All is Well

Disbelief.  That's how I would describe my conversation with my sister that night at the beginning of December.  Evidently, my mom had double pneumonia, which turned into fungal meningitis.  My sister said she might not make it through the night. 

I flew out the next morning to help my family four states away, while leaving my own family behind. 

I was there two-and-a-half weeks.  During that time, they placed mom on a ventilator, then took her off and gave her a tracheostomy.  Basically, that's a trach attached to a ventilator.  My dad went to the emergency room two different times for two different reasons, and had surgery the next week.  My sister was in one hospital with my mom, while I sat in the other hospital with my dad!  I got sick and ended up having four shots and two rounds of antibiotics.  My brother had a root canal.  My other brother developed a nasty upper respiratory infection. 

Let's see, the list could go on and on.  Believe me.  Did I mention that my older brother's house was almost burned down by a neighbor's out-of-control burn pile, and my dad's roof started leaking???

Still there's more, but I won't burden you with the details. : )

Yet, in the midst of it all, God was there.  Seriously.  He kept gently reminding me that I was not alone and that He was still in control.  So, when the choir director asked me to play and sing last Sunday (my mom has played the piano there for over 40 years), I found the perfect song.  It's a Christmas song with a beautiful message.  It's not often sung or played.  As a matter of fact, I've only heard it about 5 times in 10 years, but I happened to find it in a worship hymnal that belonged to my sister.  The name of the song is "All is Well." 

The first verse says, "All is well.  All is well.  Angels and men rejoice.  For tonight, darkness fell, into the dawn of Love's light.  Sing al-le.  Sing alleluia!"  The meaning behind it?  ALL IS WELL, because of Jesus. 

Because Jesus was born in a manger, grew to be a man, died on that cruel cross and rose again to conquer death, all is well.  Period.  He has the victory, not just over our sin, but over everything...over hospital rooms and doctors and fires out of control.  He has it all wrapped up in His plan, for He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). 

So, during the special music portion of the service that morning, I sang.  I sang that song as hard and as loud as I could, banging those keys into submission, as a tribute to the victory that I expected He would bring - no matter what.  I prayed that He would allow that to be my testimony for all of the people in the congregation who needed to be reminded that ALL IS WELL, because of Jesus. 

Fast forward to yesterday.  I am back home, sitting in my own church.  I'm glad to be home, but struggling, because part of me wanted to be there again, so I could help my sister - so, I could see my mom getting better - so I could bake biscuits, bacon and eggs for my dad.  

That's when it happened. 

The song service ended, and as the pianist began playing the offertory song, my heart heard a familiar tune...and I began to cry...not tears of grief or sadness - not tears of a burdened heart, but tears of appreciation for my God Who is gentle and so very personal. 

Each chord of the song struck deep into my heart.  I sung to myself, as she played:  "All I well.  All is well.  Angels and men rejoice.  For tonight, darkness fell into the dawn of Love's light.  Sing al-le - sing alleluia!" 

My sweet Father God was speaking...gently speaking, reminding me again that even though I was not beside my mom, that He was. 

All is indeed, well, because of Jesus. 

Maybe He did that just for me.  Or, maybe He did that because I am not the only person in the world that needed to be reminded that all is well, because of Jesus.  Maybe you do, too. 

So, let me be the bearer of wonderful, comforting, glorious news - All is well, my friend.  All is indeed, well. 

Thank You, Father, for the way You speak.  Thank You for whispering life into my heart in the strangest and most wonderful ways.  You are God.  You are in control.  You are the Victor.  All indeed, is well. 

Fixing our Eyes on Jesus

Every morning before breakfast, Steve and I take our morning walk, accompanied by a rather large dog and two small ones.   I usually handle Lilly, the lab mix, while Steve walks Sugar and Peanut - the rambunctious, energy-filled, affection-loving Chow/Shepherd puppies.  

Almost every day, we play a game with "Sugars" that starts my day off with a happy heart and a smile on my face.  It consists of Steve, alone, leashing the puppies and taking them several yards away from the house.  Then, and only then, do I step foot out the back door.  As soon as Sugar sees me, Steve drops the leash, and the onslaught begins.  

It's as if all else disappears from her sight.   She focuses her attention directly and plows through the grass - over hill and dale - to get to me.  Her tail is wagging.  Her fur is waving. And her tongue is dangling so far behind her face that it hits her ears!  The drive and passion and sheer delight she exhibits while running to me, thrills me beyond words.  She collides into my legs, and I reward her with hugs and rubs, exhibiting to her my own delight with her presence and pursuit.  

I wish you could see it - experience it.  There's nothing quite as tender as being the object of a little puppies' love and affection with no barriers, no boundaries.  Nothing else matters for Sugar at that moment, except getting to the one she loves.  

Oh, how I wish my life exhibited that same devotion to my Jesus.  How cool it would be, to be so thoroughly focused and fixed on getting to the One who loves me that distractions were just things that flew by my face as I raced forward.  That I would run the race He has set before me, fixing my eyes on the Author and Finisher of my faith (Heb. 12:3).  Not running out of duty or prodding, but running out of sheer desire to be in His presence - to be with the One who loves me and the One I love. 

That would be cool, wouldn't it?  

So, what's stopping me?  What's stopping us?  

I say we do it.  I say we not allow circumstances to distract us from Jesus.  Let's choose each moment of the day to focus our attention on the One we love and Who loves us.  Let's not fix our eyes on anything else - not family, not failures, not bank accounts, not struggles, not holidays, nothing.  Let's focus or "fix" our eyes on Jesus  and run to Him as hard and as fast as we possibly can, throwing off all inhibitions and letting our tongues whack us in the ears if need be!!!  

Jesus, You are so good, and I am blessed to call You my Savior.  I am honored and amazed that You love me - that You want to be with me.  I praise Your name.  I praise You.  

By the way, just as I finished the last words of this column, my ears picked up the sound of a Christian band, singing their hit over the radio at my doctor's office.  These are the words that I heard:  "Fix my eyes (my eyes) on You (on You)...on You."  Hmmmmm.....

The Thankfulness Default

Slower than cold syrup...that described the speed of my computer attempting to search for something the other day.  No matter what I did, my computer just searched and searched and searched.  I thought it was just an evil plot by my keyboard to torture me.  However, my computer-savvy husband eased my mind and fixed the problem by simply restoring the default settings.

If you are anything like me, your computer lingo is a little less than up-to-date, so let me explain.  A default setting is something your computer does automatically - once you tell it to do it.  For instance, if you have more than one printer attached to your computer, you can push a few buttons and tell your computer to always choose the Epson Stylus as your default printer.  That means every time you try to print something, the computer will automatically use that specific printer, unless you tell it differently.  It's a default setting. 

Now, I know it's not quite Thanksgiving yet, but I'm still thinking about it none-the-less...especially today while thinking about the default settings on my computer.  What in the world do the two have in common?  A lot, I think.  At least, I think they should.

You see, what if we made "thankfulness" our default setting?  Scripture tells us to be "thankful in all things. (I Thess. 5:18)"  It tells us over and over again that God is due our thanks for simply being good (Ps. 106:1, Ps. 107:1, etc...!).  It tells us that we are to be thankful in anxious situations, so that the peace of Christ can rule over our hearts (Phil. 4:6,7). 

Why?  What's the big deal about being thankful?  It's because thankfulness reminds us that God is in control.  It reminds us that we owe a debt to the Giver of all life.  It changes our mindset and even our heart-set in the worst of circumstances.  It brings peace, where there is none.  It separates us from the rest of humanity who don't know Him...and paints a picture of Who He is. 

Being thankful is essential in our walk.  But what does that look like in real life?  What does resetting our default system to thankfulness mean?  Well, it means that when put in a "bad" situation, we will automatically choose to look for something good and speak life into that dark place. It means every time we get angry at our kids for doing something wrong, we don't lose our tempter.  Instead of responding in a negative way, we default into being thankful that we actually have children to discipline.  It means that every time we get behind someone going slower than the speed limit, we default to thankfulness and recognize that God might be sparing our lives from a wreck up ahead.

It means that every time our houses needs to be cleaned, we just do it - instead of getting grumpy and being irritating to those around us.  We choose to be thankful that we have a house to clean.  It means that every time the electricity goes off and we miss our favorite show, we default into recognizing and being thankful that we've had electricity for a very, very long time.

No, thankfulness is not our first inclination.  Naturally, we aren't geared that way.  We are geared to complain and gripe and say that everything is bad.  However, if we are followers of Christ, we can choose to change our default setting to thankfulness.  We can choose to be thankful, because that is what is commanded by Christ.  It's our responsibility as Believers to show a world that is NOT thankful, how to BE thankful.  Set your "default setting" on thankfulness and the world will know that you are His!

Thank You, Jesus that through You, I CAN choose thankfulness.  I have SO much to be thankful for...and therefore, I choose to thank You today for my life and the way You are directing my life.  Help me today to redirect my anxiety and worry...my impatience and arrogance...to thankfulness.  Thank You, Lord..that You listen, when I call and that You desire to help.   
 

Trading Death for Life

"Do you need a lawyer?" 

I have never been asked that question in my life, but last week, I was asked not once, but TWICE.  No, I was not in trouble with the Law.  No, I didn't take something that didn't belong to me...unless you count that piece of my children's Halloween candy.  No, there were no warrants out for my arrest.  Instead, I was merely sitting in a courtroom, minding my own business, in support of a family friend.  Of course, my husband and I were there for about 9 hours, so I am sure it looked like we were waiting for someone to come to our rescue, but we weren't.   

Yet, being in the courtroom DID make me think.  It made me think of the times I had broken the law in the past - the times that I had sped down those MS dirt roads with the wind blowing in my hair and the dust flying in my face.  I was guilty of breaking the law.  I just didn't get caught.  Oh, I SHOULD have been prosecuted by the law.  I SHOULD have had to pay the fine.  I SHOULD have gone to Safe Driving School.  Again, I just didn't get caught!  However, not being caught, didn't make me any less guilty. 

That's like our spiritual life.  Not "getting caught" in our sin doesn't make us any less guilty.  Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned or fallen short of the glory of God."  We have all messed up.  We've all broken God's Law at one time or another and ended up standing before a Holy and Righteous Judge. 

And what does that infringement of God's Law cost us?  Scripture says that it costs us our lives:  "For the wages of sin is death..."

Yuck!  You mean to tell me that just because I lied to my mom about eating that piece of peppermint in the third grade,  I am guilty and sentenced to death (life apart from God)?  Yep.  You mean to tell me that just because I ate waaaay too much food during Thanksgiving break that I am guilty and sentenced to death?  Yep.  You mean to tell me that just because I tried to make someone feel better by telling them that I liked their shirt, when it really was hideous that I am guilty of breaking God's Law and am sentenced to death?  Yep.  Whether you got caught or not, doesn't make you (or me) any less guilty. 

BUT...the remaining part of Romans 6:23 says, "but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ."   

Think of it this way.  You are standing before a judge on this earth, fully-knowing your guilt.  Your hands are free, but your feet are cuffed.  You know that there is nothing you can do.  Your lawyer is absent.  Your friends aren't allowed to speak on your behalf.  The defense rests.  All seems lost.  

The judge returns to the bench and speaks the verdict - Death by electrocution.  Your mind reels.  You didn't mean for it to ever get this far.  After all, you really didn't do anything to deserve the death penalty.  You just broke the law...a little...one time.  And now your life is over.  You will die alone, wishing you had never crossed paths with that judge.  You beg for the mercy, but to no avail.  You plead for your case to be reviewed, but your time has come.  Death is inevitable. 

All of the sudden, from the back of the room, a Man steps forward.   He looks intently at you, asking you to trust Him.  Realizing He is your last chance, you beg Him...you plead with Him to do anything He can do to relieve you of this penalty...this judgment. 

He smiles, approaches the bench, takes the guilty verdict and crosses out your name.  Before you can say a word and question how He can do this, He writes His name above yours...canceling out your signature.  The bailiff approaches and removes the cuffs from your feet and places them on the feet of the Man who took your place.  Then he leads the new Prisoner away...towards the chair that will take His life - His life, instead of yours. 

That's nuts...but it's TRUTH.  Jesus Christ is our propitiation - our satisfaction before God.  He substitutes His life for ours, if we but ask.  No payment on our part is involved.  Instead, a simple exchange of confessing words will do...along with a remorseful heart.  Then and only then, is your guilty verdict appeased...is your punishment atoned for.  Only then is court adjourned and your freedom secured.

So, I challenge you will all my heart.  If you do not know this Substitute - this Jesus, then don't stop reading here.  Instead, find a Bible and start reading in the Gospel of John.  Read of Jesus' life and His great love for you - His death and His resurrection - all for your behalf.  Then, ask Him to be Your substitution.  Allow Him to trade your death for life.  He loves you that much, my friend.  He loves you that much.   

Jesus, You know that there are those who may read this today, who need to know You.  I pray for them.  I pray You will reveal Yourself to them, so that they too, may know You as Advocate and Friend.  Thank You for hearing my prayers for them.  Thank You. 

Love Demands More

Sometimes, you just feel like giving up, don't you?  You have invested time and energy in someone special to you, and it all seems for naught.  You're stressed.  They're stressed. And you have no idea what to do next.  You have expended all your options and energy trying to help them, but they just don't want the help.  

I decided a long time ago, though, that even when I FEEL like giving up, I just can't.  I CAN'T!  Maybe it's the fear of someone asking me, "Why did you give up on me?  Why didn't you keep loving me, even in my mess?"  I would rather die a thousand deaths than hear those devastating words come across someone's lips. 

That doesn't mean the feeling isn't there.  Oh, there have been many times that I have felt like "throwing in the proverbial towel," but love demands more.  Love demands faithfulness, where no faithfulness is exhibited. 

II Timothy 2:13 is a beautiful picture of this:  If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Who He is, (NLT).  It is not in God's nature, nor within His ability, to give up on me.  I am His child.  Period.  I can figuratively (of course) spit in His face, disregard His careful instruction, push against His will and walk away.  And yet, because He is God, and He remains faithful to His kids, He must remain by my side.

Now, that doesn't mean discipline and tough love are not part of the relationship.  It just means, I always have Him.  I am never alone.  I can always cast aside my sin at any moment and as the Prodigal Son, come home to my waiting Father. 

So the next time you feel like giving up on someone...the next time you say in your mind, "I'm done," just take a deep breath and remember the God Who never gives up on you.  When those thoughts come, turn them into pleas of help to your Father on behalf of this one that you love.  Use the painful longings in your heart for your loved one to drive you to your knees and bring closer to your Father.  

We must do this. 

We must not give up. 

We must draw close and wait for God to work until that glorious day when the one we love turns and says:  "Thank you.  Thank you for not giving up on me.  Thank you for loving me, even in my mess." 

Thank You, Jesus, for not giving up on me, even in my mess.  I have done so much to hurt our relationship, and yet, You continue to remain faithful...for You are my God...You are my Father.  Thank You.  I praise You for Your faithfulness. 

To Know Him and Be Known By Him Takes Effort

You would think that after 21 years of marriage, my husband would know everything there was to know about me, but yesterday, I surprised him.  We were listening to some "oldies" on the way home from our annual marriage conference, and as you can imagine, we were totally grossing our children's out, singing along and "swaying with the music."  

All of the sudden, a song started playing that sent me back 35 years, at least.  I was transported in my mind, back to the living room of my best friend's home.  There I was, doing my best to impress the judges (my two best friends) with my cartwheels and flips and interpretive moves to the music.  We held these dance competitions often, sometimes even enlisting Mom-Judges.  Bless their hearts.  

I must have been out of my mind to mention such deep thoughts, but upon opening my mouth and explaining the reason for my loud outburst of laughter, my husband was quite humored and amazed.  He said, that "in 21 years of marriage" he had never heard about my "competitions."  Can you imagine that?  This wonderful man who knows and loves me, didn't know about my own personal "Dancing With the Stars" moments. 

Of course, that doesn't mean he doesn't know me.  On the contrary, he knows me better than anyone.  However, I guess what it does mean is that there is still more of me to be known!

In John 14:9, while Jesus was speaking with the disciples before His death, Philip told Jesus to show them the "Father" and it would be okay.  To which Jesus replied, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?" 

That was my question to myself, as I read:  "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Belinda?" 

Now, I know Jesus.  I  have been a Believer for a LOOONNGGG time.  However, sometimes when you are with someone for a LOOONNGGG time, you think you know them completely.  You get arrogant in your relationship and complacent in how you treat them.  Your approach to them and your responses to them are automatic and almost unfeeling.  You allow yourself to become too familiar, so much so, that the "newness" of the relationship wears off. 

Unfortunately, marriage can be an example of this type of relationship.  You can see it, all too often.  A couple can become so familiar with each other that they take one another for granted.  They forget that in order to have a thriving, growing relationship that lasts, you have to make your relationship a priority.  You have to continue to get to know your spouse, every day.  And to get to know them - really know them - you must invest time, effort, and a whole lot of fun.  You have to continue working to KNOW the other person, for there is more of them to know! 

Translate that into your relationship with the Lord.  Have you been with Him (like me) a LOOOONNGG time?  If so, are you intentionally STILL searching Him out, reading His Word daily, filling your heart with His thoughts, just so that you can know Him - so you can find out that there is more of Him to be known? 

If not, if you are stuck in a mundane relationship with Jesus, can I challenge you today?  Seek Him out.  Desire to know Him and be known by Him on every level.  Make an intentional effort to find out what Jesus thinks about your day...your finances...your relationships...YOU!  He wants to be known by you.  And He promises that when you seek Him, He will let you find Him (Jer. 29:13)!  He will come and speak with you and tell you great and mighty things which you didn't know beforehand (Jer. 33:3).  

There is more of Him to be known, my friend...soooo much more. 

Jesus, I want to know You, today.  I want to seek You out and find You.  I want You to speak to me through Your Word.  I want to be in relationship with You...in friendship with You.  Thank You for wanting the same thing from me.  I love You, Lord.   

Conquering the Things that Go Bump in the Night

When I was a little girl, I used to have the same nightmare over and over.  Actually, there were a couple of nightmares, but once my sister's extra large Raggedy-Ann beat up the witch that kept invading my room, that particular nightmare stopped! 

The other nightmare was more terrifying to me, because it was more real in nature.  I would dream that I awakened in the middle of the night and had to go to the bathroom.  It was just a few steps outside my doorway, so it shouldn't have been a big deal.  However, my fear of what lay ahead, always made it feel as if that room were a mile away. 

In my dream, I would grope my way to the bathroom, close the door and switch on the light...nothing.  I would turn it off and on a couple more times, tension building in my body and mind with each click of the switch.  Determining that the bulb was burned out, I would grope my way along the wall to the lights of the vanity.  Again, I would switch on those lights, and nothing would happen.  By this time, my heart would be pounding through my chest wall.  My breathing would have deepened into almost a panic, and I would frantically turn around to grope for the bathroom door handle.  And as you can imagine in a nightmare, the knob wouldn't turn.  I was locked in the darkness, even though the lock was on the inside. 

Usually at this point, I would be startled awake by something in my dream touching my shoulder, and I would beg God for the daylight to come.  Oh, what a relief it was when the light of the sun would peek its way through my bedroom window. 

I'm so glad that I don't have that nightmare any longer, but sometimes, I still find myself afraid.  I'm afraid of the unknown, afraid of what people think, afraid of something happening to my family, afraid of not being good enough.   And if I let myself go there - if I let myself dwell on what I do not know or what I perceive to be true, then I find myself back in my nightmare.  I get trapped by my own thoughts, living in response to what I fear in the dark, instead of what is reality in my life.     

You see, God's already taken care of the darkness.  I have nothing to fear - NOTHING to fear, for:  "you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light (I Pet. 2:9-10).

Because of Christ, I am no longer in the dark, no matter how life may try to convince me that I am still there...that I am still stuck.  Instead, I am in a glorious place - a place that is full of light and purpose and meaning - a place where darkness no longer exists or has control over my emotional, spiritual or physical being.  In reality, I exist in His light, for His purpose, for His pleasure and praise - no matter what the fears ofares in my life may try to force upon me. 

How should this affect me?  Well, when those abnormal things do happen, when the scary things rear themselves and touch my shoulder in the night - I DO NOT HAVE TO FEAR.  God is my God, and I am His child.  He has complete control of everything in my life, whether I think He does or not.  He sees the abnormalities as opportunities for His name to be exalted in my life, and it's my responsibility and privilege to make sure that happens, by dispelling the darkness with Truth...fear with faith. 

So today, when things hit you head on...when you feel like you are stuck in a nightmare that will never end - remember.  Remember that no matter how dark it seems, you are really in the light.  God is with you and is using you in the midst of your struggle.  He is guiding your eyes and your hands to glorify Himself.  In Truth, you are walking in LIGHT, my friend.  You are walking in Light - and don't let anything or anyone try to convince you differently.  

Thank You, Jesus that I am Your child...I am Your chosen one who no longer has to live in darkness and be fearful of what exists there.  Instead, I can choose to live in the Truth...in Your light.  Thank You, Lord.  I praise You in the light.    

Habitual Thankfulness

Habits.  What do you think of when that word is mentioned?  Smoking?  Drinking alcohol?  Playing video games around the clock?  Constantly Facebooking?  Biting fingernails?   

It's strange, isn't it?  The word "habit" usually brings to mind something not healthy for us or something we know we need to get control of in our lives. 

However, habits can actually be GOOD things too.  For example, brushing your teeth is a habit.  Putting on your shoes before you go to work is a habit.  Closing the toilet lid IS a habit! 

So if that is the case, why do we always assume the worst when it comes to habits?  I don't know.  But I DO know that some habits are meant to be practiced - and practice them, we must.

For example, while reading the story of Daniel and the Lion's den one day, I noticed something about habits, I had not noticed before.  King Darius had been tricked into signing a law that would jeopardize his precious servant's life.  Some jealous leaders decided that Daniel had entirely too much power in their kingdom.  After all, Daniel was supposed to be a slave.  Yet, God had blessed him in captivity, and he had risen in the ranks to be one of he highest in command of Babylon.  So, the high-ranking officials who were actually from Babylon, tricked the king into signing a law stating that anyone who prayed to another god besides the king, would be cast into the lion's den. 

Pretty desperate times for Daniel.  He had a choice to make.  He could either continue to pray to God three times a day with his window open to Jerusalem as he had done in the past, or he could, in essence, save his life by not opening his window.  He could still pray to God.  He didn't HAVE to let others see.  After all, he was in Babylon for a reason...a reason that would be for naught if he were to end up on the dinner menu for a bunch of lions. 

Daniel 6:10 provides us with his decision in the midst of these grave circumstances:  "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home.  And in his upper room with his windows opened towards Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." 

There it is.  Daniel's death penalty signed, sealed and delivered.  God, however, had other things in mind.  If you don't know what happened after that, make sure you find a Bible and read the rest of the story.  It's amazing, to say the least. 

But what I want to focus on, is the habit of Daniel - his "custom."  As I said earlier, I had read this truth tale before, and I knew that in the face of danger, Daniel didn't cave.  I also knew that it was Daniel's habit to pray three times a day with his windows open to Jerusalem.  However, I didn't recognize Daniel's OTHER habit...his "custom since early days."

Thankfulness. 

Scripture says, Daniel "prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days."  Can you imagine being in Daniel's position and actually being thankful?  I think I found the answer.   It's simple.  Being thankful was his "custom" - his "habit."  Even in the early days when he was taken captive as a teenage young man, shipped off to a foreign land away from his family, he was thankful, as was his custom.  Being thankful was something that he chose to do...something that he chose to put into practice over and over again.  He was in the habit of being thankful.  So, when everything seemingly STOPPED going his way - when the circumstances changed  - his habit carried him through.  His "habitual practice; the usual way of acting in any given circumstances" continued, even in the midst of defying the king's orders and his own death penalty (Dictionary.com). 

Daniel was thankful...habitually thankful. 

Now, that's a habit that we, as Believers, need to instill in our lives.  At least, I know that I do.  When the trials come - and they will - I need to be thankful that God still has all under control.  When the storms seem larger than life and threaten to swallow me whole - I need to be thankful that God never leaves me in the midst of them.  

How about we create a new habit today...a really good one!  Let's start by practicing thankfulness when we feel our temperature rising from annoyances, when we feel threatened and fearful, when our day just gets off on the wrong foot.  Concentrate and find something to be thankful for in the midst of the chaos.  Let's practice being thankful today, and tomorrow, and the next, until thankfulness becomes "a custom since early days" for us.   

Thank You God, for my day.  Thank You that I awoke from my sleep unharmed.  Thank You that You will be with me today...throughout my whole day.  Thank You for the hard things that I will encounter, as well as the joys that will hit me head on.  Thanks for being in control of all of it.  I begin this habit today...asking that You remind me of my promise to be thankful.  I love You, Jesus.  Thank You.   

Child-Like Faith

Our family watched the movie Heaven is For Real, and afterward, I had a precious conversation with our youngest son.  He was sitting at the table coloring a picture, while I was washing dinner dishes and trying desperately to clean up the kitchen before bed-time.  Seemingly out of nowhere, my seven year old said that Jesus "told him things sometimes."  Curious, of course, I asked, "What kind of things does Jesus tell you?"  His answer surprised me: "To follow Him."

The song, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" came flooding into my mind...the second verse especially:  Though none go with me, still I will follow.  Though none go with me, still I will follow.  Though none go with me, still I will follow.  No turning back.  No turning back.  So I turned to Seth and said, "Well, Seth, what would happen if everyone else you knew chose NOT to follow Jesus?"  To my surprise and delight, he nonchalantly replied: "Then I guess I would just be alone," and continued his coloring, completely unaware and undisturbed by the profoundness of his statement.

That's the beauty of a child-like faith, isn't it?  Even as he spoke those last words, I felt a jump in my spirit.  Surely he doesn't understand how horrible that would be?  It would be lonely and sad and dark and dreary to be the only Believer on planet earth.  It would be a difficult life, full of persecution and angry stares, possibly even blows.

And yet, my child didn't have to understand all of that.  He just knew that he had to do what Jesus had said.  He had to follow Him, period.  No matter what.

We might simply put aside his child-like faith as ignorance, if it weren't for the fact that Jesus, Himself, said that we must not make light of a child's faith, but desire it above all else. As a matter of fact, Jesus calls child-like faith a necessity for the Christian.  Matthew 18:1-4 says, "At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, 'Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?' For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, 'I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me'"  (The Message - Emphasis mine). 

Simple and elemental.  I think that's my problem.  I'm not simple and elemental when it comes to my my Christian walk.  Like Peter in the storm, I look at my surroundings, instead of my Savior.  I look at the things that surround me and respond to my circumstances.  Peter would have walked on the water, all the way into the arms of Jesus, if he had simply not looked away.

Child-like faith wouldn't have looked away.  It wouldn't have even acknowledged the very-real dangers in the presence of Christ.  

Oh, but Adult-like faith would.  

The difference is that Child-like faith would see the wonder of the Savior and be entranced with His gaze.  Child-like faith would simply answer when He called, no matter the consequences.  Child-like faith wouldn't try to figure out what to say to a non-believer about Jesus.  Child-like faith would pray and trust that God would give him/her the words.  Child-like faith wouldn't worry about the safety of their family.  Child-like faith would ask for safety and then trust that God would provide.  Child-like faith wouldn't be concerned about how hard life as a Believer is.  Child-like faith would just be content to "be alone." 


Father, I ask that You help me understand...no...not understand.  Help me instead, to trust You, like a little child...without the worries and concerns.  I'm not saying those things aren't there.  I am saying You are in control of them.  So I ask for child-like faith - faith that trusts Your every move...Your every turn...in every situation.  May I learn to look at You and You, alone.  

Thank You, Jesus...for listening and loving Your child. 

Out of Sight - Out of Mind...Really?

Walking into the bathroom this morning, I noticed a small, crumbed piece of paper at the back of the trash can, wedged next to the wall.  I'm sure you don't have those stray pieces of paper in your  home...but I do.  I looked at it and had a conversation with myself.  One side of me thought it would be best to go ahead, bend down and pick up the trash.  However, the other side conversed with my old joints and decided I could bend down and get it later.  After all, it was early morning, and my body really wasn't awake yet.  

I casually glanced away, pretending that I could trick myself into believing that the paper didn't exist.  And for the most part, it worked.  I walked out and the aggravating piece of trash disappeared from my memory.  Out of sight - out of mind. 

That is, until I returned to that room and "the thing" stood out like a sore thumb.  It was still there.  No Magic Bathroom Fairy had come and removed it.  My bathroom was still unclean. 

"What's the big deal," you might ask, "It's not like the piece of paper is going to multiply.  It's not going to morph into some creature and attack you when you enter the room."  That is true.  It is JUST a single piece of dirty paper littering the floor.  Hardly anyone can see it...but I know it's there.  I see it every time I return, thinking to myself, "I really need to pick that up."  I know the bathroom is not truly clean, unless that piece of paper somehow finds its way into the trashcan.

So, obviously, there IS a problem.  That small, dirty little piece of paper has changed the way I feel about myself and my bathroom.   And the silly thing is, all it would take for my confidence in myself to change and my bathroom to be truly clean would be simply the effort it takes to bend down, pick up the paper and put it where it belongs.  My guilt would be gone and my bathroom clean. 

That's a lot like our sin, isn't it?  We come to God during our quiet times and as He prods us to confess that "little thing" - to pick it up and throw it into the trashcan - we turn away and pretend the sin isn't there.  After all, it's not much  It's not a BIG sin.  It's a little white lie or a worry issue or our tendency to gossip about others.  It's not really that bad.  It just makes us uncomfortable to look at.  We don't want to dwell on it, so we pretend it's not there.  Sadly, in turn, we forfeit being freed and cleansed. 

I John 4:9 is a verse used many times when witnessing to non-believers.  However, it was actually written to Christians...yes, Christians:  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."   

Just like bending down and picking up that stray piece of paper - it's not hard to confess. We just have to acknowledge the sin is really there and agree with God that we did something wrong - something against Him.  Then, we can enter our relationship time with the Father, without guilt or remorse or the pretense that everything is okay. 

Jesus wants freedom in your relationship with Him today.  He wants you to come boldly and joyfully into His presence and be free to walk with Him and talk with Him.  He wants you to be pure and blameless, with no shame in your fellowship with your Father. 

So let's stop pretending today.   Let's stop ignoring the sins that hold our heart captive - the sins that dirty our conscience and mind.  Let's confess before the Father the supposed hidden things that we don't want to have to acknowledge.  Let's confess those things that no one else sees, but that bring guilt.  Let's confess them and be cleansed,  so that today, you and I can walk freely into the presence of our Father, with freedom and great joy. 

I confess, Jesus, that I am in need of cleansing  Dig deep into the hidden parts of my heart and spread light onto the things of darkness that I have chosen to ignore or try to hide from You.  Help me confess them and then live freely in my relationship with You.  Amen. 

Priceless and Precious

Imagine, you are in the market for an ornate piece of pottery to display over the fireplace in your home.  It has to be useful, as well as beautiful.  So, you head to the heart of Selma, NC to peruse through the quaint little antique stores lining the streets.  

After several hours - or what seems like hours - you see an assortment of just the right items displayed in a store window.  You cautiously push open the door.  Much to your surprise and elation, you see an abundance of the items you need.  Intricate pieces of pottery line the walls, price tags dangling from the shelves.  Your heart races, as you check the prices, expecting to see a number far above what you can afford.  However, the prices are far below what you ever expected.  

Of course, you don't let the owner of the store see your excitement, so you casually pick up a piece here or there, making sure not to miss anything.  

When you get to the back wall, you notice a small room with a sign overhead that says, "Clearance."  Now, if you are anything like me, you immediately put aside any other thoughts of the lower priced items and head to the cheap stuff! 

Immediately, you notice a difference.  These items are damaged - seemingly beyond repair.  These pieces are broken and shattered, lying everywhere, with bright orange price tags dangling from the shelving.  Yet when you glance at these tags, you notice the price is exceedingly more expensive.  As a matter of fact, these tags are ridiculously over-priced. 

About that time, another customer enters the room.  He proceeds to take each of the broken pieces off the shelf and place them into a shopping bag.  Noticing that he has none of the "perfect" pieces in his bag, your curiosity gets the best of you.  You ask, as politely as you can, "Sir, do you mind telling me why you are paying higher prices for things that are broken, when there are so many things in the other part of the store that are truly worth the money you are willing to pay?  It just seems to me that you are not getting the best end of the deal.  After all, this IS the clearance section." 

He looks at you for a moment and then grins.  His reply startles you: "Oh, on the contrary.  I am getting the best deal of all.  You see, these broken pieces...these seemingly worthless pieces of clearance pottery are the very basis of the work that I do.  I take things that you would call trash and transform them into beautiful pieces of art.  These things are needful to me.  I cannot do what I need to do without them.  So you see, the things that you merely see as broken, I see as priceless and precious."  

You know, the whole of Scripture is brimming with people that the world viewed as broken and worthless, but God viewed as priceless and precious.  He chose Matthew - a lying, cheating tax collector.  He chose Jeremiah - a teenager with a self-esteem issue.  He chose Isaiah - a man who confessed unclean lips.  He chose Rahab - a prostitute.  He chose David - a dirty, stinky shepherd boy.  He chose Moses - a murderer.  He chose Mary - a lower class teenager.   
And then, believe it or not, He chose Belinda - a broken and dirty vessel...  

Simply because He deemed me worth the price to pay.  Jesus deemed me valuable and useful to His Kingdom.

So, the next time you look into the mirror and want to cry, because what you see is not perfect, and what you feel is anything but - say a prayer of thanksgiving. realizing that God uses the broken things...and people...to bring about His purposes and show His glory to the world around them.  You are priceless and precious to Him, my friend.  Priceless and precious. 
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.    II Cor. 5:21

Thank You, Jesus, for deeming me priceless and precious and worth Your suffering.  Thank You that You made me valuable.  Thank You that You made me Yours. Amen. 

Tearing Down is Mindless, but Building Up Takes Work

A few years ago, I had the glorious "opportunity" to tear my house apart...literally!  We had some issues with our flooring that necessitated ripping out the entire downstairs area, right down to the studs.  Nail by nail, board by board, we ripped and sawed, tore and removed, ached and hurt all over.  But with the help of some wonderful friends, we finally accomplished our task and got the house put back together.   

I actually ENJOYED demolition.  Yes, it was a lot of work, but it was also mindless.  I could go in, grab a hammer and start hacking away at the flooring, not bothering to think about the damage that was being done.  Nails could be bent.  Boards could be broken, and all the while, I could think about something totally different.  Yes, it was tiring and incredibly exhausting, but euphorically mindless.
  
However, when we started putting the house back together, my endless thoughts and mental wanderings were no longer a luxury I could afford.  Mindlessness became dangerous.  Boards had to be cut with precision.  Each nail had its place.  Every angle had to fit perfectly with it's counterpart.  Mindlessness would have meant ruin...or at least a really rough-looking downstairs area.  

To me, rebuilding was so much harder.  The physically demanding labor wasn't as difficult as in demolition, but there was definitely more mental work that had to take place...at least on my part. 


So, when I read Proverbs 14:1 which says, "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands," I had a new perspective on what it meant.   

Tearing down is mindless.  Building up is work. 

In my mind, the foolish woman rushes in, and in her anger, responds to her children and her husband with no thought of the consequences.  She berates them and disrespects them.  She treats them like they are no more than mere inconveniences in her day. 

The foolish woman chooses to complain and gripe when things don't go her way.  She gets irritated and SAYS SO when the things that she has planned are interrupted. 

The foolish woman chooses to pick up her cell phone or play games on her computer, rather than attending to the needs of her family, not ever realizing that her children and her husband are drifting further and further away...   

...for tearing down is mindless.  Building up takes work. 

The wise woman, on the other hand, responds to her building anger with patience.  She holds her tongue, when she has the overwhelming desire to fight back or argue.  Her answers are gentle and do not provoke.  Her encouraging words to her kids and husband are frequent and aptly spoken. 

The wise woman chooses NOT to complain and gripe, but chooses to think of ways to fix problems and help others learn how to fix them, as well.  She makes an effort to keep from degrading her husband and children with her hurtful words.  She chooses thankfulness and gratitude, when what she feels is grumpiness and irritability.  

The wise woman chooses to limit her phone and computer usage.  She chooses to NOT use it as an escape from the reality of her house that needs cleaning or her kids that need dinner.  Phone time and computer time become a privilege, instead of a priority...

...for tearing down is mindless.  Building up takes work.  

I would LOVE to say that I always exhibit the wise woman in my relationships with my kids and my husband.  I would LOVE to say that I never get frustrated with my family and the things in my house!  I would LOVE to say that I have never used my computer as an escape from a dirty kitchen.  I would LOVE to say that I have always built my home, instead of tearing it down, but I can't.  

But what I can say, is that with God's grace and mercy and ever-presentness in my life, I am choosing to rest in His ability to make me that wise woman.  I am choosing to see that too often I get lulled into the ordinary and don't realize the damage - the tearing down - I'm doing to my home and my family.  With His leading, I am choosing to NOT to become too familiar with my kids and husband and forget what incredible gifts they are.  With God's help, I am choosing to NOT forget the responsibilities I have been given to love them actively. 

Maybe you can relate.  Maybe just today you find yourself tearing down instead of building up.  Can I just tell you  - there is hope.  This vicious cycle does not have to consume your life.  You CAN be the wise woman.  You CAN cement your relationship with your kids and your husband back together.  You CAN choose to build up, rather than tear down.  

How?  Well, first and foremost, you go to God and ask Him for forgiveness.  Confess to Him your inability to do this on your own.  Ask Him to help you control your tongue and be patient with your words.  Ask Him to guard your mouth and your time...to put a door over your lips and your cell phone case.  

Secondly, you make it right with your family, if need be.  Apologize for the hurtful words and the lack of loving attention you have given.  Ask your kids - and your husband - to pray for you.  Yes, I said ask your kids to pray for you!  You'd be surprised how this works!  

And then thirdly, don't be lazy.  Don't just "allow" life to happen.  Don't be content to be mindless, but be intentional about what you do and say.  Be a builder...for tearing down is mindless, but building up takes work.

Dearest Jesus, help me with this today.  I want to be wise.  I want to build, Jesus.  I want to build.  Thank You that You want me to build, as well.  I love You, Jesus. 

His Glorious Affection

"Affection" 

That's one of the words my husband used to describe the feeling when John met Jesus in Revelation 1:12-17.  I didn't get it at first.  I just couldn't see how John falling on his face as dead created any kind of affection.  HOWEVER, the more I thought about the exchange, the more my own affection for Jesus began to blossom and grow. 

You really need to read it.  The description of the glorified Christ is extremely detailed, and Scripture says that when John beheld Jesus in that manner, he literally "fell at His feet as dead." 

I found this very intriguing.  You see, John knew Jesus...I mean, really KNEW Jesus.  He had walked with Him down miles of dirty, dusty roads.  He had seen Him sweaty and probably stinky (yes, Jesus was human).  John had seen Jesus coated in dust from head to toe and had even seen Him transfigured in His glorified state.  

Yet, the Jesus he sees here in Revelation is not like anyone he'd ever seen before.  For in this moment, John sees Jesus as HIS GOD, and John's response tells it all.  Scripture says that the image of Jesus shocked John so badly that he "fell at His feet as dead" (v.17). 

Now...the meeting between the two could have ended just like that - with John on his face and with Jesus then immediately beginning to say, "I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.  And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.  Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this" (Rev. 18,19).  I would have been fine with that.  Yep, that is the GOD I serve. 

Yet, Jesus was not fine with that.  He didn't want John to see Him just as the powerful, amazing, could-squash-you-like-a-bug God.  He wanted John to see Him as SOOO much more. 

So, in the latter part of vs. 17, John says that "He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid...."

"Do not be afraid...."

I have a question for you.  As parents, what do we do when our children have a bad dream?  How do we comfort them?  We immediately rush to their sides and assure them.  We take them in our arms and hold them close, saying, "It's okay.  You don't have to be afraid.  I am here." 

That's exactly what Jesus did with John.  Instead of gloating in the fact that this tiny, insignificant human responded appropriately to His presence, Jesus came to John.  Reaching down, He touched Him with His right hand and said, "It's okay.  I'm here.  There's nothing to be afraid of" (paraphrase, mine). 

How beautiful is that!?!  The God of the universe - deserving of all the honor and glory - reaches down and comforts His child as a perfect Father/Friend would.  You know, He doesn't desire our "fear" in the "big-scary-monster" way.  He desires for us to see Him as He is - God...Father...Friend. 

"Affection." 

I get it now...and it makes me love Him all the more. 

Thank You, Jesus, for making Yourself known.  Thank You for reaching out to me through Your Word and Your world.  Thank You for desiring a relationship with me...me...of all people.  I love You, Lord.  I really do. 

God's Revelation to John...and Me

I've never been much of a history buff.  Well, at least not until I got older and started homeschooling my children.  Now, I can't seem to get enough.  The "How's and Why's" of time are fascinating to me, along with the "Who's and What's."

So, it's no wonder when we started studying the book of Revelation a few Sundays ago, my interest in the history behind the book was piqued.  I've been fascinated by what I have found about the man John the Apostle and the seemingly hopeless situation he was in.

You see, the Roman Emperor Domitian  - who believed he was god and demanded to be worshiped in that manner - hated the Christians.  Because of this, it wasn't a surprise that when he caught wind of John the Apostle and his teachings of Christ, he had the old man forcibly taken out of his home and dragged to Rome to undergo trial.  The Apostle was convicted of not bowing before Domitian and ordered to be put into a vat of boiling oil.

"Wait a minute," you might say, "I thought John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his punishment?"  To which I would say, "Yes, he was."  "So how was he banished if he died in a vat of boiling oil?" you reply.  To which I would say with a grin on my face, "Because he didn't die in the vat of oil.  He walked out of it unharmed."  

Now, this event is not recorded in Scripture, but it is recorded by other historians as fact.  One of these historians, Tertullian, was known for his accuracy in recording historical events, so the miracle that happened in the life of John that day, is in fact, accurate history.

So how could a ruler, who wished to silence the Christian voice of John the Apostle, do so, if he couldn't kill him?  The answer was simple.  He would send John away from everything and everyone so that his testimony could be contained, and what better place for containment than an island!

Sounds like an evil plan, doesn't it?  Yes, but what Satan and men mean for evil, God means for good (Gen. 50:20).  He takes those things that threaten our very lives...the things that send us reeling emotionally...the things that isolate us from those we love...the things that seem utterly hopeless and then He uses them to accomplish His purposes in us.  Do we see it at the time?  Unfortunately, most of the time we don't.  We tend to get bogged down in our lives, moment by moment and don't see the big picture.  And yet, God takes those moment by moment circumstances and blends them together beautifully, creating a tapestry far more intriguing and wonderful than anything we could ever expect.

How do I know?  Well, Scripture cites Truth after Truth of this happening, and Revelation is just one example.  For instance, was it a good thing that John was taken from his home, put in a vat of boiling oil, and then exiled to an island?  If you were here with me right now, you would hear me emphatically say, with both eyebrows raised, "YES!"

Sounds strange, doesn't it?  But in John's "supposed" darkest hour, God revealed Himself the most!  Let me repeat that...in John's "supposed" darkest hour, God revealed Himself the most!

Domitian's evil plan didn't stop John from spreading the Word of God.  It didn't silence his voice.  Instead, it created the avenue for the Word - the final chapter of the life of the Believer and the non-believer - to be birthed into existence.  Domitian created the avenue for Christians in John's day, as well as Believers today, to have hope in the coming of Jesus.  In other words, he shot himself in the foot...or cut off his nose despite his face...however you want to put it!  What Domitian intended for evil, God used for good...much good!
  
So if you find yourself today, persecuted and uncomfortable...if you find yourself being bullied and badgered for being a Believer...if you find yourself today isolated and alone because of your belief in Christ, suffering at the hands of non-believers...Remember.  Sometimes God reveals Himself the most in the "supposed" darkest hours.

Dearest Jesus, thank You for being my God...for speaking the most, revealing Yourself the most to me, during the "supposed" darkest times.  You are awesome.  You truly are.  
 

There's a Time for Everything...Even Grief

In the beginning, his name was Rocket.  But as he grew into a 120 lb. blue tick hound/lab mix, we realized that the name "Rocket" just wasn't gonna work.  So, he became Rocky - our big, lug of a pet.  

He was a true friend.  He listened well and always agreed with me.  : )   He never retaliated if I snapped at him for almost taking my hand off while giving him a snack.  All the kids lay on him at one time or another, and he just let it happen.  He loved nothing more than to be with us...to be near us...to love on us.   

He was a good dog.  No.  He was a great dog...loved by all who knew him.  He scared those that needed to be scared and won-over those that could see past his huge size and deep, resounding bark.

The UPS people loved him.

My neighbors loved him.

My family loved him.

He was our Rocky.  He was our friend.   

So, today, I sit here on the patio, with tears brimming at the corners of my eyes wishing Rocky was in his normal spot at my feet.  But he's not here.  We had to say "goodbye" to him a couple of days ago, after 11 years.  

"Belinda," you say, "you are normally so cheerful and carefree when you write.  What is this?  You are making me sad.  Stop it!"  I wish I could.  It would be so much easier to brush off my heaviness and pretend that I'm not sad...but it's not time to do that yet.  Right now, it is time to grieve.

AND THAT'S OKAY.

Losing someone or something that you love is never fun.  As a matter of fact, death seems to zap all the fun right out of everything...at least for a little while.   
 
Yes, it would be easier to pretend the sorrow didn't exist.  I know some people do that.  They choose to clench their jaws, tighten their "boot-straps" and go on...somehow thinking that tears are a sign of weakness.      

But can I tell you, God doesn't see grief that way.  He doesn't see it as something to push aside.  As a matter of fact, God tells us in Ecclesiastes 3, to expect it to happen:  "To everything there is a season a time for every purpose under heaven:  A time to be born and a time to die;  A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;  A time to kill, and a time to heal;  A time to break down, and time to build up;  A time to weep and a time to laugh;  A time to mourn, and a time to dance; (v. 1-4). 

God doesn't expect us to drop our grief like a burdensome trinket and then move forward.   No, He has appointed a "time" for grief.  How thankful I am for that today.  How thankful I am that in His Word, God doesn't shy away from the hard stuff.  He doesn't glance away when we get upset, pretending that everything will be okay.  He doesn't tell us to jump up from our position of mourning and pretend that nothing really hurts us.  Instead, He gets right in there with us, walking us through the trenches of sorrow and pain, healing our hearts with His gentle reminders of hope:  A time to weep, and a time to laugh;  A time to mourn and a time to dance.

If you are in the first part of that verse...the mourning part...please remember, you won't be there forever.  Allow yourself some "time" to mourn.  Allow yourself some "time" to heal.  Allow yourself some "time" to weep.  It's okay.  The laughter will come, my friend, as you allow God to heal your broken heart through your tears. And the dancing will come, as well...although some of us might want to opt-out of allowing this one to happen in public!


See, I'm not teary anymore, and I actually have a slight smile lifting the corners of my lips.  I guess it was just time for a good chuckle. 

Thank You, Jesus, that through You, I have hope...even in death.  I have joy in memories and await the day when You will make all things right.  I love You, Lord. 

A Lesson From the Movie Frozen...Well, Sort Of!

The lyrics read like this: 
"Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don’t care what they’re going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway."

If you have a daughter - or son for that matter - somewhere between the ages of two and twenty, you have probably heard them sing these words at least four or five times in the last several months.  I've even found myself singing them throughout the house...at least the "Let it go" part.  By the time I get that out, my kids have run screaming into the other room, with their hands clasped tightly covering their ears. 

The lyrics came from a movie called Frozen, and while the song has a catchy tune, with lifting lyrics and rhythms, I can't say that I agree with the song's intentions.   Basically, the character singing the tune is spouting her new-found "freedom" by "blowing off" everyone that she ever knew and loved.

However, the first few words have become meaningful to me, but that's about it.  So, I've decided to keep the tune and inject my own lyrics.  See what you think:

Let it go!  Let it go!
Can't hold on to it anymore. 
Let it Go!  Let it go!
Turn it loose and see what God has in store.
I can't win, if I try to hold on.
Take it out of my hands.
You've got control of this anyway.

Okay, so maybe it won't be a Top 40 on the radio, but I think you get my point. 

My mom told me a while back that I just needed to let it go, and let God handle it.  Of course, she was right, but harder said than done.  I wanted to handle the problem.  I wanted to control the situation, so that God could be glorified.  Great motives, huh?

I finally came to the realization - or actually the Holy Spirit reminded me - that God doesn't need me to control a situation so He can be glorified.  He needs me to get out of the way, so He can glorify HIMSELF!

Duh. 

So, when you feel out of control...guess what?  Let it go.  Give it over to Him.  Tell God what the situation is - He knows it anyway.  Go ahead and tell Him what you would like to see happen in the situation, and then sit back and watch as He works out what He has planned.  Now, sometimes that plan involves what you want to see happen, and sometimes it doesn't.  Either way, if you and I are OUT of the way, allowing Him to work...He can get His glory, His way!   

Let it go, my friend.  Let it go - not in the Frozen-sense of the word...but in the Jesus-sense of the WORD. 

Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted among the earth (Ps. 46:10).

And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? (Luke 12:25-26).

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done (Phil. 4:6).

Thank You, Jesus, that You have all things under Your control, even when I think life it cascading OUT of control.  Thank You that I don't have to deal with it on my own...that You never expected me to.  You merely ask me to trust that You have it all, right where You need it to be.  I praise You, Jesus and look forward to seeing what You will do.  I trust You.  I really do.   

Mother's Day - Not Just a Day to Remember Mothers

I awoke to smells of bacon, clanging sounds coming from the kitchen, and the scent of coffee wafting through the air.  Boy, Mother's Day sure is wonderful! 

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, anxiously awaiting the wonderful breakfast I knew had been prepared.  My nose led to me to the kitchen where I saw oranges, bananas, apples, and grapes sliced and arranged in a chef-like manner on a glass plate.  I saw the purple sunshades and straw hat that my little one had purchased for me, so that I didn't burn my noggin while out in my garden.  I saw the large Twizzler my other child had purchased for my intense sweet tooth and a beautiful little plaque, written out by my daughter in purple marker, thanking me for being her mom. 

What a day!  

I gobbled up breakfast, and as I headed back into my room to get ready for church, something on the dining room table caught my attention.  It was a myriad of pictures; pictures of my kids at various ages, all spread across one side of the table with a big "Happy Mother's Day!" written on a piece of purple tissue paper, slap dab in the center of the collage.  

As I stood there, admiring the beauty of the presentation, my thoughts went back in time.  I remembered the doctor telling me that I might consider "other options," because I might never have children.  I remembered the little ones that I had, but never held.  I remembered the heartbeats on the monitors and the hospital gowns and how awful I looked after delivery.  I remembered the pudgy hands and feet of my kids, and how huge the thighs were of one of them!  I remembered their first smiles...their great laughs...and then I thought about how big they are now - playing football and getting permits to drive.  

I remembered how much God had done in my life and in the lives of the little faces splattered across those pictures.  I remembered...

...And I was so thankful.  

I stood there, gazing intently over each picture and the one thought that pervaded my mind was, "You have been so good to me, Lord...so good."  

II Tim. 2:13 says, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful,

for He cannot disown Himself." 

 

Those pictures were a reminder of His faithfulness to me.  A collage of His proven care and provision in my life.  They weren't just about His decision to give me children and provide the things that I needed for them, but reminders of the times that He was so very faithful, when I was so faithless.  

 

Maybe you don't have pictures of kids to strew across your dining room table.  Maybe you desired nothing more than to hold a little one in  your own arms, and dread fills your Mother's Days or even Father's Days, for that matter.  Can I encourage you to do something? 

 

Find other pictures. 

 

God's faithfulness spans across our entire lives, weaving in and out of our joys and sorrows...our wants fulfilled and desires never met.  The Truth is, He has been faithful to you, my friend.  Even if it looks just the opposite. Even if everything in your life right now is a bundle of turmoil.  He has been faithful and is being faithful at this very moment...He really is - for even if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 

 

You know, I think rather than picking up the pictures and putting them away, I might leave them scattered on the table for a little while longer.  Maybe that will help ME remember His continued faithfulness to me, when I can see it clearly...and even when I can't. 

Thanks God...for the gentle reminder that You have been good and faithful, even when I have been not-so-good and faithless.  Thank You that the way I feel has very little to do with Who You are...that You never change and that You have said You will never leave me or forsake me.  Thank You for being My God.  I love You. 

Will the Real King of the Jungle Please Rise

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!   They were everywhere...well, not exactly everywhere.  They were all nicely tucked away in their enclosures. 

The North Carolina Zoological Park is a great place to visit, if you have never been.  Our trip last week as a family was the first of many, I am sure, for our seven year old.  He has a deep love and respect for animals, and that trip just fueled his fire even more.  It was so cool to watch him as he caught glance after glance of the creatures he'd only seen in books, up until this point.  His little eyes would light up and "Whoa" was a common phrase out of his mouth.   On his top ten list of animals to see on our trip was the lion, and when we got to the King of the Beast's enclosure, let's just say it was a little less than climactic. 

I guess I expected to see the great animal sauntering around, showing off his mane and exhibiting his authority over all those in his presence.  But what we saw was a big, lazy kitty cat, who didn't even lift his head off the warm ground to say "hi" to those who whooped and called at him, trying to get his attention.   If there hadn't been a protective barrier in between us, I might have tried to sneak up and lie down beside the great beast, cuddling up to his warm body.  It sure looked as though that would NOT have been a problem. 

However, I know from my vast experience with lions (in books and on TV), that it would have been a disaster.  This was no ordinary beast.  This was a lion...the King of the Jungle...and he could lay around however and whenever he desired.  And if you know what's good for you, you won't disturb his kingly sleep.  If you do, he will not be happy, to say the least! 

So, it's no wonder that I have "lion on the brain" today. 

That's why while searching the Scriptures for God to tell me something to jot down, I thought it was very interesting that He led me to the Topical Index in my Bible to look up the word "lion."  And yes, I found something VERY interesting;  something I haven't noticed before. 

In I Peter 5:8, Scripture tells us to "be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  But as I looked a little further, I noticed that in Revelation 5:5, Jesus was also described by the term Lion:  "...do not weep.  Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." 

Now, I found that interesting...that both Jesus and the Devil would be compared to the King of the Beasts.  It was actually quite unsettling for me, and I just couldn't let it go. 

That's when I saw it. 

Look back at I Pet. 5:8.  Read it again. 

It doesn't say that the devil IS a lion.  It simply says that he prowls about LIKE a lion. 

Contrast that statement with Rev. 5:5, and you will see that Jesus, on the other hand, IS the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 

Okay, so what's the big deal?!?  Glad you asked, because I am thrilled to tell you!  Satan, as he has from the very beginning of time, merely PRETENDS to be THE lion.  He tries to push us into the proverbial corner and flaunt his power at us, shaking his mane and roaring to the top of his lungs to scare us into submission.  His tactics are powerful and scary, but he IS NO LION. 

Jesus, on the other hand, IS!  He is the REAL King.  He is the REAL Lion.  He is the One Who really has the power.   And when we are with Him, we need not fear the cheap imitation who prowls around, shaking his pitiful little mane and flaunting his big teeth.  We need only to climb inside the enclosure and rest beside the One Who with just a glance, can cause the imposter to cower and flee from the presence of the real King and the little one He calls His own     

I praise You, Jesus.  You are the Almighty, Powerful, Lion of Judah.  I praise You for Your power and Your Presence in my life.  You are King, and I am Yours.  I Praise You! 

He is With Us...and He is Our God

The text read:  "Be kefir (careful) in the storm."

"What storm?" I thought and re-focused my attention to my coupon book.  A few minutes later, while unloading my groceries into the car, I got another text.  This one said, "Serious storm headed toward Alex."  Another text immediately followed.  It was a picture this time of a TV screen covered in reds and greens - a weather radar shot. 

Now, THAT got my attention. 

You see, our son was participating in a Disciple Now weekend at a church in Wendell, directly in the path of an on-coming tornado. 

My heart began to beat a little faster.  My mind started racing:  Where is he now?  Is he safe?  Is he scared?  Where is the tornado?  Is it on the ground?

All the sudden, I stopped thinking and began praying.  "God protect him.  Cover him, the building he's in, the people he's with, with your protection."  All the sudden, the crazy, bullet-speed type thoughts ceased and peace came.  I no longer was worried about his safety.  I knew whatever happened, God was in control, and it would be okay, even if it wasn't okay.

I put the car in drive and began heading home.  It wasn't until I got home and started thinking about how horrified all those kids must be that the thoughts returned.  My mind was flooded with how my own child must feel, being there without us...with people he didn't really know...in an unfamiliar place. 

I wanted to be there with him.  I wanted to tell him that God "had this."  Most of all, I wanted him home and safe with me, and I wanted it NOW.  Flurries of anxiety filled my head and again, I found myself praying.  Except this time, it began with an apology to the Father.  Because somewhere in my rant and rave, the Spirit spoke into my heart:  "So you can trust Me with your child's safety, but you can't trust me to handle his emotional state?" 

God was right - as usual : )  

I don't have a hard time trusting Him with the Big stuff...the stuff I know that I have no control over, but I have an incredibly hard time trusting Him with the little stuff - the stuff that I think I can do something about - the things I think I can control if I have the chance. 

And yet, regardless of the "bigness" or the "smallness" of it, fear is fear - sin - a lack of trust in the Father.  Period. 

Is. 41:10 says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

I love this verse.  In it, God commands us not to fear.  "Why?" you might ask.  "Why should we not be afraid of the tornadoes and the bad weather and the emotional upheaval they cause?"  Simply put - for He is with us.  "Why should we not freak out and allow those crazy, random thoughts to fill our minds, causing stress and inhibiting rational thinking?"  Again, simply put - He is our God.  

God doesn't tell us not to fear, because it's really not as bad as we think it is.  He doesn't try to gloss over the emotional upheaval and say that tornadoes are just little gusts of wind.  He doesn't pretend that we have nothing to be afraid of as humans.  Instead, He focuses our attention away from the things that cause us fear and re-focuses our attention onto Himself.  He is with us.  He is our God, and He is big enough to handle anything that is thrown OUR way.  

He's letting us know that He is still in control, when everything makes us think otherwise.  He is reminding us that nothing can touch us that hasn't been filtered through His hand first.  He assuring us that He's "got this," that He hasn't left us alone...and never will.  

Do yourself a favor.  Memorize this verse.  Place it in your spiritual arsenal to hurl against those fearful emotions, when they seem to be enveloping you.  

Remember.  God is your God, my friend, if you are in Christ - and He is WITH us.  


Dear Father, thank You that you are my God...that You have never once thought about leaving Your child, and You never will.  Thank You that You are always there and that You don't PRETEND that everything will be alright - You MAKE everything alright.  You truly are my God.  I love You, and I trust in You. 

Life's a Little Like a Lawn Mower Sometimes

Spring is upon us.  Okay, so there is actually a Winter Storm Warning that has crept back into the forecast for today, but the daffodils are blooming and the Bradford Pear trees are beginning to bud.  Along with these signs of spring, come thoughts of gardens producing (or not!), flowers blooming in bright, beautiful colors and patterns in our lawns, and grass...and oh, the grass.  Grass that needs to be cut and lawnmowers that spend more time in the shop than they do on our lawns.  Are you with me?    

Speaking of lawn mowers...

Have you ever thought about the fact that a lawnmower is just a big, hunk of useless metal that takes up space in your back yard, unless it has something to power it?  Intrinsically, it has no power on its own.  You can try to coax it to cut your grass.  You can even slip it a twenty, but it won't budge unless it has something filling the tank.  
   
It's THEN the mower becomes useful.  The engine can be turned over and behold - this big hunk of metal begins to do it's job.  Within a matter of minutes or hours, the mower accomplishes the purpose for which it was created - to cut the grass.

Let's pretend for a moment.  Let's just say that I had company coming over in less than an hour and realize the grass has not been cut.  I hurry outside, grab the lawnmower, pull the cord, the engine roars, and I go on my merry way.  All of the sudden, my mower spits and sputters and the engine quits...reminding me that I forgot to fill the tank with gas.  I go to get the gas can and alas, no more gas and no more time to go get some.  

Being the mechanically brilliant person that I am, I decide that if I add a little oil and water to the gas tank, that should get the engine working enough to finish the yard.  All of you who know anything about motors are shaking your heads in shame right now.  You know that if I add anything else to the tank besides gasoline, I've got real problems.  The engine won't start, and my guests will arrive, unable to see the driveway because of the forest of grass that blocks the view.     

Translate that into our spiritual life.  

II Corinthians says, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." 

Like it or not, we are the earthen vessels II Corinthians talks about.  We are plain, useless, and powerless.  The "treasure" that we hold within us has nothing to do with us.  It is not our abilities or our talents or our even gifts we desire to give to the Lord.  The "treasure" is the Spirit, Himself.  The "treasure" is the power that works within us to show God to the world...that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.  

Unfortunately, I sometimes have issues with this.  You see, I want to be the power behind the treasure.  I want to "help" God fulfill His plans for me.  I want to "add" something to my tank.  

For example, rather than pray about what I need to do in certain situations, I have a tendency to go ahead and try to fix the problem in my own power.  Rather than sitting and listening to Him tell me what I need to be involved in, I'd rather just jump in with both feet and feel important in my service.   Rather than waiting for an answer to a question I have, I'll push forward, hoping things will work out for the best.  

I will live in, and by my own power, trust my human abilities to fulfill God's purpose and plan for my life...while the whole time adding water and oil to my GAS tank.  My intentions are good, but my energy is soon drained, and I am once again, left feeling very empty.   I was never intended to fulfill God's plan for me.  That's His job.  
 
God said that the excellency of the power was to look like Him, not like us.  So when we try to "help" God, the things we do and accomplish look more like us, than like Him.   
So my advice to you and to me today?  Be the thing you were created to be - a vessel - a clean, empty, useable vessel.  And allow Him to be the power that lives within, does the work, and ultimately gets the glory for the excellence of His power at work in your life. 

Lord, let me be just a vessel today and when I try to take glory for the power that is at work w/in me, forgive and remind and rebuke, if necessary.  Thank You for the power that lies within! 

The Mirror of the Word

I have food on my face all the time...at least it seems like it.   My husband and children are always pointing at the corners of my mouth and grinning that "you've done it again," grin.   I have just about decided that I need to keep a mirror with me at all times and glance at it every time I eat, just to check and make sure no straggling crumbs have found their way to the outside corners of my mouth.  Pretty good, idea, huh? 

Well, what if one day I decided to do that very thing.  I went out and purchased a little, inconspicuous, hand-held mirror and the next time we sat down to a meal, I put it in my lap.  All throughout the course of the meal, I glanced downward, not seeing much of anything.  However, during the last few moments at the table, I looked down and noticed there was some pizza sauce that had somehow made its way to my nose and was slowly dripping down my cheek.  

Now, wouldn't it be ridiculous for me to see the mess and then totally ignore it?  Wouldn't it seem rather odd to you that I chose to NOT use the mirror for its intended purpose...to leave my napkin sitting idly by my plate?  Wouldn't you think there was something wrong with me for acting as if the sauce really wasn't there?  I can guarantee that if I did, it wouldn't be too long before the snickers and the pointing would commence. 

Yet, I do that all the time...in a spiritual sense.  

James 1:22-25 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the Perfect Law of Liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." 

In this passage, James is telling us that the Word - the Perfect Law of Liberty - is our Mirror.  We are to look in It and examine ourselves to see what we need to do and don't need to do...to see how much sauce we REALLY do have on our faces, so we can take our napkin and clean it off, instead of walking around like that the rest of the day with people pointing and snickering!  

"What does this not-so-godly sauce look like," you might ask.  Well, it looks like that little white-lie told yesterday to make someone feel better.  It looks like that harbored anger against someone who has "done us wrong."  It looks like the jealously exhibited towards a co-worker who got the promotion we wanted.  It looks like utilizing too much time on the computer, so the family suffers.  It looks like all of those things that hinder our walk with Christ - and so much more.  

Sometimes, I even wonder if when we look in to the Mirror of God's Word, we see a whole pizza on our faces, instead of just the sauce.  

I don't want to go around with food on my face.  There's something wrong with that.  But there's also something wrong with looking into the Word and seeing something out of place in my life...something that ought not be...and then getting up out of my chair and pretending that I never saw my sin at all.  
Let's not do that today.  Let's carve out time in our day to spend in the Word, so that God can show us the proverbial "sauce" on our faces.  Let's allow Him to remove it, instead of pretending that it don't exist.  Let's be doers of the Word and not just hearers, only.  

Deal?  Deal. 

Thanks God for giving me Your Word and the conviction of Your Spirit, so that I can be holy before You.  My I use it as the Mirror it was intended to be, and may I then respond accordingly to what It shows me.  Thank Your for Your patience and for Your gentle rebukes.  I love You.  I really do.