I’m having a baby…

 Yes, yes… I thought that would get your attention! Like a woman in her last trimester, she is anxious to have her precious gift out into the world, dressed in the cutest little outfit ever, and have pictures for everyone to see. But there is still some most important work being done in the last trimester. Like heart and lungs developing to completion. Serious foundational needs that will affect that baby’s life and future.

I am reminded of a similar experience when having a house built. While the boards and beams were still showing, I was imaging where the Christmas tree would go, and determining which window would be best for bird feeder watching. Needless to say, the builder wasn’t as interested in those details when he was busy with more foundational issues like heating, plumbing and electrical.

And I am going through another trimester time in my life as I await the “birth” of my free e-card website. My “baby”. I’m telling my web designer all about font colors to use, and other cutesy finishing touches. But his focus is on making sure the “base” is structural sound, safe, secure and functional.

Couldn’t the same be said of all of us regarding our spiritual life? Don’t we need to tend to our foundation – making sure Christ is our Cornerstone? That we get into the Word, and pray… listen and obey. Aren’t these the things that make us strong for the future?

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. – Matt. 7:24-25

·        No matter the storm, when you’re with God, there’s a rainbow coming

·        With Jesus as your foundation, you can “weather” anything

·        He has made everything beautiful in its time. – Ecc. 3:11

It's going to be a great day!

 What makes a good day – good? Is it one thing, two things, five things… one more thing? Is it all about accomplishment and succeeding? Or about experiencing? How often do you lay your head down at night and say, “It’s been a good day.” Or are you thinking about what more there needs to be done?

Isn’t there always going to be more to be done? Isn’t that called life and living? Some stuff gets done today; some tomorrow. Do you wake up in the morning with a list of what you think has to happen today and you rush through trying to get it all accomplished before… before what? Before something else comes along? Guess what? Something else is going to come along! Yet you don’t have to rush through everything. Some things are meant to sit on a back burner. Some things have a way of working themselves out over the passage of time. Some things are meant to be savored. Relished. Appreciated. There is something to be said for steady progression. Fast, immediate, rushing is not always the wisest way.  When it comes to what happens in your life today, quality is better than quantity. Seriously consider what went “right” today. Not everything has to be a mile-high milestone experience to make it a good day. Stop and think about some of the more simple things in life you are able to enjoy.

And how many things does it take to ruin a good day? One? Five? Think again about all the good things going on in your “today”… Don’t let one thing (like the guy that cut you off on your way home) – define your day. I’ll bet you a list of goodness is already coming to mind! Whether large or small, take time to appreciate and remember the sweetness in life. You have some – every day!

·        Just thinking of you makes my day good!

·        Praying for goodness to be a part of your day!

·        God is good – all the time. Know that He has plans to bless you today!

 

Holding Hands, etc.

May I have permission to say it? You don’t know near as much as you think you know about someone else’s circumstances. I recently visited a friend whose young daughter was in a terrible accident. In that horrific moment, it appeared her life just might be taken from her. And this father’s fear was overwhelming… the possible loss… As we talked, his thoughts went back to the Sandy Hook drama. He thought he had felt real compassion on those families that lost children that day. He thought his heart really broke for them. But now, today, now that he’s tasted what felt like a close call, he realizes he had no idea the depth of the pain that came from the Sandy Hook shootings and deaths.

You haven’t walked a mile in anyone’s shoes…

Whether it’s the death of a spouse or news of cancer, it’s shockingly different for every one. Don’t pretend to know. Even if you’ve gone through something similar, you don’t understand how it has affected them.

But … you can still hold a hand. Cry with them. Hug them. Pray over them. And just sit with them for a bit. Send a card. Make that phone call even when you don’t know what to say – be willing to listen. Bring a dinner…. And stay. And remember them long after everyone else has moved on.

·        Never far from my thoughts and prayers… as your journey continues

·        You are on my heart and mind so often… remembering you today in prayer

·        We can make it through this chapter in life… together

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nurturing a Relationship

As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly

but stayed outside in lonely places.

Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

–       Mark 1:45

Spent a wonderful evening last night. A dozen or so of us girlfriends gathered at a local park. We brown bagged it. Found a nice place to sit and eat and chat and look out at the water. We had a good time catching up on each other’s lives. We laughed. We shared. We hugged. We prayed. Just nurturing relationships. I was nourished body and soul.

This morning I read this passage in my bible – about a leper who was healed. Jesus warned him not to tell people… but you can see above the chapters closing remarks…

“My heart is so saddened, Lord, after reading that the crowds drove You to lonely places… that the crowds only sought You because they wanted something for themselves from You. They weren’t interested in getting to know You, hang out with You, bring joy and help into Your life. They just wanted to be healed of something and then run back to their ol’ life again. How often has my prayer life been about something I wanted fixed / healed for myself? How infrequent are my prayers about getting to know You, hang out with You, bring joy and help into Your life? Your Word tells me all about You; Your created world tells me how beautiful a “Person” You are. More than Savior of my eternity but closer than a Brother(Pr. 18:24). You call me Friend (Jn. 15:15). Don’t go off to a lonely place. May I welcome You into my day and remember that You are present. May I smile at the very thought of You, Jesus, and bring joy to You instead of always seeking to have You make me feel better. May I be mindful this day of Your company and remember to include You because You are a special, beloved Friend of mine. May I treat You extra special today as I would of any friend coming to visit me. Come, Lord Jesus, my Savior and Friend! Come! Let us spend the day together. Welcome! Welcome! Come in! It’s so good to have You here! Tell me: What have You been up to? Is there anything I can do to help, my Friend? Let’s pray together. Hugs! I’m so glad You’re here! I love You, Lord!”

–       Just wanting to stay in touch, because you are important to me!

–       It’s been too long! Let’s get together soon!

–       My life is lighter and brighter because of time spent with you!

A Free Gift for You

A quiet, intimate dinner just for two out on your deck… one little candle offering a romantic little glow… soft whispers of few words… a smile… a loving glance your way… watching the sun set and the moon rise… one hand laying hold of another’s… one star blinks on - and then another…

Pretty plain and simple. Not very flashy at all. It’s not like Sunday morning worship at a big mega-church. It’s not like a roomful of people celebrating your successful climb up the corporate ladder. It’s simplicity wouldn’t make most people’s top ten list of excitement and accomplishment. Not the most impressive or most expensive place for dinner. Not the biggest name in entertainment. Or is it?

Just a reminder in the midst of all this striving and comparing and measuring in this world… that there is a simple beauty in every kind of God-given moment. God can satisfy with the simplest of things. Are you yearning? And even when you strive and strive and arrive, you end up yearning some more?

Perhaps it’s time to set your sights on things from above. I know about dreams. And I know that whatever size those dreams are, when God is the Author of them – they come to pass with little or no effort on my part. But in the meantime, while God’s timing is unfolding, enjoy the gift of today. Go ahead and dream. Dream big. But don’t hang your current happiness on them. Believe God can make things happen. Give your future, your life, your purpose, into His capable hands. Know that He guides the steps to get you where He wants you to be. Believe that He knows the desires of your heart. Believe it is not all up to you to make your future great (and God has His own ideas about what is great – and that’s okay). God has a plan for you. A good plan. A part of that plan is to enjoy His gift of today.  And rest in His promises regarding your tomorrows.

·        “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jere. 29:11

·        The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. – Is. 32:17

·        The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. – Ps. 85:12