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.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Saturday, July 12, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, July 7, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, June 23, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, June 2, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, May 26, 2014
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.
"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.
Monday, May 12, 2014
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."
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.
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.
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.
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