Softly and tenderly

There is a cat at my feet. Staring at me. Pawing at my leg. Meowing quite persistently. I finally surrender and start petting this little creature of mine. After a moment I notice his head bobbing dramatically and his chin almost hitting the floor. I am petting so aggressively; so fast and furious. Mindlessly. Until my senses are awakened to what’s really going on. My stress and anxiety are becoming much more apparent as I realize…

My cat might not have needed my attention as I first thought. Perhaps this cat was sensitive enough to see I was the one in need of calming. So I took a deep breath. I slowed down my petting and stroking. He began purring and relaxing under my hand. I began breathing in rhythm. The moment turned to soft and tender care. 

Have you noticed Jesus standing nearby in a similar way? Do you see Him trying to get your attention? Do you rush at Him with a short, curt response, consumed with something more pressing? Too distracted to give proper attention? He’s trying to reach you, bring you to a more calm and peaceful place where you can let your bunched up shoulders down. A place to take time to organize your thoughts. Make a necessary shift. To take a deep, cleansing breath and step into His rhythm.

Stop barreling through… or stop getting stuck… He is looking at you with eyes of compassion. Touching you gently. Calling you sweetly. Peace My friend. Peace… and much like my cat, He too will be persistent. He knows what you need even before you ask Him (Matthew 6:32). So come. Come, He calls, to a quiet place and rest awhile. Relax under His caring hand.

 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name. (Psalm 23:2-3 VOICE)

True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. (Psalm 23:3 MSG)

A Beautiful Thing

 

During this Holy Week many of us read, study and ponder the steps Jesus took to the ultimate sacrifice. His painful giving of Himself for us all.

In my devotional reading this morning, I was reminded of the woman who poured expensive, costly perfume over the Lord:

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”   Matthew 26:6-13 (ESVUK)

And the question presented for reflection was this -

What one thing might I do for Jesus this Easter which would be deeply costly and personally sacrificial?

Deeply? Costly? Personal?

I was at a loss. I thought of things I enjoy doing. I thought of things I am comfortable doing. But something deeply costly? Perhaps even painfully uncomfortable- for the sake of another? For Jesus?

Oh, I thought of giving up social media, or spending more time in prayer but they just didn’t sound deeply costly.

So I sat with this question awhile longer. And scripture verses started wandering into my thoughts until one settled in.

He must become greater, I must become less. (John 3:30)

And so it dawned on me that my personal, costly sacrifice could only be…

an empty alabaster jar.

My sacrificial gift to Jesus is an emptiness of self. Fill me and pour me out, Lord, again and again as You see fit.

I empty myself of my desire to do my own thing and make room for Him to do His Own Thing. Without preemptive tweaking or excuses.

Call it sacrificial obedience. Call it sacrificial love - for Jesus.

May it be a beautiful thing. And may it be Your fragrance, Lord, that fills the room…

Lost and Found

I had a moment a year or so back and it came to mind this morning. I had to really dig to find where I wrote this precious memory down on a social media site. It was hidden; lost - and then it was found. I had to bypass so many other postings of so many other good memories. I searched and searched. Until I found it. I was so glad I found it! It blessed me anew! I couldn’t believe I actually found it. But something inside me wouldn’t let go; wouldn’t stop looking. May my sharing it with you now stir something fresh and new in you as well. Both the message contained in the photo below. And this message of joy in finding. Know that Jesus also pursues and is relentless about it because there is something inside Him that just won’t let go. It’s His love…

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-one in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts in on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:3-7)

Why, O Lord, why?

 

Your sweet granddaughter is diagnosed with cancer. Your son announces an impending divorce. Your only mode of transportation keeps breaking down and you just can’t afford a replacement right now of all times.

If you just knew the why. Maybe you could handle it better. Why, O Lord? Why?

Martha and Mary certainly asked that. We read that in John 11:21 and 32. Lord, why didn’t You come when we sent word? Why weren’t You here to keep him (their brother Lazarus) from dying? Why?

But as we enter into the days prior to Holy Week, we see something. Jesus Himself, knew His why - definitely as He knelt in the garden of Gethsemane - but probably long before that. And He experienced the intense pain and suffering of knowing the upcoming intense pain and suffering. Scripture says in Matthew 26 verses 37 through 39… He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”  Going a little farther, He fell on His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me.

And then, the hardest prayer to ever pray: Yet not as I will, but as You will.” (v.39b)

Jesus suffered. Jesus wept. Jesus pleaded. We don’t see Him looking on the bright side. Thinking pretty, positive thoughts. Focusing solely on the victorious end result. No. Jesus was in deep, profound pain. Overwhelmed. 

And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44)

I don’t know if this will help you in whatever painful situation you are in. But may it be of some comfort to know He understands about having to go through intense pain. He understands it is okay to just weep to God and plead with God for a different way. Jesus understands about our need to surrender to the will of God. 

Our hope remains in the Lord.

Psalm 94:17-19 Unless the Lord had helped me, I would have settled in the silence of the grave. I cried out, “Lord, I am slipping!” But Your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

There is Someone Who can relate to the depth of your intense pain. He will walk with you. He will walk you through it. For He knows. And He loves you. He is faithful and committed to you.

House and home

They had to move. The reasons don’t matter. Just know that they had to move at a most untimely time. Where would they go? What could they afford? They prayed. I prayed. Many joined in on the praying. And then God… someone near knew of someone who had a house. Not advertised as a rental but… it was offered to these people in their time of need - at an exceptionally low rental rate and with utilities included. 

How does this happen? Who says God is not alive and working for our good? Oh my! Talk about a sundae with a cherry on top! It’s an offer they can’t refuse, right? Praise God! Thank you, Jesus! Amen! Can you imagine the giddiness of such a blessing. Now they can look forward with real peace. 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3)

An eternal, amazing, sweet, and loving home. Another offer too good to pass up. You can look forward with real peace as well. As a believer in Jesus this promise of a forever home is yours. 

You remember that feeling as a child when you KNEW you were getting what you asked for for Christmas and you just had to wait for Christmas morning to come? Yeah. Like that. It’s coming. He’s coming. Praise God! Thank You, Jesus! Amen! 

It wasn’t cancer

 Yes, a scary word. I have known many loved ones - both survivors and a few who didn’t.  But it wasn’t cancer that took Moses life. In fact, Deuteronomy 34:7 says he was healthy and still had his wits about him. Not only that, but he was standing on the edge of his dream future. This morning that really hit me hard. To be alive and well and on the verge of stepping into a dream - only to be told you were going to die. Now. You have to wonder what Moses was thinking and feeling at this point. I have to wonder what I would think and feel. Trust, surrender and acceptance are not the first things that come to mind. God’s will for my life concluding like this? Not in sickness or weakness due to age… Moses had none of that. 

Have you had a dream dashed even though you felt ready, willing and able? You could see it. Taste it. Yes. I hear the words TRUST. HAVE FAITH. JUST BELIEVE. Even surrender. But it’s sometimes hard to get my head and heart to go there. His word says His thoughts and ways are higher. We don’t have the understanding equal to an almighty God. 

I’m trying to remember some earthly dreams I chased and am thankful they didn’t pan out. God protected me then and I surely appreciate it. I pray it helps me to remember my life is in His hands. And more than that, not unlike Moses, my surviving testimony is in His hands as I work to trust and follow wherever He leads. 

Isaiah 55:8-11 (the Message):

 “I don’t think the way you think.The way you work isn’t the way I work. ”God’s Decree.“ For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of My mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.

Please God

 At first glance, you might think I’m praying, asking and pleading to God about something. How often we begin our intercessory prayers with “PLEASE GOD!”

Those attune to grammar correctness may think I just forgot the comma necessary between the “please” and the “God”.

But what if I didn’t?

What if I really meant… please God. With your living. With your life.

You do know:

Lovingly giving yourself to your family… pleases God.

Serving your church and community… pleases God.

Donating items no longer in use by you… pleases God.

Being a friend.. pleases God.

Being there in celebration and in mourning… pleases God.

Following the Holy Spirit’s leading… pleases God.

Using/sharing your God-given talents… pleases God.

Smile, hug, wave, pray, text, call, sending a card… pleases God.

Praying for yourself and others… pleases God.

Being thankful… pleases God.

Enjoying God’s creation… pleases God.

Praising, trusting, obeying, and resting/counting on Him… pleases God.

Surely, this list is not exhaustive. I bet you are now full of numerous ways to bring a smile to God’s face. And His love to someone else!

What an awesome goal to have today.

Who’s with me?

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I want something else

For many, this may be in reference to the weather. So ready for the days of blah gray winter to be over. Others think of children at the dinner table not wanting what is served. Arms crossed. Pouting. And we are all familiar with a week of turkey meals after Thanksgiving.

Do you know that even God wants something else?

We have been set apart. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. (Jeremiah 1:5) That means to be something more than the average joe. To love more than what makes sense. To be kind, gentle, and generous beyond the accepted norm. To extend grace more than what most would consider enough. To be more than patient with disagreeable personalities. Our response to life should be noticeably different in a good way.

You are infused with all this at an almighty-God level. Higher, mightier, and stronger. Much more forgiving of human weaknesses. It’s in you to be so. And we are called to do so. But not in our own wisdom and strength. It’s all God. Backing us up.

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6)

We have to want God’s “something else” too. And I think we do. I think we are tired of what we see on the news. We are ready for a shift towards more love and kindness. It’s exactly why we have been set apart. God is calling us to be something else. Something more.

Beloved, set apart child of the living, present, and empowering God… the God Who loves, is generous, extending grace and forgiveness… to you. Oh, what a healing, cleansing, freeing feeling! And we can give that feeling to others.

Where do you begin? It is within God’s power to take your hand and lead you to and through the higher ground; the higher ways of living and responding in His way.

So put out your hand…

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Anchor’s Away

I’m not a water person, but I’ve been told of people that climb into a kayak, push off from shore and leave the world behind. For whatever time they are out in the water, there is only room for peace and the simple pleasure of paddling along. And I think prayer life can be like that.

Oh, sure, I know. There is some work to be done before those glorious moments. Loading the kayak onto the car, perhaps driving through traffic to get down to the lake, unloading the kayak, and then having to carry your kayak down to the water’s edge. But then, you see it. Easy-going waves lapping at the shore. The sunlight dancing on the water’s surface. The gentle breeze hitting your face. Nothing but an amazing view of trees and sky and the lake before you. You step in. You step away. Ahhh…

Prayer also takes a little work. Loading up all your worries and concerns. Confessing the struggle of carrying such heavy burdens. Being honest with God in the sharing of each and every one. But then, you see Him. There He is. Standing on the shoreline. Smiling. Welcoming. Arms open wide to you. You step in. You step away. Ahhh…

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. (John 21:4)

How about you? Do you see Jesus watching and waiting for you? Do you see Him standing there on the edge wanting to take you to a more peaceful place? Arms open wide. Step in. Step away.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Scott and Julie’s big adventure

 Whenever my husband and I head out on a road trip, we get in the car and he says, “Scott and Julie’s big adventure!” And that’s exactly what it feels like. We have some fun things in mind for along the way to our destination. We don’t know what we’ll eat but we know we’ll find a place. We don’t know where we’ll sleep but we’re sure to find a nice hotel. Perhaps with a hot tub! And there’s all the beautiful scenery along the way. And pulling over to check out a scenic view. Or historic site. There’s laughing, talking, and enjoying each other’s company. Rocking to music from the radio. An “unplanned” stop for ice cream. A sunset with a different backdrop from the one at home. Yes, we have plans. We also end up with a few spontaneous pleasures.

And I have to wonder if that is what God has in mind when He says, “Take My hand. Trust Me. Follow Me. Enjoy Me. I have a plan but I also have some delightful surprises for you along the way.”

And what if God isn’t thinking just once or twice a year like our occasional road trips. What if God is inviting you to - “Let’s go now! Today!”

Your big adventure awaits…

… a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. (Proverbs 27:9)

… what blessings He must have for us now that we are His friends and He is living within us! (Romans 5:9 TLB)

On Being Strong

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God… (Ephesians 6:10-11)

This passage goes on to describe all the things needed for the full armor of God. And frankly, I get overwhelmed. I need all of it, it seems, to beat back the devil and his tempting schemes. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, AND God’s very Word. How can I possibly grasp all of that?

So this morning I tried to break it down.

Study to know God’s truths. Engrave them, embed them, embrace them so you can recognize them from a lie. Know and remember His promises.

Be in step with the Lord at all times. Listen and obey as Jesus always did. Do what’s good and right as He is known to do. Pray to reflect His good character.

Claim the peace that passes understanding - in every situation. Steadfast calmness. Because you know the sovereignty of the Lord. His almighty power and authority. His faithfulness.

As a believer, know that you are saved and belong to God for all eternity. Now, today and forevermore. And nothing can take that away.

Be steadfast and unmoving when it comes to faith and hope in the Lord. God’s Word brings assurance of all these things mentioned above. Keep the Word close.

These are all good, reassuring, empowering, protecting, confidence-in-Christ building thoughts. They strengthen me. They embolden me to not be fearful.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. (James 4:7-8)

So, I invite you. 

Come near.

Lord, I do desire Your protection from the evil one and his wily ways. Keep me believing, firm and strong, in Your Word, Your promises, and Your love. Leave me not thirsty for Your Word and an understanding of it. May I know it and fight back with it. Every time the tempter comes.

Take my hand, Lord… and don’t let go.

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Worried? Yes!

 What if… worries were just being watchful for the blessing that is to come? Watching and waiting for the Lord regarding something specific.

And not a sign of lack of faith or trust in Him. Not of sign of fear of God’s absence or disinterest.

What if worry was an alertness to the anticipation of God taking care of something?

My husband will be traveling for an extended weekend soon. Lots of plans and coordinating to be made. Connections to orchestrate. And lots of places where things might not go exactly as planned. Juggling the options of a Plan B. And safety issues. Plenty of unknowns. Makes it easy to overthink. Overfret.

We know things don’t always go smoothly, even with our best efforts at anticipating and planning. Especially when traveling and trying to make numerous arrangements connect.

My old self wants to itemize (and yes, pray with wringing hands) every possible scenario that might lead to a setback and disrupt the flow of a safe and enjoyable trip. But “I am doing a new thing,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 43:18)

So, so will I.

I will see every worry as an opportunity to see the Lord in action. I will watch and wait and see His faithful love and care.

As in Psalm 27:13 -

I remain confident in this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

I will watch for Your loving grace, Lord.

I watch for Your loving grace.

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