Fragile

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Life is short. I can’t seem to comprehend that statement. Life is short. There are hints all around: sickness/disease, funerals, Bible scriptures, seasons, friends in the final stages of cancer, broken gifts that break my heart, and so much more. But do I really understand that life is short?

Every day I’m focused on today and what’s happening: work, dishes, coffee with friends, trying to be the best me I can be, laundry, eating breakfast while driving, raking leaves, and so my life goes. I struggle with how to keep the perspective that this life is short so make it count at the same time that I’m “doing” life.

In Colossians 3:1-2, I read “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” How on earth (pun intended) am I supposed to do that? Set my mind on things above. Christ is seated at the right hand of God IN heaven. I interpret this as keep your mind on heaven, at the very minimum. (“Jesus…is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2)

My husband has been doing this very well – he’s constantly talking about how he wants his house in heaven to look like (root beer trees as an example) and continually trying to figure out when he is going to get there.

I had a very interesting reaction to a gift that was given to me for my birthday. My reaction took me completely by surprise and I think it was God helping me to understand that life is short.

To help give some background and describe me a little bit, I do not get sentimental with things. I don’t hold on to the doll that Sally gave me in the 2nd grade because it meant so much to me. Nope, not me at all. I don’t even remember that Sally gave me anything, and I tossed the doll once I stopped playing with it.

That is why, when I received the gift in the mail and I completely fell apart – sobbing and all – that I surprised myself so much of this (frankly) embarrassing reaction! It was completely NOT me! However, it was not the gift itself that caused me to be the blubbering fool, but it was that the gift was broken when it arrived.

Oh, I could tell that the sender took great precautions to keep it safe: bubble wrap everywhere, sturdy box, lots of tape, etc. And yet, it still shattered into pieces.

I think it is the same with us. We take all sorts of precautions to keep our life “safe,” and all the while, we don’t have any control over the length of our days. Sure, we can (and should!) eat right, exercise, get lots of sleep, be safe on the road, etc., but at any moment “Fool! This night your soul is required of you…” (Luke 12:20)

Lord, help me to keep my mind set on things above and on You, and “teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom!” (Psalm 90:12)

“The grass withers, the flower fades but the word of our God will stand forever.”  (Isaiah 40:8)

 

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Carry Me

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Do you remember the last time you were carried? I mean physically picked up and carried. If you’re a woman and married, it may have been when your husband picked you up and carried you over the threshold of your first house. Or perhaps the last time you were carried was as a little child either too tired to walk up to bed so dad picked you up and carried you. Or perhaps you were sick and too weak to make it back to your bedroom so someone had to carry you.

I remember what it felt like at first. I was frightened I would be dropped! For heaven’s sake I’m a little over 20 pounds (said tongue in cheek) and I’m definitely too heavy. Additionally, it was more than a little unsettling as I had NO control over how I was being carried or where I was being carried. Completely without control and vulnerable.

However, once I realized the person carrying me was strong enough not to drop me, and was comfortable I was being taken to a good/safe place, I rested my head on his shoulders and totally and completely relaxed.

I was reminded recently about being carried.

I had a surgery last week and I think had the appropriate level of freak out of “going under.”  I had family and friends come that day and pray for me while I was in surgery and even the days after in recovery. Funny thing is, I never prayed! I thought for sure I would have an awesome God moment before I went it and when I woke up, but nothing. I didn’t even reach out to Him. It’s hard to admit that as I’d like to think I have a good relationship with Him.

However, God showed me I was carried. He took me up in His arms, gathered the right people around me, and carried me through. I didn’t do anything. I completely let go. I didn’t even pray and ask Him to! He just did.

I think there are moments when you don’t have to work. Work at relationships. Work at saying the right things. Work at being the right person. Work at having a good testimony. Work at being a good patient and not complain too much. Work at being a good daughter and giving honor to parents. Work at getting everything done so that you can have fun. Work on making sure everyone is cared for.  These are the times to jump in His strong arms and be carried through.  Completely and totally released.

“The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.” (Deuteronomy 1:30-31)

Unfortunately, I don’t let myself be carried too often, but that will be changing!  It is an awesome feeling to completely let go and let someone else take over, especially God.  Oh what peace and rest!

Let’s ask our Heavenly Daddy to carry us today!

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Filed Under: #GodsLove, Love, Peace

Solid as a Rock!

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Have you noticed how many times the Bible refers to nature?  There are rocks, streams, rivers, trees, fruit, and so much more everywhere in the Bible.  I guess it makes sense when God is the creator of it all eh?

I was pondering rocks and sponges recently.  I’m doing a weekly ladies Bible study and I was thinking about how many times I do the homework but never let it affect me.  I got to add the checkmark on my To Do list, but did I let God get His checkmark for teaching me something new about Him?  There is something to “getting ‘er done” versus “being molded into His image.”  I think it is the difference between a rock and a sponge.

I love rocks!  Seriously.  It’s a strange love of my life that few have known about me (now more will know).  Even for my wedding I wanted rocks on the tables at the reception (see picture).  A great friend of mine came up with “Love Rocks!”, which in my case, can be used both ways – Love does rock, but also I love rocks.

However, there is a time to be “solid as a rock,” but other times when it is to our destruction.  When our heart is solid as a rock, nothing, not even God can penetrate it.  He limits Himself that way.

Now a sponge – that’s a different story all together!  A sponge drinks in the water and takes on the characteristics of water.  It seeps out the water and is totally changed by it.  At first, a sponge is hard and unyielding.  When water is added, the sponge becomes flexible, penetrable, and useful for what it was intended to do!

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 AMP)

Another version of this verse says “Guard your heart” and I’ve always struggled with how to do that exactly.  However, I think it has to do with sponges.  If I allow my heart to be penetrated with God’s Word, then my sponge can be used for what it was intended to do – flow with His springs of life!

What have you allowed God to change in you today?

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Get Fit!

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This is the time of year when a lot of people (including me) are focused on working through their New Year’s Resolutions.  It’s time to get healthy, time to get fit, time to make goals, time to change way of thinking/way of doing, time to become more of who we want to be (however that may be formed into a resolution).

I see it as the time to build our muscles.  Hit the gym, so to speak (or literally!).

At the end of 2016 (3 days before Christmas), I was given the opportunity to build my muscles.  My faith muscles that is.  I was taken off a work project that I thought would last a good year or so.  Suddenly (and not conveniently), I had no income.

Funny word I chose there:  opportunity.  However it is truly an opportunity!

It’s the opportunity to work on my faith muscles.  Just like hitting the gym each day in order to build muscles, its time to hit the Bible (believe what He says in it, and work on my relationship with Him) to build my faith muscles.  The good news is I didn’t stop “going to the gym” (Bible, hearing from God) prior to this news, as He actually prepared me ahead of time.  I kept up the muscle maintenance needed for moments just like this.  I’m actually very excited that this is the season to “bulk up.”  I’m learning to appreciate what James said:

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2 NLT)

I’m learning that when I go through “stuff” I get the chance to experience different aspects/qualities of God.  For instance, when I was afraid and had a sort of “bully” in my life, I experienced God as my refuge and strength, and as my vindicator. (“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1 NLT;  and “For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants” Psalms 135:14 ESV)  When I was laid off from my job of 11 years, I experienced God’s rest as never before. (“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV)  When I was single for so many years, I experienced God as my husband.  (“For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” Isaiah 5:54 ESV)

You can never change my mind or convince me now that God is not my refuge and strength, or my vindicator, or my rest, or my husband.  I KNOW those things and nothing will ever change that because I experienced and lived it!  Those muscles are toned baby!

Continuing what James said after he said to consider the trials/troubles opportunities, he gives us the reason: “For you know that when your faith is tested (or faith muscle is built up – my words), your endurance has a chance to grow (bulk up – my words). So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. ”  In other words, the yuck in life is the opportunity to build up your faith muscles!  Then you will not need anything else and realize all you need is God alone!  He is enough!  He is all you will ever need in every situation.  Good or bad, God is all you need.

Want to come work out with me?

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:10 NKJV)

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It’s All Very Simple

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I can complicate things. Even simple things. I can take one easy thing and make it in to so much more. I do this so automatically, without thinking. Take for instance, my husband giving me a compliment that I look good in these pants. I complicate it by asking myself: “is it the color he likes? the fit? the fact that I put pants on instead of sweats? is he just saying that to make me feel good? does he really mean it? does my butt look good in these?” Oh lordie! Stop it already!

Have you been there before?

It hit me the other day when God told me He loved me that I complicate this as well. How does He love me? What does it mean that He loves me? Does it mean He loves what I did that day?  He loves how He made me? He loves that I spend time with Him?

Then I just starting thinking that God’s love has no limits or boundaries. He loves me just because I am. He loves to just hang out with me. He loves my sense of humor. He loves to give me gifts. He loves to do things for me. He tells me I’m doing good (and means it!). He just wants to let me sit and let Him love me. I don’t have to even try to love Him back. I don’t have to reciprocate. He just loves me when I don’t do anything. He loves me. Just me being me. He loves me just as I am with no strings.

It’s really just that simple.

I’m going to sit now and just let Him love me. Wanna join me?

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” I Corinthians 13: 4-7

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