Where's the fire?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

This morning as I was getting ready for my day, I realized I was literally "scrubbing" my face cream into my skin, in vicious circles - as I was thinking about my to-do list. I caught myself. And thought, "Would one minute of gentle massage of my favorite scented cream really throw off my whole day?" So I slowed down. Smoothing my orange vanilla goat milk cream across my forehead, my temples, under my eyes, my cheeks. And gently down my throat. Oh, what a moment of complete serenity. Instead of heart-racing, rattling thoughts about what needs to get done, I enjoyed a moment of soulfully preparing for the day. Calm. Cool. Collected. Where's the fire, indeed!

Perhaps we can all learn from this. A reminder that a moment of prayer can do the same thing. Let His words, like oil, run down your face (and into your beard! - as it did for Aaron in Psalm 133:2). Will a moment or two of prayer really throw your whole day's schedule off? Or will it gather you up in a hug of calm, cool and collectedness? Where's the fire?

The fire should be in our approach to our days. The fire should be in our health, mentally and spiritually - our very heart. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

Like the to-do list, sometimes our thinking about prayer seems to include everything all at once. I don't have time to thank God for everything, and prayer for everyone I know in need. And my own set of worries on top of all that.

But for a moment, thank God for a few things.
In a different moment, prayer over someone who comes to mind.
Later, let God know your personal concerns.

Pray at all times, and in all circumstances... Make your life a prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Talk to God in moments.
Take a moment... and see how refreshed you will be.

Where's your fire?

Let the sun shine in

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Started off today with some anxious thoughts. How easily they can come sometimes, right? But I stick with my usual routine and walk up to the post office at 10:00. It seemed a little gray outside but I grabbed my sunglasses anyway - in case it decides to show its face while I'm out.

Walking along, still anxious thoughts bombarding me. I recently started following some yoga on YouTube. So I told myself to just concentrate on my breathing. Then I told myself over and over, "I'm fine. Everything right now is fine. Right now, all I need to be concerned about is that I'm walking. And breathing."

And I noticed through the big window at the restaurant people eating and having coffee and chatting away. The gentleman next door was watering the flower box in front of the barber shop. Someone else walking their dog. And yes, the sun came out. Peaceful. Just simply - peaceful.

It is well... with my soul... the sweet refrain washes over me again and again. Where did that come from?

It's very easy, too easy, to stay and feed those more unsettling thoughts. I've done it too many times. But today, today I sought out something else. Something more. And it came. It came.

The sun. The Son.

Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

If we desire, seek, expect the Son, will He come? Give it a try.

Do you hear what I'm saying?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Haven't we all played the game "Telephone" where you whisper something into a person's ear and they pass it on. The last person to receive the message - receives something completely different from what the first person said. Right?

Texting. Young and old alike use it as a form of communication. But is it really? How often I wonder what a person really means half the time. I can't tell if they're kidding or not. Really upset or not. Even the addition of an emoji can be sarcastic and I wouldn't be really sure. We read it and decipher what we can from it.

How often do we read our bible the same way? Someone recently shared with me (through a book they wrote) about studying the passage where Peter walks on water. (Matthew 14:28-31) Many of us are familiar with it. Peter starts walking toward Jesus on the water. Gets scared. Sinking! Jesus grabs him and says, "O you of little faith!"

If you're like me, those last words are what I remember most. Yep. That's me. Failing again because I have little faith.

But what happened before that? Jesus grabs hold of him. Many translations say He IMMEDIATELY grabbed hold of him. The first thing Jesus does is rescue. Rescue!

I was in a bible study once discussing this very passage and the conversation turned to how to soften the "blow" of Jesus' words. Because, think for just a moment - your little one takes a spill off the tricycle. Don't you first run over and scoop them up, hug them, brush the dirt off their knees. And then say, " Silly goose! You need to be more careful next time. I will remind you again to not go so fast." 

Now, can you picture Jesus scooping Peter up, tousling his hair, kissing his forehead and saying, "O you goosey head! What happened? I'm here and I care. Let's be more attentive next time. I will help you."

Can Jesus be as gentle, as understanding, as a parent?

I love the commercial on TV where the dad puts a band-aid on his daughter's knee and then takes the magic wand she's been playing with and taps it to her knee. Can Jesus be as sweet as that - with us?

Let's remember the gracious and compassionate character of Jesus when we read His words. Instead of assuming He's tired of us and all our failings - let's remember He keeps no record of wrongs ( 1 Corinthians 13:5) and delights in us - every step of the way. You are precious in His sight. Yes, Jesus loves you!