Sure Thing…
These days uncertainty greets as our feet hit the floor.
Weather, work, politics, violence, money, health, loved ones – nothing is sure anymore.
Still, we are all looking for a sure thing – even as we reach out it seems to slip from our grasp. A friend recently said “Honestly, in the world we live in, I’m surprised we don’t all just stay in bed with the covers pulled over our heads!”
But then…dawn comes and peeping through puffy white clouds is blue. And I’m reminded the blue is always there – even when the clouds are solid. I sense the Father’s smile. Ripples on the water growing ever wider – unending circles – like His unending love. I can almost hear His reassuring voice. As sun warms my bare arms I am enveloped in golden rays – reminded I am never alone. Filled by His Holy Spirit, He is always with me.
“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. (1John 4: 15-16 NIV)
Blessed Assurance Jesus Is Mine – old hymn, timeless truth.
For something to be certain, without doubt, unchanging – it has to have always been. Only God has always been. So our sure thing is the One who quiets our storms and our souls. The One who calls us to walk and leads the way.
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2 ESV)
So when the weather brings floods or blizzard, work lays off half the staff, politicians lie for their own gain, violence happens on the corner as we drive by, money is scarce, health is compromised, loved ones struggle – remember His word is always true and He is ever faithful. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)
Promise 33
In a few days I will have been married to a man who said ‘I do’ and has meant it for 33 years.
These days it’s hard to find someone committed for 33 minutes let alone years. But this man has stuck by my side through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
It all began with a promise. We both made the decision to give our hearts to God first and He promised us:
To be with us always – to give us wisdom – to carry out His plans for us – to be our strength – to be our joy, to be our peace, to be our help…and to give us eternity.
We haven’t always cooperated perfectly with these promises. But even “if we are faithless, He will remain faithful” (2Timothy 2:13a) Two imperfect people plus one perfect God equals a marriage of a lifetime.
What if we looked on our wife/husband with eyes like the ones Jesus looks on us with? Eyes of compassion, of tender love, of mercy, of grace. I think we would see the inside of us – vulnerable, childlike, wanting approval, fearful, desperately desiring a love that isn’t based on our perfection but that totally accepts our imperfection – yet won’t let us stay there.
That is Christ’s love for us. So deep yet so knowing. Strong enough to take us as we are, wise enough to grow us beyond where we are.
The world we live in, satan in his conniving, and us in our selfish selves cannot be faithful – and we often don’t keep our promises. There is One who does: “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” (2Thessalonians 3:3 NIV)
This marriage of 33 anniversaries has been full – full of heartaches and crazy joy, full of uplifting words and sometimes cutting words, full of children and now full in the empty nest. With God’s help we will promise to make more memories together, to be so full of God that we can overflow to others, and to always be ready to be filled by a God whose bounty knows no limits.
May we til death us part always say that we will “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)
Aftermath…
Much of our world knows nothing of hurricanes – but for those living in their paths, be they in America or the Philippines or wherever – we know the aftermath. This time I’m calling it the After-Matth-ew.
South Florida, where I live, is no stranger to hurricanes – and lots of ‘fun’ tropical weather. Twelve years ago four hurricanes made landfall in Florida within six weeks. There was after-Charley, after-Frances, after-Ivan, and after-Jeanne. Frances and Jeanne made landfall right where I live.
Weather events, blizzards or cyclones – are memory points. Times we mark and say ‘before this’ or ‘after that’. But the storms of life do the same, ‘before Alzheimer’s’ or ‘after heart surgery’.
During these times we often feel helpless – because we are, in ourselves.
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36 NIV) That is as true of us today as it was 2,000 years ago when our Savior lovingly looked at the weary.
He sees you and me, He sees we are harassed and helpless. But we are not without a Shepherd. Because of bottomless compassion, limitless love, and ultimate power – Christ gave everything for us. So that as we are battered through the storms of life our reality is: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19a NIV)
This is truth, and truth sets us free. No more guilt ridden thoughts of ‘if onlys’ – no sleepless nights of ‘could haves’. Freed to share our hope – secure in His everlasting arms.
So what do we do in the aftermath of life’s storms? How we answer that question determines where our help comes from. Will it be self? Or will we surrender day by day to the One who is our strength? “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV) Love this song… (here’s the link if the clip below doesn’t show up for you: https://youtu.be/-sx8wTnnfSc?list=RDwRJZQFRyZ6s )
Strong In…
A hurting world cries out ‘where is justice’ ‘where is relief’ ‘where is help’?
A son kills his father, policemen fear for their lives along with those they defend – and locked doors don’t protect. Rioters in the streets and rich young sports figures question what was once without question.
And weary citizens either tune out not wanting to hear one more tragedy or tune in wondering what will be next.
Who or what has the strength or ability to change any of it? The question rises because the askers have forgotten: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1Corinithians 1:25 NIV)
Creation is our great teacher. The spider spins it’s web without a blueprint. This delicate looking masterpiece has a ratio of strength to density exceeding that of steel. In a strong wind, the initial stiffness of the silk helps a web survive – able to tolerate winds up to almost hurricane strength before tearing apart. The web’s ability to flex and stretch keep it intact when torn. Where did the spider learn to weave, where did the proteins needed to make the web originate?
So it is with us. In our weakness we sometimes stiffen to withstand life’s blows. Other times we are stretched to what seems cannot be bared. Only to find out we are stronger because of it. Where does our strength come from? “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV)
Challenging times lay ahead in all lives. From the poorest homeless to the richest tycoon. No one is exempt. And not just us as individuals. But a nation that was once touted as a “city upon a hill” is in danger of going dark. Those who left England in 1630 had a great vision. They hoped to be an example for the rest of the world. Future governor John Winthrop said this: “We shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us.”
Will those watching see us fight on our knees asking the only One who can right the wrongs to intervene? Or will they see us shake our fist in defiance springing from perceived self-sufficiency? I hope and pray this will be our anthem: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10 NIV)
All Things…
Thunder rumbles loud. Barely noticed by those beneath the grey sky.
Our noisy world hardly hears a siren, an explosion, a cry for help. Hearing only what is important at the moment. The phone call, the broken printer, the angry client.
But thunder rumbles for a reason, song birds call out for a reason, waves roar for a reason. The noise of creation calls attention to the Creator. The noise of the world calls attention to the seemingly urgent. Distraction from the important.
Wind rustles leaves, raindrops plop – and in the everyday their call is unnoticed. But a moment spent noticing calms the clenching of fists, the drumming of fingers – stress lessens.
As drops splatter and the bubbles form and pop, birds stop calling and tree limbs still. Creation is listening.
Yes, our world is demanding. But all things created need a silent break here and there. A remembering minute to breathe in and let go – to recall: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17 NIV)
When we think we’re falling apart, or the world is falling apart – remember He holds all things securely in His hands.
When it seems one more thing will do us in – remember our One thing. Jesus, our one desire. We may think we desire money, fame, popularity – or maybe just a good home, healthy kids, and enough to pay the bills. Those are things we chase after to fill a void. Only the void gets wider the more it is filled. But when earthly desire gives in to the Giver, the emptiness fills and our One thing becomes all we need.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
Skies lighten and phones ring. But in the dripping eaves is a message for the soul: quiet enough, long enough, to hear the voice of the One who can make a difference. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
His purpose is to see us to an eternity with Him. He’s calling in the stormy times and in the laughter, in the heartbreaks and the triumphs. Hear the echo of unfailing love.
Sighs…
You do know it don’t you?
You are the joy set before Him, set before Jesus, set before your Savior, set before the lover of your soul.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him…” (Hebrews 12:2a NIV)
Sigh.
Shouldn’t it be someone who has accomplished much? Someone who has sacrificed their well being for another? Someone who models humility? Someone…’more than’ me.
Praise God the joy Jesus finds in calling us His own isn’t based on our do’s or our haven’ts. Solely based on our ‘Yes’.
The writer of this sweet verse tells us first to fix our eyes. Meaning our hearts, our mindset, our aim, our reasoning, our all – on Jesus. Because, get this, even our faith is not our own it comes from the Author and Perfector. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
Exhale.
He wrote on His hands, through nail scars, our names. He writes our story, and in His book there is a heart beside our name and our eternity.
Hebrews 12:2 finishes with “endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Done, sat down, finished. With His yes to the cross and my yes to Him, the undeserved gift is given, accepted, and I have no more do’s to do or have to’s to live up to.
Because Ephesians 2:9 leads right into 10 without hesitation reminding me “not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Surrender.
I am joy – you are joy. Is this a license to live as those who don’t know Him? Not a chance – for joy is mine and freedom is mine when I am living for Him. Self condemns, self imprisons – and all we see in the world is the filling of self – and the results haven’t been pretty. But in the midst of this world, good and bad, freedom comes in whispers to our soul – ‘You are my joy’, ‘You are free’, ‘I am writing your story.’
Now that leads to one contented soul sigh.
Brushstrokes…
At dusk last night clouds were backlit by a soon setting sun. Pinks took over where white puffs had just been. Streaks of peach arched from west to east. A canvas stretched sky wide. Brushstrokes of the Master Artist.
This morning a bluest blue canvas greeted me. As I pulled spent flowers and listened to chirps, curling puffs of white swept over the canvas. A dance of high and low clouds began. Moving art sent by their Creator.
Black dirt pops here with yellow, there with pink. Seeds created to put forth green leaves and top off with bold color. Designed simply for beauty.
Too often these works of art are never noticed. In busyness eyes are kept on the goal, the task, the electronic device.
But what if the Artist has a message? ‘Look up, look around, oh open your eyes and see – see what calms anxiousness, gives hope, brings joy.’ Notice these and use them in the midst of the busyness. Tell a child God painted the sky. Look out the office window and get others to join you. Smell a bouquet and know there is more than the insaneness of this world.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1 NIV) Does it fall on deaf ears, blind eyes?
Still it is hard to take notice. Pain, ours or a loved one’s, keeps our focus on the now. Finances stir anxiety, and our gaze fixes on what can be done. Brokenness blacks out and shows only shattered ‘what if’ pieces. How to take notice?
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV) One sigh and surrender at a time. Looking up to our only source of joy. Joy in the midst of the everyday, the mundane, the ho-hum. Joy in the midst of the pain, heartache, loss. Joy in the midst of success, triumph, laughter.
Brushstrokes of reminding – He is always at work. His canvas is the sky, the ocean, the fields and mountains – and you. See the Master at work.
Hope for the Fidgeter…
When I sit, my leg is swinging or my toe is tapping.
It’s not a matter of impatience or boredom. It’s that inner fidgeter saying ‘What’s next?’ ‘Shouldn’t you be doing something?’
Lately I’ve been reading about happiness – seemingly one of the authors had accessed my inner wiring. She showed me what I already knew: I love listening to and being with my people – family, friends. But the me I’m ‘supposed to be’ has locked up the real me. Then I had an aha moment.
First, I realized I am a Mary raised to be a Martha. Guilt has been my companion whenever I’m not doing. And so the leg swings when I sit without the next thing. The toe taps when the mental list is being reviewed.
But the real aha moment was this: I realized I had a Martha mom who was happy in all the doing – and it didn’t necessarily mean she expected the same from me, or even that she was disappointed if I wasn’t doing.
Perhaps I had lost my way in the continual pursuit of making everyone happy.
Pausing from my reading, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge: It’s true, your momma loved you even when you weren’t in motion – and your Heavenly Father does too. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” (John 14:27a NIV)
Deep sigh – letting out years of wondering and wandering.
So am I free to just sit and soak in conversation ‘round the table? To not always have the cleanest house?
Yes! Jesus is our perfect example. Though He had much to do and did much while He was here, in those people-connecting moments there was no hint of Him checking His watch, no hurry to move on to the next thing.
With Him a broken woman was free to take as long as she needed to wash His feet with her tears. A disciple could have questions and not feel like He was wasting the Savior’s time. With Jesus we don’t have to have a checked off ‘to-do’ list. And we are free to share that same attentiveness with others.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NIV)
For me a slowing has come – and with it freedom. In His perfect timing He sets us free indeed – freeing us to be who He made us to be. For some it may be to accomplish more, do more, be more. But for others, like me, by letting go of striving we can find freedom in the still moments – and release from all our fidgeting.
Have It All…
It’s been a long, hot summer – and not just here, and not just the weather.
Here the usual relief of afternoon downpours often haven’t happened. Then there’s the flooding in Louisiana – and we count our blessing of not too much.
There’s the earthquake in Italy – homes, businesses, loved ones – gone in an instant. And we count our blessing of sound ground.
It seems the dark-sky-rumble threatens somewhere everyday. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:7 NIV) (And tornadoes and storms and terrorists attacks, and and and)
But then there’s the bare flowerbed left alone because it’s too hot to bother. Suddenly green lacey leaves sprout. Overnight the barren becomes an oasis of waving yellow. Seeds dropped a season or two ago quietly nestled in the dark earth until just the right time.
And so it is with the fruit that pain sometimes brings. A need, a longing, a desire to know there is something bigger than our bank account, a roof over our heads, or any other so called security. And through the hard thing, faith grows.
Deep in our hearts is a knowing that this is not our home. That this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14 NLT)
In the mirror I glimpsed my deep smile lines and in that same moment turned to see the swelling of new life in a young mom. Life being knit together in the safety of the womb. And I’m reminded that a blessed life starts with smooth skin and ends with hard won crinkles where eyes smiled at the wonder of it all.
Rain or shine, bare fields or green harvest, youth or aging grace – we have it all.
All that the world tries to convince us we need cannot compare to what we already have. For if we’ve surrendered self and accepted true life, then it’s us who can tell the world “You are really missing out.”
Lived hard, loved deep, laughed loud – we can joy in this not because of the ease, but because of the struggle. It is in the hard stuff, we acknowledge our hope.
So the next time you hear ‘You can have it all’ – smile, knowing you already do. “From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (John 1:16 NLT)
Pineapple Bandits…
It happened again.
Most people don’t realize it takes two years (at least) from the time a pineapple top is planted till it flowers and grows a pineapple. I’ve grown a few, then last year a thief gnawed one clean off the stem and disappeared with it. I had waited one day too many.
That’s how it is with many areas of our lives. We keep waiting one more day to quit a bad habit, to offer forgiveness, to give to someone in need. Then one day we realize our rest has been stolen, our peace has disappeared, and we’ve missed out on true joy.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)
This year three (count them, three) pineapples decided to grow. One had about a month head start on the others. As I worked outside one morning I noted it was just about ready. Sure enough the next morning as I went out with knife in hand, the bandit had struck again. The evidence left was a gutted pineapple skin with only the core inside.
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV)
Now is the time to write that letter, visit the shut-in neighbor, study His Word. None of us knows what tomorrow holds, how many days we have left, when it will be too late.
So what about my other two pineapples? No hesitation, the moment they looked ready, I cut them. Their fragrance and sweet juice were a delight. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 NIV) Desires put there by Him to shine His light in this hurting world.
We have just this one wild and precious life to share what’s truly important: the good news of salvation and the great promise of eternity. Don’t wait…
parisrenae 