On this rock

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

I was recently told by a man how he used to sit with his daughter from time to time, out on this ol' rock on the backside of their property. They would just sit together and "you know, talk about things". My first thought was jealousy, for what dad (surely not mine) takes time to do such a thing? How wonderful it must have been for that daughter to have some one-on-one, unhurried, no agenda time with him. What a Norman Rockwell moment in the purest sense. Did she realize the gift he gave her that many do not ever get?

Because there are many who have grown up without a father present - physically or emotionally. But as Christians, as believers in Christ bridging the gap between us and God, we too, can have a Father Who takes time to "you know, talk about things". It doesn't have to be a hurried reading of scripture to meet Him, or a quickly rushed prayer. This Father has all the time you need.

So find your "rock" and sit with your Father today ... because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Just in case

The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. (Matthew 25:4)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105)

A friend at book club the other day referred to me as a writer. Me? A writer? No, not really. Writers do lots of research and develop characters and story lines. Their writings are in depth and are pages and pages long . A secretary maybe. I'm comfortable being called a good secretary.

You see, my blog postings are not something I sit down and try to write some intelligent insight on a certain topic. My postings are straight from my morning prayer journal. Ramblings between me and God, really. I feel kind of like a secretary. And there are times when I just sense that something should be shared. So I do.

When several days pass by with no postings, I think about it but I don't try to write. I just keep my times with the Lord every morning and keep journaling. I just want to sit there and afford Him an opportunity to speak ... to my soul. For Your servant is listening ... I am ready, Lord. I am ready.

Which all made me stop and think about reading the Bible every morning and occasionally feeling like I'm not getting anything out of it. Sometimes the story is all too familiar and I'm not seeing anything new. Sometimes I really try to ponder and reflect. But still don't sense anything "happening". But ...

But, then an instance comes along, days or weeks later, where that very passage I was bored with, is recalled with vibrancy. Pow! And I wonder how I ever remembered that. There's His Word - guiding me through; lighting my path. His Word that I have been faithfully reading on a regular basis - there it is - helping me. It somehow got instilled in me for future use. I've been carrying it around in me. I was prepared.

Dieters and exercisers often have to work and not see immediate results. Or disciplining children over and over about the same thing. You need to plan and prepare ahead for future events. I am going to eat this and not that. I am going to the gym after work - no excuses. I will be consistent.  I will be stronger. I will be wise about this.  The same is true for your spiritual health and strength. You don't know what's down the road. The best thing to do is to keep returning to the Word.

Days will come when you need to already be - strong, determined, self disciplined, self-controlled. Ready.

So, be wise. Get at it. And be ready.

Do you lack savor?

Taste and see that the Lord is good … (Psalm 34:8)

When you worry about the near or distant future, you are forgetting that God will be there with you. And when you cling to anxious thoughts about what has happened in the near or distant past, you are forgetting that God was there and brought you through to where you are today.

I am with you always … (Matthew 28:20) Forgetting about Me and Who I Am does not change that. I am with you - always. Including right now. This very minute while you are reading this. I am close. I am smiling. I love you. I AM with you in a very real sense.

Think about this for a moment. The Lord is with you. Whether you can sense it or not, it is still a very real, a very true (promised) fact. One of those unseen things you faith believes in. But try to take your thoughts captive for a moment and hear this:

I am with you – right now. Let yourself sigh. Let your shoulders drop down. Close your eyes. Breathe slowly. In and out. Repeat over and over to yourself – I am with you right now. Allow yourself to be held in the protective arms of the Lord Who knows all about it all. Still, He is here with you right now. Lean into Him.  Accept His love and care for you. He is here to handle anything and everything. Turn your hands over – palms up – and just sit there. I am with you always (and in all ways).

There is nothing He can’t handle. There is nothing He doesn’t handle. In an all-wise, all-powerful God way. Rest assured He is involved.

All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be … (Psalm 139:16)

Savor this restful moment with these peaceful promises from God’s holy Word. You are truly under God’s protective care. He is here.

Savor – pleasing to the taste or smell

Taste and see that the Lord is good … (Psalm 34:8)