I woke up this morning to Maggie barking and crying. Usually I tell her to be
quiet and she calms down but today she didn't. In no uncertain terms she wanted attentions and she didn't
care if it was 5.15 am. As I came more fully awake I heard the storm we were
having outside. Lightning kept brightening the sky, and as I looked out the
window I could see rain slashing almost sideways from the gusts of wind. I
went to bed with such a beautiful evening that it was a bit of a surprise.
Maggie was having none of it, she was not staying in her kennel one more minute
and no matter how hard I tried I could not ignore that pitiful cry. Of course my
mind was thinking before it fully wakes (I really wonder if it's not plotting
against me while I sleep to keep itself full during the day).
So what did
I wake up to? I woke up to the parable of Jesus and the Storm. The first thing I
thought was of Peter waking Jesus during the sea storm. The parable tells us
that Peter knew if Jesus woke up they would all be safe. They were fishermen so
they weren't just being overly worried but...Yes! He had that faith... Jesus
wakes up and says he had too little faith. See Peter knew that Jesus would calm
the storm but he didn't have enough faith not to fear that same storm.
I
am so like this!!! In my heart of hearts there is no question that Jesus can
calm whatever storms come into my life. Doesn't seem to matter though because I
still fear the storm until He does. Today I want a deeper faith - I want the
faith that says 'I don't care about the storm'; no matter how strong the winds
or how pelting the rain I know my God can calm it and will calm it.
May
you find that extra bit of faith that gives you a sincere inner peace KNOWING
God will calm that storm.
Mark 4:35 -41
35 As evening came, Jesus
said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they
took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although
other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were
breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was
sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke
him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves,
“Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40
Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41
The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each
other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Wait Patiently
This morning as with most mornings, I woke up in time to see the sunrise. In the last few years I've really come to appreciate the awe that is a sunrise. The intracies of creation that allows the whole world to flow in harmony. As it peaked the horizon I watched and waited. I didn't wait in anxiousness or fret about whether or not the sun was going to peak as I had confidence that it would.
It dawned on me that this is how I should be with the Lord as well. I know He is there and that He will answer my prayers and petitions. The difference is during the waiting for the Lord unlike the sunrise, I tend to fret, be anxious, worry, wring my hands thinking when when when. It dawned on me this morning though that the same God who gave me that sunrise this morning will also answer my prayers. I didn't worry about when the sun rose or try to speed it along I just enjoyed watching it rise. Shouldn't I be doing this with the Lord also when I bring Him my prayers? So as I go through the day today I'm going to enjoy the day knowing that God is going to answer my prayers as certainly as He has the sun rise each day.
Those around me can rush, fret, or try to push their will on me, but my God is bigger than any of their anxiousness or malicious intentions - yes I will wait patiently on the Lord.
Psalm 37:7
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
It dawned on me that this is how I should be with the Lord as well. I know He is there and that He will answer my prayers and petitions. The difference is during the waiting for the Lord unlike the sunrise, I tend to fret, be anxious, worry, wring my hands thinking when when when. It dawned on me this morning though that the same God who gave me that sunrise this morning will also answer my prayers. I didn't worry about when the sun rose or try to speed it along I just enjoyed watching it rise. Shouldn't I be doing this with the Lord also when I bring Him my prayers? So as I go through the day today I'm going to enjoy the day knowing that God is going to answer my prayers as certainly as He has the sun rise each day.
Those around me can rush, fret, or try to push their will on me, but my God is bigger than any of their anxiousness or malicious intentions - yes I will wait patiently on the Lord.
Psalm 37:7
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Encouragement -
I'm very eclectic in my music (books, friends, etc)and this morning I was listening to this song, country style, sang by Joe Nichols and it's called "Nobody believed in you". Of course, from the title you can tell that it's going to be a little on the somber side, but I didn't realize how much it would make me think and put just a tiny bit of sorrow in my heart. It touches upon three things, a young child, an elderly man and God and talks about instances where we discourage all three.
If you get a chance, you may want to give a listen but in the meantime as you go through this beautiful Friday, please remember to encourage those around you. It may be that tired woman at the check out stand, the neighbor who has no family, or the man that has lost his job and isn't feeling like a 'man'. Sometimes one smile, one word, one look gives us back the hope we need.
Be Blessed!
Proverbs 10:21
The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
If you get a chance, you may want to give a listen but in the meantime as you go through this beautiful Friday, please remember to encourage those around you. It may be that tired woman at the check out stand, the neighbor who has no family, or the man that has lost his job and isn't feeling like a 'man'. Sometimes one smile, one word, one look gives us back the hope we need.
Be Blessed!
Proverbs 10:21
The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Am I finally learning what Love is?
When I was married I loved my husband and still do. There was no doubt in my mind that I love my parents and my family. I love my pets, I love my friends, I love new experiences but through all this I never really knew how deep I could love. It's true, we think we love and to some extent we do but I've found so much more.
After lusting, caring, stressing, worrying over someone for the last 18 months, this person determined that he did not want to own a phone anymore (he already didn't own TV) and he's very much a salt of the earth type of guy. As a city gal this crushed me. How was I going to keep in touch, how was I going to stay close to him, how was I going to keep a relationship. Then I realized everyone of those was I I I. Thinking about what I wanted...that is not love. For the very first time in my life I love a person so much that not only do I want him to follow his dreams and be happy, I am not saddened about what I'm missing out on. How would that honor him or respect him. It's not that I don't want to cry at times or that I feel the loss of talking to him daily - but he's my best friend because of all of who he is not just the parts that are the way I wanted.
Maybe I'm finally growing up -
2 Corinthians 12:15 (Whole Chapter)
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
After lusting, caring, stressing, worrying over someone for the last 18 months, this person determined that he did not want to own a phone anymore (he already didn't own TV) and he's very much a salt of the earth type of guy. As a city gal this crushed me. How was I going to keep in touch, how was I going to stay close to him, how was I going to keep a relationship. Then I realized everyone of those was I I I. Thinking about what I wanted...that is not love. For the very first time in my life I love a person so much that not only do I want him to follow his dreams and be happy, I am not saddened about what I'm missing out on. How would that honor him or respect him. It's not that I don't want to cry at times or that I feel the loss of talking to him daily - but he's my best friend because of all of who he is not just the parts that are the way I wanted.
Maybe I'm finally growing up -
2 Corinthians 12:15 (Whole Chapter)
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sin Again Begin Again
Last Saturday I worked a 12 hour shift because my colleague and friend asked if I would cover. Now I did this freely for him to be with his family. There was not agreement to exchange days and so it was. By Monday, my 3rd 12 hour day, I was dragging and tired so I asked if he would cover my 6 hour shift on Saturday. He agreed that he probably could as long as the weather held for his commitment to mowing some lawns.
Last night I text him and say 'we're still on for tomorrow yes?' He tells me that he's got one more lawn today so it probably won't be until 11 am. Now I'm feeling a little resentful and irritated because I had these plans to sleep a bit and catch up on chores.
Most people would say that is only natural - but wait...it is our nature to sin.
You may be shaking your head by now thinking wait a minute you guys had a deal, you filled in for him Saturday so you have every right to be upset! NO, no I dont'. Don't get me wrong it didn't stop me feeling like that for a time but the truth of the matter is I offed my Saturday to him freely and joyfully with no expectations. However, when I asked for the time in return I took away the gift of just doing it for him because I wanted to and instead tried to make it an "i pat your back you pat mine" situation which was never the purpose.
It was not his sin that said he couldn't do it - it was mine for thinking he 'owed' me for being there when he needed and that is my shame.
When I give to another I want to do it out of love and affection and not out of expectation and a view as to what I might get from the deal. So as I go through my commitments and offer to do something the first thing I want it to be is a gift to them and not a worry of what might be extracted of them later.
Just like Jesus gave his gift of life to me with no strings, when I do something for my friends I want them to know it's a gift with no strings.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (Whole Chapter)
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Last night I text him and say 'we're still on for tomorrow yes?' He tells me that he's got one more lawn today so it probably won't be until 11 am. Now I'm feeling a little resentful and irritated because I had these plans to sleep a bit and catch up on chores.
Most people would say that is only natural - but wait...it is our nature to sin.
You may be shaking your head by now thinking wait a minute you guys had a deal, you filled in for him Saturday so you have every right to be upset! NO, no I dont'. Don't get me wrong it didn't stop me feeling like that for a time but the truth of the matter is I offed my Saturday to him freely and joyfully with no expectations. However, when I asked for the time in return I took away the gift of just doing it for him because I wanted to and instead tried to make it an "i pat your back you pat mine" situation which was never the purpose.
It was not his sin that said he couldn't do it - it was mine for thinking he 'owed' me for being there when he needed and that is my shame.
When I give to another I want to do it out of love and affection and not out of expectation and a view as to what I might get from the deal. So as I go through my commitments and offer to do something the first thing I want it to be is a gift to them and not a worry of what might be extracted of them later.
Just like Jesus gave his gift of life to me with no strings, when I do something for my friends I want them to know it's a gift with no strings.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (Whole Chapter)
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Monday, May 7, 2012
Family comes in many forms
It's quiet this morning except for the different warbles, trills, coos and caws of the birds. Individually they sound like 'just a bird' pretty yes but not wholly uplifiting. But when I take all my thoughts away from everything else and just focus on the sounds of the birds they join together in surround sound of companship that rivals any choir.
Next time you feel a bit lonely, close your eyes for just a moment and hear the joyful noises of the your environment and the world we are in. We are not alone.
Psalm 68:6 - God places the lonely in families
Next time you feel a bit lonely, close your eyes for just a moment and hear the joyful noises of the your environment and the world we are in. We are not alone.
Psalm 68:6 - God places the lonely in families
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