking for David to kill him, he decided to go into a cave to use the restroom. (There were no port-a-potties back then.) Well, David and his men happened to be hiding in that same cave. Saul was in a very vulnerable position. It would have been easy for David to kill him and relieve his life of this predator. But, instead of killing him, David cut off the corner of King Saul's robe. This was a true act of restrained strength and courage. Later, he showed the corner of the robe to King Saul to prove he was not planning to harm him. I can learn a lot from this great act of meekness. This was true strength!!
This incident in my life has given me an incentive to practice deferring my strength in some situations. I don't have to hit every kill shot in the racquetball game! I don't have to win every argument! I don't have to be the one to answer every question when I know the answer! I don't have to run up and jump over every rock I see! This is a discipline that requires much more strength than just letting myself act impulsively and out of control. My strengths can be considered a weakness without His strength in control!
I am counting on the strength of the Holy Spirit together with my cooperation to help me have fewer moments where I land flat on my back! I love the way God can take a situation and help me to draw out practical application for my life. It is great to know He is WITH me and there to pick me up when I fall!
But in this moment, as I looked at the bar, I felt the urge to flex my muscles. It was an impulse and I knew it was probably not a good idea. So, before I came to my senses,I quickly took action. I grabbed the bar and began to pull. When I was almost to the top with my body slightly slanted in front of the bar, something shocking happened. The bar dislodged and at the speed of gravity (9.8 meters per second squared), I fell flat on my back. (Seriously, I thought things like this only happened in sitcoms!) Luckily, my back and my bottom took the brunt of the fall, and my head did not hit.
Normally, when I do pull-ups, I check the bar and tighten it to make sure it will hold me. In the rush of doing something I shouldn't have been doing, I did not take this precaution. Bottom line was, my strength had lost control (read on and this will make sense)! Just because I can do a pull-up, does not mean I should. This lesson applies to many areas of my life.
As I have reflected on this foolish act, I was reminded of the list of the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. From an apple tree comes apples. From the Spirit of God living in me comes a list of "fruits" which includes; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness), and self-control. In this action, I definitely was not seeing patience, meekness/gentleness or self-control exhibited. Meekness means, "restraint coupled with strength and courage" or "strength under control." Meekness or gentleness deals with the ability to hold back strength in an instance when you could use it.
A great bible story that shows an example of meekness is found in 1 Samuel 24. King Saul, who was the king of Israel, was hunting David for years. David was living a lifestyle of running and hiding from King Saul. One day while King Saul was looking for David to kill him, he decided to go into a cave to use the restroom. (There were no port-a-potties back then.) Well, David and his men happened to be hiding in that same cave. Saul was in a very vulnerable position. It would have been easy for David to kill him and relieve his life of this predator. But, instead of killing him, David cut off the corner of King Saul's robe. This was a true act of restrained strength and courage. Later, he showed the corner of the robe to King Saul to prove he was not planning to harm him. I can learn a lot from this great act of meekness. This was true strength!!
This incident in my life has given me an incentive to practice deferring my strength in some situations. I don't have to hit every kill shot in the racquetball game! I don't have to win every argument! I don't have to be the one to answer every question when I know the answer! I don't have to run up and jump over every rock I see! This is a discipline that requires much more strength than just letting myself act impulsively and out of control. My strengths can be considered a weakness without His strength in control!
I am counting on the strength of the Holy Spirit together with my cooperation to help me have fewer moments where I land flat on my back! I love the way God can take a situation and help me to draw out practical application for my life. It is great to know He is WITH me and there to pick me up when I fall!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Accept the truth! Don't take the bait!
Recently, I spent some time with a person. A person who I want to care about me and my life. In our conversations, I kept trying to tell her what I was doing and how I was feeling and the feedback I was receiving clearly indicated that she does not care. When our time together was over, I felt empty and deeply hurt. My mind was racing and I was not thinking clearly. I was in a fog! I have spent the last several days processing this situation and I am hoping it will help someone else!
Now this is not the first time I have experienced this disappointment and discouragement after spending time with this person. So I have been trying to develop a plan that will relieve me from getting my heart broken over and over again. I know from the Lord that leaving this relationship would not be His will. I am a very important part of this person's life and she looks forward to our times together. I don't think she is aware of her lack of care and telling her would just lead to guilty feelings. She is under a lot of stress and lives in difficult circumstances. So confrontation or leaving the situation behind are not options.
In processing this information, a close friend and very wise woman gave me a good visual. She helped me to see this problem as a "hook." So the hook is the fact that she does not care and I get caught because of my unwillingness to believe this fact. Each time I am away from this person, I fantasize that she cares! So I go into the circumstance looking for the care I so desperately want. This is like a fish looking at a piece of bait on a hook. He is looking for food to nourish him, but he is staring at bait which will destroy him. If he goes after it, thinking it is food and something he needs for survival, then he gets hooked. If the fish were full and not in need of the food, maybe he would see more clearly and not take the bait.
So here is the plan. First of all, no more fantasizing that this person cares. The truth: she does not care. In Hebrews 13:5, it says; "...be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" This truth is much more important than the hook I was letting get imbedded in my soul. God cares! He shows me His love and care each day! He has sent many people into my life to love and care for me. One way I will prepare for the next time I see this uncaring person is to plan time around that difficult visit with others who DO care. This will give me a cushion on each side of our visit. This is a way of being gentle to myself. I will go into these dangerous waters as a well-fed fish. I will be full of the caring of God and the caring of my friends so I will not take the bait and get caught by the hook.
Do you have a relationship in your life that is destructive to you? Do you want them to care, to be proud, to love you, to accept you, etc.? Are you going into it over and over without accepting the truth? It is time to look straight at the truth and accept it! And although this relationship is not the way you want it to be, you have a choice to make! Maybe it is not God's will that you stay in this relationship at all. But if leaving is not an option, you need to ask yourself some questions: Are you going to take the bait? Or are you going to take care of yourself? Look around and see all God has provided for you! God is providing what you seek from this difficult relationship in other ways! Be content with what you have! Love this person without needing anything from them! You will be safe in the arms of your Heavenly Father! He will never leave you nor forsake you! I am making the choice, I don't want to be caught in this hook again. So if you are willing, let's do it together. Accept the truth! Don't take the bait!
Now this is not the first time I have experienced this disappointment and discouragement after spending time with this person. So I have been trying to develop a plan that will relieve me from getting my heart broken over and over again. I know from the Lord that leaving this relationship would not be His will. I am a very important part of this person's life and she looks forward to our times together. I don't think she is aware of her lack of care and telling her would just lead to guilty feelings. She is under a lot of stress and lives in difficult circumstances. So confrontation or leaving the situation behind are not options.
In processing this information, a close friend and very wise woman gave me a good visual. She helped me to see this problem as a "hook." So the hook is the fact that she does not care and I get caught because of my unwillingness to believe this fact. Each time I am away from this person, I fantasize that she cares! So I go into the circumstance looking for the care I so desperately want. This is like a fish looking at a piece of bait on a hook. He is looking for food to nourish him, but he is staring at bait which will destroy him. If he goes after it, thinking it is food and something he needs for survival, then he gets hooked. If the fish were full and not in need of the food, maybe he would see more clearly and not take the bait.
So here is the plan. First of all, no more fantasizing that this person cares. The truth: she does not care. In Hebrews 13:5, it says; "...be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" This truth is much more important than the hook I was letting get imbedded in my soul. God cares! He shows me His love and care each day! He has sent many people into my life to love and care for me. One way I will prepare for the next time I see this uncaring person is to plan time around that difficult visit with others who DO care. This will give me a cushion on each side of our visit. This is a way of being gentle to myself. I will go into these dangerous waters as a well-fed fish. I will be full of the caring of God and the caring of my friends so I will not take the bait and get caught by the hook.
Do you have a relationship in your life that is destructive to you? Do you want them to care, to be proud, to love you, to accept you, etc.? Are you going into it over and over without accepting the truth? It is time to look straight at the truth and accept it! And although this relationship is not the way you want it to be, you have a choice to make! Maybe it is not God's will that you stay in this relationship at all. But if leaving is not an option, you need to ask yourself some questions: Are you going to take the bait? Or are you going to take care of yourself? Look around and see all God has provided for you! God is providing what you seek from this difficult relationship in other ways! Be content with what you have! Love this person without needing anything from them! You will be safe in the arms of your Heavenly Father! He will never leave you nor forsake you! I am making the choice, I don't want to be caught in this hook again. So if you are willing, let's do it together. Accept the truth! Don't take the bait!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Your Name??
On Monday nights, I have a Bible Study in my home with a group of college age students. A few weeks ago, the Lord lead me to do a study on names. It started when we were studying Daniel 1 and I noticed the Babylonians changed the names of Daniel and his friends when they were brought into captivity. This was a plot of the enemy to steal what belonged to these men.(John 10:10) Although they were in captivity in the physical realm, Daniel and his friends did not allow the name changes to alter who they were. They chose to believe God for their identity rather than give in to the change made by the Babylonians. For example, Daniel means "God is my Judge." If you read Daniel, you will notice he lives up to his name. In all of Daniel's endeavors, he chooses to find ways to honor God. He keeps his trust in God and ultimately he acts according to God's commandments putting the judgement of God above the authority of his Babylonian captors. He knows who he is and it leads to Babylonian kings confessing that Daniel's God is the Most High God. In Daniel 2:46, King Nebuchadnezzar, who was the most powerful man in the world at that time, falls on his face before Daniel and says in verse 47; "...Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings..." It takes the power of God to cause the most powerful king in the world to bow down to his slave!
Daniel spent 70 years of his life in captivity in Babylon, but not one of his days was spent in spiritual captivity. His spirit was free as he served God. It led him into a position of leadership in the greatest nation in the world even though he was technically a slave! Daniel gained his freedom by knowing who he was and knowing who God is! God had written in the DNA of Daniel that he would be a man who would honor God as the Judge of his life. And Daniel lived up to the call and was a powerful and well rewarded man regardless of his physical captivity!
I find great freedom in knowing who I am and who God created me to be! My first name, Kim, means; "Ruler or Fortress." My middle name, Annette, means; "Gracious." So as I interpret this name, I always remember I am a "Fortress of Grace" and a "Gracious Ruler." When my mother named me, she did not know the meaning of these names, but God knew who I was and led her to give me this name that reflects my DNA and points to my calling.
I have always been a person to whom others run to find safety when the trauma of life rages.
Before I understood who I was and who God had created me to be, these situations caused me stress and serious insecurity. I would freak out when people turned to me for help, and wonder what I should do. I have never been comfortable with death or even hospitals for that matter. This is where my middle name comes in: Gracious. I depend completely on the "grace of God" to show me what to do. I could never be a fortress for anyone in their time of need without understanding my total dependance on God to provide for the person. Ultimately, I know Jesus is their fortress but He uses me to act as His gracious safety agent in tramatic situations. Now that I know these things, I respond to the calls and go into all kinds of circumstances with the peace and confidence of knowing that God intended, before the foundations of the world, to use me in this way in this generation!
Self-awareness is a great tool in living a free and effective life on earth. We need to know who we are and live in this knowledge no matter what our circumstances. I have been called lots of names in my life other than the one God has given me. Names such as useless, worthless, fearful, foolish, bossy, arrogant, and many others including some that are inappropriate to mention in writing. For years, I believed some of these names and got off course from the life God has created me for. I wasted some time going back and forth from who I knew I was to who people around me said I was. Now, I stand strong and self-assured in the revelation of Jesus and identity He has given me. His presence, power, and love in my life are all the security I need to be free and useful for His glory!
Who are you? What is written in your DNA? Who has God created you to be? What is the meaning of your name? Take the time today to find out and hold onto the truth above the lies the enemy is trying to convince you of! You are very valuable to this generation! Only you can do what you were created to do! Jesus says in John 8:31-32; ..."If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
Check out the meaning of your name at the website: http://www.name-meanings.com/search.php
Daniel spent 70 years of his life in captivity in Babylon, but not one of his days was spent in spiritual captivity. His spirit was free as he served God. It led him into a position of leadership in the greatest nation in the world even though he was technically a slave! Daniel gained his freedom by knowing who he was and knowing who God is! God had written in the DNA of Daniel that he would be a man who would honor God as the Judge of his life. And Daniel lived up to the call and was a powerful and well rewarded man regardless of his physical captivity!
I find great freedom in knowing who I am and who God created me to be! My first name, Kim, means; "Ruler or Fortress." My middle name, Annette, means; "Gracious." So as I interpret this name, I always remember I am a "Fortress of Grace" and a "Gracious Ruler." When my mother named me, she did not know the meaning of these names, but God knew who I was and led her to give me this name that reflects my DNA and points to my calling.
I have always been a person to whom others run to find safety when the trauma of life rages.
Before I understood who I was and who God had created me to be, these situations caused me stress and serious insecurity. I would freak out when people turned to me for help, and wonder what I should do. I have never been comfortable with death or even hospitals for that matter. This is where my middle name comes in: Gracious. I depend completely on the "grace of God" to show me what to do. I could never be a fortress for anyone in their time of need without understanding my total dependance on God to provide for the person. Ultimately, I know Jesus is their fortress but He uses me to act as His gracious safety agent in tramatic situations. Now that I know these things, I respond to the calls and go into all kinds of circumstances with the peace and confidence of knowing that God intended, before the foundations of the world, to use me in this way in this generation!
Self-awareness is a great tool in living a free and effective life on earth. We need to know who we are and live in this knowledge no matter what our circumstances. I have been called lots of names in my life other than the one God has given me. Names such as useless, worthless, fearful, foolish, bossy, arrogant, and many others including some that are inappropriate to mention in writing. For years, I believed some of these names and got off course from the life God has created me for. I wasted some time going back and forth from who I knew I was to who people around me said I was. Now, I stand strong and self-assured in the revelation of Jesus and identity He has given me. His presence, power, and love in my life are all the security I need to be free and useful for His glory!
Who are you? What is written in your DNA? Who has God created you to be? What is the meaning of your name? Take the time today to find out and hold onto the truth above the lies the enemy is trying to convince you of! You are very valuable to this generation! Only you can do what you were created to do! Jesus says in John 8:31-32; ..."If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
Check out the meaning of your name at the website: http://www.name-meanings.com/search.php
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Affectionate Love of Jesus
The fall season is always a hard transition for me. It is filled with scattered days of the sun and warmth of summer, and then, dreary days of the cold and harshness of the winter to come. I enjoy the colors of the fall leaves but in the back of my mind I know they are dying and will fall to the ground in a matter of weeks.
The cold weather really got to me today. So I spent some time sitting under a blanket on my couch. As the wind and the rain raged outside, I had my bible out and I was looking for some comfort and affection from Jesus! The Lord led me to a scripture I love from John 13. In verse 23 it says; "Now there was reclining on Jesus' bosom (chest) one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved." This scripture blesses me so much because of the physical closeness of Jesus to His disciple. I enjoy visualizing this intimate scene between close friends! I also love the fact that in this scripture and several others in this book, John, the author, refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Again in John 21:20, John writes; "Then Peter turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper..." It is clear John understands he is loved by Jesus. It also seems to me it was important to him that he was able to lean against the bosom of the Lord at the last supper. Because he restates the physical affection of this scene once again in this gospel record, I believe it was a profound moment in his life. I also believe the Holy Spirit inspired him to focus on this moment because we need to be aware of the affectionate love of Jesus! Physical affection is a way Jesus communicated love to John and it is a way we communicate love to one another in this world.
It is amazing how the Lord communicates love and affection to me in so many ways in my life. He is so here WITH me! I feel so loved just like John!! One way is through providing me with parking spots. Today, I had a lunch date with a friend and was forced out from under my blanket and into the rain. I love my friend and loved our lunch together, but it was hard to get myself out in the rain. I know the rain is a blessing, but I was struggling with the cold weather pushing away the summer I have so enjoyed!! It is hard for me to let go of warm walks in the early mornings and sandals and shorts. But I made my way toward the restaurant and as I rounded the corner in the rain, I knew God felt the struggle going on in my heart. He knew I was mourning the end of the warm weather. I could feel His affectionate love coming close to me. So I looked around and said; "Lord, where is my parking spot?" At that moment, I saw a man walk out to get into his car and he opened up my spot right in front of the restaurant! This is the affectionate love of Jesus I experience over and over again. Although it was not literal, I could feel His arm around me. He understands what I am going through and He is there to light up my world. He touched me from heaven and I felt Him. At that moment, I could feel myself leaning against His chest!
When I feel the love of God poured out on me in numerous ways, day after day, I notice that it is impossible for me to hold back the affectionate love of Jesus. When I go to the homeless shelter, I hug all of the ladies! When my grandchildren are with me, I rub their heads and kiss and hug them. God has set me free to share His loving affection!! There is no need to filter it!!
So, as I say good-bye to the summer I loved, I will look forward to skiing and sledding and making hot chocolate. And cuddling by the fire with the ones I love. And especially the affectionate love of Jesus that He pours upon me no matter what the season:)
The cold weather really got to me today. So I spent some time sitting under a blanket on my couch. As the wind and the rain raged outside, I had my bible out and I was looking for some comfort and affection from Jesus! The Lord led me to a scripture I love from John 13. In verse 23 it says; "Now there was reclining on Jesus' bosom (chest) one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved." This scripture blesses me so much because of the physical closeness of Jesus to His disciple. I enjoy visualizing this intimate scene between close friends! I also love the fact that in this scripture and several others in this book, John, the author, refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Again in John 21:20, John writes; "Then Peter turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper..." It is clear John understands he is loved by Jesus. It also seems to me it was important to him that he was able to lean against the bosom of the Lord at the last supper. Because he restates the physical affection of this scene once again in this gospel record, I believe it was a profound moment in his life. I also believe the Holy Spirit inspired him to focus on this moment because we need to be aware of the affectionate love of Jesus! Physical affection is a way Jesus communicated love to John and it is a way we communicate love to one another in this world.
It is amazing how the Lord communicates love and affection to me in so many ways in my life. He is so here WITH me! I feel so loved just like John!! One way is through providing me with parking spots. Today, I had a lunch date with a friend and was forced out from under my blanket and into the rain. I love my friend and loved our lunch together, but it was hard to get myself out in the rain. I know the rain is a blessing, but I was struggling with the cold weather pushing away the summer I have so enjoyed!! It is hard for me to let go of warm walks in the early mornings and sandals and shorts. But I made my way toward the restaurant and as I rounded the corner in the rain, I knew God felt the struggle going on in my heart. He knew I was mourning the end of the warm weather. I could feel His affectionate love coming close to me. So I looked around and said; "Lord, where is my parking spot?" At that moment, I saw a man walk out to get into his car and he opened up my spot right in front of the restaurant! This is the affectionate love of Jesus I experience over and over again. Although it was not literal, I could feel His arm around me. He understands what I am going through and He is there to light up my world. He touched me from heaven and I felt Him. At that moment, I could feel myself leaning against His chest!
When I feel the love of God poured out on me in numerous ways, day after day, I notice that it is impossible for me to hold back the affectionate love of Jesus. When I go to the homeless shelter, I hug all of the ladies! When my grandchildren are with me, I rub their heads and kiss and hug them. God has set me free to share His loving affection!! There is no need to filter it!!
So, as I say good-bye to the summer I loved, I will look forward to skiing and sledding and making hot chocolate. And cuddling by the fire with the ones I love. And especially the affectionate love of Jesus that He pours upon me no matter what the season:)
Friday, September 23, 2011
"Help Us Bless!"
My daughter works an early shift most days, which gives me an opportunity to spend the mornings with my grandsons. They are so sweet and full of the innocent wisdom children seem to be born with. As part of our morning routine, we eat breakfast and say a prayer for our food and the day. My three-year-old grandson has been listening to these prayers since he was born. His older brother, who is eight, usually leads the prayers. Recently, the three-year-old has decided he would like to lead prayers, and does a great job praying for the food. But the way he ends his prayer has captured my attention. Where the eight-year-old asks Jesus at the end to; "Bless our family," the three-year-old has transformed this phrase into; "Help our family bless!" I love this and it has become a discussion at our morning time together with the Lord.
It amazes me how children are born with an incredible understanding of things beyond their years. Yes, it is a wise thing to ask for the blessing of the Lord, but it is also a beautiful thing to ask Jesus for our family to be a blessing. I looked up the word "bless" and found this definition; "to request of God the bestowal of divine favor or to bestow good of any kind upon."
As I was teaching my grandsons about how to bless, a story came to mind. I have a friend I pray with once a week in a prayer group. We pray for all kinds of things the Lord brings to mind. This friend has made a habit of praying for the people who visit one of the Taco Bells in town and for the employees there. My friend has taken this as a responsibility and as a commission from the Lord. She goes there and prays whenever the Lord asks her to. In my opinion, this is how cities are transformed!
Well, my friend brought a prayer request before us about a week ago. She noticed, while in the Taco Bell, that the manager looked sad. So she sat her down and asked her how she could pray for her. The manager told her that her "ex" had taken her one-year-old daughter a year ago. She had not seen or heard about her daughter for one year! She wanted my friend to pray for her daughter to be returned. So, my friend prayed with her and then brought the request to the prayer group--we prayed together and continued praying individually.
This situation absolutely broke my heart, so I prayed often as I thought of the despair this situation would cause me. Sometimes, when in a public place, I have lost track of my child for a moment and begun to panic. I can't imagine the pain and terror of an entire year without my child!!
Two days after our prayer meeting, I woke up early and decided to read the paper. On the second page, I read a small article about a man being captured in Phoenix who had taken his child illegally from her mother. Then it said, to my shock, that the child had been returned to her mother in Flagstaff. The girl was two years old. At this point, I jumped out of my chair. I was sure it was the little girl and mother I had been praying for! This Wednesday, my friend confirmed it was true. In two days, God had answered these prayers.
This is an example of how we bless. We look around and see those who are hurting. And, we notice. We offer to pray for their needs with faith, knowing that Jesus is; "Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20. I can't think of a better way anyone could have blessed this mother.
Sometimes we are able to bless by providing something for someone in need. If it is not possible to do this, then, asking Jesus to meet the need, however great or small, is the greatest blessing we can give!! And in the process, they receive the blessing of blessings. Seeing Jesus come alive in the world around them!!
In 2 Corinthians 1:11 it says; "...you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." So let me pray for us today this sweet, little, powerful prayer from the heart of my grandson; "Lord, help us to bless!"
It amazes me how children are born with an incredible understanding of things beyond their years. Yes, it is a wise thing to ask for the blessing of the Lord, but it is also a beautiful thing to ask Jesus for our family to be a blessing. I looked up the word "bless" and found this definition; "to request of God the bestowal of divine favor or to bestow good of any kind upon."
As I was teaching my grandsons about how to bless, a story came to mind. I have a friend I pray with once a week in a prayer group. We pray for all kinds of things the Lord brings to mind. This friend has made a habit of praying for the people who visit one of the Taco Bells in town and for the employees there. My friend has taken this as a responsibility and as a commission from the Lord. She goes there and prays whenever the Lord asks her to. In my opinion, this is how cities are transformed!
Well, my friend brought a prayer request before us about a week ago. She noticed, while in the Taco Bell, that the manager looked sad. So she sat her down and asked her how she could pray for her. The manager told her that her "ex" had taken her one-year-old daughter a year ago. She had not seen or heard about her daughter for one year! She wanted my friend to pray for her daughter to be returned. So, my friend prayed with her and then brought the request to the prayer group--we prayed together and continued praying individually.
This situation absolutely broke my heart, so I prayed often as I thought of the despair this situation would cause me. Sometimes, when in a public place, I have lost track of my child for a moment and begun to panic. I can't imagine the pain and terror of an entire year without my child!!
Two days after our prayer meeting, I woke up early and decided to read the paper. On the second page, I read a small article about a man being captured in Phoenix who had taken his child illegally from her mother. Then it said, to my shock, that the child had been returned to her mother in Flagstaff. The girl was two years old. At this point, I jumped out of my chair. I was sure it was the little girl and mother I had been praying for! This Wednesday, my friend confirmed it was true. In two days, God had answered these prayers.
This is an example of how we bless. We look around and see those who are hurting. And, we notice. We offer to pray for their needs with faith, knowing that Jesus is; "Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20. I can't think of a better way anyone could have blessed this mother.
Sometimes we are able to bless by providing something for someone in need. If it is not possible to do this, then, asking Jesus to meet the need, however great or small, is the greatest blessing we can give!! And in the process, they receive the blessing of blessings. Seeing Jesus come alive in the world around them!!
In 2 Corinthians 1:11 it says; "...you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." So let me pray for us today this sweet, little, powerful prayer from the heart of my grandson; "Lord, help us to bless!"
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hard To Say Good-Bye!
I heard this week one of my closest childhood friends passed away. Her name was Mardelle and she was one of the bridesmaids in my wedding. This news was devastating to my heart. I loved this friend deeply and she is woven into the fabric of my childhood. If I painted a picture of my childhood she would dwell there by my side as my partner in finding adventure. She was my sounding board, my comforter, and one of my favorite teammates. I cherish my memories with her!! When we were together, life seemed endless and we seemed invincible. Now her life is over. I wish she could have stayed here with me a little longer. It is hard to say good-bye!!
One thing that has bothered me about her death is the lack of time I have had with her in the past twenty-five years. Our lives just drifted apart as we moved in different directions. We talked on the phone in the beginning. Then we emailed and recently we were reconnected through facebook. But, I counted on her being out there, living her life. I counted on hearing from her. When we communicated, it was like no time had gone by. Our souls connected like they had so many years ago.
Life is filled with different seasons. We move through them as if they will never end and then one day we are in a different season. The days gone by are over. We can't bring them back again. We can peruse them in our memories but time does not allow us to dwell there again.
In my life today, I am much more aware that opportunities for relationships are limited by time. I make sure I am making the most of my time with the people I love. When God brings a close friend into my life, I take full advantage of their available time knowing this time might not be available forever. I leave gaps in my schedule to be available for my family and close friends so I do not miss opportunities. Ephesians 5:15 says; "Be careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..."
I wish back when I was a teenager, I would have been more wise in how I used my time. This is one thing in my life I regret! But I am grateful for my friend. I am grateful for the time the Lord gave us together!! I truly enjoyed her! She was an expression of God's love to my life during that season so many years ago. I thank God for the way He created her and for His divine wisdom in bringing our lives together. He knows her heart and all of the intricate parts of her story. I trust her into His hands.
Still in knowing all of this, it is hard to say good-bye!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,..."
One thing that has bothered me about her death is the lack of time I have had with her in the past twenty-five years. Our lives just drifted apart as we moved in different directions. We talked on the phone in the beginning. Then we emailed and recently we were reconnected through facebook. But, I counted on her being out there, living her life. I counted on hearing from her. When we communicated, it was like no time had gone by. Our souls connected like they had so many years ago.
Life is filled with different seasons. We move through them as if they will never end and then one day we are in a different season. The days gone by are over. We can't bring them back again. We can peruse them in our memories but time does not allow us to dwell there again.
In my life today, I am much more aware that opportunities for relationships are limited by time. I make sure I am making the most of my time with the people I love. When God brings a close friend into my life, I take full advantage of their available time knowing this time might not be available forever. I leave gaps in my schedule to be available for my family and close friends so I do not miss opportunities. Ephesians 5:15 says; "Be careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..."
I wish back when I was a teenager, I would have been more wise in how I used my time. This is one thing in my life I regret! But I am grateful for my friend. I am grateful for the time the Lord gave us together!! I truly enjoyed her! She was an expression of God's love to my life during that season so many years ago. I thank God for the way He created her and for His divine wisdom in bringing our lives together. He knows her heart and all of the intricate parts of her story. I trust her into His hands.
Still in knowing all of this, it is hard to say good-bye!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,..."
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