God never ceases to amaze me, and I have to share. Some may think it's a coincidence, I would disagree to my grave. I know it was a gentle reminder from my Heavenly Father....
For a brief moment yesterday, I allowed discouragement to well up in my heart, and dwell in my mind. I took my eyes off of Jesus and put them on a particular circumstance, and began to weep. The reason I say that it was a brief moment, is because my Jesus only allowed a few tears to flow, before He helped me to regain my focus.
I was cleaning the kitchen as I was going back and forth between text messages and emails that burdened my heart and even frustrated me, and I began to weep. For a moment the "typical" questions ran through my mind: "But God???" "How in the world???", "Why can't???"... you know the drill. As I planned to just sit at the kitchen table and allow my pity party to be soothed by a cup of hot tea, my eyes met the eyes of another. As I neared the table the blinds on the window were open, and perched right on the ledge of the fence, there it sat, a bird. This wasn't unusual, as it seems to be a common place for various types of birds. They frequent this section of fence in particular for some reason. Most of the time they get nervous as they catch a glimpse of us through the window and our motions usually cause them to quickly fly away. But not this bird. It not only sat perched on the fence, it faced the window and stared at me! I was amazed that as I slowly moved, it's little head followed me, it didn't take flight. We've seen so many types of birds here, beautiful blue jays, cardinals, wrens, etc... but I'm embarrassed to say that I had to research this one. In my heart I automatically knew the type of bird, but of course I had to be 'sure', after all, I'm not an avid bird-watcher! As I tried to keep 'eye contact' with this beautiful creature, I quickly used my phone to research it on the internet, and there it was confirmed. Of all the birds we've enjoyed in our yard this was the first time I have seen, a sparrow. Oh, perhaps I have seen them before and just didn't realize it. How typical of me to possibly miss a perfectly good reminder of God's love for me, and His promises. But this time, He made it very clear.
The tears of discouragement quickly turned to tears of repentance as I asked God to forgive me for making a petty circumstance worth that much focus and emotion. Then tears of gratitude as I thanked Him for the sparrow, and how He used that tiny, beautiful creature to look me in the eyes and remind me that God always has been, and always will be, faithful.
Matthew 10:31 "Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Sorrow in a Small Town or a Celebration?
The kids and I have been blessed to be "home" with family, but within the last week, my little hometown has had it's share of sorrow. I don't know why it seems that tragedy always strikes here 'in threes', but more often than not, it does. Car accidents, heart attacks, a prison sentence, a combination of events that forever change the hearts and lives of so many. Such sadness surrounding the details, if other choices would've been made perhaps some of it could've been prevented. I'm not in the least thinking with a judgemental heart! As a matter of fact, when things like this happen, I generally fall on my face and thank God for the MANY times He spared me, those instances that I'm aware of, and those that I'm certain I didn't see.
Perhaps the convicting part of this is coming to the realization that most of us don't live with a daily eternal focus. Most days we don't think twice about rushing to kiss our spouse and kids on the way out, or getting behind the wheel of a car. We don't typically wake up and ponder, "Will this be the last time I will see my son or daughter face to face? Will this be the last time I will kiss my husband or wife goodbye?" It's almost as if we either believe we are invincible, that it won't happen to me, or we don't want to believe that it could.
The truth is that God has a purpose and a plan in all things, (even what Satan means for evil) and I know this because not only does He promise it throughout His Word, He has proved it over and over again in my own life. I know that as a child of the King I don't have to fear these types of circumstancs happening in my own life. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not exempt from tragedy! Only God knows how and when He will call me home, but because of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Heaven is where I am headed. Heaven is Home. God can and will use the tragedy around us to cause us to examine our own lives. He will help us to see our heart, our actions and our words through His lenses, and cause us to repent and return to His perspective - an eternal perspective.
My prayer is that in and through the tragedies each of us, family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and acquaintances will greatly consider our own lives. Consider your relationship, or lack of, with Jesus. Consider what those left behind will remember about you. Consider the impact that you're making for the cause of Christ. Consider what will happen when you stand face to face with God.
When it comes time for Jesus to call me home, I pray that you won't find sorrow in a small town, but rather a CELEBRATION of the forgiveness, mercy, grace, goodness and faithfulness of God!
Perhaps the convicting part of this is coming to the realization that most of us don't live with a daily eternal focus. Most days we don't think twice about rushing to kiss our spouse and kids on the way out, or getting behind the wheel of a car. We don't typically wake up and ponder, "Will this be the last time I will see my son or daughter face to face? Will this be the last time I will kiss my husband or wife goodbye?" It's almost as if we either believe we are invincible, that it won't happen to me, or we don't want to believe that it could.
The truth is that God has a purpose and a plan in all things, (even what Satan means for evil) and I know this because not only does He promise it throughout His Word, He has proved it over and over again in my own life. I know that as a child of the King I don't have to fear these types of circumstancs happening in my own life. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not exempt from tragedy! Only God knows how and when He will call me home, but because of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Heaven is where I am headed. Heaven is Home. God can and will use the tragedy around us to cause us to examine our own lives. He will help us to see our heart, our actions and our words through His lenses, and cause us to repent and return to His perspective - an eternal perspective.
My prayer is that in and through the tragedies each of us, family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and acquaintances will greatly consider our own lives. Consider your relationship, or lack of, with Jesus. Consider what those left behind will remember about you. Consider the impact that you're making for the cause of Christ. Consider what will happen when you stand face to face with God.
When it comes time for Jesus to call me home, I pray that you won't find sorrow in a small town, but rather a CELEBRATION of the forgiveness, mercy, grace, goodness and faithfulness of God!
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Shepherd of Plenty
In this world where destruction abounds, anxiety builds and stress peaks to highest levels, there is a Way to have peace. The only Way, has a Name.
His Name is Jesus.
As our family learns to surrender everything to Jesus, we are sort of 'sampling' what Paul meant when He penned the words, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content". Please don't misunderstand, we are by far 'doing without', we are very blessed! It is in the lesson of contentment though, that I tend to find difficulty. Dissatisfaction and fear comes when I take my eyes off of Jesus, and desire 'things', or I begin to become overwhelmed with what I see going on in the world.
When the focus of my heart and mind is in the proper place, I have the proper perspective. I am very thankful that though we have no control over the happenings in the world around us, our family rests in knowing that circumstances do not dictate the joy we have in Christ! Paul didn't find joy in prison. Because you see, he had Jesus before he went into that cell. Rather he took the joy of Christ into jail with him, therefore joy was his constant companion!
That can be very convicting....
Joy in all circumstances? It's sometimes a difficult lesson to instill in our children, because the best (and worst!) way to teach, is by example. When I am tempted to complain, worry or fear, it is then that God brings a gentle reminder. In His mercy and grace, He reminds me of those verses in Philippians, and guides my eyes so that they are once again fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. He helps me to return my heart to my Shepherd, who tends to me with care, and I am reminded He will meet my every need, and carry every burden. I pray our children will grasp this even in these early years, I pray they will learn it by example.
This morning, I was encouraged by these words from Annie Johnson Flint, perhaps they will encourage you as well:
The Shepherd of Plenty
"His love has no limit,
His grace has no measure,
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinte riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again!"
The Giver of LIFE, LOVE, PEACE, JOY and SO much more.... His Name is JESUS!
His Name is Jesus.
As our family learns to surrender everything to Jesus, we are sort of 'sampling' what Paul meant when He penned the words, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content". Please don't misunderstand, we are by far 'doing without', we are very blessed! It is in the lesson of contentment though, that I tend to find difficulty. Dissatisfaction and fear comes when I take my eyes off of Jesus, and desire 'things', or I begin to become overwhelmed with what I see going on in the world.
When the focus of my heart and mind is in the proper place, I have the proper perspective. I am very thankful that though we have no control over the happenings in the world around us, our family rests in knowing that circumstances do not dictate the joy we have in Christ! Paul didn't find joy in prison. Because you see, he had Jesus before he went into that cell. Rather he took the joy of Christ into jail with him, therefore joy was his constant companion!
That can be very convicting....
Joy in all circumstances? It's sometimes a difficult lesson to instill in our children, because the best (and worst!) way to teach, is by example. When I am tempted to complain, worry or fear, it is then that God brings a gentle reminder. In His mercy and grace, He reminds me of those verses in Philippians, and guides my eyes so that they are once again fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. He helps me to return my heart to my Shepherd, who tends to me with care, and I am reminded He will meet my every need, and carry every burden. I pray our children will grasp this even in these early years, I pray they will learn it by example.
This morning, I was encouraged by these words from Annie Johnson Flint, perhaps they will encourage you as well:
The Shepherd of Plenty
"His love has no limit,
His grace has no measure,
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinte riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again!"
The Giver of LIFE, LOVE, PEACE, JOY and SO much more.... His Name is JESUS!
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