Have you ever been alone? I mean, truly alone with no physical person to share your grief...no companions, no buddies, no family pets to lick your hand and bring you comfort. I'm sure many of us have felt, even as Believers, that we were alone at some point in our lives. Maybe some of us even feel deserted - forsaken - right now. Well, then, you're in good company.
Jesus, Himself, was deserted. Jesus, Himself, was betrayed and left alone by His friends...His pals...His buddies. They walked together with Him for three years. He had shared His very life with them - His plans, His heart, His feelings. He had been completely open and honest with them about everything. His friendship held nothing back, and they loved Him for it. They truly, loved Him, all but one. They followed Him, hanging on His every Word. They had met LOVE in human flesh, and they never wanted to leave His side. They declared they would even die with Him, just to be with Him.
Until that night...that night in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was forsaken by His beloved disciples. That night, He was "deserted" by them. See for yourself - Mark 14:50 says, "they all forsook Him and fled." I know it sure would make me feel better if the Word had said, "All but one or two forsook Him and fled."
I think that's one of the saddest verses in the Bible. His buddies...all of them...for whatever reason, forsook Him and fled. They abandoned their friend in His time of need. They could have traveled with Him and witnessed for Him, but instead, in their fear, they chose to reject Him...to leave Him entirely...to reject their Messiah.
In a real physical sense, Jesus was alone, really alone. In the Garden that night, surrounded by countless enemies, Christ had no one. There was no one there to comfort Him, no one to wipe the blood from His eyes, no one to put their arm around Him and tell Him everything would be alright. In His divinity, He knew He was not alone...but in His humanity...He was completely alone.
That's so sad to me...
Yet, because of His aloneness - in the Garden and on the Cross - we will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER truly be alone. Hebrews 13:5 says, "...for He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
So, even if I FEEL alone, praise Jesus, I AM NOT. I can't be. He promised me that. Friends may betray me. Family may turn on me. Enemies may seem to have isolated me completely from those I love, but I am not and will never be alone.
Hmmm...that's not so sad after all.
Thank You, Jesus, that I am never alone...never.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
He Just Can't Help Himself
This morning, I awoke with an increasing awareness of my "to do" list waving back and forth in my mind like a red flag. I tried to be patient. I tried to relax my shoulders and lessen my stress level, but that seemed to only accentuate the fact that I had cut off my alarm and gone back to sleep.
I had so many things to do...so many things I wanted to get done and needed to get done. The tension increased as I dressed for the day, and I found myself getting a little on the irritable side! I knew I was in trouble then...and possibly every one else in the house, too!
Then I heard "that whisper" in my Spirit, almost as loud as if it were audible. That same, familiar, small Voice that calls to me ever so quietly in the morning, called again today:
"Come, sit with Me a while."
I argued: "But I have so many things to do. You know that...right? I slept late, Lord. Now my day is all out of whack. I've just got to get some things done before the kids wake up."
"Come, sit with Me a while." was again the call.
In my many years as a Believer, I'd like to say that I answered that whisper of His immediately every time - that I sat, when He asked me to sit with Him. However, it seems more times than not, I completely ignore the calling to come away with Him, in order to choose to do something far less valuable.
But this morning, I made myself sit. I told Him about my day, and about how I was already out of sorts, and this is what He told me through His Word:
My Beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come. And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs and the vines with the tender grapes. Give a good smell. (I loved that imagery..."Take it in," He said, "Relax. Breathe in the smell of LIFE.") Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away! O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely" (Song of Solomon 2:10-14).
Isn't that cool? I listened and obeyed as He called me to come sit with Him, and THAT'S what He said to me. He didn't chastise me for not coming sooner. He didn't speak words of discipline, because I had gotten stressed. He didn't make me feel guilty for turning off my alarm clock. Instead, He simply told me I was beautiful to Him - that He was calling me, because He wanted to sit with me. He wanted to hear my voice. He wanted to see my face, because I am lovely to Him.
I don't know about you, but that makes my heart melt and yearn for my Savior. That makes me desire to sit with Him all the more. That makes my "to do" list not seem so urgent.
Now, if you are a guy, I am sure the thought of Jesus telling you that you are lovely may not tug at your heart strings as much as it does mine, but you can't tell me that your heart is not warmed by the fact that the God Who created You, wants to "hang out." He wants to be with you. He desires for you to "Come, sit a spell."
It's a beautiful thing - that God could love us SOOO much that He wants to be with US...to listen to US...to see OUR faces.
You know, last night I spent about 2 hours upstairs, wandering back and forth, in between my kids' rooms. The two oldest had been gone for a couple of days on a youth weekend, and I found myself not just missing them, but missing their presence. A part of me was gone. Something just wasn't right without them home.
So, last night when they came in, I couldn't seem to tear myself away from the upstairs rooms. I felt quite silly, interrupting Alex's work-out sessions just to "check in" on his progress, but it had to be done! KK and I would talk and giggle back and forth about things that had happened over the weekend and on occasion, we'd hit a few serious notes.
I enjoyed myself immensely. Being with them again, filled some emptiness in my heart. I was so glad they were home. So glad, in fact, that I seriously, couldn't "leave." I tried. I tried to go back downstairs, but would inevitably find some reason to return. I knew I was doing it, but couldn't help myself.
I wanted to be with them...not to tell them to do something or get something from them...just to be with them...to talk with them...the see their faces.
So, this morning, these verses hit a new nerve in me - one that will not easily forget my Father's desire to be with His child.
And it's not just me, either.
He wants that for you, too. He wants to be with you. He wants to talk with you, as a Father to His child. He thinks you are lovely...or handsome - whichever the case may be!
Listen to His call today and come away with Him. Before the rest of the world comes crashing through your front door. - or if it already has - take a minute and go sit with Him. Meet with Him. He's waiting. He wants to be with you.
After all, He just can't help Himself.
Thank You, Father, for drawing me...for calling me to Yourself, so that I can just be with You. Thank You for relieving the stress of the day and reminding me that the most important thing I have to do on my "to do" list is to come away and sit with You for a little while. Thank you that You desire me. That You love me. That You want to see my face and hear my voice. I love You, Lord. I really do.
I had so many things to do...so many things I wanted to get done and needed to get done. The tension increased as I dressed for the day, and I found myself getting a little on the irritable side! I knew I was in trouble then...and possibly every one else in the house, too!
Then I heard "that whisper" in my Spirit, almost as loud as if it were audible. That same, familiar, small Voice that calls to me ever so quietly in the morning, called again today:
"Come, sit with Me a while."
I argued: "But I have so many things to do. You know that...right? I slept late, Lord. Now my day is all out of whack. I've just got to get some things done before the kids wake up."
"Come, sit with Me a while." was again the call.
In my many years as a Believer, I'd like to say that I answered that whisper of His immediately every time - that I sat, when He asked me to sit with Him. However, it seems more times than not, I completely ignore the calling to come away with Him, in order to choose to do something far less valuable.
But this morning, I made myself sit. I told Him about my day, and about how I was already out of sorts, and this is what He told me through His Word:
My Beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come. And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs and the vines with the tender grapes. Give a good smell. (I loved that imagery..."Take it in," He said, "Relax. Breathe in the smell of LIFE.") Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away! O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely" (Song of Solomon 2:10-14).
Isn't that cool? I listened and obeyed as He called me to come sit with Him, and THAT'S what He said to me. He didn't chastise me for not coming sooner. He didn't speak words of discipline, because I had gotten stressed. He didn't make me feel guilty for turning off my alarm clock. Instead, He simply told me I was beautiful to Him - that He was calling me, because He wanted to sit with me. He wanted to hear my voice. He wanted to see my face, because I am lovely to Him.
I don't know about you, but that makes my heart melt and yearn for my Savior. That makes me desire to sit with Him all the more. That makes my "to do" list not seem so urgent.
Now, if you are a guy, I am sure the thought of Jesus telling you that you are lovely may not tug at your heart strings as much as it does mine, but you can't tell me that your heart is not warmed by the fact that the God Who created You, wants to "hang out." He wants to be with you. He desires for you to "Come, sit a spell."
It's a beautiful thing - that God could love us SOOO much that He wants to be with US...to listen to US...to see OUR faces.
You know, last night I spent about 2 hours upstairs, wandering back and forth, in between my kids' rooms. The two oldest had been gone for a couple of days on a youth weekend, and I found myself not just missing them, but missing their presence. A part of me was gone. Something just wasn't right without them home.
So, last night when they came in, I couldn't seem to tear myself away from the upstairs rooms. I felt quite silly, interrupting Alex's work-out sessions just to "check in" on his progress, but it had to be done! KK and I would talk and giggle back and forth about things that had happened over the weekend and on occasion, we'd hit a few serious notes.
I enjoyed myself immensely. Being with them again, filled some emptiness in my heart. I was so glad they were home. So glad, in fact, that I seriously, couldn't "leave." I tried. I tried to go back downstairs, but would inevitably find some reason to return. I knew I was doing it, but couldn't help myself.
I wanted to be with them...not to tell them to do something or get something from them...just to be with them...to talk with them...the see their faces.
So, this morning, these verses hit a new nerve in me - one that will not easily forget my Father's desire to be with His child.
And it's not just me, either.
He wants that for you, too. He wants to be with you. He wants to talk with you, as a Father to His child. He thinks you are lovely...or handsome - whichever the case may be!
Listen to His call today and come away with Him. Before the rest of the world comes crashing through your front door. - or if it already has - take a minute and go sit with Him. Meet with Him. He's waiting. He wants to be with you.
After all, He just can't help Himself.
Thank You, Father, for drawing me...for calling me to Yourself, so that I can just be with You. Thank You for relieving the stress of the day and reminding me that the most important thing I have to do on my "to do" list is to come away and sit with You for a little while. Thank you that You desire me. That You love me. That You want to see my face and hear my voice. I love You, Lord. I really do.
Monday, February 18, 2013
THAT THING
Chocolate...who would have ever thought something sooo downright delectable could be almost devilish at times. I'm not referring to Devil's Food Cake, either. I'm referring to what chocolate does to me...scratch that. I'm referring to what I allow chocolate to do to me!
You see sometimes, when I'm really frustrated and upset, chocolate becomes my comfort.
Now, in defense of my little, dark friend, I have read reports that say chocolate is good for you and that we should all have a little bit every day, but I'm not talking about just a "little chocolate." I'm talking about chocolate consumption on a much grander scale.
I never intend to overindulge. It just happens. Some situation, some struggle, some stress comes into my life, and without thinking, I head to my favorite stash of chocolate chips in the cupboard. Of course, you can't just eat chocolate chips by themselves. That wouldn't be healthy! So, I add in a spoonful of peanut butter to the mix for added protein! But before you know it, I've had at least four spoonfuls of peanut butter, combined with several handfuls of chocolate chips, and my well laid out plans for chocolate chip muffins for breakfast the next morning, fly out the window.
I'm not saying that chocolate chips and peanut butter should be banned from the grocery shelves. They, in and of themselves, are not wrong. However, in my case, they are quite a temptation.
I realize you didn't start reading this article, just so you could read my "chocolate confession." There is a point here.
You see, when I find myself in the kitchen frantically searching for a spoon to dip into the peanut butter and spilling chocolate morsels all over the floor in my haste, I am looking for THAT THING. I am looking for THAT THING to take away the anxiety. I am looking for THAT THING to make me feel better. In essence I am looking for comfort. However, most of the time what I find instead, is a bad taste in my mouth, a regret in my mind, and a few extra bulges on my mid-section.
James 1:14,15 tells us that each one of us is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Let's look at that verse another way...each one of us is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed (I NEED chocolate. I've got to have it. I know I've indulged in the past, but this time will be different. I'll only have a handful of chips.). Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; (just one more spoonful won't hurt. Peanut butter's not bad for me anyway. The ratio is off...I need more chocolate chips to cut the gummy taste of the peanut butter...just one more.) and sin, when it is full-grown, (There, that's better. Actually, I don't feel so good after all. Have I lost my mind! Why did I do that? Why did I eat that many chocolate chips. Now I don't have enough for the muffins in the morning. I'm so stupid. I can't believe I did that again.) brings for death (What! Where did that come from! I didn't weigh that much yesterday!).
See what I mean? Temptation is a trap and a snare. When we give in to it, it never brings forth the comfort and joy that it promises. Instead it only gives us death. Sometimes that death is physical, but it's also emotional, spiritual, you name it. The by-product of giving in to temptation is death. Period.
You might be thinking this chocolate fixation of mine is silly...so silly that it can't be sin - but it is. When I overindulge in something - no matter how insignificant it might seem - I am, in a way, thinking that THAT THING will make me feel better, act better, be better...I am replacing my God with THAT THING. THAT THING is taking His place in my life.
God and God, alone, brings comfort from the craziness and replaces the stress with peace. So, instead of heading for the kitchen, I should be heading for my prayer closet and bowing myself before the best fix of all time!
Your temptation - your desire to be comforted by THAT THING - may be different than mine. It may be abusing alcohol. It may be allowing yourself to blow off steam on another, when you get angry. It may as simple as speaking negatively about another person to make yourself feel better. Whatever the case, THAT THING, when allowed to go unchecked, will bring forth death and affect others around you like you never imagined.
Sounds hopeless, doesn't it? Oh, but it's not!
When you feel yourself slipping away, desiring THAT THING, instead of desiring God - pray. Tell God that you know He is your only comfort. That He, alone, can make this situation better. Memorize I Corinthians 10:13 and repeat it back to yourself for strength: No temptation has overtaken you except such as common to man; but God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Did you get that!?! Did you really read that verse? Did you see the fact that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear - that you are strong enough to fight THAT THING with His help? Did you also see that the situation is NOT hopeless...that God will provide a way out, if we will but search for it?
That's good news, isn't it...for you and your temptations - and me and my waistline!
Dear Jesus, please help me, when I am being tempted to sin, to remember that You are my comfort....that You want to help me...that my situation is not hopeless...that I have the strength to fight...that I am not overcome by my sin, but am an overcomer because of Christ. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for helping me love You more. And as always, praise You. I praise You.
You see sometimes, when I'm really frustrated and upset, chocolate becomes my comfort.
Now, in defense of my little, dark friend, I have read reports that say chocolate is good for you and that we should all have a little bit every day, but I'm not talking about just a "little chocolate." I'm talking about chocolate consumption on a much grander scale.
I never intend to overindulge. It just happens. Some situation, some struggle, some stress comes into my life, and without thinking, I head to my favorite stash of chocolate chips in the cupboard. Of course, you can't just eat chocolate chips by themselves. That wouldn't be healthy! So, I add in a spoonful of peanut butter to the mix for added protein! But before you know it, I've had at least four spoonfuls of peanut butter, combined with several handfuls of chocolate chips, and my well laid out plans for chocolate chip muffins for breakfast the next morning, fly out the window.
I'm not saying that chocolate chips and peanut butter should be banned from the grocery shelves. They, in and of themselves, are not wrong. However, in my case, they are quite a temptation.
I realize you didn't start reading this article, just so you could read my "chocolate confession." There is a point here.
You see, when I find myself in the kitchen frantically searching for a spoon to dip into the peanut butter and spilling chocolate morsels all over the floor in my haste, I am looking for THAT THING. I am looking for THAT THING to take away the anxiety. I am looking for THAT THING to make me feel better. In essence I am looking for comfort. However, most of the time what I find instead, is a bad taste in my mouth, a regret in my mind, and a few extra bulges on my mid-section.
James 1:14,15 tells us that each one of us is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Let's look at that verse another way...each one of us is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed (I NEED chocolate. I've got to have it. I know I've indulged in the past, but this time will be different. I'll only have a handful of chips.). Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; (just one more spoonful won't hurt. Peanut butter's not bad for me anyway. The ratio is off...I need more chocolate chips to cut the gummy taste of the peanut butter...just one more.) and sin, when it is full-grown, (There, that's better. Actually, I don't feel so good after all. Have I lost my mind! Why did I do that? Why did I eat that many chocolate chips. Now I don't have enough for the muffins in the morning. I'm so stupid. I can't believe I did that again.) brings for death (What! Where did that come from! I didn't weigh that much yesterday!).
See what I mean? Temptation is a trap and a snare. When we give in to it, it never brings forth the comfort and joy that it promises. Instead it only gives us death. Sometimes that death is physical, but it's also emotional, spiritual, you name it. The by-product of giving in to temptation is death. Period.
You might be thinking this chocolate fixation of mine is silly...so silly that it can't be sin - but it is. When I overindulge in something - no matter how insignificant it might seem - I am, in a way, thinking that THAT THING will make me feel better, act better, be better...I am replacing my God with THAT THING. THAT THING is taking His place in my life.
God and God, alone, brings comfort from the craziness and replaces the stress with peace. So, instead of heading for the kitchen, I should be heading for my prayer closet and bowing myself before the best fix of all time!
Your temptation - your desire to be comforted by THAT THING - may be different than mine. It may be abusing alcohol. It may be allowing yourself to blow off steam on another, when you get angry. It may as simple as speaking negatively about another person to make yourself feel better. Whatever the case, THAT THING, when allowed to go unchecked, will bring forth death and affect others around you like you never imagined.
Sounds hopeless, doesn't it? Oh, but it's not!
When you feel yourself slipping away, desiring THAT THING, instead of desiring God - pray. Tell God that you know He is your only comfort. That He, alone, can make this situation better. Memorize I Corinthians 10:13 and repeat it back to yourself for strength: No temptation has overtaken you except such as common to man; but God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Did you get that!?! Did you really read that verse? Did you see the fact that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear - that you are strong enough to fight THAT THING with His help? Did you also see that the situation is NOT hopeless...that God will provide a way out, if we will but search for it?
That's good news, isn't it...for you and your temptations - and me and my waistline!
Dear Jesus, please help me, when I am being tempted to sin, to remember that You are my comfort....that You want to help me...that my situation is not hopeless...that I have the strength to fight...that I am not overcome by my sin, but am an overcomer because of Christ. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for helping me love You more. And as always, praise You. I praise You.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Whose Responsibility is It Anyway?
"Come to Me, all ye who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest," (Matthew 11:28).
Okay, I've got a pop quiz for you. There's only one question, so you probably need to know the answer to get a good grade in my class - aren't you glad you're not in MY class!
The question is: Who said that? Who was it that spoke those words of encouragement and conviction at the top of the page?
Yep...I knew you knew the answer. That's why I asked it to begin with! It WAS Jesus...ding, ding, ding...and aren't you glad it was Him?!
I'll bet I could say those words to you, and it wouldn't have quite the same effect. You probably would smile politely and then check my forehead for a fever. Why? Why would it be so strange for me to think that I could give you rest from your struggles?
And yet again, you have the correct answer...ding, ding, ding. I AM human. I'm not perfect. No matter how desperately I would hope to give you complete rest, I would never be able to. I might try. I might see you exhausted and stress-sticken and be so compelled by your situation that I invite you over for a cup of tea. I might ask you to make yourself at home. I might give you chocolate and make you homemade cookies. If I'm desperate enough...I might even call Dr. Phil for some wisdom and advice....NOT!
That's not to say that those things wouldn't bring SOME amount of comfort and rest. After all, who wouldn't be comforted by a chocolate chip cookie! But no matter how good the cookies are, or how warm and tasty the tea, or how comfy and sleep-inducing the couch - you won't find real comfort...real rest...with me. Even if I desperately desire it FOR you, I could never give it TO you. I wasn't meant to. It's not my RESPONSIBILITY. It's not even within my ABILITY. Comfort and rest come from only one place and only One person...Jesus Christ.
Sometimes, I forget that. I forget that people can't supply my rest and ease. It's all my husband's fault (I'm kidding, you know!). He's so wonderful to me that I go to him for everything!
(Happy Birthday, by the way, Steve!)
You see, Steve has always showered me with his affection, with his love, with everything he could possibly afford. I seriously have to be careful about saying what I want, because my husband will go out and get it for me immediately. I can't even joke about wanting a new car, without his eyes getting large and hopeful...thinking he could make my world a better place, with simply a drive into town!
For all of you who think that must be heaven - it is, but there's also a warning attached to this bottle of "heavenliness." Because of Steve's willingness to "comfort" me and provide me with rest, I put all my eggs in one proverbial basket and find myself EXPECTING that from him. I EXPECT him to provide relief on the hard days. I EXPECT him to make my life easier and less stressful. I EXPECT him to know just what to say to make me feel assured and joyful, instead of confused and bewildered.
I EXPECT him to provide my rest.
See the problem with that?
Now, don't get me wrong. God gave my husband to me, and I am unbelievably grateful and thankful. He knew Steve would be a perfect match for this little girl from Mississippi. God knew that she would need someone caring and gentle...someone who desired her to not only have the best, but be the best she could be. So, God gave me Steve as a gift - to enrich my life here on earth - to walk hand in hand with me during the good times and the bad - to be His human touch in my life. However, God never intended me to transfer HIS responsibility over to my husband. He never intended for Steve to be able to give me the rest I crave. He never intended for anyone, but Himself to provide lasting rest.
"Come to Me"...not come to Steve...not come to your neighbor...not come to your boss...not come to your job...not even come to your dog...to find rest. Christ says "Come to Me...and I will give you rest."
And in response to His command...I come.
Dear Jesus, help ME heed that call today. Help me to hear You pleading for me to come to You...to come to You and find everything that I could ever possibly need or want for this life. Thank You, Lord, that you provide that. You provide my relief, as well as my rest. You are good to me. Thank You, Jesus for the invitation. Thank You.
Okay, I've got a pop quiz for you. There's only one question, so you probably need to know the answer to get a good grade in my class - aren't you glad you're not in MY class!
The question is: Who said that? Who was it that spoke those words of encouragement and conviction at the top of the page?
Yep...I knew you knew the answer. That's why I asked it to begin with! It WAS Jesus...ding, ding, ding...and aren't you glad it was Him?!
I'll bet I could say those words to you, and it wouldn't have quite the same effect. You probably would smile politely and then check my forehead for a fever. Why? Why would it be so strange for me to think that I could give you rest from your struggles?
And yet again, you have the correct answer...ding, ding, ding. I AM human. I'm not perfect. No matter how desperately I would hope to give you complete rest, I would never be able to. I might try. I might see you exhausted and stress-sticken and be so compelled by your situation that I invite you over for a cup of tea. I might ask you to make yourself at home. I might give you chocolate and make you homemade cookies. If I'm desperate enough...I might even call Dr. Phil for some wisdom and advice....NOT!
That's not to say that those things wouldn't bring SOME amount of comfort and rest. After all, who wouldn't be comforted by a chocolate chip cookie! But no matter how good the cookies are, or how warm and tasty the tea, or how comfy and sleep-inducing the couch - you won't find real comfort...real rest...with me. Even if I desperately desire it FOR you, I could never give it TO you. I wasn't meant to. It's not my RESPONSIBILITY. It's not even within my ABILITY. Comfort and rest come from only one place and only One person...Jesus Christ.
Sometimes, I forget that. I forget that people can't supply my rest and ease. It's all my husband's fault (I'm kidding, you know!). He's so wonderful to me that I go to him for everything!
(Happy Birthday, by the way, Steve!)
You see, Steve has always showered me with his affection, with his love, with everything he could possibly afford. I seriously have to be careful about saying what I want, because my husband will go out and get it for me immediately. I can't even joke about wanting a new car, without his eyes getting large and hopeful...thinking he could make my world a better place, with simply a drive into town!
For all of you who think that must be heaven - it is, but there's also a warning attached to this bottle of "heavenliness." Because of Steve's willingness to "comfort" me and provide me with rest, I put all my eggs in one proverbial basket and find myself EXPECTING that from him. I EXPECT him to provide relief on the hard days. I EXPECT him to make my life easier and less stressful. I EXPECT him to know just what to say to make me feel assured and joyful, instead of confused and bewildered.
I EXPECT him to provide my rest.
See the problem with that?
Now, don't get me wrong. God gave my husband to me, and I am unbelievably grateful and thankful. He knew Steve would be a perfect match for this little girl from Mississippi. God knew that she would need someone caring and gentle...someone who desired her to not only have the best, but be the best she could be. So, God gave me Steve as a gift - to enrich my life here on earth - to walk hand in hand with me during the good times and the bad - to be His human touch in my life. However, God never intended me to transfer HIS responsibility over to my husband. He never intended for Steve to be able to give me the rest I crave. He never intended for anyone, but Himself to provide lasting rest.
"Come to Me"...not come to Steve...not come to your neighbor...not come to your boss...not come to your job...not even come to your dog...to find rest. Christ says "Come to Me...and I will give you rest."
And in response to His command...I come.
Dear Jesus, help ME heed that call today. Help me to hear You pleading for me to come to You...to come to You and find everything that I could ever possibly need or want for this life. Thank You, Lord, that you provide that. You provide my relief, as well as my rest. You are good to me. Thank You, Jesus for the invitation. Thank You.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The Daddy Dance
The Daddy Dance...at least, that's what we called it. Steve would walk through our front door, and KK - then, still in diapers - would throw her hands up and wiggle herself back and forth, just like a fish out of water! No matter what was going on, when Daddy got home, everything stopped and she started. It was her dance of joy, because she and her Daddy were together again. Nothing else mattered. Not me - not Mr. Rabbit - nothing. Daddy was there. Daddy was with her. Life was good - no, great!
Those were precious times. Steve and I had conversations about how we would feel when the Daddy Dance became a thing of the past, and how sad it would be when it finally did.
I must tell you - the dance DID stop...at least on the outside. KK has grown up now and moved on to more mature things, like boys and phones. But I can't help but think that her heart still jumps a beat when her Dad comes home. You see, he loves her. He cherishes time spent with her. She is a treasure to him, and she knows it...for she is his daughter.
That's why when I come across verses like Romans 5:15 that says, For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by Whom we cry out "Abba, Father," - my heart melts.
You see, somewhere down the line, my heart grew up. My "Daddy Dance" stopped, and I replaced the joy of my Father's presence with the fear of my Father's wrath. I ran FROM Him, instead of TO Him. I allowed my sin to fester and swell within me, instead of allowing myself the privilege of running to Him and letting Him cleanse me. I secretly kept the burdens, instead of casting them on the One Who desires to take them from my tired shoulders and wipe the tears from my eyes.
Even now, sometimes I find myself living again in the first part of that verse - the part about bondage and fear. I see God as Judge - as the Great Father of the universe, Who convicts and condemns me in my sin. Again, I find myself, actually running away FROM Him, instead of To Him.
But that's NOT right thinking, is it? Let me write that again, so you and I both can read it....that's NOT right thinking!
All the condemnation and judgement I deserved was released the day Christ died. Everything that could be held over my head - every sin that could be thrown up in my face by the evil one - every heart-stopping, depressing bout of guilt was released...removed...and accounted for on that day. I merely had to believe that He did it for me...and it was done. The guilt was gone. The sin was gone. The payment had been made.
What I received in return for my belief, had nothing to do with the bondage the previous verse spoke about. No longer did I have to fear the presence of the Lord. Instead, He now cherished me as His child, and I could live in the joy that He was my Father - my Abba.
And today....I'm choosing to celebrate that. I'm choosing to celebrate my freedom to run to my Father - in my joy and in my sin. I'm celebrating my right to be loved by God, as His child.
Won't you celebrate with me? Won't you force out those feelings of inadequacy in His sight and just enjoy His presence? Let's celebrate His presence! Let's do the Daddy Dance together....okay?
Here we go...one, two, three...one two three...one, two, three!!!
Thank You, Father...for being my Daddy...my Abba...my perfect Provider and Friend. I celebrate simply being in Your presence today, as you child. Thank You for loving me...for celebrating me...for enjoying my presence. I love You, Father. I love You, Abba. I love You.
Those were precious times. Steve and I had conversations about how we would feel when the Daddy Dance became a thing of the past, and how sad it would be when it finally did.
I must tell you - the dance DID stop...at least on the outside. KK has grown up now and moved on to more mature things, like boys and phones. But I can't help but think that her heart still jumps a beat when her Dad comes home. You see, he loves her. He cherishes time spent with her. She is a treasure to him, and she knows it...for she is his daughter.
That's why when I come across verses like Romans 5:15 that says, For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by Whom we cry out "Abba, Father," - my heart melts.
You see, somewhere down the line, my heart grew up. My "Daddy Dance" stopped, and I replaced the joy of my Father's presence with the fear of my Father's wrath. I ran FROM Him, instead of TO Him. I allowed my sin to fester and swell within me, instead of allowing myself the privilege of running to Him and letting Him cleanse me. I secretly kept the burdens, instead of casting them on the One Who desires to take them from my tired shoulders and wipe the tears from my eyes.
Even now, sometimes I find myself living again in the first part of that verse - the part about bondage and fear. I see God as Judge - as the Great Father of the universe, Who convicts and condemns me in my sin. Again, I find myself, actually running away FROM Him, instead of To Him.
But that's NOT right thinking, is it? Let me write that again, so you and I both can read it....that's NOT right thinking!
All the condemnation and judgement I deserved was released the day Christ died. Everything that could be held over my head - every sin that could be thrown up in my face by the evil one - every heart-stopping, depressing bout of guilt was released...removed...and accounted for on that day. I merely had to believe that He did it for me...and it was done. The guilt was gone. The sin was gone. The payment had been made.
What I received in return for my belief, had nothing to do with the bondage the previous verse spoke about. No longer did I have to fear the presence of the Lord. Instead, He now cherished me as His child, and I could live in the joy that He was my Father - my Abba.
And today....I'm choosing to celebrate that. I'm choosing to celebrate my freedom to run to my Father - in my joy and in my sin. I'm celebrating my right to be loved by God, as His child.
Won't you celebrate with me? Won't you force out those feelings of inadequacy in His sight and just enjoy His presence? Let's celebrate His presence! Let's do the Daddy Dance together....okay?
Here we go...one, two, three...one two three...one, two, three!!!
Thank You, Father...for being my Daddy...my Abba...my perfect Provider and Friend. I celebrate simply being in Your presence today, as you child. Thank You for loving me...for celebrating me...for enjoying my presence. I love You, Father. I love You, Abba. I love You.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
God's Design for Failure
So how's that New Year's Resolution coming?
By now, you are either shaking your head in the affirmative, proudly thinking to yourself, "Pretty good so far," OR you've stopped reading this altogether, because I've reminded you of something dreadfully gone wrong!
I do hate to admit it, but I'm afraid if I was in your position right now, I'd probably skip this column and move on to something else, not wishing to be reminded of my failure. I don't like to fail, so I avoid "it" and any conversation about "it" as much as I possibly can.
But let me assure you, this column is not about failure. It's not about an accusing finger pointed in your direction. It's about something totally different...something incredibly encouraging to my soul...and I'm sure to yours, as well.
However, His goodness doesn't give us an excuse to fail. Just because He doesn't respond to us in accordance with our sin, doesn't mean that we can choose to fail Him over and over again, taking advantage of His forgiveness. His mercy and grace doesn't give us liberty to sin. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace my increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Rom. 6:1-2.
Instead, our response to His goodness in the midst of our failures should send us racing back to Him. Our shortcomings - and our admittance of them - should never drive us away from God in shame, but drive us TO Him in gratefulness and humbleness for His mercy and grace. His conviction was/is never meant to harm, but instead to woo us homeward, so that we can walk faithfully and fully in His love.
Jesus, I SOOOO needed that today. I needed to hear that You love me, in-spite of my failures and who I think I am. I needed to hear that You took the burden of my sin and flung it away from me...and You. I needed to hear that You are a compassionate Father, not giving me what I deserve, but fulfilling Your law of love in my life. Thanks God...for the reminder. I praise You for it. Praise You, Father. Praise You.
By now, you are either shaking your head in the affirmative, proudly thinking to yourself, "Pretty good so far," OR you've stopped reading this altogether, because I've reminded you of something dreadfully gone wrong!
I do hate to admit it, but I'm afraid if I was in your position right now, I'd probably skip this column and move on to something else, not wishing to be reminded of my failure. I don't like to fail, so I avoid "it" and any conversation about "it" as much as I possibly can.
But let me assure you, this column is not about failure. It's not about an accusing finger pointed in your direction. It's about something totally different...something incredibly encouraging to my soul...and I'm sure to yours, as well.
Now, I don't want you to rush through this next paragraph. You speed-readers - SLOW DOWN. Yes, I'm talking to you! Take your time reading, no matter how hard it is to keep your eyes from flying over the ink. For the rest of you (including myself!) who tell yourselves you are speed-readers, don't allow your desire to finish quickly to take away from the passage...even if you've read it a hundred times before. Let the Words really sink in. "Feast" on what it says and allow God to speak openly with you (and me) about your (our) failures. Ready...here we go:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever (By the way, these Words were written before the birth of Christ. God strives with us no longer for His anger was poured out on the crucified Christ). He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust (Ps. 103:8-14).
Whew! How's that for encouragement?
When I read this a few days ago, I immediately thought to myself, "I really needed to hear that today. Thanks for reminding me, Lord."
Praise God, He doesn't deal with me according to my failures...that He doesn't give me what I deserve...that He flings my sin away, as far as the east is from the west (that's a pretty "fer" piece!)...that He has compassion on me, when I'm trapped in my downward-spiral of thinking...that He is mindful that I am but dust. God is, indeed, incredibly good to us - even in our failures.
When I read this a few days ago, I immediately thought to myself, "I really needed to hear that today. Thanks for reminding me, Lord."
Praise God, He doesn't deal with me according to my failures...that He doesn't give me what I deserve...that He flings my sin away, as far as the east is from the west (that's a pretty "fer" piece!)...that He has compassion on me, when I'm trapped in my downward-spiral of thinking...that He is mindful that I am but dust. God is, indeed, incredibly good to us - even in our failures.
However, His goodness doesn't give us an excuse to fail. Just because He doesn't respond to us in accordance with our sin, doesn't mean that we can choose to fail Him over and over again, taking advantage of His forgiveness. His mercy and grace doesn't give us liberty to sin. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace my increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Rom. 6:1-2.
Instead, our response to His goodness in the midst of our failures should send us racing back to Him. Our shortcomings - and our admittance of them - should never drive us away from God in shame, but drive us TO Him in gratefulness and humbleness for His mercy and grace. His conviction was/is never meant to harm, but instead to woo us homeward, so that we can walk faithfully and fully in His love.
Jesus, I SOOOO needed that today. I needed to hear that You love me, in-spite of my failures and who I think I am. I needed to hear that You took the burden of my sin and flung it away from me...and You. I needed to hear that You are a compassionate Father, not giving me what I deserve, but fulfilling Your law of love in my life. Thanks God...for the reminder. I praise You for it. Praise You, Father. Praise You.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
God is Our Refuge
My kids LOVE to play HAGS - affectionately known by our neighbor Sam - as Hide-and-Go-Seek. It was no wonder then, that when Seth - the youngest of the bunch - was old enough to run, he wanted to join the older kids in their adventure...and I got the privilege one day of being his hiding partner.
"Seffie" and I went and stood behind a big bush and waited. I don't remember who was actually "It" at the time, but whoever it was knew where we were, and I guess decided there were more challenging opponents just around the front of the house. You see, "the bush" was Seth's hiding place. He hid there EVERY time and everyone knew it. He was convinced it was a great place to be, because he never got "caught."
As I stood there, treasuring the moment, Seth kept peering around the edge of the bush, wide-eyed and ready to run. He finally looked back and me and said, "I'll check and see if the 'ghost' is clear." Needless to say, I broke into laughter...on the inside, of course. After all, this was HAGS. You had to be a serious and silent hider, if you wanted to be safe!
Fast forward two years...
I'm sitting at my dining room table, Bible-opened, searching the Scriptures for life, and I see, "My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation (or my hope) is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us" (Ps. 62:5-8).
So, now I guess you can see what's got me thinking about HAGS.
How silly would it have been for Seth and me to stand out in the open while playing this game. That would defeat the whole purpose. The "ghost" would never be clear!
After all the point of the game is not necessarily, NOT to get caught. The point of the game is to be the best "hider."
Oh, how I want to be that way in my spiritual life. Yet, most of the time when I feel in "danger" - whether it's because of my own sin or because of someone else's - I stand out in the open and ring my hands...worrying about the outcome. I just stand there, trusting in something or someone to save me - all the while, leaving myself completely vulnerable to the enemy, when a great hiding place is just around the edge of the house.
Scripture says that God is my "refuge." That word means that God is my "shelter against harm." He is my "hiding place."
The next few verses in Ps. 62 says, "Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor. Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in roberry; If riches increase, do not set your heart on them" (9-11).
In the earlier verses, God told us that He, alone, is our refuge - and now, He tells us why. Men are just a vapor. Even your best friend in the world - though he/she is God-given and amazing - doesn't need to be the first one you run to when you're desperate.
God is your Refuge.
He also says not to trust in oppression or robbery. Sin NEVER makes things better. Don't think by sinning, you have a place to hide. Doing the wrong things only leave you in the wide open, ready to be attacked. Actually, when you're sinning, it's more like you're hunting the enemy down, screaming, "Hey...here I am!"
God is your Refuge.
Money - even though it is a gift from God - is not to be trusted. If your riches increase, Scripture says, you need to realize that wealth cannot protect you from everything. If you trust in it, money will give you a false sense of security that you are hidden well, when you're really just standing behind something no bigger than a twig and no taller than your shoestring!
God, ALONE, is our refuge. He, ALONE, is our hiding place. He, ALONE, is our safe-house, and only He has the key. God...and God, alone.
Teach me, Lord, to allow You to be my Hiding Place and may I learn it well. It seems I always run to everything else but You, first. I don't want to do that anymore. I want my life to be a pattern of hiding in You...coming to You, first...believing You to be my only source of hope. Thank You, Lord, that because I have asked, You will answer. You will teach me, for You want me to learn...and to trust in You. You are amazing, Father. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
"Seffie" and I went and stood behind a big bush and waited. I don't remember who was actually "It" at the time, but whoever it was knew where we were, and I guess decided there were more challenging opponents just around the front of the house. You see, "the bush" was Seth's hiding place. He hid there EVERY time and everyone knew it. He was convinced it was a great place to be, because he never got "caught."
As I stood there, treasuring the moment, Seth kept peering around the edge of the bush, wide-eyed and ready to run. He finally looked back and me and said, "I'll check and see if the 'ghost' is clear." Needless to say, I broke into laughter...on the inside, of course. After all, this was HAGS. You had to be a serious and silent hider, if you wanted to be safe!
Fast forward two years...
I'm sitting at my dining room table, Bible-opened, searching the Scriptures for life, and I see, "My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation (or my hope) is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us" (Ps. 62:5-8).
So, now I guess you can see what's got me thinking about HAGS.
How silly would it have been for Seth and me to stand out in the open while playing this game. That would defeat the whole purpose. The "ghost" would never be clear!
After all the point of the game is not necessarily, NOT to get caught. The point of the game is to be the best "hider."
Oh, how I want to be that way in my spiritual life. Yet, most of the time when I feel in "danger" - whether it's because of my own sin or because of someone else's - I stand out in the open and ring my hands...worrying about the outcome. I just stand there, trusting in something or someone to save me - all the while, leaving myself completely vulnerable to the enemy, when a great hiding place is just around the edge of the house.
Scripture says that God is my "refuge." That word means that God is my "shelter against harm." He is my "hiding place."
The next few verses in Ps. 62 says, "Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor. Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in roberry; If riches increase, do not set your heart on them" (9-11).
In the earlier verses, God told us that He, alone, is our refuge - and now, He tells us why. Men are just a vapor. Even your best friend in the world - though he/she is God-given and amazing - doesn't need to be the first one you run to when you're desperate.
God is your Refuge.
He also says not to trust in oppression or robbery. Sin NEVER makes things better. Don't think by sinning, you have a place to hide. Doing the wrong things only leave you in the wide open, ready to be attacked. Actually, when you're sinning, it's more like you're hunting the enemy down, screaming, "Hey...here I am!"
God is your Refuge.
Money - even though it is a gift from God - is not to be trusted. If your riches increase, Scripture says, you need to realize that wealth cannot protect you from everything. If you trust in it, money will give you a false sense of security that you are hidden well, when you're really just standing behind something no bigger than a twig and no taller than your shoestring!
God, ALONE, is our refuge. He, ALONE, is our hiding place. He, ALONE, is our safe-house, and only He has the key. God...and God, alone.
Teach me, Lord, to allow You to be my Hiding Place and may I learn it well. It seems I always run to everything else but You, first. I don't want to do that anymore. I want my life to be a pattern of hiding in You...coming to You, first...believing You to be my only source of hope. Thank You, Lord, that because I have asked, You will answer. You will teach me, for You want me to learn...and to trust in You. You are amazing, Father. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
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